This $65 Space Heater Outperformed a $500 Dyson, According to Consumer Reports

When most people think of “the best” space heater, a high-end Dyson usually comes to mind. The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 is sleek, smart, and often priced around $500. But in Consumer Reports testing, a much cheaper model quietly pulled ahead: the Lasko Artisan Series CX16550, which typically sells for about $61–$65.

Both heaters are Consumer Reports Recommended and labeled a Green Choice, but the Lasko actually earned a slightly higher overall score: 84 vs. Dyson’s 83. If your main goal is reliable, efficient heat for winter, the budget heater may be the smarter buy.

Lasko Artisan Series CX16550: Budget Heater, Top-Tier Performance

The Lasko Artisan Series CX16550 is a compact ceramic space heater that focuses on the basics: fast heat, good safety features, and solid build quality.

• Consumer Reports Overall Score: 84
• Approximate Price: $61–$65
• Type: Ceramic space heater
• Maximum Output: 1500 watts
• Size: ~15.5 x 8.4 x 8.4 inches
• Weight: ~5.1 pounds
• Safety Features: Tip-over switch, overheat protection
• Portability: No built-in handle; designed for floor or desk use
• Warranty: 3 years

In Consumer Reports testing, the Lasko delivers strong, consistent heating performance at its 1500-watt output. It’s light, easy to move between rooms, and includes key safety features like a tip-over switch and overheat protection. It doesn’t have app control, air purification, or voice commands—but that’s exactly why it’s such a standout value: almost all of its cost goes into doing one thing well: heating your space.

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1: Premium Design, Premium Price

The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 is much more than a simple space heater. It’s a tall, bladeless unit that functions as a convection heater, fan, and air purifier in one.

• Consumer Reports Overall Score: 83
• Approximate Price: ~$499.95
• Type: Convection heater + fan + purifier
• Maximum Output: 1500 watts
• Size: ~30.0 x 9.8 x 9.8 inches
• Weight: ~11.7 pounds
• Safety Features: Tip-over switch, overheat protection
• Smart Features: App control, voice control, scheduling via myDyson app
• Warranty: 3 years

The Dyson excels if you want an all-in-one climate and air quality solution. You can monitor and control it via the myDyson app, set schedules, and use voice commands. It looks premium and feels high-tech. But when you strip away the extras and look purely at heating performance and value, the Dyson doesn’t meaningfully beat the Lasko in Consumer Reports’s scoring—despite costing roughly seven to eight times more.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Lasko CX16550 vs Dyson HP1

Here’s a quick comparison of the key specifications and features from Consumer Reports data:

Which Space Heater Should You Buy?

Choose the Lasko Artisan Series CX16550 if:

• You primarily want an affordable, reliable space heater for winter.
• You care more about performance and safety than smart features.
• You like the idea of a heater that scored slightly higher than a premium Dyson in Consumer Reports testing.
• You’re heating a single room or office and don’t need built-in air purification.

Choose the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 if:

• You want an all-in-one device that heats, cools, and purifies the air.
• You value smart-home integration, app control, and scheduling.
• You’re willing to pay a premium for design and multi-function convenience.

For most people shopping specifically for a space heater, the conclusion is simple: the Lasko Artisan Series CX16550 offers better heating value than the Dyson HP1. The Dyson is still a great product—but if you don’t need air purification and smart controls, Consumer Reports’s scores suggest you can save hundreds of dollars without giving up performance.

Key Takeaway

If your priority is staying warm for less money, the $65 Lasko Artisan Series CX16550 is the smarter, more efficient choice. It slightly outperforms the $500 Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool HP1 in Consumer Reports’s overall score, matches it on power and core safety features, and costs a fraction of the price.