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The best space heaters for every budget
The Lasko FH500 wins for fast, even room heating, while Vornado and Amazon Basics offer strong cheaper options for smaller budgets.
| Best overall | Best value | Cheapest that's still good | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Lasko FH500 3-in-1 Air Purifier, Space Heater and Fan | Vornado MVH Vortex Heater | Amazon Basics Ceramic 1500W Space Heater |
| Price | about $100 | about $75 | about $24 |
| Why | Tom’s Guide named it its best heater for most people after it heated a 15-by-10-foot test room quickly and evenly. It also works as a tower fan and includes a thermostat, remote, and safety shutoffs. | Popular Mechanics recommends it as a value pick, with three heat settings, a thermostat, and claimed coverage up to 256 square feet. At about $75, it costs less than the Lasko FH500 while offering room-directed heat. | TechGearLab gave it its Best Bang for the Buck award and listed it at about $24. Its strong direct heat and basic safety features make it a credible low-cost choice for a small space or desk. |
| Good to know | Its controls can be confusing at first. | The numbered heat dial does not clearly indicate the temperature. | It is loud and its dial does not maintain a precise room temperature. |
| See on Amazon | See on Amazon | See on Amazon |
picture by AITom’s Guide named it its best heater for most people after it heated a 15-by-10-foot test room quickly and evenly. It also works as a tower fan and includes a thermostat, remote, and safety shutoffs.
Good to know: Its controls can be confusing at first.
See on Amazonpicture by AIPopular Mechanics recommends it as a value pick, with three heat settings, a thermostat, and claimed coverage up to 256 square feet. At about $75, it costs less than the Lasko FH500 while offering room-directed heat.
Good to know: The numbered heat dial does not clearly indicate the temperature.
See on Amazonpicture by AITechGearLab gave it its Best Bang for the Buck award and listed it at about $24. Its strong direct heat and basic safety features make it a credible low-cost choice for a small space or desk.
Good to know: It is loud and its dial does not maintain a precise room temperature.
See on AmazonDanilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.
What matters
Match the heater to the space: a compact model is best for personal warmth, while a 1,500-watt heater with a fan can spread heat around a room. Look for tip-over and overheat shutoff, and check for a recognized safety certification.
Who this is for
These picks are for people who want supplemental heat in a room or at a desk, not a replacement for heating an entire home. Choose the cheapest option for close-up warmth in a small space; spend more for more even room heat and added controls.
The picks, one by one
Best overall: Lasko FH500 3-in-1 Air Purifier, Space Heater and Fan
Tom’s Guide named it its best heater for most people after it heated a 15-by-10-foot test room quickly and evenly. It also works as a tower fan and includes a thermostat, remote, and safety shutoffs. In Tom’s Guide’s test, it produced noticeable warmth within 12 seconds and outperformed the other tested heaters for even room heating. Its 1,500-watt ceramic element, oscillation, and eco mode make it more versatile than a basic personal heater. The exterior stayed cool to the touch in testing, and it has tip-over and overheat protection. It is a tall, multi-use appliance, so skip it if you only need inexpensive warmth at a desk.
Good to know: Its controls can be confusing at first.
See on AmazonBest value: Vornado MVH Vortex Heater
Popular Mechanics recommends it as a value pick, with three heat settings, a thermostat, and claimed coverage up to 256 square feet. At about $75, it costs less than the Lasko FH500 while offering room-directed heat. The compact design takes up less floor space than a tower heater. Popular Mechanics says the thermostat cycles the unit on and off to help maintain the selected warmth. WIRED also describes the MVH as quiet and reasonably priced, though it notes that a similar Vornado model is quieter and includes a remote and timer. The heat dial’s numbers are not a precise temperature scale, so expect to adjust it by trial and error.
Good to know: The numbered heat dial does not clearly indicate the temperature.
See on AmazonCheapest that's still good: Amazon Basics Ceramic 1500W Space Heater
TechGearLab gave it its Best Bang for the Buck award and listed it at about $24. Its strong direct heat and basic safety features make it a credible low-cost choice for a small space or desk. In TechGearLab’s tests, it raised the average room temperature by 5.3°F and increased its direct-heat test temperature by 15.1°F. It has simple dials, a fan-only mode, and tip-over and overheat protection. The reviewer found the temperature dial imprecise, so treat it as a low-medium-high control rather than a thermostat. It is not the best choice for a large, drafty room or anyone bothered by fan noise.
Good to know: It is loud and its dial does not maintain a precise room temperature.
See on AmazonHow we chose
Tom’s Guide tested heaters in a 15-by-10-foot room, measuring temperature changes after 20 minutes, warm-up time, energy use, noise, and surface temperatures. Other reviewers assessed heat distribution, controls, safety features, and real-world use at home or in offices. Danilli read the reviews and tests listed below and compared current prices; it does not take money from brands to pick a product.
Sources
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Written with Danilli's AI from the sources above and refreshed about once a month; prices change, check Amazon for today's price. Danilli may earn a small commission from Amazon when you buy through these buttons. The price is the same for you. Product pictures are made by Danilli's AI to show the product; check the real photos on the store page.