The Best Desk Heater

Buying Guide

Working in a cold office is no fun. But if you share a space with others, you know it’s impossible to keep the temperature at a level that works for everyone’s personal comfort levels. Even if you work from home, you may find that you can save on utilities by warming up the small space where you work all day, every day, than heating your entire home.

That’s where a space heater can come in. Typically, a small 1500-watt space heater can put out enough heat to keep you warm while you work. But some have a thermostat that allows you to set a precise temperature. The heater will only run long enough to get to that temperature, then shut off as the area starts to cool again. Many others will have the option of either low heat or high heat, requiring you to shut it on and off as you need it.

The size of a space heater is very important when you’re buying one for your office. A smaller one can slide under the desk, staying out of sight and out of the way while you work. If you need to take it back and forth from home and work, a smaller heater will come in handy.

Large, tower-style heaters have their uses, as well, though. If you have a larger office you need to heat, this model will be very useful. These heaters typically regulate the temperature for a large space, but you can buy tower heaters that oscillate to direct heat around a space rather than merely gradually raising the temperature in the room.

If you won’t have the heater directly beside you, consider the value of one that comes with a remote. You’ll be glad that you don’t have to cross the room every time you want to adjust the temperature. This is one feature that you’ll be happy you prioritized later.

Of all the features you’ll consider in a space heater, safety is the most important. Ceramic space heaters are best since they don’t emit carbon monoxide. They also heat up faster and are more durable. But you should also look for a heater that has tip-over protection, which shuts the heater off if you should accidentally upend it. Some space heaters also include overheat protection, powering the heater off if it gets too hot.

• If you work in an office building, make sure regulations allow you to use space heaters. Some property managers will confiscate them due to the safety hazard they pose.
• Manufacturers advise not to plug space heaters into extensions like surge protectors. That has led many to ask if smart plugs are an option. Since the manufacturers recommend plugging these heaters directly into the wall plug, this likely isn’t wise despite the security you’ll have in being able to turn off your heater remotely if you forget.
• Space heaters should always be set on the floor, even if you like the way the heat feels on your face or upper body. Also keep it well away from water and flammable objects like curtains and bedding.
• Pay close attention to the base of your heater. Even with tip-over protection, having a sturdy base will give you an extra layer of security.
• There are four types of space heaters. A convection heater is better for distributing the heat throughout the room, while a radiant heater is best for directing heat at a fixed spot. A fan-forced heater has a fan inside that pushes the air out into the room and a Micathermic heater combines radiant and convection heat.
• Heat output is crucial. A 1500-watt heater with ceramic coils will put out a fairly powerful amount of heat, along with warming up faster.
• There’s more to heating power than wattage. It’s important to choose the right size heater for your space. This will not only ensure you get the heat output you want, but it will also keep heating costs under control. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need 10 watts of heating power for each square foot of floor space in a room.
• Other factors can influence a heater’s capabilities. Poor insulation will require a higher-wattage heater, for instance, as will a higher ceiling.
• Some heaters have difficulty keeping the heat safely inside the unit. If you have little ones around, make sure you choose one that has an outer casing that stays cool to the touch even while the heater is in use.
• Your heater should have safety netting in front of the area where the heat comes out. This may get hot even if the rest of the casing doesn’t, so take care around this area.
• Some heaters come with a timer that lets you set it to automatically shut off after a set number of hours. This will power it off even if you forget.
• Space heaters typically are controlled either by a knob or a digital display. If it’s digitally operated, make sure the panel is easy to use and the readout can be easily seen in the type of lighting it will be in.
• Noise level is an important consideration. An office heater needs to operate quietly enough that it doesn’t disrupt your calls or keep you from concentrating on the task at hand. One that has a quiet fanlike sound may even help you shut out everything and focus.