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In this report

See Also

Space Heaters: Ratings of Sources
Total of 19 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
Updated Oct. 2009
Space Heaters
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org tests 12 electric space heaters for safety, temperature control, noise and ease of use. Although this is the best comparison review of space heaters, the report hasn't been updated since 2009 and some of the models have been discontinued. Price doesn't correlate to quality here, as the two highest-priced heaters lack safety and convenience features found in many cheaper models.
2. Amazon.com
As of Nov. 2011
Space Heaters
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com is a very good source for owner-written reviews of space heaters. Top ratings don't depend on style or price; models with high ratings include ceramic towers, oil-filled radiators and infrared radiant heaters. It's also worth noting which heaters earn especially low ratings here, as owners spot problems with reliability that brief comparison tests elsewhere may miss.
3. The New York Times
Jan. 13, 2010
Road Test: Space Heaters
by Stephen Treffinger
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentStephen Treffinger with The New York Times tests 10 portable space heaters in his New York City apartment. Treffinger cooled one room in his apartment to 55 degrees before timing how long it took each heater to raise the temperature to 65 degrees. Five space heaters perform well in his test.
4. Walmart.com
As of Nov. 2011
Heaters
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAlthough there are more than 250 portable heaters listed at Walmart.com, most get only 10 or 20 user reviews -- if that. The Lasko 755320 space heater is one exception, attracting more than 500 individual reviews and a high overall rating.
5. Viewpoints.com
As of Nov. 2011
Electric Heater Reviews
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentViewpoints.com is a user-review site with a strong selection of space heaters. The site is very easy to browse since the list shows the average owners' rating and the number of reviews on which it's based. It is also possible to sort models by specific features or specific manufacturers. Several space heaters from brands such as Lasko and DeLonghi earn good feedback. Unfortunately, model numbers are not always listed, making it difficult to determine which space heater is being reviewed.
6. Which? magazine
Not Dated
Portable Heaters
by Editors of Which? magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWhich? magazine, the British equivalent to ConsumerReports.org, tests 16 space heaters in this recent report. Testing methods are well documented -- the organization even constructed two test chambers to measure each unit's heating ability. The space heaters are also evaluated on ease of use. Unfortunately, many of the 16 space heaters tested are not available in the United States, including the two DeLonghi heaters recommended as Best Buys.
7. Choice magazine
May 20, 2011
Electric Heaters Review
by Editors of Choice magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis Australian nonprofit consumer magazine (similar to ConsumerReports.org in the U.S.) tests and rates 17 electric space heaters for safety, performance and ease of use. Although some brands (like DeLonghi and Sunbeam) will be familiar to American readers, none of the recommended models are available in the U.S.
8. Consumer magazine
May 24, 2011
Convection Heaters
by Editors of Consumer magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis New Zealand nonprofit consumer magazine evaluates 10 space heaters, mainly oil-filled column heaters (although one electric heater is also included). 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.
9. Slate.com
Feb. 10, 2009
Heated Debate: Which Space Heater Is Best?
by Dan Crane
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDan Crane of Slate.com tests seven convection space heaters, with and without fans, in his Los Angeles apartment. Crane rates the heaters based on noise, safety features, how fast they warm up a room, and "bells and whistles" such as a thermostat, digital controls or a programmable timer. While Crane says none of the heaters he tested is really ideal, he gives the highest overall rating to the Honeywell HZ-385BP, which heats up quickly and has lots of safety and convenience features.
10. Good Housekeeping
Not Dated
Hottest New Space Heaters
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe Good Housekeeping Research Institute recommends three space heaters in this brief review. Although testing details are not disclosed -- and we don't know how many space heaters were tested -- it's clear that each heater was personally evaluated. The Vornado EH1-0028-06 is deemed the best space heater overall thanks to its quick heating and intuitive control panel. Unfortunately, the two other recommended heaters have been discontinued.
11. Good Housekeeping
Not Dated
Cut Your Heating Costs and Save Money This Winter
by Editors of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAfter conducting comparison tests of 31 space heaters to gauge safety and performance, editors chose the Honeywell HZ-385BP as the best space heater. The testing procedures aren't specified in this article, but the Good Housekeeping Research Institute has established an excellent reputation for objective comparison tests.
12. Buzzillions.com
As of Nov. 2011
Heater Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBuzzillions.com compiles owner-written reviews from a number of online retailers, including HomeDepot.com and TigerDirect.com. There are more than 300 space heaters listed on the site, but only a few attract a considerable number of reviews. The Lasko 754200 is one of the top-rated space heaters on the site.
13. This Old House
Not Dated
The Best Space Heaters
by Natalie Rodriguez
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis Old House magazine recommends several types of space heaters in this undated article. The reviews themselves are brief, but the benefits of each model are discussed in a sentence or two. Model numbers are not listed for the recommended space heaters, so it takes some digging to uncover the applicable heater.
14. The Today Show
Oct. 12, 2011
Cheapism: Best Space Heaters under $35
by Kara Reinhardt
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentKara Reinhardt, a writer for Cheapism.com, contributes this article for NBC's The Today Show. Four heaters score a recommendation, although it doesn't appear that these models have been personally tested or evaluated. Heaters from Lasko, DeLonghi and Honeywell are highly rated.
15. Real Simple
Not Dated
7 Space Heaters
by Jenny Kim, Stephanie Sisco and Yolanda Wikiel
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentReal Simple magazine recommends seven space heaters in this brief slideshow article, but the editors don't share any information on how these seven heaters were selected or evaluated. The reviews themselves are brief and focus only on features and benefits rather than real-world testing details.
16. Target.com
As of Nov. 2011
Heaters
by Contributors to Target.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTarget.com doesn't attract as many owner-written reviews as Amazon.com, but some space heaters have a solid number of comments. The Lasko 5429 Oscillating Ceramic Heater and SPT SH-1506 Ceramic Heater with Humidifier get high marks on this site.
17. Epinions.com
As of Nov. 2011
Space Heaters
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOf the several thousand heaters listed on this site, most attract only a review or two. Still, some of these owner-written reviews can be quite detailed, so Epinions.com is worth checking out once you have a space heater in mind.
18. Lowes.com
As of Nov. 2011
Electric Space Heaters
by Contributors to Lowes.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis site is much easier to navigate than some others. Products can be sorted by price, brand, popularity or customer rating; the number of reviews and average rating for each product is shown as well. However, most of the electric space heaters sold at Lowes.com have no customer reviews, and no model receives a high number of positive reviews.
19. Sears.com
As of Nov. 2011
Indoor Heaters
by Contributors to Sears.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOut of more than 500 indoor heaters sold at Sears.com, only a few have any owner-written reviews, and none have accumulated enough reviews to make their average ratings carry much weight.
     
 

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