Bob Vila's testers named the DR-968 their best overall space heater, loving its quiet hum, thermostat and timer. In a 156 sq ft room they felt a change within 15 minutes and a 10°F rise by 33 minutes. HGTV picks it as best for large rooms, noting infrared heat that spreads evenly without the housing getting very hot.
Pros
Quiet, even heat with accurate thermostat
Casters make it easy to move
Tip-over shutoff worked in testing
Three-year warranty
Cons
Heavy at 19 lb
Dated design (HGTV)
Standby light is unnecessary (Bob Vila)
Pricier than basic ceramic heaters
Skip it if: You want something light and compact for a desk or bathroom
HGTV's best value pick: it looks and works like a premium heater and performed much like the pricier DREO 718 at half the cost. The adjustable tilt lets you aim heat where you want it.
Both HGTV (CD08200) and Bob Vila (CD08210) pick a Lasko ceramic heater with an ALCI safety plug for bathrooms. In Bob Vila's test the plug tripped when the heater was sprayed with water and worked again after drying.
Pros
Moisture-safe plug
Simple one-button control
Cheap and light
Good heat for its size
Cons
No tip-over protection
No remote
Only suits small spaces
Skip it if: You need a heater for a living room or have pets or kids who might tip it
🍳
#4 · Best for basements
De'Longhi SlimStyle Digital Convection Panel Heater
★★★★★4.1(4,405)
Basements, garages and spaces that need freeze protection
Bob Vila picks the SlimStyle for basements because of an antifreeze mode that stays dormant and kicks on when the space drops to 45°F, using very little energy. Most heaters cannot be set below about 60°F.
Pros
Protects pipes from freezing efficiently
Quiet operation
Digital display, eco mode and timers
Wall-mountable
Cons
No remote
Antifreeze mode triggered a few degrees higher than advertised
Skip it if: You want a remote or a fast-heating personal heater
How to choose
Size it to the room. Bob Vila says about 10 watts per square foot, so a 1,500W heater suits roughly a 15 x 10 ft room. HGTV found none of the big-room claims held up, so buy a bit stronger than you need and turn it down.
Prioritize safety features. Look for tip-over and overheat protection; use ALCI plugs in damp rooms and keep 3 feet of clearance from fabric and furniture (HGTV, Bob Vila).
Never use an extension cord. Bob Vila warns this raises fire risk; plug directly into the wall.
Use it as supplemental heat. HGTV says space heaters are not meant to replace central heating and will raise your bill if used that way.
FAQ
Can I leave a space heater on overnight?
HGTV says most makers and the CPSC advise against it because of fire risk; warm the room first and turn it off before bed.
Ceramic or infrared?
Infrared costs more but is quieter and more efficient, while ceramic is cheaper, louder and can dry the air (HGTV).
Where should I put it?
On a level, hard, non-flammable surface at least 3 feet from anything combustible, away from foot traffic (HGTV).
Picks come from HGTV (20 heaters tested, updated Sept 16, 2026) and Bob Vila (13 heaters tested, Oct 2, 2026). The Dr. Infrared DR-968 and the Lasko bathroom heater appear in both; the DREO 718 is also backed by Family Handyman's tests. Assumptions: Prices change often, so we quote only figures the sources show. The DREO 320 and De'Longhi SlimStyle are each covered by one outlet, and the Lasko bathroom models differ by number (CD08200 vs CD08210). Consumer Reports' space heater ratings are paywalled, so they are not used.
