Best Electric & Hydronic Kickspace Heaters

Review & Comparison, Last Update August 13, 2024
If conventional space heaters literally ruin the design of your room, toe kick heaters are your best option. These smart-space electric ...Read more
PROS

The Marley QTS1504T is a compact and totally silent solution with a tough-as-nails safety system. This nice-looking kick space heater will fit perfectly into any room since it has a very compact size.

CONS
The unit is rather expensive.
OUR VERDICT

The Marley company offers a great little toe space heater suitable for workrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. And its heating power won't strike you as much as all the available functions.

detailed parameters
Type

Electric Toe-Space Heater

Power

1500 watts

Heating Area

~ 150 square feet

Built-In Thermostat
Yes
Safety System
Dual overheat protection
SIZE

3.6" (H) x 15.4" (W)

Warranty
5 years
PROS

The grid has a well-thought-out design without sharp corners. It's available in black and white colors, which allows it to blend beautifully into any interior. Plus, the grill is detachable for easy installation and service.

CONS

Dirt and dust are noticeable on the horizontal louvers.

OUR VERDICT

The Cadet UC101W is an ideal built-in device for heating up kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and stairwells. The heater is very easy to install and unpretentious to maintain.

detailed parameters
Type

Electric Toe-Space Heater

Power

1000 watts

Heating Area

150 square feet

Built-In Thermostat

No

Safety System

High-temperature safety shut-off feature

SIZE

3.5" (H) x 14.5" (W)

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The unit is compatible with nearly all types of power supply. Factory wired at 1500W at 240V, it can be easily converted to 750W at 120V for added versatility.

CONS

The instructions aren't very clear.

OUR VERDICT

The Broan 114 wall heater boasts the best price/quality ratio. Having a low-profile design, it will be useful in any small room. Excellent option for mudrooms, lumber rooms, or basements.

detailed parameters
Type

Electric Toe-Space Heater

Power

1500 watts

Heating Area

100-150 square feet

Built-In Thermostat

No

Safety System

Thermally protected motor with auto shut-off

SIZE

3.625" (H) x 18" (W)

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The heater boasts a patented Smart Limit Protection system that will automatically shut off the appliance if an abnormal operation is detected. Though manual reset is required. 

CONS

Some users wish it could produce more heat.

OUR VERDICT

Proudly made in the USA, the King KT1215-MW-W KT-MW is a high-quality toe kick heater that can make your kitchen or bathroom toasty warm within the shortest time possible.

detailed parameters
Type

Electric Toe-Space Heater

Power

1500 watts

Heating Area

150 square feet

Built-In Thermostat

No

Safety System

Patented thermal overload Smart Limit Protection, Corrosion-resistant wire, UL certified

SIZE

3.5" (H) x 16.375" (W)

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Since the unit requires a zero-inch clearance, there will be no gap between the heater, furniture, and the floor, which contributes to the efficient heating, prevents condensation and mold/mildew buildup.

CONS

It works a bit too loud compared to the competition.

OUR VERDICT

The TPI TSH20J is a safe and efficient heater that won't steal valuable floor space. Owing to the extra-high power output, it's an ideal option for larger rooms up to 200 square feet.

detailed parameters
Type

Electric Toe-Space Heater

Power

2000 watts

Heating Area

~ 150-200 square feet

Built-In Thermostat

No

Safety System

Manual reset thermal cut-out

SIZE

3.3" (H) x 23.9" (W)

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

Size Matters

Those who are looking for an extra-neat toe kick heater that would be easy to install under cabinets in kitchens, bathrooms, stairwells, and other rooms should definitely consider the Marley Qmark QTS1504T model. It's currently one of the most compact toe space heaters on the market that can fit into the smallest kick spaces. Actually, it needs just 1/4" clearance to the floor, 12" to the adjacent wall, and 36" to the ceiling. Therefore, you can install it right into a ladder riser or a toe space in any room you need.

Yet, despite its modest size, this toe kick heater packs a big punch. It's designed with a thermostat option and unique Over Temperature Protection technology. Owing to the built-in single-pole thermostat, you'll be able to easily set the unit to your desired temperature while having total peace of mind knowing that the unit will never become too hot thanks to Dual overheat protection. The thermostat is an on/off rheostat dial on the front of the unit, which will work fine provided that you're running power straight to the heater. Alternatively, you can use this unit with an existing wall thermostat - just follow the included wiring instructions.

Another advantage of this model is the special Tangential Blower which is far less noisy than ordinary fans. Due to it, you'll barely hear the heater working, which makes this unit an awesome option for rooms where you want to enjoy total silence (a bedroom, for example).

Exceptional Quality

The products manufactured by the Marley Qmark company have been always praised for their exceptional quality, and this toe kick heater is not an exception. It has a simple yet durable 3-piece construction making the installation fast and simple. With that, the unique internal design ensures a long service life of the elements and an even heat distribution. All the components of the heater are made of high-grade materials and the company is so sure about the product's quality that it provides a whopping 5-year warranty for the unit.

All things considered, the Marley QTS1504T is a reliable and quiet-working unit for confined spaces. You are unlikely to find a kick space heater smaller than this one with such great performance and build quality.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $248.46
Stock In stock
ASIN B001MXC2NC

Stylish and Simple

The Cadet company has been producing smart heating devices for more than 50 years and has already made a name for themselves. The brand's purpose is to deliver to the end customer only high-quality quality and affordable heaters, which is why all Cadet heaters are made of top-grade commercial materials, are simple in terms of maintenance, as well as durable in use. This one is no exception.

The UC101W Perfectoe is a high-quality electric toe kick heater, which can be an ideal pick for those who value sleek design and decent performance. In the front part of this heater, there is a stylish grill that can fit any interior and even complement the furniture in a room. What is notable, there are no sharp edges on the heater, so you won't accidentally injure yourself when installing or using it.

The internal layout of this toe kick heater deserves your special attention too. The fan works with the utmost efficiency and makes very little noise. All the components are manufactured from heavy-duty materials, so you can be sure that the unit will stand to the test of time. It's also worth noting that there is no necessity of oiling the parts of the appliance, which means no additional maintenance must be done.

Upgrade It!

The Cadet UC101W Perfectoe is a balanced model that will be ideal for those who don't want to overpay for expensive extra options they're unlikely to use and seek a reliable yet frill-free heater. The heater is pretty simple, with pretty basic configuration containing just several safety presets. That said, the Cadet UC101W Perfectoe allows for a few adjustments. If you decide, at some stage, to extend its functionality, you'll be able to do that by fitting it with additional modules such as a thermostat, for example, an enhanced coil element, or even a more powerful fan, if need be. All these add-ons are available for purchase and do not cost a whole lot of money so most people can afford to buy them. 

For anyone looking to acquire an inexpensive yet high-quality heater to build their own heating system, the Cadet UC101W Perfectoe can be the best fit. It's affordable, it doesn't require any special maintenance, it's powerful enough to heat rather large spaces, and you can always upgrade it by purchasing different extras.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B000IHBNCY

Budget-Friendly Choice

The Broan 114 electric wall is a relatively cheap but decent-quality appliance for customers who aren't ready to dish out too much money for a small heater. This kick space heater may perfectly fit into any small room where you usually don't spend much time but it still needs to be warmed up. For example, it can be your closet, mudroom, pantry room, lumber room, basement, or all of them.

The unit has a neat low-profile design and can be easily tucked under cabinet kickspaces, stairways, or any other places where space is an issue. It will provide floor-level heat, being completely out of your way.

The Broan company's idea of electric heaters is not to replace the main source of heat but to provide some additional heating for limited spaces. This is why the performance of their toe-kick heaters (including this one) is slightly lower than that of the counterparts. Not surprisingly, the price is also lower.

Some Extras

Although the Broan 114 is not a first-class heater, it has quite many features to offer that are rarely found in the appliances of its price range. We bet that you won't find a cheap wall heater that is so versatile in use - the unit is factory wired at 1500W at 240V but it can be easily converted to 750W at 120V, which is a very useful feature for different light-commercial applications.

The smart design of the heater is also worth mentioning. The fan here has vertical louvers for more efficient heat dispersion across the width of the grille. Thanks to these special louvers and a stainless steel plate-finned heating element, the Broan 114 is able to warm up a room in a matter of minutes. Just remember that the unit has moderate power output (5120 BTU/hr) and is designed for small spaces. So, if you are tired of wearing warm sweaters or wrapping yourself up in a jacket each time before going to your basement, this inexpensive kick space heater will be the fantastic pick for you!

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $149.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0014ZME9K

Flexible Installation

If you want to have an extra heat source in your kitchen, bathroom, or any other area up to 150 square feet, the King KT1215-MW-W KT-MW is worth your closer inspection. Owing to the 1500-watt output, this is a reasonably powerful heater that can keep your feet warm.

First off, we would like to note that the unit has a narrow profile and is only 3.5-inch tall, 8-inch deep, and 14.25-inch wide (the front cover is 3.5" x 16.315"). With such a low profile, the King heater conveniently fits under kitchen or bathroom cabinets, providing warm air all around. Also, it can be installed into the soffit area above the cabinets or into stair risers. The grill extends long enough from the sides to cover the mounting tabs.

For even more flexible installation, this toe kick heater is available with multiple wattage options - you can choose either a 120-volt model or a 240-volt model to suit your specific room’s heating requirements. Yet, take note that both options have no built-in thermostat but only an in-built thermostat part. Therefore, to maximize room comfort and energy-saving efficiency, you can wire the heater into an existing line voltage thermostat or complete it with a separate King Electric line-voltage thermostat offered by the same manufacturer.

Made in the USA

Unlike many other toe kick heaters, this model is proudly produced in the USA rather than China. With more than 60 years of experience, the KING is considered to be a very reliable manufacturer of heating equipment that really knows its onions when it comes to producing high-quality products.

This unit is well-constructed from thick metal and is structurally sound overall, meaning it can't be easily bent or damaged. Fitted with a premium NiChrome Open Coil Element, the unit also ensures quick heat transfer. A medium-sized bathroom requires less than an hour to be warmed up by about 7 degrees. So, if you turn this heater on about 20 minutes before taking a shower, you can expect a very comfortable bathing experience.

Best of all, this model does have a squirrel cage blower that significantly reduces the noise level. So, unlike most other models that may sound like a jet taking off, this heather is pleasantly quiet and many users say that they even can't hear when it's running.

In all, the KING KT1215-MW-W is a very quiet unit that is able to heat up small rooms quickly. It's easy to install with the existing thermostat and wiring (an additional thermostat can be purchased as well). It's a plug-and-play model that can meet any specific requirements owing to its multi-wattage design.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $216.81
Stock In stock
ASIN B000PSFXVI

Ultra-Powerful Heater

TPI Corporation is another trustworthy manufacturer of electric heat equipment, ventilation products, and thermostatic controls. For over 70 years, it has been known as America's Comfort Conditioning Company but now it's a privately-held organization with a rich heritage that provides innovative products under such big brand names as Markel, Fostoria, Raywall, TPI Industrial, TPI Commercial, HotPod, and Columbus Electric. The company never cuts corners so if you're after something functional and durable, you may like the TPI TSH20J Series TSH kick space heater.

The main thing that sets it above the competition is its incredible 200-watt output, making it an ideal choice for individuals that need to heat up larger spaces. Whereas the majority of other toe kick heaters are suitable for 100-150 square feet rooms only, this one is capable of heating up spaces up to 200 square feet effectively. Fitted with a finned steel heating element, it distributes heat evenly and swiftly.

With such a powerful heat output, the unit is obviously not the quietest out there but it's still not that loud compared to other 2000-watt toe heaters. The thing is, it comes with a centrifugal blower (squirrel cage fan), which is untypical for heavy-duty heaters like this. That's why it moves a good amount of air while staying relatively quiet. Actually, it's quieter than a typical bathroom vent fan but is still loud enough to know when it’s on. It produces something like white noise but you won't even need to turn the TV up when it comes on.

Mount It Horizontally or Vertically

At 11.5 x 22.4 x 3.6 inches, the TPI TSH20J space heater easily fits into soffits, stair risers or under kitchen and bathroom utility cabinets. It requires zero inch clearance for insulation and may also be mounted with the grille set in a vertical position, which is another point in favor of this model.

Although this mighty heater doesn't include a built-in thermostat, it may be used with an existing wall-line voltage thermostat or with a built-in thermostat accessory kit that can be purchased separately. The unit supports 120/208/240 voltage and comes with two internal quick-connects plugs. The 240v plug is already installed at the factory but if you need the 120v plug, you can quickly replace them.

All this makes the TPI TSH20J heater a very solid choice for larger rooms. With two voltage options and high wattage output, this heavy-duty unit blasts a large amount of heat and can warm up spaces much quicker and more efficiently than many other heaters out there.

Last updated price $230.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B008KNL5YY

Infographics


What Is a Toe Kick Heater?

Toe kick heaters, also known as kickspace or toe space heaters, are a popular type of domestic heating systems. They are installed close to the floor, thus taking nearly no space, and that is their main advantage. Being an excellent alternative to baseboard units, they are less expensive to maintain and easier to install. Baseboards are bulky, so kick space heaters fit in where baseboards don't. There are various types of toe space heaters and the purpose of this review is to help you choose the heater suitable personally for you.

A heated house is good but a heated house with a fireplace is way better, isn't it? Check out our best electric fireplaces review! Kick space heaters have one problem: they are installed into the walls, ladders, and toe spaces, so they are not portable at all. If you are looking for a portable appliance, pay attention to our best gas heaters shortlist! You will obviously need the tools to install your kickspace heater, so here's the review of cordless drills that will help you choose the one you need.

What Features to Compare

Type

First of all, you have to decide whether you need a hydronic kickspace heater or an electric one. Both of them have their own pros and cons but the choice usually depends on a customer's situation at home. If you have a water boiler, you will surely prefer using hydronic heaters because they are cheaper. Actually, they also require electricity to power the fan, so they can be called electric hydronic heaters.

If the room where you are going to install this heater is quite far from the boiler and you don't want to draw pipes to it, it may be better to use an electric heater. Moreover, keep in mind that hydronic heaters require some time before they start warming the room, while the electric ones will leave you in the cold if the power outage happens.

Heating Area

The second issue to consider is the area of the room where you plan to install the toe-kick heater. Various appliances have a different heating capacity and the heating efficiency will totally depend on how powerful the chosen heater is.

Extras

Of course, you don't expect much from an ordinary heater, but there are several useful extra functions that make heaters unique. A built-in thermostat is one of them. This superb feature will allow you to set the desired heat level and the heater will maintain it. Many heaters have safety systems which prevent fire accidents; it's particularly important for electric appliances.

Heater Dimensions

Remember, the size of a kick space heater matters. It affects not only the place where you will be able to use a heater but also its technical specs. The larger the heater is, the more heat capacity it usually has. Make sure to have enough kick space for the heater of the required capacity.

FAQ:

Q: What’s the difference between an electric and a hot water coil toe-kick heater?

A: An electric toe-kick heater, as its very name indicates, is powered from the electrical circuit. It’s a complete unit usually installed under a cabinet and plugged into a power outlet. Such heating appliances can be connected to the main heating system in a house or work independently. A hot water coil toe-kick heater (also called hydronic), in its turn, is plumbed in with a boiler system in a house. Thus, hot water circulates the coil and warms it up. Yet, even a hydronic toe-kick heater needs to be connected to the electrical circuit for powering the fan. Both types of appliances have a temperature sensing relay for fan control.

Q: My toe-kick heater doesn’t turn on. What should I do?

A: First of all, check whether your appliance is connected to the electricity grid and powered. If everything is OK, check the thermostat setting and switch it to a higher temperature. Next, if your heater has a manual reset button, push it and turn the appliance on once again. Finally, if your toe-kick heater isn’t new, check if the fan is clogged with dust or some debris.

Q: Can I install an electric toe-kick heater near a dishwasher?

A: All safety precautions and requirements are mentioned in the manual to any heating appliance. As usual, it isn’t recommended to install an electric toe-kick heater near a dishwasher (a sink, etc.). Also, you should avoid installing this heating appliance on a carpeted surface as the unit will get clogged too fast, which might be dangerous.

Q: What if my toe-kick heater makes too much noise?

A: If your appliance is too noisy, it might be mounted improperly. Check all the fasteners and make sure they are tightly fixed. Also, check whether it’s clogged inside; in this case, the noise may come from the fan.

Q: Is it possible to use the fan only without turning the heat on?

A: No, any toe-kick heater is designed to provide heat, so it’s impossible to turn just the fan.

Q: What if my kickspace heater is too hot?

A: It might happen if the airflow inside the appliance is blocked by dust, debris, etc. Remove the front panel and check whether the inner part of your heater is clog-free. Next, the overheating might be caused by the wrong voltage. Use a multimeter to check the voltage your kickstand heater receives and consult the manual to find out what voltage is recommended by the manufacturer.

Q: Which type of toe-kick heaters is more efficient?

A: Hydronic kickspace heaters are more efficient as water has a higher thermal conductivity than metal. However, hydronic kickspace heaters are more difficult to install than their electric counterparts.

Sources:

1. How to Repair Toe Kick Heater Problems, DoItYourself.

2. Bob Formisano Types of Electric Heaters for the Home, About. February 28, 2016.

3. Troubleshooting Toe Kick Heater Problems, DoItYourself.

4. Electric vs Hydronic Toe Kick Heater, DoItYourself.

5. 7 Ways to Warm Up a Cold Room, The Family Handyman.

6. Electric Heating, Wikipedia. November 15, 2016‎.

Other reviews