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Basements are a great multifunctional space but unfortunately they are not the best insulated spaces in your home. However, with the right heater you can use your basement during the colder months, too.
Start thinking about how you want to utilize the extra room so you can find a suitable space heater that requires little effort to install or a more permanent fixture for extensive use. There are many options available so one is bound to meet your needs.
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Top 5 Best Heaters for Your Basement
Here are 5 of the best heaters for a basement, one for every budget and purpose. Find out which type is best for you using the explanations in our handy buying guide for basement heaters further down.
1. Best with Venting: Castle 12327 Serenity Wood Pellet Stove
| Type | Wood heat stove |
| Fuel Source | Wood pellets |
| Suitable Space Size | 1500 sq.ft. |
| Dimensions | 24 x 34 x 18.3 in excl. vent |
| Wattage | 77 watts |
Though more difficult to install in a finished house, this wood pellet stove is an excellent heater for larger spaces. So, if you are moving into a new house want to make full use of the basement, consider this permanent fixture.
Don’t worry, you won’t be sweating handling this heating stove constantly because it comes with a Smart Controller. This lets you set a 24-hour program for each day of the week with variations by calendar date, time and heat setting.
Don’t be worried about the installation process either because according to the manual this can be done by a handy homeowner in just 2 hours. This is because this model can be directly vented without the need to connect to a chimney or flute.
Another surprising but welcome aspect is how easy it is to clean, even though it is fueled by wood pellets. The inner chambers are smooth with a firepot and ash pan that you can easily pull out for cleaning.
Pros
- Efficient heating for large spaces
- Affordable fuel
- Easy cleaning compared to other wood stoves
- Includes smart controller with thermostat and timer
Cons
- Requires venting which is more difficult in basements
- Needs some skill for safe installation
2. Best Portable Unit: Delonghi EW7707CB Radiator on Wheels
| Type | Electric ceramic space heater |
| Fuel Source | Electricity |
| Suitable Space Size | 140 sq.ft. |
| Dimensions | 25 x 11 x 14 in |
| Wattage | 1500 watts |
Looking for an electric personal space heater with minimal maintenance? This radiator-style portable heater is an excellent choice with a better performance than you would think for its compact size.
This is an efficient heat source for smaller spaces – the recommended room size is under 140 square feet. It keeps your direct vicinity comfortable and cozy, perfect for lounging on cold winter days or as a warmer for your feet while working at your home office.
Delonghi offers a very portable design with wheels and a simple plug-in cord so you can easily move it to another room, no difficult installation required. Maintenance is also simple since it is a permanently sealed oil-filled model that does not require refilling with prolonged use.
This is also a safe choice with plenty of control such as an electronic control panel, automatic shutdown, timer, adjustable thermostat. It also has an anti-freeze feature that lets it automatically turn on when the temperature reaches below 44°F, ensuring a long lifespan.
Pros
- Highly portable
- Minimal maintenance (permanently filled oil-filling)
- Heats up quickly
- Anti-freeze setting
Cons
- Only suitable for small spaces
- Somewhat noisy
- Inconsistent quality control
3. Best Wall-Mounted Design: Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX with Wi-Fi
| Type | Electric infrared heater |
| Fuel Source | Electricity |
| Suitable Space Size | 750 sq.ft. |
| Dimensions | 22 x 16 x 7.5 in |
| Wattage | 1500 watts |
Looking for something more modern that hides away discreetly against a wall? This sleek design is an infrared heater with Wi-Fi connection so you can control the settings from your mobile phone at any time.
From your mobile phone you can set the temperature, program a heating schedule for each day of the week, place a timer and even turn on the child lock. Finally, a product with modern features for today’s households.
Despite its compact size and narrow shape, this heater packs a punch, capable of of warming spaces as big as 750 square feet. Even more impressively, the grill stays safe to the touch making this a smart choice for households with children and pets, too.
Installation is super easy, taking all of 5 minutes thanks to the plug-and-go concept. Mount this heater directly above the power outlet so you can hide away the cord underneath, leaving you a clean uncluttered wall.
Pros
- Raises room’s ambient temperature
- Silent running
- Remote controlling from mobile phone
- Modern sleek wall-mounted design
Cons
- More difficult to meet desired room temperature
- Instruction manual could be more clear
4. Best for Large Spaces: Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace
| Type | Electric infrared heater |
| Fuel Source | Electricity |
| Suitable Space Size | 1000 sq.ft. |
| Dimensions | 13.1 x 24 x 23.4 in |
| Wattage | 1500 watts |
Are you blessed with a large basement and do you plan on spending a lot of time there? Then you will need an efficient and dependable heater that can warm up large spaces, just like this electric fireplace by the popular brand Duraflame.
This 5200 BTU heater is suitable for rooms as big as 1000 square feet where it works great as a secondary heat source. For smaller basements you can even use it as a whole room heater.
This design brings plenty of ambiance to the room with see-through panels on three sides so you can look at the artificial flames on the logs. You can even adjust the visuals by color, speed and brightness giving you the coziness of your ideal fireplace without even turning on the heat.
This is also a safe design with an improved heat-resistant plug, built-in thermometer, automatic shutdown to prevent overheating and a sturdy metal frame. Have full control over all the features and settings using the included remote control.
Pros
- Creates a cozy atmosphere
- Has visuals without heating too
- Remote controlled
- Safe design
Cons
- Noisy
- Cannot turn on heat without visuals
- Inconsistent quality control
5. Best for Small Basements: Meetkey Oscillating Ceramic Space Heater
| Type | Electric ceramic heater |
| Fuel Source | Electricity |
| Suitable Space Size | 200 sq.ft. |
| Dimensions | 22 x 16 x 7.5 in |
| Wattage | 1500 watts |
Don’t want the hassle of installations and don’t spend too much time in the basement? Then save on your energy bills with a small efficient portable heater like this oscillating ceramic model by Meetkey that has gained thousands of positive reviews.
This compact and lightweight tube-like design fits nicely under tables but still spreads hot air throughout the room with its built-in fan and 70 degree swivel. It heats up very quickly needing just 3 seconds – this is a sign of highly efficient technology.
It has three settings; one at 750 watts for low heat and 1500 watts for high heat plus a fan only setting so you can even use it during hot summer months. After it has reached the desired room temperature, the device turns off to preserve energy but turns on again as soon as the thermostat notices a temperature drop.
It has the standard safety features of a portable space heater such as automatic shutdown in case of overheating and tipping over. This gives you peace of mind as you move it from room to room.
Pros
- Highly portable
- Heats up quickly
- Oscillates for even heat distribution
Cons
- Takes a long time to cool down
- Not suitable for large spaces
Basement Heater Buying Guide
Since basements are rarely insulated properly, the type of heater that you use and its size becomes even more important. Read through these quick guidelines to find the best option for you.
Permanent vs. Portable
The first question to ask yourself is whether you want a permanent fixture or something that is small and portable so you can use it in other rooms, as well. The main consideration for this is how much time you are planning on spending in the basement.
Permanent fixtures are generally more efficient and better at heating large spaces. However, they are also more difficult to install because many types require venting or ductwork.
Homeowners that want to make full use of their basement might consider a permanent fixture. With long term use, the installation costs still make sense and the fixture can prove more cost-efficient in the long run.
However, if you choose a heater that requires ducting, remember that your building’s construction must be compatible. Consult a professional and ask their advice for the best solution and the projected costs.
For rental places, a portable design or a simple wall-mounted heater makes more sense. You don’t have to deal with a complicated installation and you can easily bring it with you in case you move to a new place.
A portable space heater is also useful for small households in larger houses. This way you can bring the device with you to any room without wasting energy in an unused room.
With or Without Ductwork
This consideration closely relates to the first choice between a portable and permanent heater. A permanent fixture like a wood heat stove or central heating requires extensive ductwork which is costly for an already finished house.
If you are just moving in or performing renovations, installing a heating appliance in the basement is worth considering. These types of heating are more efficient and depending on the fuel source can also be cheaper to run.
There are also wall-mounted options that don’t require ductwork, though. Think of electric baseboard heaters for example, they can be installed into a home at any time.
Heating Technology: Infrared vs Convection
There are two main types of technology used in electric heaters; infrared heating and convection heating. The first warms up objects in the surrounding creating ambient heat while the latter warms up the air.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both infrared heating and convection heating and also several types of appliances. Here is a quick overview of each kind.
Common infrared heaters are heating panels and devices with quartz elements. These come in many shapes and sizes and are usually electric.
One of the advantages of infrared heaters is that they warm up objects instead of the air. Arguably, this is more efficient because warm objects raise the ambient temperature while air warmers are less stable in temperature control.
The main disadvantage is that these devices are more prone to faults in electric circuits. The heat distribution is also uneven – you need a very powerful model to heat up a large space.
How convection heat works is one of the basics that you learn in physics class. Essentially, convection heat devices warm up cold air creating a flow of warm and cold air in the room.
Heat spreads much more quickly through air so the room reaches its desired temperature faster. However, this is not the best choice for maintaining a specific temperature because the air temperature is easily influenced by the surroundings and so unstable.
Other advantages and disadvantages of convection heat have to do with safety. Many models stay safe to the touch which is good for households with children and pets but many models, especially the ones with fans, are more prone to overheating which is a fire hazard.
Overall, it is difficult to pick the better technology. It depends on the size of the room, how often there are people in the room and the safety features of the chosen heating appliance.
The good news is that there are plenty of options, all differing in capacity, size, installation requirements and portability. This gives you more flexibility in how you want to heat your basement.
Think carefully about the function of the basement, your budget and the already present insulation to find the best (electric) heating device for you.
If you are worried about installing heating or need advice on ventilation then you should look at hiring an HVAC company.
