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Between showering, getting ready in the morning, and the calls of Mother Nature, we spend quite a bit of time in the bathroom. So, why not make it cozy? As cold weather approaches for most of the country, it’s time to start thinking about making your post-shower experience toasty and enjoyable.
If you’re tired of shivering in your bathroom on cold winter mornings, you may want to consider investing in a bathroom heater. There are tons of space heaters on the market, but not all are suitable for indoor use or safe to use in a bathroom. We’ve compiled a list of our five favorite bathroom heaters using market research, ratings, and customer reviews.
Top 5 Bathroom Heaters
- Best Oscillating Heater: Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater
- Best for Large Bathrooms: Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater
- Best Design: Heat Storm Infrared Quartz Space Heater
- Best Safety Features: Honeywell Surround Fan Forced Heater
- Best Wall Heater: Broan-NuTone Grille Heater
Best Oscillating Heater
Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater
$104.07 $79.39The Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater covers an area of 300 square feet, so it’s perfect for not just your bathroom but also your living room, home office, or bedroom. It offers two power settings and seven temperature settings, so you can use it in both large and more confined spaces. This portable space heater is ready to use right out of the box.
$79.39 On WayfairLasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater
Fast Facts:
- Size: 7.25 x 23 x 8.5 inches
- Heat Output: Up to 5,118 BTUs
- Type: Floor, oscillating, electric
What We Like: This space heater features overheating protection, so even if you’ve been running it all day and all night, its exterior remains cool to the touch. It also includes a remote control, timer, and an auto-activation option, and it’s easy to choose your temperature preference on its digital display. Above all, the Lasko Ceramic Space Tower Heater is quiet, and its oscillation is widespread, making it an excellent space heater for bathrooms and larger spaces.
What Customers Are Saying
“I ordered a couple of these for my house to knock the chill in drafty areas. It is a really powerful heater and will heat the entire room…. It has a wide selection of features – temp, fan speed, oscillation control, etc. It also has a timer that is a nice feature.”—Michael via Wayfair
“Love these [space heaters] for heating areas, while being able to control when and when not you want them on or off. This is our only source of heat in our 2300 square foot home. Plan to get 2 more for our basement also!”—Donna via Wayfair
Best for Large Bathrooms
Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater
$189.99 $93.65The Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater packs a ton of heating capacity in a small, portable package complete with a folding handle. It covers 225 square feet through radiating heat from a small, replaceable propane tank. This means the heater works regardless of whether you have electricity. This is also ideal for large, open bathrooms, especially ones in remote winter cabins.
$93.65 On WayfairMr. Heater Portable Buddy Heater
Fast Facts:
- Size: 13.25 x 14.25 x 8 inches
- Heat Output: 4,000 to 9,000 BTUs
- Type: Floor, standalone, propane
What We Like: The Buddy Heater also offers built-in safety features, including a thermal shut-down system. It includes tip-over protection, automatically shutting off if knocked over or if the pilot light goes out. This energy-efficient bathroom heater will have no trouble heating small or large spaces for three hours straight.
What Customers Are Saying
“The Mr. Heater Buddy series had been among the most-recommended, portable warmers rated for safe indoor and outdoor use. … The Grid cage to keep flammable material (or your kids’ hands) from touching the heating elements.”—Amazon user “Outdoor Enthusiast” via Amazon
“I was impressed. Kept the cold out and worked perfectly for its small size.”—Adrian via Amazon
Best Design
Heat Storm Infrared Quartz Space Heater
$159.99 $126.63The cabinet-style Heat Storm Logan Deluxe Portable Infrared Heater is on our list of best bathroom heaters because of its superb design. It has four infrared heating elements with patented humidity management technology and two heat settings—1500W for spaces up to 1,000 square feet and 750W energy-efficient mode for rooms up to 300 square feet. Control the temperature using its built-in settings panel or the slimline remote control.
$126.63 On WayfairHeat Storm Infrared Quartz Space Heater
Fast Facts:
- Size: 13.5 x 15 x 11 inches
- Heat Output: Up to 5,300 BTUs
- Type: Floor, radiant heat, electric
What We Like: This bathroom heater model is available in three natural wood finishes: faded birch, dock wood gray, and modern oak. Its safety features include an overheat sensor with auto shut-off, cool-touch exterior, and washable filter. It comes packaged with four optional snap-in casters for easy maneuvering.
What Customers Are Saying
“This is an amazing heater so far. Heats up the room quickly and with relative low noise. I love all the options for energy saving, light level, temperature, and more. The remote is nice to have as well.”—Audrey via Wayfair
“I purchased this for my man cave. It’s a great little space heater…. I couldn’t see this being a good heater for a bedroom as it’s louder than others I’ve had. It heats up a 500sf space pretty fast and it has the blower towards the top so that it’s not blowing at your feet which is a nice feature. If noise from the heater isn’t an issue for you then this is your huckleberry.”—R. via Wayfair
Best Safety Features
Honeywell Surround Fan Forced Heater
$69.06This portable bathroom heater weighs just three pounds, so you can easily move it from room to room—especially because the handle always stays cool to the touch. It has a thermostat and two heat settings, so this 360-degree fan heater can provide you with a cozy, warm room at whatever temperature you need.
$69.06 On AmazonHoneywell Surround Fan Forced Heater
Fast Facts:
- Size: 8 x 8 x 11.5 inches
- Heat Output: Up to 5,118 BTUs
- Type: Floor, forced fan, electric
What We Like: We love the Honeywell Surround Fan Forced Heater’s built-in safety features. It has a 360-degree tip-over switch, so if it falls over, the fans will shut off, and the heater will stop producing heat. It also has an auto-off timer option, so you don’t have to worry about leaving it on accidentally (although it also has an overheat shut-off). Your wallet is also protected with this model, as it includes a three-year limited warranty.
What Customers Are Saying
“I love that it’s safe for my kids!! I have a 6yo, 2.5yo, and 10mo. But even if any of them touch it or knock it over, they do NOT get burned.”—Kayla via Amazon
“Automatic shut off at certain temperatures and when one of my pets tips it over, it automatically shuts off”—Meg via Amazon
Best Wall Heater
Broan-NuTone Grille Heater
$195 $175Our favorite wall-mounted heater is the Broan-NuTone Grille Heater, thanks to its efficiency and compactness. It’s the perfect size for a small-to-medium bathroom at a little more than a foot tall. Plus, its sleek appearance will go with any home design. It has an easily accessible, adjustable thermostat on the front of the unit, making it simple to change the temperature at any time.
$175 On AmazonBroan-NuTone Grille Heater
Fast Facts:
- Size: 10.5 x 3.38 x 12.5 inches
- Heat Output: Up to 5,120 BTUs
- Type: Wall mounted, convection, electric
What We Like: The adjustable thermostat feature prevents the fan from spinning until the heating element has reached the indicated temperature, which avoids wasting energy and wearing out the part. If the Broan Grille Heater overheats, it will automatically shut off. This machine, while unassuming, is quiet, efficient, and requires no maintenance.
What Customers Are Saying
“Other than the unnecessary installation hassle, the heater is very quiet and works well in the bathroom space. It heats the area very quickly.”—Richard via Amazon
“I bought this to replace a 65-year-old wall heater in the bathroom. It’s exactly the same size, so it fits the existing hole in the wall without extra work. Looks nice and is quiet…”—Pamala via Amazon
What to Look For in a Bathroom Heater
The following are some features to consider when shopping for a portable bathroom heater.
Heater Types
Certain bathroom heater types may fit your needs better than others. If you want heating in your bathroom for most of the year, a ceiling heater is an excellent option; it’s completely out of the way and easy to control with a remote. Wall-mounted heaters also have the advantage of being away from pets, children, or clumsy adults, and they are barely noticeable when installed correctly.
Exhaust fans that include infrared heaters are also a safe option, although they don’t pack quite as large a heating punch as propane or electric space heaters. Portable heaters are the most popular option because they’re multifunctional—you can use them in any room, and you can safely store them when you no longer need them.
Safety
Safety features are important when buying a bathroom heater. Since bathrooms are some of the wettest areas in a home, electronics need certain specifications to be safe to use in them. Look for ALCI plugs on your space heaters—these are specifically made to resist moisture and provide an extra layer of safety to your heater use.
Make sure the heater you choose has built-in safety measures to ensure it will shut off if it overheats. You can also get a standalone heater with an anti-tip feature, which prevents the unit from catching on fire or causing electricity-related problems. Timers are another feature to look for; they are convenient and prevent you from overusing the heater and leaving it unattended while it’s on.
Heat Output
Heat output is measured in British thermal units (BTUs). One BTU is equivalent to the energy it takes to heat a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Depending on your bathroom’s size, you can purchase a heater that produces the appropriate number of BTUs.
For example, the Buddy Heater heats a space of 225 square feet and can produce between 4,000 and 9,000 BTUs of heat, depending on your preference. If your bathroom is small, you may not need a heater with such a large output. If your bathroom lacks insulation, you may want to opt for a heater that produces several thousand BTUs. A propane heater’s power can be appealing if you live in a drafty home.
Installation
Portable heaters require no installation. Most don’t even need assembly and are ready to use once you unbox them. However, if you wish to install an exhaust fan heater, you will need to open up the existing exhaust fan and add an infrared feature.
Wall-mounted heaters are easier to install than ceiling heaters. The former require external wall mounts, which are easy to access online and at your local hardware supply store. Ceiling heaters require a higher level of expertise and may require cutting into your ceiling to install. This job should be left to the professionals, especially when electricity connections are involved.
Size
If you need a portable heater, it’s important to consider both the size and weight of the unit. For example, the Honeywell Surround Heater weighs three pounds, whereas the Amazon Eco-Smart Heater weighs 23 pounds. Balance portability and strength when selecting a bathroom heater, as lighter units cannot usually produce as much heat as larger models.
Our Recommendation
While the recent trend of installing fireplaces in the bathroom may be here to stay, it’s more convenient and less time-consuming to use a propane or electric space heater in your bathroom. We chose our favorite options above based on style, safety, convenience, power, size, or combinations of several of these. The Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater is powerful, quiet, and useful in large or small spaces. Its safety features and convenience make it an excellent pick and the top bathroom heater on our list.
Bathroom Heater FAQ
What is the most efficient way to heat a bathroom?
The best and most efficient way to heat your bathroom is to purchase a space heater with the appropriate heat output and size for your bathroom and whatever specific features (thermostat, timer, auto shut-off, etc.) you desire. Overhead heating lamps that radiate heat downwards are another efficient way to heat a bathroom. Unfortunately, they’re not customizable like bathroom heaters are.
How do you install a bathroom heater?
How to install a bathroom heater depends on what type of heater you would like in your bathroom. Some are easier to install than others—a wall-mounted heater controlled and plugged in externally only requires a mounting system, while a ceiling heater may require professional installation. Your bathroom heater will include installation instructions unique to the model, so follow them closely.
Does a bathroom heater need ventilation?
Yes, a bathroom needs ventilation when a heater is used to prevent mold. It’s important to have your bathroom exhaust fan on when your heater is in use. Proper ventilation also prevents overheating. Ensure your bathroom exhaust fan has a CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating that matches its size to improve your interior air quality.
How We Chose the Top Bathroom Heaters
To help you select the top appliances for your home, we’ve vetted hundreds of products.
Before recommending any products, we’ve analyzed and reviewed them based on the following factors:
- Customer reviews: We read at least 100 customer reviews for every product in our lineup, considering pain points and advantages cited by customers.
- Ratings: Each product we recommend has a high amount of verified customer ratings on sites such as Amazon and Google.
- Brand research: We conduct research into each brand to assess its reputation in the industry.
- Features: We compare products based on their key features, customization options, and other factors related to performance.
Our data points and review content are regularly updated to account for shifts in customer consensus, product availability, and overall quality.