Buying guide

Cozy Winter Heating Basics

There are three ways to beat the cold: heat the room, heat the seat, or heat the person. The third is almost always the cheapest to run — and the coziest.

1. Heating the room

Ceramic and tower space heaters suit bedrooms, living rooms and home offices. As a rough guide, look for around 10 watts of heating power per square foot of room in a normally insulated home. Features worth having: an adjustable thermostat (so the heater cycles instead of running flat-out), a timer, and tip-over and overheat protection. Keep heaters on a flat, hard surface with clear space around them, and never leave one running unattended or while sleeping unless the manufacturer explicitly allows it.

2. Heating the seat

Heated throws and blankets are the December essential — warmth exactly where you sit, without heating the whole house. Look for multiple heat levels, an auto-off timer, and whether the controller detaches so the throw can be washed (follow the care label exactly). Electric throws belong on top of you, not underneath as a mattress pad, unless the product is designed for it.

3. Heating the person

Heated gloves, socks, vests and scarves — plus rechargeable hand warmers — are made for dog walks, winter markets, commuting and outdoor events. Check the battery runtime on the heat setting you will actually use (medium settings typically last far longer than maximum), and size heated socks and gloves snugly: warmth works best close to the skin.

4. Humid air feels warmer

Heating dries indoor air out, and dry air feels colder than it is. A humidifier or diffuser in the bedroom makes the same temperature feel more comfortable — and helps skin, sinuses and wooden furniture through the season.

Explore Heating & Warmers, Blankets & Throws and Heated Apparel & Winter Clothing — all with free shipping and free 30-day returns.