You can warm up almost any room with the best baseboard heaters on the market. We've included our picks of the electric heaters, and more energy efficient options, to keep you toasty during the winter and save you some money in the process.
The best baseboard heaters will vary in both size and installation - some are designed to sit on the floor whereas others will be positioned slightly higher up. With either style, the size of the room you need to heat will dictate what size baseboard heater you require. In fact, a large baseboard heater is often more efficient as it can heat the room faster and therefore not use as much energy.
One of the biggest considerations to make when choosing a baseboard heater is the noise it makes. For example, if you're buying a baseboard heater for a bedroom, then noise volume is going to be significantly more important than if you were picking it for a basement.
These electric heaters are going to be a part of your home's decor, so you're going to want one that stylishly complements a room. Take into account the overall finish of the heater, and, for ease of us, consider a baseboard heater with a thermostat or with a remote control. This way, you can change the temperature from the comfort of your bed or couch. No matter which type of baseboard heater you're looking for, we've rounded up many options with different prices so that you can find one that works for you.
Looking for other ways to keep warm at home? Don’t miss these guides to the best gas furnaces and the best space heaters.
Best baseboard heaters
Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Whatever your needs, this list lines up the best baseboard heater models out there right now, each with their special features that will suit your home.
While we strive to review every product that we highlight, some of the reviews for this guide are still in progress. However, any unreviewed products will sum up the key specs, features and user reviews to help you make the best decision for you and your household.
1. Cadet 8F2025W: Best value baseboard heater
The Cadet 8F2025W provides fast, reliable heat but it’s also very good for the bank balance. Not only does it come with a low price tag but because it uses convection heat, it is also very efficient when it comes to energy consumption.
This baseboard heater is also easy to install. It has pre-punched holes and universal wiring which allows you to install at either end depending on the layout of your room. So you can forget any worries about having the heater installed in a place that doesn't suit you.
With a 96-inch width and four wattage outputs, this is one of the best baseboard heaters for basements as you can easily heat up to 350 square feet just using one heater. It also comes in a choice of white or almond white so whatever your decor, it will blend in seamlessly. The high-temperature safety shutoff feature is another one of our favorite aspects of this baseboard heater - you can relax knowing that if it gets too hot or there’s an abnormal event that affects your electricity, then the heater will shut down automatically.
The Cadet 8F2025W, however, doesn't include a thermostat so you will need to buy one separately.
2. Fahrenheat F25426: Best baseboard heater for allergies
The type of air conditioning and heating system that you have installed in your home can make all the difference when it comes to your allergies - which is why we love the Fahrenheat F25426. It features a fan-less design which means that it will heat the air evenly without circulating dust, pet hair, pollen, or other allergens that can make your allergies worse.
The Fahrenheat F25426 also has great safety features. It will automatically turn off once it registers that the airflow has become blocked and it won’t turn back on again until that blockage has been removed. It’s also UL listed so can be used on carpeted or tiled flooring which is excellent news if you’re looking for the best baseboard heating for a living space.
This is one of the best baseboard electric heaters for efficiency as it converts all incoming electric straight in to direct heat meaning your room will warm up quickly and the hot air will also be distributed evenly. This unit gives you the option of linking multiple units together so if you’re looking to heat a larger area then this really is the ideal unit for you.
3. King 3K2407BW: Best baseboard heater for basements
We know that some basements can be dark, cold, and damp so the ideal way to solve that problem is to install a baseboard heater, especially if you’re faced with an area that doesn’t already have heating installed. Which is why we think that the King 3K2407BW is one of the best baseboard heaters for basements.
If you’re lacking wall space then you will love this heater, it measures 3 feet long and provides 570 or 750 watts of electric heat depending on if you install in at 208 or 240 volts. It doesn’t have an inbuilt thermostat but you can easily purchase a compatible remote including a wireless option so you can heat that basement up before you brave going down there.
The SureStop safety feature is ideal and it will shut the power off to the unit if it gets too hot so that it doesn’t overheat - an ideal feature for using in the basement where you may not be present at all times whilst the heater is in operation.
Another feature that impressed us was how quiet this baseboard heater is whilst it's running. It’s so quiet in fact that it would also be great for use in bedrooms, living spaces, or your home office.
4. Marley 2543NW: Best affordable baseboard heater
The Marley baseboard heater makes our round up thanks to it's affordable price, putting it under the $60 mark. If you're buying a baseboard heater as an additional heating device that will cost to run, it's only right that you want to get it at the lowest price possible to ensure your money is put to it's best use.
The design of this baseboard heater isn't the most high-end, but it comes in white which will be a great fit for a wide variety of interiors. And for the price, it's hard to criticize.
It heats via convection which is a fast method, so you won't have to wait too long to between turning it on to getting your toes toasty. It also means there won't be any uneven hot or cold zones, providing equal heat from floor to ceiling. The Department of Energy standards also notes that this baseboard heater has maximum efficiency, as it converts all incoming electric energy into heat. The overheat protection feature will provide peace of mind too, as the device is designed to turn off if the air vents are blocked.
In terms of installation, you can connect this baseboard quickly and easily with its large wiring compartment, dual knockouts and built-in cable clamp.
5. Cadet 4F1000W: Best value baseboard heater
With a sleep white design and a width of 48.3 x 4 x 7 in, this baseboard heater from Cadet is an unassuming device that will subtly fit into any interior or room setup. Whether you want it to sit under a desk, in a basement, or even in your bedroom, it will have a limited visual impact but greatly amplify the the amount of heat.
It has a convection heating method which is efficient, so you don't need to worry about spending too much money keeping it running. All Cadet baseboard heaters are designed for easy installation too, so they're simple to assemble yourself and will stay strong through years of use. Universal wiring is available at either end, offering flexibility on where you place it in a room.
There aren't too many high-end features on this model, but you are able to program the heater to come on at certain points in the day, and at different temperatures. This is great for those super cold months where you need a regular boost of heat.
High-temperature safety shut-off does mean you can sleep without worry, as the device will power down if it gets too hot. Additional heaters can often be the source of safety concerns, so it's useful to know that this feature is built-in.
Reviews for the Cadet 4F1000W are overwhelmingly positive with over 70-percent five star ratings on Amazon. Most customers note that it was easy to install and performs quietly.
6. Heat Wave B0168Z1TA0: Best stylish baseboard heater
If you're on the hunt for a baseboard heater that differs from the white options widely available on the market, then this Heat Wave model will be the one for you.
The statement black design is an ideal option for those who have dark interiors, as it will blend in seamlessly to your wall. It's a compact model, which is great if you're lacking on space to install it, but worth noting if you're trying to heat a large room. It has a heat output of 1,000 watts which will easily supplement a small room such as an office or bedroom, but you may need something more substantial for big, drafty spaces such as a basement.
Unlike some other options in our round-up, this choice has an adjustable thermostat control included with two heat settings: low (500 watts) and high (1,000 watts). Most other baseboard heaters require you to purchase a thermostat separately, so this will save you some money. It's also equipped with an internal tip-over safety switch, so if the heater tips over the power is cut off automatically. It will also immediately turn off if it overheats.
This option can't be installed straight on the wall, and is instead intended for use on the floor or on an elevated location. You should avoid plugging a heater into an extension cord, so it's important to have a dedicated space to keep it.
What to consider when looking for the best baseboard heater
Price
Baseboard heaters can range in price - set aside anywhere from $30 to over $300 for one of the best models. It's important to know what you want from your baseboard heater before you make your decision, so consider any added extras such as external thermostats or electricians so that you can make sure that you stay within budget
Flooring type
It might not seem immediately obvious, but the flooring you have will make a huge difference in how warm or cold your room is. Carpets are warmer than tiles, for example, because of the added insulation. So if you have a room with hardwood, lino, or tiles then a baseboard heater will effectively warm up the area. You will also need to assess whether your chosen baseboard heater can be used with carpet, so make sure you check before you buy.
Home design and space
Baseboard heaters are best placed under a window due to the drafts that cause cold air to enter a room. The heater will take that cold air and convert it in to warm air by pushing it into the center of the room.
You should also think about the size and shape of your room. There may be some rooms that you don't need very often so you can use a baseboard heater minimally and save on your central heating costs. Or maybe you have a large room with plenty of draughts and a baseboard heater will enhance it with additional warmth.
Built-in thermostat
A thermostat is required in order for a baseboard heater to work, but not all models have them built in. There are often single and double pole options when it comes to thermostats. A single-pole thermostat doesn’t have an off switch so can only be turned down. A double pole thermostat does have an off switch so you can turn it off completely.
Electric v eclectic hydronic
We've collated the best baseboard electric heaters in this buying guide, which means they rely on electric resistance to generate the heat required. They draw in the cold air from the room and heat it before pushing it back out through the top. Electronic hydronic baseboard heaters are also powered by electricity but instead of it directly heating the air, it heats up a reservoir of water inside the heater. The water then moves through the tubes to generate heat for the room. Both have benefits but generally, electric baseboard heaters will warm up the rooms quickly.
Wattage
Electric baseboard heaters measure their heat output in watts. The general rule of thumb is that you need around 10 watts to heat up one square meter of room space. You should think about buying a baseboard heater that has more watts than you actually need so you won't be short changed when it comes to creating a warm and cozy space.
What's the difference between a baseboard heater and a wall heater?
When it comes to heaters there are two types: baseboard heaters and wall heaters. Both heaters work by passing electricity though an element which generates resistance to the current which then creates heat. So what’s the difference? A wall heater is mounted inside on the walls where as a baseboard heater is mounted just above the floor. Baseboard heaters generally run quieter but do tend to be larger than wall heaters. Also, a baseboard heater uses convection heating to radiate heat where as wall heaters use fans to disperse heat.
