I bought the Apex Heater Pro hoping it would be an easy little space heater for quick warmth without cranking up the whole house. Unfortunately, this is one of those purchases where the more I used it, the more I felt like I needed to keep one eye on the heater and one eye on the nearest fire extinguisher. It technically works, but the experience definitely wasn’t confidence-boosting.
What Is Apex Heater Pro?
The Apex Heater Pro is a compact plug-in style space heater marketed as an “energy-saving” personal heater. It plugs directly into the wall like an oversized nightlight, and it’s supposed to heat small rooms using ceramic heating elements, built-in temperature controls, and automatic shutoff features.
Why I Tried It
I wanted something tiny, convenient, and quick, just enough warmth for a bathroom, a little office corner, or a chilly bedside area. The idea of not dealing with cords or bulky floor heaters sounded perfect… at least on paper.
My Experience Using It
My first thought when I plugged it in was that the heat output was just okay… not terrible, but not impressive. Enough to warm the air right in front of it, but nowhere near “room heating” levels. But honestly, the heat performance wasn’t even the part that bothered me the most.
The real issue is how hot the actual unit gets. I’m not exaggerating when I say that after 10–15 minutes, the plastic housing felt way hotter than I was comfortable with. If something that plugs into a wall starts radiating “please unplug me” energy, that’s a problem. Even though it has supposed safety features, it didn’t exactly inspire trust.
I also noticed a faint heated-plastic smell every time it ran for more than a few minutes… not burning wires, but that “this shouldn’t smell like this” kind of odour. I kept thinking about the outlet itself heating up behind the unit (which is the worst possible place for heat to build). Because it plugs directly into the wall, it also sags slightly depending on the outlet position, which adds to the feeling that it was just… not the safest design.
As for usability, the display is bright, the buttons are tiny, and the noise isn’t loud, but it has that high-pitched mini-fan whirr that reminds you this is definitely a budget product.
By the second week, I found myself only using it when I was physically sitting right next to it, not exactly the kind of “set it and relax” heater experience I was hoping for.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very compact
- Easy to move and store
- Low power usage
- Good for ultra-tiny spaces only
Cons
- Housing gets too hot for comfort
- Slight burning-plastic smell during use
- Barely warms a room
- Direct-to-outlet design feels unstable
- Noisy for what little heat it puts out
- Doesn’t feel safe running unattended
Who This Might Work For
- Someone who needs a micro-heater for a very tiny, enclosed space
- People who only use heaters for a couple minutes at a time
- Someone wanting the absolute smallest footprint possible
Who Should Skip It
- Anyone worried about overheating or electrical safety
- Rooms larger than a closet
- People who want real warmth, not just “hot air nearby”
- Anyone who wants a heater they can trust while not staring at it
- Households with pets or kids (I would not risk it)
Actual Product Alternatives
If you want something safer, stronger, or more reliable, these are better options:
- Dreo Atom One Space Heater
- Vornado VH200
- Lasko Ceramic Tower Heater
- Pelonis PHTPU1501
Conclusion
The Apex Heater Pro just didn’t work for me. Between the weak heat output, the unit heating up way more than I’m comfortable with, and that faint burning/plastic smell, it’s simply not something I feel good about leaving plugged in. It technically works, but not in a way that feels safe or worth the price. If you want true warmth and peace of mind, there are better and safer alternatives.
Also, read my similar review on the Greenhouse Thermostat Plug-In Heater