We all love a warm, cozy house on a chilly day. Space heaters are a reliable source of warmth that’ll keep you and your living space warm.
But, not all heaters are safe for extended periods of heating. So, if you want to snug in the warmth when sleeping, you must find a safe heater to leave overnight.
Heaters suitable for overnight use have safety features to prevent overheating and accidental fires. This article will guide you on what to look for when buying a space heater for overnight use and the safest space heaters to consider.
What Makes Heaters Safe for Overnight Heating?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, electric space heaters are involved in around 50 deaths yearly. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that space heaters cause 32% of home fires. They cause about 80% of the deaths associated with home heating.
Here are things to consider when buying a space heater for overnight use.
Type of Heaters
- Electric Heaters: These heaters use an electric heating element to generate heat. They come in different types, including radiant, fan-forced, and convection. Old electric heaters are unsafe for overnight use because the heating element can overheat. But modern models come with overheat protection, adjustable thermostats, and tip-over switches.
- Ceramic Heaters: Ceramic heaters use ceramic heating elements that heat up quickly. They distribute heat evenly, have built-in safety features, and are often compact and portable. Ceramic heaters are safe to leave on overnight.
- Oil-filled Radiator Heaters: These heaters contain diathermic oil, which is heated and circulated through the fins. They produce consistent heat, even after they’re turned off. They often come with overheat protection and have a cool exterior, making them suitable for overnight heating.
- Infrared Heaters: Rather than heating the air, infrared heaters use infrared radiation to heat objects and people directly. They produce instant heat, are energy efficient, and have built-in safety features suitable for overnight heating.
Tip-Over Protection
The safest space heaters have tip-over protection that automatically turns it off if accidentally knocked over. This minimizes the risk of the heater causing accidental fires and other hazards when it’s not upright.
Overheat Protection
Look for a heater with an overheating protection feature. The heater detects when the temperature reaches unsafe levels and automatically shuts off. It’s a crucial feature, especially when the heater operates overnight.
Safety Certification
The heater you’re considering should be certified to show that it has been tested and meets the safety standards. Check for certification marks like UL, CSA, and ETL.
Thermostat Control
Heaters with thermostat control let you set your desired temperature. Once the ideal temperature is reached, the heater will cycle on and off to keep it at that level. This prevents excessive heat buildup and maintains a consistent temperature.
Cool-to-Touch Housing
A cool-touch exterior is necessary, especially if you have pets or small children. Even when the heater is running, the outer surface is still cool to the touch. This minimizes the risk of accidental burns.
25 Best Heaters Safe to Leave Overnight
1. Lasko Oscillating Digital Ceramic Tower Heater for Large Rooms
This portable ceramic space heater has an elongated heating element and widespread oscillation to push warmth throughout the space. The programmable thermostat has a built-in 8-hour timer, adjustable in 1-hour intervals. It’s also ETL-certified and has an automated ceramic element.
2. Vornado TAVH10 Space Heater with Remote for Home
The Vornado uses vortex air circulation to circulate heat throughout the space. Use the digital display with touch-sensitive controls to select two heat settings or opt for a fan-only option. It takes safety protection further with a 2-stage automatic shut-off. Verified users also say this heater is very quiet.
3. Oscillating Space Heater – Ceramic Forced Fan Heating with Stay Cool Housing
This space heater heats the room evenly by rotating from side to side. It features an energy-saving ECO mode that adjusts the heat produced to lower energy costs. You can adjust the temperature as desired using the remote control, which you can easily view on the large display.
4. Ceramic Space Heater, ASTERION 1500W Portable Oscillating Electric Heater
The Asterion has five heating modes: ECO, freeze, fan, low setting, and high setting. Besides all the safety features an overnight heater should have, it also has a removable and washable dust filter. Some users mentioned issues with the thermostat, while others said it’s loud.
5. PELONIS Oil-Filled Radiator Heater
The Pelonis oil-filled space heater uses radiation to heat the room. It’s ideal for medium to large rooms, with three heating modes and five temperature settings. The power indicator lets you know when the heater is on and has four swivel caster wheels and a carrying handle to move it around easily.
6. Dyson Hot+Cool AM09 Tower Bladeless Fan Heater
Unlike other heaters, the Dyson AM09 has no visible heating elements or fast-spinning blades. It has a Jet Focus Control feature with two modes. The focused mode channels a direct and powerful air jet for long-range heating. Choose the diffused mode for wide heat distribution.
7. DeLonghi Dragon Digital Oil-Filled Radiator Heater
The DeLonghi Dragon has a sizeable radiant surface, transferring more heat to heat your space. The 1500W heater has a digital control panel for adjusting the temperature and setting the timer and an ECO function for saving energy. It also has a child lock feature, thermal cut-off function, and Anti-freeze setting.
8. AirNmore Comfort Deluxe with Copper PTC Infrared Space Heater
The AirMore is an Infrared Zone Heater perfect for heating rooms up to 1000 sq. ft. It uses a copper PTC element with two power levels: high 1000W and low 1500W. Its highlight feature is the Auto Reboot Memory, which remembers your heat settings if the power goes out.
9. Vornado MVH Space 3
The MVH Space 3 comes with all the safety features for overnight heating. The built-in thermostat has seven settings and three heat settings (750W, 1125W, and 1500W). Customers who have used this heater say it’s “wonderfully quiet” and customer support is excellent.
10. AeroHome 1500W / 750W Ceramic Portable Space Heater
The AeroHome ceramic space heater allows you to choose between 750W, 1500W, or Fan to warm and cozy your space. Weighing only 3 lbs, it’s light and portable, so you can easily move it from room to room or office. It’s also ETL-certified for indoor use.
11. Space Heater, PARIS RHÔNE 1500W Small Space Heater
The PARIS RHÔNE space heater is perfect for small spaces. It’s a ceramic PTC 2-in-1 heater fan combo with a 7-blade fan. There are three heat settings—1500W, 900W, and 21W—and a large LCD digital thermostat for adjusting temperature from 41°F-90°F in 1°F increments.
12. Grelife 1500W Ceramic Space Heater
This Grelife ceramic heater is lightweight but powerful. Most users love the compact design and that it heats quickly and effectively. It’s ETL-certified and made with VO flame-resistant material.
13. Rellorus Radiator Heater, Space Oil Filled Heater
The Rellorus radiator heater works by convection and radiation to distribute heat. It’s nearly silent as it doesn’t have a fan and has many safety features, including a child lock. Because it doesn’t reduce humidity or burn oxygen, it won’t cause dryness or skin irritation.
14. Amazon Basics 1500W Ceramic Personal Heater
The Amazon Basics is an affordable ceramic tabletop-mount personal heater. It has three heating settings: Low (750W), High (1500W), and Fan Only for air circulation without the heat. However, it’s not recommended in laundry areas, bathrooms, and other high-humidity areas.
15. Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater
The HS-1500-PHX WIFI heater is wall-mounted and WIFI-enabled. You can switch it on and off, select the temperature, and adjust the settings from your phone. It uses infrared heating, 1500W, and 5200 BTUs, and the grill is safe to touch.
16. Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
This Dr. Infrared heater has a dual heating system featuring an infrared quartz tube and PTC ceramic. It also has a high-pressure, low-velocity blower that distributes heat across the room with low noise. Set your desired temperature from 50℉ – 85℉ using the electronic thermostat.
17. F.EASY.D 1000W Small Space Heaters for Indoor Use
The F.EASY.D is a cute, compact heater perfect for small spaces. This mini electric heater has a modern, aesthetic look that’ll go well with your decor. It has three heating modes: 1000W high heat, 500W low heat, and natural wind.
18. Amazon Basics Portable Radiator Heater
This is a 1500W radiator heater with three heat settings and an adjustable thermostat. It has wavy fins filled with permanently sealed heat-retaining diathermic oil. This wavy fin design helps distribute heat faster and more effectively.
19. Govee Smart Space Heater for Indoor Use
This Govee space heater is a perfect addition to your smart home. It has an app and voice control features compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa, and IFTTT. Link with Govee thermo-hygrometer for automatic temperature adjustment.
20. andily Compact Portable Ceramic Space Heater
Andily uses an advanced PTC ceramic heating element and an adjustable thermostat for efficient heating and to maintain a comfortable temperature. Choose between four quiet heat settings: high heat (1500W), low heat (750W), ECO, and Fan. Its compact design makes it ideal for small areas. Also, it’s ETL-certified.
21. Dreo Oil Filled Radiator Heater
The Dreo oil-filled heater is made from fire-resistant material, has triple overheat protection, and is ETL-certified. It has a sleek touchscreen and an LED display to select between four heat modes: 600W, 900W, 1500W, and Eco mode. Additionally, the heater has 7 M-shaped fins for heat distribution and maximum comfort.
22. Lasko CD08200 Small Portable Ceramic Space Heater
The Lasco CD08200 is a small and powerful heater for heating your bathroom and small spaces. It’s approved for bathroom use and has an integrated ALCI safety plug that disconnects it from power in case of a short. One big button on the top provides 1-hour of high heat.
23. Ballu Mica Infrared Space Heaters
Ballu Mica heater provides a 180° wide plane for heating. The plane has a fully metal mesh design and a heating element made of aerospace aluminum for efficient conversion of electrical energy to heat. It has a touch control panel at the top for setting temperature, power level, and heat modes. You can use it as a freestanding device or mount it on the wall.
24. DeLonghi Oil Filled Radiator Heater
The DeLonghi oil-filled heater produces long-lasting, quiet heat for small to medium spaces. Its exclusive thermal slot design maximizes heat circulation in the room. The Anti-freeze feature automatically switches on when temperatures go below 41℉.
25. Amazon Basics 500-Watt Ceramic
This Amazon Basics is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a low-wattage heater. It uses 500W of power and is small enough to mount on tabletops and desktops. Based on its reviews, it’s an affordable and excellent personal heater that heats effectively.
Download this FREE cheat sheet to find 28 tricks that can help you save on your electricity and heating bill each month.
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Choosing a space heater for overnight use goes beyond its heating capabilities. Its safety feature will ensure a warm and secure night’s sleep.
Prioritize overheat protection, tip-over switches, cool-touch exteriors, thermostat control, programmable timers, and safety certifications. Whether you opt for an electric, oil-filled, or ceramic heater, consider these features for your family’s safety.
Download this FREE cheat sheet to find 28 tricks that can help you save on your electricity and heating bill each month.
Click here to get a FREE Cheat-Sheat