A good space heater can save you misery—and money

PLUS: Humidifiers, purifiers, and whatever else makes your air perfect.

View in browser  |  Your newsletter preferences This year's winter weather has been brutal for much of the country, and the heating bills have been equally brutal. Electric space heaters aren't efficient compared to a furnace, but they can still save you money and misery by heating a small space to a comfortable temperature so you don't have to turn up the temperature for the whole house. Older space heaters can be potentially unsafe, and often irritatingly loud. I am WIRED's designated tester for gadgets involving water or air. For the past two winters, I turned down my thermostat to test more than 30 space heaters. I abuse these heaters—kick them over and smother them with blankets to see if they shut off, and whether they then turn back on. I have thermometers stashed all over the room. I pace around the heaters with a decibel meter. And I record energy usage with a watt meter.  What I've found is that bigger isn't usually better. My top pick, the Dreo 714, is blessedly quiet, just as powerful as a big tower heater, and even more able to spread heat evenly around both a midsized room and an open living space–as measured by a grip of thermometers and my trusty stopwatch app. But if you're instead looking for the best bathroom heater, the best foot warmer, or the quietest space heater I've tested, I've also got a pick. —Matthew Korfhage Matthew Korfhage Product Writer & Reviewer All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Learn more. I Tested Dozens of Space Heaters. These Are the Best in 2026 BY MATTHEW KORFHAGE These portable heaters will heat a room quickly, quietly, and safely. Quick Buys Best Space Heater $100 - Amazon Bathroom Heater $120 - Amazon ADVERTISEMENT The Best Dehumidifiers to Keep Your Home Dry and Free of Mold BY LISA WOOD SHAPIRO If you care about good air, it's time for a dehumidifier. These are the best ones we've tested for everything from basements to drying laundry. Breathe Easy—We Found the Best Air Purifier for Every Room in Your House BY LISA WOOD SHAPIRO Protect your home against dust, pets, allergies, and more with air purifiers tested firsthand by WIRED. Combat Dry Indoor Winter Air With a New Humidifier BY LISA WOOD SHAPIRO From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them. 18 Gifts for People Who Are Perpetually Cold BY ADRIENNE SO From a backyard hot tub to the warmest slippers, these picks will make your loved ones feel warm and fuzzy—inside and out. Stay Warm No Matter the Weather With Our Best Tested Base Layers BY SCOTT GILBERTSON Whether you're layering up for winter cold or looking for an ultralight summer system, we've tested and found the best base layers for all your outdoor adventures. ADVERTISEMENT Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to receive it for free here. Plus, find all of our newsletters here. You're receiving this email because you signed up for the Gear newsletter from WIRED.   Manage your preferences  |  View our privacy policy  |  Unsubscribe   Have questions or comments? Send us a message. Need help? Contact us.   Copyright © Condé Nast 2026. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.