Space heaters are a great way to heat up your medium-sized apartment if you live in a cold climate. They come in different sizes and weights and can make your living space comfortable and cozy.
However, picking one best heater for your home is an overwhelming task as there is a huge variety of units available. You need to know precisely what qualities and functions are of utmost importance to you.
So we have made it a little easier for you. This article will discuss different types of space heaters, their best, unique points, and why they are better for your apartment.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Space Heaters For Apartments
- OUR TOP PICK: Lasko 754200
- RUNNER-UP: Pro Breeze Space Heater
- BEST APARTMENT GAS HEATER: Dyna-Glo IR18NMDG-1
Comparison of the Best Space Heaters for Apartments
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What to Look for When Buying a Space Heater for an Apartment
We have reviewed several products in this article. All of these have certain qualities that make them good for an apartment. There are a few things to look out for when buying a space heater for your apartment, such as:
Size and Design
You want to make sure that the heater you get for your apartment does not take up too much space, especially if you live in a small area. It could get in the way or be out of proportion with the rest of your appliances and furniture if you don’t take size into account. Usually, people go for floor-mount units, which may come with stands, wheels, or handles.
But you can also go for wall-mounted models, as they won’t take up any floor space.
Type and Mechanism
Heaters nowadays come with a variety of systems. Some may have oil combustion-based mechanisms that run on fuels like kerosene, propane, natural gas, etc. Meanwhile, others run on electricity and come with power cords so they can be plugged into wall sockets.
More advanced units also come with lithium rechargeable batteries and do not require an exterior power source to work. These types are ideal for people who move houses frequently. There are different kinds to choose from, and you must look for the kind that fits well with your purpose and usage.
Portability
It should be light enough to move around easily. A unit’s portability can be ensured by many features such as a safe, insulated carry handle for carrying the unit. Other things, such as a long power cord, can also ensure that the unit can be used in different locations of the apartment easily. Also, check the heater’s weight before buying and make sure not to buy something too heavy to lift.
Heating System
As discussed earlier, there are two main types of heaters, radiant and convection. The former works by heating objects and is faster, while the latter heats the air and takes a little more time. You can choose either one for yourself, as you know, which suits your needs better.
Review of the Best Space Heaters for Apartments
Now that we have discussed different types of space heaters and what to look for when you are buying one, let’s get into our top picks and why they are the best ones on the market.
Best Overall
Lasko 754200
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): 300
Power (watts): 1500
Dimensions: 6 x 3.7 x 9.2 inches
Weight: 1 pound
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What Recent Buyers Report
People who have recently bought and used this unit have liked it for the most part. Even though there is no tipping over switch, people report that it is very sturdy and stable on every surface. Reports also show that its performance and portability are amazing. It also comes fully assembled, so it was very convenient for most buyers.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us, particularly because of its three different quiet settings. It allows you to set the noise level at low, high, and fan-only. These can be adjusted to control the temperature as required and make your living space more comfortable. The fan is also extremely quiet while it is on, making the unit ideal for use when sleeping at night.
Apart from this, the thermostat is also adjustable. There are 11 adjustments. It also comes fully assembled and intact, so there is no need to put it together. This makes it supremely convenient for beginners as well as people who do not have a lot of hardware tools at home for assembly.
Bottom Line
Overall, this Lasko unit is a great space heater that keeps up its incredibly reliable performance for a long time. It has different settings that can be changed according to your requirement. It also has a handle that makes it easy to move it around.
Pros
Has three quiet settings
Adjustable thermostat with 11 different settings
Carrying handle to move it from one place to another
Comes fully assembled so it can be immediately used
Consists of built-in safety features for protection against overheating
Cons
No tip-over protection switch
Runner-up
Pro Breeze Space Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A
Power (watts): 1500
Dimensions: 7.09 x 5.83 x 9.65 inches
Weight: 2.86 pounds
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What Recent Buyers Report
Users were really excited and satisfied with the tip-over protection feature. Buyers who had kids at home liked this safety feature. Due to the ceramic construction, the unit is also very sturdy and stable and reported to be energy-efficient as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This unit consists of a tip-over switch that acts as protection from damages to your house. Because this unit is compact and lightweight, it will be used in small spaces; hence, the tip-over factor plays an imperative role.
We think this feature, along with the low-speed or fan-only setting, is very important at night time when you are sleeping. There will be less noise, controlled temperature, and incredible safety too. Therefore, you can use the heater while sleeping, and while children or pets are playing around.
Bottom Line
For those looking for a heater that is energy-efficient and also easy to move around, this model by Pro Breeze could be the answer. It consists of different power modes and an adjustable thermostat for better heat control.
Pros
Thermostat is adjustable
Light and easy to move from one place to another
More efficient heating than a normal electric heater
Consists of a low and high power mode, and a fan-only mode
Advanced tip-over protection ensures that it will immediately switch off if the unit tilts accidentally
Cons
Noisier than expected
Might turn on or off by itself when on a low-speed setting
Best Apartment Gas Heater
Dyna-Glo IR18NMDG-1
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): 700
Heating Power: 18,000 BTU
Dimensions: 20.94 x 10.08 x 24.02 inches
Weight: 20 pounds
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What Recent Buyers Report
Energy and environment-conscious people have particularly enjoyed this product due to the no-electricity mechanism. It also helped most buyers save their money. It comes with an extra fan that helped some people have better heat circulation in relatively larger rooms. Reports also tell us that it has a sturdy and stable mount.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The gas-based mechanism of the unit is incredible and is highly energy-efficient. Along with a different power source, the unit also has an advanced infrared-based heating system. These rays will heat your room much faster than conventional models.
Liquid propane is a good combustion material as it catches fire quickly. This works in conjunction with the infrared technology and heats the objects surrounding it quicker. The model is perfect for medium to larger-sized apartments as it also has a fan in it. This fan will help spread the heat better around the room.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a heater that can work without any electricity, this model by Dyna-Glo is perfect. It comes with an optional fan and mount option. It is also customizable and works great for larger rooms.
Pros
Does not require electricity to work
Has a floor mount for easy placement
Variable control knob for customizable settings
Comes with a separate fan that spreads the heat better
Liquid propane and infrared technology heats your space very quickly
Cons
Heated air has a bad residue smell
Best Apartment Wall Heater
EconoHome Wall Mount Space Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): 120
Power (watts): 400
Dimensions: 29.25 x 26 x 3 inches
Weight: 17.8 pounds
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What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the reports tell us that once the unit heats the room, the temperature remains consistent for a long time. Other buyers said that the wall mount feature was very stable and robust, allowing them to secure their appliance safely in place. People with small rooms loved this unit for its heating capacity, size, and mount type.
Why it Stands Out to Us
First of all, this is one of the few convection-based units on the market that offer satisfactory performance. It works by heating the air rather than the objects and ensures good and healthy airflow. Heating and electricity costs with this product will be exceptionally low as well.
It consists of technology that keeps the air from drying out, so it is a great product for people with asthma or other respiratory problems. For cold and dry climates, this unit can be really good too. It is highly durable because of the triple calcium silicate coating on the outside, which prevents damages.
Bottom Line
You will save up the floor space with this unit, as it is wall-mounted. It is also highly durable and not dangerous to touch due to the triple-layered coat. It is adjustable, durable, and has a great energy efficiency rate. It also prevents air from drying out.
Pros
Has an adjustable heat reflector
Does not take up any floor space
Exterior is triple-coated with calcium silicate
Prevents air from drying out while maintaining good humidity
Great energy efficiency with up to 50% decrease in utility costs
Cons
Heating capacity is only suitable for small rooms
Best Space Heater for Small Apartment
TRUSTECH Space Heater
Specifications
Coverage Area (sq ft): 200
Power (watts): 1500
Dimensions: 6.3 x 7.1 x 9.1 inches
Weight: 2.97 pounds
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What Recent Buyers Report
Some users bought this unit because of its overheating protection technology. They report this feature to be really functional and reliable and it allowed them to keep the unit on at night time. This model has a very small and compact size, which proved to be perfect for people with smaller apartments.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Automatic Overheat System is a great addition to this heater. This feature is responsible for making sure that no accidents occur while this unit is turned on. It automatically turns the unit off if it becomes too hot, so you never have to touch a hot appliance ever again.
There is also a tip-over switch for extra protection. It is a noiseless machine that does not distract you in any way and lets you work or sleep easily. As a result, you get great value for your money with this top-notch product. It also has a super-fast heating time, built-in handle, and different modes to suit your needs.
Bottom Line
With different modes and super-fast heating times, this product is an incredible choice for all types of users. It is good for moving around different areas of the apartment with the carry handles. The silent operation means you can use it while sleeping too.
Pros
Makes little to no noise while operating
Built-in carrying handle for good mobility
Consists of three modes, even a natural air mode
Ceramic heater with three-second fast heating time
Automatic Overheat System makes it very safe for use with kids and pets
Cons
Does not heat a large room quickly
Hazardous to connect with a power strip
What Makes a Space Heater Great for Apartments?
There are a few factors that a good space heater should consist of. Look for these features and aspects before you make the purchase. These include:
Efficiency
Space heaters are highly efficient in terms of how much energy they consume. When you rely on central heating, you need to turn it up or down according to your comfort. But since central heating is for all the rooms of your apartment, their consumption rate is also much higher.
When you have a space heater, you can just move it around the apartment and use it in whichever room you are using at a time. They also take up less energy to operate and are a lot easier to control and adjust according to your need.
Safety
These units are safe to use, even in small and compact spaces. Most of the advanced models nowadays come with overheating protection. This feature allows the unit to turn off by itself if it gets too hot.
Also, there is a tip-over safety feature. This keeps the machine in place and prevents it from tripping. Such units are ideal for apartments where there are also kids and pets.
Lightweight
Though there are heavier space heaters available, customers usually go for the lighter ones. This is because the low weight allows users to move the unit around easily. They should be able to use it in any room of the apartment they are in at the moment. Portability is very important for making a space heater worth buying.
Are All Space Heaters the Same?
All space heaters are not the same. They are made of different materials and have different settings, while some also vary from one another in terms of weight. Space heaters are designed for several occasions and places to be used in, therefore their features also greatly vary. However, their core functionality, which is to heat an area, remains consistent throughout.
There are typically two main types of heaters, radiating units and convection space heaters. The former works by heating the objects in a room and does so in a shorter time. They heat solid objects in an area through infrared waves rather than heating the air, so the heat remains there longer.
Convection heaters work by heating the air in a room, so it takes a little time to heat up. It is recommended that you use a fan with it to increase the air circulation.
Space Heater vs. Central Heat in an Apartment – Comparison Overview
Now that we have described our products in detail, let’s get into a general comparison between space heaters and central heating systems.
Similarities
Here are some ways the two heating systems are similar:
- They are responsible for heating living spaces and making them comfortable.2. Both may require electricity or some other type of fuel (or combustion mechanism) to work.
- You can adjust the temperature for thermostat settings on both of these systems.
Differences
- Central heating systems heat each part of your home, while a space heater is good for a particular room or space.
- Even if a space heater uses electricity, it consumes a smaller amount than a central heating system.
- A centrally installed system uses transfer ducts to distribute heat, while a space heater does not require transfer ducts.
Electric Space Heater Safety Tips
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are using an electric space heater, especially concerning your safety. These can also allow you to make the most out of your appliance. Some important tips to remember are:
Checking Your Unit
Make sure that a laboratory has tested your appliance. You can inquire about this from the seller or the brand of the appliance. Before using, read the manual and warnings carefully, and make sure you have the necessary arrangements for installing, assembling, and powering the unit.
Inspecting Your Unit
Inspect your unit for cracks or loose wires. If they are frayed or damaged, do not use it. Before relying on it completely and using it at night, have a few trials runs to know if it’s working properly.
Placement and Mounting
Proper placement of the unit is critical. Before buying it, you should decide whether you want to install it on a wall or on a floor. If you are using a wall mount, ensure that the pavement is sturdy and safe. Also, it should be at least three feet away from anything that can catch fire or burn. Keep them away from doorways or areas where people walk or pass by a lot.
Power Source
Plug them directly into a socket or outlet in the wall. Do not use an extension cord or power strip as they easily overheat.
Conclusion
Space heaters are a great addition to your apartment. They make it cozy and comfortable for you, and also help keep the energy consumption low. There are many different types available on the market so you can choose one according to your need.
Our top picks have been chosen based on overall customer reviews and ratings, product features, and quality. We hope that this article helps choose a unit for yourself.
People Also Ask
There may still be some things that our readers are still confused about or want to know in general. So, we have answered a few questions that might help in making a wiser decision.
No, they do not make your electric bill go up. On the contrary, they are energy-efficient and actually help lower extra energy consumption compared to when you completely rely on a central heating system.
In general, it depends on how many areas you want to heat. It is cheaper to use a space heater in case of one or two rooms. But if you have a gathering or have more people staying, it might be better to raise the central heating temperature.
