If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to take the chill out of the air this winter, the Dreo Solaris 718 is it. In our search for the safest space heater, we tested a dozen different models, including two Dreo space heaters. The Dreo Solaris was awarded the top spot for its powerful fan, accurate temperature control and plentiful safety features. But before you shop, there are a few safety tips you should consider.
Ben Kolo, owner of Mr. Electric of Central Iowa, a Neighborly company, points out that space heaters are best used for supplemental heat and are not designed to heat an entire home. “Heaters are not recommended to be used continuously,” he cautions. “The maximum runtime for a space heater is three hours. This gives the cord, plu, receptacle outlet and wiring time to cool off before the heavy usage begins again.” With that in mind, here is an in-depth look at our top-ranked space heater.
We Tried It
Dreo Space Heater Solaris 718
The Dreo space heater is loaded with safety features, including tip-over protection, flame retardant, a child lock and overheat protection.
What is the Dreo Space Heater?
The Dreo space heater is a corded tower heater that heats up to 300 square feet. It has five heat settings and three fan settings, and it oscillates 120-degrees. This space heater has intuitive touchscreen controls plus a remote that allows you to adjust the temperature in 1-degree increments.
Safety features include a child lock, flame retardant, cool-touch housing, tip-over protection and overheat protection. Our product testing team put these features to the test in order to see how effective they are. The end result? The Dreo space heater was named the best overall model for safety.
How We Tested It
For our series of articles on the best space heaters, our product testing team ran a total of 12 space heaters in rooms ranging from 169 to 196 square feet. They paid special attention to each unit’s safety features, size and price point. Of the two Dreo space heaters we tested, product tester Dylan Fischer was particularly impressed by the overall construction of the Dreo Solaris.
“It looks nice and sleek and stands very sturdy,” he says. “And always gotta call out nice cord management when we see it. Any unused cord can easily be wrapped around the bottom of the base.”
During testing, Dylan found that the unit is especially easy to turn on and start. While it took a few minutes to navigate the settings, Dylan says it is quite intuitive overall. Better yet, it’s both accurate and powerful. He also liked the remote and found that it worked better than other models we tested. “The receiver is at the top of the heater, which makes it easier for the remote to connect,” he explains.
When heating a room, the Dreo allows full control over the temperature, down to the individual degree. “This really allows you to fine-tune the room to whatever feels most comfortable for you,” says Dylan. “The fan is powerful and I could actually feel the difference even in the far corners. By the end of the high-mode test, there was a 10-degree difference.”
Dylan notes that after testing, most of the heater was cool to the touch. However, the heating grates themselves took a few minutes to completely cool off after operating in high-heat mode.
The only thing Dylan wasn’t crazy about was the Dreo’s aesthetic. “It looks nice and sleek, but I don’t love the conical shape,” he says. “It also feels more plasticky compared to, say, the Dysons, but it’s still very solid and sturdy overall.”
Pros
- Powerful fan
- Multiple safety features
- Convenient cord management
- Specific temperature control
- Remote control included
- Good value
Cons:
- Setup directions are vague
Dreo vs. Vornado
In addition to the Dreo Solaris, we also tested the Vornado MVH Whole Room Heater. Both models are equipped with plenty of safety features, heated evenly and are easy to use. They’re also relatively quiet and well constructed.
The Dreo has a conical design and stands almost 30 inches tall. Dylan also found it to be on the heavier side, but was still able to move it thanks to the handle on the back. The Vornado, on the other hand, is designed for portability. According to product tester Annamarie Higley, the Vornado is larger and heavier than some other portable models, but still lightweight enough to move from room to room.
Another key difference between these two space heaters is the overall performance. While Dylan was impressed by the Dreo’s powerful fan and heating capabilities, Annamarie found that the Vornado didn’t generate much heat. “Temps didn’t even reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit,” she says. “That said, I’m not totally sure I would want a room to be much hotter than 80 degrees Fahrenheit at the absolute max so I don’t think this is a huge issue. It also heated quite evenly. The corners and center of the room read the same temps at almost every checkpoint.”
Dreo Solaris 718 vs. Dreo Space Heater Atom One
As mentioned above, we tested two Dreo space heaters: the Dreo Solaris 718 and the Dreo Space Heater Atom One. Like the Solaris, the Atom One is easy to operate via a touch screen control panel and has multiple settings and safety features. It also impressed our testers by heating a room quickly and evenly.
At just $50, the Atom One was our favorite budget-friendly space heater. But as such, it doesn’t have the same bells and whistles as the Solaris. For instance, the Atom One does not come with a remote and does not have cord management. The Atom One also features a compact design that makes it much more portable than the Solaris.
The only thing our tester didn’t like about the Atom One was the fact that it didn’t shut off immediately after being tipped over. “I ‘knocked over’ the space heater by setting it on its side, and immediately it started beeping,” explains product tester Sydney Manning. “After about two minutes, it completely shut off.”
Final Verdict
Of the space heaters we tested, the Dreo came out on top for outstanding performance and value. “The Dreo Solaris comes with not only five heat settings but also specific temperature control. Very convenient for fine-tuning a specific heat level for your room,” raves Dylan.
Where to Buy the Dreo Space Heater
We Tried It
Dreo Space Heater Solaris 718
This Dreo space heater allows for specific temperature control for maximum comfort.
The Dreo space heater can be purchased directly on the Dreo website. It is also available on Amazon.
FAQ
Are Dreo space heaters energy efficient?
According to Kolo, portable space heaters can draw a lot of electricity. “Most portable space heaters draw 1,500 watts, which is a maximum load for a typical household circuit. Depending on the local electricity rates, running a space heater for eight hours can cost up to $3 a day,” he explains. That said, Dreo space heaters have multiple heat settings including ECO Mode to help you save money.
Are Dreo space heaters safe?
Yes! We tested two Dreo space heaters and both made of list of the safest space heaters.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our product testing team at Family Handyman, spearheaded by Sheri Kaz, Dylan Fischer and Sydney Manning, put 12 space heaters through our tried-and-true testing process. During testing, they analyzed the specs, performance and features of each model and only recommended those that met or exceeded their expectations.
Fischer, who tested several different space heaters, has tested hundreds of products across various brands, including Family Handyman, Taste of Home and Reader’s Digest, and has built sets to simulate true-to-life scenarios for product testing.
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