The safest space heaters for winter, according to Consumer Reports

Space heaters don’t have the best reputation — and for good reason. They can cause house fires, overload electrical circuits, overheat and fail, and pose a burn risk to children and pets. But sometimes your house is just so cold in the winter, you’re desperate for a little more heat.

Have no fear. Although some space heaters aren’t reliable (and there are definitely unsafe ways to use them), Consumer Reports compiled a list of the best space heaters currently on the market that are actually safe.

But before you buy one, remember a few things: Space heaters should be placed on hard, nonflammable surfaces — and never on top of a table. They need to be kept away from anything flammable, including curtains and furniture. And you shouldn’t plug anything else into the outlet you're using to power a space heater, CR said. That way, you won’t have to worry about overheating. 

Now that you have some safety tips, continue reading to see the best space heaters on the market.

Screenshot: Dyson.com

Consumer Reports said the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 is the best overall space heater. It doesn’t come cheap, starting at $500, but it also works as a fan and an air purifier. CR noted it’s larger than many models and not as quiet, but has really strong safety scores and an overheat protection feature. 

Screenshot: https://www.comfortzoneproducts.com/

If you want a cheaper option that performs well in the overall category, CR suggests the Comfort Zone CZ499R. It’s about 10% the price of the Dyson, for about $58. It performs very well and is a safe choice, CR said. It’s not, however, recommended for families with young kids or pets, because the heat exhaust outlet in the machine gets quite hot and can cause burns if touched.

Screenshot: Amazon.com

If you want your room heated up as quickly as possible, CR recommends the Honeywell $HON HCE323V. It’s far more affordable than the Dyson — starting at $90 — and still gets very strong safety scores. It also automatically shuts off if it's tipped-over and has a fan to evenly distribute heat.

Screenshot: vornado.com

Meant more for warming up a person than a large space, the Vornado VMHi600 also got CR’s backing. It isn’t great for the whole room, but is perfect for spot heating, CR said. It’s also quiet, has strong safety features, and is priced just below $200. The Vornado brand is also recommended by CR rival Wirecutter.