After using the Lasko CD09250 daily for 3 winters, I can confidently say this pint-sized heater punches WAY above its weight class. The first thing you'll notice is how INSTANTLY it blasts heat – no waiting around like those old coil heaters.
The 11 thermostat settings are a game-changer. I keep mine at level 4 under my home office desk (hello, toasty toes!), while my partner cranks it to max for our 12x12 living room. That ceramic element gets shockingly hot – we actually had to move it farther from our couch after realizing it was making the leather uncomfortably warm!
What surprised me most? The durability. After reading one reviewer's 5-year testimonial, I'm convinced these things are built like tanks. Ours has survived being knocked over by our cat multiple times (don't worry – the cool-touch exterior prevented burns).
The only real con? That carry handle they advertise? It gets uncomfortably hot when the unit's been running on high. I always use oven mitts to move it. Also, as others noted – this WILL spike your electric bill if used constantly. We saw about a $15/month increase running it 4hrs daily.
Pro tip: Place it strategically near a wall corner to help distribute heat more evenly throughout the room. And whatever you do, DON'T use cheap extension cords – the high wattage will melt them (learned that the hard way).
For small spaces? Absolute perfection. Just bought a second one for our bedroom and retired our bulky old heater that cost twice as much.