Honeywell Digital Ceramic HCE322V Review

This model roasted most of its rival space heaters. Read more below for an explanation of why.

Room Heating

Our team of professional product research analysts determined that a space heater's ability to raise and maintain the temperature in an enclosed space is its most important function, which is why this section of the review accounts for 40% of the total score. A heater's average room performance can be affected by a multitude of factors, such as each manufacturer's heating element, power output, fan size, and fan speed. The Honeywell HCE322V earned a commendable score for this metric.

In order to get an accurate room heating score, we set up a test that consisted of placing eight lab-grade sensors throughout our large tool room and recording the rise in temperature from each space heater over the course of an hour. We then compiled and analyzed the data from each zone of the room before comparing it to all other heaters and finalizing each individual score. The Honeywell's mighty fan and variable fan speeds allowed it to place 3rd against its competitors. After an hour of this heater cranking away and directing its powerful heat in all directions rather than just in front, the Honeywell increased the average room temperature by 5.6 degrees Fahrenheit. We also noticed that its slightly lower power output seemed to provide slightly above-average results and ultimately had one of the strongest showings throughout the lineup.

With its powerful fan and oscillating mode turned on, the Honeywell heater does well heating a room from small to medium size and can even take the chill out of a larger space if necessary. Its simple digital display also allows for precision control of each environment without having to press buttons or turn a dial more than once, which simply added to our positive impression of this space heater.

Direct Heat

Direct heat is often most important for people who work in a large barn, workshop, or garage. It can also be the most helpful when you have to thaw out your fingers or toes in a hurry before getting back to your project. We weigh our direct heat metric at 25% of every space heater's total score.

We test and calculate each heater's direct heat score by hanging a sheet and placing a horizontal set of 5 sensors along a 6-foot pole just 3 feet in front of the units. In congruence with our industrial-grade temperature sensors, we also observe every heater's abilities through a thermal camera for the 5 minutes of runtime before recording the rise in temperature from each sensor.

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The Honeywell came through like a fiery comet and destroyed most of the competition in our direct heat metric, with an overall score of 9. The hot air spread is more than decent, and the middle sensor out of five rose by an astonishing 17.1 degrees, more than any other heater in our lineup.

With such a high and direct output, the Honeywell was overwhelmingly hot at times. Still, by turning down the mode and turning the oscillation on, we were able to arrive at a very comfortable temperature. After fine-tuning the unit and spending ample time just sitting in front of it and working, we also found that the Honeywell didn't scorch us with a hotspot like some of its other direct heat competitors, and its rectangular heating element provided better distribution as well.

As a backup test for all of our metrics, particularly direct heat, we also use the same hanging sheet and thermal camera as before. We turned each heater perpendicular to the sheet in order to observe, understand, and record how efficient each heater was at moving hot air from its grille. Once we turned on the Honeywell, we observed that the fan did a great job pushing hot air, maintaining a wide profiled cone at 3.5 feet from the heater's grille. With any space heater that cranks out immense amounts of heat, it's reasonable to think of safety; therefore, here at GearLab, we test every unit's capabilities and functions. For a comprehensive explanation of how we test all of our space heaters and their safety, take a look at our in-depth how we test space heaters article.

The Honeywell gave us so much confidence in its safety that we would feel good about leaving it running overnight. Its tip-over protection shut the heater off immediately when it began to topple, and when we placed a sheet over the unit for our overheat test, the heater shut off in less than 10 seconds, while the grille registered an almost cold 150 degrees Fahrenheit. We would recommend the Honeywell to anyone with safety concerns or animals that tend to explore and topple items over.

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Consistent warmth

If you live or work in a particularly cold climate that maintains frigid temperatures throughout the day, you know that consistent warmth and a shield of coziness are important. At 25% of the total score, we consider a myriad of factors before giving each heater its final mark.

Many features in a heater can contribute to or detract from this score, such as oscillation mode, heating element design, and changeable fan speeds, which helped the Honeywell Ceramic excel amongst its stiff competition.

The Honeywell not only has an oscillation mode, but when the heater is changed to a lower setting, the fan speed also changes. Both of these features, combined with a digital temp display, meant that we could calibrate this particular space heater to surround us in a shroud of warmth. When we had the Honeywell on high and close by in a smaller enclosed room, we noticed that it would be somewhat stifling at times before tweaking the heater for a perfect temp.

Sound

Our sound metric only counts for 10% of each heater's total score; however, it is something to consider if you have a small child or easily disruptible pets. Unfortunately, Honeywell scored some of the lower marks despite scoring above average in every other metric.

We tested each unit's sound output with a professional sound meter and spent plenty of time listening for any irritating or frustrating squeaks, squeals, or grinds associated with every product. While all the heaters we tested are relatively quiet and most likely wouldn't disturb a child's sleep when turned off or on, the Honeywell registered our third-highest reading at 46.2 decibels.

However, it had no annoying sounds and was quieter than comparable models in the highest setting. We recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind the standard droning of a small fan.

Should You Buy the Honeywell Digital Ceramic HCE322V?

This heater is an absolute homerun for anyone who needs some fiery heat quickly. It would do particularly well for someone needing to get those digits warm in a hurry. It has the capability to heat a room thoroughly, and its powerful fan, combined with oscillation mode, gives every crack and corner a blast of hot air. It's added list of safety features makes the Honeywell HCE322V a perfect set-it-and-forget-it heater.

What Other Space Heater Should You Consider?