A portable space heater is a quick fix for a cold room, but it is also one of the more hazardous things people plug in during a Canadian winter. This guide covers the safety features worth insisting on, the difference between ceramic and oil-filled heaters, and which models are currently top sellers on Amazon.
Quick picks
Affiliate links (paid links) below. Details
| Model | Good for | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| DREO 1500 W ceramic | Bedroom or home office; thermostat and remote | Check price on Amazon |
| De’Longhi 1500 W oil-filled radiator | Quiet, steady heat; slower to warm up | Check price on Amazon |
| Amazon Basics ceramic (1500 W / 900 W) | Small, light heater for a desk or small room | Check price on Amazon |
Safety features that matter
Institutional safety guidance in Canada is a useful checklist for home use too. The University of Waterloo’s safety office, for example, lists these requirements for portable heaters: a thermostat that shuts the heater off at the set temperature (simple on/off or high/low switches are not acceptable), tip-over protection that turns the heater off if it is knocked over, a guard over the heating element, use on the floor only, and keeping paper, plastic and cloth away from it. It also says to plug the heater directly into a wall outlet, to avoid extension cords, and to unplug it, not just switch it off, when the area is unoccupied. (Source: University of Waterloo Safety Office, Space Heaters.)
Also check the unit carries a recognized electrical certification mark, and follow the manufacturer’s stated clearance distances.
How much power does it use?
Most plug-in heaters top out at 1,500 W. At 120 V that is about 12.5 amps, which is a big share of a standard household circuit, so avoid running it on the same circuit as other heavy loads. Running a 1,500 W heater for one hour uses 1.5 kWh, so multiply by your utility rate to estimate cost. Heating one room with a heater and turning down the rest of the house only saves money if the rest of the house is actually kept cooler.
Ceramic or oil-filled?
- Ceramic (fan-forced): heats up fast and is compact, but uses a fan, so it makes some noise and moves air around.
- Oil-filled radiator: no fan, so it is quiet, and the manufacturer of the model below says it avoids stirring up dust. It takes longer to warm up and is bulkier.
Top-selling picks on Amazon
These appear on Amazon’s own Best Sellers list for Space Heaters (checked October 14, 2026). Rankings change daily, and the details below come from each product listing, so confirm them on the product page.
DREO 1500 W PTC ceramic heater with thermostat
- Listing describes a tilt-detection sensor, thermostat control, remote and a quiet brushless DC motor.
- Best for: a bedroom or home office where you want a thermostat and remote.
De’Longhi 1500 W oil-filled radiator
- Listing describes a digital control panel with a 24-hour timer and a fan-free design.
- Best for: a room where you want quiet, steady heat and can wait a little longer for it to warm up.
Amazon Basics ceramic heater (1500 W / 900 W)
- Listing states 1,500 W high and 900 W low settings, tip-over and overheat protection, 43 dB, and TÜV certification.
- The listing warns against use in humid places such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
- Best for: a small, light heater for a desk or small room.
Watch: independent heater reviews
These two videos are from other creators. The first covers a DREO heater. The second covers a De’Longhi Dragon oil-filled radiator, which is a related model rather than the exact listing above, so compare specifications before buying.
Before you plug it in
- Plug straight into the wall. No extension cord or power bar.
- Keep it on a hard floor, clear of curtains, bedding and furniture.
- Don’t leave it running in an empty room or while you sleep unless the manufacturer says it is designed for that.
- Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm. (An electric heater doesn’t produce CO, but winter is when alarms get neglected.)
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