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The best space heaters you can buy
Smart home technology has made it possible to remotely lock doors, see and speak to someone at your front door, schedule automatic light settings, and even remotely control your home's temperature.
Also: The best air purifiers
Space heaters have entered the smart home market with advanced features like Wi-Fi connection, voice assistant compatibilities, and mobile apps that allow you to control your home's heat from anywhere. You can also receive notifications when your room has reached the perfect temperature.
What is the best space heater right now?
Our top pick for the best space heater is the Govee space heater, thanks to its smart home compatibility and 80-degree oscillation. We've rounded up other top smart space heaters available from brands like Dyson, Atomi, and more to warm your home in the most modern way when you need a little extra heat.
Also: The best dehumidifiers
The best space heaters of 2024
- Quiet
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- Heats up quickly
- Best features require separate Govvee thermostat, which costs $50
The Govee space heater is an excellent smart space heater, thanks to its compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. It heats up within two seconds and turns off automatically after 24 hours of continuous use. The space heater also features 80-degree oscillation, a soft heat option, and an easy switch off: just tilt it up 45 degrees for three seconds. Plus, the heater's sound measures at a quiet 45 decibels (dB).
The built-in sensor performs basic thermostat functions, but you can also pair it with a Govee thermos-hygrometer (sold separately) for upgraded thermostat features like comfort indicators, humidity moderation, instant alerts, and data tracking.
Verified Amazon customers note that this space heater has a stable temperature range and that the available app is easy to use and control.
Govee Space Heater features: Heats 160-270 square feet | 1500 watts | Automatic power off
- Functions as fan, heater, and air purifier
- Wide heating range
- Real-time reports on air quality, temperature, and humidity
- Expensive
- Could be quieter
Dyson is known for making high-end products with ground-breaking technology, and the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool fan heater is no exception as one of the best space heaters. This device functions as a fan, heater, and HEPA purifier that captures up to 99.97% of particles.
The space heater uses thermostatic control to bring your room to the perfect temperature. Through the Dyson Link app, you can see real-time reports on indoor and outdoor air quality, temperature, humidity, and filter life. Plus, you can remotely control the heater and create schedules for your home throughout the day.
Overall, 91% of Best Buy customers would recommend this space heater, and gave it an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on its heating performance.
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool™ Fan Heater features: 350-degree oscillation | Heats up to 290 square feet | Captures 99.97% of particles
- Wall mount saves space
- Great heating range
- Limited power
- Vent direction not adjustable
The Heat Storm Deluxe wall-mounted space heater is a budget-friendly option that also saves space in your room. Mounted on your wall, it can heat a room of up to 200 square feet as the sole heat source, or a space of 500 square feet as a supplemental heating source.
This smart space heater features Wi-Fi connection, so you can remotely power your unit on or off, control the temperature, set child locks, and even schedule heat intervals.
Customers who have used this space heater like the Amazon Alexa integration, as well as the ease of installation and the fact it takes up little space in the home.
Heat Storm Deluxe Wall Mounted Infrared Heater features: Heats up to 200 square feet | 1000 watts | Wall-mounted
- Advanced tip-over safety technology
- Lightweight
- Limited thermostat controls
- Heats slower than other options
A big safety concern with the best space heaters is that if they tip over, they could overheat. However, this smart space heater from Atomi has the best tip-over technology. This means it senses when the heater has tipped over and instantly sends your smartphone a notification. It's also built with a wobble-free base that's compatible with hardwood and carpet floors for extra tip-over safety.
Aside from safety features, this smart heater has a touchscreen digital control panel that's easy to control. You can also opt to control the heater using your voice, since it's compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Verified customers note that the heating performance of the Atomi space heater is impressive, and that the warm up time is around just two seconds, thanks to the PTC heat modules.
Atomi Smart Ceramic Tower Space Heater features: Heats up to 750 square feet | 1500 watts | Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Easy to mount and install
- Compatible with smart home assistants
- Space-saving and paintable
- Low square footage coverage
The EconoHome space heater is another wall-mounted option that's compatible with most smart home assistants. It works with Google Assistant, Google Nest, Apple Home Kit, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and Samsung Smart Things, so you can control your home's heat with your voice. Plus, it recognizes multiple languages.
EconoHome claims to lower your energy bill up to 50% by using 0.4KW per hour, which is less than a third of energy used by other space heaters.
Reddit users note that this space heater would be especially useful for RVs.
EconoHome Wall Mount Smart Space Heater Panel features: Heats up to 120 square feet | 400 watts | 3-year warranty
What is the best smart space heater?
ZDNET experts' pick for the best space heater is the Govee space heater, thanks to its heating performance and range, voice assistant compatibility, safety features, and price point.
Smart Space Heater | Price | Heat Coverage | Wattage |
Govee Space Heater | $100 | 160-270 square feet | 1500 watts |
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool™ Fan Heater | $750 | Up to 290 square feet | 2000 watts |
Heat Storm Deluxe | $120 | 200-500 square feet | 1000 watts |
Atomi Tower Space Heater | $120 | Up to 750 square feet | 1500 watts |
EconoHome Space Heater Panel | $139 | Up to 120 square feet | 400 watts |
Which smart space heater is right for you?
While all of these smart space heaters are excellent picks, it ultimately depends on the size of the space you need to heat, whether you prefer a tower or panel heater, and how much you're willing to spend.
Choose this best space heater... | If you want... |
Govee Space Heater | The best space heater option. It heats up quickly and is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. |
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool™ Fan Heater | To splurge on a space heater, fan, and air purifier. It can heat a room up to 290 square feet. |
Heat Storm Deluxe | A budget-friendly space heater you can mount on your wall. You can control the unit remotely, thanks to W-Fi connection. |
Atomi Tower Space Heater | A tower space heater with excellent tip-over safety features. It can sense when the heater has tipped over and sends a smartphone a notification. |
EconoHome Space Heater Panel | A wall-mounted space heater compatible with smart home assistants. The company claims to lower your energy bill up to 50% by using 0.4KW per hour. |
Factors to consider when choosing a space heater:
There are a lot of space heaters on the market. Ultimately, these were the determining factors in our final picks:
- Power consumption: You want a space heater that is powerful enough to heat up your room, yet won't rack up your electricity bills.
- Room coverage: Your room size will determine what kind of space heater you can get. We picked space heaters with both larger and smaller coverage areas.
- Smart home compatible: Space heaters with smart home compatibilities are easier to control and can even schedule heating intervals.
- Price: There are plenty of space heaters on the market, which means a wide variety of prices. We made sure to include all kinds of price points in our final picks so that there is something for every budget.
- Safety features: The best space heaters will have safety features like tip-over protection or automatic shutoff, so that way you don't have to worry about it overheating or possibly causing a fire.
How did we choose these smart space heaters?
We chose these smart space heaters by conducting extensive research in the space heater market. We compared ratings and reviews from customers (both good and bad), standout features, brands, and different price points to help you find the best smart space heater for your budget and needs. ZDNET also pays attention to competitor analysis and real user sentiment.
Can I use a voice assistant with a smart space heater?
Yes. To control your smart space heater with your voice, you'll need the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant app with a registered account. Simply add the device to your account and begin heating.
However, not all space heaters are voice-assistant compatible, so be sure to read a space heater's details before buying.
Do space heaters save energy?
Because space heaters distribute heat in a small spaces -- rather than heating your entire home like a central unit does -- they generally use less energy and save you money in monthly energy bills.
However, it's important to pay attention to wattage, since larger space heaters require more wattage, meaning more energy to run it.
Are space heaters safe to use?
Our top picks for the best space heaters all have safety features like tip-over protection and auto-shutoff technology to prevent accidental fires. However, it's still important to practice basic safety tips when using a space heater.
This includes never leaving a space heater on while you're away from your home or while you're sleeping, keeping the space heater at least three-feet away from anything flammable, and never plugging one into an extension cord.
Are there alternative smart space heaters worth considering?
There are plenty of smart space heaters on the market. Here are a few other options to that receive ZDNET honorable mention: