Electric heaters can be super-expensive to run and the level of choice makes your decision all the more difficult.
Do you go for fan assisted, convector, oil-filled, ceramic, halogen or even Mica-Thermal? (That’s a new one with us, as well!)
The choice can certainly be flummoxing to say the least. But we’ve put the hard work in for you! Here are our suggestions for the Best Quiet Space Heater.
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Quiet Space Heaters Comparison Table
Use this table to quickly compare the best quiet space heaters. Keep scrolling down the page for more info on our review criteria and in depth reviews on each item.
Product Dr Infrared Portable Space Heater Editors Choice DeLonghi HMP1500 Panel Heater DeLonghi TRH0715 Oil Filled Radiator PuraFlame 1250W Heater Cadet Baseboard Heater Preview9.0
8.6
Read Full Review 8.3
Read Full Review 6.6
Read Full Review Power Rating 1500W 1500W 1500W 1250W 500W Advertised Heating Capacity Up to 1000 Sq Ft None advertised Medium - large rooms Up to 400 Sq Ft 50 Sq Ft How Quiet? Fan sound (39 dB) Silent Silent Fan sound Silent Portable? Heat Control System Thermostatic range of between 50 to 86 degrees Thermostat with a slider scale from Min to Max Min/Max dial thermostat attached to the side of the unit Min / Max dial thermostat included No thermostat on basic model (option add on) Shop on Amazon Check Local Price Check Local Price Check Local Price Check Local Price Check Local Price Product Dr Infrared Portable Space Heater Preview
Power Rating 1500W Advertised Heating Capacity Up to 1000 Sq Ft How Quiet? Fan sound (39 dB) Portable? Heat Control System Thermostatic range of between 50 to 86 degrees Shop on Amazon Check Local Price Editors Choice Product DeLonghi HMP1500 Panel Heater Preview
Power Rating 1500W Advertised Heating Capacity None advertised How Quiet? Silent Portable? Heat Control System Thermostat with a slider scale from Min to Max Shop on Amazon Check Local Price Product DeLonghi TRH0715 Oil Filled Radiator Preview
Read Full Review Power Rating 1500W Advertised Heating Capacity Medium - large rooms How Quiet? Silent Portable? Heat Control System Min/Max dial thermostat attached to the side of the unit Shop on Amazon Check Local Price Product PuraFlame 1250W Heater Preview
Read Full Review Power Rating 1250W Advertised Heating Capacity Up to 400 Sq Ft How Quiet? Fan sound Portable? Heat Control System Min / Max dial thermostat included Shop on Amazon Check Local Price Product Cadet Baseboard Heater Preview
Read Full Review Power Rating 500W Advertised Heating Capacity 50 Sq Ft How Quiet? Silent Portable? Heat Control System No thermostat on basic model (option add on) Shop on Amazon Check Local Price
Our Top Pick
For features alone, it’s difficult to beat the Dr Infrared Heater. With a remote control and accurate temperature control, it’s quite hard to find fault with this little, retro beast. For heating a single room quickly, it’s one of the best options. The feature-set is really strong and there are lots of positive reviews for this particular model. But it’s not entirely silent.
If you’re going for a silent heater, the DeLonghi HMP1500 Mica panel heater is your best bet. Offering a unique method of heat distribution and good controllability over the heat output, this has to be the best quiet space heater with the flexibility of being permanently fixed if required. DeLonghi are a well established brand with a great reputation for quality, so you can rest assured that you’re buying a well made product that should provide years of warmth, comfort and performance.
On Sale Now- Instant, whisper quiet warmth with 1500 watts of heating power
- Lightweight and stylish way to heat your room; the sleek, modern design is perfect for any home decor
- Efficient use of space with wall-mountable option Simply remove the feet from the base and mount to any wall; wall mounting kit included
- Customize your heating needs with the adjustable thermostat and two heat settings; choose the high setting for 1500-watt or the low setting for 750-watt
- Safe Heat operation with thermal cut-off, internal tip-over switch and power/caution indicator lights
Quiet Space Heater Reviews
DeLonghi HMP1500 Mica Panel Heater Review
Price: Check local price on Amazon
Perfect for: Portable, but also wall mountable. Silent operation. Great spot heater
Key Specifications
Heater type: Mica-thermic heat
Noise level on highest setting: Silent
Max power output: 1500W
Advertised Heating Capacity: None advertised
Heat Control System: Thermostat with a slider scale from Min to Max – no indication of actual temperature.
The HMP1500 works by Mica-Thermal technology. Mica creates electromagnetic waves that negate the need for a fan to distribute the heat into the room, so this unit makes literally no sound at all.
It’s a portable unit that has wheels for easy transportation, but can also be attached to the wall for a more permanent heating solution.
This unit is recommended as a supplementary heater, so will be perfect for the room in the house that always seems colder than the rest of the house (let’s not think about ghosts!). With a sliding scale temperature control, this unit can operate at either 1500W or 750W.
- Automatic tip-over cut off
- Safety thermal cut-off preventing over-heating
- 2 power levels. Min/max thermostat
- Mica-Thermic heating technology radiates heat into the room without a fan.
- Silent operation
This is a well built unit that offers great spot heating – so if you need to heat just one room of the house without switching on the full heating system, this is a perfect option. In a 200 sq ft bedroom, this heater can successfully maintain a temperature of 80 degrees on the Low setting when it’s 20 degrees outside.
Panel heaters are great because they take up minimal space. They’re thin and can easily sit in the corner of the room, or you can place them nearby if you want some direct heat. It has a built-in carrying handle and sits on castors, making this a super-portable unit.
The DeLonghi Mica Panel Heater is available from Amazon.
More info: Manufacturers Website
DeLonghi HMP1500 Mica Panel Heater ReviewHeating Capacity9Quietness10Other Features8 9Flexible heating at an affordable priceA well built heater from a great manufacturer. The HMP1500 is powerful when needed and best of all…totally silent!Buy Now From AmazonDr Infrared Portable Space Heater Review
Price: Check local price on Amazon
Perfect for: Heating a single room quickly. Comes with a remote control, so you can change the temperature from the comfort of your armchair.
Key Specifications
Heater type: Infrared-quartz
Noise level on highest setting: 39dB (fan sound)
Max power output: 1500W
Advertised Heating Capacity: Up to 1000 Sq Ft
Heat Control System: Thermostatic range of between 50 to 86 degrees
This heater might not be absolutely silent because it contains a fan to distribute the heat. However, fan-assisted heaters distribute warm air around the room much more quickly than electric-coil convectors, which rely on the natural motion of heat energy to distribute warmth throughout the room.
Fan-assisted heaters can make the air feel a little dry. If you’re particularly sensitive to dryness, there’s a Dr Infrared model available on Amazon with a built-in humidifier which gently mists steam into the air to counteract the effect of the fan.
The Dr Infrared Portable Space Heater features include:
- Thermostatically controlled temperature
- High, low and Auto settings
- Remote control
- Sturdy build – will not topple over
This is a sturdy, little unit. It’s quite distinctly box-shaped, and at 24 pounds it’s not going to easily fall over. However, it has tip-over protection nonetheless, shutting off the power in case of a fall. This is an essential safety feature, but toppling is pretty unlikely with a sturdy unit such as this.
Infra-red technology works by the heating objects in the vicinity, rather than the air. This is supposed to provide a heat that won’t rise to the top of the ceiling and stay there. The manufacturers claim that you could save up to 50% on your electricity bill by swapping from your regular heating system to this unit, delivering 60% more heat than other 1500W heaters. These, of course, are manufacturer’s claims and should be taken with a pinch of salt, but there are very few reports of this unit being expensive to run.
The Dr Infrared Portable Space Heater is available from Amazon.
More info: Manufacturers Website
Dr Infrared Portable Space Heater ReviewHeating Capacity9Quietness7Other Features9 8.3Well built and ConvenientThe Doctor Infrared Space Heater is a sturdy, well built heater. It is extremely safe and very heats a single room very efficientlyBuy Now From AmazonDeLonghi TRH0715 Oil Filled Radiator Review
Price: Check local price on Amazon
Perfect for: Portable heating. Oil filled radiators take a little while to heat up, but they retain their heat for longer than warm air systems.
Key Specifications
Heater type: Oil-filled radiator
Noise level on highest setting: Silent
Max power output: 1500W
Advertised Heating Capacity: medium – large rooms
Heat Control System: Min/Max dial thermostat attached to the side of the unit.
Oil-filled radiators are a great option for energy efficiency because they have excellent heat retention properties. They can be a touch on the heavy side, though. This unit has wheels attached, making it easy to transport it from one room to another.
Oil-filled radiators work by warming an electrical element that transfers its heat energy to the oil reservoir. They don’t use the oil as fuel. The pure diathermic oil is contained in a sealed unit, so it never needs topping up.
Your home radiator system probably uses hot water to transfer heat throughout the network. Water is a good transferrer of heat, but it loses that heat quickly. Diathermic oil retains heat energy much more effectively than water, making this type of electric radiator more energy efficient.
This radiator will heat a medium-sized to large room, providing constant heat. If you want instant heat, an oil-filled radiator isn’t the right option for you. If you want to create consistent warmth in a cold room in the house, then it’s a great option.
- 3 heat settings
- Suitable for a medium to large room
- No installation – just plug in
- Anti-freeze setting that will prevent damage to the oil chamber
- Low surface temperature, making this a safer option for children and pets
The thermal slot design ensures that the unit maintains a low surface temperature whilst kicking out plenty of heat for the room. Requiring no installation, this radiator will spring to life as soon as you plug it in to the electricity supply at the wall.
Made from rust-resistant metal and permanently sealed oil-filled chambers that never need topping up, this is a radiator that will last for years. The power cord wraps around the front plate, so it’s easy to store when not in use.
The only sound emitted from the unit is a gentle clicking sound when the thermostat kicks in. This is pretty common for all electric heaters and is unlikely to be enough to disturb a quiet room. I imagine only the very lightest of sleepers are going to be affected.
There’s no 24hr timer on this unit, so the room is going to be cold first thing in the morning unless you leave it running all night. It’s not great for energy efficiency to heat a room for hours if it’s not in use. However, once the radiator has heated up, it retains its heat energy for longer than an electric coil which doesn’t maintain heat well.
The 3 heat settings allow you to control energy consumption. At the low setting it uses 500W, the medium uses 1000W, and the highest uses 1500W.
The DeLonghi TRH0715 is available from Amazon.
More info: Manufacturers Website
DeLonghi TRH0715 Oil Filled Radiator ReviewHeating Capacity9Quietness10Other Features7 8.6Safe, radiant heatA silent heater which retains heat well. It’s a shame it doesn;t have a 24 hour timer though.Buy Now From AmazonPuraFlame 1250W Clara Mini Portable Heater Review
Price: Check local price on Amazon
Perfect for: Portabile space heating. Just 9 inches tall. With a simulated fire effect, this heater is great for creating a homely, cosy warmth.
Key Specifications
Heater type: Ceramic
Noise level on highest setting: Low fan sound
Max power output: 1250W
Advertised Heating Capacity: Up to 400 Sq Ft
Heat Control System: Min / Max dial thermostat included.
The PuraFlame Clara is pretty cute. Some of the other heaters in this article are certainly practical but somewhat aesthetically unremarkable. The simulated burning ember effect of this unit is actually pretty convincing and really does add more than just warmth. It may just be a gimmick for some, but for others, heat means homeliness. And what is more homely than a smoldering fire?
This is a small unit – smaller heaters can potentially present a hazard. They’re generally lighter and can fall over if they’re placed on unlevel surfaces. However, this unit comes with a safety tip-over setting that cuts the power if it does topple.
The Clara can heat an area of up to 400 sq. ft. and comes with a thermostat which will help maintain the temperature of the room. The thermostat works on a sliding scale from Min to Max, so you can’t set it to an exact temperature as with some of the other models featured in this article. However, you’ll quickly learn where the sliding scale sits for your comfort level. It doesn’t have a LOW setting which means that it will always run at 1250W.
- Adjustable thermostat control
- Small unit – this is just 9” x 5.7’ x 12” (LxWxH)
- Comes in 3 colors – red, black or white
- Flame effect
- Safety tip-over protection
- Super portable
Because of its portability, this unit is perfect to the trailer, home office or dorm – basically anywhere that needs fast heat. It has a molded handle in the back of the heater which makes it easy to pick up and move. The housing doesn’t get hot, so it can be moved immediately without needing to cool down first.
The heat is generated by a PTC ceramic heating element and a fan that wafts the heat into the room. PTC heats up very quickly and usually reaches full temperature within 5 seconds, so this is a great heater for a quick burst of heat.
The fan itself can be heard but it isn’t in any way intrusive, producing considerably less volume that a standard desk-fan.
The PuraFlame Heater is available from Amazon.
More info: Manufacturers Website
PuraFlame 1250W Clara Mini Portable Heater ReviewHeating Capacity9Quietness7Other Features9 8.3Ultra portable and looks greatA tiny heater which is easy to move around as needed. This heater also packs quite a punch when it comes to pushing out the heat.Buy Now From AmazonCadet Baseboard Heater Review
Price: Check local price on Amazon
Perfect for: Those wishing to maintain a comfortable heat in a medium sized room without blowing the electricity budget. This is an installation heater, best placed under a window.
Key Specifications
Heater type: Convection
Noise level on highest setting: Silent
Max power output: 500W
Advertised Heating Capacity: 50 Sq Ft
Heat Control System: No thermostat on basic model. You need to buy an add-on that attaches to the side of the unit that controls the temperature output.
If you’re looking for a permanent solution to a cold-room, a baseboard heater is certainly a good choice. Cadet has been making baseboard heaters since the 70s, so they’re a trusted , American manufacturer with a great reputation. They offer a lifetime warranty, which gives you some reassurance that they have confidence in their own products.
There are no moving parts, making this a truly noiseless space heater. These baseboard heaters are cheap to buy and if you explore Cadet’s range, you’ll find that there are other models at 750W and another at 1000W.
- Low energy consumption.
- Permanent heating solution
- Optional thermostat options
- Cheap to buy
The standard model comes without a thermostat and, although you can run it without one, it’s not really recommended because the heater will continuously pump out heat – even when you don’t need it. It’s recommended that you purchase a thermostat which, of course, adds a little more to the overall purchase price, but it’s probably a false economy to run it without one. You can find the optional thermostat available here on Amazon.
These baseboard heaters are intended to be hard-wired into your home’s electrical circuit. It’s generally recommended that you get a qualified electrician to install anything that requires any alterations to your home’s hard-wiring, so this is definitely a consideration to the overall cost of installation.
The Cadet baseboard heater will heat a room of up to 50sq ft. If you do go for self-installation, there are plenty of YouTube videos that show you the process. The actual fitting of the unit is pretty straight-forward and could be completed by anyone with a drill and some relatively low-level DIY skills. It’s the electrical installation that should be approached with caution.
The Cadet Baseboard Heater is available from Amazon.
More info: Manufacturers Website
Cadet Baseboard Heater ReviewHeating Capacity7Quietness10Other Features3 6.6If only it had a thermostat....A well built, cost effective heater from a well known manufacturer. Let down only by the fact that it does not come with a thermostat as standard.Buy Now From AmazonBest Quiet Space Heater Category Winners
These are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about which heaters are best for what task.
Best Quiet Space Heater for Office
In our opinions Oil Filled Radiators are great in office environments. They are truly a noiseless heater and can tick along all day while costing very little.
The DeLonghi TRH0715 oil filled radiator is the best quiet space heater for your office.
Best Silent Heater For Baby Room
Once again, go with an oil filled heater for a babies room. They are very safe and if the baby does happen to get it’s little fingers on it, it will not burn them.
You can’t go wrong with the DeLonghi TRH0715 oil filled radiator as a silent heater for a babies room.
The Best Quiet Space Heater – What We Look For
When we talk about “silent”, we usually mean that the heater has no moving parts. All heaters emit some level of sound – they usually click in when heating and click off when the room has reached temperature. This sound is unlikely to cause disturbance, however.
When we’re looking to heat a space with an electric heater, it’s always worth looking at energy efficiency because stand-alone heaters can feast heartily on your electric bill.
The size of the space you wish to heat is a big factor to consider. The larger the space, the harder it is to heat. A fan heater, for example, will have a much wider and quicker heat radiance than an oil-filled radiator because the fan physically moves the air around the room. Whereas an oil-filled radiator is better for constant, (rather than instant) heat.
Do you want a permanent, fixed solution to your cold spaces? A base-board or “panel” heater will be a good choice. Or do you want a heater that can be carried from room to room? Our guide provides options for both.
Safety First! Always check the power cord of your heating unit. If it appears damaged in any way, it could be a fire hazard. Check the plug for burns or areas that have melted. These are signs that your heater could need replacing.
Electric Heating Cost Per Hour Calculator
“How much does it cost to heat my room?” is a super-complicated question to answer.
Heating a room depends on a plethora of variables – how many windows you have, how well the room is insulated, the temperature outside…. The list goes on! It’s near impossible to accurately determine.
However, we can calculate probable energy consumption pretty easily and is the calculation you should consider when choosing your heater. Ideally, you want something that is going to cater to your needs with the minimum of power.
Use our handy calculator below to calculate how much your space heater will cost to run per hour.
The formula we use to calculate this is:
kW per hour X cost of a unit of electricity = cost per hour to run your unit
So, if you have a 500W unit, that’s 1/2 (or 0.5) of a kilowatt. If your cost for electricity per unit is $0.12, then you use the following calculation –
0.5 x 0.12 = 0.06 (so your heater will cost 6 cents per hour to run)
Bear in mind that, if you’re running a heater with a thermostat, it’s not going to be running permanently for the entire hour – it will kick in whenever the room drops below the desired temperature, so 6 cents per hour is if your heater is running continuously.