The controls are located behind the door and are easy and intuitive to use. Some buyers might miss a remote control and a high and low setting but while those things are available on some other units, they come at a higher price.
There is no high or low heat output setting but the unit does have a twist thermostat knob setting that shuts the heat off when it reaches the desired temperature.
Heat is blown from the bottom so the top stays cool. Now, the area below and in front of the heater where the output blows does get hot. I don't think it would be hot enough to warp vinyl plank but as I am paranoid I stopped at Lowe's and picked up a one-by-two-foot piece of black marble tile that protects the floor and, I dare say, looks pretty sharp. (The tile costs about two dollars.) Again -- I have no idea whether the heat would really have an effect on the vinyl plank but as I just spent a fortune to have the floor installed I'm not in the mood to take chances.
There's also a sound setting that imitates the crackling of a fire. It sounds fairly realistic and is actually pleasant to listen to.
All-in-all, a good deal for the money and robust enough to quickly heat up a small room.