Best Space Heaters For Bathrooms (2022 Review)

There’s nothing worse than stepping out of a nice hot shower or bath into a cold bathroom!

If you’re looking for a space heater to keep your bathroom warm, you’re in the right place!

In this proHVACinfo guide, you’ll learn:

  • What are space heaters for bathrooms? (What makes them different?)
  • What are the different types of space heaters for bathrooms?
  • How do space heaters for bathrooms work? (Key safety features)
  • What do you look for in the best space heaters for bathrooms? (Be sure these are on your radar!)
  • Our review of the best space heaters for bathrooms
  • And much more!
proHVACinfo | Space Heater for Bathrooms

Below is a quick list of our top space heaters for bathrooms. Keep reading to learn more!

ImageProduct
digital-business-prep-table__image
Vornado MVH Whole Room Space Heater
  • Safety-Tested
  • Cool-Touch Exterior
  • Efficient Heating
  • Safety-Tested
  • Cool-Touch Exterior
  • Efficient Heating
View on Amazon
digital-business-prep-table__image
Vornado TAVH10 Electric Space Heater
  • Auto-Climate Control
  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Tip-Over Protection
  • Auto-Climate Control
  • User-Friendly Interface
  • Tip-Over Protection
View on Amazon
digital-business-prep-table__image
Lasko Portable Ceramic Heater
  • Easy Setup
  • Integrated ALCI Safety Plug (Short Protection)
  • Just 8” Tall
  • Easy Setup
  • Integrated ALCI Safety Plug (Short Protection)
  • Just 8” Tall
View on Amazon
digital-business-prep-table__image
DeLongi Full Room Radiant Heater
  • Large Area Coverage
  • Silent Operations
  • 3-Year Warranty
  • Large Area Coverage
  • Silent Operations
  • 3-Year Warranty
View on Amazon
digital-business-prep-table__image
Stiebel Eltron Wall Mounted Electric Heater
  • Quiet Operation
  • Built In Thermostat
  • Even Heating
  • Quiet Operation
  • Built In Thermostat
  • Even Heating
View on Amazon

What Are Space Heaters For Bathrooms?

Unlike space heaters for most spaces in the home, there are specific features that make a space heater suitable for bathroom use.

One of the gold standard features is an ALCI plug.

ALCI stands for appliance leakage current interrupter, and effectively, these plugs monitor current coming into the device, and if an imbalance is detected, it shuts off power to the device.

Next, there is IP21 certification. IP21 is a rating that shows the device is protected against condensation, which in a steamy bathroom can become an issue.

At the bare minimum, a bathroom space heater should not have any kind of exposed heating element.

It should be sturdy, with auto tip over shutoff, and in any case, should be plugged in as far away from a water source as possible, and placed in such a position that there is no chance it could possibly be knocked over into any kind of pooled or running water.

Moreover, since 1975, all homes have been required to have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (“GFCI”) sockets in bathrooms.

While this is not a catch all, it does add an element of safety as these outlets monitor the opposite of an ALCI plug, as they look for current returning to the source.

In the event the bathroom heater has shorted, the GFCI outlet should cut the power in as little as 1/40th of a second.

What are the Different Types Of Space Heaters For Bathrooms?

With space heaters for bathrooms, there are two main types, which are further broken down into heating technologies from there.

Portable

Portable space heaters for bathrooms are the most common. They offer the convenience of being able to use the heater in any other room when needed. They are in most cases inexpensive, easy to move, and efficient.

Wall Mounted

The other style of space heaters for bathrooms are the wall mounted type.

These usually require drilling into a wall in order to install, something not everybody wants, especially those who are renting.

Their big advantage is that they don’t take up any floor space.

Whether you’re looking at portable or wall mounted, they will most likely use one of the below technologies in order to provide warmth.

Fan Heater

Fan heaters pass a current through a metal coil, which begins to heat the metal. As the coil becomes hot, it warms the air around it.

The warm air is then assisted into the room by means of a fan.

Fan heaters typically draw in air from the rear and blow it out through the front, so will offer heat in the direction that the unit is pointing.

Bladeless Fan Heater

Bladeless fan heaters provide warmth in a similar fashion to standard fan heaters, but how they deliver that heat to the room is very different.

The technology was pioneered by Dyson, but has since been copied by other manufacturers.

It isn’t truly bladeless, but there are certainly no visible blades.

Within the pedestal of the fan, there is a tiny fan that draws in air through vents on the base, this air is forced through a tube and past some stationary fins that stabilize that air.

The tube gets narrower, which increases the velocity of the air, so for the same amount of energy used, the output is higher, thus increasing efficiency.

Ceramic

The base principle of a ceramic heater is actually the same as a standard fan heater.

As in, a current passes through a coil, and heats the metal, but instead of being concerned about heating the surrounding air, in a ceramic heater, the coil is used to heat a ceramic plate.

Ceramic plates are highly regarded for their ability to radiate even heat when they are hot.

They can be supplied with or without fans, and because of the effectiveness of ceramic plates, can be shrunk to tiny sizes.

How Do Space Heaters For Bathrooms Work?

All of the heaters that we have recommended are powered by electricity.

When you turn on your heater, the device begins to draw current, which in turn heats up its coil, typically made of a nichrome wire.

The current passes through a resistor, which as you can probably guess, creates resistance, and in turn the electrical energy is turned into heat energy.

The way the heat is delivered is usually by convection or radiation.

When we talk about radiant heat, we are talking about the instant feeling of warmth that occurs when you place your hand near to the heater.

The closer you get, the more of that heat you’ll feel. As you get further from the heat source, the less radiant heat you will observe.

On the other hand, many bathroom space heaters provide heat by convection.

This happens when the air surrounding the heater gets warm and begins to rise. This action starts to draw down cool air and it in turn gets warmed.

This cycle is known as a convection loop, and as it begins, you will feel a noticeable difference between the air temperature at the top of the room, and by the floor, but as more of the air from your bathroom gets caught up in this loop, the heat will begin to feel more even.

Once temperature is equalized throughout the room, the convection loop slows down, and the temperature will be comfortable everywhere.

What Do You Look For In The Best Space Heaters For Bathrooms?

These are the top features we recommend you look for in a space heater for your bathroom.

Cool Touch Surface

When in the bathroom, you’re more likely to have skin exposed than you would be anywhere else in your home.

For that reason, a cool touch heater is essential to prevent accidental burns to potentially sensitive areas of your body.

Safety Features

As we mentioned earlier, there are some safety features that are highly desirable in a bathroom space heater, things like ALCI plugs, tip over shutoff, and IP21 rated condensation protection.

Low Noise

Many of us enjoy nothing more than a quiet, relaxing bath.

A noisy space heater is a fast way to interrupt that tranquility – look for fans that offer quiet operation.

Remote Control

Both for convenience and safety, a remote control is a great feature to look for in a bathroom space heater.

It allows control over the appliance from a safe distance, and helps to keep unnecessary risks of water exposure to a minimum.

Precision Thermostat/Climate Control

Precision control over the temperature in the bathroom will help you to keep it as comfortable as possible, while maximizing efficiency.

Final Thoughts On The Best Space Heaters For Bathrooms

We hope we’ve been able to provide you a good selection of options when it comes to space heaters for bathrooms.

These are must have household appliances, and when used correctly, can help you to further your home energy efficiency goals by only heating the spaces you are occupying.

Above all else when it comes to any electrical appliance in the bathroom, exercise caution when choosing a location and always use a GFCI outlet.

Stephen Marks

Stephen Marks

Stephen is an HVAC and home-repair enthusiast. He's here to answer any of your questions about HVAC!

Leave a Comment

Stephen Marks

Stephen Marks

Stephen is an HVAC and home-repair enthusiast. He's here to answer any of your questions about HVAC!

About proHVACinfo

You’ve got HVAC questions. We have the best answers from a network of seasoned pros.

Recently Published Guides