Skip to main content

Best cheap space heater deals for October 2022

Are you searching for the best space heater deals? As the warmer days of summer fade into memory, fall can get chilly pretty quickly in many parts of the country. You also may have spots in your home where you feel cold when sitting. Whether you’re working or just relaxing, the season doesn’t really matter. If you don’t feel like spending the money to heat your whole home just to warm up a chilly spot, there is another alternative. A new energy-efficient space heater is often the best solution for an unusually cold space in an otherwise comfortable building. Even if your smart thermostat is the head of the class, you can remedy cold spots quickly with an energy-efficient space heater. If you remember cold days last winter when you could have used a space heater, now’s also an excellent time to take advantage of pre-season sales when manufacturers’ inventory is full.

Here are our top picks for energy-efficient space heaters:

How to Choose a Space Heater

Electric heaters are less efficient but typically safer and more versatile than petroleum-fueled models. Electric heaters can be further subdivided into convection heaters, radiant or infrared heaters, ceramic heaters, and panel heaters (also called mica thermic heaters).

Convection heaters are generally the most energy-efficient electric heaters, especially for large, enclosed spaces. Convection heat works by warming the surrounding air. And though it can take a little while for a room to heat up, the warmth will linger even after you turn off the device.

Radiant or infrared heaters direct heat at specific people (or objects). They warm up rather quickly, but the hot air dissipates just as fast the minute you turn off the heater.

Ceramic heaters circulate air while focusing the heat where it’s most needed. And they can remain cool to the touch.

Finally, you can also purchase panel (or mica thermic) heaters which combine both radiant and convection technology. These appliances often heat up rapidly and distribute warm air throughout the room.

Other factors to consider

Heat distribution — The best energy-efficient heaters distribute hot air around the room quickly and evenly. This means that they don’t just provide warmth to whichever people or objects are directly in front of them. They are designed to have a wider distribution and push air farther away. Space heaters made with oscillation systems are especially adept at even heat distribution, and since they are relatively fast at heating rooms, you don’t have to use them for as long a time.

Timers — Timers are a great way to conserve energy. You can set specific times/parameters for when your heater turns on and off to prevent running the heater unnecessarily.

Thermostats — Most energy-efficient space heaters have easy-to-use thermostats, so you don’t expend additional energy.

Programming capabilities — Some of the more high-tech heaters on the market are programmable so you can set temperatures for different times of the day. A handful of space heaters are smart devices you can control them via your phone.

Automatic shutoff — You don’t want a space heater to run indefinitely. Aside from being a safety risk, that is simply not efficient or cost-effective. The best heaters shut off automatically once they’ve been running for a while.

Overheating safety/kill switch — Overheating protection features cut power if your heater gets too hot. That way, you don’t have to worry about damaging electric circuits or starting a fire.

Portability — Portable space heaters, like patio heaters and garage heaters, can reduce the number of appliances you need. Many people only need one good device that’s capable of being moved from room to room. Be on the lookout for lightweight heaters equipped with handles or casters.

Room size — Select a space heater with power appropriate for the size of the room in which you will use it. The higher the heat output, the more energy used. A small space may require only 750 watts of power, while a larger area might need 1,500 watts. Choose a heater that provides enough warmth for the square footage and nothing more.

Fan-only option — Space heaters with fan-only options can be used as fans in warmer weather.

Size of heater — Size matters. Many people want relatively compact space heaters so they are easier to move and store and relatively unobtrusive whenever you use them.

Noise — Noise is another factor to consider. While most space heaters are relatively quiet, there is a range. Some might whir or click or hum. Make sure you find a heater that’s as quiet as possible or emits a white noise that you know you’ll be able to tolerate.

Intuitive Controls — As with any piece of technology, look for a space heater with simple controls. You don’t want to accidentally set your heater to the highest temperature possible and then not know how to adjust accordingly.

Safety matters, too

We want to mention safety issues. There are risks involved when space heaters are misused; they can lead to everything from burns to house fires.

    • Avoid leaving the heater running in unattended rooms.
    • Don’t leave a space heater running overnight while you’re sleeping.
    • Don’t place space heaters on a rug or near any object that’s combustible or flammable.
    • Space heaters should not be used with extension cords or power strips and avoid using your heater near anything wet.
    • Look for space heaters with a kill switch; these machines automatically turn off should they ever accidentally tip over.
    • Look for a space heater with a protective housing that remains relatively cool to the touch, even after the device has been on for a while.

Editors' Recommendations

Bruce Brown
Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…
Best Walmart TV deals: 43-inch 4K TV for $228 and more
lg 55 inch oled 4k tvs deal walmart class b8 tv

If you haven't upgraded your TV in quite a while, then you may want to consider doing so now. Not only have TVs become a lot cheaper, but they're also absolutely packed with features that include incredible image fidelity and high resolutions. Luckily, you can get TVs for even cheaper with these Walmart TV deals, with some TVs having very significant discounts across the board, whether you want LED, QLED, OLED, 4k or 8k TVs. As such, we've gone out and collected some of our favorite TVs in the sale, although it's well worth checking out the complete sale by clicking on the button below.

Hisense 43-inch Roku 4K TV -- $228, was $289

Read more
Best Amazon Echo deals: Save on Pop, Show, Dot, and Studio
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) on a kitchen counter.

The Amazon Echo lineup of smart home devices is among the best ways to start building or expanding your smart home setup. They give you easy access to technology like Amazon Alexa, and the devices are almost always in contention to be some of the best smart speakers and best smart displays on the market. There are a lot of great Amazon Echo deals taking place right now, and they include the Echo Pop, Echo Dot, Echo Show, and Echo Studio. We’ve rounded up all of the best Amazon Echo deals and have included some information to help you navigate which device does what around the smart home.
Best Amazon Echo deals

The focus of Amazon Echo smart speakers is to enable voice commands with Alexa, so that you can access the different types of Alexa skills, in addition to a wide variety of functions such as searching for information, setting alarms and reminders, and making to-do lists. The Amazon Echo models range from the cheap Amazon Echo Pop to the premium Amazon Echo Studio, so you can choose what to buy depending on how much you're willing to spend. With these Amazon Echo deals, you're going to enjoy discounts, but only if you hurry.

Read more
Best appliance package deals: LG, Samsung, KitchenAid, and more
Samsung Kitchen Appliance Package in a kitchen with blue cabinets.

When it comes to adding or upgrading around the house, appliances are some of the most expensive purchases out there. The thought of having to replace — or purchase for the first time — items like washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and ovens can be stressful. But one way to reduce the stress is by shopping package deals. Many brands offer significant discounts through bundled appliances. We’ve rounded up all of the best appliance package deals currently taking place. They include brands such as LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, and KitchenAid, so read onward for plenty of ways to save.
Best LG appliance package deals

LG has some pretty incredible appliances. We've focused on the best offers in LG's washer and dryer deals.

Read more