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5 Best Under-Desk Heaters 2022 – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Last Updated on December 11, 2021

It gets cold in winter. Central heating is great, but it isn’t always up close and personal enough to get you as comfortable as you need to be while you work.

If you find the office to be drafty in the winter months, you’ve probably considered the need to find an alternative means of keeping yourself warm.
That is where the under-the-desk heater comes into play.

Space heaters are a great way to stay warm in chilly weather, but there are lots of things you need to consider before making a decision

For the average buyer, this expansive and diverse market may seem a little bit intimidating. But it doesn’t need to be that way.

The good news for you is that we’re here to help. We’ve looked at lots of desk heaters, studying the ins and outs of the market to find the best options available. We’ve assembled our findings here. Read on for what we think are the best under-desk heaters of 2020!

A Quick Glance at the Winners of 2022:

The 5 Best Under-Desk Heaters:

1. Honeywell HeatGenius Under Desk Heater – Best Overall

In first, we have the Honeywell, a compact, fan-powered heating unit that will comfortably fit beneath (or near) most desks.

One of the true standout features of this unit is how many options it gives its users. A standard space heater will include a high, medium, and low setting. Which is fine. But it does leave some gaps if you’re very particular about temperature.

You get 6 settings here, which will optimize your ability to control your environment.

The unit also features a 2-hour timer that will save you some money on your power bill while still keeping your space very comfortable.

One issue that some people will have with this unit is that it is fairly noisy. Fan heaters will always have a noise factor, but this unit is also prone to beep as the temperature adjusts, and as it turns on and off.

In the office, this feature can be distracting, and for bedroom use, it may keep you up at night.

All in all, we think this is the best under desk heater of 2020.

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2. AmazonBasics Oscillating Under-Desk Heater

For our runner-up, we have an AmazonBasics unit. As the name suggests, this heater is indeed basic, but it makes up for this fact by featuring a much more wallet-friendly price tag than the Honeywell.

In addition to being affordable, the heater includes a couple of features that many will find enticing.

It has three different modes of use (high, low, and fan-only) and an automatic shutoff feature that will help you avoid problems.

One major issue with this option is that it doesn’t move very much heat around the room. If you actually do plan on keeping it beneath your desk, that won’t be such an issue. However, if you’re hoping for something that will be able to heat an entire room, this isn’t it. The range is very limited.

The modes of use also aren’t very different, which means that you won’t have as much control over your environment as some heaters can provide.

Still, for the price, many people will be willing to look past these cons.

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3. Lasko 754200 Ceramic Under Desk Heater – Best Value

Third, and “best for the money,” we have the Lasko. This option is even more affordable than the AmazonBasics, while benefitting from very similar features.

The Lasko offers three different settings (high, low, and fan-only). It also features a thermostat with 11 different temperatures so that you’ll have plenty of control over the heat output.

It also includes a cool-touch exterior that will keep the unit from being hot to the touch. This is a feature that’s particularly helpful for households that have pets or children.

Last but not least, it’s even fitted with a handle to make the Lasko as easy to transport as possible.

This all sounds great. Why, then, has this unit not found itself a higher spot on our list?

One thing to look out for pertains to the thermostat feature. While the manufacturer advertises 11 different temperatures, the level of variations that the user will be able to detect is fairly limited. Most of the stop points feel more or less identical.

There have also been reports from users that the machine will overheat and even burn through flooring.

Though you aren’t guaranteed to have this experience, this is naturally a serious concern.

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4. Cozy Toasty Toes Under Desk Heater

Fourth we have the Cozy Toasty Toes space heater. Quirky name, right? But also very appropriate. This is different than the other heaters on our list today because it quite literally will only heat your toes.

This unit is a heating pad that is designed to rest where you put your feet beneath your desk. The ergonomic footrest releases a steady stream of heat that will keep you comfortable as you work.

One big issue with this unit pertains to how it maintains heat. The footrest will get hot quickly, forcing you to adjust the setting.

Then, once you turn it down, it gets too cool, and you have to turn it back up. All this fiddling will be distracting, especially if you’re actually using it in a work setting.

As it heats up, it also emits an odd plasticky smell that those with sensitive noses probably aren’t going to care very much for.

Need to cool a space? See Top cooling tower fans

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5. Sengoku 150w SP-160 Heater

Last, we have a product that includes a great concept, but a not-so-great execution. The Sengoku is a low-voltage electric wall mounting panel unit. It’s space efficient and features a slick eye-catching design.

However, several concerns keep this option low on our list. For one thing, this is one of the priciest units here, which will eliminate it as an option for budget buyers.

It also doesn’t produce much heat. Even beneath your desk, you’ll probably struggle to notice any effects when the Sengoku is in use.

Last, but not least, it also features a plasticky smell as it heats up, just like the last unit that we saw.

It really is a good concept, but Sengoku needs to work out some quirks.

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Buyer’s Guide

Now that we’ve seen what is out there, it’s time to help you simplify your decision a little bit. Read on to find out everything that you need to know about the world of space heaters.

Wattage

Electric space heaters are always going to be the most economical to run. However, each unit will have its own unique upkeep expenses.

It all comes down to wattage. The more wattage a unit has, the more powerful it will be. But that extra power comes with a higher power bill as well.

Since you’ll be near this particular heater, you may not need something with an extremely high wattage.

If you’re on a budget, consider getting something that won’t be expensive to run long-term.

Settings

Most options will (at a minimum) include a high, medium, and low setting. However, if you’re very particular about your temperature controls, you may want something a little bit extra.

The Honeywell is a good example of a heater that includes an impressive number of settings. Bottom line? The more settings that come with a unit, the more control you’ll have over how you heat your space

Safety Features

Last but not least, you also want to make safety a priority. Some units will feature cool-touch exteriors and automatic shutoff timers that prevent them from overheating.

Burns and fires are always a risk (albeit a small one) with space heaters but with the right features, you can maximize your safety.

In other news: came here looking for an energy-efficient heater? Then check out our comparison found here.

Conclusion:

So there it is. Five under-desk heater reviews, five different products for your consideration. Which will it be?
Now that you’re familiar with the market, the ultimate decision will have to be made by you. However, if you would like a couple of recommendations, there are a few products we would like to highlight.

If you want the best unit you can get, and you aren’t worried about paying a little bit more to get it, then there is no beating the Honeywell.

However, if you need something that’s a little bit more economical, our “best for the money” pick may be better for you. The Lasko provides a good combination of value and efficiency.

Those are our picks. We truly hope that they help you choose the best heater for under your desk!