11 Best Heaters For 500 Square Feet Rooms In 2024
Specialty: Interior Design and Lifestyle TechnologyExperience: 16 yearsJanna Robinson is an interior designer & lifestyle technology design expert. She combines her passion for interior design and lifestyle technology into her practice The Techorator. Although Janna has enjoyed a robust roster of celebrity clients, she finds equal pleasure with a wide range of budgets and meeting her clients’ needs.
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In This Article
Winter is a beautiful time to try out warm jackets, woolen clothes, and a room heater. If your room measures 500 square feet, you should be going for the best heater for a 500 square feet room. Winters are all about snuggling in your rooms, being cozy, and enjoying a nice and hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate. The versatile room heaters can be placed anywhere in your room, be it your garage, kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom. They are loaded with features, including auto cut-offs when they overheat and temperature control. For seamless handling, they also come with remote control. Since you might be wondering how to choose a reliable space heater that suits you, we have compiled a list of some good heater models that you can consider before picking the right one.
Types Of Heaters For 500 Square Feet Rooms
The following are the common types of space heaters for 500 square foot spaces available in the market.
- Convective heaters: These are electric space heaters with inbuilt fans that blow heat around the room. Though these heaters take a little time to heat a room, they can maintain the room temperature for a long time once the temperature setting is reached. They could be a bit noisy because of the fan.
- Fuel-burning heaters: These heaters require propane, natural gas, or wood to produce heat. They do not consume any electricity but are tedious to install and maintain. These heaters are also space-consuming and may not be suitable for small 500 ft rooms unless for a short monitored period.
- Radiant heaters: These space heaters give out infrared radiation and direct heat. They heat the room fast and maintain the warm temperature for a longer period. Some radiant heaters are inclusive of blowers and oscillation features, which help in distributing heat evenly.
- Oil-filled heaters: These heaters follow the science of transferring heat energy to oil. The filler oil helps evaporate the accumulated heat, and the oil soaks in the heat and releases it slowly, heating the room.
- Radiant floor heaters: These heaters have a heating element in the pipe and are based on a structure of pipes and electric heating elements or any fluid. Steam heaters produce steam when water is heated. The steam is then channeled through a network of pipes, facilitating the heating of larger surface areas.
Top Picks
11 Best Heaters For 500 Square Feet Rooms In 2024
1. Best Auto Energy-Saving:Dr. Infrared Portable Heater
The Dr. Infrared heater comes with a remote control and has a push-button mode with different power settings to heat a 500sqft room evenly and prevent hot or cold spots. This electric room heater has an electronic thermostat of 50° to 86° and a dial for temperature control with a timer. The 1500w heater weighs 25lb and measures 13×12.5x17in. It has a ball bearing high-pressure blower and requires a standard 110v three-pin plug. You may check this video review to make an informed decision.
Pros
- Auto energy-saving feature
- UL-certified
- Advanced dual-heating mechanism
- Protects from overheating
- Long cord and quiet fan included
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- May not have safe surge strips or extension cords
2. Best Easy-To-Assemble:Duraflame Infrared Electric Fireplace Heater
The Duraflame electric fireplace-style room heater provides zone heating for a 1000sft room and doesn’t require vents or gas lines. It features a 3D flame technology with glowing logs and an ember appearance to provide a layered flame effect of a real fireplace. This eco-friendly heater has an automatic shut-off timer from 30 minutes to nine hours and comes with a one-year warranty. This video review can help you learn more about the electric space heater.
Pros
- Five adjustable brightness settings
- Adjustable thermostat
- Portable and easy to assemble
- Durable metal body with side viewing windows
- Operable door with beveled glass
- Remote controller included
Cons
- Could be noisy
"This heater gives me a comforting ambiance with easy assembly and realistic flames. Although it warms small spaces effectively, I don't like the control panel location and the limited remote functionality. Overall, it's a delightful device for a cozy touch."
3. Best Easy-To-Clean:Pelonis Ceramic Tower Indoor Space Heater
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 9,050 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
Keep your living space warm with the Pelonis Ceramic Tower Indoor Space Heater. It offers a comprehensive area coverage of 100 to 160 sq ft with 70° oscillation. This ceramic heater is electric-resistance and heats up in three seconds. The powerful tower heater is made of cool-touch, flame-resistant material and is compatible with the US plug sockets. Other sockets might need an adapter or extension. It is equipped with three heating options – low, ECO mode, and high that offer maximum warmth. Eco mode is an energy-saving setting that is based on your immediate surrounding temperature. In addition, the tower heater is equipped with a touch control, remote control, and overheating protection. The electric space heater produces 50dB of noise and is ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices. This video will help you make an informed decision about your purchase.
Pros
- Quick heating
- ETL- certified
- Constant temperature
- Easy to move
- Low noise
- Stylish design
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not draught-free
Dr. Infrared Portable Heater Best Auto Energy-Saving | Duraflame Fireplace Heater Best Easy-To-Assemble | TaoTronics Space Heater | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 19 Pounds | 28.6 Pounds | - |
| Dimensions | 13"D x 12.5"W x 17"H | 13.07"D x 24"W x 23.4"H | - |
| Color | Cherry | Black | - |
| Number of Batteries | - | 2 AAA batteries required | - |
| Material | - | Metal | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 19,411 | 10,532 | - |
| Price | $123.4 | $329.0 | - |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best Energy-Efficient:LifeSmart 6 Element Infrared Heater
The LifeSmart infrared room heater has a stylish metal body and comes with three heat settings. It heats a large room in minutes and has a digital thermostat and remote for easy control. This personal heater comes with a washable lifetime air filter and a quiet fan oscillation to distribute heat evenly. The tried-and-tested heater measures 16x13x16.5in and weighs 21lb and makes a reliable convection heater.
Pros
- Digital controls included
- 12-hour timer feature
- Energy-efficient
- Portable and easy to use
- 500w eco setting included
Cons
- Could be loud
"Although I bought this for my basement, I'm now using it to heat my bedroom. Its noiseless operation and portable design have won me."
Caution5. Best For Overheat Protection:Aikoper Space Heater
The Aikoper space heater is powered with 1500w ceramic heating elements to improve heating efficiency in the room. The oscillating room heater offers a wide-angle coverage to heat a large area evenly. Its sensitive temperature sensor has two heat settings and shuts off automatically if it gets overheated or tips over. This functional space heater is designed with a built-in handle for easy portability and has a space to keep the remote.
Pros
- Eight-hour timer
- Overheat protection
- Remote controlled
- ECO setting
- Safe mechanism
Cons
- Exterior gets hot to touch
6. Best Eco-Friendly:Whynter Portable Air Conditioner With Heater
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has made it to our top favorite list with more than 10,924 rave reviews on Amazon.
If you are looking for one unit that can help you during summer and winters, the Whynter air conditioner with heater comes with four operational modes: air conditioner, fan, dehumidifier, and a heater. It has a heating thermostat, which provides temperatures from 61° to 77°F with three fan speeds. This powerful space heater measures 19x16x35.5in and has a 24-hour timer system,along with an activated carbon filter and a washable pre-filter.
Pros
- Dual hose operation
- Eco-friendly
- Lead-free components
- Digital display
- Casters for easy mobility
- Includes protective storage cover
Cons
- Could be heavy
"I have been using this air conditioner-and-heater for over two years now. It offers decent cooling even in high-ceiling rooms, and the heating works as expected. Although you would need help with the installation, I would recommend it for its and performance."
7. Best LED For Monitoring:Homegear Portable Space Heater
Homegear’s infrared space heater is a 1500w unit with 5100 BTU output, which can comfortably heat a 1500sft room. It measures 17x12x13in and weighs 11.5lb. The dual heating system comprises quartz and mica infrared heating tubes, maintaining the room’s moisture level. The fan-forced room heater circulates heat evenly. The tried-and-tested heater can be controlled by a remote for convenience and has a cool-to-touch casing with a timer.
Pros
- Digital thermostat
- ETL-certified
- Excellent heat output
- LED for monitoring
- Overheat protection
- Efficient blower fan included
Cons
- On/off switch makes a loud beep sound
8. Best Portability:Opolar Ceramic Space Heater
The ceramic space heater from Opolar heats the room fast with its 1500w powerful motor, making a low noise of only 50db. This heater has a fan for even distribution of heat and an automatic overheat sensor that shuts off the unit when it gets overheated. The ceramic heating makes this heater more efficient and saves energy.
Pros
- Adjustable thermostat
- Three heating modes
- Long-lasting
- Tip-over switch
- Built-in handle for portability
Cons
- May not be durable
9. Best Easy-To-Maneuver:Honeywell Slim Ceramic Tower Heater
The Honeywell slim heater is powered with a DC motor for longevity and higher capacity. It has two heat settings, thermally insulated wiring, and an oscillating fan for even heat distribution in a wide area. The programmable convection heater has a built-in thermostat that you can adjust to your requirements and four-timer settings with automatic overheat protection for your safety. This tower room heater stays cool while in use and makes it easy to handle and maneuver.
Pros
- Digital controls
- LCD for monitoring
- 360° tip-over protection
- Convenient carrying handle
- Three-year warranty
- Thin and portable design
Cons
- Doesn’t switch on automatically when the temperature drops
"I adore this heater since it helps maintain a stable temperature and offers decent heat. The safety feature of protection against tip-overs is a great bonus. However, I didn't like how little remote functionality it had. Overall, it works well in small to medium-sized rooms and meets my needs."
10. Best Easy-Tilt Design:NewAir Hardwired Electric Garage Heater
Working in a garage in winter can be quite chilling and uncomfortable. The NewAir G73 garage heater has a heavy-duty stainless steel exterior with a powder-coated finish. It comes with a high power fan that can heat a 500sft area and prevents overheating to keep you safe. The adjustable vents focus the warm air on distributing the heat evenly and making the garage warm. This ETL-certified electric space heater has a heating capacity of 17000 BTUs and a single-pole thermostat with a 5000w power motor.
Pros
- Easy tilt design
- Adjustable louvers
- Includes a mounting bracket
- 240v, 30-amp unit
Cons
- May not be easy to shut off
"Although this heater is apt for my rooms, it does not work well in my garage. However, I am impressed by its energy efficiency, quiet operation, and efficient heating. Also, it's really compact and easy to use."
Did you know?11. Best Temperature Control:Dimplex Garage and Shop Space Heater
The Dimplex garage space heater has a strong, durable steel exterior with an epoxy powder to prevent abrasion and fading. This convection heater has a 4000-watt motor with 13648 BTU heating capacity and a double pole built-in thermostat with a temperature range of 48 to 09ºF. It has a fan for even distribution of hot air that uses residual heat for reduced energy consumption, offering an efficient heating method. It heats quickly and is ideal to use in a garage or shop for supplemental heating.
Pros
- Includes six-foot cord
- Versatile mounting brackets
- Automatic temperature control
- Fan delay feature
Cons
- May not have a standard plug fitting
"I found this heater effective for my working space, maintaining a comfortable temperature. Although it rattles and the built-in controller is positioned inconveniently, the drawbacks are overshadowed by its reliable performance."
How To Choose The Right Heater For 500sft?
These are some factors you should keep in mind when buying a heater for a 500sft room.
- Sizing charts and calculators:You can refer to the heating chart for the number of watts or how much heating is required for various room sizes. Ideally, a 500sqft room will require a 4000w motor. A BTU calculator can tell you about the amount of heat required in the room and the passages.
- Room insulation: Rooms that are heavily insulated require lesser heating power. Usually, one square feet area requires 10w power, but an insulated room can do with 7.5w.
- Ceiling height and windows: The general rule adhered for heating measurements takes an average ceiling height of eight feet. If your ceiling is lower or higher, your heating requirements will vary accordingly. Windows usually are responsible for a loss of heat of 25%. Take these factors into consideration when buying the heater.
- Outside temperature: If the outside temperature is freezing, the heating drops pretty quickly. It also takes longer to heat the room. If you stay in a place where the temperature falls below 20⁰C, increase your heating calculation to 15w per sq. ft.
- Safety functions: The heater should have a thermostat for temperature control and auto power-off when overheating and tip-overs.
, an interior designer and lifestyle technology design expert, says, “I would recommend making sure the heater is compatible with your space. Consider ten watts of heating power for every square foot for optimal heating and coverage. Also, factor in the noise level, safety features, warranty, and energy efficiency when choosing a heater.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are room heaters worth buying?
Modern-day heaters are economical, portable, and safe to use. Depending on the size of your room, you may opt for an oil-filled, radiant, or panel room heater. An oil-based heater’s flame is covered, making it child-friendly, while radiant room heaters are small and portable, and suitable for people with allergies.
2. Are oil-filled heaters better than electric ones?
Oil-based heaters consume less energy and produce constant and long-lasting warmth, but they may need a little time before they can warm up a room. Electric heaters, on the other hand, heat up instantly. When it comes to noise levels, oil-filled ones are quieter than electric heaters.
3. Can I leave a plug-in heater on all night?
Yes, they can be plugged in all night. However, they should not be left unattended for long periods.
Why Trust MomJunction?
We have listed the above best heaters for a 500 square feet room keeping in mind your requirements and after an extensive study of their features. With their instant heating technology, adjustable thermostat, quick dispersion, and low-noise functions, these heaters can make your home comfortable in winters. We have also gone through many customer reviews to list the pros and cons of each product. There is also a buying guide to assist you in making an informed decision.
The Bottom Line
Winters become cozier and more bearable when you have the right heater at your home. When buying a heater for a 500-square feet space, it helps if you refer to the sizing chart and determine how much heating is required for your room. If your room uses heavy insulation, you can settle for one with lesser heating power. And since heaters are electronic equipment, it is essential that you buy them from a reliable brand that meets all the safety standards. Our top recommendations include the Duraflame Infrared Electric Fireplace Heater with 3D flame technology and the Honeywell Slim Ceramic Tower Heater with digital controls. Moreover, you can also choose energy-efficient room heaters like the Dr. Infrared Portable Heater for less electricity consumption and better performance.
Infographic: How To Choose The Right Heater For 500sft.?
When selecting a room heater, it is important to consider several factors. The following infographic presents a concise list to note while making your choice. Ensuring that these factors are considered will help you choose the most suitable heater. After making your decision, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the safe use and maintenance of the heater. Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
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