Best Electric Heater – Buyer’s Guide

Able to warm up your small room quickly without costing the earth to run, this oil radiator from Silentnight is very effective as a backup or additional heater during the cold months.

There are three heat settings – 600W, 900W and 1500W – as well as an adjustable thermometer for temperature control and a timer so it can turn on without you being in the room if you need the house to heat up in preparation ahead of time.

With four castors, it is relatively easy to push and move if needed rather than carrying it around. We like the ‘S’ shape design which makes it a bit different from the others on the market as well, with a more slimline effect at the bottom.

It is slightly quieter than other oil timer radiators we reviewed, with less sound from the oil moving around the metal or from the timer counting down. All you hear is a slight ticking noise like a clock. We think this would be okay to sleep through as long as you aren’t a light sleeper, and the usual safety cut-out features make it great to use overnight if you need to keep the bedroom warm.

Ideal for rooms up to 28m2, this oil radiator will heat large rooms as quickly as possible while giving you a great amount of control.

There is a 24-hour timer which lets you choose when the radiator turns on so the room can be warmed before you get home, and there are low/medium/high settings as well as a thermostat to give you exact precision.

Because it is an oil model, it will hold the heat for a while after it is switched off, which is good if you want to switch it off ten minutes before going to bed but don’t want the room becoming too cold until your film has finished.

But there are also negatives to oil, mainly that it is a little bit noisy. You can hear the contents popping and running through the bars regularly, so not great for use overnight or in quieter households.

There are three sizes available. We reviewed the largest 11 Fin version, but there are also 6, 7 and 9 Fin options available for any smaller rooms. You still have the safety cut-out and tip-over switch functions, and there are castors on the bottom so you can wheel it around the house.

Long gone are the days of those tiny yet bulky heaters which seemed to take hours to heat up and needed to be positioned precisely for you to feel anything.

Just like with the vacuum cleaner market, Dyson has revolutionised electric heaters by producing a range of hot and cold fans which are efficient, intelligent and completely bladeless. The latest, the AM09, can also be used all year round, working as a fan as well as a heater. You can adjust the exact degree you want, and there are 10 speed settings so this can be reached as quickly or calmly as you wish.

To save running costs, it will switch off once the inbuilt thermometer senses the temperature has been met, and no matter how high you set it, there is no burning smell given off. There are no visible elements such as blades, fans, halogen bulbs or wiring, which not only increases safety but also makes it easy to clean and maintain. Great if you have dust allergies.

It will cut out if knocked over, and can also be moved easily from room to room. There is a touch-tilt option so you can direct airflow, and focused mode reaches long-range, so there’s no need to all huddle around. There is also a diffused mode so the room can be heated evenly.

It is a high price, but for the reliability which Dyson offers, as well as its efficiency and all-round use, the technology is worth the investment.

Able to sit comfortably on a desk or side table, this portable ceramic fan heater is perfect for anybody who likes to have a bit of extra targeted spot heat in small form but doesn’t want to forego efficiency and power.

It is fast at providing heat, thanks to the ceramic heating element. There is two heat settings, as well as a ventilation option for when the weather gets hot in Summer again.

It is freestanding and ideal for placing on a table surface but is also perfectly suitable for putting on the floor too. It will heat a room up to 55m² in about half an hour, and the safety cut-out feature means it is safe enough to be left unmonitored for a few minutes if needed.

Despite its size, it is quite powerful. It won’t look unsightly because of the size, and the ergonomic handle and light weight mean carrying it to another room is no trouble. There would also be nothing to stop you taking it on holiday in a caravan or motorhome, as it wouldn’t take up much space at all.

We also liked the design – although it isn’t the sleekest, it is a bit different and looks very modern and clean, with a bit of a retro feel almost. The curved corners make a pleasant change from the often sharp, cubic cuts.

The pilot light lets you know when it is switched on, and the anti-frost function will keep you going even when the mercury is unbearably low.

For under £20, we have to admit this fan is a bit of a steal.

It is more powerful than some of the others we have reviewed which are around twice the price, and although power isn’t everything, you can feel it with this model. It is also oscillating, so will provide even heat throughout the area.

A power-on indicator means it won’t be left running by accident, and there is a little handle at the top to make it a bit easier to transport. The safety cut-out switch will help give you peace of mind, especially if you are using it overnight, and there is frost protection, so it won’t let you down when you need it the most, by ticking over and keeping everything just above freezing.

You don’t have to store it away in Summer either – the cool air capability will give the room a bit of a fresh breeze when things get stuffy.

Overall, it is cheap yet effective. If you want something which can heat up the living room for a few weeks to save you putting the heating on prematurely, or need a bit of an extra boost when the snow is building up outside, it surprisingly packs a punch for the price.

Able to give you cool air and heating all year round, this Dimplex is super powerful despite its size.
It is pretty much the same size as the De’Longhi Capsule, but with a few more technological aspects.

When used in heating mode, the Glo-Ring LED light will be red, and when cooling it will be blue, to help make it all a bit clearer and also add to the atmosphere.

The electric climate control thermostat is very sensitive to atmospheric changes in addition to the large amount of control you have. There are variable speed settings, and an LCD screen to let you select the temperature to an exact degree.

There is no way to turn the light off when it is in use, which could be slightly irritating if you want to use it overnight when asleep and require a completely dark room. But there is a safety switch-off, so you can rest easy knowing it will cut out should it fall over or get too hot. It needs to be set on the floor or worktop (cannot be wall-mounted), but the flat base will keep it sturdy.

Using patented oil-free technology, this heater will warm quicker, is lighter to move around and will be safer to bring into your home.

The 2kW output helps with the fast heat up speed, but also with boosting the temperature of the room quicker. There are two heat settings as well as thermostatic control so you can get everything precise, along with a 24 hour digital timer to help you plan ahead.

The timer helps you to heat up the room only when it is needed, which will save energy running costs and also ensure you’re warm as soon as you enter the room. An integral cable tidy will keep everything safe and out of the way when it isn’t in use, and the castors and handle make it easy to move around when required.

In terms of safety, there are also safety heat cut-out and a frost setting so it will not get too hot or seize up because of the cold.

Oil radiators heat up very quickly and hold the heat which is why they are so popular, but if you want something a bit more economical and environmentally friendly, then this oil-free option is just as good. And it can heat around 35% faster than oil versions.

It still has all the major benefits; a thermostat which allows you to select your desired temperature to an exact degree, as well as frost protection to keep it ticking over and a safety cut-out. The 24-hour timer lets you plan ahead for when you need it to kick in, but the manual override also lets you turn it on without disturbing this if required.

The 1.5m power cord is generous, and there is integrated cord storage which allows you to keep everything tidy when it isn’t in use. There is an LED display, so you know the exact settings chosen.

The timer setting isn’t the easiest to set up and keep an eye on, and there is no handle to make it easier to pull or push when it is warm, but there are wheels, so you don’t have to lift and carry it everywhere.

It is big, but this only adds to its efficiency really. It would be the perfect heater for a conservatory or spare room, warming it up quickly but also ensuring the entire space is heated. We also liked that you can choose to turn just one side of the heater on if it is against a wall or you want to keep it on the lowest setting.

If you want something that is going to give you similar levels of heat to the central heating radiators fitted in your home, then a convector heater such as this one which can be mounted to the wall is perfect.

There are three heat settings which can be controlled easily from the thermostat at the side, but as it is Bluetooth, it can also be controlled by your smartphone wherever you are with no distance limitations. Through the Dimplex REMO app, you can change the temperature from the comfort of the sofa.

It is very powerful, so will heat your room in a relatively short time. There is a screen on the side to show the temperature selected if you don’t have your phone to hand, and a 24-hour timer function will give you plenty of scope to plan ahead and make the room warm before you’re even home or out of bed.

You can set the desired heat between 5 and 30 degrees, and when the room reaches this, it will turn off automatically, turning on when it dips lower again.

It doesn’t have to act like an ordinary radiator, though – it is fully transportable, coming with feet to keep it steady when on the floor and integrated handles. There is an Eco mode as well, which still gives out sufficient heat while keeping your energy usage low.

Thanks to the integrated thermometer, this convector heater can help you to control not only the temperature but also save money.

When it detects that the room is at the correct desired warmth, it will turn itself off and monitor the external temperature until it is required again. No overheating or unnecessary costs.

There is a built-in turbo fab for when you need a bit of a boost, which brings everything up to temperature noticeably quicker than the ordinary setting.

It can be freestanding or fitted to the wall, and the latter is easy enough to do as you just attach it to the fitted bracket. All fittings and fixtures are provided so you can get going straight away.

The smell it gave off for the first hour or so of use was quite strong and overwhelming though, so we would say to set it in a well ventilated and unused room for a little while and turn it on before you fit it permanently.

With an adjustable thermostat to allow you to choose your own temperature, and three power output settings, this convector heater should keep you plenty warm enough when the temperature starts to dip.

It is a freestanding design, but there are some carry handles on the sides of the heater which protrude over the top rather than being set in, which makes carrying it much easier than a lot of other models.

An indicator light shows when it is on, so you won’t be leaving it on accidentally before you go to bed. There is a thermal cut off and overheat protection though, so if you do want to leave it ticking over in your bedroom when you are asleep, you can rest easy knowing it will stop if it falls over or gets a bit warm. We haven’t even mentioned that it comes at a pretty great price, too.

Freestanding and fitted with a 1.5m power cable, this convection heater is pretty flexible in where you place it and in which room, as long as it is well insulated.

It is suitable for rooms up to 38m2, and the three heat settings will allow you to choose exactly which output is best for the evening. A thermostat dial and two rocker switches make changing the settings easy and hassle-free.

There are the usual safety features such as overheat protection and a thermal cut out, so you don’t have to keep a careful watch over it 24/7. We also loved the turbofan setting which allowed the heat to circulate into the room that little bit quicker. It made all the difference and would be perfect after you come back from shopping/weekend football practice/a long dog walk and need a bit of a boost.

Panel heaters are great for giving you the look of a wall-mounted radiator, but a lot more modern and electrically powered.

Thermostat controls allow you to be really precise with the temperature, so you can have the most comfortable room possible. It will keep the room at that climate, so if it starts to dip, it will boost it again. Likewise, if it isn’t needed, it will save energy by switching off for a while.

It can be controlled via Wi-Fi, so you don’t even have to be in the room to adjust it. Say you are struggling to get out of bed in the cold but want the living room to be cosy – just grab your phone and turn it on. There is a holiday mode as well, in case you are going away and want the house to be warm when you arrive back.

The safety switch off will protect you and your home if the unit gets too hot, and the Open Window sensor will also turn it off if there is a sudden dip in temperature and will wait for ten minutes before trying again.

Slimline and controlled by an electric panel thermostat, this could be the perfect addition to any modern home as well as older ones which need a heat boost in the cooler months.

It is IP24 rated (splash proof), so you can use it in a bathroom with qualified electrician installation. Either mount it to the wall or use it freestanding and move it around to wherever is needed. It will heat a room up to 23m2 in size.

A 24/7 timer function will give you flexibility in when it comes on, for instance, you can set it to turn on just before you wake up in the mornings, so the bathroom is nice and toasty for your shower.

It can also turn itself on and off, which will not only save you money on your bills but help you to keep the set temperature so that you won’t feel uncomfortably warm at any point. Likewise, there is open window detection, so if it senses a temperature drop of 5 degrees pretty quickly, it will switch off, so there is no energy wastage.

With the ability to set your desired temperature between 5°C and 35°C, and cover a 17m2 room, the Futuro Eco is a perfect solution to your heating needs.

The thermostat is exact to within half a degree, and it will turn on and off when needed. There is also a 24-hour timer, which is easy to use and set. It is rated safe to use in a bathroom or other wet area thanks to the new splash-proof design, and there is Eco open window detection so if there is a sudden drop in temperature around 5 degrees, it will turn off to save energy.

Although it is primarily a mounted panel heater, there are feet supplied so you can use it as a freestanding radiator too should you not have the wall space.

It is slimline and unobtrusive, so would also suit any hallways or spaces which can’t really house a sizeable radiator but still need the efficiency. It is available in three power categories – 1000W, 1500W and 2000W – and although we only reviewed the middle one, we do not doubt that each is powerful and provides ample heat.

The control panel is really easy to use, and indicator lights tell you what settings are currently in play.

Style can be important when you’re deciding on the best heater for your home, and if you like your black appliances and dark hues then finding a black heater can be a challenge.

This Adam model will likely make you happy though. Not only is it black, but it is slim and sleek too. Control is simple, with two power switches (500W heat and 1000W heat) merely needing to be flicked on or off.

It can be wall mounted or freestanding with the supplied legs, so is pretty versatile and suitable for any area bar the bathroom. If you don’t want to go to the hassle of fitting central heating radiators or have a conservatory/outbuilding which needs some warmth, it is the ideal solution. A safety cutout switch will give you peace of mind if you need to leave it ticking over and aren’t in the room or are asleep.

The amount of heat it gives off is surprising given its size. Best for a small or medium room, it works quickly and is easy to fit on the wall. For the price, we’d have liked a thermostat for more flexibility over the heat, and maybe even a timer which a lot of other similarly-priced radiators have, but as these are not necessary for the function of the heater it wouldn’t put us off buying.