best space heater for bathroom

Best Space Heater for Bathroom and How to Buy One

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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The bathroom is an intimate space where we spend plenty of time getting ready in the morning, showering, and answering mother nature. As such, it should have warm air. Taking a shower or brushing your teeth in a freezing bathroom is very uncomfortable.

One of the best ways to make your post-shower experience enjoyable is by using the best bathroom space heater. Space heaters are bathroom accessories that give you much-needed warmth, especially during the cold winter. They are a fast and economical way of warming your bathroom.

These heaters are portable. You can move them to another part of the house if needed. Although thousands of space heaters are on the market, not all are suitable or safe for bathroom use. Space heaters come in several varieties, the simplest being plug-and-play models. We compiled some affordable and amazing space heaters for bathrooms that you can use during cold days. 

The best space heater for bathroom use is Mr. Heater, Portable Buddy. It comes with Brass Propane Tank Refill Adapter, giving it maximum performance capacity. Our second-best choice, the GiveBest Electric Space Heater, is quite affordable and has a multi-protection safety system. The third best space heater for the bathroom is the Dreo Space Heater is quite compact and energy-efficient.

Review of Best Space Heaters for Bathroom

1. Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater

Mr. Heater Portable Big Buddy Propane Heater with...
  • Bundle Includes: Mr. Heater Portable Big Buddy Propane Heater and...
  • BTU Output: Utilizing propane gas and featuring an impressive...
  • Effortless Use: In addition to its impressive technical capacity,...
  • Safe Heating: The Big Buddy Portable Heater is built for safety...
  • BTU Output: Utilizing propane gas and featuring an impressive...

Mr. Heater Portable Buddy has a high heating capacity packed in a small portable package with a folding handle. It radiates heat from a small, replaceable propane tank that covers an area of 450 square feet of enclosed space. It gives a BTU output by producing 4,000, 9,000, or 18,000 BTUs of heat output through the use of propane gas. 

I loved that this heater comes with a Brass Propane Tank Refill Adapter. To give it a maximum performance capacity, Mr. Portable Buddy comes with various additional elements. These elements include an easy-start four-position control, swivel-out fuel connection,  large overall heating element and surface, and swivel-out fuel connection.

These features make it effortless to use and give it a distinction in heating. To ensure safe heating, this portable heater features an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and tip-over detection system, which accounts for low oxygen or accidental falls.

This unit automatically turns off to ensure your safety. Also, You can take Mr. Heater's Propane Portable Buddy with you to keep you warm and comfortable.

Pros:

  • Safe heating
  • Effortless use
  • BTU output

Cons:

  • Does not have a fan

2. GiveBest Electric Space Heater 

Sale
Portable Electric Space Heater with Thermostat,...
  • 2 in 1 heater fan: This ceramic heater provides two heat levels,...
  • Multi protection safety system: These heaters are made of flame...
  • Compact and powerful: 7.9 inch x 6.2 inch x 10.2 inch, 2.9 pounds...
  • Quiet and fast heating: The noise this ceramic heater makes is...
  • Upgrade abs material: Upgrade abs material applied, which is more...

I wanted a bathroom heater that was very affordable yet did not consume a lot of electricity. GiveBest’s electric space heater reduced my electricity bill massively. It is a ceramic space heater with two heating levels, 1500W, and 750W. It is compact and powerful with a built-in carry handle that helps you to carry it to where you want it to be.

Image Credits: dontwasteyourmoney.com

It also has one cool air fan making it useful in winter and summer. This electric space heater has a thermostat set just above the freezing point to turn it off when it reaches the preset temperature and turn it back on when it goes below the thermostat setting. 

What I liked most about this heater is that it comes with a multi-protection safety system. They are made with a flame-resistant material which helps prevent fire hazards. It also has an Automatic safety shutoff system to turn off the heater when it overheats.

This heater has tip-over protection, allowing it to shut off when accidentally knocked over and come back on automatically if it is pit upright. 

Although this ceramic heater heats the bathroom very fast, it is quiet, producing a noise below 45 decibels. The high-speed fan combined with PTC ceramic heating tech produces heat that heats a space of up to 200 square feet in a matter of seconds. The heater comes with a six feet lead cord and two-prong connection. 

Pros:

  • Multi-protection safety system
  • Compact and powerful
  • Fast heating
  • Quiet

Cons:

  • It may not be suitable for larger bathrooms

3. Dreo Space Heaters 

Dreo Space Heaters for Indoor Use, Atom One Portable...
  • Faster Heat Than Ever: Powered by Dreo Hyperamics Technology,...
  • Shield360° Protection: Heat up your day and night without...
  • Save More on Energy Bills: ECO Mode adjusts the heat level...
  • Warm Any Angle: Experience the heat that envelopes you in the...
  • Engineered to be Quieter: Brushless DC motor and 9 aerodynamic...

I wanted a compact yet efficient heater for my bathroom, and the Dreo Space heater met my expectations. Its fast heating capacity with working power of more than 1500W surprised me, making it reach your desired temperature immediately. This lets you enjoy the heat immediately.

Image Credits: Amazon.com

Besides the bathroom, you can carry this portable heater into any room in your house, covering 200 square feet. With its Shield 360-degree system, this heater provides an advanced safety plug, tip-over, and overheating protection. It is made with UL94 V-0 flame-retardant materials that ensure overall safety.

The Eco mode in the Dreo Space heater automatically adjusts the heat level to your preferred temperature while saving energy consumption. This heater has a digital adjustable thermostat that lets you personalize heat settings to your comfort from 41-95 degrees Fahrenheit.

With a 70° wide-angle oscillation, the heat from this device envelops you in a wide way. It covers the entire room to provide wide-reaching heat to your entire bathroom. This heater has a brushless DC motor and aerodynamic blades that eliminate air turbulence. It is very quiet so you don’t need to worry about noise. 

You can get heat the way you like when using the Dreo space heater. The heat comes in various modes: low, high, medium, ECO, and fan. It also has a remote control to help you easily balance heat and energy saving. 

Pros:

  • Saves energy
  • Quiet operation
  • Wide-reaching heat
  • Overheating protection
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • It may not be portable

4. Brightown  Store Portable Electric Space Heater

Portable Electric Space Heater 1500W/750W Personal Room...
  • Safe for kids and pets: The heater is made of flame retardant...
  • Speedy warming: With PTC ceramic heating tech and high speed fan,...
  • Easy to use: Adjust the knob on the right to turn the unit on....
  • Portable and mighty: Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 10 inch. Easy carry...
  • Long serving life: Tip over swicth, overheat protection and...

When I moved to a bigger house with a larger bathroom, I needed a bigger heater to warm my bathroom. I liked the  Brightown  Store Portable Electric Space Heater for my bigger bathroom because it is portable and mighty.

It is lightweight and comes with an easy-to-carry handle, which makes it easy for me to carry it from one room to another and from the floor to the table. I can easily place it in any position that I prefer. 

Image Credit: Ebay.co.uk

This room heater is made with flame-retardant material to prevent fire hazards. It also has an automatic overheat protection system allowing the unit to shut off when it reaches the limit. Additionally, it comes with a tip-over switch, which is fixed at the bottom.

This tip-over switch is triggered when the heater is tilted or tripped over. Its power indicator indicates when it is plugged in. You do not need to worry if you have pets or small children. This heater is safety tested and ETL certified. 

Due to its PTC ceramic heating technology and high-speed fan, this heater heats the space quickly and up to 200 square feet in seconds. It only heats the needed space, the bathroom, instead of the entire house, saving on electricity bills. It is quiet, with a noise of less than 45 decibels, allowing you to enjoy your shower quietly. 

The  Brightown Store Portable Electric Space Heater is amazingly easy to use. You only need to adjust the provided knob to get the desired heat. It can produce heat at 750 watts and 1500 watts.  The fan level will blow out cool air.

It has an adjustable temperature range of 0-158 degrees Fernheight. I went for this space heater due to its steady operation and long serving life. 

Pros:

  • Safe
  • Long life
  • Speedy warming
  • Easy to use
  • Portable

Cons:

  • The handle may interfere with the use of knobs

5. Air Choice Space Heater

Space Heater for Office - Portable Electric Ceramic...
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  • ????【Minimum Consumption & Maximum Heat】???? Complain about...
  • ????【Lifesaver For Your Chilly Office】???? Are your feet or...
  • ????【Accompany You Without Any Disturb】???? Is your old...
  • ????【Incredible Sensitive Safety Mechanism】???? Worried about...

I was tired of waiting long hours for my old heater to heat the bathroom before I could use it. This could sometimes get me late or force me to wake up way too early. The Air Choice Space Heater came through for me.

It heats the bathroom in under three seconds and gives it constant warmth throughout my stay there. This heater's sensitive temperature control system keeps the temperature comfortable throughout, saving energy and electricity bills. 

Image Credit: Amazon.in

This space heater is quite effective for larger bathrooms. With 120° oscillation, it heats an area 70% wider than other heaters and effectively warms the entire bathroom without wasting heat. Due to its full-screen mobile design, it has a 15-inch outlet and curved surface design, which provides a 10% larger air outlet than other space heaters. 

This lightweight heater has a built-in handle making it easy to move from one room to another. It has low noise levels and produces minimum light, letting you enjoy your bath without distractions. Because I have young children, safety was a major concern when purchasing a bathroom space heater.

The Air Choice Space Heater has a susceptible safety mechanism that provides overheating protection by automatically shutting off in case of overheating. The tip-over switch switches it off in case it tips over, and the fan provides safe cooling for you and your family. 

Pros:

  • The curved design gives a larger heat outlet
  • Portable
  • Lightweight
  • Safe
  • Quiet

Cons:

  • It has no warranty

What to Look For in a Bathroom Heater

1. Power Rating

The power rating of your bathroom space heater gives you an idea of its performance. Generally, a higher power rating gives better heating results. Therefore, always go with the highest power rating possible. The common power rating in most space heaters for bathrooms includes 750 watts,  1000 watts, 1500 watts, and 2000 watts.

2. Heater Types

Your needs will determine the type of space heater you need for your bathroom. If you wish to buy a bathroom heater that will function throughout the year, consider buying a ceiling heater.

It does not get in your way, and you can easily control it with a remote. If you have small children and pets, a wall-mounted heater is an excellent option, and it is barely noticeable if installed correctly. 

Another type of heater you can consider is the bathroom exhaust fan, which includes infrared lights. They are safe but do not have a large heating capacity like their propane and electric heater counterparts. 

The most common type of bathroom heaters is portable heaters because they are multifunctional. You can use them in any room and move them as frequently. You can also store them when they are no longer in use.

3. Controls and Modes

A powerful space heater for bathrooms should offer controls, modes, and features to make it effective. Without such, it will be utterly useless, no matter how powerful. These controls and modes make your space heater very practical and versatile. The common controls and modes to look for when purchasing a space heater for the bathroom include the heating mode, the temperature setting, fan speed, the timer setting, etc.  

4. Safety

It is important to consider safety features when purchasing space heaters for the bathroom. Bathrooms are the wettest areas in a home, and when using electric wall heaters, you need to consider certain specifications to ensure your safety and that of your family. Specifically, ensure that your heater has ALCI plugs that provide an extra layer of safety,  as these are specifically made to resist moisture. 

Heaters made with fire retardant material will protect you against fire accidents. Ensure your heater has built-in safety measures that shut it off if it overheats. If you have a standalone heater, ensure it has an anti-tip feature to prevent it from catching fire in case it falls or bends. 

Look out for timers in your heater. They are great in preventing you from overusing the heater or leaving it on while not in use. 

5. Recommended Area

The recommended area rating indicates the performance of your bathroom space heater. Many space heaters for bathrooms mention the maximum area of a room that can be heated using that space heater. This rating gives you a good idea of whether your space heat can effectively heat up the space you are purchasing it for.

The most common recommended area rating is 100 square feet, 150 square feet, and 200 square feet. Generally, a space heater with a rating of 200 square feet is more than enough to heat your bathroom.

6. Installation

If you are purchasing a portable space heater for your bathroom, it will require no installation. However, if you buy an exhaust fan heater, you must open an existing exhaust fan to put the infrared feature. 

Wall-mounted heaters require external wall mounts, which you can easily get online or at a local hardware store. Ceiling heaters, on the other hand, are more complex and will require a higher level of expertise to install. It involves cutting into your ceiling, so you should engage professionals, especially when electric work is involved. 

7. Size

 If you are mainly looking for a portable space heater, consider the weight and size of the unit. Some space heater units weigh as low as three pounds, while others weigh as much as 30 pounds. Strike a balance between portability and strength because lighter units produce less heat than larger units.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Space Heater for Bathrooms

1. How does a space heater for bathrooms work?

All electric space heaters for bathrooms use electric coils to produce the heat that is used to heat up the bathroom. These electric coils conduct heat, making them produce the heat used. The space heater has several of these coils, making them effective for use in heaters. 

2. Which one is better, the infrared heater or the ceramic heater?

Ceramic heaters conduct heat using ceramic plates and aluminum baffles. Due to their small size, they are incredibly efficient in heating and extremely portable. Also, they can heat a wider range of areas. On the other hand, infrared heaters work very well even in poorly ventilated areas because they focus on heating people directly rather than warming the air. And since they use radiant heat, they are the best for extended periods. They consume 60% less energy than convection heaters to give the same level of heat and comfort. 

3.  Are space heaters for bathrooms resistant to water damage?

Although bathroom space heaters are safe, they are not water resistant. Since most of them use electric coils to heat the air, the water can go into these coils and get spoiled. However, some space heaters are made with waterproof and condensation-proof material, making them resistant to any water damage. 

4. Is it safe to leave a space heater ON all night?

It is unsafe to leave a space heater in the bathroom all night. Although the space heaters have built-in safety measures, avoid leaving your heater ON unattended in the bathroom. If the auto shut-off malfunctions, it can cause fire accidents.

Also, leave a perimeter of around three feet around the unit to avoid accidents. Kids and pets can reach the unit at night without your knowledge and get burned.

5. What is the benefit of having a fan inside a bathroom space heater?

Although not all bathroom space heaters have an inbuilt fan, most have one. The fan helps in better convection of the produced heat produced by the space heater. This increases their efficiency and helps the heater to work faster.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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