Best Personal Heaters

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 21, 2024
Feel like the temperature in your working space is lower than what it should be? There's a simple yet effective solution. All you have to do is purchase one of these compact personal heaters and your comfort zone will get much more comfortable. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Type
Heating capacity
Settings
Safety
Size
Warranty
 
PROS

Oscillating 45 degrees, the model will be increasing the heat range and making heating more uniform. There's a small but noticeable LED strip below the control buttons that will turn blue, pink, or red when you go with fan-only, low-heat, or high-heat setting respectively. 

CONS

The on/off button atop the unit does not turn the appliance off, so you have to use the back switch instead. 

OUR VERDICT

Decreasing the unit's footprint without compromising comfort or aesthetics, the Kloudi Quiet Personal Heater will be able to keep large rooms and small apartments covered with warmth. Plus, the recessed handle will enable comfortable relocation without making the appliance bulky.

detailed parameters
Type

Ceramic heater

Heating capacity

950 watts

Settings

2 heat settings, fan mode, 45° oscillation

Safety

Overheat protection, tip-over protection, ETL certified, body made by flame retardant and fireproof ABS V0 materials, all components meet the 3C standard

Size

8.1" x 4.9" x 4.9"

Warranty

1 year 

PROS

The handle that hides below the dials will let you comfortably carry the unit. The product's ~3.5-pound weight will aid that too. The housing remains cool to the touch even when switched to the highest temperature setting. 

CONS

The cord is relatively short. 

OUR VERDICT

Lasko 754200, with its <300 square feet heat coverage, will be able to keep any room warm and cozy. The unit will let you switch between 11 temperature settings to find and maintain the desired temperature. The control dials make these settings readily accessible. 

detailed parameters
Type

Ceramic heater

Heating capacity

1500 watts

Settings

11 temperature settings, fan only, low heat, high heat 

Safety

Overheat protection, cool-touch exterior 

Size

9.2" x 6" x 3.7"  

Warranty

3 years limited 

PROS

The unit keeps the noise levels somewhere around 35 dB, so even the lightest sleepers can place the heater onto the nightstand and sleep tight. You can adjust the temperature anywhere from 0 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

CONS

The housing can get relatively hot during use. 

OUR VERDICT

Brightown Portable Ceramic Heater does not look as flimsy and cheap as most portable heaters within this price range usually look. In fact, the unit is pretty sleek and plenty elegant, with smooth curves, clean lines, and an aesthetically pleasing chrome finish. Plus, its performance is as good as its appearance.

detailed parameters
Type

Ceramic heater

Heating capacity

750 / 1500 watts

Settings

2 heat settings, fan mode, adjustable temperature (0°F-158°F)

Safety

Overheat protection, tip-over protection, made of flame-retardant material to achieve zero fire hazard

Size

9.2" x 7" x 6.2" 

Warranty

1 year 

PROS

The anti-slip feet will make sure that this compact appliance is not scratching the surface it is standing on and does not skid, slip, or slide even on slippery surfaces. The cable measures ~6 feet, so you don't have to worry that the closest socket might not be close enough. 

CONS

There's a slight but noticeable chemical smell to this model initially.

OUR VERDICT

Measuring just 6.3 x 5.8 x 3.2 inches, the AmazonBasics Ceramic Small Space Personal Mini Heater will be able to fit even pretty small desks. Plus, the model does not even weigh 1.5 pounds, so you can move this portable appliance between work and home, keeping you warm and cozy at both places.

detailed parameters
Type

Ceramic heater

Heating capacity

950 watts

Settings

1 heat setting

Safety

Tip-over protection

Size

6.3" x 5.87" x 3.2"

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The tip-over protection switch shuts the unit off when you accidentally tip it forward or backward. The power indicator light lets you know that the appliance's plugged and up-and-running at a glance. 

CONS

The heater's a little loud. 

OUR VERDICT

Consuming 1500 watts, the HOME_CHOICE Personal Ceramic Space Heater alone covers medium-sized apartments. Using the adjustable thermostat dial, you'll be able to select the temperature that you're comfortable with and rest assured knowing that this appliance will maintain the chosen temperature.

detailed parameters
Type

Ceramic heater

Heating capacity

1500 watts

Settings

2 heat settings, fan mode, adjustable thermostat

Safety

Overheat protection, tip-over protection, ETL certified

Size

8.3" x 6.2" x 4.74" 

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

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Kloudi Quiet

Borrowing from the Loudspeakers' Appearance Playbook

The Kloudi Quiet Personal Heater looks more like a loudspeaker than a ceramic heater, an observation that we mean more as a compliment than an insult. Ceramic heaters usually look bulky and somewhat awkward, with the grille/grid not really adding much aesthetic value. This time, we're dealing with an opposite case though.

Covering the entire unit with these tiny dot-like cutouts that make the grid less noticeable, the appliance looks much more charming than these heaters usually look. Plus, aside from improving the model's appearance, the flame-retardant and fireproof ABS V0 grid shields you from the PTC ceramic heating element, preventing accidents.

From where we're standing, the buttons atop the unit are pretty neat, aside from the on/off button. Despite making the opposite claim, this button does not turn the appliance off, so you have to use the switch in the back instead. Besides that, you can pick between two heat settings, with the low-heat one (600 watts) covering small rooms and the high-heat setting (950 watts) delivering enough warmth to maintain sizable (~500 square feet) premises. To the left, you will find the button that activates the fan-only mode, with the model consuming just 5 watts. To its left is the oscillation button that makes the fan/heating element swing 45 degrees, ensuring even heat distribution. Below these buttons, the manufacturers have put an LED indicator that turns blue when you go with the fan-only mode, pink when you choose the low-heat mode, and red when you stick with the high-heat mode.

Review of Kloudi Quiet Personal Heaters Under Desk

Recessed Handle

Turn the unit around and you will find the cutout that serves as a carry handle, making the model more compact than those heaters that come equipped with dedicated handles. With this recessed handle and the appliance measuring just 8.1 x 4.9 x 4.9 inches, relocating the unit becomes a pretty easy task. What's also an easy task is falling asleep with this model standing but a few inches away from you since the heating element does not go above 42 decibels.

Safety-wise, this product is off the charts. Besides the standard overheat and tip-over protection mechanism, the model is ETL certified, and every component here has met and exceeded the 3C safety protocols.

All things considered, when you start counting the space-saving design, the attractive appearance, and the model's efficiency, arguing against the Kloudi Quiet Personal Heater becomes an almost impossible task.

Kloudi Quiet Personal Heaters Under Desk in the use
Last updated price $29.97
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B08H1K4YXS

 

Lasko 754200

The Lightweight Champ

The Lasko 754200 leaves very little to be desired. From aesthetics to utility, this unit has something for everyone.

The classic design won't be able to add character to most settings but won't be attracting unnecessary attention either. The understated profile won't be making any statements but its clean look should be able to blend into most decorative schemes with ease. You can choose between black and silver housings but, unless that's not an option from a decorative perspective, we would recommend going with silver since this is the color that makes the unit look less bland.

Size-wise, the model is not the smallest unit we've come across but, measuring 9.2" x 6" x 3.7", compact enough to accommodate most spaces without taking much room. Plus, its weight does not go above 3.5 pounds, so you'll be able to move the unit with comfort and ease.

There's this nice little handle that hides behind the control dials that you can pull out and comfortably carry the heater, moving this compact appliance from the kitchen to the bedroom. Its coverage caps at ~300 square feet, which is pretty respectable considering the price point (~25 bucks). The heater comes fully assembled, meaning you can take the unit out of the box and put it to good use right away.

Review of Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Personal Space Heater

11 Temperature settings

More often than not, personal heaters within this price range are pretty basic. This product is anything but basic. It comes fitted with 11 temperature settings, so you'll definitely be able to choose and maintain the setting that you find the most comfortable. There are also three presets that let you choose between low-heat, high-heat, and fan-only settings. Using these, you'll be able to regulate the heat output and even have the unit remain productive come summer. Drawing and outputting 1500 watts max, the unit is usually able to reach the desired temperature within minutes, providing that comforting warmth and keeping the space nice and cozy.

Without the right safety features, personal heaters can become impersonal safety hazards. These features are here though. The overheat protection mechanism makes sure that the unit does not overheat even when left unattended working hours and hours without breaks. Meanwhile, the housing remains cool to the touch too, so you won't have to worry about accidentally scalding fingers.

Bottom line, the Lasko 754200 can be rotated between different spaces, keeping large apartments comfortable one room at a time.

Lasko 754200 Ceramic Portable Personal Space Heater in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B000TKDQ5C

VIDEO
Lasko 754200 Ceramic Heater with Adjustable Thermostat Review
 

Brightown Portable Personal Ceramic Heater

The Sleek One

The Brightown Portable Ceramic Heater is not as personal as most personal heaters we've looked at. We don't mean that in a bad way though. Normally, these heaters look cheap and flimsy, made from cut-rate plastics that do not inspire long-term confidence. We cannot say the same about this product though. Its plastic construction looks tough but also sleek, with the chrome finish giving the unit this elegant profile that will be able to add to most spaces.

You can rotate this compact appliance between different rooms without worrying about messing with the room's vibe. You can also bring the unit to the office. Sure, standing at 9.2" x 7" x 6.2", this portable unit is a little less compact than most personal heaters but the extra inch here and there do not make that much difference. You can still carry the model with ease and even stuff this thing inside most backpacks. The massive handle will let you drag the heater around with you with very little effort on your part, especially considering that the unit's weight barely reaches 3 pounds.

Review of Brightown Portable Personal Ceramic Heater 1500W/750W

Select any Temperature

Different rooms have different temperatures but, when it is cold outside, these temperatures are usually different shades of uncomfortable, so you need to raise them all, sure, but you also need to avoid going overboard and making the room too warm. That won't be an issue here. The unit comes adopting an adjustable thermostat that lets you select any temperature between 0 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Provided that the room's size is limited to ~200 square feet, the heater should be able to quickly reach the desired temperature and maintain it.

When the room is smaller than that or when the temperature is only a few degrees lower than what you'd prefer, you can switch between two heat settings (750 W and 1500 W) to make sure you do not waste unnecessary energy and increase the energy bills for no reason. The fan-only mode is available too, so the unit won't be lying around all useless come summer.

The safety mechanisms are all there, from the obligatory overheat protection to the tip-over switch that makes sure to instantly turn the heater off when the unit is tipped over. The product has been made using flame-retardant materials to achieve zero fire hazard. The exterior does not necessarily remain cool to the touch though, so we would recommend sticking with the handle when grabbing the unit.

To sum up, the Brightown Portable Ceramic Heater is what you need to quickly turn any small space from uncomfortably chilly to snug and warm.

Brightown Portable Personal Ceramic Heater 1500W/750W in the use
Last updated price $26.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07X3S3JLY

 

AmazonBasics Ceramic Small Space

Saving Private Desk Space

The AmazonBasics Ceramic Small Space Personal Mini Heater is tiny. Capping at 6.3 x 5.8 x 3.2 inches, the unit commands the smallest footprint on this list. Considering the size, even the smallest tables/desks become acceptable accommodation options. Also, you can easily carry and transport the model even despite the nonexistent handles. What's more, the unit weighs less than 1.5 pounds, making 'luggable' an understatement.

As you can tell, there's nothing necessarily impressive about this product appearance-wise. You can choose between blue, pink, white, and black models depending on what you're working with décor-wise. They all look alright; nothing to complain about, nothing that deserves serious praise. Personally, we like the black one the most since it is a pretty good fit with the gray grid, whereas the white one looks excessively uniform and the blue and pink options will seldom mesh with the decorative scheme.

This is the most basic heater within the selection, so we're not dealing with sophisticated controls or countless features here, not quite. All the model presents is the red on/off button in the back that switches on and off the only one heat setting this appliance has, drawing and outputting 500 watts. Needless to say, that makes the unit pretty forgiving from the energy consumption perspective. That being said, that also means that covering sizable rooms is not quite something that this model will be able to do. No, put the appliance onto the nightstand or the table as you work/sleep and you'll feel the warmth. Put the unit somewhere across the room and, chances are, you might not even notice its presence.

Review of AmazonBasics Ceramic Small Space Personal Mini Heater

Non-Slip Feet

Despite the model's basic construction, the ceramic coils that this appliance is using are pretty efficient, heating up in seconds. What's also efficient is the non-slip feet on the bottom that will prevent this unit from slipping, skidding, and sliding and even make glass surfaces acceptable. To go with the sturdy base, the people behind this product have also added the obligatory tip-over protection mechanism that personal heaters are not complete without nowadays. Besides that, they've also made the cable more than six feet long, so you can put the unit pretty far away from the closest AC socket.

Long story short, if you feel a little cold at work or need a little extra warmth at night, the AmazonBasics Ceramic Small Space Personal Mini Heater will suffice. Apart from that, this is not the most powerful heater, but it is one of the most portable ones.

AmazonBasics Ceramic Small Space Personal Mini Heater in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B074MX8VN5

 

HOME_CHOICE Personal

Not Reinventing the Wheel

When people picture personal heaters, they usually picture something bearing a pretty close resemblance to the HOME_CHOICE Personal Ceramic Space Heater. First things first, we mean the unassuming appearance that prevents the appliance from standing out but also making sure that the unit will fit regular living spaces. You don't want a space heater becoming the centerpiece of your living room but you also don't want the appliance sticking like a sore thumb, right? This is what the model does, with its uniform black housing and black grid, nothing especially attractive, but also nothing especially awkward.

We're not necessarily crazy about the sizable dials on top of the unit but this is a compromise you have to come to terms with when you're looking into inexpensive personal heaters. Plus, again, very few people care what the controls on heaters look like. As long as they do the job, we're not really complaining.

Using the first dial, you'll be able to control the adjustable thermostat, setting the temperature anywhere between ~50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Using the second dial, you can select from two heat settings, with the low setting drawing and outputting 750 watts, and the high setting doubling the energy consumption as well as the output.

As you can imagine, outputting 1500 watts, this model easily covers the largest rooms. More often than not, this one unit can turn an entire apartment from uncomfortably chilly to pleasantly warm. That being said, we would recommend choosing a place that's not very close to where you relax since, at the highest heat setting, the heating element becomes pretty loud, reaching almost 55 decibels. Oh, also, the above-mentioned second dial can also use the fan alone, not generating heat and consuming no more than 5 watts, so the appliance will prove useful in the summer too.

Review of HOME_CHOICE Personal Ceramic Space Heater Electric Heater

Pretty Compact all Things Considered

From the footprint viewpoint, the model stretches 8.3 x 6.2 x 4.74 inches, which is much more compact than we expected looking at its 1500-watt output first. Aside from that, the tip-over protection switch will always shut off the appliance when it is tipped forward or backward (the switch's on the bottom). The power indicator light will let you know when the unit is plugged and working at a glance. Last but not least, the cord is 6 feet long, so there's a pretty good chance you won't have to use an adaptor.

In closing, customers on a tight budget who need medium-sized apartments covered with warmth will unlikely be able to do better than the HOME_CHOICE Personal Ceramic Space Heater.

HOME_CHOICE Personal Ceramic Space Heater Electric Heater in the use
Last updated price $28.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07W7HZ9QT

 

What Is a Personal Heater?

Winter can definitely be one of the most beautiful seasons of them all, but let's face - it is pretty damn cold. Though there's always an option of hiding from the cold inside your office building, those can get fairly chilly too. Luckily, there's a simple solution to this issue and the one that does not require you to deal with office politics. All you have to do is purchase a personal heater. As the name suggests, a personal heater is simply a smaller and more compact heater that provides just enough warmth for a single person to get cozy and comfortable in a workplace. This kind of device will be the perfect solution if you don't feel like the temperature in your office is exactly where it should be in terms of warmth but you don't have the power to change it or wouldn't want to inconvenience your colleagues. These things are relatively cheap, safe, and easy to operate, so there's little to no reason not to buy a personal heater for yourself the moment you start feeling chilly in your own comfort zone.

Do keep in mind that these heaters will be insufficient if you're looking to warm up an entire room with one of these models. If the latter is the case, you might want to invest in a space heater. And if the temperature is a bit too hot for your liking, a portable air conditioner will do just fine.

What Features to Compare

Personal heaters are compact and seemingly uncomplicated tools but, just like any other source of heat and energy, they still require careful consideration before you end up purchasing one of these things. There isn't really a whole lot of aspects to a device like that but it is paramount you know the difference between them and what to look for in each one of these elements.

Type

The very first thing you ought to decide on before you purchase one of these products is what type it belongs to. There are quite a lot of heaters out there but the majority of personal ones fall under one of these categories: propane, infrared, ceramic, or fan heaters. Propane heaters use a manufactured gas with an identical name. They're fairly similar to orthodox methane gas heaters, with the only real difference being that propane does not emit CO2 or greenhouse gases when it burns. However, these types require propane cylinders that need to be refilled on a regular basis.

Infrared heaters, on the other hand, emit higher temperatures through electromagnetic radiation. They're cheap to run, saving you some money on the fuel bills, easy to install, and they do not create air currents. The only real downside is that they tend to be less effective when placed over 10 feet away from the user compared to other types of heaters. Ceramic models deliver heat by transmitting electricity through ceramic plates. The biggest advantage of this type is that they provide a consistent source of heat without ever getting hot enough to pose a fire hazard or burn risk. The majority of them also offer two different temperature settings.

Fan heaters, as the name suggests, use fans that move warm air from the heating unit to the user. People often choose fan heaters because of their speed. Fan heaters tend to warm up a room much faster compared to any other type out there. They're also usually smaller and pose next to no risk of overheating due to the technology that immediately moves the heat away from the source.

Heating Capacity

Aside from the type, you should also consider the heating capacity of your potential purchase. If you're looking to warm up nobody but yourself in a fairly enclosed and relatively small space, a device that outputs around 200 watts should be more than enough. However, if you aren't buying one of these models just for yourself or you're searching for the kind of product that could warm up a spacious and cold room, you might want to consider a more powerful option.

Safety

The last thing you ought to keep in mind is the safety precautions that the model comes equipped with. Without going into too many details, some heaters may prove to be rather dangerous if they do not feature the necessary safety measures and if the user doesn't know how to operate one, so consider those before you acquire a personal heater.

Did you know?

The winter season is long upon us and the majority of you either have your heaters on by now or are busy desperately looking for one of these lifesavers to warm you up at work or provide some warmth during a cold winter evening at home. Well, if you haven't already, you should definitely turn your recent acquisition on and enjoy some facts about heaters that we have carefully compiled for your entertainment.

Philadelphia Gas Works

Generally speaking, Philly is not the first place you think of when it comes to modernization and innovations. And while that may often be the case, The City of Brotherly Love was actually home to the very first municipally-owned natural gas company. The company that combined the name of the city with their very intentions, Philadelphia Gas Works began its journey in 1836 and is still the largest and longest-operating public gas system in the country.

Home Heating

Though there plenty of heating options out there with different types of heaters being easily available on the market, the vast majority of people use natural gas and electricity in order to warm up their houses and apartments. While propane, kerosene, wood, and other kinds of heating sources are still widely used nowadays, about 15% of all homes in America utilize one of these options.

What Is That Smell Again?

The majority of people that have smelled natural gas in their houses would probably associate it with the smell of rotten eggs. Nevertheless, natural gas is actually odorless, which is why energy companies add some kind of an odorant to it before the gas is distributed so that people would be able to detect it before any actual threat could occur.

Now That Is Hot!

Though you might often feel like it is literally the hottest day ever out there throughout the entirety of the summer season, the absolute hottest temperature on Earth was actually recorded over 100 years ago, on July 10, 1913. Though the place probably wouldn't come as any sort of surprise to the Golden State population. It was on the previously specified day that the Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California reached a scorching temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit.

When in Rome

Those pesky ancient Romans were the very first when it came to a variety of nationwide inventions and modernizations and the process of heating is yet another example of how much their civilization was ahead of its time. All in all, Ancient Rome was the first civilization to introduce central heating, with some buildings utilizing the so-called “hypocaust” system, where the furnace-heated air traveled through empty spaces under floors and out of pipes in the walls.

That Might Just be Enough Heat

Although it is obviously important, at least as far as productivity is concerned, to maintain a temperature that'd be just warm enough for a person to do his job with a certain amount of comfort and convenience, it can be very easy to go overboard with heating. Generally speaking, when the temperature reaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit, most people's work output drops by a whopping 45%.


FAQ:

Q: What are some of the other elements that I ought to consider before purchasing a personal heater, aside from the ones that were already mentioned?
A: Though we did already cover the most important aspects that you ought to look out for, it certainly wouldn't hurt to check just how efficient your potential acquisition is in terms of conserving energy. Unless you wish to pay an exorbitant amount of money covering your electric bills, you ought to find a model that would fit your environment and the size of your space. And, speaking of size, you should obviously consider the size of the heater since you wouldn't want a ridiculously enormous device taking up half of your workspace just to boost the temperature a few degrees. Aside from that, some heaters also include certain additional features like different energy saving modes, adjustable thermostats, and programmable timers that will allow you to minimize power usage and contribute to a considerably more economical operation.

Q: How safe are these heaters to use?
A: Now, this is where it gets tricky. The thing is, space heaters are one of the most popular causes of home fires. Other than that, it also highly depends on the model and the type of technology that said model utilizes in order to bring up the heat. If portable heaters are left unattended, these things will be able to easily become potential fire hazards. Having said that, there are a few easy precautions you can take in order to minimize the threat and keep the risk of any dangerous situation from ever occurring to an absolute minimum. To start with, you shouldn't even look towards the older models that do not include all of the latest safety features like cool-to-the-touch surfaces and some sort of overheat protection systems, preferably the ones that include an automatic shut-off function whenever the device heats up to a dangerous temperature. You should also make sure that the heater carries the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) label. Other than that, try not to place any objects in the proximity of 3 feet around the device in order to avoid overheating anything in the area. It should probably go without saying but you also mustn't use portable heaters near any kind of water source and avoid placing one of these devices in a humid environment. Last but not least, always turn off and unplug the heater the moment you are done using it and never leave it unattended while the device is turned on.

Q: Can I use a personal heater as my main source of heat?
A: Unless you're stuck in a really small and cramped environment, even the most powerful personal heaters aren't capable of generating enough heat to compete with space heaters or a central heating system.

Q: What about noise though?
A: Not dissimilar to the majority of electrical appliances, most personal heaters tend to generate a certain amount of noise while working. But given that most of these heaters don't produce that much heat to begin with (compared to space heaters and other larger counterparts, of course), the amount of noise they generate is negligible more often than not.

Sources:

1. Portable Heaters, Energy Department.

2. Propane Heater Safety - Information That Could Save Your Life! Air&Water.

3. How your heater can kill you, Health24. April 1, 2015.

4. Laurent Belsie Electric heater: Five safety tips for when you turn it on, CSMonitor. December 15, 2010.

5. Jeff Rossen and Anneke Foster How to use a space heater safely, TODAY. December 2, 2017.

6. Matthew Steen Electric heater buying guide, Choice. May 25, 2017.

7. Heater Buying Guide, Lowes.

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Publish Date: 2018-02-05 13:14:33