Let me start by saying this little white box PUMPS OUT HEAT. I replaced my 40-year-old toe-kick heater with this Broan unit, and wow – it’s like upgrading from a campfire to a bonfire. My bathroom (100 sq ft) went from ‘arctic tundra’ to ‘toasty sauna’ in minutes, even on low settings. The 1500W output is no joke.

Now, about that noise… Imagine a slightly angry bumblebee trapped in a tin can. It’s not unbearable (I actually find the hum comforting during showers), but if you’re putting this in a bedroom? Think twice. My partner calls it ‘our personal white noise machine’ – and not in a good way.

The smart thermostat is where this system shines. Waking up to a pre-warmed bathroom via Alexa? Game changer. The energy tracking feature made me realize I was overcooking my space (and my electric bill) with my old heater. That ±1°F accuracy means no more temperature rollercoasters.

Installation was… an adventure. The instructions read like they were translated through three languages, but YouTube saved me. Pro tip: Measure your cabinet cutout TWICE. That top edge gap is unforgiving – mine shows a sliver of darkness that taunts my OCD daily.

Durability seems solid after one winter, though I’m side-eyeing that review about melted wires. The initial ‘new motor smell’ had me opening windows for days, but it faded. For $80 (got an open-box deal!), this heater outperforms units twice its price. Just don’t expect whisper-quiet luxury – this is a workhorse, not a show pony.