Making the right choices when it comes to home heating isn’t the easiest thing in the world. Did you know that more than 30% of the energy that people use at home is for domestic heating? That’s quite the number but you can help to reduce it by choosing the right products where we listed as the best ceramic heaters on the market.
These devices are one of the safer options but they also bring a lot of versatility to the table. This is the right place to get more info before deciding to buy a ceramic heater for your home. Start by reading our top ceramic heater reviews and proceed to the other sections afterward. See our buying guide and get educated on how ceramic heaters work.
Our crew has conducted research and we have tested other heating options in order to make professional and well-constructed comparisons. Give it a shot.
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Key Features to Look For When Buying a Ceramic Heater
Without a doubt, we have to guide you through the most important characteristics of ceramic heaters. All of these below are difference makers and they will determine whether the price of the unit you’ve liked is worth it. Look for these below and make the right choice.
Purpose and Size
Even though we already know what the general idea behind ceramic heaters is, you can still have your own requirements. It is important to target just the right unit for your needs.
This goes to show you that purpose and size are interconnected. Mobility should not be expected from larger, more powerful units. They are meant to stay there and simply blow hot air in a wide area. Innovation and revolutionary thinking are not going to be your friends here. Stay on the classic course and you won’t be disappointed.
Power
The typical maximum power of ceramic heaters is 1500W. There is no point in looking for anything more powerful than that. The huge old heaters, used in garages or workshops are rarely ceramic. They have other mechanics and heat up space in a different way. There’s often some fuel involved.
In short, we are trying to tell you that the best ceramic heaters are not always the most powerful ones. Look for convenience and use them as a secondary heating option at home.
Functions
Even the most expensive devices in this category will not blow you away with their cool functions. Having a timer should be pretty much good enough. Most digital ceramic heaters will have that but the analog ones typically lack it. The price is of course adjusted accordingly.
Oscillation is another function to look for. It renders a heater very effective as it enhances the ability to warm up the whole room. There’s no point in mentioning the absence or the presence of a fan here because a ceramic heater must have one at 100%.
Safety
There are two main safety features of ceramic heaters to always keep in mind. Don’t spend any money on a unit if it doesn’t have both. The first one is the tip over switch-off. What this will do is basically shut your heater off in case it falls over. Such a property is essential for families with pets, young children, or elder family members.
The second feature is the overheat protection. It goes hand in hand with the built-in thermostat. Without this function, you run the risk of starting a fire at home. If the heater doesn’t switch off after a certain temperature is reached, it will start melting its own body and that’s by far the smallest of issues.
Convenience
The biggest convenience is the presence of remote control. Let’s not forget that laziness drives progress forwards. People hate getting up to adjust settings and that’s how they have perhaps come up with inventing the remote control. If you are going to pay a few bucks extra for a unit that has one, by all means, do it.
If you can have a heater either with wheels or just a small size, you will be able to easily relocate it. In the first case, you can roll it to whatever room you want. In the second case, you can just lift it and carry it to a certain destination.
Best Ceramic Heaters Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Lasko Cyclonic Ceramic Heater |
| View On Amazon |
 | Lasko Designer Series Ceramic Heater |
| View On Amazon |
 | Pelonis Ceramic Heater |
| View On Amazon |
 | NewAir Quietheat Portable Ceramic Heater |
| View On Amazon |
 | Lasko #100 MyHeat Ceramic Heater |
| View On Amazon |
 | Comfort Glow Brown Box Ceramic Disc Heater |
| View On Amazon |
 | Geek-2016 Personal Space Heater |
| View On Amazon |
Best Ceramic Heaters (The Top List)
1. Lasko Cyclonic Ceramic Heater
When you want something good enough for your home, you cannot settle for the smallest unit on the market. But even though the Lasko Cyclonic Ceramic Heater is 26 inches tall, it is a very slim product and has a space-saving design. You can fit it right by the wall. Wall mounting is not recommended, though, because the grill of the unit is on top and it blows warm air up.
IF you crank it up all the way to 1500W, you will get about 5200 BTU. At the lowest setting, the BTUs are 3000. The digital display is pretty self-explanatory and easy to operate. The timer function allows you to choose between 1h, 2h, and 4h. The temperature can easily be set by using the “+” and “-“buttons. It is an ETL listed heater with all the safety features you can wish for. On the downside, it doesn’t come with remote control. The backlit display is aided by the presence of remote control. You will also be happy to find out that the heater is quieter than a fridge.
2. Lasko Designer Series Ceramic Heater
So not only that this product is a ceramic heater, it actually resembles a ceramic vase. The Lasko Designer Series Ceramic Heater will be a perfect addition to any living room in which you want your heater to blend in. The unit is operated through the buttons which are located right on top. The red light signaling that the device is working is located behind the mesh upfront. Nothing else suggests that this is a heater.
As far as power output goes, you will get 1500W at maximum. The oscillating technology allows the unit to spread the heat evenly all around it. Another cool feature is the 7-hour timer and cool-touch technology. While there isn’t a remote control, there is a thermostat and temperature control safety feature. In case the “vase” tips over, it will shut off automatically right away. Not only will your guests feel warm but their eyes will also be pleased.
3. Pelonis Ceramic Heater
The brand is a fairly popular one mainly because they make middle-class, functional domestic heaters. This unit is no exclusion as functionality is definitely its main characteristic. The two dials on top of the unit are all you need to control in order to get the desired temperature. By rotating the right dial, you can select between high, low, and fan. If you spin the left knob, you will change the maximum temperature.
Unfortunately, this product is not a digital one and you cannot actually choose and see the exact temperature. The ceramic heating feature is crucial here because it renders the unit silent. Other than that, you get no timer and no remote control. There is an Eco function allowing you to save some energy. In terms of safety, however, the Pelonis Ceramic heater is very reliable because it will switch off in case of overheating or tipping over.
4. NewAir Quietheat Portable Ceramic Heater
Although a small unit, the NewAir Quietheat Portable Ceramic heater can heat up an area of about 250 square feet. The product is box-shaped and is about 14 inches wide and tall. You get 3 color options – black, silver, and white. All 3 of them are kind of neutral so the unit will fit in any household. The ceramic heating element inside really makes the heater very quiet in comparison to products with a metal heating element.
The body will remain cool regardless of the temperature you have selected. The 3 main safety features really allow this heater to stand out. They are a tip-over switch, a temperature fuse, and a thermistor. The maximum output is 1500W and you get to select a temperature anywhere between 41 and 95 degrees. The Eco function will save you some energy. There is a special compartment in the back where you will find the remote control.
5. Lasko #100 MyHeat Ceramic Heater
Who would have thought that a 4 x 4.3 x 6.1-inch unit could pack such a punch? This very little heater has a power output of just 200W which is more than enough to keep you warm at your workplace or at home while watching TV. Use the Lasko MyHeat Ceramic Heater as a tabletop unit for maximum results. It truly does have everything you need from such a small heater. The small fan is barely audible meaning that you can read or work in peace. It can also be used as a bathroom heater during those cold mornings.
The unit has a self-regulating mechanism for extra safety. It is exceptionally easy to operate through just one push of a button. Use the heater as a little supplementary source of warmth and lower your thermostat. This way you save even more. The manufacturer sells it with a 3-year warranty and that’s not a bad deal at all. The cord is about 72 inches long for maximum convenience.
6. Comfort Glow Brown Box Ceramic Disc Heater
The name of the product is not random at all. The unit really features 4 ceramic discs which are actually the heating elements. With a maximum output of about 1400W you actually get an amazing amount of BTU – 58 000. This unusual technology actually makes this ceramic heater one of the best on the market. The body is made out of stainless steel and once it gets hot, it stays hot.
Don’t worry about safety as the Comfort Glow Brown Box Ceramic Heater has an overheat prevention function. On the downside, the fan of the thing is a little bit noisier than desired. The small size (5 x 6 x 7 inches) is actually a great benefit as the unit is barely visible. Yet, it is easy to move around your home. You simply need to be very careful not to touch it when it is hot.
7. Geek-2016 Personal Space Heater
It is true that we already mentioned some ceramic heater with an outstanding design above but this piece of domestic equipment here will really give you some slick looks. The black body along with the blue under glow on top is simply a top-notch addition to any home. It is also pretty economical with its 950W of max output. The lower setting stands at 450W. But if you simply want some air movement, you can use the fan-only option at the expense of just 30W.
A slight drawback is that the oscillation function isn’t very broad. It comprises just an angle of 60 degrees instead of 360. Thanks to the PTC technology you get quick and very quiet heating of your room. Even though the body is made out of plastic, it is resistant to high temperatures. The two safety features are a tip over switch-off and temperature control. No remote is included.
8. Living Basix Flat Panel Space Heater
Energy efficiency is sought for in all-ceramic heaters. With the Living Basix Panel Space Heater, you get just the right temperature at very low energy consumption. The unit has an ECO function which will keep the temperature of the room within reasonable limits. This 1500W heater also comes with a built-in thermostat so that you can have full control over the temperature as well.
There is also an oscillation mode for even better heat distribution. In terms of safety, since this is a tower heater, it will also come with an automatic tip-over switch-off in case the unit falls over. Convenience is another reason to buy this heater because the design is slim and it will fit in any corner of your room.
9. Sieges Ceramic Heater
Efficiency is the main highlight of this next product primarily because the design isn’t the sharpest. However, for that price, the Sieges Ceramic Heater performs outstandingly well and will not disappoint. You do have the full control to manually operate your unit but it also has a number of automatic features. It will not allow the temperature to reach extreme heights thanks to the built-in thermostat. This component is, of course, adjustable and you get to decide what the limits are.
Naturally, overheat cut-off will take place if needed. The same goes for the tip over turn-off – again, an automatic element. The three operation options include a fan, low and high – nothing very new here. The largest power output you will be able to get from this unit is 1500W. The package contains the heater and an instruction manual. There’s no remote control in the set. The recessed handle in the back makes relocating easier.
How Do Ceramic Heaters Work?
It is technically right that ceramic heaters are basically space heaters. However, ceramic heaters have their unique way of working and we will explain it with simple words below as basics of ceramic heaters.
The heating element used in ceramic heaters is PTC ceramic. The abbreviation stands for Positive Temperature Coefficient. They do have similar characteristics to metal fan heaters but are definitely not one and the same thing.
The PTC ceramic material is only semi-conductive. As voltage passes through it, the power decreases. That’s because ceramic increases its own resistance to large enough levels. This happens automatically and depends on the certain components of the ceramic element in the heater. In short, the temperature is self-regulating, thus bearing way fewer dangers of overheating.
Aluminum fins also take part in this process. The ceramic heating element interacts with them and therefore heat the fins up. A fan blows across the fins and heats the air around the unit. Now that we know the core basics of ceramic heaters, we can compare them to three other similar heating devices.
Infrared Heaters vs. Ceramic Heaters
The main difference we have to point out here is that ceramic heaters do not feature a flame of any sort. The best infrared heaters available also do not have a visible flame although combustion happens inside a tube.
The whole magic of the low-intensity infrared, or quartz, heaters happens inside the tube in question. This is where the flame is ignited and it heats the tube. The most essential quality of those heaters is that they do not heat the air. This is called radiant heating and it basically means that rays of heat are shot forward.
They heat up the first thing they touch. This is typically an object within the room or a person. Infrared heaters are not dependent on the air around them. Drafts aren’t an issue here. Also, these devices do not make a noise as they do not feature a fan. They are perfect for spot heating and are very convenient for small offices or spaces.
On the other hand, you just might be able to get the best ceramic heater for a large room. Ceramic heaters are convection heaters. They have a ceramic core (as stated above) which gets heated thanks to the electricity which runs through. Then, a fan blows the warmer air around thus making the room evenly warm.
The flip side here is that this sort of heating will take a little bit longer to be felt. Since the heat travels on air currents it will need more time to reach everything in the room. The device doesn’t heat only you – it heats up space around you.
This is not a bad thing especially if you are in an area where you are required to move a lot. Ceramic heaters are also nice in larger rooms where more people work together. At the end of the day, a ceramic heater might turn out to be the more efficient option.
Ceramic Heaters vs. Oil-Filled Heaters
So the comparison to the good old oil-filled heaters is a very interesting one. In both instances, we do not have any rays of heat flying towards an object. Both types of heaters sort of emitting the warmth from their bodies. However, the very mechanic is totally different and that’s why we need to compare ceramic to oil-filled heaters.
The oil-filled heaters are an interesting category because of the unique way in which they function. Oil is heated, it warms the fins, and only after that, some hot air will rise off the unit. What we have here is an electric heating element that heats the oil. In the case of ceramic heaters, the element is…well, ceramic.
The main difference is, of course, the lack of liquid in the ceramic heaters and the presence of a fan. The fan is a typical component of all convection heaters. Oil-filled heaters are also called radiant although a ceramic heater doesn’t necessarily need to be a convection one.
To make things easier to perceive, we will draw a quick bullet comparison between the two products:
Pros of Oil-filled Radiant Heaters
- The heat stays – even when you turn the device off, the oil remains warm. It takes some time before the liquid cools off
- No pesky noises – there’s no fan to bother you. The radiator itself will stay pretty silent.
- You don’t use as much electricity – efficiency is a great bonus and re-heating the oil will not take that long especially if it has stayed relatively warm.
Cons of Oil-Filled Radiant Heaters
- Not very safe to touch – these devices tend to get really hot. Their body is not made out of plastic or wood or anything like that. They are typically made of aluminum and yes, this thing gets hot.
- Not very small – even though oil-filled radiators have wheels and are easy to relocate, their size is quite big. More often than not, you will need to move around them when at home. Not a lot of portability here.
- Get ready to pay right away – the initial investment here is above average. Even the mid-priced oil-filled radiators cost more than you expect.
In order to learn more about oil-filled heaters, check out our oil filled heater reviews.
Pros of Ceramic Heaters
- You can aim the flow- while they aren’t the best spot heaters, ceramic heaters can still be aimed at a certain area and have the fan blow towards it. It’s better than heat spreading slowly all over the place.
- Great for small areas – Since air is heated first, the smaller space, the less the air. All of this equals quick heating.
- Gets warm quickly – stand in front of the heater and you will feel a warm draft immediately after turning it on. You don’t get that with radiators.
- Portable – a good heater for office is typically the ceramic one. Move it with you anywhere if you like. It will never be in the way.
Cons of Ceramic Heaters
- Maintenance – reaching in there and dusting the insides of the device can be challenging. You basically need to disassemble the whole heater if you want to clean it. You don’t have that with radiators.
- The fan makes noises – yep, that thing spins and pushes some air forward. It is inevitable, get used to it, or buy another type of heater.
Ceramic Heaters vs. Electric Heaters
These things are one and the same, right? Wrong, there are differences even though both devices use electric currents to function. You already know that ceramic heaters use a ceramic core that gets heated but resists the power of electricity.
With electrical heaters, you have a metal heating element that has very little resistance. These machines sometimes bear larger safety hazards than ceramic ones. Additionally, electric heaters are vulnerable to corrosion.
Humid areas will affect negative components negatively as some rust might occur. Rust, on the other hand, cannot be a thread to ceramic parts.
A common drawback of both devices is that the air in the room will need a little bit more time before it is heated. Yes, you will feel warmth in front of the heater but before you can enjoy it in the whole room, you will need to wait a little bit. That being said, you will perhaps have an easier time selecting the best space heater for the basement than for your living room. You may also want to have a look at our electric baseboard heater reviews.
Wrapping Up
We believe that our guide above has proved to be helpful in your endeavors to find the best ceramic heater. Go through it one more time in case you want to check again some of the key comparisons that we did. Don’t forget to also keep in mind the most popular features of such devices.
Share your opinion with us if you found the article useful. We might have missed something so don’t hesitate to let us know about it. Leave a comment and show the piece to other people so that they can be informed as well. Don’t forget that with us you can also find other guides on a number of heating and cooling devices like the best wood stove fans. Thanks for checking out our work and as always – stay put!
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