The Best Ways to Heat a Home Office: A Complete Guide for 2025

As temperatures drop, many remote workers are seeking the best heating options for their home office as remote jobs solidify into a long-term reality for many.

Comfort matters, especially when it comes to staying warm during colder months. Whether you, like me, work in a small room and need a quick solution, or are looking for something more permanent, I’ve got you covered.

But with so many heating options available, how do you choose the best one for your space?

Heating your entire house all day might not be energy-efficient or cost-effective. Instead, it makes sense to target your home office with the right kind of heat.

In this complete guide, we’ll explore the top ways to heat a home office in 2025, focusing on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and comfort.

Let’s break it down by technology, cost, efficiency, and ideal usage to identify the best heating options that will keep your home office cozy year-round.

Six Best Options or Ways for Heating a Home Office

Below are the six best options any remote worker should consider for a professional home office heating solution.

1. Electric Space Heaters: Fast and Affordable Warmth

Electric space heaters are the go-to solution for home offices. They plug into a standard outlet and start delivering heat almost instantly.

There are many heating options for a home office, but the electric space heater can be considered budget-friendly to acquire.

Best For:

• Small to medium-sized rooms (100–300 sq ft)
• Occasional or part-time use
• People who want fast, direct heat

Pros:

• Inexpensive (most models $30–$100)
• Portable and easy to move or store
• Heats up quickly
• No installation required

Cons:

• Can be expensive to run long-term (high electricity usage)
• Not suitable for large or poorly insulated rooms
• Can be a fire hazard if misused

Top Picks:

• Vornado VH10 – Powerful, compact, and quiet
• Lasko Ceramic Tower Heater – Tall, slim, with oscillation and remote control

Pro Tip: Look for models with a built-in thermostat and timer to avoid wasting energy.

2. Oil-Filled Radiator Heaters: Silent, Steady Warmth

These heaters resemble old-school radiators but are filled with oil that gets heated electrically.

They qualify for home office heating options because they retain heat well and offer more ambient, steady warmth.

Best For:

• All-day use
• Bedrooms or home offices with decent insulation
• People sensitive to noise

Pros:

• Extremely quiet (great for Zoom calls)
• Maintains heat even after turning off
• Safe and stable for long-term use
• Doesn’t dry out the air

Cons:

• Slower to warm a room (15–30 minutes)
• Bulky and heavy
• Less control over heat direction

Top Picks:

• DeLonghi Comfort Temp Full Room Radiant Heater
• Pelonis Oil-Filled Radiator

Pro Tip: Place it near your desk (but not directly under it) for maximum benefit without overheating.

3. Infrared Heaters: Direct Heat, Minimal Waste

Infrared heaters use electromagnetic radiation (safe!) to heat objects and people directly, rather than warming the air.

I picked this particular home office heater among other options because of its direct heating abilities, which were great for my allergies.

Best For:

• Well-insulated rooms
• Users who want focused heat (e.g., just on their desk/chair)
• Allergy sufferers (no air movement)

Pros:

• Instant warmth to your body and furniture
• Energy-efficient (less heat loss)
• Silent operation
• Can be wall-mounted or portable

Cons:

• Limited room-wide heating
• Objects must be in line-of-sight of the heater
• Can feel uneven if you move around

Top Picks:

• Dr. Infrared Heater – Combines infrared with a fan for broader heat
• Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI – Wall-mounted, smart-enabled

Pro Tip: Use under-desk infrared panels for foot and leg warmth without heating the entire room.

4. Mini Split Heat Pumps: Premium, Long-Term Solution

If your home office is a dedicated room (or detached space like a garage or shed), installing a mini split system may be the most efficient and future-proof heating (and cooling) option.

Trust me, if you’re looking to go full-time in your home office, then this heating option is the best among any other options.

Best For:

• Full-time remote workers
• Long-term investment
• All-season climate control

Pros:

• Extremely energy-efficient (especially inverter models)
• Dual heating and cooling
• Quiet, powerful, and precise
• Controlled by remote or smart app

Cons:

• High upfront cost ($1,500–$3,500 installed)
• Requires professional installation
• Might be overkill for occasional use

Top Picks:

• Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, or LG mini splits
• MRCOOL DIY systems for handy homeowners

Pro Tip: Look for Energy Star-rated models with variable-speed compressors for maximum efficiency.

5. Under-Desk Heaters and Heated Foot Mats: Low-Key Comfort

Sometimes, you don’t need to heat the whole room — just your feet and legs. Under-desk radiant panels and heated mats are ultra-efficient personal heating solutions.

Best For:

• Extremely small spaces
• People who are mostly sedentary (sitting at desk)
• Supplemental heat to reduce central heating use

Pros:

• Super energy-efficient (20–200 watts)
• Safe for all-day use
• Compact and discreet
• Almost zero noise

Cons:

• Heats only a small area
• May not be enough for very cold climates on its own

Top Picks:

• Cozy Products Cozy Legs Panel Heater
• VEVOR Heated Floor Mat

Pro Tip: Combine with a heated blanket or desk heater for full-body comfort.

6. Smart Thermostats and Zoned Heating

If your HVAC system supports it, setting up zoned heating for your office lets you heat just the room you’re working in — without wasting energy on the rest of the house.

Best For:

• Homes with forced air or radiant floor systems
• Tech-savvy homeowners
• People working consistent hours

Pros:

• Efficient if integrated correctly
• Works with your existing system
• Automates comfort based on schedule or occupancy

Cons:

• Requires compatible hardware and installation
• Can get expensive to retrofit
• Less flexible than portable heaters

Top Picks:

• Google Nest Thermostat with room sensors
• ecobee Smart Thermostat with zoned dampers

Pro Tip: Use smart plugs and automation to warm your office 10–15 minutes before you start working.

Click this link for more information about space heaters .

Final Thoughts: Best Home Office Heating Options

Here’s a quick cheat sheet I prepared to help you decide accurately:

If you still need help narrowing down the best heating options for your home office, or the best model for your exact room size or insulation level, consider how big the space is and how cold it gets.