Black & Decker 22" Ceramic Heater – Horizontal Or Vertical Use

I set this compact ceramic heater on the corner of my home office to ride out the first cold snap of the season, and within minutes it reminded me why small, well-designed space heaters still have a place—even in rooms with middling central heat. This Black+Decker ceramic heater is a simple, practical warmer with a couple of thoughtful touches that make it easier to live with day to day.

Design, setup, and placement

Out of the box, setup is as simple as plugging it in and tapping the top controls. The footprint is tidy for a 22-inch unit, and the integrated carry handle makes it easy to move between rooms. What I appreciate most is the flexibility: it’s designed to run either vertically (tower style) or horizontally (soundbar style). Vertical is my go-to for corner placement, while horizontal tucks neatly under a console table or along a windowsill ledge to bathe your legs in warmth while you work.

The plastic housing feels appropriate for the price—nothing fancy, but the pieces align well, and the unit sits flat in either orientation. Intake and exhaust grilles are sensibly sized, and the oscillation base is stable. I’d still avoid placing it on thick or uneven carpet; any heater is happier on a stable, hard surface with a couple of feet of clear air in front.

Controls and everyday usability

The top panel has clear, tactile buttons and a straightforward display. You get two power levels—Low at 750W and High at 1500W—plus five temperature presets ranging from 60°F to 80°F. The discrete steps are a bit coarse if you’re picky about precise temperatures, but in practice I found them sensible for a small space: 65°F or 70°F covers most scenarios in a bedroom or office.

There’s an E-Save mode that automatically alternates between Low and High to maintain your set temperature with fewer peaks and troughs. It’s not as sophisticated as a true variable-output heater, but it does a credible job keeping the room at a steady comfort level without constantly blasting on High.

The included remote mirrors the key functions—power, temperature up/down, oscillation, and mode. It’s basic and lightweight, with reliable range across a medium room. One quirk: there’s no temperature readout on the remote itself, so you’ll still glance at the top of the unit to confirm the setpoint. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you plan to control it from bed or a couch frequently.

Heating performance

In my 12-by-12-foot office (older windows, decent insulation), starting at 65°F, the heater raised the ambient temperature to 70°F in roughly 15–20 minutes on High. That’s in line with what I expect from a 1500W ceramic element with a modest fan. Once warm, I could drop to Low or E-Save to maintain the setpoint. In a larger room, you’ll feel it as a strong, localized heat source rather than a whole-room solution; for small bedrooms, offices, or studio alcoves, it’s appropriately sized.

Air distribution is helped by the oscillation, which sweeps in a steady, moderate arc. It won’t replace a box fan’s reach, but it does a good job preventing that “hot knees, cold shoulders” effect you get with fixed heaters. Airflow on Low is gentle and comfortable at a desk. On High, you’ll feel a focused stream several feet away without the harshness of an exposed-element heater.

Odor-wise, I noticed a faint “new appliance” smell during the first 10 minutes of its maiden run—nothing acrid, and it dissipated quickly. After that, operation has been odor-free.

E-Save behavior and thermostat accuracy

E-Save toggles between Low and High to track your chosen temperature level. In my testing, setting the unit to 70°F in a 120-square-foot room held temperatures within about a degree or two after the initial warm-up. Overshoot was modest—on the order of a single degree—and the fan cycles never felt abrupt. If you’re sensitive to frequent on/off cycling, E-Save is a better daily driver than running exclusively on High.

Because the presets are limited (60/65/70/75/80°F), you don’t get infinite granularity. For most users, that trade-off translates to simpler operation with fewer buttons to jab, and in small spaces the difference between, say, 69°F and 70°F is not especially meaningful.

Noise and comfort

On Low, the fan is a soft whoosh—think a small desktop fan at its lowest setting. It’s easy to ignore during calls and fine for bedside use. High is clearly audible, but not shrill. If you’re working in a quiet room, you’ll hear it; if you prefer some white noise, it’s actually pleasant. Oscillation is quiet enough that you only notice it by the shifting airflow.

Vibration and rattles are minimal. Even placed horizontally on a wooden shelf, there’s no droning resonance, which speaks well of the motor mounts and housing tolerances.

Horizontal vs. vertical use

Functionally, the heater behaves the same in either orientation, and the airflow path remains unobstructed provided you give it the recommended clearance at the front and back. I preferred vertical in open floor spots and horizontal beneath a desk because it keeps warmth closer to your legs without blasting your torso. The oscillation remains smooth in both setups.

As always with heaters: never drape fabric over it, don’t butt it up against a wall, and leave the intake free of dust buildup.

Power draw and electrical considerations

At full tilt, this is a standard 1500W space heater, which means it can draw roughly 12.5 amps. A warm plug is normal; a hot, soft plug is not. For best results:

• Use a dedicated wall outlet when possible.
• Avoid power strips and extension cords.
• Check that your outlet grips the plug snugly; loose contacts can heat up.
• Keep the cord straight and fully uncoiled during use.

Following those basics, I experienced only mild warmth at the plug after extended High operation, which is typical. If you notice excessive heat at the plug or outlet, stop and inspect your wiring or try a different circuit.

Maintenance

Dust is the enemy of any heater. Every couple of weeks, I vacuum the intake and gently brush the grille to keep airflow unobstructed. That small habit helps the thermostat behave consistently and keeps noise levels down. Before storing it for the season, a quick wipe-down of the housing and a final vacuuming will go a long way.

What I’d change

Two things would improve the experience. First, a more granular thermostat with 1-degree increments would better serve picky sleepers. Second, adding a small readout or confirmation light on the remote would cut the number of times you need to look at the top panel. Neither is a deal-breaker, but both are quality-of-life upgrades that would round out an otherwise straightforward interface.

I’d also love a user-cleanable rear filter screen; if it’s there, it’s not obvious. The current design is still easy to keep clean, but a slide-out mesh would make maintenance foolproof.

Who it’s for

• Small bedrooms, offices, dorms, and workshops up to about 150–200 square feet.
• Renters who can’t modify central systems but want targeted warmth.
• Anyone who appreciates flexible placement—vertical in a corner or horizontal under a desk.

If you’re trying to warm a large, open-plan living room, this will take the edge off nearby but won’t replace whole-room heating.

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Flexible vertical or horizontal use with stable footing
- Effective spot heating with gentle, even airflow
- E-Save mode smooths temperature swings and can reduce run time
- Quiet on Low; tolerable white noise on High
- Simple controls and included remote
- Compact footprint and easy carry handle

Cons:
- Coarse five-step thermostat limits fine-tuning
- Remote lacks its own temperature readout
- Like all 1500W heaters, requires care with circuits and outlets
- Oscillation arc is moderate; don’t expect fan-level room mixing

Recommendation

I recommend this Black+Decker ceramic heater for small rooms and personal spaces where you want reliable, uncomplicated warmth and flexible placement. It heats quickly for its size, runs quietly on Low, and the E-Save mode does a respectable job of holding a steady temperature without constant fiddling. The remote could offer better feedback and the thermostat could be more granular, but the core performance is solid. If you use a dedicated outlet and keep the intake clear, it’s an easy tool to live with through a long heating season.