Have you finally decided to get yourself a space heater but have become overwhelmed with the plethora of options available in the market? Yes, there are plenty of options to choose from, and while their one common function is to offer heat, they all function differently. Space heaters are a great solution to combat the cold during the winter; all you have to do is find the right one for you. We have compiled a list of six different types of space heaters along with their respective pros and cons so you can decide for yourself what to get. Let’s begin!
Types of Space Heaters
Space heaters are handy homeware appliances that people use as an easy and convenient way to keep warm during the cold seasons. These appliances have been around for some time now, and though they have retained their simple design, there are quite a few different types of space heaters available for purchase. The main difference between the different types of space heaters is how they generate heat, and based on this element, we divide space heaters into these categories:
Ceramic space heaters
This particular type of space heater has ceramic plates installed inside, hence the name. Naturally, this space heater uses electricity to heat the metal coils inside, which heat the ceramic plates. As the ceramic plates get hotter and hotter, they release that heat into the air, thus warming up the room. Ceramic space heaters are further divided into those that have a fan and those that don’t. Those with a fan will heat the room faster as the fan blows into the ceramic plates, spreading the heat.
What we like about this type of space heater
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Heats up fast
- Oscillating heat
- Ceramic plates cool down slowly (continue to release heat after the device is off)
- Portable
- Cool-touch housing
- May include a digital thermostat
What we don’t like about this type of space heater
- Other objects can obstruct heat distribution
- Has to be constantly working to provide heat
- Doesn’t work that well in larger spaces
Fan space heaters
This space heater is very similar to the ceramic space heater, minus the ceramic plates. The way a fan space heater works is with a fan blowing directly into the heated metal coils, thus distributing heat in a room. Since there is no special component on this type of space heater, fan space heaters always come with a fan installed.
What we like about this type of space heater
- Affordable
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Heats up instantly
- Oscillating heat
- Cool-touch housing
What we don’t like about this type of space heater
- Has to be constantly working to provide heat
- Doesn’t work that well in larger spaces
- Other objects can obstruct heat distribution
Infrared space heaters
An infrared space heater heats up the room and the objects around it by letting off electromagnetic waves. This type of heater doesn’t really need a fan to operate since the electromagnetic waves can do it just fine. Nevertheless, some infrared space heaters come with a fan to further speed up the process.
What we like about this type of space heater
- Heats up the air as well as the objects around
- Long-lasting heat
- Cool-touch housing
- May include a digital thermostat
- Portable (may include a handle or wheels)
What we don’t like about this type of space heater
- Heavyweight
- Spreads heat in one direction only
- Ideal for rooms with furniture but not more open spaces
- More expensive in comparison to the other space heaters
Oil-filled space heaters
Oil-filled space heaters are otherwise known as radiator heaters because of their design. They get their name from the diathermic oil inside, which is the heating element. This oil gets heated up and moves around the column, heating them, thus releasing heat into the room. There is no fan-model alternative for this kind of space heater as heat radiates off the appliance by itself.
What we like about this type of space heater
- Long-lasting heat
- Energy-efficient
- May include a digital thermostat
- Portable (may include wheels)
What we don’t like about this type of space heater
- No control over the speed of heat
- Ideal for smaller spaces
- No cool-touch housing
- Heavyweight compared to other space heaters
- No oscillating heat
Propane space heaters
The main difference between a propane space heater and the others on our list is that this one doesn’t run on electricity but on fuel (liquid propane). If you need a space heater to truly take anywhere with you (even outdoors!), this is the heater for you as you won’t need a power outlet for it to work. This type of heater is extremely efficient as they produce more heat and spend 20% less than an electric heater. The way a propane heater works resembles an infrared heater, i.e., through electromagnetic waves.
What we like about this type of space heater
- The most portable type of heater
- No electricity required
- More heat
- Affordable to get
- Cheap to operate
What we don’t like about this type of space heater
- Needs fuel
- Risk of fire and fire-related accidents
- May not be used indoors (depending on the type)
- Some of them let off carbon dioxide (i.e., needs ventilation)
Panel space heaters
Panel space heaters resemble oil-filled heaters as the heat radiates off the appliance. This type of heater uses electrical currents to supply heat. Panel space heaters can operate while on the floor or even mounted to the wall. Another key difference between panel space heaters and other types is that they don’t produce enough heat to truly heat up a room- it is rather used to warm it a little bit.
What we like about this type of space heater
- Modern design
- Stands on the floor or mounted to the wall
- Easy to operate
- No risk of fire
What we don’t like about this type of space heater
- Lowest level of heat production
- Used to warm up, not heat up
- Doesn’t always come with a fan
Which Is the Best Type of Heater for You?
Now that you know all the characteristics of each type of heater, you can determine which type of heater is the ideal one for you. Consider the amount of heat you need to keep warm and the size and type of room (with or without furniture), as well as if you need to move it around to see which kind of heater would be the most efficient for your needs.
The Bottom Line
Space heaters are still being widely used nowadays despite the fact that they have been around for quite a while. They are easy to use and a very convenient way to make it through the winter. There are different types of space heaters designed for different areas of the house that produce different types of heat. Make sure you get familiar with them to see which one would meet your needs best.
