Best budget in space heaters
A budget ceramic tower that warms one room fast, with the safety basics stated in its manual: a tip-over switch, an overheat cut-off and a cool-touch housing.
Our score: 7.5/10 out of 10Researched, not lab-tested
- Heater type
- Ceramic fan heater
- Room size (maker)
- 300 sq ft
- Maximum heat
- 1,500 W
- Heat settings
- 3
Is it right for you?
Pros
- Tip-over switch and overheat cut-off stated in the manual
- Cool-touch housing; ETL listed per Lasko
- 900 to 1,500 W over 3 settings, with an Auto Eco thermostat
- Light at 6 lb, with a remote and a 12-hour timer
- Three-year warranty, valid in the US and Canada
Cons
- Needs 3 ft clear in front and 1 ft at the sides and rear
- Not for bathrooms, laundry rooms or damp basements
- Fan heat stops the moment it switches off
- Best for
- Warming one room quickly during a cold snap or a furnace failure, on a budget, with stated tip-over protection.
- Not for
- Damp basements, bathrooms or laundry areas, or running unattended overnight near bedding.
Our verdict
If the furnace quits in a cold snap and you need one room warm fast, a ceramic tower like this does it cheaply. Lasko’s CT22850 runs at 900 to 1,500 W across three heat settings, with an Auto Eco thermostat, oscillation, a remote and a 12-hour timer, and Lasko rates it for rooms up to about 300 sq ft.
What earns it a place here is that the safety basics are in the manual: a tip-over switch stops it if it falls, a thermal overload cut-off shuts it off if it overheats, and the housing stays cool to the touch. It is ETL listed and weighs 6 lb. The catches are the clearances, a ban on damp rooms, and fan heat that stops the moment it switches off, unlike an oil-filled radiator such as the De’Longhi Dragon. The three-year warranty is valid in the US and Canada. See all the space heaters we compare.
Setup and safety
Safety: keep 3 ft (0.9 m) clear around the heater, stand it on a stable floor, plug it straight into a wall outlet (never a power strip or extension cord), keep the cord out from under rugs, and don’t leave it running unattended or while you sleep. CPSC space heater tips. In Canada, Health Canada treats portable heaters that fail the CSA safety criteria as a danger, so check the label for a recognised certification mark.
Lasko’s own manual is stricter on cords than most: plug it straight into a 120 V wall outlet, never an extension cord, power strip, surge protector, cord reel or multi-outlet adapter, and don’t share the outlet or circuit. Check now and then that the plug isn’t getting hot; a loose or faulty outlet should be checked by an electrician. Keep furniture, bedding, papers, clothes and curtains 3 ft from the front and 1 ft from the sides and rear.
Vacuum the intake grilles every two weeks with a brush attachment. It isn’t for bathrooms, laundry areas, wet or damp places, outdoors or barns.
Specs
Lasko 22″ Ceramic Tower Space Heater with Tip-Over Switch and Remote (CT22850)
Heating
| Heater type | Ceramic fan heater |
|---|---|
| Maximum heat | 1,500 W |
| Heat settings | 3 |
| Built-in thermostat | Yes |
Safety
| Tip-over switch | Yes |
|---|---|
| Overheat shut-off | Yes |
| Cool-touch housing | Yes |
| Clearance in front | 36 in |
Other details
| Safety listing | ETL |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Weight | 6 lb |
| Room size (maker) | 300 sq ft |
Maker’s figures, checked 3 Nov 2026.
Lasko CT22850 questions
Can I plug a Lasko space heater into an extension cord or power strip?
No. Lasko’s manual says to plug it straight into a 120 V wall outlet, never an extension cord, power strip, surge protector or cord reel, and not to share the outlet or circuit with other devices.
Why does my Lasko heater keep shutting off?
The overheat protector has tripped. Unplug the heater, wait 10 minutes, then plug it back in. If it keeps cutting out after a few minutes, vacuum the intake grilles.
Can I use the Lasko CT22850 in a basement?
Only a dry one. Lasko says not to use it in bathrooms, laundry areas or wet or damp locations, so a damp or recently flooded basement is out.