Best Low Wattage Space Heaters – 2022 Top Picks

| Last Updated: January 20, 2022

If your workplace is too cold for your comfort or you need a heater to warm yourself in chilly weather without worrying about blowing a fuse, consider a low wattage space heater. These low powered heaters will not be hard on your pocket and will usually be small, quiet and portable.

They won’t disturb your coworkers, nor upset your facility or others by tripping any breakers. Best of all, they won’t inflate your utility bills much either.

Let’s see what you need to know about these great heaters, and figure out the right one for you.

Compare our top pick with other products

Comparison of the Best Low Wattage Space Heaters

IMAGE PRODUCT
  • Small and portable yet efficient and powerful
  • Low wattage makes it very economical
  • Very easy to use, for various environments
Our Rating: 92%
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  • Best Low Wattage Portable Heater
  • Small footprint but very effective personal heater
  • Plug-and-play energy efficient unit
Our Rating: 90%
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  • Convenient and durable to maintain
  • Intelligent Eco power saving mode
  • Easy to adjust temperature with twist dial
Our Rating: 86%
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  • 2 heat options and fan mode allow for use all year round
  • Unique V-flow circulation technology provides even heat distribution
  • Made with touch sensitive controls for comfortable precision control
Our Rating: 82%
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  • Ultra quiet operation that has cool touch housing
  • Features tip-over safety switch and cool touch casing
  • Energy saving design with integrated overheat thermal cut-off safety device
Our Rating: 78%
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How to Use Your Low Wattage Space Heater Efficiently

Timer

Not only can you use the heater’s timer to have it turn off after a preset interval, but you can also use it to turn it on and off at times when you will be out of the house, conserving energy and saving on bills.

Thermostat

Check that the thermostat is not obstructed. Start off by setting the temperature at a medium setting, such as 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and then adjust it once you’ve seen how the heater reacts to the space you are heating.

Programming and Timing

If your heater is programmable, it means you can set the temperature and timing of the heating system, as well as have it change temperatures throughout the day and at different times throughout the week to accommodate your preferences. This is great for schedules where people are at home more on the weekends than during the week, for example.

Insulation

House Insulation (Photo credit: space-heaters.org)

Your heater can be very efficient at creating heat, but it will be useless if your room or house isn’t well insulated. Check that the walls of your house have sufficient insulation to keep the heat trapped within the house, and consider getting double glazed windows if you don’t already have them.

Zone Heating

When planning how to best to heat your home, consider the various options for effectively heating your rooms. Maybe you don’t need to use central heating if you only occupy one room at a time, or you may not need to run heaters in multiple rooms, as it is more cost effective to only heat the room you are in.

Smart Heating

Use apps or internet-enabled devices like the Nest Thermostat to control your heaters remotely and save even more on energy costs.

Review of the Best Low Wattage Space Heaters

To make purchasing and deciding on a low wattage heater a bit easier, we’ve rounded up some of our top picks below. These heaters are low cost, small, quiet, and generally offer great bang for your buck.

Best Low Wattage Ceramic Heater

Brightown Mini Desk Heater

Mini Desk Heater, 400W Low Wattage Personal Ceramic Heater with Tip Over Protection for Office Table Indoors, Compact, Orange

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): 100

Power (watts): 400

Dimensions: 6.3 x 3.15 x 6.3 inches

Weight: 1.44 pounds

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Review

The Personal Ceramic Portable mini heater can keep small spaces warm while being unobtrusive and compact enough to keep out of sight. It has a built-in mechanism that turns the heater off if it is knocked over. It also features safety overheat shut-off.

This cute, sturdy little heater packs a lot of power, and the design is sleek and minimalist. It is lightweight and portable but offers plenty of heat for such a small heater. Plus, it’s quiet enough not to disturb you when working or studying.

Bottom Line

This little heater is hard to beat for the price. You get a powerful heater which is moderately quiet, takes up only a little space, and will warm small rooms or areas effectively.

Pros

Safety protection

Cool to touch housing

Compact and low profile

Can be kept under your desk

Efficient heater- uses 400 watts of power

Cons

No auto-shutoff timer

Can be too noisy for quiet offices

Longevity issues reported by some buyers

Best Low Wattage Portable Heater

Lasko 100 MyHeat Personal Ceramic Heater

Lasko Heating Space Heater, Compact, Black

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): 100

Power (watts): 200

Dimensions: 3.8 x 4.3 x 6.1 inches

Weight: 1 pound

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Review

This Ceramic heater comes fully assembled and offers a 3-year limited warranty. It can warm small spaces with 200 watts of power and a quiet fan. It works well as a supplementary heater and is recommended for personal heating or very small spaces.

Bottom Line

This little heater is sufficient to warm your hands or feet, but don’t expect it to heat much more than that. It also heats up only a small area around the unit, but does run silently and doesn’t consume much electricity.

Pros

Overheat protection

Cool to touch housing

Compact and low profile

Can be kept under your desk

Efficient heater- uses 200 watts of power

Cons

No thermostat

No auto-shutoff switch

Doesn’t turn off when tipped over

Only heats up to a distance of two feet away from the unit

Best Low Wattage Oil Filled Heater

COSTWAY Oil-Filled Radiator Electric Room Heater

COSTWAY Oil Filled Radiator Heater, 700W Portable Space Heater with Adjustable Thermostat, Overheat Protection, Electric Heater for Bedroom, Indoor use

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A

Power (watts): 700

Dimensions: 5.5 x 12 x 14 inches

Weight: 8.60 pounds

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Review

Available in 14’’, 24.5’’ and 25’’ height, the oil filled radiator from Costway can heat any room with its convective heat. You can set the desired temperature with mechanical controls and its safety features include overheat protection.

Compact and fairly light, this unit has a carrying handle for portability. In addition, the quiet operation will never bother you while falling asleep or focusing on your work.

Bottom Line

This little heater is good enough to warm a small office or bedroom, runs silently, and doesn’t consume much electricity. It’s ideal for situations where you want a quiet, efficient heater.

Pros

Compact and low profile

Very silent as there’s no fan

Can be kept under your desk

Auto-shutoff switch protection

Efficient heater- uses 700 watts of power

Cons

On/Off switch isn’t very bright

Best Low Watt Heater for the Nursery

Vornado ATH1 Tower Heater

Vornado ATH1 Whole Room Tower Heater with Automatic Climate Control, Black

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): 250

Power (watts): 1500

Dimensions: 7.88 x 5.49 x 20 inches

Weight: 5.35 pounds

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What Recent Buyers Report

Buyers are particularly happy with this product and recommend others who are looking for a low watt heater to consider buying it. They report that despite its small size, it heats up the room, keeping it comfortable and turns off automatically when overheated. Due to its less voltage consumption, it helped them save money and reduced electricity bills.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The most stand-out feature of this product is its V-flow heating system, which circulates heat throughout the room without oscillating. Therefore, the temperature remains uniform and controlled from the floor to the ceiling, unlike other heaters. It automatically shuts off when the room reaches the desired temperature and maintains it.

Bottom Line

A low wattage space heater takes up less voltage and works effectively as a heater, and that’s exactly what this one does. Being compact in size, it heats the room effectively and keeps it comfortable. Due to its smart system, it is automatic in function and pocket-friendly.

Pros

Low voltage, certified and warrantied for peace of mind

‘Fan only’ mode can be used year-round instead of in winters only

Automatically shuts off and has tip-over protection for ensured safety

Has two fan settings and touch-sensitive controls for better functioning

Whisper Quiet operation for comfortable, noiseless and accommodated living

Cons

Doesn’t have a remote control

No pre-filter to clean the accumulated dust

Best Low Wattage Infrared Heater

Optimus H-5511

Optimus H-5511 Infrared Quartz Radiant Heater

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): 100

Power (watts): 800

Dimensions: 12.5 x 12.25 x 6.25 inches

Weight: 4 pounds

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What Recent Buyers Report

Users have had a great experience using Optimus H-5511. Many users report that it is one of the most valuable purchases they made as it heats up the room in a matter of minutes and makes no noise. Because it is an infrared heater, it helped buyers in bringing their electricity bill down significantly.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Most of the electric heaters are not able to heat up the space quickly and efficiently. However, this one is so powerful that it heats up a room in a small amount of time. Being energy-efficient, this infrared heater is very cost-effective and doesn’t put a load on electricity bills and actually helps to reduce them.

Bottom Line

Not only does this product heats a room quickly, but it’s also small in size and has a practical shape. It has a safety switch, which ensures that there is no fire hazard. Moreover, it can save up to 800 watts of energy.

Pros

Small size makes it easy to shift or move around

Shuts off when tipped over due to its safety switch

Provides fast and focused spot heating for effective heating

Has two heating rods for rapidly heating offices or small spaces

Ultra-quiet operation ensures noiseless functioning to maintain the comfort of the surroundings

Cons

May pose a fire hazard

Doesn’t have a long life

Unique Imports Smart 800 Watt Quartz Heater

Unique Imports #1 Smart 800 Watt Quartz Heater Table Top Heat Portable & Adjustable Heat Royal - Safety Tipover Protection

Specifications

Coverage Area (sq ft): N/A

Power (watts): 800

Dimensions: N/A

Weight: 3 pounds

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Review

This quiet, portable, and compact little heater is great for office or home. You can use it in half mode, or full mode when more heating is required. Being energy efficient, it won’t trip your circuit breakers or increase your utility bills by a great deal.

The heater has built-in overheat and tip over protections, along with a 2-year warranty.

Bottom Line

This compact heater won’t trip any breakers thanks to its low power consumption and will put out plenty of heat even at half power. It’s great for quietly heating up your small space and won’t be annoyingly loud.

Pros

Very quiet

Tip-over switch for safety

Convenient carrying handle

Can be run on half or full power, depending on need

At half power, it uses 400 watts and at full power, it uses 800 watts

Cons

No thermostat

Durability and longevity issues reported by some buyers

What Is Watt Density?

One of the terms thrown around when talking about heaters is watt density. This is simply the measure of the heat flux emitted from every square inch of the surface area of the effective heating area (heating surface) of the element. The unit of watt density is watts per square inch of heater surface area. The following is the formula for calculating watt density:

Watt Density = wattage of the element/ 3.14 x element diameter (inches) x heated length (inches)

Photo credit: waterheatertimer.org

This measurement is useful for comparing different heating element types and is a critical factor that determines the life of the element. If the watt density is too low the heater price will be high, but it will have a much longer heater life. On the other hand, if the watt density is too high, it could shorten the life of the heating element significantly.

How Does a Low Wattage Heater Work?

A low-wattage heater is quite energy-efficient. It usually takes less than one-kilowatt power and provides enough. 

Heaters have controls on them with which the user can adjust the level of heat radiating from it. They have various types and may vary in design and, thus, in their working. For instance, in an oil-filled radiator, the electricity provided heats the oil, which radiates heat. Similarly, in infrared heaters, the heated rods emit heat, and in fan heaters, the electricity is used to project warm air out in the surroundings.   

Why Would I Use a Low Wattage Space Heater?

There are many uses and benefits of a low wattage space heater. They massively contribute to a more comfortable lifestyle. Following are a few uses:

Keeps the Room Warm

During cold winter months, it is very important to keep yourself and your surroundings warm. Whether you are working or just using your space for domestic use, a room heater is a must to keep the insides warm while the temperature keeps dropping outside.

Budget-Friendly

A low wattage space heater is usually not very heavy on the budget. It is a good investment to make that will live up to some time while serving its purpose.

Moreover, due to its low wattage requirement, it helps cut down on your electricity bills compared to other electrical heaters and prevents fusing. Therefore, you can enjoy great comfort without spending a lot of money. 

Compact Size

Low wattage heaters are often compact, depending upon their wattage. The lower the wattage, the smaller the heater is in size. 

COSTWAY Oil Filled Radiator Electric Room Heater

This is a plus point because heaters smaller in size are easy to store, move around, and travel with. The smart and compact size makes it versatile so you can move it around as per your need or requirement.

Types of Space Heaters With Low Wattage

Following are a few types of heaters with low wattage:

Ceramic Space Heater

These space heaters vary in wattage; some have higher wattage than the others but are still considered as low wattage heaters. They provide enough heat to warm up a room and maintain that temperature. They are quite portable and easy to carry from one place to another and are easy to travel with.

Personal Heaters

These are usually heaters of low wattage ranging between 100 and 350 or sometimes more. They are quite small and come in various shapes and sizes. Their prime function is to provide gentle heat, and they are made to keep your hands, feet, or legs warm during winters. 

There are some personal heaters to be kept under the desk and some which you can place anywhere. They are portable and easy to carry around. 

Oil-Filled Radiator Heater

These heaters have oil permanently sealed in them, which doesn’t need refilling. The electricity provided heats up the oil, and the heater radiates heat. It warms up an office space or a small room quite quickly and keeps it warm for a longer period. 

Being low-wattage heaters, they do not consume a large amount of energy and are usually quite lightweight and easy to carry around.

Photo credit: thewirecutter.com

Safety Checklist for Your Low Wattage Space Heater

It’s very important for you to have a safety checklist when purchasing a heater, as following the right procedures when dealing with heaters will keep you and the people around you safe.

Here’s a list to keep in mind:

  1. Prevent overheating by buying only heaters with overheat protection.

  2. Make sure your heater has a thermostat.

  3. Heater safety. Before you buy the heater, ensure that it has been approved by an independent testing lab.

  4. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer when operating the heater. Keep at least three feet of clearance around your heater on all sides, as otherwise, you run the risk of starting fires or heating up nearby objects.

  5. Keep the heater on a stable and level surface, making sure that it is well out of the way and not in danger of being kicked or falling over.

  6. Plugging your heater into an extension cord is not a good idea, so avoid it. Unless the extension cord is well-shielded, you run the danger of overloading it with the increased power and starting a fire.

  7. Always keep the heater out of the way, in case you need to leave your desk or room in a hurry, or just so people don’t knock the heater over when entering or exiting the room.

  8. Always turn off the heater if you will be away for more than a few minutes and never leave it unattended while you’re outside the room. Keep it well away from small children and pets.

Conclusion

There are plenty of low-watt heaters out there, but you should keep in mind your needs and situation when purchasing one. In case your workplace is too cold, you might keep one under your desk for warming just a small area, in which case you will prefer a low profile and modest amounts of heat. On the other hand, you might need something a bit more powerful for heating an entire room.

In any case, you should follow our safety checklist to ensure that you and your family are safe at all times, and your building is not at risk of fire. Check out our list of top picks for great heaters at very affordable prices.

People Also Ask

Low wattage heaters are cost-effective and portable. Before purchasing one, buyers do have some questions or queries which they need answers to. This part of the article is intended to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about low-wattage heaters.  

Is a Low Wattage Space Heater Effective?

A low wattage space heater is quite effective in heating rooms. It depends upon the wattage of the heater: if the wattage is low such as 250-watts, it will provide gentle heat whereas a 750-watt heater can heat a small room effectively. Therefore, low-wattage heaters are quite effective and budget-friendly.

Are Low Wattage Space Heaters Energy Efficient?

Low-wattage heaters are energy-efficient because they use less amount of energy than most heaters, and they aren’t a big drain on the electricity. They are quite cost-effective and help reduce electricity bills by consuming less electricity and providing reasonable heat. Therefore, they help in saving a lot of money.

What Is the Minimum Wattage For a Space Heater?

A low-wattage space heater is less than 1000 watts. There are many low-wattage space heaters with wattage as low as 200 watts. They are personal heaters and provide gentle heat, whereas some units provide heat for small rooms or offices and are as low as 500 watts.

Is a Low Wattage Space Heater More Expensive?

The price point of low-wattage heaters ranges from product to product. Low wattage heaters of various prices are available, and the buyer can choose according to their budget. Generally, you can get a heater for as low as $21 to as high as $85.

How Much Electricity Does a Low Wattage Heater Use?

The electricity consumed by a low-wattage heater depends upon the watts of the heater. Since a thousand watts equals one kilowatt of power, you can calculate the amount of electricity consumed by your heater. For instance, a 750-watt heater will consume 0.75 kilowatts of power, which is quite low as compared to some heaters.  



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.