The Best Space Heaters for Large Rooms That Are Powerful and Efficient
Say goodbye to shivering under blankets and hello to cozy comfort with one of these vetted models.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Even if your home has a central heating system, unexpected cold fronts can leave you reaching for the throw blanket or wishing you had layered up. And if you're looking to heat a large room, whether a master bedroom, a living room with high ceilings or even a garage, a traditional space heater might not cut it.
The best space heaters for large rooms offer powerful performance, advanced safety features and quiet operation. If your current space heater struggles to cover vast areas, the Good Housekeeping Institute has tested and evaluated more than two dozen different models to find the ones that are energy-efficient, reliable and safe to use. Our picks have useful features like timers, temperature control and wireless remotes to stay cozy especially during frigid temperatures or damp days. Better yet, a space heater designed to accommodate a large space will help reduce the strain on your home’s main heating system.
Pros
- “Bedtime mode” turns off all distracting lights on the unit
- Has an auto shut-off timer
- Backed by a generous 5-year warranty
Cons
- It operates louder than other heaters
- There is a bright red light on the front of the heater for safety purposes, but some may find it distracting
The Vornado Velocity 5R space heater offers the best balance of features, performance and price packaged in a sleek design. What sets the Velocity 5R apart from competing space heaters is its air circulation abilities. It moves the heat further and faster than the competition, thanks to a powerful fan. It has two heat settings and an adjustable thermostat. It also supports automatic climate control, meaning it maintains the manually pre-set temperature you desire.
Besides keeping your space toasty warm, it has all the safety features you’d want for some added peace of mind, including tip-over protection, an auto shut-off mode in the rare event it overheats and a 12-hour timer. We appreciate its cool-to-the-touch design, locking control panel and the night mode that disables its bright buttons aside from a bright red light on the front for safety purposes that some may find distracting.
Vornado truly thought of everything with this space heater, including integrated cord storage, a magnetic remote control so it doesn’t get misplaced and an integrated carrying handle. Best of all, it’s backed by a five-year satisfaction guarantee. On the downside, its operation is louder than some other heaters we tested.
RELATED: The Best Fans, Tested and Reviewed
| Heat settings | 2 |
| Thermostat | Exact numerical temperature with automatic climate |
| Type | Electric |
| Weight | 5.94 lbs |
| Dimensions | 9.9" x 7.32" x 11.44" |
Vornado AVH10 Vortex Space Heater
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Its display is large and easy to read
- It shuts itself off in the event it’s tipped over
Cons
- Lacks a timer
- Remote control isn’t included
The Vornado Vortex ticks the boxes for what we look for in a space heater for large rooms. It sports a clean-looking design, it's powerful and most importantly, it's packed with plenty of safety features. As an added bonus, it often goes on sale for prices as low as $80.
In our tests, we were impressed by its ability to heat up large-sized rooms. Simply put, it’s a powerhouse and is extremely fast and quiet. However, it doesn’t distribute heat as evenly as our best overall pick.
Despite being more affordable than competing space heaters for large rooms, it has premium features like a large and easy-to-read digital display, an integrated cord management system and a brief fan-only mode that runs for eight seconds to cool down its heating element after you turn it off. There's also an auto shut-off in the event it tips over.
Although we wish it had a timer and a remote control, overall its still an outstanding space heater for the price given its performance.
| Heat settings | 3 |
| Thermostat | Exact numerical temperature |
| Type | Electric |
| Weight | 4.8 lbs |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 9.3" x 12" |
Good Housekeeping Oscillating Ceramic Tower Space Heater
Pros
- Numerous safety features offer peace of mind
- Small footprint
- Includes a remote control and timer — features typically found in pricier models
Cons
- Tower space heaters are more prone to tipping over
- Noisy when high fan speed is enabled
A tower heater makes for an excellent whole-room heater since they are capable of distributing heat across a larger area, thanks to its oscillating functionality. When our team set out to develop a Good Housekeeping-branded heater, we designed it with usability, convenience and safety features in mind.
This 30-inch oscillating space heater has a footprint of just 8 square inches. Plus, it packs all the safety and convenient features you’d want: a programmable timer, an adjustable thermostat and an included remote control. When high fan speed is enabled, it can get noisy.
Keep in mind that tower space heaters are more prone to tipping over. Fortunately, this has an auto shut-off feature if it overheats or tips over. “You still need to follow every safety precaution, including keeping any flammable objects at least three feet from the heater,” said Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement and Outdoor Director Dan DiClerico “But when used properly, the heater will keep you safe and cozy in spaces up to 200 square feet.”
RELATED: The Best Smart Thermostats
| Heat settings | 2 |
| Thermostat | Exact numerical temperature |
| Type | Ceramic |
| Weight | 4.56 lbs |
| Dimensions | 8" x 8" x 31" |
Vornado VMHi600 Whole Room Metal Space Heater
Pros
- It has dual displays, making it easy to see the temperature from across the room
- Energy Sync shows your heater's energy use in real-time
- There’s a button to turn off all the lights on the heater
Cons
- The unit only has touch-sensitive (non-physical) controls
The VMHi600 is Vornado’s flagship ultra-modern stainless steel heater. Measuring in under a foot tall, this space heater is small but mighty since it heats up large rooms fast. For your safety, it includes an automatic shut-off mechanism in case of tipping or overheating.
The space heater features two heat settings, a fan-only mode, automatic climate control, a timer and an adjustable thermostat for customizable comfort and energy efficiency. With dual LED displays (one on top and another on the front), the heater provides easy temperature monitoring and adjustment. There’s even a unique Energy Sync LED ring around the front display that shifts colors from warm to cool to reflect your heater’s power usage.
It has an integrated handle that conveniently can stow the included remote control. Plus, there’s a button to turn off all the lights on the heater so they won't be disruptive to sleep.
Overall, it’s the best option for folks who are willing to pay a price premium for added convenience, given its extensive feature set. Though the unit only has touch-sensitive (non-physical) controls.
| Heat settings | 2 |
| Thermostat | Exact numerical temperature with automatic climate |
| Type | Electric |
| Weight | 9.8 lbs |
| Dimensions | 9.2" x 9.38" x 11.67" |
Pros
- Narrow design makes it blend into spaces nicely
- Heats spaces are as large as 300 square feet
- Can automatically turn on if ambient temperature dips below 41°F
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a remote control
- If you use it on the floor, it’s heavy and difficult to move
Perfect for those who are short on space, this reasonably priced space heater can be placed on your wall or the ground. With its compact size of just 3 inches deep and 32 inches wide, it blends seamlessly into any space.
It delivers 1,500 watts of power, which is more than enough to heat rooms as large as 300 square feet. Testers recommended leaving extra space around the heater to accommodate the side vents and ensure optimal airflow. The heater is quiet, easy to adjust and features a 24-hour programmable timer.
Equipped with safety features such as tip-over protection and auto-shut-off, this heater also has a handy frost protection setting that turns it on automatically at temperatures below 41°F. There is no remote control, and if you use it on the floor, it’s heavy and difficult to move.
| Heat settings | 3 |
| Thermostat | Relative temperature settings 1–6 |
| Type | Fan |
| Weight | 29 lbs |
| Dimensions | 26.9" x 3.5" x 18.1" |
Pros
- Has an luxurious-looking vintage design
- Heats spaces incredibly quickly
- Offers and adjustable airflow angle
Cons
- Due to its metal build, it’s heavy and hard to move
- Only has two heat settings
This luxurious-looking heater, inspired by a classic 1945 design, offers effortless style and reliable heating. We love its retro aesthetic, sturdy metal construction and modern engineering that makes it safe, powerful and sleek.
Available in green or white, the space heater has two heat settings, multidirectional airflow and a long power cord. The heater’s nostalgic charm is enhanced by its classic knobs, buttons and switches. Of course, it also features all the essential safety features including tip-over protection and an auto-off mode in case of overheating. Because it is made of metal, it is heavy and may be difficult to move.
| Heat settings | 2 |
| Thermostat | Relative temperature settings 1–10 |
| Type | Fan |
| Weight | 9.05 lbs |
| Dimensions | 8.7" x 11" x 13.7" |
How we test space heaters
The engineers and product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test a range of HVAC essentials, from air purifiers to humidifiers, dehumidifiers and more. Over the last five years, our team has tested and reviewed 45 space heaters. We first evaluated how easy they are to set up, use and adjust. We also consider each space heater’s footprint, weight and features.
To ensure accuracy and consistency, we conducted our tests in a controlled environment and monitored the performance of each space heater in a 50°F room for a 90-minute time interval. We closely noted temperature, electrical usage (wattage), heat distribution and noise levels.
Safety is paramount and we assessed each heater’s stability or resistance to tipping over and evaluated the heater’s surface temperatures to ensure it remains safe to touch. We also accessed the materials used in each heater’s construction to determine their flammability.
What to look for when shopping for the best space heater for a large space
When shopping for space heaters, you’ll come across a variety of options. Here's what to look out for:
✔️ Type: Space heaters use a heating element to operate, and there are three main types to choose from with various pros and cons.
- Fan heaters use a metal coil as their heating element. An internal fan blows hot air from the coil into the room. “Fan heaters deliver solid heat distribution, but they’re noisy, especially on the highest fan settings,” said DiClerico.
- Electric heaters use electricity to directly heat up metal components, radiating heat into the surrounding area.
- Ceramic heaters are like fan heaters, except that they use ceramic plates instead of metal coils. The plates heat up very quickly as electricity passes through them and a fan distributes the air into the room. “These are effective and inexpensive, but also on the noisy side,” DiClerico said.
- Infrared heaters use radiant heat that instantly warms up objects and people, rather than the air in the room. “That makes them quiet and energy efficient, but they’re not the best at heating large spaces,” said DiClerico.
✔️ Size: Unsurprisingly, space heaters for large rooms are bigger than traditional spot-heating space heaters, so you’ll want to ensure the heater can be placed in an area that can provide ample coverage while also being out of the way of furniture.
✔️ Features: Typically, the more extensive the feature set, the more expensive the space heater. We highly suggest opting for a model that has a built-in timer so you can have some peace of mind that the space heater isn’t running when people are asleep or not around. Some models have adjustable thermostats to choose specific temperatures, and almost all have adjustable heat settings. Lastly, if you want to control your space heater from afar, double-check that the model you’re shopping for includes a remote control.
✔️ Safety: Seek models that have been vetted by independent safety-testing laboratories such as UL or ETL. We also recommend shopping for models with overheat protection, cool-to-the-touch exteriors and tip-over kill switches to reduce fires and injury.
Are space heaters safe?
Space heaters can be safe, but they still pose a fire risk if used incorrectly. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 1,500 residential fires each year are associated with space heater use, so it’s imperative to follow safety guidelines and read your space heater’s included manual to ensure you’re using and storing it correctly.
Here are other tips to keep in mind:
- Space heaters should be kept at least 3 feet away from flammable materials like bedding, curtains and furniture.
- They should be plugged directly into wall outlets not extension cords or surge protectors.
- They should be unplugged when not in use.
- They should only be placed on the floor and be kept off rugs and carpets if possible.
- They shouldn’t be left unattended or used when you’re sleeping.
- If you ever notice any signs of damage to power cords, the heater should be immediately disposed of.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Good Housekeeping Contributing Commerce Editor Brandon Carte wrote this guide. He has over a decade of experience testing and researching products, from space heaters and fans to home goods, consumer tech and leaf vacuums. He urges people to have an easily accessible fire extinguisher on each floor of their home.
He consulted the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Improvement and Outdoor Director, Dan DiClerico, as well as the Lab’s extensive testing data, to include the latest, most-reliable and top-performing space heaters.
Brandon Carte is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering technology, gadgets and appliances. His reporting has been featured on Best Products, Top Ten Revies, Good Housekeeping and USA Today. When he's not researching washing machines or testing robot vacuums, you can find him at concerts, swimming laps, or at the movies. He thinks smartphones are too big, prefers MP3s to Spotify and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.
Nostalgia Decor: 2025's Most Comforting Home Trend
The Best Carpet Cleaners
A Look at Behr's 2026 Color of the Year
9 Designer-Approved Paint Color Combos
