Heating a home is one of the most expensive utility expenses a homeowner can face. Energy bills can just spiral out
of control if this is not done correctly. However, advances in building and heating technology have come up with a solution that solves high energy consumption and the high utility bills that go along with it. Radiant floor heating is a result of good engineering and thermodynamic knowhow. These two came together, producing what came to be as the perfect blend of efficiency and aesthetics when it comes to home and commercial heating.
Under the floor heating is an amazingly efficient heat delivery system that is hidden under the whole flooring of the space to be heated. Here, the entire flooring becomes a heat distribution system, allowing for far more flexibility when it comes to interior designs. The reason for this is because the heat delivery system is hidden under the flooring. This type of heating is indeed efficient, but it has to be done before the floor is laid out. This is not a deal-breaker, because this method will beat trying to heat space by forcing warm air out of a vent.
One major attraction of radiant floor heating is its efficiency, which translates to lower power utility bills. Another appeal is that because it uses the entire flooring as a thermal radiator to distribute heat, the temperature is even and not just in little pockets or areas. Conventional and traditional heating systems are prone to this but not radiant floor heating. And since it distributes temperature evenly, The entire area is heated proportionately. As a result, your feet are kept warm as you walk around the room.
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How does it work?
This ingenious innovation radiates heat and provides much-needed warmth from under the flooring. The system 
utilizes whatever floor finish you may have as the delivery method for the warm temperature in the room. Heat rises evenly from the floor, in addition to being completely silent, energy-efficient and delivers consistent temperatures. In addition, there are radiant floor heaters that are certified to be usable under bathroom tile flooring, which is an especially nice feature to be had in a bathroom.
Floor heating has one specific requirement—it needs to be installed prior to the floor finish itself. However, this is a minor problem, if it can even be considered a problem at all, considering the savings and the long term benefits that can be gained from its installation. Most homeowners opt to have this done while in the process of building a new home as retrofitting underfloor radiant heating in an existing house will have significant costs attached to it. In addition, radiant floor heating installed at the onset will present fewer problems and complications.
Radiant floor heating does not depend on forcing air through vents and blowing them into the target places for warmth. The ‘radiation’ method means that no dust or allergens can be stirred up. This makes under the floor heating the ideal choice for families with sensitive children, or for those that have elderly members in the household. Another advantage of a home that is heated by radiant means is that there is no air pressure build up inside the house or room, thus keeping the warm air inside for far longer than any conventional or forced air method of heating.
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The two kinds of radiant floor heating
There are two basic kinds of underfloor heating systems, hydronic systems, and electric radiant floor heating. These two are by far the most used forms of radiant floor heating. Homes often use one of these or a combination of both and other heating solutions.
Electric radiant floor heating
As the name suggests, this method uses matting that has electrical cables embedded in them that produces resistance when an electric current passes through them. This resistance makes these cables hot, and this is where the heat that radiates out of the floor comes from. These mats can be embedded in tiles, laminated floorings, and engineered wood. The mats are suited for use in an existing home that wants their heating supplemented by a radiant floor heating system.
The mats are pre-cut from the manufacturer and cannot be cut to make way for drainage tubing, vanities, and other obstacles. This makes these mattings only suitable for installation in general activity areas and generally open areas where activities are most often gathered. Mats can be produced in all sizes though and can be done DIY style provided the one doing it has enough experience with these kinds of installations.
The network of mats are connected to a thermostat equipped controller where one can control temperature settings, whether manually or via a timer. When retrofitting, ensure that proper insulation is done to prevent the heat from escaping downwards or through the sides instead of radiating up towards the floor and inside the room where it is needed.
Aside from electrical cables embedded in mats, electric radiant floor heaters can also be a single wire install. This involves a single wire that snakes through mortar flooring. This method can be intricate, and you can place the heat right where you want it. However, this only works with mortar flooring, radiating through whatever flooring finish are installed over the mortar bed.
Hot water radiant flooring
Currently, this kind of radiant floor heating is gaining popularity over the older electrical method. This kind of heating alternative is also known as the hydronic system and is now being favored because of its high thermal efficiency. The heating method is via a network of cross-linked polyethylene tubing or PEX. This method has the
flexibility to be added to a mortar sub-flooring bed or can also be installed under extra thick plywood subfloor paneling that has grooves or channels to hold the tubing.
The system works by attaching the network of PEX to a hot water heater, which can be located in a centralized place and then distributed by pumps and a thermostat switch to regulate the temperature. A hydronic heating system can also be used for home retrofits but are considered to be in the non-DIY category. Hydronic system are complicated enough to warrant a professional install.
What makes an excellent radiant floor heater?
Characteristics of a great radiant flooring system can be summed up in how efficient they are, ease of installation, and how costly they are to install.
Efficiency
Radiant floor heating, whether hydronic or electric are a long way ahead of their traditional counterparts, especially in terms of efficiency. There is no comparison on power usage when being looked at side by side with the more conventional forced air circulation that has been so prevalent in home heating technologies.
A conventional air conditioning system uses a network of air ducts that lead to individual rooms. These ducts are notorious for leaks, no matter how meticulous their maintenance are. Leaks from these ducts account for roughly a quarter of the heat that’s supposed to be on circulation. Radiant floor heating does not suffer from any of these, especially if installed properly. Warm air tends to rise naturally, and this allows for more even heating of the entire space.
Ease of installation
While still not that common, radiant floor heating technology is steadily being developed. This leads to more 
flexibility in terms of the panels, and more compatibility even with existing homes. Currently, radiant floor heating is best for homes that are being built, because of the entire radiant floor heating system needing to be built in the subfloor.
While there are companies that specialize in subfloor heating that can be installed on a retrofit of an existing home, they are still far from being called commonplace. With this, a requirement for a high-quality floor heating system would be on how easy it is to install.
Innovation in materials
Radiant floor heating before relied on copper tubing that generally leaked after a period of time. The hierarchy of hydronic tubing and channeling systems went from copper to cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) and then to preformed water channels in the sub-flooring itself. A great radiant flooring would either contain PEX with an oxygen barrier or the latest prefabricated sub-flooring with water channels that are built-in.
With this, we can now take a closer look at some of the best radiant floor heaters that are available right now.
Top 14 Best Radiant Floor Heaters in 2022
1. Heatizon’s Heatwave Floor Heating System (160 Sq. Ft.)
Design, Materials, and Size
The Electric Floor Heating System with Required GFCI Programmable Thermostat 240V can cover 160 square feet of
space with its dimensions being 20 inches wide and 97.6 feet of length. The heating cable is designed to last for years with its non-corrosive heating cable elements that are already spaced evenly in a sticky mat. A programmable thermostat is included and comes standard in this package. It consists of a GFCI thermostat at 240v, and the manufacturing of the cables, including the mesh are just 1/8′ thick and will not raise the flooring significantly.
Operational Functionality
The heating elements can be customized to cut and bent up to 30mm of clearance. Take note that the matting can be reduced, but not the wires itself inside the matting support. The allowance for bending is substantial and allows for the placement of the heating cable in corners. The heating system is designed to be used in wet locations, making it ideal for bathrooms or patios. The programmable thermostat is easily set up with its simple user interface and can be set to either automatic, manual, or comfort mode.
Tech Specs
This under-floor heating device comes in a pre-configured mat package. The matting can be cut and configured (excluding the heating wire) and placed anywhere desired. It has the capacity to be fully embedded in mortar or hardwood flooring and can be used in a variety of flooring options. It boasts an operating voltage frequency of 120/208/240v and an outpu+t relay of 15A. It also comes with a built-in air sensor and 10 feet of NTC (12K) sensor cable.
Durability & Warranty
The product is ETL listed, which means it passed North American Safety Standards and is covered by a limited lifetime warranty
Pros:
- Comes in a convenient and pre-spaced sticky mat
- Matting provides extra security
- Wide compatibility of voltages
- Comes with a 10 feet long sensor cable as standard
- Extensive temperature coverage from 41F to 104F
Cons:
- Does not have the same flexibility as a loose cable element
2. Heatizon’s Heatwave Floor Heating System (100 Sq. Ft.)
Design, Materials, and Size
The 100 Sqft Electric Radiant Floor Heating System with Required GFCI Programmable Thermostat 120V has one of 
the highest quality ultra-low EMF design cold lead heating cable. The cables themselves are embedded in a sticky mat and arranged in equal distances. All you have to do is layout the matting and the cables are aligned. At 20 inches wide and at 61 feet of length, this radiant floor heating is perfect for small spaces that need heat. At a mere 1/8 inch thick profile, it can be fixed to multiple configurations with compatibility on various flooring, whether it be laminate, tiling or cement. With this thin profile, you can be assured that it will not raise your flooring in any significant way.
Operational Functionality
It is important to note that the sticky mat can be cut but not the heating cables itself. The cables can be bent to any angle with a 30mm degree of clearance and indeed allows for placement in tight areas. The best thing about being in a pre-rolled mat configuration is that all the cables are already evenly spaced, allowing for more uniform heating. This radiant floor heater is designed to be used in wet areas such as patios and bathrooms. It is a fully embedded system, adding to its flexibility of installation options. This also translates for even and optimal heat dispersion for that warm flooring overall. The underfloor heating mat comes with a programmable thermostat with a clear, easy-to-see LCD display that is white backlit. It can be set up with easily with its simple user interface.
Tech Specs
Designed for wet areas, the radiant floor heating mat has the heating wires evenly spaced at 3 inches apart and is multi-voltage and can operate starting from 120V to 240V. It can be fully embedded in mortar, allowing that placement in wet and moist prone areas, along with the flexibility to be used in both mortar, tiling, and laminate floors. The thermostat can be programmed and set to automatic, manual, or comfort mode. The included two sensors can accurately maintain temperatures as it comes with an air sensor and 10 feet of NTC (12K) sensor cable, allowing temperature control from 41F to 104F.
Durability & Warranty
A limited lifetime warranty covers the product and is also ETL listed
Pros:
- Matting provides even spacing for the heating cables
- Wide temperature coverage from 41F to 104F
- The aesthetically pleasing Thermostat LCD panel
- Pre-configured matting placement allows for ease of installation
- Can be completely embedded in mortar for a waterproof seal.
Cons:
- A loose cable configuration would be more flexible in terms of placement
3. HeatTech’s Electric Radiant Floor Heating Mat (HTMAT) 70 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The 70 sq ft HeatTech 120V Electric Tile Radiant Floor Heating Mat Kit has 1/8inch thickness that makes it ideal for 
underfloor use as it will not substantially raise the flooring and keep it within normal parameters. It is designed to be installed in areas that are generally wet and humid, such as a bathroom or a patio. Its small footprint can be combined with others to cover a larger space should it be required adding more to its already flexible application options. At 20 inches wide and 42.7 feet long, it is large enough to cover small areas and can be complemented with another matting to augment its size, using just a single thermostat. The heating cables are spaced evenly, and the mat can be cut (not the heating cable itself) to gain access to tight spots.
Operational Functionality
Underfloor heating systems are a more energy-efficient and healthy option on heating your home, completely removing the risk of allergens in the air as the heat will radiate from the floor up. The radiant floor heating has a sticky backing on its mat for more comfortable and more convenient installation. This method of heating will not dry the air, unlike radiators or forced air heating. The evenly spaced heating cable on the mat makes it ideal for tiles, stone, granite, or even marble flooring. It is an embedded system and can, therefore, be used on patios, bathrooms, and kitchen. Control the temperature and get precisely what you want with the included digital thermostat and an easy to read LCD backlit display.
Tech Specs
The 120v heating mat has a digital thermostat where you can pretty much control everything like a command center. The heating cables are spaced at 3 inches apart and rated to produce 41 BTU’s per square feet. There are a 10 feet cold lead wire included with the kit as well as a 15 feet lead wire for the sensor. The thermostat is fully programmable with a backlit LCD for smooth operation even at night.
Durability & Warranty
The product has a UL listing and a limited warranty upon purchase.
Pros:
- Relatively cheaper to install and operate
- Zero noise operation
- Sticky back for the matting makes it easy to install
- The thin profile will not raise flooring
- easy-to-see LCD thermostat
Cons:
- Sticky matting will only stick to very clean and even subflooring.
4. Warming System’s Electric Floor Radiant Heating System (100 Sq. Ft.)
Design, Materials, and Size
The first thing you will notice with this radiant floor heater is how robust the matting is, which is an excellent 
indicator of how good the quality of the manufacturing is. It comes with the standard 20 inches of width, and the length is 60 feet, to cover 100 Sq Ft of space. The package or kit comes with a Honeywell/Aube model thermostat with an easy to read LCD display with green backlighting. The matting that houses the heating cables at predetermined spacing comes with double-sided adhesive and is well equipped with an installation monitor that is extremely useful with builds like this. The installation monitor actively scans the whole heating cable system and alerts you to any cuts or damage in the wiring before embedding it in mortar. Extremely useful to avoid back jobs.
Operational Functionality
Designed for use even in wet areas, it can be installed under bathroom flooring and even on patios. A fully embedded system, it comes with an installation ‘screamer’ or monitor that actively scan the heating elements for any breakage or cuts before laying down the mortar in the subfloor, avoiding potentially problematic issues after the floor has been laid out. The matting is equipped with double adhesive for easy application on subflooring surfaces. The mat can be a bit rigid so take extra care when cutting to avoid damaging the leads.
Tech Specs
The single cold lead heating cable has zero EMF and comes in matting and pre-spaced at 3 inches apart for maximum heating output. The thermostat is rated at 120 volts and is rated at 16 amps and can be easily changed between F and C temperature reading. The design for the interface is intuitive and easy to use, easily readable in dark conditions with its backlit LCD display. Comes with an installation monitor to ensure no problems during the application.
Durability & Warranty
The product has a 25-year warranty on the heating cable (single cold lead with Zero EMF) and a UL listing for US and Canada
Pros:
- Easy to install
- The commercial-grade mesh system
- Double-sided sticky backing
- Can be installed on top of the subfloor and embedded in mortar
- Made in the USA
- Comes with an installation monitor
- Comprehensive installation manual
Cons:
- Needs significant care when turning over for a corner, as the matting is quite rigid
- Green backlighting for the thermostat may be glaring at night
5. SEAL Floor Heating System 120 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The SEAL radiant floor heating mat is perfectly sized and is just right for small area applications such as the 
bathroom or kitchen spaces. It comes in as 19.7 inches wide and 73.8 feet long to cover 120 Square meters of space. It comes in a mat form and are pre-spaced in 3 inches apart configuration for maximum heat distribution.
Operational Functionality
The radiant floor heater is made for use in wet areas as it is a completely embedded system. Can be used under tiles, stone, ceramic tiling, granite, and marble flooring. Can be used for retrofits, or brand new construction projects. It is also safe for laminate flooring. The included matting makes it easier as the heating element already comes pre-spaced at 3 inches apart and ideal for optimal heat dissipation. The matting also makes it easier to lay the radiant heating system down with detailed instructions on how to cut around joints and corners.
Tech Specs
Rated at 120v, the heating element are twin conductors encased in a durable Teflon coating and a touch armor braiding and encased in a plastic coating allows SEAL to grant a 20-year warranty on its heating cables. Thin profile at 1/8″ allows for any flooring changes without substantial raising of the floors. The matting has a self-adhesive backing for easy installation on subflooring, whether concrete or a raised wooden subfloor. Electrical specs are at 1480w and 12.3A at 9.7 Ohms at maximum.
Durability & Warranty
The floor heater is UL listed in the USA and Canada with a 20-year warranty on the heating element.
Pros:
- Perfect for both retrofit and new builds
- Self-adhesive matting makes it super-easy to install
- The thin profile will not raise the floor in a noticeable way
- Detailed instruction manual for installation
- Comes with a 10 feet cold lead for zero EMF
Cons:
- Separate purchase needed for a thermostat
6. Schluter DITRA Heat 60.3 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The Schluter DITRA Heat Kit is a complete easy-to-install kit that comes with the patented DITRA-HEAT 
uncoupling membrane heating cable management mounting system which uses nodes to attach the heating cables to. The kit comes with 7 sheets of this membrane which can cover 60 Sq Ft and a spool of DITRA-HEAT-E-HK heating cable at 37.5 Feet in length. The sheets come in their signature caterpillar yellow color, and just one look immediately lets you see how the wires are going to be laid out. The manufacturing is of solid build quality, the connections are sturdy, and the matting itself is quite durable.
Operational Functionality
Because of the patented DITRA-HEAT uncoupling membrane sheets, this matting will save you money on acquiring additional insulation underneath the mat because the sheets themselves will act as the insulation while anchoring the heating cable itself. The kit combines the best of both matted radiant heating and the flexibility of loose cable configuration as you have the flexibility to choose how the cables are going to be laid out by just notching the cables into the grooves made by the nodes in the matting. The included thermostat digital controller is a joy to pair with your smartphone and allows you total control of the system over the internet. This means you can control the settings even while away at work or simply too lazy to get off the bed.
Tech Specs
This kit offers all that you need from a complete DITRA-HEAT kit including a DITRA-HEAT uncoupling membrane for maximum customizability in terms of heating cable placement. This is a 120V system with a DITRA programmable Touchscreen WIFI connected thermostat, which allows you total control of the system over an app on your phone and anywhere that has an internet connection.
Durability & Warranty
The DITRA-HEAT system offers a 15-year limited warranty on its kits, especially if used as a system.
Pros:
- WIFI connectivity on the thermostat controller
- Functionality can be controlled via phone or wherever there is internet
- Have full control over your heating requirements via your phone
- Easy-to-install kit
- The uncoupling membrane makes it super customizable even on the tightest spaces
Cons:
- WIFI connectivity may make the thermostat vulnerable to outside control
7. SunTouch TapeMat 15 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The SunTouch open-weave mesh kit is designed to be easily installed by pre-configuring the heating cable in an even
3inch spacing in a self-adhesive mesh weave mat. The matting assembly has a 1/8 inch thickness and right not to raise the flooring any more than usual. It is made to be used in wet areas because of its fully-embedded design. The matting is designed to be cut and shaped to fit any hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. The mat itself including the pre-spaced heating cables are measured at 6.5 inches and 28 feet in length and is rated to cover 15 Sq Ft. A digital thermostat is also included in the kit.
Operational Functionality
The open weave matting is designed to be embedded in mortar and can be installed in as little as a day as you do not have to wait for the mortar to dry before applying the actual flooring. Only the matting can be cut through and do not make the mistake of cutting the blue heating cable as they can be repositioned within the mat itself. The kit also comes standard with an installation monitor and ‘screamer’ which alerts you to any damage or cuts in the heating cable before any final application is made, saving you from expensive back jobs in the process. The touch screen digital thermostat works via an air sensor and a floor sensor as well. It has a bright, full-color LCD that allows smooth operation even in dark areas.
Tech Specs
The SunTouch heating mat is rated at 120V and consumes 180w of power, and all are controlled by a digital thermostat that has a touch screen LCD interface. It is fully programmable and has a built-in relay and can control up to 150 square feet worth of heating cable, or up to 1800 watts of 120V power draw. The thermostat is equipped with both floor and air sensing modules to make sure that accurate temperature readings are established.
Durability & Warranty
The product is solidly built, and it has Amazon’s free tech support and is UL listed.
Pros:
- Made in North America
- Can be easily made to fit difficult and hard to reach areas
- Open-weave mesh easily adapts to mortar installation
- The thin profile will not raise the flooring substantially
- The thermostat has a SmartStart technology that adjusts the start times of the heating system
- Energy use active monitoring
- UL listed
Cons:
- Mat adhesive will only stick to a thoroughly vacuumed mortar subflooring
8. Warming System’s Electric Floor Radiant Heating System (30 Sq. Ft.)
Design, Materials, and Size
This radiant floor heating mat is designed to cover 30 Sq Ft of floor space. Having the dimensions of 20 inches wide
and at 18 feet of length, it is just enough to cover a decent-sized area like a bathroom or a small kitchen space. The open-weave style mesh matting is very easy to work with, especially in terms of embedding it into the subflooring. It is designed to work well with wet areas such as bathrooms or a kitchen. The heating cables are evenly spaced in the mat itself for maximum heat dissipation. While it may be tempting to put heating mats under every corner, radiant heating is best placed in areas that are considered as heavy traffic areas. Putting the heating cable under places, you do not normally walk on to as excessive and a waste of energy.
Operational Functionality
The product is a mat with the heating cable evenly spaced at 3 inches apart for optimal heat output. The mat itself is commercial grade and has an adhesive backing to facilitate easier placement on the subflooring. The adhesive though cannot stick to an unclean surface, and you need to vacuum and prepare the surface for proper adhesion properly. While the matting itself can be cut, the heating cables should not be damaged in any way and can only be molded to the shape it needs to be. The cold lead is sufficiently long enough at 10 feet to reach your power source. installation is as simple as unrolling the mat and laying it down on the prepared flooring. Route the cold lead to the power source and the thermostat, and you could be good to go. The kit also includes a ‘screamer’ or a monitor alarm that you can use before and after installation to make sure that no damage has been incurred to the heating cables.
Tech Specs
The radiant floor heating kit is rated at 120v and 360 watts of power usage. The kit is equipped with a fully programmable Honeywell/Aube thermostat and digital controller. The thermostat itself regulates the temperatures via an air sensor and a temperature probe along with the mat
Durability & Warranty
The heating cable is augmented by a single cold lead that has Zero EMF and has a 25-year warranty. The whole kit has a UL listing for USA and Canada.
Pros:
- Installation monitor included
- Mesh-weave matting allows for easy mortar installation
- Comes with self-adhesive backing
- The heating cables are already evenly spaced
- The thermostat is fully programmable
- Comes with two sensors for redundancy
Cons:
- The thermostat has a glaring green backlighting
9. SunTouch TapeMat 20 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The SunTouch radiant floor heating mat comes in at 7 inches wide and about 8 feet in length and is rated to heat an
area of 20 Sq Ft. It is designed to be used in small areas that need heating, such as the bathroom and the kitchen tiles. It is a fully embedded system that allows it to be used in wet areas. The heating cable itself is a dual wire technology that is coated in Teflon and with an armored braiding, aside from the durable and fire-retardant blue sheathing. The cable itself is coiled and placed in the open-weave mesh at 3 inches apart for maximum heat dispersal.
Operational Functionality
The mat functions best when embedded in mortar underneath tile or granite flooring. This is a basic mat and you will need to buy an installation alarm and must already have a thermostat to make it work. The open-weave mat allows it to be placed on top of the subflooring and embedded in mortar. Its thin profile makes it possible to be used in retrofits as well as in new construction projects. At 1/8 inch thick it will not raise the floor substantially enough to make a difference. The manual included for its installation is very detailed as well as routing instructions.
Tech Specs
The package contains the study matting that houses the heating cable at 3 inches of placement intervals. Power draw is at 120v, and power usage is at 12 watts and 2 amps per square foot of usage. Its dual-wire technology dramatically reduces and even brings EMF down to zero and is UL listed for your peace of mind.
Durability & Warranty
The heating mat and cable is backed by its USA manufacturer for 25 years.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- 25-year warranty
- Very easy to install
- Adhesive backing makes it easy to secure to the subflooring
- Competitive pricing
Cons:
- No thermostat and Installation alarm included
10. SEAL Floor Heating System 70 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The SEAL 70 Sq Ft radiant floor heating mat is among the new batches of subflooring heaters that utilize twin 
conductor technology that significantly reduces and even eliminates EMF totally. This is very important, especially if you have kids or expecting kids at home. The twin conductors themselves are encased in a Teflon coating with a braided armor before being encased altogether in a fire retardant sheathing. The SEAL radiant floor heater is designed to be used in both new constructions and in retrofits alike. With its 1/8 inch thickness, it will not significantly raise the flooring any more than usual. The dimensions are 19.5 inches in width and 45.9 feet long.
Operational Functionality
The mat itself with its open weave design is meant to be fully embedded in mortar. This means that the product can be installed in wet areas such as the bathroom or the kitchen with no risk of electrical discharge. Proper insulation should be placed between the mat and the subfloor to make sure that heat is directed upwards and not downwards onto the dirt. The matting is easy to install with its adhesive backing and can be cut according to need. Take extra care not to cut the heating cable itself as if it is damaged, it will not work. Install in concrete or plywood subflooring and embed in a self-leveling compound. After drying install the tiling or whatever flooring you prefer and you are good to go.
Tech Specs
The heating cables inside the mat is rated at 900w, and 70 Sq Ft will draw 120v at 7.5 amps of power. The twin conductor heating cable is Teflon coated with an additional braided armor aside from the sheath itself. This allows for ZERO EMF emission.
Durability & Warranty
This product is listed in the UL USA and Canada for safety and has a 20-year warranty from SEAL direct.
Pros:
- The thin profile will not raise flooring
- Competitively priced
- Self- adhesive backing allow for easy placement on subflooring
- 20-year warranty
- comes with a 10 feet cold lead wire
- Comes pre-arranged at 3-inch intervals
- Zero EMF emission
Cons:
- No installation monitor and thermostat included
11. ThermoSoft’s ThermoTile 15 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The ThermoTile radiant floor heating system is designed with being fully embedded on top of the subflooring. This 
120v mat version is intended primarily to be used as heating for rooms that are under 150 Sq Ft and is usable even under wet conditions or areas which makes it perfect for the bathroom. Its compact dimensions of 15 inches wide and 10 feet in length is ideal for such rooms in the house. The heating cable is spaced in the standard 3 inches apart for maximum heat dissipation, and a 10 feet cold lead wire is attached to only one end of the heating cables. The cold lead is enmeshed within a sturdy armor of pliable plastic to prevent damage during installation.
Operational Functionality
It is important to note that the matting can be cut but not the heating cable itself as it can only be routed. The cable in mesh design allows the entire kit to be rolled out and easily laid out on the flooring to its desired shape. The mesh itself is made up of commercial-grade fiberglass mold and holds the heating cable securely flat and evenly spaced for optimal heating. A combination of two or more mats can be used to heat up more extensive areas. Unlike conventional heating like forced air or radiators, radiant floor heating warms from the floor up, leaving your whole body warm instead of freezing your toes. This also takes advantage of the fact that warm air rises to give the room a more uniform temperature than forced-air methods can provide.
Tech Specs
Rated at 120v and consuming 180 watts of power, the heating mat can cover an area of 15 square feet.
Durability & Warranty
The product is proudly made in the USA with UL listing for peace of mind. The product has a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Zero magnetic field emissions, will not interfere with wireless devices in the home
- Extremely easy to install and set up
- Fiberglass mold matting holds heating cables secure
- 10 feet of cold lead wires are pre-attached to use
- Sturdy quality of construction
Cons:
- No thermostat and installation monitor included
12. Happybuy Radiant Floor Heating Mat 80 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The Happybuy 80 Sq Ft 120V radiant floor heating is a complete kit and ready for install out of the box. The set 
comes in at 10.2 inches wide and 20.7 feet long and can cover an 80 Sq Ft area. The small and compact size, particularly on how thin the heating cable allows it to be used in both renovations and new home construction. Designed to be fully embedded, the matting is both flexible and robust enough to offer stability and protection to the heating element within.
Operational Functionality
The radiant floor heater comes with an installation monitor that you can use before, after, and during installation to ensure that the wiring will suffer no damage while in the process of the setup. Having an installation monitor saves you the hassle of tearing up a newly finished flooring because the heater does not work. The digital thermostat is all that you will need for its operation and can be programmed according to your specific needs.
Tech Specs
The thermostat is fully programmable and has both presets and fully customizable options. Power is between 100-120V and a power output of 12 watts per square feet. Max temperature is at 90 degrees celsius and the cold lead cable is 16-20AWG.
Durability & Warranty
The device boasts of durable PEP insulation and PVC protective covering, which ensures the safety of use. It also passed UL, CE, VDE, and RoHS tests.
Pros:
- Comes with a fully programmable thermostat
- Easy installation with an installation monitor and ‘screamer’
- Compatible with almost any type of flooring
- Can be used both for retrofits and new construction
- Self-adhesive matting ensure easy placement on the subflooring
Cons:
- The thermostat came in a non-standard box and made it impossible to fit with existing utility boxes
13. Warming System’s 30 Sq. Ft. Cable Set
Design, Materials, and Size
This radiant floor heater comes in differently than most because of its ‘loose’ cable platform. The kit comes in 
basically as a spool of wire which gives you that flexibility to shape it according to your needs. While the lack of matting may be off-putting to some, this is a welcome change for those who require a little bit more flexibility in their options. The design allows for 30mm of bending clearance to get those odd shapes covered. The cable thickness is about 1/8 inch thick, and the length is 12.2 feet. Cable guides are provided to secure the heating cables to the floor. A Honeywell/ Aube digital thermostat is provided as well as an installation monitor. The heating cable itself is a twisted pair of conducting wire that significantly reduced EMF emissions so that no interference with wireless devices are present in your home.
Operational Functionality
This spool can cover approximately 30 square feet of heated space if spaced at the standard 3 inches apart when using the provided cable mounts. The whole kit can be fully embedded in mortar and must be adequately insulated to avoid heat escaping below ground instead of up towards the flooring. The absence of the mat meant that the cable could much more easily be bent into odd shapes as required. The provided installation monitor is a beneficial solution to nip problems in the bud before, during, and after the installation. The thermostats have both air sensors and a module that goes under the floor with the heating coils themselves.
Tech Specs
The fully programmable thermostat practically lets you set up the radiant floor heating one time and then promptly forget about it as it becomes almost fully autonomous in its operation. The floor sensor gives accurate readings, and the twisted pair of conductive wires give off a uniform heat without EMF emissions. The floor guides can be installed using screws, glue, or sticky tape to secure it to the subflooring, and these guides can be cut to length as needed.
Durability & Warranty
This Radiant Floor Heater is UL listed in USA and Canada for your peace of mind.
Pros:
- More options in the installation that a floor matting
- Made in the USA
- Comes with an installation monitor
- Comes with a digital thermostat
- Bang for the buck value
Cons:
- The green backlight of the thermostat is glaring, especially at night
14. QuietWarmth Radiant Heat Film 30 Sq. Ft. Kit
Design, Materials, and Size
The QuietWarmth system of radiant heating utilizes a heating ‘film’ rather than the usual mat or cables that use a 
more even heat distribution that encases the heating element in a sturdy film material rather than a fiber matting or wire. This kit is designed for ‘floating’ flooring finishing only, such as laminates or interlocking engineered wood as the final flooring. The equipment can be installed on all floating flooring types and is extremely thin that no additional preparation saves for an equally thin underlayment to prevent heat loss under the ground. Its dimensions of 3 feet wide by 10 feet long are enough to cover 30 square feet of heated space.
Operational Functionality
While the application of the film may seem limited, the QuietWarmth system of radiant heating is approved for all types of floating floors. It works well with laminate flooring, floating tiles, laminate wood, and luxury vinyl flooring. The main advantage would be that this system uses up to 50% less power than its traditional wired counterparts. That and its extremely slim profile give it a lot of flexibility and ease of installation over its relatively thicker alternatives. This system is not recommended for wet areas such as the bathroom because it is a dry install and not fully embedded in mortar. This film system disperses a more even and uniform heating on the floor that no other method can achieve.
Tech Specs
The QuietWarmth radiant floor heating film uses a highly-efficient conductive ink printing technology to layout the circuitry for the low wattage resistance film sandwiched between tough polymer films. The film uses just 12 watts of power to raise the floor temperature to comfortable levels gradually. The film is proven to have 99% efficiency in utilizing its thin wiring to generate heat.
Durability & Warranty
The manufacturer protects buyers from factory defects with a 25-year limited warranty on all QuietWarmth products.
Pros:
- Dry install method requires no mortar and no mess
- Compatible with all floating floors
- Reduced power consumption
- Even and gradual heating
- Easy installation
Cons:
- No thermostat included
- High price