After 56 Days of Testing, We Found the Best Bathroom Heater

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Stepping into a chilly bathroom isn’t the most pleasant experience, but fortunately, there is a wide range of bathroom heaters that can quickly warm any bathroom. We researched nearly 50 different models and tested four in our own homes, and we found a favorite. Dreo’s wall-mount space heater took top honors for its quick heating, safety features, and its ability to be controlled remotely.

In addition to the units we tested, several others met our high standards for quality, safety, and innovation, and we’ve included them here as well. Keep reading to learn more about how the following models earned their spots on our lineup of the best bathroom heaters. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Dreo Wall-Mount Space Heater
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Lasko 1500W Bathroom Space Heater
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3. BEST FOR DRESSING ZONE: Lasko MyHeat Personal Mini Space Heater
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4. BEST OSCILLATING: Dreo Solaris Slim H3 Space Heater With ALCI
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5. BEST QUIET: DeLonghi Bathroom Safe 1200W Radiant Heater
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6. BEST CEILING-MOUNTED: Panasonic WhisperWarm DC Fan/Heater
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7. BEST FAN: Stiebel Eltron Wall-Mounted Electric Fan Heater
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8. BEST RECESSED: Broan-NuTone Comfort-Flo Wall Heater
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Bathroom Heaters Comparison Chart

Our Top Picks

We tested the first four bathroom heaters on this list, and you’ll find a variety of options suited for various types of bathroom layouts and budgets. From wall-mount models that don’t take up floor space to small personal options for dressing nooks, these are some of the best bathroom heaters for keeping your space comfy. 

Best Overall

Dreo Wall-Mount Space Heater

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What We Like

• Wall-mounted convenience
• Smart app integration 
• Fast heating performance
• Safe for bathrooms

What We Don’t Like

• Location depends on outlet placement

Specs 

• Type: Wall-mount
• Maximum power consumption: 1500W
• Heat control: Onboard, Remote, Smart (app)

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 5/5; Functionality 4.8/5; Noise 4.8/5; Value 4.8/5 

Dreo has a winner with the Dreo WH517S smart space heater. We liked being able to hang this space heater on the wall, where it was up and out of the way, rather than sitting on a wet bathroom floor. Installation was simple: Dreo included a mounting template that indicated the location for the screws, and best of all, the template came with a bubble level so that we could ensure the heater would be perfectly straight.

Setting up the app was a snap. All we had to do was plug the Dreo WH517S into the wall socket and turn it on. We already had the Dreo app on our smartphone, which immediately recognized the heater. If you don’t have the app, a QR code walks you through the steps.

We tested the space heater in a small, 65-square-foot bathroom located at the end of an HVAC duct run, so it always felt cold during the winter—until now. On a day when the outdoor temperatures were in the single digits, the WH517S raised the bathroom’s temperature from a chilly 58 degrees to 70 degrees in about 20 minutes. 

This heater also comes with an ALCI plug option capable of shutting the heater off when it senses abnormal electric flow. It also has an IP24 rating, so it can take an occasional splash of water. In homes with small children, this heater can be mounted high on the wall for added safety. 

What our tester says: “On winter mornings, I love being able to turn on the heater in the bathroom from my smartphone without having to get out of bed. Just 15 minutes and the bathroom is warm and comfortable for my shower.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Dreo Wall-Mount bathroom heater at Amazon or Dreo.

Best Bang for the Buck

Lasko 1500W Bathroom Space Heater

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What We Like

• Affordable, compact, and lightweight
• Heats very quickly
• Built-in 1-hour timer
• ALCI safety plug

What We Don’t Like

• Limited control features

Specs 

• Type: Portable
• Maximum power consumption: 1500W
• Heat control: Onboard button (high, low, and 1-hour timer)

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Performance 4.5/5; Functionality 4.5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4.3/5 

You don’t have to spend a lot to warm up a chilly bathroom. The Lasko 1500W bathroom space heater is compact, comes with an ALCI safety plug, and best of all, is affordable. 

This Lasko heater doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but it’s a solid pick to heat a small- to medium-size bathroom. It measures just 8 inches tall by 6.25 inches wide and weighs just 3.35 pounds, making it small enough to sit on a bathroom shelf or countertop. 

In our tests, this budget-friendly heater raised the temperature of our bathroom by 10 degrees in under 30 minutes when we ran it on high. We liked the option of choosing high or low power, and the heater’s 1-hour setting ensures it won’t continue to produce heat after an hour if someone leaves it running. 

It comes with a cool-touch case that didn’t get hot after an hour of running the heater on high, but the grille on the front of the heater did get hot, so we’d suggest locating this bathroom heater out of the reach of pets and little hands. 

Get the Lasko 1500W bathroom heater at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Best for Dressing Zone

Lasko MyHeat Personal Mini Space Heater

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What We Like

• Super compact and space-saving
• Small space heater with compact footprint
• Simple one-button operation
• Cool-touch exterior
• Low-wattage heater

What We Don’t Like

• No ALCI plug; use in dry areas only
• Limited heat range

Specs 

• Type: Portable
• Maximum power consumption: 200W
• Heat control: Onboard button (on/off)

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Performance 4/5; Functionality 4.8/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4.5/5 

For those short on bathroom space but needing some added warmth in a dry area, such as a changing corner, dressing zone, or wardrobe nook, the super-compact Lasko MyHeat personal heater is a great option. 

It doesn’t come with an ALCI plug, so it’s not suitable for areas in the bathroom that are prone to occasional splashes, and it’s not powerful enough to raise the temperature of a large bathroom quickly, but in our test bathroom, after 45 minutes, the temperature climbed 10 degrees. We felt the most warmth within 3 to 4 feet of the front of the Lasko heater. 

Still, it’s a nice little unit that offers just the right amount of warmth for small spaces. It’s simple to operate with a single on/off button on the front, and the cool-touch case keeps the sides and back from getting uncomfortably hot. We found the perfect spot for the Lasko MyHeat–plugged in under our dressing area bench. No more cold feet while putting on socks!

What our tester says: “I love that despite its compact size, this little Lasko bathroom heater can create real warmth. When I need spot-warming, this is the one I turn to.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Lasko MyHeat bathroom heater at Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy.

Best Oscillating

Dreo Solaris Slim H3 Space Heater With ALCI

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What We Like

• 70-degree oscillation 
• Thermostat, timer, and remote
• ALCI safety plug 
• Overheating and tip-over protection

What We Don’t Like

• Controls aren’t entirely intuitive
• No integrated cord keeper

Specs 

• Type: Portable
• Maximum power consumption: 1500W
• Heat control: Digital thermostat with 1-degree increments

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Performance 5/5; Functionality 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.5/5 

Thanks to its quiet operation, effective heating, and feature-rich design, this slim and stylish Dreo heater earned nearly perfect marks in all our tests. Though it weighs under 5 pounds and isn’t even 6 inches in diameter, it had no difficulty warming spaces significantly larger than its 200-square-foot recommended area. For that reason, we especially appreciate that it comes with a remote with an impressive 26-foot range, as we regularly have to turn it off during our baths in order to keep ourselves from getting too warm. 

Still, remotes are fairly commonplace for these types of appliances, so Dreo upped the ante by adding 70-degree oscillation, a 12-hour timer, a programmable thermostat, three heat settings, and fan-only operation. The heater also features an ALCI plug, V-0 flame-retardant construction, overheating and tip-over protection, and an inline carry handle. While it did take us a bit of fumbling to figure out this unit’s touch-control buttons at first, it wasn’t so complicated that we needed to consult the manual, and we’ve now used it without issue almost every day for nearly 2 months. 

Get the Dreo Solaris bathroom heater at Amazon or Dreo.

More Great Options

The following bathroom heaters were not personally tested, but we chose them for our lineup based on their quality, features, and consumer ratings. If you’re still looking for the right model, you’ll likely find it here.

Best Quiet

DeLonghi Bathroom Safe 1200W Radiant Heater

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What We Like

• Completely silent radiator heater
• Fitted with a GFCI safety plug
• Offers three power settings plus programmable timer
• Built-in carry handles 

What We Don’t Like

• Heating is slow

Specs 

• Type: Oil-filled radiator
• Maximum power consumption: 1200W
• Heat control: 3-stage thermostat

Oil-filled radiators have long been silent heating options, but power-hungry devices have replaced them to a large extent. Still, we like the idea of this one, a lighter, maneuverable radiator from DeLonghi that weighs only 7.8 pounds. And, with a choice of three heat settings (1200W on high, 700W on medium, and 500W on low), it can be more economical than its predecessors.

It features a manually programmable timer with a 24-hour range that looks old-school but reportedly works flawlessly. The 8-fin design increases surface area so it heats consistently but without the surface getting scorching hot. We’re glad DeLonghi included a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) safety plug, which makes this radiator a good choice for bathrooms. 

While the DeLonghi heater is a completely silent option, it does heat up a bit slowly, so the timer is useful for preheating the bathroom before use. We think this pick would be an excellent option for a central bathroom that’s used frequently by family members.

Get the DeLonghi bathroom heater at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., Wayfair, or The Home Depot.

Best Ceiling-Mounted

Panasonic WhisperWarm DC Fan/Heater

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What We Like

• Combines bathroom exhaust fan and heater
• Intelligent electronically commutated motor (ECM) 
• Smartflow technology helps maximize performance 
• Adjustable grille has a built-in diffuser 

What We Don’t Like

• Professional installation is recommended

Specs 

• Type: Ceiling-mounted
• Maximum power consumption: 1600W
• Heat control: Wired wall switch

A ceiling-mounted bathroom heater doesn’t use up valuable floor or wall space, and when properly installed, there should be no safety issues. The Panasonic WhisperWarm goes one better by integrating a bathroom vent with a heater in a single low-profile unit.

We like the exhaust fan, which can be set to run at 50, 80, or 110 cubic feet per minute (CFM) to suit a variety of room sizes. The heater has a fixed output of 1600W but can be connected to a thermostat, allowing full control over room warmth. The Panasonic WhisperWarm uses the brand’s own intelligent DC motor, making it an energy-efficient space heater. The grille can be adjusted to direct warm air.

A Flex-Z fast bracket is designed to simplify installation, and the Panasonic can be fitted to either 4-inch or 6-inch ducting. A dimmable LED is also an option (though at extra cost). If a ceiling-mount heater isn’t already installed, we suggest hiring an electrician, because this unit requires a dedicated electric circuit.

Get the Panasonic bathroom heater at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best Fan

Stiebel Eltron Wall-Mounted Electric Fan Heater

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What We Like

• Downdraft fan design for quick heating
• 60-minute boost timer 
• Relatively quiet 49 decibels

What We Don’t Like

• Must be hardwired; professional installation recommended

Specs 

• Type: Wall-mounted
• Maximum power consumption: 1500W
• Heat control: Manual thermostat

The main draw of a bathroom heater with a fan is to spread the heat as rapidly as possible around the room, but a downside can be extra noise. The Stiebel Eltron wall heater is different in that it delivers warmth quickly while running at just 49 decibels, which is about the level of a modern refrigerator.

Its maximum output is 1500W, which Stiebel Eltron rates as sufficient for rooms up to 150 square feet. A built-in thermostat regulates performance, and we like its 60-minute boost timer, with the unit automatically reverting to its previous setting at the end of the period. There is also a frost protection setting and an on/off switch that shuts down the whole unit to prevent accidental use.

Keep in mind that this is a hardwired unit, so it can’t simply plug into an outlet. If there’s no existing hardwired heater, professional installation is a good idea.

Get the Stiebel Eltron bathroom heater at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Recessed

Broan-NuTone Comfort-Flo Wall Heater

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What We Like

• Fits discreetly into the wall 
• The louvers help spread warm air
• Durable steel construction 
• Wipe-clean white enamel finish

What We Don’t Like

• Single output level only
• Professional installation recommended

Specs 

• Type: Wall-mounted
• Maximum power consumption: 1500W
• Heat control: Manual thermostat

Wall heaters for bathrooms can save valuable floor space, but they can also butt into the room, providing a frustrating obstacle. The Broan-NuTone Comfort-Flo is a recessed or in-wall bathroom heater that provides a low-profile solution that we love for small bathrooms where space is at a premium. The louvers direct the heat flow downwards, helping to spread warmth evenly, and a front-mounted knob controls the built-in thermostat.

The Broan-NuTone Comfort-Flo is factory-wired at 1500W and 120 volts. It can be converted to 750W at 120 volts or 1500W at 240 volts, which may suit some installations. Note that the choice of watts is final; it does not offer two output levels. Installation is fairly straightforward, but we suggest hiring an electrician if this heater isn’t replacing an existing bathroom with a dedicated circuit. 

Get the Broan-NuTone bathroom heater at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Chose and Tested the Best Bathroom Heaters

When we started researching modern bathroom heating options, we quickly discovered that there were hundreds of different models available. After carefully considering nearly 50 choices, we settled on eight top models, and then we chose four of those to test in our own bathrooms. 

We also looked at how safe the various models were for use in standard bathrooms.Remodeling expert Benjamin Stenson, director of operations of Norsemen, a home remodeling contractor in Louisville, Kentucky, told us, “Safety features are paramount, so users must opt for heaters designed to withstand bathroom conditions.”

Hands-on testing consisted of assessing the quality of each heater’s build, trying out each of its features, and keeping records of how quickly each one heated a small bathroom during cold weather. We noted how hot the exterior of the heaters became after an hour of continuous use, and we awarded points based on a rubric—the better a bathroom heater performed on a test or assessment, the higher the points. After testing, we summed the points and used them to determine our best overall pick and assign relevant categories for the others. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Bathroom Heater

While the appearance of a bathroom heater will always impact choice, there are a number of technical aspects to consider. The information below will help shoppers choose the most appropriate types of electric bathroom heaters for their needs.

Type

The three general types of heaters for bathrooms include portable bathroom heaters, wall-mounted heaters, and ceiling-mounted heaters. Most (but not all) space heaters for bathroom use are electric. It’s harder to find non-electric heaters than electric heaters for bathroom use.

Portable

The term “portable” can refer to various bathroom heaters, including plug-ins, space heaters, and oil-filled radiators. These are usually among the most affordable bathroom heaters. Their distinguishing design feature is that they are not permanently fitted to the bathroom wall or ceiling, so they can be used in other rooms. Some are very light and easy to move. Space heaters often have carry handles. Although oil-filled radiators are heavier, they can still be moved if necessary. All of these might be good options for bathrooms not in regular use, such as in a guest accommodation.

Wall Mounted

The main advantage of wall-mounted bathroom heaters is that they don’t take up valuable floor space. They can also be very discreet. Wall-mounted exhaust fans are sometimes combined with heater elements, though these generally have more modest output.

Ceiling Mounted

Much like wall-mounted models, a ceiling-mounted bathroom heater can be both powerful and discreet. Its position also keeps it well away from small children and pets. Many are combined with an exhaust fan, which is a benefit but can complicate installation. Some ceiling models are infrared space heaters that use a large red bulb to radiate heat downward. 

Size and Heat Output

Physical size will have an impact on choice, especially in smaller bathrooms. Plug-ins and small bathroom heaters can be an effective option, though recessed wall units and ceiling models have no space penalty at all once installed.

Actual heat output can be difficult to assess on an electric heater. Most indoor room heaters are rated in watts. Opinions vary, but many experts quote 5 to 10 watts per square foot as optimal for comfortable warmth. However, manufacturer figures may contradict this rule of thumb and are perhaps a better guide. Models described as providing “supplemental” heat might also fall below this standard, but it does depend on bathroom size. Bathroom heaters that provide thermostats or two output settings offer greater control over personal comfort.

Safety

Water and electricity are a dangerous mix, with a risk of serious electrical shock. The descriptive materials for any heater intended for use in the bathroom should clearly state that it is for bathroom use, but we could not find any official guidelines. Ceiling heaters for bathrooms present little risk when installed correctly because there are no exposed heater elements or plugs.

Other units may be at risk of water splashes, so thought should be given to positioning. In addition, there is some risk at wall outlets. The usual solution is to fit either an ALCI or GFCI safety plug. Both will cut power in a fraction of a second and prevent harm. Many manufacturers provide these, but they can also be retrofitted.

Some use portable propane heaters in bathrooms and other interior rooms, but if you choose that option, make sure the heater is designed for inside use. Some will give off dangerous fumes. 

Additional Features

• The amount of temperature control varies considerably. Although thermostatic control is common, ceiling fans may simply be on/off devices. Thermostats may offer only two or three settings or be fully variable. They may also be combined with separate heat settings. Comparing different types of bathroom heaters can be difficult, so shoppers will want to pay attention to exactly how much flexibility and control is provided.
• Noise level is another key area. While bathroom heaters aren’t particularly noisy, fans may have an impact at high settings. Decibel ratings may be provided, though such descriptions as “low noise” and “whisper quiet” are used more often.
• Handheld remote controls are a popular extra. Functionality varies, so this is another factor worth checking. Smart control via Wi-Fi and phone apps is widely available for space heaters, allowing remote control and scheduling. These options are also available on a few wall heaters.
• Timers are sometimes offered and may be manual or digital.
• Ceiling-mounted bathroom fans may include lighting.

FAQs 

There’s a lot of detailed information in the article above, and we hope it answers most questions that often crop up regarding choosing the best bathroom heater. While doing our research, we came across some queries of a more general nature, and we have addressed those here.

Q. What is the best way to heat a small bathroom?

The best way to heat a small bathroom is often with either a portable heater, a fan-less wall panel, or a heated towel rack for the bathroom. These provide sufficient heat but are either very quiet or completely silent. 

Q. Are bathroom heaters worth it?

Bathroom heaters are absolutely worth it, as anyone who has had to bathe in a cold bathroom will attest. What’s more, many are very affordable as well as economical to run, so users can have a little luxury without a big bill.

Q. What types of heaters are allowed in bathrooms?

Many different types of heaters are allowed in bathrooms, ranging from low-cost portable models to a variety of wall- and ceiling-mounted options. Our collection of top bathroom heaters listed above underlines the wide choice available.

Q. Are bathroom heaters safe to use?

Bathroom heaters are perfectly safe to use when installed and operated following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Sometimes it’s as simple as having an ALCI safety plug fitted. With others, the wiring is hidden and out of harm’s way.

Q. Is it bad to leave a bathroom heater on all night?

It’s not a good idea if it’s a continuously running heater. However, if you have a permanently installed heater that runs on a thermostat, it’s probably okay. For trips to the restroom at night, consider a heated toilet seat and leave the space heater off. 

Q. How big of a heater do I need for my bathroom?

Use 10 watts per square foot of floor space as a guide when sizing any kind of heater. For example, a 1500W bathroom heater will warm a 150-square-foot bathroom efficiently.

Q. Does a bathroom heater need its own circuit?

If it’s hardwired, probably. If it’s a high-capacity heater (1500W or up) that plugs into an outlet, it could overload the circuit if several other appliances are plugged in at the same time. 

Meet the Tester: Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.

 

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