The Best Wall Heaters

Many homes have a room or hallway that stays chilly even when the rest of the house is heated by its HVAC system. Investing in a high-quality wall heater is a great way to warm up these spaces without spending money on upgrading your HVAC system or cranking up the heat in your entire home. However, it’s important to do your research so that you can end up with the perfect model for your home.

Buying Guide for Wall Heaters

Why buy a wall heater?

There are plenty of reasons to invest in an electric wall heater. These units are typically easy to install and require no ducting in order to heat up an entire room. They are also a much more budget-friendly heating option when compared to installing baseboard heaters or extending your HVAC ducts so that they can heat your home more effectively. Also, while wall heaters are pretty similar to space heaters in terms of performance, it’s safe to say they are a much more attractive option for rooms that need a permanent heating solution.

What should you look for in a wall heater?

• Size: Be sure to measure the space where you will be installing your electric wall heater to make sure the product you select is a perfect fit. For walkway installations, or if you plan to install the wall heater near a door, the depth of the wall heater will also be an important factor.
• Wattage: The maximum power output of your wall heater is an important consideration. To heat up larger rooms, you will need a wall heater that pulls more watts than a model designed for smaller spaces. While nothing is set in stone concerning how many watts are needed to heat rooms of various sizes, reading customer reviews and selecting a more powerful model is a good idea to ensure your wall heater is powerful enough for its application.
• Features: Find an electric wall heater that sports useful features that will make your life easier. From a built-in thermostat and timer to remote controls and even Wi-Fi connectivity, many modern wall heaters have convenient features built with the user in mind.

Are wall heaters easy to install?

The answer to this question will depend on who you ask. Many wall heaters require hardwiring, so you (or a professional) will have to cut drywall in order to access behind your wall and wire the unit according to the instruction manual. This can be a tough task for those who do not have experience with hardwiring home appliances. On the other hand, there are plenty of great wall heaters on the market that can be mounted to your wall and simply plugged into a standard 120V AC outlet. These units are typically easy to install and rarely require the help of a professional.

Our Picks for the Best Wall Heaters

Pros: Featuring a design that creates a warm downdraft for fast and efficient heating, the Stiebel Eltron 074058 is one of the most effective 1,500-watt wall heaters on the market. This wall heater stands out for its impressive heat output but also scores points for its quiet operating volume. It’s also worth noting this product’s sleek, curved design, which will be a great fit for many modern homes.

Cons: While this wall heater is a winner, it isn’t without some drawbacks. For instance, its single fan speed may leave something to be desired for those who are extremely sensitive to ambient sounds. Also, the entry point for its wire is near the top of the heater, meaning it will be visible to those standing over the unit.

Bottom Line: In terms of reliably heating up a small- to medium-sized room, this wall heater is one of the best models you can invest in. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles of other top products, it more than makes up for it with its next-level heat distribution and sleek aesthetics.

 

Pros: This 1,500-watt wall heater from Heat Storm isn’t just affordable and effective; it actually sports some incredibly nifty features for its budget price tag. For instance, this Wi-Fi-enabled wall heater can be controlled by your smartphone or even paired with Alexa to make turning your unit on a breeze. It’s also a fairly energy-efficient option and has a quiet operating volume.

Cons: Although this is a very highly-rated wall heater, reviews that mention the app are pretty polarizing. If you find it easy to use new apps on your smartphone, you probably won’t have any issues. However, those who struggle with such things may find it a little difficult to set schedules and remotely control this wall heater.

Bottom Line: This is a great choice for those who would struggle with installing and hardwiring a traditional wall heater since it arrives with an easy-to-use template and doesn’t need to be hardwired. Of course, it’s also adept at heating smaller spaces, which makes it well worth the cost of investment.

 

Pros: If you’re looking for a powerful wall heater that is adept at warming up larger spaces, the Broan-NuTone 198 High Capacity Wall Heater might be your best choice. It comes with detailed installation instructions and stands out for its impressive heat output, especially when operating on 240 volts. It also impresses in terms of its overall build quality, so you can probably expect many years of reliable use before the unit will need to be replaced.

Cons: This wall heater is pricier than most other options you will find, which is likely due to its added power and the quality of its components. Also, while it’s perfectly capable of providing heat for larger rooms, it’s important to keep in mind that this will probably lead to a noticeable increase in your next energy bill.

Bottom Line: When operating at 4,000-watts on a 240-volt AC setup, this wall heater will surprise even the most skeptical users with the speed at which it can heat up a large, frosty room. However, this is not an inexpensive, plug-and-play setup. Those who are heating smaller spaces or just looking for a bit of supplemental heat have other options that cost a fraction of the price.

 

Pros: For those who are always keeping an eye on their energy bill, the Envi High-Efficiency Wall Heater is a great product for providing supplemental heat to small rooms. This wall heater sports a quiet, fanless design and can be safely left on 24/7 to maintain a comfortable temperature in drafty rooms. It’s also surprisingly effective at heating for its low power draw, so it can make a huge impact on heating without adding an unsightly addition to your energy bill.

Cons: If you’re looking for a wall heater that will quickly warm up larger rooms, this is sadly not the product for you. However, its “slow and steady” approach to heating is still a cost-effective (and quiet) method for smaller spaces.

Bottom Line: This wall heater from Envi is practically made for that drafty bathroom that only seems to be warm and inviting after you take a long, hot shower. However, it’s important to set your expectations appropriately since its low-wattage design is not suitable for more demanding applications.

 

Pros: The Broan-NuTone Wall Heater may not be the easiest wall heater to install, but it makes up for that with its reliable supplemental heating and low-profile design. This wall heater is another cost-effective option for those seeking something energy-efficient, and its quiet fan is hardly noticeable once you’re accustomed to it. Like other Broan-NuTone wall heaters, this model is constructed with durable steel housing for a long lifespan.

Cons: Despite this not being the most powerful wall heater you will find, it still requires a fairly tricky installation process for those who are not used to hardwiring home appliances. It’s also not the best option for larger rooms since it heats up spaces slower than high-powered wall heaters.

Bottom Line: If you’re seeking a reliable wall heater that is perfect for small bedrooms, bathrooms, or even your RV, the Broan-NuTone has a lot to offer. However, if you aren’t the handiest person out there, getting this unit up and running may require a friendly hand or an added expense.

Final Thoughts

Whether your bathroom window lets in too much cold air or the recent addition to your home doesn’t benefit from HVAC venting, there are plenty of reasons to invest in a cost-effective wall heater. However, to achieve the best results, it is essential to do your research so that you can find the perfect wall heater for your space.