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On the lookout for an electric wall heater? Let me guess, you’re either overwhelmed by all the different options on the market, you don’t know what you need, or you can't figure out which heater best fits your needs. If that’s the case, well, I’m here to save the day. I went on a long journey to test the most popular options on the market and see if they’re any good. So, here’s everything you need to know in order to get the best electric wall heater for your needs.
Best Electric Wall Heater
- Cadet Energy Plus Wall Heater
- Stiebel Eltron 074057 Electric Heater
- Stiebel Eltron 074058 Electric Heater
- King PAW2422-W Wall Heater
- Broan NuTone 9815WH Heater
- Cadet Com-Pak Complete Wall Heater
- Broan NuTone 174 Electric Wall Heater
- King W2420-W Electric Wall Heater
- De’Longhi Mica Thermic Panel Heater
- Heat Storm Deluxe Wall Heater
The 10 Best Electric Wall Heaters in 2021
Throughout this section, I’ll walk you through my top picks with their pros, cons, and everything you might need to know.
1. Cadet Energy Plus Wall Heater
I’m starting off this list strongly with this tiny yet powerful electric wall heater from Cadet, the Energy Plus.
This wall heater provides you with a lot of control over how it operates. For example, it has a built-in thermostat, ranging from 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, that you can use to adjust the heater to whatever temperature you’d like.
Additionally, it has a fan-only mode that you can use if your room is already warm, and you’re trying to circulate some air, which is especially useful during the summer. The fan has three speed settings that the heater just switched among automatically for the best heat distribution.
Another feature that I found so convenient about this heater is the Night mode. When activated, the wall heater switches to a preset temperature that you can use to keep yourself warm at night.
The Energy Plus heater is one of the safest options on this list because of its power supply sensor. What it does is it adjusts the heater’s operation according to the voltage it’s receiving, be it 120, 208, or 240 volts. So, if you’re worried about power spikes or the electricity isn’t really stable in your home, this electric wall heater might spark your interest.
Focusing on the 120-volt setting, the heater would produce 1,000 watts of energy, which is surprising for such a small unit! It’s a powerful heater that can tackle any room, no matter how big. This heater’s energy can reach up to 1,600 watts when provided with 240 volts.
That’s not all that this heater offers when it comes to safety features. It also has an overheat protection feature, meaning it will shut-off when it exceeds a certain temperature.
Pros:
- Built-in thermostat
- Overheat protection
- Automatically adjusts fan speed
- Fan-only mode to stimulate airflow
- Incredibly powerful
Cons:
- Thermostat isn’t the most accurate
2. Stiebel Eltron 074057 Electric Heater
Moving on to the second product on my list, the Stiebel Eltron 074057 wall-mounted electric heater. Let me tell, this heater’s design is so sleek and modern that it can fit right into any room.
Being made in Germany, it just shows how high-quality this electric wall heater is. In addition to the outstanding build quality, I was pleasantly surprised when I turned it on and immediately noticed a difference. It’s just a powerful unit, which is expected, thanks to its 2,000 watts of produced energy, it’ll heat up any room within minutes.
However, it requires 240 volts to operate. Keep in mind that most power outlets in the U.S. are 120 volts, so you might need to call your electrician, especially considering that this electric wall heater must be hardwired.
This Stiebel Eltron forced-air device is so quiet, making it suitable to be used in a bedroom; you won’t even remember that it’s there.
With its built-in adjustable thermostat, this electric wall heater is so easy to use, even for someone who doesn’t know anything about electric devices. Also, it’s worth noting that the thermostat ranges from 41 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
A feature that I really loved about the Stiebel Eltron electric wall heater is the booster timer. It makes the heater operate to produce maximum heat for 60 minutes so that you can warm up your room as fast as possible. After that, it reverts back to the original thermostat setting.
Pros:
- Modern design that fits any room
- Powerful electric wall heater
- Booster timer feature
- Has a built-in adjustable thermostat
- Quiet operation
Cons:
- Not easy to install
3. Stiebel Eltron 074058 Electric Heater
The Stiebel Eltron 074058 is quite similar to the 074057, with just a few differences. So, allow me to shed light on both the similarities and differences.
Well, to start off, they both have the same sleek design. They’re white with a curved surface that can fit with the decor of any room without looking out of place.
Additionally, the Stiebel Eltron 074058 heater has a built-in thermostat so that you’d have full control over the room’s temperature. It’s incredibly convenient, especially in offices and bedrooms where you need more control than just the “low” and “high” settings that most electric wall heaters provide.
While we’re on the topic of bedrooms, this wall heater is so quiet that you can sleep with it running in the same room, and you won’t even notice that it’s working. Most forced-air wall heaters are quite noisy, but the 074058 will surprise you with how silent it is.
Moreover, this heater's output energy is 1,500 watts, which equals about 5,122 BTUs/hr. This is powerful enough for an average-sized room.
Much like the 074057, this heater has a booster timer feature that produces maximum heat for 60 minutes then works on maintaining that heat by reverting back to the preset thermostat temperature.
If you remember, my only issue with the Stiebel Eltron 074057 was that it needs 240 volts to run, which is not found in a typical American home. Luckily, the 074058 only runs on 120 volts, which is the common power outlet voltage in North America.
Sadly, you’d still need to contact your electrician because this electric wall heater needs to be hardwired, which is not an easy task.
Pros:
- Built-in adjustable thermostat for controlling rooms’ temperature
- Runs on 170 volts
- Booster timer mode for instant warmth
- Powerful
- Frost protection setting
Cons:
- You’d need an electrician to install it
- Wiring is visible
4. King PAW2422-W Wall Heater
The King PAW2422-W is yet another fan-forced wall heater that I immediately fell in love with. Among my favorite things about this electric wall heater is its incredibly small size that can fit right into any room without taking up too much space.
I have to start off this review with my absolute favorite thing about this heater, which is the Smart Limit protection. It’s a system that shuts off the wall heater when a body gets too close or blocks it. That helps prevent overheating or fire hazards.
What’s more, after the heater is shut off, you’ll have to manually turn it off for 15 minutes and then turn it on again in order to operate. This is especially important if you have children or pets at home, and you want the safest electric wall heater possible.
The King PAW2422-W is a great choice if you’re looking to cover your whole house with wall-mounted electric heaters. This one uses 240 volts to produce 2,250 watts of heat energy, making it perfect for larger rooms or ones that aren’t well-isolated.
Additionally, the same heater comes in two other configurations: 120 volts and 208 volts. The former produces 1,500 watts, deeming it perfect for smaller rooms, while the latter produces 2,250 watts for large rooms.
The fan-forced heater uses heavy-duty steel for its heating element, which ensures highly efficient heating for its high durability and ability to withstand high temperatures.
Sadly, this electric wall heater doesn’t come with a built-in thermostat, meaning you’d have to purchase an external one or use one that you already have. Just make sure that it can withstand the electrical load, especially if you’ll be connecting multiple units to the same thermostat.
With that being said, I strongly recommend getting an electrician to install this electric wall heater. I tried doing it myself, and I kept running into issues, so save yourself the hassle.
Pros:
- Three wattage options
- Smart Limit protection
- Minimal noise
- Small, vent-like design
Cons:
- You’ll need to use an external thermostat
5. Broan NuTone 9815WH Heater
Moving on, the Broan NuTone 9815WH is another vent-looking heating unit that can fit right into any room. This electric wall heater has a lot of features that show how much thought was put into its design and manufacturing, which is one of the reasons why I love it so much.
First and foremost, the Broan wall heater runs on 120 volts, which is the standard voltage in North America, but it can also run on 240 volts. Either way, you’ll be getting 1,500 watts of energy production, which is equivalent to 5120 BTU/hr.
To be honest, this electric wall heater isn’t advertised for use as a primary source of heat because it isn’t the most powerful option out there. It’s best suited for small rooms like hallways and bathrooms that are around 100-150 square feet in size.
Also, I tried this one alongside a more powerful one for spot-heating, and it worked perfectly!
Because keeping myself and my family safe is my priority, I picked this Broan wall heater for its overheat protection feature. It’ll immediately shut off if it detects a rise in temperature to avoid fire hazards. Additionally, it’s UL-listed, meaning it meets all requirements for safety.
One thing I noticed about this Broan fan-forced heater is how the fan operates. When you turn the electric wall heater on, the fan doesn’t start working immediately, allowing the heating element to actually heat up. This prevents the fan from just directing cold air.
Also, the fan doesn’t turn off with the wall heater; it keeps working while the heating element is cooling down to provide you with the most warmth possible. It’s an incredibly energy-efficient heating unit!
It’s worth noting that it was incredibly easy to install this heater. If you have basic knowledge of connecting wires, this electric wall heater should be a breeze to install.
Pros:
- UL-listed for safety
- Operates on both 120 and 240-volt inputs
- Perfect for spot heating
- Easy to install
- Overheat protection
Cons:
- Not powerful enough for larger rooms
6. Cadet Com-Pak Complete Wall Heater
This compact Cadet Com-Pak electric wall heater is one that produces more power than you imagine. This is one of the most versatile electric wall heaters on the list because it can be mounted both vertically and horizontally!
There are two configurations that you can pick from: one has a built-in thermostat, and one doesn’t. So, whether you’re looking for a unit that comes with a built-in adjustable thermostat or you have your own thermostat, the Cadet Com-Pak is an excellent choice for you.
If you’re looking for an electrical wall heater to cover your entire home, this Cadet Com-Pak might spark your interest because it can be mounted on the ceiling as well as the walls. You can distribute units over the whole house and mount them wherever each one fits.
Also, its design is quite modern, compact, and versatile enough to complete any room you install the wall heater in. Its white color will actually complete the decor by blending right into your walls or by giving a unique contrast if you have colored walls.
Let’s talk about this electric wall heater’s technical specs because, at the end of the day, performance is what matters most. Well, the Com-Pak fan-forced heater uses 240 volts to operate and produces 1,500 watts, which is equal to 5,120 BTU/hr.
Now, if you don’t know what those numbers mean, this electric heater is perfect for smaller rooms that are around 175 square feet. It’s not really the best choice for large rooms that require a lot of heat energy unless you use multiple units.
Yes, using multiple units in the same room is possible because the Com-Pak is so silent, you won’t even notice that it’s working.
It’s worth noting that this electric wall heater must be hardwired; you can’t just plug it in and call it a day.
Lastly, it comes with dual overheat safety so that the wall heater automatically shuts off if it detects overheating issues. Besides, it’s UL-listed.
Pros:
- Overheat protection and UL-listed
- Quiet operation
- Built-in thermostat is optional
- Compact and modern design
Cons:
- Only suitable for small rooms
7. Broan NuTone 174 Electric Wall Heater
The Broan NuTone 174 is one of the best electric wall heaters for you if you’re on the lookout for a secondary unit to aid your central heating system or one for a small room. Also, this is a great choice if you’re tightly bound by a budget.
Among my favorite things about this Broan wall heater is the fact that it’s so versatile. It runs on 120 volts and can produce two wattage outputs: 750 and 1,500 watts. The former is just enough for the heater to be used for supplemental heating or for spot-heating, while the latter is suitable for a small room or hallways.
That’s not all, the heat can also run on 240 volts and produce 1,500 watts of heat, so it’s suitable for any house or building.
If you like having complete control over the temperature, the Broan NuTone 174 comes with an adjustable thermostat. You can turn it to adjust the heat to your liking according to how cold the room is.
Even though it automatically shuts off when the desired temperature is reached to prevent overheating, it actually shuts off too soon. More than once, this wall heater just shut down on me before the room is even warm, so keep that in mind before opting for this model.
Its heating element is a nickel-chrome alloy, which is highly energy-efficient and can withstand outstandingly high temperatures. Also, it’s corrosion-resistant, so you don’t need to worry about replacing your electric heater within a couple of years.
This Broan wall heater is also UL-listen, ensuring its safe operation.
Also, from the same series by Broan, the wall heater offers other wattage options like 1,000/2,000 and 500/1,000 watts in case you’re looking for an electric wall heater for larger rooms.
Pros:
- Two wattage and voltage configurations
- Has an adjustable built-in thermostat
- UL-Listed
- Nickel-chrome alloy heating element
Cons:
- Shuts off too soon
8. King W2420-W Electric Wall Heater
If you want to fill your entire home with wall heaters, but every room has its unique requirements, the King W series is for you. My favorite one from the whole series is the W2420-W for how powerful it is despite its compact size.
Let me start by covering all the different models in this series, and then I’ll talk more in-depth about the series’ features and child quality. You can find models that run on 120 and 240 volts, with energy production ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 watts to cover any room of any size.
The W2420 uses an input of 240 volts and produces 2,000 watts of what energy, so it’s on the more powerful end of the spectrum, making it perfect for a large room.
It uses a nickel-chrome alloy for its heating element, which, as I already mentioned, is incredibly energy-efficient and corrosion-resistant.
Much like the previous King electric wall heater, the W2420-W has Smart Limit protection, which shuts down the heater if an object gets too close or blocks it. When it shuts off, you’d have to turn it back on manually to ensure the utmost safety.
Sadly, it doesn’t have a built-in thermostat. You’d have to use an external one, which can be both a blessing and a curse. If you’re planning to cover your whole house with these wall heaters, having one thermostat to control all of them is incredibly convenient. Just make sure that the thermostat can handle such an electrical load.
However, if you have multiple different electric wall heaters and each has its own thermostat, it can get a little annoying having to purchase yet another thermostat.
Pros:
- A variety of models
- Incredibly powerful performance
- Smart limit protection
- Energy-efficient heating element
Cons:
- No built-in thermostat
9. De’Longhi Mica Thermic Panel Heater
The De’Longhi is a unique heater because it’s not a traditional wall-mountable one. In fact, it’s originally a standing heater, but it comes with a kit that you can use for mounting it.
The heater’s all-black design is so easy on the eye, and it’ll accentuate your room with a very elegant look, effortlessly. Whether you choose to mount it or keep it standing on its wheeled-legs, it just adds a lot to the room’s decor.
For warmth, the wall-mountable heater produces 1,500 watts of heat energy when it’s on the high setting, which is advertised to be suitable for rooms up to 300 square feet. Based on my experience with electric wall heaters, such wattage is more suited for a 150-square-foot room, so keep that in mind.
Additionally, if you set it to the low setting, it only produces 750 watts of heat energy, making it perfect for smaller rooms like bathrooms or hallways.
What’s more, if you’re looking for a bedroom-friendly heater, the De’Longhi is for you because it’s a mica thermic panel heater. In other words, it doesn’t have a fan, meaning there aren’t any mechanical parts that can produce noise. This unit is as silent as can be to the point that it didn’t wake up my pets!
For your safety, the wall heater has overheat protection that shuts it off if it predicts any unusual rise in temperature. Additionally, if you plan to use it standing, it has tip-over protection, so it’ll shut off if it's knocked down to prevent fire hazards.
Lastly, if you don’t want your wall heater running all day long, you can switch it to the anti-freezing setting, which is self-explanatory; it prevents the room from getting too cold.
Pros:
- Two heat settings
- Quiet operation because it doesn’t use a fan
- Overheat and tip-over protection
- Anti-freezing setting
- All-black, elegant design
Cons:
- Overheat alarm goes off quite often
10. Heat Storm Deluxe Wall Heater
I had to include the Heat Storm Deluxe heater because it’s my absolute favorite infrared heater that can be wall-mounted. Besides, it’s a space heater, which means it heats up objects, not just air, so that everything in the room radiates warmth. Also, space heaters don’t strip the air of moisture.
The Heat Storm Deluxe comes with an adjustable thermostat that also has an LED display. You can clearly see what temperature the heater is operating on, and you can also adjust it from afar with the included remote control.
Remotely adjusting your heater is an excellent option for living rooms and bedrooms, so you wouldn’t have to get up and walk to the heater itself. What’s more, you can choose to opt for a model that uses WiFi as well, so you can adjust the temperature setting using your phone.
I love using this heater when children or pets are at home because it’s safe to touch. Even if you touch the grill, your hands won’t get burned.
For safety, this infrared wall heater has overheat protection and tip-over protection so that the heater will shut off in case of any danger or abnormal event to prevent causing a fire hazard. Did I also mention that it’s ETL-listed? Because it is.
Running on 110 volts, the wall heater can produce 1,000 watts of energy by just plugging it into a power source; you don’t even need to call your electrician!
Pros:
- Excellent safety features
- ETL-listed
- Installation is a breeze
- Safe to the touch
Cons:
- The fan is a little noisy
How to Pick an Electric Wall Heater
Looking for an electric wall heater isn’t half as easy as you might think. First of all, you need to make sure that its electrical requirements meet what your home electrical circuits have to offer.
Also, keep in mind that a wall-mounted electric heater isn’t as easy to find as you might think.
You need to also make sure that your electric heater is energy-efficient, which can be a little difficult if you’re not familiar with technical terms. So, to make things a little easier for you, here’s a complete guide to help you pick the best electric wall heater for your needs.
Types of Electric Wall Heaters
Electric wall heaters are all different. They use different heat transfer methods and different materials, making every unit unique. So, here are the most popular types and what you need to know about them.
Fan-Forced Heaters
Fan-Forced convection heaters use a heating element that heats up with electricity, and then fans start pushing hot air through the heater’s grill into the room.
Panel Heaters
Mica or panel heaters are ones that use mica sheets as a heating element. They’re a lot quieter because they don’t have fans; they just depend on the heated mica to warm up rooms, making them perfect for a bedroom.
Infrared Heaters
An infrared wall heater works to heat up objects and people rather than air; that’s why they’re also known as space heaters. As you can guess, they’re incredibly energy-efficient because the heated objects also contribute to radiating heat through the entire room.
Wattage and Voltage
If you don’t know much about electricity, going for a 120-volt heart should be your best bet because that’s likely your home’s power output if you live in North America. If you decide to go for a 240-volt one, I recommend you call your electrician beforehand to make sure that it can be installed safely.
Looking at your heater of choice’s wattage should give you a clear idea of its abilities. To make it simple for you, knock the last digit off the heater’s wattage, and you’ll end up with how many square feet it can cover. For example, if you go for a 1,000-watt wall heater, then it can warm up a room of 100 square feet in size.
Of course, this method isn’t 100% accurate because we’re not taking into consideration the ventilation, isolation, and the height of the room (how high the ceiling is), but it’s a good general rule to follow. If you want to cover your whole house with wall heaters, just measure how big each room is and get a heater with a suitable wattage.
Temperature Control
If you like having total control over your room’s temperature, going for a wall heater with a thermostat could be life-changing! You can use the thermostat to adjust your wall heater to produce any temperature you’d like, which is a lot more convenient than just going for one with just on and off settings.
If you’d like to take it a step further, you can opt for one that comes with remote control. You can use the remote from the comfort of your bed to readjust the heat to your liking.
I found that to be most beneficial during the winter when the temperature just drops in the middle of the night, and I can’t bring myself to get out of bed and manually turn my heater on.
However, if you’re on a budget, you can always settle for wall heaters with multiple settings like “high” and “low” that produce different wattages of energy depending on your settings.
Lastly, if you’re just looking for a small heater for hallways or bathrooms, a unit with just on and off settings is more than enough. It all boils down to your needs.
Safety Features
There’s no doubt that safety features can make or break a heater. Make sure your heater has overheat protection. After all, it’s a heat-producing device, and too much heat is dangerous when it comes to electronic devices.
Some wall heaters also have features that shut it off if an object is blocking it, which is especially important if you have children or pets.
Lastly, tip-over protection is critical for standing heaters. However, you can still find electric wall heaters with tip-over protection in case they get knocked down somehow.
Installation Process
Because most electric wall heaters must be hardwired, the installation process is a lot more complicated than you’d think. Make sure you get professional help if you’re not really familiar with wires; electricity isn’t something you’d want to mess around with.
Besides, wall heaters can be installed flushed on the surface of the wall; it boils down to how compact the unit is and whether or not you’re willing to drill a hole into your wall.
Cost
Your heater’s initial cost depends heavily on your budget and how much you’re willing to spend. Keep in mind that going for the most expensive heater on the market isn’t always the best choice because it might not fit your needs. Make sure you pick the most suitable heater, not the most budget-friendly one.
The higher your heater’s wattage is, the more it’ll add to your energy bills. So, make sure you only turn on the heater when you need it or to lower the settings if the room is already warm.
Final Words
Electric wall heaters are a lot more complicated than you initially thought, aren’t they? There are a lot of factors that go into choosing your next heater that it can be overwhelming to pick one. Well, to make it a little easier for you, the winner, in my opinion, is the Cadet Energy Plus wall heater.
The Energy Plus wall heater comes with a built-in thermostat so that you’ll have full control over the room’s temperature. Also, it comes with multiple modes like fan-only and night that you can use for saving energy while still getting sufficient heat.
What’s more, the wall heater can adjust its output according to how much voltage you’re providing it with automatically. Its heat energy production can get as high as 1,600 watts, which is more than enough to heat up large rooms with no issues.
Additional Reading
