Take the chill off with the powerful, yet compact, Lasko portable space heater.
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The Lasko Portable Space Heater Is a Permanent Winter Fixture in My Bathroom
Updated on Feb. 19, 2025
Space heaters come in all shapes and sizes for different applications, depending on the space and type of heat you want. From ceramic to infrared to electric fireplaces and plug-in baseboard heaters, there’s a wide range to choose from. However, having a portable space heater is especially convenient because you can move it around your home as needed.
Unlike most space heaters, the Lasko portable space heater is approved for bathroom use and supposedly transforms a frigid bathroom into a warm spa. I was excited to test it to see if it lives up to the hype.
What is the Lasko portable space heater?
This Lasko space heater is a 1,500-watt electric ceramic convection space heater that’s ideal for warming up your chilly bathroom or other small spaces. Small but mighty, this energy-efficient space heater throws out heat instantly. The internal fan is surprisingly powerful and moves the warm air throughout the room.
This bathroom-approved space heater is built for safety and ease of use. With one large three-inch push button on the top of the unit, you can choose between high, low or one-hour high heat settings. When you’re ready to turn it off, simply hit the button again. The large print and visible lights make it user-friendly for nearly any age or ability.
So, what makes it safe for bathroom use? According to licensed electrician Ally Childress, it’s an added safety feature called an appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI) on the plug.
If you’re looking for a good-looking tabletop space heater, the Lasko’s soft lines and knob-free design rival even the sleekest devices. Wire mesh covers the heating mechanism, adding to its elegant profile. For such a compact and sleek design, this eight-inch-high portable space heater feels solid and stable and weighs less than four pounds. And with the tiny 6-1/4-inch by 6-1/4-inch footprint, it feels right at home on a counter or desk.
On Sale
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Lasko Portable Space Heater
Designed for bathroom use, this portable space heater warms your space with one simple button.
Lasko Portable Space Heater Features
I love the safety features built into this machine, like the one-hour off setting and the built-in overheat protection. This unit is outfitted with a two-pronged integrated appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI) safety plug, which acts like a circuit breaker if it senses a power imbalance. The plug includes a test and reset button, much like a hair dryer. As a result, this unit is approved for bathroom use. And with its long six-foot cord, you’ll have flexibility with where you place it.
The Lasko has a cool-touch exterior and a courtesy power light on the front to let you know the unit is still plugged into a power source. For reference, the high setting is 1,500 watts, and the low setting is 750 watts.
How We Tested It
My 10-foot by 6-foot bathroom is encased in tile, and, as a consequence, it is cold. Even if the thermostat in my house is set at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the bathroom always feels chilly. From the moment the outdoor temperatures started to drop, I’ve used this heater every time I step into my stone-cold shower. Before I use the unit, I always check the premises to ensure there are no flammables, such as nail polish remover, hair spray or tissues on the counter, just in case. I’d hate to interrupt my shower with firetrucks. Once I turn the Lasko portable space heater on, the room quickly warms up.
To see how warm the heater would make my bathroom, I found an old thermometer and timed it. I placed the thermometer behind the heater, and within 10 minutes, my 60-square-foot bathroom warmed up 8 degrees Fahrenheit on the high heat setting. Within 30 minutes, the overall temperature of the bathroom had risen 12 degrees Fahrenheit.
The quiet fan circulates the heat and warms the entire space. It’s louder than my bathroom exhaust fan but not annoyingly loud. I tested the noise level with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) app on my phone, and it scored 58.1 decibels (dB). In other words, it fell in the range of normal conversation or background music. However, I might not want this space heater on my desktop while talking on the phone. For comparison, the sound level in my bathroom was 30 dB before turning the space heater on. (Decibel levels above 85 can damage hearing.)
I rarely use the Lasko portable heater for the entire hour since it heats like a beast on high. Generally, I turn it off or down to low once I’m out of the tub. Either way, the fan speed and noise level are the same on both the high and low settings.
This space heater literally stayed in my bathroom all winter. I used it every time I showered and loved it. And though I put it in the closet once the warm weather arrived, it will be finding its place on the counter once again in just a matter of weeks.
Pros
- Safe for bathroom use
- Instant heat
- Easy-to-use three-heat settings
- One-hour shutoff setting
- Overheat shutoff protection
- Quiet operation
- Internal fan
- Compact and lightweight
- Three-year limited warranty
Cons
- Not meant for large spaces
- No tip-over automatic shutoff
- Fan can’t be controlled
Why Trust Us
At Family Handyman, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by experienced writers in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece, I tested the Lasko portable space heater in my own home to see how it held up to real-life use. I’m a product tester with years of experience testing everything from pruners to leaf blowers. I also relied on the expertise of licensed electrician, Ally Childress. Our goal is to always provide you with relevant, accurate information to help you make smart purchases for your home. Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, an editor and writer since 2014 who’s been in the commerce journalism world since 2017, updated this piece.
FAQs
Do Lasko heaters use a lot of electricity?
The short answer is no. Most space heaters, including this Lasko model, use 1,500 watts. If you run a space heater for eight hours a day, it may cost you about $2 per day, depending on your local rates. Family Handyman broke it down even further in this how much electricity a space heater uses guide. Most electric space heaters aren’t designed to heat large spaces, but they’ll warm up a chilly room without turning up the heat for the entire house.
Is it okay to leave the Lasko heater on all night?
No. Lasko doesn’t recommend leaving it on while unattended for any length of time. Leaving any space heater on without supervision poses a fire risk.
Are portable heaters safe to use indoors?
Yes, portable heaters are safe to use indoors. In general, keeping combustibles at least 3 feet away from all sides of the heater is best practice. Be sure to check the specs and user manuals for specifics. You’ll also want to purchase one from a reputable brand, like Lasko, and check if the product has met standardized product safety certifications and has Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL) or Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NTRL) listings.
How long can you run a Lasko space heater?
A portable space heater shouldn’t be used as your main source of heat. Instead, think of it as a supplemental heating source that you’re not running 24/7. And remember, never leave a space heater in use unattended.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
I’m not the only person who loves this Lasko bathroom heater. Over 4,560 Amazon customers have given the unit five out of five stars, often describing is as perfect, powerful and a game changer.
“Let me just say that this little guy warms up my walk-in freezer, excuse me, bathroom in about 5 minutes. After 10 minutes, it’s like a sauna in there,” shares five-star reviewer S. Bergman. Once or twice, I forgot to turn it off, so it’s great that it has a one-hour auto setting that will turn off on its own. I can now take a shower and complete my ablutions without risking frostbite. I highly recommend this space heater for small rooms.”
“We have an old wall heater that stopped working years ago and have used a variety of heaters to warm the space to varying success,” shares five-star reviewer Courtney Larson, “This heater not only heats the room fantastically, but is easy to turn on and off. The ease of the button on the top makes turning this on and off wonderful for those of us with joint/muscle issues. I completely recommend this heater for small bathrooms and those who have trouble with knobs and smaller buttons.”
Roger Sharp, says another five-star reviewer, “We are in assistant living, and wheelchair access provides space under sink for this heater. We placed ours on a 1-foot plastic step stool (from Amazon). Alternatively, it will fit nicely on a counter close to electrical outlet. Takes the chill from the bath area, and the automatic one-hour turnoff is another good feature.”
Final Verdict
This Lasko portable space heater is a game-changer for my chilly bathroom. I love how quickly it warms up the space and the compact design. Since the heat works immediately, I’ve even used it as a quick hand warmer after being outdoors to take the chill off. This little unit is easy to stow away in a cabinet when not in use, and it doesn’t take up valuable space.
I really love the simple big-button control. No more fiddling with knobs, searching for remotes or breaking out the bifocals to make it work. Just plug it in and hit the button. Instant heat! Plus, this little space heater doesn’t take up much room, so I leave it on my counter. I turn it on, close the door and walk into a warm spa bathroom five minutes later. I absolutely love the Lasko and highly recommend it.
Where to Buy the Lasko Portable Space Heater
On Sale
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Lasko Portable Space Heater
Designed for bathroom use, this portable space heater warms your space with one simple button.
Pick up this cozy heater (for a budget-friendly price!) on Amazon, Walmart, Ace Hardware and Sylvane. For mere pennies a day, you can have a luxurious, warm shower and keep Old Man Winter out of your bathroom.
