Space Heaters: Ratings of Sources
Total of 15 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
1. ConsumerReports.org
Nov. 2008
Space Heaters
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
Tests of 14 electric space heaters reveal improvements in consistency compared to past reports here. This is the best comparison review we found for space heaters, but only one of the models tested is… priced at less than $50. The two heaters with the lowest overall scores also carry the highest price tags. Unfortunately brands aren't compared for reliability, and several owners reviewing heaters at Amazon.com report that one of the top-rated heaters here has caught fire.
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Cut Your Heating Costs and Save Money This Winter
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
Our Assessment
After conducting comparison tests of 31 space heaters to gauge safety and performance, editors chose the Honeywell HZ-385BP as the best space heater. If you have pets or children who might touch its… surface, though, they recommend the Honeywell HZ-720RU. The testing procedures aren't specified in this article, but Good Housekeeping has established an excellent reputation for objective comparison tests.
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Space Heaters
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
We found Amazon.com to be a very good source for owner-written reviews of space heaters. Top ratings don't depend on style or price; several oil-filled radiator-style heaters get positive reviews,… especially DeLonghi models, but other styles also rank high here. It's also worth noting which heaters earn especially low ratings here, as owners can spot problems with reliability that brief comparison tests elsewhere may have missed.
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4. Which? magazine
Not Dated
Portable Heaters
by Editors of Which? magazine
Our Assessment
Testing is well-documented here at this British equivalent to ConsumerReports.org, and we'd rank this British review higher if the models tested were available in the U.S. - most of the 30 heaters tested here aren't. Tests find oil-filled radiator heaters quiet and economical, but less effective.
5. Choice magazine
May 2009
Electric Heaters
by Editors of Choice magazine
Our Assessment
This Australian nonprofit consumer magazine (similar to ConsumerReports.org in the U.S.) tests and rates 11 convection and column (oil filled) heaters for safety, performance and ease of use. Although some brands (like DeLonghi and Sunbeam) will be familiar to American readers, specific models are not available in the U.S.
6. Consumer magazine
June 1, 2009
Oil-filled Heaters, Convection Heaters
by Editors of Consumer magazine
Our Assessment
This New Zealand nonprofit consumer magazine evaluates five oil-filled column heaters and 10 convection heaters. Each unit is tested for safety, performance and ease of use. None of the models is available in the U.S., but the reviews are excellent resources if you're shopping for a space heater in New Zealand.
Space Heater Reviews
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
Our Assessment
The electric space heaters listed here are very easy to browse, because the list shows the average owners' rating and the number of reviews on which it's based. However, nearly all space heaters end up with the same average rating.
Space Heaters: Honeywell HZ-519 versus DeLonghi HHP 1500
by Glenn Howes
Our Assessment
This interesting review recommends a DeLonghi oil-filled radiator, taking issue with its ranking at ConsumerReports.org. Howes' review of the two models here is detailed and point-by-point, and you can draw your own conclusion about which features are more important to you. Howes also suggests buying in the summer, when prices are generally lower.
Space Heaters
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment
Only a small fraction of the couple thousand heaters on this site have any reviews, and none has more than a couple dozen. Still, some of these owner-written ratings are very helpful, and it's worth checking out the heater you have in mind here before you buy to see what other owners have to say.
Electric Portable Heaters
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
Our Assessment
The few portable air conditioners sold here that also serve as heaters get relatively low average ratings from owners reviewing them here. When it comes to regular electric space heaters, quite a few… comments from owners reveal that the buyers didn't understand what type of heater they were buying, and they're disappointed in the results. Most models haven't accumulated enough reviews yet to make their average ratings significant.
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Indoor Heaters
by Contributors to Sears.com
Our Assessment
Only a few of the space heaters sold here have accumulated enough owner-written reviews to make their average ratings carry much weight. However, the DeLonghi 9707 Advanced Oil-Filled Radiator (now discontinued) stands out for above-average ratings from more than 30 owners.
Heaters
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Our Assessment
Although Walmart.com doesn't sell a large number of space heaters, several Lasko models receive more than 100 reviews each and excellent ratings. The Sunpentown SH-1507 is also highly rated here, as is the Honeywell Safety Motion Sensor Tower and the DeLonghi 34-inch Ceramic Tower Heater with Remote Control.
Portable Heaters Product Reviews
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Our Assessment
ConsumerGuide.com, now part of HowStuffWorks.com, has full reviews of only three space heaters. It picks Holmes Micathermic CNSL Heater BH3950-U space heater as a CG Best Buy, but there's no evidence of any testing, and it's not clear how the editors arrived at their conclusion.
Heaters
by Contributors to Target.com
Our Assessment
Even though most space heaters sold here have only one or two reviews, the comments add useful information not available elsewhere - often about problems with noise or reliability. A few heaters, like the highly-rated Holmes HCH4948-U (now discontinued), have a larger number of reviews.
Personal Shopper; Hot, Slim and Multitalented
by Marianne Rohrlich
Our Assessment
Reporting on the trend toward slim space heaters, this article highlights the interesting features now available on eight different heaters but doesn't test or rank them. It's helpful in pointing out desirable features such as bathroom-safe heaters, digital settings, remote controls, timers and anti-freeze settings. Some new space heaters mount on the wall; others resemble fireplaces.
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