Best Heaters For Large Rooms (Updated 2022 Reviews)
Even if your home has a central heating system, sometimes it may not cut it when it comes to heating the air in large rooms. Investing in a second heat source can be the answer to all your heating needs.
If you’re on the lookout for an indoor air heater geared towards heating large rooms, you’vecome to the right place. I have reviewed many space heaters on the market to help you find the best heater for large rooms.
Best Heater For Large Room
- Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater 1500-Watt
- Cadet Com-Pak Twin 4000W Large Room Electric Wall Heater
- LifeSmart Large Room Infrared Quartz Fireplace
- Lasko 5160 Ceramic Tower Heater
- DeLonghi Mica Thermic Panel Heater
- DeLonghi Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater
Our Top 6 Models
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best space heaters for large rooms on the market and why you should consider adding them to your home.
1. Dr Infrared 1500-Watt
Large rooms aren’t a problem for this beast of a space heater. The Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater 1500-Watt is capable of heating up to 1000 square feet of space, which is much more than most other 1500-watt space heaters are capable of.
This infrared heater is very cost-efficient. The initial price is pretty competitive, and it doesn’t cost a fortune to run either. The heater automatically turns itself off after a certain amount of time or when it reaches a specific temperature.
The heater distributes heat evenly throughout the room, and it’s energy-efficient thanks to its advanced dual heating system. While its primary source of heat is infrared heat, it also utilizes convection to produce more heat in a shorter time.
It can deliver 250° F at about 3.5 meters per second, which is way more than your average heater (delivering around 155°F at 2.2 meters per second).
One standout feature about this space heater is that it has dual settings. You can either run it on 1500 watts or 1000 watts if you don’t require as much heat and want to cut your energy bills.
My favorite thing about this model is how it stays cool to the touch even after being on for hours. It has no exposed heating element that could be a fire hazard, which makes it an excellent choice for families with children and pets.
I also really appreciate how quiet this infrared heater is. I didn’t have any trouble watching TV or even falling asleep while the heater was on, which is something that many heaters, unfortunately, fall short of.
All in all, I would recommend the Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater to anyone who wants a large room space heater that’s not only efficient but also fast at its job without paying too much in electricity bills.
Pros:
- Dual heating system offers maximum heating power
- Fast heating of large areas compared to other models
- Compact build that doesn’t take up much space
- Cost and energy-efficient thanks to its eco mode
- Overheat and tip-over protection
- Infrared doesn’t dry out the air
- Operates quietly
- Has a built-in filter
- Comes with remote control and user-friendly LED display
- 2 heat settings
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Thermostat is not as accurate as it could be
- Uses a lot of electricity when you turn off energy-saving mode
2. Cadet Com-Pak Twin 4000W
Having a large room doesn’t necessarily mean having enough space for a large space heater. With 4000 watts at 240 volts, this space heater packs a lot of power without taking up any floor space.
Moreover, the wall heater is far from being an eyesore. In fact, with dimensions of 16.5 x 19.5 x 13.6 inches, it recedes into the wall and is hardly noticeable at all. I was also a big fan of its glossy white finish, which blended perfectly with my furniture.
I found the heating performance of this indoor electric space heater very solid. It has dual coil elements that can heat up to 600 square feet in a matter of minutes, making it a perfect heating source for large living rooms and entryways.
The kit features a wall can for mounting, a grill, and a thermostat. And the thermostat’s temperature range is 40°F to 85°F, which is enough to keep your living space feel warm and homely.
This electric heater features a fan that ensures even distribution of heat across the air. It also comes with a high-temperature shutoff safety feature, which is essential to have to minimize fire risk. Unfortunately, the heater still tends to get a little hot to the touch.
Portability may also be an issue as it’s fixed to the wall. Personally, I didn’t mind this, but if you would like to heat more than one room, you should consider another portable electric heater instead.
All things considered, I found this model to be a great option for someone who needs a wall-mounted space heater. However, if you need to move your heater across rooms, you should consider other portable electric models instead.
Pros:
- Wall-mounted so it doesn’t take up floor space
- Compact minimalist design that blends in
- Quick heating of large areas
- Overheat protection feature
- Even distribution of heat
Cons:
- Requires 208/240 volt circuit
- Exterior gets hot
- More pricey than other heaters
- Not a portable heater
3. LifeSmart Infrared Quartz Fireplace
Heating a large room requires an efficient solution, but you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice aesthetics for practicality. Fireplace heaters such as the LifeSmart Infrared Quartz Fireplace offers all the ambiance of a traditional fireplace’s flickering flames without any of its smoke and fire hazards.
This heater’s energy efficiency is impressive. Like the Dr Infrared Heater, it manages to easily heat a room as large as 1000 square feet with only 1500 watts, so your heating bills won’t skyrocket. You can also use it instead of a central heating system, which will further cut your energy bills.
This electric fireplace goes well and beyond other infrared heaters. It has a sleek dark wood cabinet and mantel that resemble traditional fireplaces. Additionally, Its simulated fire and embers give off a realistic and fairly convincing glow that users can control via the remote control.
It comes with a thermostat and offers various safety features including automatic shut off. You can set the temperature of your choice via the remote control, and the heater will be turned off automatically when the room reaches this temperature.
I also found that the heater stayed pretty cool even after running for quite some time, so it’s pretty safe for curious kids and pets.
Infrared space heaters are also perfect for the health-conscious. They use infrared wavelengths which heat items in the room instead of the air, meaning that it will maintain the humidity level in the room and won’t dry out the air.
Overall, the Infrared Quartz Fireplace is a great choice for those looking for an efficient space heater for their home but want something a little different from traditional room heaters in terms of aesthetics.
Pros:
- Maintains air moisture and doesn’t dry out the air
- Comes with overheat protection for additional safety
- 3 heat settings including an eco mode
- Portable heater that can be used for zonal heating
- Energy efficient
- User-friendly remote control
- Offers 2 levels of realistic fire glow
- Maintains a cool exterior while in use
Cons:
- Heavier than most other models
- The fan can be louder than other heaters
- It May not blend with modern-style furniture
4. Lasko 5160 Ceramic Tower Heater
The Lasko 5160 Ceramic Tower Heater is an excellent ceramic space heater for indoor use that’s lightweight and easy to use.
This ceramic heater can only heat an area of around 300 square feet, which is nowhere near as large as the previous heaters. However, while it may not be the most powerful on this list, it does its job efficiently and quickly, as it can heat up the room in less than 10 minutes.
You can choose from 3 heat settings: high heat (1500 watts), low heat (900 watts), or auto (thermostat controlled), although I noticed that the auto mode tends to consume a lot of energy.
The ceramic heater features an elongated ceramic element that ensures extended warmth. Moreover, the fan evenly distributes the heat in the air throughout the room thanks to Lasko’s patented blower technology and widespread oscillation.
It also has a digital read-out as well as an adjustable thermostat with an 8-hour timer to maintain your preferred temperature.
This room heater has some built-in safety features such as cool-touch housing and overheat protection. I was actually amazed by how the plastic grill remained cool to the touch even after extended use.
This slim tower heater hardly takes up any space at all, and it fit right in the corner of my living room. It weighs only 6.45 pounds, which makes moving it around your home pretty easy, and it also comes with a carrying handle to make your job even easier.
All in all, the Lasko 5160 Ceramic Tower Heater will be perfect for someone looking for a secondary heat source in addition to central heating.
Pros:
- Has an 8-hour timer function
- Adjustable thermostat
- No overheating
- Impact-resistant ceramic finish
- Even heat distribution
- 3-year limited warranty
- Easy-to-use remote control
- Comes with a built-in carrying handle for portability
Cons:
- High energy consumption on “auto” mode
- Some temperature fluctuation
5. DeLonghi Mica Thermic Panel Heater
The Mica Panel Heater from DeLonghi is an innovative heater that marks a departure from the traditional radiant room space heaters that depend on an electric wire to produce heat. Instead, this Delonghi model uses micathermic technology to provide a consistent temperature in all parts of the room.
Thanks to this technology, it instantly radiates heat once it’s switched on and, therefore, doesn’t need a fan. As a result, I found it very quiet when in use, making it a great choice for a bedroom, a study, or a TV room.
The heater is very energy efficient with two energy settings users can choose from: 750 watts and 1500 watts, and it can easily radiate heat throughout a 300-square-foot room. It has a full-range thermostat that allows you to choose the exact room temperature you prefer.
The Mica Panel Heater is an incredibly versatile space heater. This model can either be mounted on the wall or used on the floor. It’s also very lightweight, which makes moving it around a breeze, especially thanks to its caster wheels and carrying handle.
Moreover, the design of this space heater is very sleek, and to me it looks more like a flat screen TV than a space heater. It’d fit right into any modern-style room.
The heater features overheat protection and a tip-over switch for maximum safety. If the heater accidentally tips over while on, it will shut itself off automatically.
Another safety feature I really liked was its anti-freeze setting, which maintains the room temperature at around 41° F to prevent freezing while consuming minimal energy.
Overall, the Mica Panel Heater from DeLonghi is a great and versatile heater for a large room, providing consistent, efficient, and silent heating.
Pros:
- Energy efficient
- Innovative heating technology
- Safety features including overheat and tip-over protection
- Can be used on the floor or as a wall heater
- Quiet operation as it has no fan
- Carrying handle and caster wheels
- Anti-freeze setting to prevent pipes from freezing
- Adjustable thermostat
Cons:
- Wheels aren’t very sturdy
- The back can get quite hot when it’s on
- The wheels can mark up some types of bare floors
- Doesn’t have a timer function
6. DeLonghi Oil-Filled Radiator
There’s no denying that even the most efficient electric space heaters can take up a lot of energy. The DeLonghi Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater provides a nice solution to this problem. Since the oil retains heat for long periods, the heater switches on infrequently to keep the oil at the right temperature.
This indoor electric space heater can heat an area of up to 144 square feet. While this heating performance is far less than other indoor heaters capable of heating extra large rooms, I still found it pretty sufficient as a secondary heat source to the central heating system.
Since it doesn’t have an internal fan to distribute the heat into the air, it’s pretty silent while operating, so you don’t need to worry about the noise.
This means that while the heater itself heats up quickly, it takes longer for it to move the heated air around the room. However, you can work around that by putting a fan behind it to heat a much larger area even on the low setting.
It offers a myriad of safety features, including automatic shutoff for overheating or tip-over, as well as the anti-freeze feature that can help prevent the pipes from freezing.
As a whole, the Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater is another excellent DeLonghi model and one of the best oil heaters on the market today for heating medium to large rooms.
Pros:
- Plenty of features such as anti-freeze and thermal cutoff
- Built-in wheels for portability
- Well-built sturdy metal body with
- Adjustable heat using the built-in thermostat
- Lightweight despite being oil-filled
- Oil doesn’t require refilling
- User-friendly control panel offering 3 heat settings
- Rounded design with no sharp corners
Cons:
- Doesn’t heat as quickly as other types of space heaters
- No remote control
- No built-in fan to distribute the heat
- Exterior gets pretty hot despite the overheat protection
Buyers Guide
Before buying a space heater for your home, here are a few things you need to keep in mind first.
The Different Types
Infrared Heaters
Infrared space heaters are radiant heaters that emit safe infrared rays to heat the room. They do so by directly warming people and objects in a room instead of heating the air around them. This makes them the quickest type to heat the room since they warm you directly, and also a great choice for heating a large room.
Additionally, they’re extremely energy-efficient because when they’re properly installed, most models can direct most of the heat where you need it. You can also use them as the sole heating units in a home.
Oil Heaters
An oil heater is also a radiant heater. The heating element heats the oil in an internal sealed tank. Then, the oil emits heat into the room.
They’re also very energy-efficient. Since the oil loses heat slowly, the heater can continue radiating heat for as long as an hour after being switched off, unlike infrared and ceramic heaters.
Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heaters are convection heaters. They use a ceramic plate as the heating element. After the heat gets carried out of the heating unit, a fan system distributes the heat into the air throughout your room.
While the fan makes heat distribution very efficient, it can also push hot air outside your home. This constant blowing may also aggravate dust and allergens.
How Are they Powered?
There are two ways to power space heaters: electricity and gas.
Electric Heaters
About 90% of all indoor space heaters are electrically powered. They don’t produce any toxic gases like, for example, a propane heater for indoors and are, therefore, fairly safe to use in your home.
An electric heater doesn’t need any special setup to use. Simply plug its cord into any standard outlet, and you’re good to go.
Gas Heaters
As the name suggests, they run by gas. This means that unlike an electric heater, a butane or propane heater will produce carbon monoxide while running, making them unsafe to use in poorly ventilated rooms.
They’re most suited for heating large open spaces outside. They give off more heat and are generally cheaper to run than electric models. They’re also more portable as you don’t need to worry about cords.
Features to Consider When Buying
Thermostat
Some space heaters come with a built-in thermostat that maintains the temperature you need. It saves you the hassle of having to manually turn the heater on and off to control the room’s temperature an
Timer
A built-in timer is another great energy-saving feature. It lets you customize how long you want the heater to operate.
Remote Control
While not exactly essential, it’ll allow you to change temperature settings or heating modes from anywhere in the room, which is especially convenient on those lazy chilly nights where you don’t want to get out of bed.
Mobility
You’ll find many models on the market that are not wall-mounted, but they are not all created equal when it comes to moving them around your home. If you want a truly portable space heater, you should look for a lightweight model with other features like handles, wheels, and round edges that will make your job much easier.
Noise Level
Space heaters that come with a built-in fan are usually noisier. If you’d rather have a more quiet heater, you should get a radiative heater since they don’t have a fan and are, therefore, much quieter.
Safety Features
Look for an electric space heater that offers safety features such as a sensor that triggers automatic shut-off in case of overheating. Some models, especially taller ones, also feature a switch that does the same if the heater tips over. This will greatly reduce the risk of fire should your heater come into contact with highly combustible materials.
Heat-Resistant Exterior
The outer casing of your heater can sometimes get too hot while operating, which can cause serious burn injuries. Choosing a room heater that’s cool to the touch is especially crucial if you have young children or pets that may run into the heater
Aesthetics
Heaters come in all shapes and colors. While some heaters have a sleek, more futuristic look that would fit perfectly in a modern-style home, others are designed to look like an old-school radiator or even a fireplace stove for a more rustic feel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What’s The Best Type of Space Heater for a Large Room?
If you need a heater for a large room, infrared heaters are your best bet. A 1500-watt infrared heater will heat more space than a normal electric heater, making it one of the most cost-effective options to heat a large room.
Moreover, they directly heat the objects in the room and not the air itself, which achieves the required temperature quickly and ensures that the temperature won’t drop too fast.
How Large a Room Will a 1500-Watt Heater Heat?
Generally speaking, 10 watts of power will heat one square foot of space, which means that a 1500-watt model will be able to heat around 150 square feet.
However, if your home is badly insulated or if you have a higher ceiling than the standard 8-foot ceiling, you’ll need more power to heat the same area.
The type of heater also plays a role. Infrared heaters, for example, are energy efficient and can heat a large room without taking up too much power.
Are Electric Space Heaters Safe?
Indoor electric space heaters themselves are fairly safe to use as long as they meet certain consumer safety standards. Safety issues only arise when the heaters aren’t used properly or safely.
Just make sure to check if the heater’s wires are damaged before using it, unplug the heater when not in use, don’t use extension cords, and consider adding a new outlet for your space heater to avoid circuit overload.
Do Oil-Filled Heaters Produce Carbon Monoxide?
No. Only kerosene or propane heaters emit carbon monoxide while operating. By contrast, most oil heaters are electrically-powered.
The oil in these heaters isn’t burned as fuel to generate heat but rather as a heat reservoir, so you don’t need to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning while using them.
Can You Leave a Space Heater on All Night?
No, leaving your space heater on all night isn’t recommended. Even though technology has come a long way, space heaters can still be a fire hazard when left unattended.
If space heaters overheat and come in contact with any highly combustible materials in the room like paper and fabrics, they could cause fires, and you won’t be awake to stop them in time. If you own a gas heater, it could also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Final Thoughts
While all the models I’ve reviewed have their advantages, the Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater is my clear favorite for a large room. This model promises 60% more heat than other 1500-watt heaters, which means they can also be used as the primary heat source in your home.
Its dual delivery system combines the best of radiant and convection heating in order to emit heat efficiently and quickly to spaces up to 1000 square feet. This is unlike all the other models that rely on one mode of heating only.
The LifeSmart Infrared Quartz Fireplace and the Cadet Com-Pak Twin 4000W, but their lack of portability may be an issue to some users.
