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Space Heater Reviews
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Space Heaters Performance
Users posting space heater reviews on Amazon praise the ability of the Lasko 754200, one of the best space heaters we found, to heat a medium-size room quickly, quietly, and without the burning smell that cheap space heaters sometimes emit. Many are pleasantly surprised at the heat output given its size, although a few say the fan could be stronger. The Optimus H-5210, a radiant model that's our other pick for best space heater, works quietly, stays cool, and effectively heats whatever is right in front of it -- or even a small room. According to one space heater review posted on Northern Tool, two of these units placed strategically in a small house in the Northwest are more cost-efficient than central gas heat.
The DeLonghi DCH1030 is a winner with consumers who would otherwise freeze in under-heated and over-air-conditioned offices, say numerous space heater reviews on Amazon. This little convection space heater fits easily under a desk and delivers copious amounts of heat in seconds; users also note that it's powerful enough to warm bedrooms and small cabins. Despite some mixed reviews on the obvious subject of heat output from the Honeywell HZ-0360, with its 360-degree design, many reviewers seem satisfied and comment on sites such as Target.com and Kaz.com that this model is most effective in smaller rooms.
Then there are budget space heaters that don't fare so well with consumers. One satisfied bargain hunter writes on the website of J&R that he uses the Honeywell HZ-315 Quick Heat Ceramic Heater to prevent water pipes in the basement from freezing, but others posting space heater reviews on Amazon report major problems, such as sparks flying out and blackening the front on the unit's first run, random starts and stops for no obvious reason, and premature failure. Users ding the Heat Runner 33551 in space heater reviews on Amazon for reliability problems, as well, although one says it helps moderate temperature swings at the office.
Space Heater Durability.
Cheap electric space heaters require little maintenance, save for a light dusting from time to time. However, they are not built to be repaired; there really aren't any disposable or replaceable parts, so when something breaks, you just have to buy a new heater. Reviews indicate that the best cheap space heaters provide consumers at least a couple of years of service -- four seems to be the max with fairly heavy use -- although we did read scattered reports stating that even some of these models gave out within weeks. Relative to the number of reviews posted for each of the space heaters we researched, the most negative comments pertain to the Heat Runner 33551 and Honeywell HZ-315. The former seems to lack staying power altogether and the latter seems to suffer from electrical malfunctions and a thermostat that cycles on and off and then resists starting up again.The models we researched come with three-year limited warranties, except for the DeLonghi DCH1030, which provides a one-year limited warranty.
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Honeywell Ceramic Heater HZ-315
Consumer reviews include reports that this convection space heater emits sparks and won't stay on or work properly. It has an adjustable thermostat and automatic shutoff. Read more »
Heat Runner Portable Heater 33551
Users say the Heat Runner 33551 just doesn't last. Many report that, after several months or even days of use, it turns itself off and never comes back on. This convection space heater comes with four heat settings, including one fan-only setting, and the automatic-shutoff safety feature. Read more »
Products Mentioned in This Review
Optimus H-4110 9-Inch Dish Heater ReviewHoneywell Ceramic Heater HZ-315 Review
Heat Runner Portable Heater 33551 Review
DeLonghi Ceramic Heater DCH1030 Review
Honeywell HZ-0360 Review
Lasko Ceramic Heater 754200 Review
Optimus Infrared Quartz Heater H-5210 Review
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