The 6 Best Tower Heaters So You Can Get Cozy ASAP

A space heater is a quick, effective fix for a chilly room — but not all of them are created equal. Especially when it comes to the best tower heaters, certain units are better suited for certain households and spaces. Before you make any purchases, you should first consider the wattage, extra features, and size.

Unfortunately, unlike air conditioning units or humidifiers, space heaters are rarely marketed by their intended square footage. This can make it a bit challenging to find the right unit for your space, but luckily, there’s another measurement you can use for your estimations: watts. A watt is a measure of power that’s equivalent to 1 joule of work per second, and it’ll determine approximately how much heat the unit can produce. All of the options below reach a maximum wattage of 1,500, and as a general rule of thumb, a 1,500-watt heater can heat roughly 150 square feet (that’s a 15-by-10 foot room, for reference). That said, keep in mind that different units have varying features that could make them more efficient and better suited for a larger space.

For example, while they’re not necessary, built-in thermostats and the ability to oscillate help you to customize the temperature in your space. Some high-tech options also offer extra safety features, automatic timers and schedules, and voice-activation control when paired with your favorite virtual assistant.

Finally, size is an important factor — both while considering the unit’s heating abilities and where it’ll be in your home or other space. A larger, taller tower heater might be more effective when it comes to distributing warmth across a room, but it’ll also take up more space and have limitations when it comes to portability. For that reason, those with limited room should opt for slimmer, lighter units, especially for smaller areas. When you’re ready to shop, scroll on for some tower heaters that help you stay warm and toasty without having to revamp your entire heating system.

1. The Overall Best Tower Heater

• Also available on Walmart, $70

With an overall rating of 4.6 stars, it’s obvious that this Lasko tower heater is a fan favorite, but why? For one, it’s relatively slim and space-saving, but still offers 1,500 watts of warmth that reaches across the room, thanks to the wide oscillation feature. For another, it has two heat settings, a built-in adjustable thermostat, an eight-hour timer, and a remote that controls it all from across the room. Last but not least, it offers overheat protection plus ceramic elements that both self-regulate and keep the unit (relatively) cool to the touch — all for $75.

• Maximum wattage: 1,500 watts
• Dimensions: 7.3 x 8.14 x 23 inches

One reviewer wrote: “Absolutely love this heater. It warms my large room up in only a small amount of time. I love the added timer feature and that I can change the thermostat according to my needs at each moment [...] Not to mention I love that I don’t have to get out of bed to turn on on a cold night or morning, I can just use the remote.”

2. The Most Space-Savvy Option

• Also available on Walmart, $95

If you’re short on space, the Honeywell slim ceramic tower heater is the way to go. It has the word “slim” in its name for a reason — this unit has an oval shape that can more easily fit in tight corners and against walls than round models. It also has a recessed carrying handle for portability. Plus, it’s short and light despite its powerful 1,500-watt motor. Among its several great features, you’ll find oscillation, auto-off timers, and a programmable thermostat.

• Maximum wattage: 1,500 watts
• Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.17 x 21.6 inches

One reviewer wrote: “This heater is slim and tucks away easily, you don’t feel as though it is an eyesore or commands attention. It warms the room quickly and efficiently. There is a timer setting or can leave running, can make stationary or rotate the heat and can adjust the temperature. Our bedroom is in the back corner of the house and just stays colder so we needed something to take the chill off the room. We enjoy this heater and we’re pleasantly surprised at how warm it makes our room. I highly recommend.”

3. A Space Heater You Can Stand Up Or On Its Side

• Also available on Walmart, $61, and Bed Bath & Beyond, $71

Even though it has the same wattage as the other units on this list, the BLACK + DECKER space heater has a few things competitors don’t: a 24-hour delay start, an internal oscillation feature, a built-in carry handle, three different heat settings, and the ability to stand the heater upright or lay it horizontally across the floor. That way, you can customize the unit to your specific needs, even when using it in a larger space.

• Maximum wattage: 1,500 watts
• Dimensions: 6.3 by 6.8 by 21.7 inches

One reviewer wrote: “This heater is easy to operate and can be used upright or on its side. It does a great job of heating a room that is 18 x 15. Quiet and efficient. After realizing what a bargain this heater is, I bought a second one. Super satisfied.”

4. A Tower Heater With Lots Of Safety Features

For those who have kids or pets in the house (or those who’d just like a little extra peace of mind), there’s the Aikoper space heater. This tower unit has plenty of safety features in place to protect your household and the people in it: It’ll automatically shut off if it tips over or gets too hot, it’s made of flame-retardant material, and it remains cool to the touch because its ceramic heating element is fully concealed. This one also has an eight-hour timer, oscillation, a programmable thermostat, and an eco setting to save energy.

• Maximum wattage: 1,500 watts
• Dimensions: 8.1 by 7.6 by 24.1 inches

One reviewer wrote: “We spend a lot of time in our basement playing board games, and this is a life saver. It has temperature settings that let me warm up, then maintain the temp instead of being too warm then turning it off and freezing. I like everything about this space heater, and the safety features make me feel better about having one in my house.”

5. The Best Smart Space Heater

• Also available on Home Depot, $120, and Walmart, $120

The Atomi smart tower heater makes a great addition to your high-tech home. It’s Wi-Fi enabled so you can use the app to set weekly schedules, turn on the heater when you're on your way home, or prompt the oscillation from the couch. Plus, it’s Alexa- and Google Home-compatible so you can simply give a voice command instead. It’s also designed with safety and energy efficiency in mind.

• Maximum wattage: 1,500 watts
• Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.3 x 29.7 inches

One reviewer wrote: “I never thought a space heater could be so fun. From the app to the Alexa controls to the touch controls. So quiet, barely hear it turn on. Heats a whole room in seconds.”

6. The Best Fan & Space Heater Combo

• Also available on Home Depot, $124, Walmart, $125, and Wayfair, $147

If you’re looking for a unit you can use all year long, consider the Lasko fan and space heater combo, which combines four quiet fan speeds for warm weather with three different heat settings for cold weather. In addition to its impressive airflow volume, it has an adjustable thermostat with digital controls and widespread oscillation to cover a larger area. For safety purposes, it also features a tip-over switch, overheat protection, and a self-regulating ceramic heating element that stays cool to the touch.

• Maximum wattage: 1,500 watts
• Dimensions: 13 by 13 by 42 inches

One reviewer wrote: “This is an excellent heater and fan combo unit. I love that it has multiple heat and cool options, especially a true low option as well as a temperature setting. The low setting and temperature setting both maintain your desired temperature. I also like that the heat unit is on the bottom so it warms my feet when working at my desk and I don’t have to bother with trying to tilt something. The unit is tall but stylish and I love the remote. I have it in the corner of the room so that I can use the rotate feature to cover the whole room if I want to and can operate the remote from a distance. The cost was less than some of the other units that don’t have the options this one does. I definitely recommend it.”