Ceramic heaters give quick heat that can be felt almost immediately. It's like rubbing your cold hands together in front of an open flame. The danger isn't as bad but the heat is as toasty warm.

This ceramic heater has two heat settings 1000 watt and 1500 watt. I generally just push it up to high when first looking to pump in badly needed heat into a cold drafty room. We only use this in extreme cold and not even often then.

A thermostat helps regulate the temperature. It may take a little work until one gets that setting just right. I also found that the unit will sometimes shut on and off constantly when near the correct temperature setting. It's a bit annoying because when its on there's a noise that is a bit like a constant rush of air being driven through a grate. The sound is there but is kinda like white noise on the radio, it isn't especially annoying.

The noise comes from some kind of internal fan that pushes the hot air about three feet and then it dissipates into the room. It's in that three feet of space that you can really feel the heat! Usual warnings suggest not to have anything nearby the heater that can catch on fire.

The heater is protected in that an off balance switch will shut it down if it somehow is bumped into and falls over. That's good. It plugs into the usual home 110/120 outlet so no special wiring is needed. The five foot or so cord is not to be used with an extension cord so you must be sure the heater will work where you need it most.

These type heaters are small. The Holmes Products HCH4051 Ceramic Utility Heater is about 6"x 6"x 7" and is light in weight. The small recessed handle toward the rear makes it easy to carry when cooled down.

Closing Thought

I like this kind of heater for quick heat in a small area. It's also more like a personal heater. It can work at relatively close quarters. Remember safety though.

For more even heat I prefer oil filled heaters that do take too long to heat up an area but once heated remains more uniform. They are also quieter and I believe more safe. I don't like ceramic heaters anywhere near my grand children...or is it my grand children anywhere near the ceramic heater?

So it all comes down to personal preferences. I gave some detail and experience, you decide.




Lakewood (5500) Oil Filled Radiator Heater Another home option


Master 115,000BTU Fan Forced Air Heater with Thermostat Not for home use.


Recommended: Yes