When winter rolls around and the temperature in your home takes a dip, space heaters are a must-have. These small and portable machines can do a lot to keep you cozy on those cool nights.
While many people think that space heaters are only for homes without a central heat system, that’s not the case. You can use these devices to get an extra boost of warmth in a specific room, combat drafts, and more. Many homeowners even use space heaters to save money on their heating costs.
Despite all of the good they can do, space heaters do have one disadvantage: they tend to produce a lot of noise! Traditional space heaters can make it impossible to sleep. Even during the day, the grating noise coming from these machines make it tough to concentrate or relax.
Thankfully, there are some quieter options on the market. The best quiet space heater provides all of the benefits of a traditional unit without the added noise. Most are also efficient and powerful enough to turn a room into a warm oasis. If you’re looking for a quiet space heater for your home, we have you covered.
The Quietest Space Heaters – Comparison Table
Product Image | Product name | Features | Star Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Portable Electric Ceramic Heater 1500W/750W | Simple knob controls, Variable fan speed Two power options Overheat and tilt protection | 4.4 out of 5 | |
PELONIS PHTA1ABB Portable Heater | As low as 38 decibels Versatile use Two heating functions | 4.6 out of 5 | |
NewAir AH-400 Space Heater, Small, White | Vey Quiet as does not use a fan Fits under a desk or un-obstructively next to a wall Low wattage for energy saving | 4.3 out of 5 | |
TURBRO Arcade HR1500 Electric Mica Space Heater | Micathermic heater, Up to 1,500 watts Tip-over, overheating, and frost protection Rapid heating mode, Adjustable thermostat | 4.3 out of 5 | |
Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater | Ceramic heater, Low-profile design Remote control settings and digital display Programmable temperature and timer | 4.4 out of 5 | |
Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater | Infrared quartz heating element Only produces 39 decibels, Precise temperature controls Tip-over and overheating protection | 4.6 out of 5 | |
pureHeat 2-in-1 Heater/Air Purifier | Ceramic heater, Built-in air purifier LCD screen Tip-over and automatic shutoff | 4.3 out of 5 | |
Oscillating PTC Heater & Air Circulating Fan | Forced-air heater, Unique design 90-degree oscillation Three temperature options | 4.2 out of 5 | |
Dyson AM09 Fan Heater | Year-round use Patented Air Multiplier technology Intelligent thermostat monitors | 4.4 out of 5 | |
pureHeat 3-in-1 - Energy Efficient Heater/Purifier/Humidifier | LCD screen and push-button controls Integrated humidifier, Built-in air purifier Up to 54 decibels of noise, 1,500 watts of power | 3.9 out of 5 |
Why Use a Quiet Space Heater?
I know what you’re thinking: you already have central heating. Why buy a space heater when you can just make your entire home warm?
Well, there are a couple of benefits you just don’t have with central heat. The first is more control. Say, for example, that members in your family can’t agree on a thermostat setting. Maybe your kids like temperatures to be a bit warmer than your own personal preference.
Instead of arguing over the settings, you can use the space heater to adjust specific rooms. Let your kids enjoy the extra warmth in their rooms.
Another big perk of owning a quiet space heater is that you can use it in lieu of central heating. Let’s face it: heating costs can be substantial during the winter months. You can bundle up and take steps to reduce your electric bill every month, but nothing is going to provide you with the same level of comfort as a heater.
Thanks to the portable nature of a space heater, you can use it in rooms that you need it most. Set it up in the home office as you work. Then, bring it into your bedroom at night to stay toasty. Running the space heater still uses up electricity. But, it’ll use significantly less electricity than your whole-home heating system.
Here’s where a quiet model comes in handy. With a traditional space heater, all of the extra noise makes it a sore spot in your home. That constant humming or buzzing will be a constant distraction. But with a quiet space heater, you won’t even notice it chugging along as you stay warm.
They are great to have in an office, even a room in the home that doubles up as an office. Much like desk fans that you may use only for short periods of the working day, a quiet space heater is great for areas where short bursts of heat are required. They are also great for workshops and garages.
How to Choose A Quality Quiet Space Heater for Your Needs
Before you jump the gun and choose the first space heater you see, there are a few things to consider. These machines are still a big investment. The last thing you want to do is choose one that doesn’t meet your needs.
Plus, you’re looking for a very specific kind of space heater. Most manufacturers aren’t going to advertise the decibel level their products produce. To choose a truly quiet model, you need to understand how these systems work and what to look for.
Core Design
The thing that’s going to impact noise levels the most is the core design of the space heater. There are several types of heaters on the market today. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages.
Fan Heaters
The most common type of space heater you’ll encounter is going to have a fan on it. These units are affordable and effective. But, they produce the most noise.
Fan-forced heaters have an internal heating element. To spread that heat throughout the room, powerful fans blow across the element. They do a great job of providing a lot of warmth to the room. Unfortunately, you might want to avoid these models if your main concern is low noise levels.
Radiant Heaters
If quietness is what you’re after, radiant heaters are a good option. They work a bit differently than fan heaters. Instead of directly heating and distributing air, the elements inside work to warm up people and objects in the room.
They’re great for small rooms. You could even tuck the heater under a desk for more focused warmth. No matter how you choose to use it, you won’t have to deal with a ton of noise. With no fans, most of the grating noise is eliminated.
Convection heaters
Convection heaters offer whole-room coverage will less noise than a traditional fan heater. Inside a convection heater is a heating element. When turned on, the element warms up the surrounding air.
With this temperature change, the warm air rises up to affect the rest of the room. Meanwhile, cool air on the floor is drawn into the heater to continue the heating cycle.
These heaters do produce some noise. But, they don’t have the large boisterous fans that traditional models do. Thus, they’re relatively quiet and unassuming.
Micathermic Heaters
Here’s a unique type of space heater that combines the best features of a radiant heater and a convection heater. The heating elements in a micathermic heater are covered in mica. The mica panel releases electromagnetic rays to warm up objects and people in the room.
They’re considered to be more effective than standard radiant heaters. As a result, they come with a higher price tag. However, improved heating performance makes it a worthy tradeoff.
Heat-Producing Elements
The next thing to consider is the heating element itself. The element isn’t going to have a huge effect on the noise levels of the space heater. But, it will impact performance.
One option is a ceramic heater. Ceramic space heaters use electricity to create radiant heat. This isn’t the same type of ceramic used on your dinnerware! It’s an advanced PTC ceramic that can regulate temperatures safely and efficiently.
If you want something a bit more advanced, you can choose an infrared portable space heater. Infrared heaters emit a precise beam of heat. Depending on the material used for the heating element, you might see a glowing red tube inside your heater. Sometimes, you might not see anything! Infrared uses invisible light to produce radiant heat.
Finally, there are oil-filled heaters. These heating elements look like the radiator you’d see on a car. Basically, it consists of tubes that are filled with thermal oil, which heats up. These elements take a bit longer to warm up a room. But, they are quite efficient once they get going. Plus, these systems are more affordable.
Heating Capabilities
Choosing the right heating capacity is important. This figure, which is usually represented as wattage, reflects the heater’s performance. A more powerful heater is going to be able to treat a large room. You should always choose a heater that’s capable of warming up a room that’s a bit smaller than your own. Otherwise, you might end up wasting electricity trying to make things comfortable.
So how many watts do you need? There are no hard and fast rules to figure this out. The dimensions of your room are going to impact the heater’s efficiency. The same goes for the technology and core design of the space heater.
That said, a good rule of thumb is to get about 10 watts of power per square foot of floor space. So, a 100 square foot room would need a 1,000-watt heater.
Versatility
Quiet space heaters are not one-size-fits-all machines. You could certainly get a unit with limited functionality. But, it pays to have one with versatile performance options.
Look out for heaters with controllable temperature settings. This could be in the form of basic heat levels or exact degrees. Whatever the case may be, having several heat settings gives you more control.
You can even get oscillating heaters for more coverage or those with remote control functionality for convenience.
Portability
Most quiet space heaters are going to be small enough to move from one room to the next. However, you can get ultra-portable models to make things easier. These are usually more compact than your average space heater, making them great for small spaces.
Many models also come with built-in carry handles or wheels for maneuverability.
Energy Usage
For the most part, space heaters are more energy-efficient than whole-home systems. After all, you’re only heating up the space that you’re using.
If energy usage is a big concern, you can find energy-saving models. Typically, units with lower power ratings are going to be the most efficient. You can also find heaters with low-energy modes or timers to ensure that you’re not using up more electricity than you need.
Safety Features
Last, but certainly not least, you need to look for safety features. Space heaters can be a fire hazard if you’re not careful. The portable nature of a space heater creates a higher risk of fire or burns.
To improve safety, many space heaters have some fail-safes in place. These include tip-over protection and overheat protection. The former feature is a must-have. It forces the heating elements to shut off in the event of a tip-over. This ensures that the elements can’t burn your floors or start a fire.
The same goes for overheating. If the unit is getting too hot to run safely, it will turn off to cool down a bit. Make sure you follow all safety tips and directions to ensure that your family stays safe while you get warm.
Top 10 Quietest Space Heaters on the Market
The market is flooded with space heaters of all designs and specifications. To help you find a quiet model for your home, here are some noteworthy space heaters worth checking out.
Portable Electric Ceramic Heater 1500W/750W
Don’t let the small size of this heater fool you. It’s more than capable of warming up a room that’s up to 200 square feet in size. The ultra-portable unit is lightweight and easy to use. There’s even a carrying handle to help you move it from room to room.
One thing we like about this heater is the power options. You can produce heat at either 750 or 1,500 watts. The 1,500-watt option warms up the room quickly. In total, the machine has a heat output of 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
Key Features:
- Simple knob controls
- Variable fan speed
- Two power options
- Overheat and tilt protection
- Portable design
PELONIS PHTA1ABB Portable Heater
The PELONIS heater is a machine that you can use all year long. In the winter, use the two heating functions to stay cozy! The ceramic heating elements get hot in as little as three seconds. It’s quick, efficient, and also portable. Weighing less than three pounds, it’s a device you can take anywhere.
For those warmer nights, you can use the fan-only function. While not as robust as some other machines, it gets the job done.
As for noise, this heater doesn’t disappoint. The exact output depends on the mode you’re using. But at its quietest, it only makes about 38 decibels!
Key Features:
- As low as 38 decibels
- Versatile use
- Two heating functions
- Over-heating protection
- Compact design
- It weighs only 2.72 pounds
NewAir AH-400 Space Heater, Small, White
From NewAir is this versatile and portable AH-400 space heater. It’s an ultra-quiet model that produces very little noise as there is no fan or oscillating parts. Best of all, it has a low-profile design. It will work hard to heat your room without getting in the way.
The NewAir AH-400 comes in two different sizes, Tall and Small. The small heater is the one we are interested in, and it measures at 21 inches L x 5 inches W x 16.5 inches H. From this heater, you can expect to warm an area of 40 square feet. It is perfect adding a heating boost to a localized area, like next to an office desk or specific area of a room.
Key Features:
- Vey Quiet as does not use a fan
- Fits under a desk or un-obstructively next to a wall
- Low wattage for energy saving
- Adjustable thermostat
TURBRO Arcade HR1500 Electric Mica Space Heater
Check out this quiet space heater from TURBPRO. It’s a micathermic heater that doesn’t use a traditional fan. Thus, it’s virtually silent.
The heater features a lot of adjustment options. First, you can choose an appropriate power setting. In the max setting, the heater uses 1,500 watts. There’s also a simple thermostat dial to help you hone in on the right temperature.
Key Features:
- Micathermic heater
- Tip-over, overheating, and frost protection
- Rapid heating mode
- Adjustable thermostat
- Good for rooms up to 160 square feet in size
- Up to 1,500 watts
Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater
If you need a quiet heater with all the bells and whistles, this Lasko model is a good choice. It’s a ceramic tower heater. The machine fits in small confined spaces. Yet, it offers good coverage and plenty of power to warm up a room.
Flexible controls let you find the perfect setting. You can adjust temperatures by the degree. There’s also a timer, oscillation mode, and automatic temperature control. Thanks to the wireless remote control, you can adjust settings from the comfort of your couch or sofa.
Key Features:
- Ceramic heater
- Low-profile design
- Remote control settings and digital display
- Programmable temperature and timer
- 1,500 watts of power
Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
This space heater from Dr. Infrared Heater is a heavy-duty option with a lot of great technology. Clad in wood, the machine looks great in the home. It also has removable caster wheels for easy transport from room to room.
This is an infrared heater that uses a durable quartz tube. It’s ultra-quiet, producing a mere 39 decibels. Simple controls on the face of the heater let you make fine comfort adjustments. Alternatively, you can use the included wireless remote.
Key Features:
- Infrared quartz heating element
- Only produces 39 decibels
- Precise temperature controls
- Tip-over and overheating protection
- Simple push-button control and remote
- 1,500 watts of power
pureHeat 2-in-1 Heater/Air Purifier
Why not purify the air while you’re heating it? With this room heater, you can do just that. The integrated air purifier works to continually improve air quality. It removes particulates, helping you and your family breathe easy.
The heating functions aren’t too shabby either. There are precise temperature controls and a built-in timer for safe use. The machine even has a dedicated quiet mode for nighttime use.
Key Features:
- Ceramic heater
- Built-in air purifier
- LCD screen
- Tip-over and automatic shutoff
- Compact design
- 1,500 watts
Oscillating PTC Heater & Air Circulating Fan
Here’s a heater worth showing off! The space heater takes on a round shape, allowing you to place it on a coffee table for better heat distribution. The unit oscillates 90 degrees. While there aren’t any precise thermostat settings, you can choose between three heat options. The high heat option gets up to 86 degrees.
When you don’t want to use the heating function, the machine doubles as an air circulation fan. It can create a light breeze to maximize comfort all year long.
Key Features:
- Forced-air heater
- Unique design
- 90-degree oscillation
- Three temperature options
- Multiple protection features
- 1,500 watts
Dyson AM09 Fan Heater
Stay warm on the coldest day of the year with this Dyson fan heater that comes in an iron and blue design. Capable of heating an entire room on a cold day, it also functions as a fan to help you stay cool on the hottest nights. Dyson added Air Multiplier technology that brings the room to the optimum temperature in less time to help you feel comfortable. This fan lacks the features of other fans that can harm pets and kids such as spinning blades. You can choose the right temperature from a range between 33 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit without hearing a single thing.
Key Features:
- Year-round use
- Patented Air Multiplier technology
- Intelligent thermostat monitors
pureHeat 3-in-1 – Energy Efficient Heater/Purifier/Humidifier
This sleek space heater from pureHeat does a lot to improve comfort in any room. Not only is it a heater, but it’s an air purifier and a humidifier. The purifier is capable of killing mold and bacteria in the air while also removing odors.
Meanwhile, the humidifier can keep dry skin at bay during the winter. A small water tank on the back makes using this function a breeze.
The heater features all the safety systems you’d expect. There are also precise temperature controls, a timer, and a quiet mode.
Key Features:
- LCD screen and push-button controls
- Integrated humidifier
- Built-in air purifier
- Up to 54 decibels of noise
- Overheating and tip-over protection
- 1,500 watts of power
Want More Quiet Gear For Your Workshop Or Garage? Check Out These Posts:
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- Best Quiet Garage Door Openers
- Best Quiet Tower Fans
- Best Quiet Inverter Generators
- Best Mini Fridge
Conclusion
The best quiet space heater can make your winter much more comfortable. No more arguing over the thermostat or bundling up to deal with a cold spot in your house! Best of all, you can say goodbye to restless nights caused by loud heating systems.
Give one of these quiet space heaters a shot. You’ll be surprised just how quiet and comfortable they can be!