One of the biggest fears with using a space heater is leaving it unattended.
There are a host of dangers with this, all leading to fire.
Recently, advancements in the design of space heaters have made them quite safe.
There are now a number of great space heaters that are well suited to being left unattended.
These are space heaters that have advanced safety features that make the heaters far safer and have fail-safes in the event of overheating, tip-over, and more.
Space Heater Safety Tips
Even with a space heater that has enhanced safety features, there are still some best practices that can be used to help further prevent the risk of damage or fire.
How far away should a space heater be?
Most often, you want to keep the space heater about three feet away from anything that can catch fire.
One of the most common ways that space heaters cause issues is by being placed too close to something flammable.
You want to keep your space heater well away from furniture, curtains, and any other material that could easily catch fire.
The placement of your space heater in your home is incredibly important.
Read the user’s manual for any heater you end up buying as it will tell you how far away from flammable materials you need to keep the heater.
What setting should I leave my space heater on?
Set it at low or medium, especially if you are leaving it unattended.
A common mistake people make with a space heater is to leave it on the highest setting.
While this may be tempting as it will keep your home extra warm, this is a mistake.
Most space heaters aren’t designed to run at their highest settings for long periods of time.
Can I use an extension cord for a space heater?
You don’t want to use an extension cord with a space heater.
They often aren’t rated to handle the amount of power that a space heater will put off.
There have been many instances of issues with space heaters that were caused by the extension cord overheating.
Cords are also a trip hazard, which is another reason to try to avoid using an extension cord with a space heater wherever possible.
What kind of surface should I put a space heater on?
For maximum efficiency and better safety, it is recommended that you only place a space heater on a flat, solid surface.
Heaters on uneven surfaces are more likely to tip over and fall and they will also tend to vibrate and make excessive noise if they are placed on an uneven surface.
10 Safest Heaters that Can Be Left Unattended
I scoured the web to find the best, safest, and most efficient space heaters on the market.
I have narrowed it down to the top ten heaters that are safe enough to be left unattended.
Here, I briefly look at these safe space heaters, starting with my top pick and moving down the list.
1. AirNMore Comfort Deluxe Infrared Space Heater
AirNMore is an up-and-coming, reputable, high-end maker of infrared space heaters along with infrared space heater replacement or repair parts.
They are known for making high-quality, well-made, safe products that are highly efficient and stand the test of time.
Their Comfort Deluxe Infrared Space Heater is my top pick for the safest space heater that can be left unattended.
This is a powerful, yet safe, space heater that boasts 1,500 watts and can heat a room up to 200 square feet.
The infrared heating gives fast, efficient, and safe heat.
It has two power choices so you can select between 1,000 and 1,500 watts.
There are no heater bulbs. This system uses a Copper PTC Heating Element to make the heater run more efficiently, with lower maintenance costs.
This heater is rated as both pet and child safe.
It features dual high limit sensors.
Its surface is cool to the touch, so there is no worry of a child or pet burning themselves on the unit. (Or you burning yourself!)
Additionally, the heater also has a tip-over sensor which cuts power to the heater in the event it is tipped over.
The heater uses a three-prong grounded power cord for enhanced safety.
This is a durable space heater made to stand the test of time.
It comes with a 2-year limited warranty for added peace of mind.
Specifications:
- Infrared heater
- 1,500 Watts
- 9 pounds
Key Features:
- Suitable for spaces up to 200 square feet
- Two power settings
- Copper PTC Heating Element
- Pet and Child safe
- Dual high limit sensors
- Cool touch
- Tip-over sensor
- Three-prong grounded cord
2. Vornado Whole Room Metal Heater
Vornado is a trusted and well-known maker of a range of home appliances designed to improve indoor air quality and make homes more comfortable.
Their product line includes high-end fans, air purifiers, humidifiers, and space heaters.
Their whole room metal space heater is highly efficient and powerful, well-suited for average-sized room.
A vortex air fan enhances circulation, allowing you to heat the room with a much smaller space heater than is normally required.
There are two different heat settings and a programmable 12-hour timer.
Intelligent climate control sensors automatically adjust heat and circulation to keep the room at the desired temperature.
This is a certified safety-tested heater.
It features cool-touch housing so there is no concern about pets or children getting burned by touching the heater.
It also has tip-over protection, so the heater will shut off if it’s tipped over.
The two-stage automatic safety shutoff provides enhanced protection with an added fail-safe: a Type-3 pin-grounded safety cord.
The Vornado also comes with a 5-year limited warranty and customer service.
Specifications:
- Forced-air heater
- 1,500 watts
- 7 pounds
Key Features:
- Suitable for rooms up to 150 square feet
- Vortex fan
- Compact, lightweight design
- Two heat settings
- Programmable timer
- Cool touch
- Tip-over protection
- Two-stage automatic safety shut off
3. De’Longhi Mica Thermic Panel Heater
De’Longhi is a trusted and reputable manufacturer of a wide range of high-end, cutting-edge home appliances that are well-made, versatile, and make home life easier.
Their product line ranges from coffee and espresso machines to mica thermic space heaters.
Their Mica Thermic Panel Heater is a safe, effective, and highly efficient way to keep your home warm during the colder months.
Powerful enough to heat rooms as large as 200 square feet, it is suitable for the average-sized room.
The heater uses a unique means of heating called micathermic, which involves the heating of mica to help produce quality, efficient heat.
Thin and space-saving, this space heater even comes with a wall mount.
It has caster wheels if you want to keep it on the floor and it is very easy to move.
It also has a handle for easy transport.
The adjustable thermostat helps you keep the room comfortable.
With quiet operation, this heater doesn’t disturb sleep.
The De’Longhi is quite a safe space heater.
It has a thermal cut off, which will cut power to the heater if it overheats.
The unit also features a tip-over switch that will cut power to the heater if it falls over.
It also has an additional anti-freeze setting which can help prevent pipes from freezing during excessively cold weather.
Specifications:
- Mica thermic space heater
- 1,500 watts
- 43 pounds
Key Features:
- Suitable for rooms up to 200 square feet
- Thin, spaces-saving design
- Wall mount kit included
- Adjustable thermostat
- Quiet operation
- Thermal cut off
- Tip-over switch
- Anti-freeze feature
4. Trustech Portable Space Heater
Trustech is a well-known and trusted maker of a range of different home appliances with an emphasis on indoor and outdoor heaters.
Their product line includes air purifiers, circulation fans, and portable space heaters.
Their portable space heater is affordable and powerful, suited to heating a room up to 200 square feet.
The heater has three settings and an adjustable thermostat.
The thermostat is adjustable by one degree, giving you precise control over the temperature.
With temperature ranging from 50 degrees to 95 degrees F, and a fan setting, this heater can give you whatever temperature you need, any time of the year.
With a programmable 12-hour timer, this heater features quiet operation, so you can easily use it in your bedroom.
You can operate the heater from the unit itself or using the remote control.
This is a safe space heater to leave unattended.
It features an overheat protection switch which shuts the heater off if it gets too hot.
The heater also senses if it is tipped and shuts off.
Specifications:
- Convection heater
- 1,500 watts
- 03 pounds
Key Features:
- Suitable for rooms up to 200 square feet
- Three settings
- Adjustable thermostat
- Programmable timer
- Lightweight
- Comes with remote control
- Overheat protection switch
- Tip-over shutoff
- Lock the control panel from the remote
5. Costway Infrared Quartz Heater
Costway is a relatively well-known, reputable brand that makes a range of home appliances that are a combination of quality and value.
They are known for affordable, versatile, and well-made products that improve home life in a variety of ways.
Their product line features ice cream makers, refrigerators, air purifiers, and space heaters.
Their infrared space heater is a safe, powerful heater that can easily keep rooms as large as 160 square feet comfortable and warm.
This is a unique heater that combines both infrared and quartz heating technology to create a powerful, yet efficient heater.
The quartz heating element does not produce odors or give off chemicals, nor does it stir up dust. It is great for breathing easy.
The unit is designed for quiet operation.
It has two heat settings, including Low which works at 600 watts, and High, operating on 1200 watts.
This lightweight unit doesn’t take up a ton of space.
It has a handle and is easy to pick up and move around.
The Costway space heater is a safer one to leave unattended.
It has overheat protection, a tip-over protection switch, and the option to lock the control panel to ensure that pets or kids don’t accidentally mess with the heater.
Specifications:
- Infrared and quartz heater
- 1,500 watts
Key Features:
- Suitable for rooms up to 160 square feet
- Infrared and forced-air heating
- Quiet operation
- Three settings
- Programmable timer
- Comes with remote control
- Lightweight
- Overheat protection
- Tip-over switch
- Can lock the control panel
6. Asterion Electric Ceramic Space Heater
Asterion is an up-and-coming brand that makes a range of affordable products that enhance the home.
Their product line ranges from aroma diffuser fans to space heaters.
Their electric space heater is a powerful, affordable, and quality heater.
The digital LED display allows five different temperature settings, which is more customization than a lot of other space heaters.
These settings include low, high, ECO, freeze, and fan, meaning this device can be used all year round to keep your room’s temperature ideal.
The ECO setting saves on electric bills by shutting off the heater whenever the set temperature is reached.
It is lightweight with a handle and can easily be moved to wherever heat is needed.
It has a quiet operation so you can use it at night without worry of disturbing sleep.
This space heater comes with a programmable 24 hour timer and a remote control so you can operate the heater using the remote or at the unit itself.
It also has an oscillation mode in order to efficiently heat up the room.
With fire safety in mind, this space heater has overheat protection.
It also has a tip-over switch that turns the heater off if it is picked up or knocked over.
The unit is also ETL and CA65 certified and is made with heat-resistant materials.
Specifications:
- Forced-air heater
- 1,500 watts
- 18 pounds
Key Features:
- Digital LED display
- Comes with remote control
- Five settings
- Overheat protection
- Tip-over switch
- ETL certified
7. Lasko Ceramic Tower Space Heater
Lasko is a trusted and reputable, well-known brand that makes a range of home products designed to make home life cleaner and more comfortable.
Their product line includes air purifiers, fans, and space heaters.
This ceramic tower space heater is a convection heater that is well suited for rooms up to 200 square feet in size.
The heater has two settings and is made with quiet operation in mind.
The heater has an adjustable thermostat with an easy-to-read LED digital display.
It has a programmable timer and comes with a remote control.
This means you can operate the unit using the remote or at the heater itself.
The heater comes fully assembled and has enhanced safety features.
There is an overheat protection feature that shuts off the unit if it gets above a certain temperature.
The unit is also cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about pets or kids getting burned.
Unlike most other heaters on this list, this one does not have a tip-over sensor.
Specifications:
- Convection heater
- 1,500 watts
- 8 pounds
Key Features:
- Suitable for rooms up to 200 square feet
- Quiet operation
- Two settings
- Adjustable LED thermostat
- Programmable timer
- Comes with remote control
- Overheat protection
- Cool touch
8. Lasko Digital Ceramic Tower Heater
Since Lasko is such a well-known and trusted brand, I had to include another option in my round-up of top space heaters that are safe to leave unattended.
Their digital ceramic tower heater is a solid, well-built, and efficient space heater.
The unit is a lightweight convection heater that has two settings for comfort and control.
The included remote control allows you to use the remote to operate the unit or operate it at the heater itself.
This powerful heater is suitable for rooms up to 200 square feet.
It features a digital LED display for easy reading and also comes with a programmable timer.
With an ETL certification, this heater comes with an overheat protection sensor that turns the heater off if it overheats.
The heater also has a cool touch casing so there is no risk that kids or pets will get burned while the heater is in use.
It does not have a tipping sensor.
Specifications:
- Convection heater
- 1,500 watts
- 7 pounds
Key Features:
- Suitable for rooms up to 200 square feet
- Comes with remote control
- Two settings
- ETL certified
- Overheat protection
- Cool Touch
9. Comfort Zone Oscillating Space Heater
Comfort Zone is an up-and-coming brand that makes a range of high-quality home products.
Their oscillating ceramic space heater is a forced-fan space heater that is suitable for rooms up to 200 square feet.
The heater is lightweight and powerful.
It has a digital thermostat and comes with a remote control so you can operate the unit using said remote or at the heater itself.
It has a programmable timer and oscillates to help warm the room faster and more efficiently.
The heater is also designed with safety in mind.
It is ETL certified and has overheat protection.
It also has a tip-over switch to turn the unit off in the event it is tipped over.
However, it doesn’t have a cool-touch surface.
Specifications:
- Forced-air heater
- 1,500 watts
Key Features:
- Suitable for rooms up to 200 square feet
- Digital LED display
- Comes with remote control
- Programmable timer
- Oscillates
- ETL certified
- Overheat and tip-over protection
10. Lasko Portable Ceramic Space Heater
One last Lasko product and I’ll be done.
This ceramic space heater is specially designed for heating bathrooms or other damp places.
That means it has an ALCI plug, which shuts off the heater immediately if there is a short.
The unit is powerful and yet tiny, standing 8 inches tall and measuring six by six inches square.
It is simple to use, operated by a single button on top.
This is a refreshing return to simpler times for those of us who want a break from all the digital doodads these days.
The unit has overheating protection and also tip-over protection.
The surface stays cool to the touch.
After operating on the High setting for one hour, this heater will automatically turn off.
Some users report that this heater will not stay still on a slick surface, and are concerned about its safety for that reason.
Specifications:
- Convection heater
- 1,500 watts
- 3.8 pounds
Key Features:
- Three settings
- Overheat protection and tip-over sensor
- ALCI plug
Space Heater Buying Guide
When buying a space heater, you want to consider a few things to make sure that the option you choose is going to suit your needs.
For a space heater that is safe to leave unattended, the most important things you will want to consider when buying a heater are the price, capacity, and safety features.
Let’s take a brief look at each in turn.
Price
You can get a high-quality, safe, and efficient space heater for less than a hundred dollars, but they can also range up to a few hundred dollars depending on the size, style, and added features. S
etting a budget before you even start shopping is a great way to reduce the amount of time you spend researching things that are out of your budget.
Capacity
Think about the size of the room you wish to keep warm.
The average-sized room is usually between 150-200 square feet.
Be sure to choose a heater that is at least 1,500 watts to ensure that the heater is powerful enough to heat the room.
Safety Features
Many heaters come with a range of safety features and if you want a heater that can be left unattended, you are going to want to take a closer look at these.
Many space heaters will have a range of safety certifications, such as ETL, SA, or UL.
All of these certifications are given to products that meet strict standards for safety, so look for a heater that has one or more of these certifications.
You will also want to choose a GFCI/GFI plug, which most electric space heaters come with.
This is an additional safety feature at the outlet and is especially useful in homes with older wiring.
Finally, additional safety features like cool-touch surface, overheating sensors that shut the heater off if it gets too hot, and tip-over shutoffs are important features to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important safety features for a space heater?
If you need a safe space heater that can be left unattended, there are two imperative features to look for.
First and foremost, you want the heater to have an overheating sensor.
This will cut power to the heater if it senses that the heater has gotten too hot.
Secondly, look for a space heater that has tip-over shut off protection.
This may be called numerous different things, but this safety feature means that the heater will have the power cut in the event that the heater is tipped over.
This is another key feature any space heater you wish to leave unattended should have.
What type of space heater is safest?
Electric heaters that are infrared or fan-forced heaters tend to be the safest, but any electric space heater with quality safety features will be safe.
Oil-based space heaters, which I didn’t review here, are by far the least safe type of heater.