Large rooms and whole-home zones need heaters with wide coverage, high output, or continuous hot-water capacity. Below is a concise comparison of five large-format electric heaters suited to different needs—from powerful ceramic tower heaters and wall-mounted room units to high-capacity tankless electric water heaters used for whole-house hot water.
| Product | Type | Key Capability |
|---|---|---|
| Dreo Space Heater Large Room, 30″ | Ceramic Oscillating Space Heater | Wide 120° oscillation, large PTC element for up to 300 ft² |
| Dreo Space Heater, 25″ Portable | Ceramic Portable Heater | Fast 11.5 ft/s airflow, portable large-room heating |
| Dreo Smart Wall Heater 1500W | Wall-Mounted Electric Heater | 120° vertical oscillation, smart app & voice control |
| Rheem 18kW 240V Tankless Electric Water Heater | Tankless Electric Water Heater | High continuous hot-water output, up to 4.4 GPM |
| Rheem RTEX-24 24kW 240V Tankless Water Heater | Tankless Electric Water Heater | Higher flow capacity up to 5.9 GPM for heavy-demand homes |
Content Navigation
- Dreo Space Heater Large Room 30″
- Dreo Space Heater 25″ Portable
- Dreo Smart Wall Heater 1500W
- Rheem 18kW 240V Tankless Water Heater
- Rheem RTEX-24 24kW Tankless Water Heater
- Buying Guide: Choosing The Right Big Electric Heater
- 1. Purpose: Space Heating Vs. Water Heating
- 2. Coverage: Room Size And Heat Distribution
- 3. Output, Power, And Electrical Requirements
- 4. Safety Features
- 5. Control, Automation, And Noise
- 6. Installation And Placement
- 7. Energy Efficiency And Operating Costs
- 8. Reliability, Maintenance, And Serviceability
- 9. Multiple Comparison Perspectives
- 10. Final Checklist Before Buying
Dreo Space Heater Large Room 30″

This 30″ ceramic heater is designed for large rooms up to 300 ft². The unit uses a 308mm PTC element with an upgraded Hyperamics thermal design to deliver widespread heat. Adjustable oscillation settings include 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° to distribute warm air across a broad area.
Safety features include 8 protections such as V0 flame-retardant housing, cool-touch exterior, tip-over and overheat protection, and a child lock. Controls provide 5 heat levels, ECO mode, and 3 fan speeds, plus a timer. ETL certification supports its safety claims. Recommended where broad, steady room heating and multiple safety layers are priorities.
Dreo Space Heater 25″ Portable

The 25″ Dreo heater emphasizes fast heat delivery with an 11.5 ft/s airflow and an extended impeller to increase effective range. It offers multiple operating modes and a built-in thermostat to maintain target room temperatures.
Call 888-896-7031 for Free Local HVAC Quotes – Compare and Save Today!
Key safety features include flame-retardant materials, reinforced plug, tip-over and overheat protection, and a child lock. The noise level is as low as 32 dB in quieter modes, making it suitable for bedrooms or offices that require larger heating capacity without disruptive sound. Consider this model for portable large-room heating with low noise.
Dreo Smart Wall Heater 1500W

This wall-mounted 1500W heater is built to distribute heat vertically across a room with 120° oscillation. It integrates smart features including app control, scheduling, and voice compatibility with Alexa and Google Home for remote operation and automation.
Thermostat precision ranges from 41°F to 95°F with 1°F accuracy, and the PTC ceramic element promises steady heat. The unit is designed for efficient top-to-bottom coverage in bedrooms, studies, or halls where a permanent wall-mounted solution is preferred to free up floor space.
Rheem 18kW 240V Tankless Water Heater

Although categorized as a water heater, the Rheem 18kW model represents a high-capacity electric heating solution for domestic hot water, delivering up to 4.4 GPM depending on inlet temperature and demand. Its self-modulating control adjusts power to match flow and temperature needs.
Call 888-896-7031 for Free Local HVAC Quotes – Compare and Save Today!
Features include an external digital thermostat with LED display and ±1°F accuracy, dual copper immersion heating elements that are field serviceable, and compact wall-mount form factor. Use this unit when continuous, on-demand hot water is the target rather than space heating—appropriate for larger households or high-demand point-of-use applications.
Rheem RTEX-24 24kW Tankless Water Heater

The RTEX-24 steps up capacity with 24kW of electric power, offering higher flow rates up to about 5.9 GPM under favorable conditions. It uses a user-friendly dial and digital temperature display for on/off control and temperature adjustments.
Its self-modulating power control optimizes energy use by matching output to hot-water demand. This model is suited to multi-fixture homes or applications where higher continuous hot-water flow is required. Installation considerations include sufficient 240V electrical service and appropriate breaker and wiring sizing.
Buying Guide: Choosing The Right Big Electric Heater
Selecting the best large electric heater requires matching the unit type to the space, heating goal, and safety or installation constraints. Below are the primary factors and trade-offs to consider.
Tips for Getting the Best HVAC Prices
- Prioritize Quality Over Cost
The most critical factor in any HVAC project is the quality of the installation. Don’t compromise on contractor expertise just to save money. - Check for Rebates
Always research current rebates and incentives — they can significantly reduce your overall cost. - Compare Multiple Quotes
Request at least three estimates before making your choice. You can click here to get three free quotes from local professionals. These quotes include available rebates and tax credits and automatically exclude unqualified contractors. - Negotiate Smartly
Once you've chosen a contractor, use the proven strategies from our guide — How Homeowners Can Negotiate with HVAC Dealers — to get the best possible final price.
1. Purpose: Space Heating Vs. Water Heating
- Space Heaters (ceramic towers, wall units): Designed to warm air in rooms. Choose larger-rated PTC elements, wider oscillation, or higher airflow for rooms over 200 ft².
- Tankless Water Heaters: Electric tankless units provide on-demand hot water, not space heating. They matter when evaluating overall household electric heating needs or replacing gas hot-water systems.
2. Coverage: Room Size And Heat Distribution
- Match heater capacity to room area. Manufacturers often list recommended square footage; consider ceiling height and insulation quality.
- Oscillation range and airflow patterns matter. Units with 120° oscillation or extended impellers provide more even distribution in open-plan areas.
3. Output, Power, And Electrical Requirements
- Space heaters commonly run on standard 120V circuits; larger wall units or higher-output models may require 240V or dedicated circuits.
- For tankless water heaters, verify available service: 18kW and 24kW units require substantial 240V supply and appropriately sized breakers and wiring. Professional electrical assessment and installation are recommended.
4. Safety Features
- Look for tip-over protection, overheat shutoff, cool-touch housings, and flame-retardant materials.
- Child locks and reinforced plugs increase safe use in family homes. ETL or UL certifications indicate third-party safety testing.
5. Control, Automation, And Noise
- Thermostat precision matters: 1°F increments produce tighter control and energy savings by avoiding short cycling.
- Smart features (app control, voice commands, scheduling) are useful for wall-mounted units and integrated home setups.
- Noise levels: quiet operation (below ~35 dB) supports bedroom or office use.
6. Installation And Placement
- Portable units: minimal installation; place centrally or near cold spots. Maintain clearance around intake and outlet areas for safety and airflow.
- Wall-mounted heaters and tankless water heaters typically require professional installation. For tankless units ensure proper electrical infrastructure, plumbing, and clearances per local codes.
7. Energy Efficiency And Operating Costs
- PTC ceramic elements and self-modulating controls reduce wasted energy by matching output to demand.
- For whole-house water heating, tankless electric models avoid standby losses of storage tanks but may demand higher instantaneous electrical capacity.
8. Reliability, Maintenance, And Serviceability
- Look for serviceable components (field-replaceable heating elements on tankless units) to extend product life and ease repairs.
- Regular dust cleaning of intake and filters prolongs performance for space heaters. Follow manufacturer cleaning and inspection guidance.
9. Multiple Comparison Perspectives
- If You Need Portable, Fast Heat: Choose high-airflow ceramic tower units with strong oscillation (25″–30″ models).
- If You Prefer Permanent Coverage And Smart Control: Wall-mounted 1500W smart units offer scheduled, voice-enabled warming with neat installation.
- If Your Goal Is Continuous Hot Water: Tankless electric heaters (18kW–24kW) provide point-of-use or whole-home on-demand hot water but require heavy electrical service.
10. Final Checklist Before Buying
- Confirm the heater’s rated coverage and compare to room dimensions.
- Verify electrical circuit capability and consult an electrician if necessary.
- Check safety certifications and included protections.
- Consider noise, smart features, and maintenance requirements.
- Assess installation complexity and required clearances.