Looking for the best space heaters on Amazon.ca for a Canadian apartment? This guide compares the portable heaters that actually ship in Canada, explains which type suits a bedroom, living room or basement unit, and shows what running one really costs on Ontario's current hydro rates, so you buy once and stay warm all winter.
- Six Amazon.ca space heaters matched to real apartment situations (bedroom, living room, basement, office)
- Ceramic vs oil-filled vs infrared, plus your landlord's legal heat duty in Ontario
- Monthly running costs on Ontario Time-of-Use rates and a renter safety checklist
Check Your Landlord's Heat Obligation Before You Buy
Newcomers often buy a heater when the real problem is an under-heated building. In Ontario, heat is a legally protected "vital service." Under O. Reg. 516/06, a landlord who supplies heat must keep rental units at at least 20°C from September 1 to June 15, and cities can set stricter rules on top of that.
A space heater makes the most sense when your building meets the minimum but a single room runs cold, when you pay your own hydro and want to heat only the room you're in, or during the shoulder weeks before central heat kicks in.
Ceramic, Oil-Filled or Infrared? Pick the Type First
Every plug-in electric heater turns close to 100% of its electricity into heat, so no type is "more efficient" per kilowatt-hour. What changes is how the heat reaches you, how loud it is, and how safe it is around kids and pets.
| Type | How it heats | Best room | Noise | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic (fan-forced) | Fan pushes air over a hot ceramic element | Living room, office, drafty spots | Low fan hum | Warmth fades fast once off |
| Oil-filled radiator | Sealed oil warms slowly and radiates heat | Bedrooms, nurseries | Silent | Slow to warm up, heavy |
| Infrared / quartz | Heats people and objects directly | Spot heat at a desk or chair | Quiet | Doesn't warm the whole room well |
| Micathermic panel | Mix of radiant and convection heat | Small bedrooms, wall-mount spots | Silent | Surface can get very hot |
A common rule of thumb is about 10 watts per square foot, so a 1,500W heater comfortably handles a room of roughly 150 sq ft as supplemental heat. For a bigger open-concept living area, aim for a tower with wide oscillation rather than two heaters on one circuit.
6 Best Amazon.ca Space Heaters for Apartments in 2026
These picks are widely sold on Amazon.ca and consistently recommended by Canadian review sites. Prices change daily, so check the current price on each listing before you buy.
Ceramic, oscillating
Oil-filled, silent
Ceramic, multi-zone
Tall tower, 120° swing
Ceramic tower
Compact desk heater
1. Dreo DR-HSH003 Ceramic Heater — Best Overall
The Dreo is the easiest recommendation for most one-bedroom apartments. Fan-forced heat feels immediate, oscillation spreads it across a sofa or desk area, and the thermostat cycles the heater off once the room reaches your setting, which keeps hydro costs down.
Check price on Amazon.ca for Early Prime Big Deal2. De'Longhi Dragon4 TRD40615E — Best for Bedrooms and Kids' Rooms
If you have young children, this is the type to choose for bedrooms. There's no fan noise, no glowing element, and the heat stays in the room after the thermostat cycles off. It takes 20–30 minutes to warm up, so turn it on before bedtime.
Check price on Amazon.ca3. Honeywell HeatGenius HCE845BC — Best Controls
Honeywell's HeatGenius offers an unusually wide range of heat modes, from a gentle eco setting to full power. It suits renters who want fine control, or couples who disagree on how warm "warm" is.
Check price on Amazon.ca4. Dreo Solaris 718 — Best for Open Living Rooms
A tall tower moves warm air at seated height instead of heating your ankles. The wide oscillation angle makes this the better pick for open-concept condos where one heater has to cover a sofa and a dining table.
Check price on Amazon.ca5. Honeywell HCE317BC — Best Simple Tower
No app, no fuss. A straightforward tower with oscillation and basic controls, good for a guest room or anyone who wants a heater that just works.
Check price on Amazon.ca6. Amazon Basics Ceramic Heater — Best Budget Desk Heater
For a basement desk or a cold corner where you sit for a few hours, a small ceramic heater is all you need. Confirm the listing shows a Canadian certification mark before ordering.
Check price on Amazon.caWhat a Space Heater Costs to Run in Ontario
Your heater's cost depends on wattage, hours and when you run it. Under the Ontario Energy Board's Regulated Price Plan (November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026), Time-of-Use rates are 9.8¢ off-peak, 15.7¢ mid-peak and 20.3¢ on-peak per kWh. A 1,500W heater running 8 hours a day uses about 360 kWh a month.
Renter Safety Checklist for Space Heaters
Amazon.ca includes third-party sellers, and not every listing is certified for Canada. Before plugging anything in, run through this list.
▸Look for a Canadian certification mark such as CSA, cUL or cETL on the unit itself, not just in the listing.▸Buy only models with tip-over and overheat auto shut-off.
▸Plug directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power bar.
▸Keep at least 3 feet (about 1 m) from beds, curtains, laundry and papers.
▸Run only one heater per circuit to avoid tripping breakers.
▸Turn it off when you leave the room, and stop using it if the plug or cord feels hot.
▸Check Health Canada's recalls database for your model once a season.
Space Heater FAQ for Canadian Renters
Is it cheaper to use a space heater than electric baseboards?
Per kilowatt-hour, no. Both are resistance heat. You save only when you turn the baseboards down and heat just the room you're using.
Can I leave a space heater on overnight?
Safety agencies advise against leaving heaters unattended. If you must heat a bedroom overnight, an oil-filled radiator with a thermostat and tip-over shut-off, placed 3 feet from the bed, is the lower-risk option.
Can my landlord ban space heaters?
Some leases restrict them, especially in older buildings with limited electrical capacity. Check your lease, and if the unit is below the legal minimum, the landlord must fix the heat rather than ask you to buy a heater.
Are US heaters sold on Amazon.ca safe to use in Canada?
They run on the same 120V power, but the product must carry a mark recognized in Canada. A "c" before UL or ETL indicates Canadian certification.
What size space heater do I need for a bedroom?
Most bedrooms under 150 sq ft are covered by a 1,500W heater, and many only need its 750W low setting once warm.
Do space heaters dry out the air?
Canadian winter air is already very dry, and warming it lowers relative humidity further regardless of heater type. A humidifier helps more than switching heater types.
When do Ontario electricity rates change?
The OEB resets Regulated Price Plan rates every November 1, so check the new rates each fall before planning your heater schedule.