Heat Storm Phoenix 

There’s a lot to like and little to dislike about the Heat Storm Phoenix. This wall heater crams a lot of features into a high-value package.

First and foremost, the Phoenix’s heating capabilities are very good for its rating.

Its 1,500-watt heat element has a 5,200 BTU heating capacity, which is sufficient for spaces up to 150 square feet when working as a primary heater.

This is an infrared heater, so it provides practically immediate warmth.

That said, there is a fan assisting the infrared element, making this something of an infrared and forced air hybrid machine.

The result is rapid and efficient heating — I boosted the temperature in a 150-square-foot room by 20°F in 30 minutes.

I found the Phoenix quite energy-efficient. It won’t rack up your energy bills even as a primary heater.

As a supplemental heater, I actually lowered both my electricity bills.

Installing the unit is similarly straightforward. The heater hangs on the wall on a couple of screws, so if you’ve ever hung up a picture frame, you know what to do.

The heater plugs into a regular 115V outlet with a lengthy 6-foot cord.

I like the cord compartment on the back that safely hides excess cord and can make the unit look cordless.

Finally, I like the Phoenix’s extensive safety features. It has a safe-touch grille (I tried; you can touch it), overheat shut-off, and tip-over protection in case it falls from the wall.

There's also a model with a floor stand, although that sacrifices the Wi-Fi connectivity.

The thermostat is a bit inaccurate, but fortunately, it’s easy to recalibrate by keeping the power button pressed for about 15 seconds.

For its price of just about $100, this wall heater is an unmatched powerhouse.

Related article: Space heaters for supplemental heating in large rooms

Envi Plug-in Electric Panel Wall Heater

The Envi is my top choice for small nurseries or home offices because of its completely silent home heating.

The Envi plug-in is a convection heater, which means that it’s extraordinarily quiet. 

I actually had to put my hand over it to make sure it was running because I couldn’t hear it over my TV. 

What makes it even better around babies and pets though is its ability to stay cool to the touch, which should be any parent's number one concern. 

According to the Journal of Burn Care and Research, portable heaters are a very common reason for emergency room visits, but you won't have to worry about that with the Envi. 

I love that I could install it relatively to the ground near my outlet and leave it running 24-7 without worry. 

Installation was also super easy. It took me a bit longer than the advertised two minutes, but hey, I’m a perfectionist. 

Similarly to the Heat Storm models, it hangs on a wall mount with two screws. I would even trust a complete beginner to hang this one for me. 

A standout feature to me is the built-in WALL-SENS technology. Envi added this feature to ensure that the heater won’t even function unless it is properly secured to a wall, so don’t even think you’re going to get away with propping it up against a nightstand or something.

Of course, the downside of convection heaters is that their fanless design means that they aren’t going to heat a space instantly. 

I can confidently say though, that Envi’s performance is worth the wait. 

In fact, this model uses so little energy that the company says you could run it for just 4 cents per hour.

That means that even if you ran it 24-7, it would set your energy bill back less than $1 per day.

Similar to most of the products on my list, the Envi has a simple control dial that allows you to adjust heat output within a range of five levels.

While the corded version is just what I need for my current setup, it’s worth noting that Envi offers the same model in a hardwired version.

Related article: Space heaters for small rooms like nurseries and offices

Dreo WH719S

The Dreo WH719S is one of those wall heaters that blends modern tech with straightforward functionality, which makes it a great pick for bedrooms, home offices, or even small garages.

It can comfortably heat a room of up to 200 square feet—or provide a nice bump of supplemental warmth in spaces up to around 750 square feet.

I immediately appreciated how intuitive the controls were. Just like the Heat Storm Phoenix, it's a 1500 watt unit, so I do recommend that you don't plug anything else into the outlet.

The large digital display is bright and clear, showing your temperature and settings at a glance, and the WiFi app is genuinely easy to use (no confusing menus or laggy pairing).

You can even connect it to Alexa for hands-free voice commands, which makes it feel a little fancier than your average plug-in unit.

Compared to the Envi, the Dreo WH719S feels a bit more high-tech, with smart features taking center stage rather than silent, minimalist design.

I know plenty of people who have installed this one in their garage, and it performs surprisingly well there—as long as you’re in a mild climate. Once the temps drop below 41°F, it’ll start to struggle, and pushing it too hard in the cold can risk damage to the components.

For daily comfort, though, the Dreo does a solid job. 

It warms up quickly, the thermostat is accurate to within one degree, and the sleek black housing looks right at home in a modern setup.

I also like that you can mount it higher on the wall or closer to the floor, depending on your space. Overall, it’s a dependable, tech-forward heater that keeps things cozy and connected without a fuss.

Heat Storm Wave Deluxe 

Heat Storm Wave Deluxe HS-1000-WX shows that you don't have to pay a fortune for a high-quality heater.

This little wall heater offers many of the same features as its Phoenix sibling, just in a more affordable package.

The Wave Deluxe’s 1,000-watt element has a 3,200 BTU heating capacity, giving it a maximum coverage area of 100 square feet.

It’s not quite as powerful as the Phoenix, but the maximum heat output was still more than plenty for my nursery.

I found the energy efficiency very nice, and this unit will likely lower your heating costs compared to running central heating in all rooms all the time.

I also like the clear LED display, like that on the Dreo model, which makes it simple to control the built-in digital thermostat, whether with the touch buttons or the remote.

The internal sensor is a bit off (a hereditary HS family problem), but I recalibrated the thing so quickly that it doesn't really matter.

Like its sibling, the Wave Deluxe is easy to install with an identical hang-it-on-screws design.

It doesn't have a compartment for the cord, but there are holders on the bottom, so it won't just hang freely.

In terms of safety, you get everything that the Wave Deluxe’s big brother offers, including tip-over and thermal overload protection.

The front grille stays cool to the touch, so you won't burn yourself.

This version of the heater doesn’t have Wi-Fi and only mounts on a wall. That said, there are other versions with Wi-Fi and a floor stand (but not both).

This unit’s fan is a bit louder than the Phoenix’s, but I still didn’t find it distracting.

If you’re looking for a wall heater on a budget, you won’t find many that can compete with the Wave Deluxe.

Related article: Space heaters suitable for bathroom use

King Electric Pic-a-Watt PAW2422-W

Not all wall-mounted heaters have what it takes to heat large spaces. Thanks to its powerful heater element, the in-wall King Electric Pic-a-Watt PAW2422-W heater does.

This in-wall heater also understands the importance of finesse.

It’s not called Pic-a-Watt for nothing — you can easily adjust the heating power by simply plugging or unplugging wires during installation.

With various wiring configurations, the Pic-a-Watt can function at wattages ranging from 500 to 2,250.

I appreciate the versatility and ability to install it in different circuits and room sizes. And if you need a bit less power, there’s also a 1,500W version available.

On the 2,250W setting, the Pic-a-Watt has a 7,600 BTU heating capacity and a maximum rated coverage area of 225 square feet, beating the HS Phoenix, Dreo, and other wall heaters in its power category.

There's more — I was able to heat a room nearly twice that big to above 70°F in 30 minutes, so this thing definitely blows a lot of warm air.

Speaking of which, don’t put any furniture in front of the grille, and keep pets and small children away from it. I’m telling you, that air is hot.

The Pic-a-Watt is a forced air heater, but it has very quiet operation for its type. I didn’t find the whirring blower any louder than your average portable fan.

Despite its power, the Pic-a-Wat is an energy-saving heater.

It’s much more energy-efficient than, say, baseboard heaters and looks a lot better, too, with its in-wall installation.

On the topic of installation, hooking the Pic-a-Watt up can be a challenge. You have to cut a hole into your wall for it and hardwire it to a 240V circuit.

Additionally, the unit doesn't have a thermostat or controls. You need to purchase and wire a separate wall controller to use it.

Although the process is straightforward for what it is, I can't recommend doing it unless you have experience with electrical work.

Get a professional to do it — their fee will cost less than replacing fried wiring and scorched walls.

Once you have it running, though, the Pic-a-Watt will keep you warm, no matter what room it’s in.

Broan-NuTone Comfort-Flo 174

They say the jack of all trades is the master of none. Having seen the Broan-NuTone Comfort-Flo 174, I have to question how accurate that saying is.

If you’re looking for a flexible installation process, the Comfort-Flo 174 is the machine for you.

I enjoy the plethora of options for determining the heat output, controls, and placement.

Although it doesn't have different heating modes, you can change it to suit different room sizes and voltages (in the same vein as with the King Electric Pic-a-Watt).

The factory settings for the Comfort-Flo 174 have it running at 1,500 watts in a 120V circuit, producing about 5,200 BTU worth of heat for 150 square feet, comparable to the plug in HS Phoenix.

By altering the internal wiring, you can convert the unit to 750W (120V) or 1,500W (240V), which can help keep your heating costs in check.

Unlike the Pic-a-Watt, this unit has a built-in thermostat, so I could use it without additional controllers.

It can be connected to a wall controller, though, and I did so pretty quickly — and would recommend you to do so as well.

The internal thermostat is built into the metal housing, which heats up during operation and results in inaccurate measurements.

Speaking of the housing, the enamel-coated metal grille resists rusting and doesn’t protrude far from the wall.

You can mount it in any room as long as you can cut a hole in the wall for the internal components.

The forced air fan is quiet, so this is a good option for heating a small bedroom.

Like the Pic-a-Watt and all other in-wall heaters, installing the Comfort-Flo 174 can be challenging.

Since you have to make a hole for it and hardwire the electrical connections, it’s best to leave the job to professionals.

Just remember to tell the installer what settings you want for the unit. After all, with this many options, they will need your instruction!

Are electric wall heaters expensive to run?

Electric wall heaters can be pricey to run for long periods due to their generally high power consumption. The final cost depends on your heater’s power, energy efficiency, and your local energy prices.

How long does an electric wall heater last?

Electric wall heaters can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. You can significantly extend their lifespan with proper installation and regular cleaning and maintenance.

Can I leave the electric wall heater on overnight?

It is generally safe to leave electric wall heaters running overnight if they have appropriate safety functions, such as safe-touch surfaces and overheat protection.

If your heater has a timer option, it may be a good idea to set the heater to shut off after you’ve fallen asleep.

Why is my electric wall heater not working?

Your electric heater may not work if it’s not plugged in, has faulty wiring in the power cord or internal, a malfunctioning heat element, or a broken thermostat. You may need a professional to evaluate why the unit doesn’t work.

Related Article: Fixing an electric heater that trips the breaker

Are electric wall heaters legal in California?

In general, electric wall heaters are legal in California, but certain types may be restricted based on local and building regulations. Check with your local authorities to determine what heater types are allowed in your area.