We Found the Best Baseboard Heaters to Keep Your Home Toasty

Best Overall: Cadet 72 in. 1,500-watt 240-Volt Electric Baseboard Heater

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Cadet is one of the top names in baseboard heaters and appears multiple times on our list. Not only are its heaters reliable, affordable, and well-made, it also makes choosing the right size and output easy. This 1,500-watt model (referring to the actual output) is a standard 72 inches, fitting most uses and construction. It has pre-drilled holes and universal wiring, making it one of the easiest baseboard heaters to install. It is a 240-volt baseboard heater and requires a double breaker.

This Cadet can heat rooms up to 175 square feet and is ideal for small-to-medium rooms such as bedrooms. The element is covered in steel, which protects the unit and keeps the heat circulating.

If temperatures exceed manufacturer-preset limits, the Cadet 1500-Watt electric baseboard heater automatically shuts off the unit. That can prevent hazardous conditions that could lead to fires. The unit also requires a dedicated thermostat (purchased separately); Cadet sells a compatible unit.

Best Budget: Cadet 48 in. 1,000-Watt Electric Baseboard Heater

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Another reliable baseboard heater from Cadet, this model is slightly smaller and with less heat output (48 inches long and 1,000 watts). If you have a smaller room or a smaller budget, it is a great choice, as it provides the safety shutoff and other features of its 1,500-watt cousin. This heater is also unobtrusive, with a slim design and a shorter length that can blend in just about any room. It heats up to 150 square feet, but you can strategically place multiple heaters in larger areas.

It has pre-drilled installation holes and universal wiring at both ends. While it needs to be hard-wired, doing so is easy. If you aren’t confident around electricity, consider hiring a pro, although that adds to the cost. The required thermostat (purchased separately) also adds to the overall cost.

Best Convection: De'Longhi Convection Panel Heater

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Because it is freestanding, this panel heater can go anywhere in the room, offering versatility that many other baseboard heaters don’t have. Putting it at the baseboard makes efficient use of the space. You also can mount it on the wall, with the included mounting kit. It puts out 1,500 watts, enough for a small-to-medium-size room.

The unit has digital controls, as well as a programmable timer. The safety shutoff turns it off when the heat exceeds safe levels, while the anti-freeze setting turns it on to keep the room temperature at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The heater also comes with a three-year warranty, which isn’t as long as those offered with some products, but it still offers the peace of mind, because the manufacturer corrects any issues. We would prefer that the warranty were longer, considering the unit’s high price.

Best Small Hydronic: Cadet 47 in. SoftHeat Hydronic Electric Baseboard Heater 47 in. SoftHeat Hydronic Electric Baseboard Heater

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This heater uses mineral oil to circulate and conduct heat, so the unit’s surface doesn’t get as hot. The hydronic baseboard heater from Cadet encompasses all of the features we like in Cadet convection heaters, including the safety shutoff, universal wiring, and clean design.

The 47-inch, 750-watt heater is ideal for a nursery, bedroom, or office, where having a baseboard heater that doesn't burn your hand is more important than having the most powerful one available. It is a bit pricey for the output and, as the others, requires a separately purchased thermostat.

Best for Large Rooms: Cadet 96 in. 2,000/2,500-Watt 240-Volt Electric Baseboard Heater

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With a whopping 2,000-watt output, the Cadet 96-inch baseboard heater is a good option for heating a large room, up to 250 square feet. It is surprisingly quiet, given its large size and output. Its powder-coated steel cover muffles the noise and resists scratching. It includes the safety shutoff that other Cadet models have, but, as with the others, you need to purchase a separate thermostat.

Installing this large baseboard heater, which is hard-wired, using a double amp is similar to other Cadet models. Some additional elements make it easy, given its large size. The pre-drilled holes are at 1-inch intervals, so you can mount the heater where you need it. It also has universal wiring on both ends, so connecting it to power is easy. Like any hard-wired baseboard heater, it’s best to leave the electrical installation to the pros, unless you have extensive knowledge and confidence.

Best for Small Rooms: Cadet 30-In. 240-Volt Baseboard Hardwire Electric Heater

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On the other end of the Cadet spectrum is the 30-inch, 500-watt baseboard heater. The "older baby" of the Cadet family heats rooms up to 100 square feet but includes many of the features of the larger models, such as the safety shutoff and universal wiring setup. You need to purchase a separate thermostat and potentially pay for pro installation, but at this affordable cost, it’s easier to work those into your budget.

There is one smaller option from Cadet, which measures 24 inches; if you want to install the heater on a very narrow wall, these are the two best sizes, but the 30-inch model circulates the heat more and fits in just about any space. Cadet recommends placing baseboard heaters under windows to allow them to work efficiently.

Best Portable: Comfort Zone Indoor 1500 Watt Electric Baseboard Convection Space Heater

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Just plug in your heater and get cranking! The Comfort Zone CZ600 provides the same output as that of many hard-wired baseboard heaters but without professional installation. It uses standard 110-volt power and can be plugged into any outlet. The unit stays surprisingly cool, although it does warm to the touch.

One standout design feature is the dent-proof construction on each end. Depending on where you place this heater, it may be in the middle of the room and prone to being moved or hit. But the ends do not dent or become damaged, which protects the heating element inside, and your home from potential hazards. It also includes an overheat shutoff and tip-over shutoff. However, it only comes with a two-year warranty, although the manufacturer’s customer service does get high marks.

Best Quiet: Cadet F Series 48 in. Hardwire Electric Baseboard Heater

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The Cadet F Series is virtually silent, even as it heats. This heater comes with safety features that we like from Cadet, including the overheating sensor and shutoff. It also has universal wiring on both sides, making installation a breeze for a professional. You need to purchase a separate thermostat, however.

It comes in multiple sizes, from 24 inches all the way to 96 inches. Power output starts at 350 watts in the smallest size and increases until it reaches 2,000 watts in the longest baseboard heater. The best size and output for your room depend on the size of your space.

Best Hydronic: Cadet SoftHeat Hydronic Electric Baseboard Heater

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This hydronic baseboard heater is ideal for rooms up to 125 square feet. Even when the thermostat shuts off, the heater continues to generate residual warmth—maintaining a room’s temperature. The unit shuts off automatically if normal operating temperatures are exceeded. And because the heating element is enclosed, the exterior stays cool and doesn’t pose a risk to anyone passing by.

This model must be hard-wired to an electrical supply. Universal wiring allows for installation at either end of the heater. This heater supplies 1,000 watts of heat at 240 volts or 750 watts at 208 volts.