A portable heater is one of the easiest ways to warm up a cold room without heating the whole house. Ordering one online is simple, but a few checks before you buy will save you from a heater that's too small, too loud or wrong for the space.
1. Match the heater to the room
Most plug-in heaters top out at 1,500 watts, the maximum for a standard household outlet. As a rough guide, that's enough to supplement heat in a room of about 150 square feet. For larger rooms, look at infrared models, which warm people and objects directly, or plan on running the heater alongside your central heating.
2. Pick the right type
- Ceramic fan heaters warm a small room quickly and are easy to move.
- Infrared heaters provide steady, quiet heat and work well in larger or drafty spaces.
- Oil-filled radiators heat slowly but stay warm and are nearly silent.
3. Look for safety features
Whatever type you choose, these features are worth insisting on:
- Tip-over switch that shuts the heater off if it's knocked over
- Overheat protection
- A cool-touch housing if you have children or pets
- Certification from a recognized testing lab, such as UL or ETL
Electric heaters don't produce carbon monoxide, but heating season is a good time to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, especially if you also use gas appliances or a fireplace.
4. Know what to expect from shipping
Heaters are bulky, so check the delivery estimate before you order if you need one by a certain date. At Shop Deals Centre:
- Standard shipping takes 3 to 5 business days and is free on orders over $50.
- Express shipping arrives in 2 business days when you order by 1 pm Central Time.
- You'll receive a tracking link by email as soon as your order ships.
5. Inspect it when it arrives
Open the box soon after delivery and check the heater, cord and plug for damage. Keep the original packaging for the first few weeks. It makes a return much easier if you need one.
6. Understand the return policy
Most heaters can be returned within 30 days if they're unused or defective. If the heater arrives damaged, contact us within 7 days and we'll replace it or refund you, including shipping. Full details are in our returns & refunds policy.
