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Search Amazon for an energy efficient space heater and the word “efficient” shows up on almost every listing. One claims up to 60 percent more heat than a standard ceramic unit at the same power. Another claims to be up to 20 percent more efficient than running at full blast. The catch is that every electric space heater turns nearly all the electricity it draws into heat, so a 1500W heater uses the same energy to produce the same heat, regardless of what it’s made of or what it’s called. We compared five popular models to separate what actually lowers a heating bill from what only sounds like it does.
Table of Contents
The 5 Space Heaters Compared
| Model | Type | Max Watts | Price | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Mini 500W | Ceramic, desktop | 500W | $17.73 | 17,647 |
| Amazon Basics Ceramic 1500W | Ceramic, thermostat | 1500W / 900W | $20.69 | 29,343 |
| DREO 1500W Oscillating | PTC ceramic, ECO mode | 1500W | $44.94 | 29,068 |
| Dr Infrared DR-968 | Infrared quartz + PTC blower | 1500W | $104.99 | 28,367 |
| De’Longhi EW7707CM | Oil-filled radiator | 1500W | $129.95 | 12,957 |
Prices and review counts are as of October 23, 2026. Amazon prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Why “Energy Efficient” Rarely Means What It Sounds Like
In an electric space heater, the heating element converts nearly every watt it draws into heat. The building-science blog Energy Vanguard puts the efficiency at the point of use at 100 percent. That means a 1500W ceramic heater, a 1500W oil-filled radiator and a 1500W infrared heater all produce the same amount of heat from the same electricity: about 5,100 BTU per hour at full power (1,500 watts times 3.412). What differs is how that heat reaches you, how quickly it arrives, and how well the heater backs off once the room is warm.
Two claims on these listings show how this plays out. Dr Infrared says the DR-968 delivers up to 60 percent more heat than single-PTC heaters at the same power level, but since wattage equals energy, the claim most plausibly describes how the heat spreads around the room. De’Longhi says its oil-filled radiator is up to 20 percent more efficient, and the fine print says that comparison is against running the same unit at its maximum setting without its ComfortTemp feature. That reads as a thermostat doing its job rather than a more efficient heating element.
None of this makes those heaters bad. It means the useful question is not which one is the most efficient, but which one wastes the least by running when you do not need it, and which one suits the space you are actually heating.
How to Choose the Right Space Heater for You
Match the wattage to the space. A common rule of thumb is about 10 watts per square foot, which puts a 1500W heater at roughly 150 square feet of ordinary, reasonably insulated space: a small bedroom or office, not an open living room. Listings that claim coverage of much larger areas are describing a best case, not a different law of physics.
Do the cost math with your own rate. For example, at 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, a 1500W heater running flat out costs about 26 cents an hour, or roughly $2.04 over eight hours. A 500W heater costs about 8.5 cents an hour, or 68 cents over eight hours. Your rate may be higher or lower, so check your bill.
Treat the thermostat as the real saving feature. A heater with a working thermostat cycles off once the room reaches your set temperature, while one without it keeps drawing full power as long as it’s on. That is where ECO modes and similar features earn their price, by running the heater less, not by making each watt produce more heat.
Heat the person, not the room. A small heater next to your desk or feet can feel comfortable at a fraction of the draw of a heater trying to warm the whole room. As Energy Vanguard points out, electric heat often costs more per BTU than gas, so a small heater only saves money if you heat a smaller space and use much less heat overall.
Check your circuit. A standard 15-amp, 120-volt circuit tops out around 1800 watts, and a 1500W heater uses most of that on its own. Do not share the outlet with a second heater, a microwave, or a kettle. We cover this limit in more detail in our guide to induction cooktop wattage.
Follow the safety basics. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises plugging electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip; keeping them at least three feet from curtains, furniture, and bedding; and switching them off before you go to sleep. It estimates portable heaters were involved in about 1,600 fires a year from 2020 to 2022.
Check the plug, cord, and outlet. The CPSC’s space heater guidance also says to inspect the heater, cord, and plug for damage before each use, make sure the plug fits tightly in the outlet, never run the cord under a rug or carpet, and keep the heater on a stable, level surface where it cannot be knocked over. While it is running, check whether the plug, cord, outlet, or faceplate feels hot. If the plug, outlet, or faceplate is hot, stop using the heater and have an electrician check it. If the cord is hot, unplug the heater and have it inspected or repaired.
Look for a safety certification mark, and never leave a heater running unattended. The CPSC suggests asking whether a heater is safety-certified and looking for a recognized certification mark. Among the listings above, the DREO is described as ETL-listed and the Dr Infrared as UL certified, so check the label or listing for the others before you buy. The CPSC also says never to leave a heater running while unattended or while you are sleeping, and not to leave one running unattended in a small enclosed space near infants or people with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, because of the risk of overheating.
The Full Reviews
Amazon Basics Ceramic Portable Mini Space Heater, 500W
Best for: a desk or a small personal space where you want warmth near you rather than a heated room.
At $17.73 with a 4.4-star average across about 17,600 ratings, this is the honest version of an energy efficient space heater: it draws only 500W, a third of a full-size unit, so it costs very little to run, and it also puts out a third of the heat. It weighs 1.4 pounds and measures under six inches on each side. The listing highlights tip-over protection but does not mention a thermostat or an overheat cutoff, so you are the control system. It will not warm a room, and it is not trying to.
Amazon Basics Ceramic Space Heater, 1500W
Best for: the lowest-cost full-size heater that still covers the safety basics.
At $20.69 with about 29,300 ratings and a 4.4-star average, this offers three settings: 1500W, 900W, and fan only. It has an adjustable thermostat with overheat and tip-over protection, weighs about 3 pounds, and lists a 43 dB noise level. The listing warns against using it in bathrooms, laundry rooms, or other humid areas. It doesn’t mention a remote, timer, or oscillation, which is the point: at full power, it produces the same heat as units that cost several times more.
DREO Space Heater, 1500W PTC Ceramic with ECO Mode
Best for: a bedroom or home office where you want thermostat control, a timer, and a remote.
The highest-rated pick here at 4.6 stars across about 29,000 ratings, at $44.94. It offers 70-degree oscillation, a remote, a 12-hour timer, five modes, and an ECO mode that adjusts the heat to hold your chosen temperature. The listing describes ETL-listed protection, including tip-over and overheat shutoff, plus an enhanced safety plug. Its 1500W heating output matches the $20 Amazon Basics unit; the extra $24 buys control and convenience, and ECO mode is the real way this kind of heater saves money by running less when the room is warm enough.
Dr Infrared Heater DR-968, 1500-Watt
Best for: people who want radiant warmth plus a blower in a larger room, and who read the manufacturer’s claims with a pinch of salt.
At $104.99 with about 28,400 ratings and a 4.5-star average, it combines an infrared quartz element with a PTC element and a blower. The listing cites up to 5,200 BTU, which is about what any 1500W heater produces, and says it heats spaces up to 1,000 square feet, far beyond the 150 square feet the rule of thumb suggests for 1500 watts. It has a metal housing, a cool-touch cabinet, tip-over and overheat protection, and automatic shutoff. HGTV’s review team named it best for large rooms and noted that it is heavy, at about 19 pounds. The premium buys feel and build, not lower running cost.
De’Longhi Oil-Filled Radiator Heater, EW7707CM
Best for: bedrooms where quiet, steady heat matters more than fast heat.
The most expensive pick at $129.95, with a 4.4-star average across about 12,950 ratings. It is a 1500W oil-filled radiator with no fan, a ComfortTemp thermostat, a handle, and wheels. The listing says the gentle heat minimizes dry air and does not stir up dust, which is a real difference from fan-driven ceramic units. Oil-filled radiators heat up slowly and keep radiating after the element switches off, so they suit rooms you heat for hours rather than minutes. The listing’s “energy saving” language is about thermostat behavior, not about getting more heat from each watt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an infrared space heater more efficient than a ceramic one?
Not in the sense of turning electricity into heat, because both convert nearly all of it. Some people find radiant heat feels warmer at a given room temperature, which may let them set the thermostat lower, but the heater itself is not producing more heat per watt.
Is it cheaper to use a space heater than to heat the whole house?
It can be, if you lower the central thermostat and only heat the room you are using. Because electric heat often costs more per BTU than gas, savings depend on how much less space you end up heating overall, not on the heater itself.
Can I leave a space heater on overnight?
The CPSC says never to leave a space heater running while you sleep or when it is unattended. A timer or thermostat is not a substitute for turning the heater off.
Can I plug a space heater into an extension cord?
The CPSC advises plugging electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet, not into an extension cord or power strip, because they draw a lot of power for a long time.