Some of the worst things about winter are dry skin and cold feet. Now, you can always slather on some moisturizer as a quick fix for your dry skin. But for some reason, warming up cold feet seems almost impossible during winter.
You can wear all the fluffy socks you want, drink the hottest cocoa possible, but your feet may remain as cold as ice.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution: invest in an under-desk heater or footrest. They’ll instantly thaw out your feet and make you super comfortable.
Below, we’ve reviewed 7 best under-desk heaters so you can work in peace this winter, and also included some maintenance and precautionary tips. So read on for some quick reviews and a heater safety guide.
- 1. Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Space Heater – Best Coverage
- 2. Cozy Products Toasty Toes Heated Foot Warmer – Best Budget-Friendly
- 3. Sengoku SP-160 Under Desk Heater – Most Energy-Efficient
- 4. Amaze-Heater Under Desk Leg Warmer – Best for Gentle Heating
- 5. QMark Radiant Heater 202SL – Most Effective
- 6. Fellowes Climate Control Footrest – Most Feature-Packed
- 7. AmazonBasics Personal Mini Heater – Best Ceramic Heater for Small Spaces
- Under-Desk Heater Care, Maintenance, and Safety
1. Lasko CD09250 Ceramic Space Heater – Best Coverage
Warming up your feet doesn’t have to be expensive – a small and inexpensive space heater like the Lasko CD09250 can do the trick. The unit is quite cheap but will provide your feet and the area around with lots of heat. And considering its small size, it has pretty good coverage too.
It also has three heat settings (fan only, low, and high heat) and a thermostat that you can adjust to your comfort. However, the carry handle on this heater is difficult to hold on to because it doesn’t give you enough space to fit your fingers. Nevertheless, portability won’t be an issue with this lightweight guy.
With safety features such as overheat protection and a cool touch exterior, Lasko CD09250 can keep your feet pleasantly warm throughout your work hours.
Pros:
- Portable
- ETL approved
- Inexpensive
Con:
- Handle isn’t helpful
2. Cozy Products Toasty Toes Heated Foot Warmer – Best Budget-Friendly
A cheaper yet effective foot warmer is the Toasty Toes from Cozy Products. It uses very little energy – only about 90 watts – but warms your feet right to their cores.
The Toasty Toes can be set into three positions, one being flat on the ground, the other angled, and the last as an upright radiant heater. It takes only a couple of minutes to start radiating heat, and you can start toasting your toes with or without shoes.
However, it doesn’t have an auto-shutoff feature, though the LED light lets you know if the device is turned on or off. Whether you use it on a carpet or on a wooden floor, it’s perfectly safe to use and worth more than its price.
Pros:
- Three adjustable positions
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- The device’s feet might be slippery
- Only one heat setting
3. Sengoku SP-160 Under Desk Heater – Most Energy-Efficient
If you want more elaborate spot heating that spreads up to your legs, the Sengoku SP-160 could be the best option.
This panel heater stands up on two feet and measures 21 inches in length and 15 inches in height, so it covers a good amount of area for heating. And since it uses only about 150 watts, it’s pretty energy-efficient for the amount of heat it gives off.
It also weighs just less than seven pounds, so it’s pretty easy to carry around if you’re planning to change your workspace frequently.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Covers 6 x 6 area
- Energy-efficient and cost-effective
Con:
- No automatic tip-over protection
4. Amaze-Heater Under Desk Leg Warmer – Best for Gentle Heating
An even less energy-consuming leg warmer is this one by Amaze-Heater. It uses only 100 watts and produces just enough heat to prevent your feet and legs from getting cold again. Hence, it’s a good option for a cool winter month when the temperature is not too low.
Since it produces gentle heat, you can use it in a dog or cat house or any enclosed space without worrying about hazards.
Using and installing this wall-mounted heater is also easy. It comes with two brackets upon which the device sits. But first, you have to stick it to a vertical surface using the sticker pad.
Pros:
- Super easy to use
- Uses very less energy
- Lightweight
Cons:
- No adjustable thermostat
- Can’t be used as a stand-alone unit (has to be mounted)
5. QMark Radiant Heater 202SL – Most Effective
If you’re willing to have an effective yet small electric heater, the QMark 202SL is your best bet. This unit produces a surprisingly good amount of heat considering how few watts it uses and distributes it evenly with its 22-inch long surface. Moreover, you can use it as a stand-alone unit or mount it on any vertical surface – it’s up to you.
This heater is slightly heavier than other leg warmers on this list, as it weighs about 7 pounds. Even so, you won’t have trouble mounting it as it utilizes velcro strips for this purpose.
But the best part? It has an automatic tip-off feature, so it shuts off in case it ever falls face down. Hence, it’s safe to use as a personal space heater under your desk.
Pros:
- Produces lots of heat
- Stand-alone and wall-mounted both
- Auto tip-off ability
Cons:
- Comparatively expensive
- No adjustable thermostat or heat setting
6. Fellowes Climate Control Footrest – Most Feature-Packed
If heaters aren’t your thing, consider a footrest like the Fellowes Climate Control. It’s small and fits snuggly under your desk, warming up your feet and the area around.
You can set it to either low or high heat or use the cool fan to circulate the warm air under your desk. Since it has two adjustable positions, you can also use this as a stand-alone radiant under-desk heater.
Moreover, it has an auto-shutoff ability, which is why we think it’s one of the best under-desk heater for the office and your home, both.
Pros:
- Has fan mode
- ETL approved
- Auto-shutoff
Con:
- Slightly expensive
7. AmazonBasics Personal Mini Heater – Best Ceramic Heater for Small Spaces
If the space under your desk is congested or not big enough, the tiny size of the AmazonBasics ceramic heater can be an advantage.
This little square-shaped guy is only 6.3 inches high and stands on four sturdy feet. It produces radiant or infrared heat to warm up your feet/legs in an instant but is gentle enough to be safely used under a desk.
And when you’re done warming your feet, go ahead and place it on the desk-top to warm your hands – the automatic tip-off feature will make sure it’s safe to do so. However, it has only one heat setting, but since it costs just over 20 bucks, we’re not complaining!
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Super compact
- Auto tip-off
Cons:
- No thermostat or heat settings
- No auto-shutoff
Under-Desk Heater Care, Maintenance, and Safety
So far, we’ve looked at three types of under-desk heaters – wall-mounted or stand alone leg warmers, small ceramic space heaters, and warm footrests.
Even though they’re pretty easy to use, these heaters still require some care and maintenance, so let us walk you through a quick safety and maintenance guide.
Safety Precautions to Follow
No matter how safe or simple your device is, you should always practice precaution when dealing with anything that produces heat. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- When using a ceramic heater under the desk, ensure that you’ve kept it at least half a foot away from other objects such as a dustbin.
- Keep at least two to three inches of space between the wall and your ceramic space heater.
- Never plug in any type of heater (especially a ceramic or electric heater) into an extension cord. This could result in the plug melting or even worse and dangerous situations. Hence, always plug it directly into the wall socket.
- When using a footrest, make sure it’s not getting too hot, as this could cause burns.
- If your wall-mounted leg warmer gets hotter than it usually does, do not continue using it – return it or dispose of it immediately.
- Don’t mount your panel heaters on to a fabric or anything that can easily catch fire.
- Never leave your space heater/leg warmer turned on for long periods. Always turn it off before leaving your home or workspace.
Read Also: The Best Portable Indoor-Safe Heaters for 2022
Maintaining Your Under-Desk Heaters
Even though footrests require zero to minimal maintenance, it pays to keep them clean and dust-free. You wouldn’t want to rest your feet on a grubby and dirty area, right?
Wiping the surface of the footrest with a damp (not wet) cloth usually keeps it clean enough. If it’s looking extra dirty, use a toothbrush to scrape away any accumulated residue.
Leg warmers usually don’t require intensive cleaning – just keep them dust-free by wiping with a dry cloth.
Space heaters, on the other hand, need some additional help. You might want to use a blow dryer with a narrow nozzle to blow away any dust or dirt and use a damp cloth to wipe the front and back.
Apart from cleaning, regularly check your under-desk heater’s wires and plugs for signs of breakage or overheating. If all seems clear, you’re good to go.
