Stay warm and cozy with our guide to the best space heaters in Canada. We've reviewed top models for heating efficiency, safety features, and energy costs.
Whether you get cold easily, or you’re trying to save money on energy bills, or you’re sharing a home with someone who has a different ideal temperature in the home, you may be looking for a solution that’ll keep you toasty and comfortable in all seasons. Well, we’ve got one!
A space heater is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to keep your immediate surroundings perfectly warm and comforting. Most of them are highly portable machines that can be set to a few different temperatures to match your needs. They’re super simple to use, very safe, and can do a lot to keep your bedroom, living room, or any other space nice and warm.
If a space heater sounds like the companion you need for your home, we’d love to help you find the perfect fit. Space heaters will vary in a variety of features including price, overall size, heat levels/modes, cord length, timer settings, oscillation, safety features, and more. And you’ll want to think about all of them to make sure you get the best match.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best space heaters in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Best Space Heaters Right Now
Top Pick: Dreo Space Heater
Panel-Style Pick: De'Longhi Panel Heater
Upgrade Pick: Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater
Oil-Filled Pick: De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater
Budget Pick: Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater
Our Top Pick for The Best Space Heater
Dreo Space Heater Review
What We Think of the Dreo Space Heater
The Dreo Space Heater packs a ton of useful features into a very compact body. And its compact size is one of its best features — not only can it be set up on any desk or table, but it’s also super easy to carry around the house with you as your day evolves. And since it comes with a 12-hour timer and a remote, it’s great at managing itself and won’t ever interrupt your zen time much if you need to adjust settings.
This is one of the few space heaters that oscillates, too. It has a 70º range of motion so it can heat your space more effectively. What a nice touch. We think you’ll also love the safety features of this one. With overheat protection, tip-over protection, flame-retardant housing, and an enhanced safety plug, this is a great option for use around kids and pets or for constant use.
We’re very happy to report that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the performance or usability of this machine. It’s pretty much perfect. However, it is designed for smaller spaces, so if you’re trying to heat an entire basement or open-concept home, it won’t work as well as you’d like. Also, the power cord is a bit short, so it can be tricky to get it in the right spot without an extension cord.
Overall, the Dreo Space Heater is an incredibly well-rounded option that will fit right in with any lifestyle. No matter where you want to set it up or how often you’ll need to move it around, it’s got all of the portability and heating performance you could ask for. It’s offered at a great price, too.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Dreo Space Heater
Reviewers are very happy with the Dreo Space Heater. It heats up very quickly and offers a wide temperature range to suit everyone’s preferences. It’s very easy to carry around the home with them, and since it’s so small, it can be set up anywhere. The power cord is a bit of a limitation, though. They also appreciate all of the safety features, and they use the timer and remote a lot.
Dreo Space Heater Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You’d appreciate a compact and portable option
You want a heater that oscillates
Safety is important to you
You’d like a heater that offers plenty of convenience
Don’t Buy If…
You’re heating a fairly large space
You’d like to avoid using an extension cord
Dreo Space Heater Specifications
Dimensions: 8” x 7.2” x 11.4”
Weight: 3.9 lbs
Heating Method: Convection
Coverage Area: 200 sq. ft
Modes: 2 heat levels + fan
Timer: 1-12 hrs
Power Cord Length: 5 ft
Warranty: 1 year
Our Panel-Style Pick
De'Longhi Panel Heater Review
What We Think of the De'Longhi Panel Heater
We like so many things about the De'Longhi Panel Heater. Its heating efficiency is one of the best things about it. Thanks to its dual lateral fan system and convection heating, it’s able to produce heat the instant it’s turned on and circulate it more effectively around your space. You’ll notice the difference, trust us. Since it can stand on its own or be mounted to a wall, it’ll be useful in any space that needs it.
One of the other standout features of this one is the timer. It has a 24-hour range and can be used as a delayed start or a countdown timer, meaning you can either set it to start warming your room before you come home from work or you can have it shut itself off while you’re asleep. How cool! It also has an automatic setting that will cause it to switch on when it detects a room temperature below 5ºC — you’ll never have frozen pipes again.
One of the few things we dislike about this heater is its size — it’s one of the larger space heaters out there, so it won’t be as portable as you might need it to be. Also, despite its larger size, it’s not really suited to room sizes larger than 150 square feet. Bummer, we know. Otherwise, the price tag might be the only reason you want to keep looking. It’s a bit high.
Overall, the De'Longhi Panel Heater is a pretty fantastic option. It isn’t suited to larger spaces, for the average living room and bedroom, it’ll perform exceptionally well. If a panel heater is what you want, you won’t find better than this one.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 3.5/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the De'Longhi Panel Heater
Reviewers have great things to say about the De'Longhi Panel Heater. They absolutely love that it can be mounted to a wall, but its slim design means it can be a great freestanding heater as well. The heat kicks in almost immediately as soon as the heater is turned on, and with a versatile timer setup and multiple heating modes, it’s perfect for every occasion.
De'Longhi Panel Heater Pros and Cons
Buy If…
Frozen pipes are the bane of your existence
You’d appreciate a versatile timer
You want a heater that can be mounted to a wall or stand independently
Efficient heating is a priority
Don’t Buy If…
You don’t want to spend much on a heater
You need a really compact/portable option
You need a heater for a large space
De'Longhi Panel Heater Specifications
Dimensions: 32.2” x 8.5” x 21.8”
Weight: 18.3 lbs
Heating Method: Convection
Coverage Area: 144 sq. ft
Modes: 3 heat levels
Timer: 1-24 hrs
Power Cord Length: 5 ft
Warranty: 3 years
Our Upgrade Pick
Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater Review
What We Think of the Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater
The Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater brings so many things to the table. One of its most appealing traits is how quiet it is. Whether you need to run the heater while you’re working, sleeping, or enjoying some downtime, it won’t disrupt you. Since it has wheels instead of feet, it’s also one of the easiest things to move around despite its bulkier size.
If you’re a safety-conscious individual, this heater will still be a great fit. It has overheat protection as well as tip-over protection, and it’s always cool to the touch. Perfect for homes with kids and/or pets. Since the included filter is washable, it will last the lifetime of the heater, and since the heater itself is one of the most durable options around, you won’t be looking for a replacement anytime soon.
One of the only things you could find to dislike about this space heater is its appearance. It’s pretty blocky and traditional looking, so if you’re into a more modern or minimalist design, this one won’t please you very much. Otherwise, the higher price tag might be your only deterrent.
Overall, the Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater was an easy favourite for this year. Whether you’re heating a large space, relying on a really quiet fan/blower, or needing something extra safe, this space heater will be the right fit.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3.5/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater. It’s very reliable at maintaining a consistent temperature, and the blower is so quiet that they have to actively listen to know whether it’s on or not. The wheeled design makes it really easy to move around, too. And they really appreciate all the included safety features. They trust it implicitly.
Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You’d prefer not to carry your heater when you need to move it around
You need to heat a large space
A quiet heater would be nice
Longevity is important to you
Don’t Buy If…
Your heater’s aesthetic matters to you
You’re looking for a budget-friendly option
Dr. Infrared Heater DR968 Portable Space Heater Specifications
Dimensions: 16” x 11” x 13”
Weight: 24 lbs
Heating Method: Radiant
Coverage Area: 1000 sq. ft
Temperature Range: 50ºF to 86ºF
Modes: 3 heat levels
Timer: 12 hrs
Power Cord Length: 6 ft
Warranty: 3 years
Our Oil-Filled Pick
De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater Review
What We Think of the De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater
The De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater has a lot to offer. As an oil-filled radiator heater, it’s perfectly suited to maintaining a highly consistent temperature for long periods of time. It also has the benefit of lacking a fan, so it creates much less disruption of the hair, dust, and allergens in your home. Plus, it doesn’t lower the indoor humidity nearly as much as other electric heaters. Talk about a win!
One of its special features is an Anti-Freeze setting that allows the machine to automatically turn on when it detects freezing temperatures — your pipes will stay in working order all winter with this heater. We’re also big fans of the caster wheels that dramatically improve the movability of this heater. Considering its size, this is a super helpful addition.
The only two minor concerns we have for this one are related to a missing feature and a lack of portability. This is a fairly large heater, and while the wheels help, it’s still not super easy to carry up and down stairs or travel with. The missing feature we mentioned is a timer — you’ll have to turn it on and off manually all the time. Not ideal, we know.
Overall, the De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater is a really great option for smaller spaces. When it comes to consistent heating, it doesn’t get much better than this one. You’ll love it, guaranteed.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater
Reviewers are blown away by the De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater. They absolutely love that it doesn’t dry out their space like other electric heaters do, and it also helps keep allergy symptoms to a minimum since it has no fans. It does a great job of warming up their rooms and is super easy to move around. They have no complaints about the noise, either. It’s very quiet.
De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You’d love a heater that can roll around
You need a heater for long-term temperature maintenance
A fan-free heater is ideal for your space
You need a heater for pipe management in the colder months
Don’t Buy If…
You’d like a heater that has a timer
You need something really portable
De'Longhi TRH0715CA Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater Specifications
Dimensions: 13.8” x 5.9” x 24.8”
Weight: 23.4 lbs
Heating Method: Radiant
Modes: 3 heat levels
Timer: No
Power Cord Length: 8 ft
Warranty: 3 years
Our Budget Pick
Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater Review
What We Think of the Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater
We really like the Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater. It packs a surprising amount of power into such a tiny body — weighing in at only 2.2 lbs, it’s one of the smallest and lightest heaters out there, perfect for travel or desktop use. And it’s still able to heat up a 200-square-foot room with no problems. And you’ll only have to wait three seconds for it to start pumping out hot air. Talk about efficiency!
This space heater also boasts incredibly simple controls that make it easy for everyone to use, even when they’re busy. Two simple dials let you adjust the fan level and temperature to suit every occasion — you won’t even need to look at it to make adjustments. Since you can use the fan without any heat output at all, it’s a great option for circulating air in the warmer months as well.
Luckily for you, this highly affordable heater doesn’t come with a list of cons. There are only two minor things we want to mention before we wrap this up. First, this heater isn’t equipped with a timer, so you’ll need to manage it manually. It’s also not the most durable heater on the planet, so if you need something heavy-duty, there are better options.
All in all, the Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater will be an easy favourite for pretty much everyone who uses it. If you’re looking for a timer, you won’t want to choose this one, but otherwise, it’s a perfect little machine!
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater
Reviewers have mostly great things to say about the Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater. For such a small machine it pumps out a lot of heat, and they only have to wait a few seconds for it to start going. The fan is very quiet, and they appreciate that they can use it without the heat output in the warmer weather. The desktop-friendly size makes travel a breeze, too.
Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You’ll want to use your heater in all seasons
A highly portable option is ideal
Simple controls appeal to you
You don’t want to wait a long time to get warm
Don’t Buy If…
You’d prefer a heater that has a timer
You don’t want to worry about longevity
Brightown Portable Electric Space Heater Specifications
Dimensions: 8.3” x 6.3” x 4”
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Heating Method: Convection
Coverage Area: 200 sq. ft
Temperature Range: 0ºF to 158ºF
Modes: 2 heat levels + fan
Timer: No
Power Cord Length: 6 ft
Warranty: 1 year
How to Properly Choose Your Space Heater
Price
Some space heaters are as affordable as $40, others cost upwards of $300. Generally, more expensive space heaters will be radiant instead of convection heaters, will handle a larger coverage area, and will be much more durable.
Modes/Heat Settings
Most space heaters offer at least two heat settings to adjust the fan output. Some will offer three different heat settings, and others will offer two heat levels plus a fan-only mode. It’s up to you how much adjustability you’ll need here.
Coverage Area
Some space heaters are pretty limited and can only provide heat for an area of 150 square feet in size or smaller. The average coverage area is 200 square feet, which will be fine for most rooms, but some are capable of handling an area as large as 1500 square feet. If you have a larger-than-average room to keep warm, you’ll want to pay more attention to this feature.
Timer
Many space heaters come with a timer, generally with a range between 12 and 24 hours, to simplify your life and make things more convenient. An automatic shutoff means you can use it while you’re sleeping and not waste the power when you don’t need it. Not all space heaters have a timer, though, so if it’s something you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to prioritize this feature.
Safety Features
Safety features are an important thing to pay attention to when it comes to space heaters. At the least, they should offer overheat protection and tip-over protection. Flame-retardant housing materials and safety plugs are other things to look at.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
