Before you buy, decide whether you want the space heater to heat just you or warm up the whole room. Our tests found that not all models do both well. When we test space heaters, we evaluate how high they raise the temperature in a standard-sized room (17×12 feet) in 15 minutes and how well they heat a figure in that room for our “spot heating” score.
CR’s spot-heating test uses a mannequin wired with sensors. “We want to know how your body will feel when you’re sitting about 4 feet from the appliance,” says CR engineer Chris Regan, who oversees our space heater testing.
It’s safest to keep space heaters on the floor rather than on a table, and away from upholstered furniture, curtains, and anything else flammable. Look for models with an automatic shutoff that turns the heater off if it gets knocked over. (Our ratings indicate which models have these switches.) Always plug a heater directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord, and never leave it running unattended.
Below are some of the top-performing models from our space heater tests. For more choices, see our full space heater ratings or our list of the best space heaters you can buy right now. And for general information on space heaters and shopping tips, check out our space heater buying guide.
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