Best Bathroom Heaters – 2022 Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

| Last Updated: December 20, 2021

During the winter, your bathroom can get completely cold and you may be tempted to turn up the central heating just to keep you warm in a single room such as your basement. Rather than wasting electricity and energy to heat up the whole house, you can buy a small heater that will just heat your bathroom effectively.

But when you are looking for a heater for a small space like that, there are a few things to keep in mind. In this article, we will look at the different types of bathroom heaters available as well as the factors you should consider when selecting a bathroom heater.

Read on to learn about different types of heaters and get more reviews.

Comparison of the Best Bathroom Heaters

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Aesthetically designed fan heater which boosts quality construction and quiet operation
  • Frost protection setting keeps the temperature above freezing point
  • Convenient on/off switch turns off the heater completely when it is not in use
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  • Space saving and attractive design blends beautifully with any décor
  • Specially provided safety plug for use in bathroom
  • Simple heat button provides an hour of uninterrupted high heat for extremely cold mornings
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  • Energy-saving heating supplement to provide comfortable warmth
  • Adjustable, front-mounted thermostat control offers a simple way to adjust the heat
  • Permanently lubricated motor and nickel-chrome heating element ensures safe operation
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  • Fan-forced ceiling heater which disperses heat evenly
  • Easy-to-install unit which provides energy-saving warmth
  • Durable aluminum grille with satin finish compliments any decor
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  • Best Infrared Bathroom Heater
  • Interactive LED display with precision controllable settings
  • Wall mounted design that is easy to install and designed for space saving
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What to Look for in a Bathroom Heater

When making a decision on what kind of bathroom heater to purchase we should keep the following factors in mind:

Portability

In case you are planning to move the heater from place to place it’s a good idea to purchase a small heater that runs on electricity. This will allow you to easily shift the location as and when needed.

Durability

If you plan to keep using the heater for a few years then go for a heater that is strongly constructed and will not require much maintenance. The more-durable models will have fewer moving parts and will be constructed from stronger materials.

Versatility

Versatile heaters can be multipurpose. They can be used in bathrooms or in other rooms if needed. They can also perform more than one function such as removing humidity from the room or heating the water as well as the air.

Broan-NuTone 174 Painted Grille Wall Heater

Quiet

It might be a good idea to purcpermanently lubricateds silently especially because the bathroom is a small enclosed space. This will make you more comfortable especially early in the morning or late at night.

Heats up Fast

Because we usually spend only a few minutes in the bathroom it is important to have a heater that heats the room effectively and quickly.

Safety

The bathroom is both wet and humid. The chances of short circuits and other electrical interference are high in this environment so the heater should take into account all kinds of safety hazards.

Review of the Best Bathroom Heaters

As discussed earlier, there are various types of bathroom heaters, and selecting one can have its pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the best available.

Best Bathroom Wall Heater

Stiebel Eltron CK 15E

Stiebel Eltron 074058 120-Volt 1500-Watts Heater

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): 215

Power (watts): 1500

Dimensions: 4.81 x 13.19 x 18.13 inches

Weight: 8 pounds

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Review

This heater contains a nichrome heating element and is constructed from galvanized steel and plastic. It is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, and any location where quick heat is needed. Installation is easy and quick thanks to the surface-mount design, and it can be installed over existing outdated heaters.

The features also include quiet operation, built-in thermostat, and quality construction.

Pros

Not overly loud when running

Mounts on the wall to save floor space

Heats a decent-sized bathroom quickly

Automatic thermostat maintains steady temperature

Cons

Cannot plug into an outlet, must be hardwired

Poor wiring design does not allow wires to be hidden

May need professional installation since it is hardwired

Best for the Money

Lasko Bathroom Heater CD08200

Lasko CD08200 Small Portable Ceramic Space Heater for Bathroom and Indoor Home Use, White, 6.25 x 6.25 x 7.65 inches

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A

Power (watts): 1500

Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 7.65 inches

Weight: 3.8 pounds

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Review

Lakso’s small bathroom heater combines a compact design with a quick-heating ceramic technology. The maximum heat it provides is 1500 watts and comes with Automatic overheat protection, 1 hour shut off and the ceramic element is self-regulating for enhanced safety. The push button controls make it a cinch to use. It comes fully assembled with a 3-year limited warranty.

Pros

Heats room quickly

Auto shut-off feature

TIp-over safety feature

Large button is easy to operate

Cons

Vibrates and may move during operation

Device starts on high and you have to press 3x to get to low

Plug gets very hot and needs to be in a properly grounded outlet

Broan-NuTone 174 Wall Heater

Broan-NuTone Wall Heater, White Grille Heater with Built-In Adjustable Thermostat, 750/1500W, 120/240V AC

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): 150

Power (watts): 1500

Dimensions: ‎15 x 11.06 x 6.06 inches

Weight: 5.97 pounds

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Review

This heater from Broan can be easily converted to 750w at 120 volt AC or 1500w at 240 volts AC. Its default configuration is 1500 W at 120V.

An adjustable front-mounted thermostat allows you to control the temperature. The heater warms up rapidly due to the efficient alloy heating element that is used inside. The permanently lubricated motor, high-efficiency blower wheel, and Nickel-chrome alloy heating element ensure that the heater will work reliably for years without additional maintenance. A manual reset thermal overload protector is provided for additional safety.

Pros

Not too loud when operating

Does not take up floor space

Great for taking the chill out without getting too warm

Cons

Rewiring is required for optimal results

Temperature sensor gets hot too fast and shuts the unit off

Best Bathroom Ceiling Heater

Broan-NuTone 157 Ceiling Heater

Broan-NuTone 157 Low-Profile Fan-Forced Ceiling Heater, Enclosed Sheath Element for Bathroom, Kitchen, and Home, Standard, Satin Aluminum

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A

Power (watts): 1250

Dimensions: 11″ x 11″ x 4″ inches

Weight: # pounds

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Review

This ceiling-mounted fan heater disperses the heat evenly throughout the bathroom. The aluminum grille and low-profile housing make it suitable for any decor.

The power of the heating element is 1250 W. For additional safety, the heater comes with automatic overheat protection. Thanks to the permanently lubricated motor, you can expect years of maintenance-free operation and durability.

Pros

Doesn’t take up floor space

Not as loud as other products

Puts out a good amount of heat

Cons

Materials are not high-quality

No heat shield to protect your ceiling

Best Infrared Bathroom Heater

Heat Storm Deluxe

Heat Storm Deluxe Space 1000 Watt Infrared Wall Mount Electric Heater, White

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): 200

Power (watts): 1000

Dimensions: 13 x 3.63 x 16.5

Weight: 7.48 pounds

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What Recent Buyers Report

Recent surveys regarding the use of this product have suggested that people absolutely love that it can be mounted on a wall as this helps decrease clutter in small rooms. Also, its adjustable thermostat and elegant design are worth spending money on. Easy-to-clean and replaceable filters are another plus point for many buyers.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This sleek piece of machinery has only a 1000-watt power requirement, which prevents problems with poor wiring. Moreover, it uses safe-to-touch materials, thus preventing burning accidents. Its LED display helps to keep track of the ambient temperature.

Bottom Line

Summing up, the Heat Storm Deluxe is a powerful heater for its size. It is safe and easy to operate. Heating its surroundings using an infrared heating system makes it energy-efficient because the room remains warm long after it has been turned off.

Pros

Available in two colors, black and white

ETL (Edison Testing Laboratories) safety certified

Takes less space as it can be mounted on the wall

Remote control technology provides ease of control

An effective infrared heating system that heats not only the air but also the objects in a room

Cons

Not suitable for big rooms

Has a whistling sound that is unacceptable for some people

Types of Bathroom Heaters

There are multiple types of bathroom heaters available, and each type has their pros and cons. Let’s take a look the various types.

Portable Heaters

Portable heaters require that the unit be small and easy to carry around. They are well-suited for people who need to heat the bathroom only during the cold season. They can be removed from the bathroom and used in other rooms if needed. Because many are electrically powered and have a heating element inside, they have to use a fan to force the hot air around the room.

Pros: Portable, easy to move, effective for small rooms.

Cons: Fan can be noisy and need maintenance and cleaning.

Ceiling Heater

A ceiling heater is ideal for people who already have a ceiling box ready to place the heater in. It minimizes the electrical configuration cost and also lasts a long time. More ceiling heaters are portable enough to be moved and reinstalled elsewhere.

Pros: Small, reliable, portable in case it needs to be moved.

Cons: Long lasting, cheaper than installing wall heaters

Wall Heater

Wall heaters come in different designs including some that can be attached to the wall on a hook or attached via permanent screws. They can effectively heat small bathrooms and are quite durable as well as being inexpensive.

Pros: Inexpensive, efficient at heating small spaces

Cons: Need more electrical wiring and setup.

Baseboard

A baseboard heater is installed along the floor like other baseboard heating elements in a house. These heaters can provide a lot of heat in a short amount of time making them well-suited for the purpose.

Stiebel Eltron CK 15E Wall Mounted Electric Fan Heater

However, a wall heater or ceiling heater can be a much better option for the bathroom.

Pros: Heats up the room quickly

Cons: Needs more installation and higher setup costs

Heater and Exhaust Fan

A heater with an exhaust fan eliminates both steam and humidity while keeping your bathroom toasty. They combine the exhaust fan function with a heating feature.

This unwanted humidity can affect your wall and appliances and result in mildew or fungal growth. In summer you can turn off the heating feature and just use it as an exhaust.

Pros: Keeps out humidity and clamminess

Cons: More expensive

Combination Heater

Combination heaters make use of heat pump systems to provide heat very efficiently. At the same time they can heat water or provide cooling to the house.

This technology can result in energy conservation of up to 10%. While expensive, combination heaters are a great option for an integrated system that both heats water and provides heating in the bathroom.

Pros: Energy efficient, long-term cost savings

Cons: Initially expensive, extensive installation needed

Can Any Space Heater Be Used in a Bathroom?

Not all space heaters are suitable to be used in bathrooms. While buying one for the bathroom, some things should be kept in mind. 

Firstly, its waterproofness should be considered. While finding a 100% guaranteed waterproof heater may be difficult, condensation-proof heaters are easily available on the market. These, too, can prove to be reliable.

Secondly, there should be proper space for the heater at a safe distance from any water source to avoid accidents such as electrical shocks.

Over-heat protection is an additional feature that should be considered while purchasing a space heater for your bathroom.

Lasko CD08200

Safety with Bathroom Heaters

Due to the high humidity and presence of water in the bathroom, heaters present multiple hazards. If water comes into contact with any exposed wiring, it can lead to electrocution or short circuits. Electrocution can lead to death or serious injury.

So it is vital that the manufacturer has complied with all national safety regulations. Another possibility is that someone can slip and fall on the heater, hurting themselves if it is hot to touch.

Some countermeasures for these hazards include protection switches. An overheat protection switch will ensure that the heater will turn itself off when it becomes too hot. Another safety feature is an anti-tip switch, which turns off the heater if it is knocked over or is off balance.

Conclusion

Bathroom heaters are an essential appliance if you want to stay comfortable in the cooler months while using the bathroom. The more versatile ones can be moved to other rooms when not in use, and can even serve dual purposes. Keep in mind the factors of durability, safety, and your own budget as well!

People Also Ask

One of the places where people require heat the most is the bathroom. You don’t want to get chilly, especially in the morning, when you take a shower. Here are a few FAQs that you can look into to get an insight into bathroom heaters and their uses.

Why Are There Heaters in Bathrooms?

The basic reason to keep a heater in the bathroom is that you have a low body temperature when you wake up in the morning, and you don’t want to get chilly when you enter in the washroom. It also removes unwanted smells and moisture from the air and keeps the toiletries dry and germ-free.

Can You Put an Electric Heater in a Bathroom?

Any wise person would know that electricity and water make the worst combination, and they should be kept several feet apart from each other. However, if it is properly installed and taken good care of, then yes, they can also prove to be effective for regulating the temperature. 

Can You Use a Convector Heater in a Bathroom?

Convection heaters are like fan heaters and use an internal heating component to radiate warmth in the room. They are not the most recommended heaters for bathrooms; however, they would be ideal for any other room around the house. 

What Size Space Heater Do I Need for My Bathroom?

While space heaters can come in all sorts of sizes, it is usually better to use small-sized ones in bathrooms. This is because the smaller the size of the heater is, the easier it will be to handle it and place it in a safe place, and lesser will be the chances of any unpleasant accidents.

How Much Electricity Does a Space Heater Use?

Electricity requirements of a space heater depending upon the model. Some wall panel space heaters can use as low as 400 Watts. However, they may not be that efficient. Some infrared heaters that use 1000 Watts are deemed quite efficient as well as considered low on power while other space heaters require about 1500 Watts on average.

How to Know if a Space Heater is Safe for a Bathroom?

An electric space heater bought for bathroom use should possess some protection features that should never be compromised upon. It should be water-proof or condensation-proof. It should be equipped with overheat protection and tip-over protection. A protective plug should also be present.

Wall-mounted heaters are usually a good choice for bathroom use.



My name is Bob Wells and I am a retired HVAC tech from Washington state. I am currently retired and no longer do much with HVAC, however, I feel like I have a lot of knowledge in the subject and I wanted to create a website where I could talk about what I've learned and help upcoming HVAC techs. Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101.