Portable Heating Guide: What Heater is Best for Your Home?
As the days grow shorter and temperatures start to dip, many people begin thinking about keeping their homes warm and comfortable. If you're searching for a portable heater, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choices.
In this blog, we will help simplify your decision by covering:
- The key benefits of portable heaters compared to permanent heating solutions
- The different types of portable heaters and how they’re commonly described
- The most important factors to consider when selecting a heater for your unique space and needs
Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter, or someone looking to warm up a garage or workspace, this guide will give you the knowledge to choose the perfect portable heater with confidence.
Why Portable Heaters Are a Great Solution
If you’ve got a chilly area in your home or apartment, a portable heater can be an easy, cost-effective way to stay warm. Installing a built-in or permanent heating system is often expensive, time-consuming, and, for renters, usually not an option. Think of wall-mounted fireplace units, split systems, ductwork extensions, or baseboard heating, all of which require major structural changes.
Instead, a portable heater lets you warm up a room, basement, or garage without investing a ton of money or effort. Plus, you can move the heater around as needed. Use it in your workshop in the afternoon, and then make your family room cozy for movie night.
In fact, portable heaters are also surprisingly cost-effective to operate, making it easy to add more than one to your home if needed. A compact model can take the chill off a north-facing bathroom, while a larger unit can keep your garage a comfortable 68 degrees all winter for workouts or hobbies.
If you’re a renter, you can take a portable heater with you when you move, like many compact appliances, such as freestanding beverage fridges or countertop ice makers. That way you’re investing in your own comfort rather than upgrading your landlord’s property.
Different Types of Portable Heaters
Portable heaters can be grouped in a few different ways, either by where you plan to use them or by how they generate heat. Let’s take a closer look at both approaches.
Portable Heaters by Use
Sometimes heaters are named for the places around the home in which they’re used. You might have heard these called “garage heaters,” “bathroom heaters,” or “bedroom heaters.” These names give you a quick idea of where they might be used, but they don’t necessarily describe the heater’s technology. In reality, the right choice depends on the size of the space, your household’s needs, and your climate.
But in general, you can use these definitions to place portable heaters in their appropriate categories:
- Space Heater - A compact, versatile heater designed to warm up smaller spaces such as home offices, cubicles, or powder rooms.
- Garage Heater - A more powerful unit built to handle larger, less-insulated areas like garages, detached workshops, or barns.
- Bathroom Heater - A small, quick-heating model perfect for limited floor space and short bursts of use rather than continuous operation.
- Bedroom Heater - Available in various sizes depending on room dimensions, often featuring timers, oscillation, and safety shut-offs for overnight use.
What’s an “electric heater?” It’s basically any heater that uses electrical power. But most often this term is used to describe any kind of portable heater that requires an AC outlet (versus gas, propane, etc.).
Ceramic vs. Oil-Filled Portable Heaters
When shopping for portable heaters, you’ll often see two of the most common types: ceramic heaters and oil-filled heaters. Each uses a different heating mechanism, and understanding the differences can help you choose the right one for your space.
Ceramic heaters are the modern evolution of the classic “grill front” heater. Inside, a ceramic disk heats up while a built-in fan circulates warm air throughout the room. This combination of radiant and convection heat allows ceramic heaters to warm up quickly, making them ideal for instant comfort.
You’ll also find ceramic heaters that can be mounted high on a wall, which is great when floor space is at a premium or you don’t want them to be knocked over. This makes them ideal for garages, workshops, and places with busy workers or kids and pets.
Oil-filled heaters resemble traditional radiators and are permanently filled with oil. Instead of using a fan, they provide steady radiant heat. These heaters take longer to warm up initially but excel at maintaining a consistent temperature as they cycle on and off.
Some oil-filled models feature precise thermostats for fine-tuned control, while others offer simple high-low settings. However, because oil-filled radiators use radiant heat, their exteriors get hot to the touch. You’ll need to keep small children and pets at a safe distance and ensure ample clearance from drapes, furniture, or other flammable materials.
How to Choose the Right Heater for Your Needs
When selecting a heater for yourself, first think about where you’ll be using it. As you read above, one type of heater may be best for one spot, while a different one is best for another.
For example, in a bathroom a small ceramic heater is often ideal. It warms up quickly on chilly mornings and typically has a cool-touch exterior, so you’re less likely to burn yourself if you bump into it.
A larger ceramic heater—mounted or placed securely on the floor—makes an excellent choice for bigger, draftier spaces like a garage, workshop, shed, man cave, or barn.
Looking for a heater for the bedroom? Oil-filled heaters are a popular choice thanks to their steady, gentle warmth. Many models also feature timers so you can program them to shut off after you fall asleep or switch on before you wake up for a cozy start to the day.
For a home office or cubicle, either ceramic or oil-filled heaters can work well, just opt for a compact model scaled to the size of your space. A slim unit that fits neatly under a desk is ideal for keeping your workspace comfortable without taking up valuable room.
Also consider who will be around the heater while it’s operating. Oil-filled heaters can get hot to the touch, so children or pets will need supervision or a protective barrier. With ceramic heaters placed on the floor, make sure they’re not in a spot where they could be knocked over. In high-traffic areas, a wall-mounted model is often the safest choice.
Finally, look at the features each heater offers that might be right for you, such as:
- Variable fan settings
- High BTU output for large areas
- Timers and automatic shut-off
- Anti-tip safety
- Optional wall mounting
- Hardwiring capability
- Remote control operation
- Exterior digital displays
By matching the heater type, size, and features to your space and household, you’ll find a portable heater that keeps you warm, safe, and comfortable all season long.
Newair Has a Portable Heater for You
It’s easy to shop for a portable heater at Newair. Browse online, find the best model for your home, and get it delivered fast, with hassle-free returns.
Don’t forget to register your heater once it arrives. That lets you take full advantage of Newair’s superior compact appliance warranty and our stellar customer service!
