Lasko 23-inch Ceramic Tower Space Heater (5165) review

The Lasko 5165 is a 23-inch-class ceramic tower with two heat settings, optional side-to-side oscillation, a remote and a shutoff timer. Lasko's current product page identifies the model as 5165 and lists the single White SKU 5165; its product-page dimensions are 22.75 inches high with an 8.13-inch square footprint. The manual linked from that page is the six-page Rev. C 5/13 guide for model 5165. This assessment is based on those documents, not ownership or a heat-output test.

Two heat settings, but the thermostat has a condition

The heater starts on High, which the manual identifies as 1,500 watts. Low is a separate heat setting. Lasko's product specification gives an overall output span of 900 to 1,500 watts but does not map the Low control to an exact watt figure, so the precise low-step draw is not assigned here. The adjustable thermostat is also not a low-power mode: the manual says automatic temperature control operates only on High. If you set a target, it cycles off around two degrees above that setting and starts again around one degree below it. That makes the 5165 a better fit if you are comfortable using High for thermostat cycling than if a target temperature on Low is essential.

Lasko lists up to 150 square feet of coverage. That is the maker's stated area, not a measured heating guarantee. Drafts, insulation, ceiling height, outdoor weather and the building's main heating system can change the result substantially; no independent temperature-rise or room-uniformity measurement is available here.

Oscillation is documented; its arc is not

The control panel and manual describe optional back-and-forth oscillation, which can shift the stream instead of leaving it fixed in one direction. Neither the current page nor the inspected manual states an angle, so a firm swing minimum such as 70 or 90 degrees cannot be confirmed. The 5165 is fan-forced ceramic heat, not fanless convection. But it does not provide a separate fan-only mode: the manual describes the fan running briefly after thermostat cut-off, a cooldown behavior rather than an unheated-air setting. If you need fan-only airflow, compare a heater whose separate Fan mode is explicitly documented, such as the DREO Tower Heater 718.

The timer stops a running heater

The timer is a countdown from one to eight hours. At the end of the selected period the unit switches off. It is not a programmable start: the manual says the unit can be turned on again by pressing Power, not that it will start itself after remaining off. That distinction matters if you expect a warm room when you return. The remote operates the same functions as the panel, but it requires two AAA batteries that are not included. Lasko's current listing says the model has no smart technology, and app control is not documented.

Plan for the manual's full clearance

The manual requires a stable, level floor and says combustible items must remain at least three feet from the front and one foot from the sides and rear. The unit is expressly not intended for bathrooms, laundry areas or wet or damp locations. A small base does not mean it can be tucked beside curtains or furniture: reserve the full operating zone first. Use a direct 120-volt wall receptacle; Lasko warns against extension cords, power strips and other cord-connected devices. Do not run the cord beneath rugs or place the heater on a bed or other soft surface where openings could be blocked.

The manual describes a thermal-overload protector that shuts the heater off if it overheats. To reset it, unplug the unit, wait ten minutes for it to cool, then reconnect it to an appropriate 120-volt outlet. Repeated cut-outs are a reason to inspect placement and cleanliness, not to bypass the protection. Lasko says to unplug and cool the heater before cleaning, vacuum the intake grilles every two weeks and avoid taking the housing apart. It also cautions that the feet can leave marks on some furniture or wood floors.

Fit and alternatives

At 22.75 inches tall and six pounds, the 5165 remains straightforward to move between rooms when unplugged and cool. Those dimensions describe only the body; they do not reduce the required clearance. A 23-inch body-height limit admits the listed height, while a 22-inch cap does not. If timer start is essential, the 5165 is not a fit; the DREO Convection Heater 711 has a documented on/off timer, but it is a fanless convection panel rather than a fan-forced tower. If you want separately controlled fan-only airflow, the DREO 718 is another form to compare. Keep each product's own placement instructions with the choice.

The model is listed with a three-year warranty, and the manual identifies residential supplemental heat rather than commercial or industrial use. Check that the model label on the unit reads 5165 before applying this guide: the manual is dated 2013 and should not be transferred to a visually similar Lasko tower with another model number. The listed 120V supply, dry-room restriction, direct-outlet requirement, clearance and maintenance directions are more useful decision points than claims of quietness or room coverage, which were not independently tested.

Lasko 5165 product page · Lasko 5165 user manual · Using the Lasko 5165