The best electric heaters, tried and tested
When the winter chill hits, some rooms can feel impossible to warm up. That's where electric heaters can really help.
Ideal for spaces where you don’t have traditional heating, such as attics or shed conversions or homes offices you're not in all the time, these portable radiators or fans can provide targeted warmth whenever needed – whether that’s toasting your feet in the study or giving your bedroom a pre-sleep blast.
They do have a reputation for guzzling energy, so it’s important to know you’re buying the most efficient electric heater possible. That's why the Good Housekeeping Institute set out to discover the truth behind their energy consumption, and find the best electric heaters for warming small spaces quickly.
These are our top-rated models at a glance but read on for our detailed reviews.
If you’re replacing an existing electric heater, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. Find your nearest electrical recycling point, or read our guide on how to donate or dispose of your appliances and tech for extra guidance.
Are electric heaters cheaper than central heating?
As everyone’s homes and electricity usage are different, this is a hard question to answer definitively. So, we turned to Joanna O’Loan, the Energy Saving Trust’s Knowledge Manager, for an expert opinion.
“Gas is a cheaper fuel than standard rate electricity, so if you have gas central heating, it will generally be cheaper to use than an electric heater,” she explains. “If you don’t want to heat your whole home, turn your radiator valves lower in the rooms you’re not heating and higher in the rooms you are.
“If you need to use an electric heater, place it in the part of the room you want to warm, a safe distance from you and any furniture. Use the heater’s thermostat and timer to avoid using more energy than you need.”
We’ve measured the energy consumption of each electric heater featured below when used on both its lowest and highest settings for an hour. You’ll find the prices in the specifications, so you can assess each model's overall affordability for you and your needs. All prices are based on the current £0.245/kWh electricity cap, set by the Energy Price Guarantee.
Are electric heaters safe?
Safety is paramount when it comes to using heated products. All the heaters we’ve featured below either have timers or auto shut-off features, which will turn them off if they get too hot. We’ve also highlighted whether they have handles, as this impacts their portability – many don’t, which means you'll have to wait until they’ve cooled down before you can safely move them.
How the electric heaters are used can also impact their safety, explains Giuseppe Capanna, Product Safety Engineer at the charity Electrical Safety First. “Some simple steps people can take to use their heaters safely are to avoid powering from an extension lead, as this can overload and cause fires, and to ensure they are at least a metre away from combustible materials such as clothes,” he says.
“We would advise people to only use these devices when they are in attendance and awake. It’s important that you never leave them unattended or on overnight in case something happens. Alternatively, people could warm the room before going to bed.”
What type of heater is best?
We’ve tested three different types of heaters – here are the pros and cons of each.
Radiators
Similar in appearance to the radiators you’ll find in your home, these portable versions generally heat and circulate oil instead of water to generate their warmth.
They are also Giuseppe’s top pick for safety and efficiency. “Unlike fan heaters, halogen heaters and convection heaters, oil filled radiators don’t have exposed heating elements and the heat from them is less intense, so they're less likely to ignite any items near-by,” he says.
“They take longer to warm up, but they also continue to give out heat after they have been switched off. They are generally more economical to run than a fan heater or a convection heater. However, the fins still get quite hot so keep children from touching the radiators while they warm.”
Convection heaters
These heaters circulate air throughout the unit and into the surrounding space, so they are generally quiet and better at evenly warming an entire room. Like radiators, they can take a while to warm up.
Fan heaters
Ideal for quick, targeted warmth, fan heaters work by blowing air over a heated element as it passes into the room – this means they can be noisy. They’re best used for short blasts, rather than extended periods of time, as the elements don’t always retain heat well (which means they must keep reheating, using more electricity). Fans with ceramic elements are generally more efficient.
What to look for in an electric heater
Once you’ve settled on the best type of heater for your room and needs, there are a few extra things to consider.
Size: As heaters are best used to warm smaller spaces, check the dimensions to ensure you have room to position it safely and to store it away when it’s not needed.
Portability features: If the heater is going to sit in the same spot, you won’t need these, but if you’re likely to move it around your home, wheels and handles can prove useful.
Timers and thermostats: These give you more control over how long your heater runs for and the warmth it emits. Setting a timer and thermostat also means you can use your fan more efficiently, as it will turn off once it's been on for a set period of time or when the room reaches your desired temperature – much better than guessing or leaving it on for longer than necessary!
Wattage: We’ve highlighted the energy consumption for the products on this list, but where you’re not sure about a heater’s efficiency, check its wattage. Broadly speaking, the higher the wattage, the more energy it’s going to use.
Smart connectivity: Falling firmly in the nice-to-have category, you can connect to some heaters on this list via apps. This means you can control them remotely – perfect if your home office starts getting toasty mid-Zoom.
How we test electric heaters
To find the best electric heater, our GHI experts start by measuring their power consumption. They run each heater for an hour on its highest and lowest setting and calculate how much it costs for that period.
They also carry out two tests to see how effective each heater is at warming a small room. Firstly, they measure the temperature at a series of set distances away from the heater. This helps them ascertain whether it needs to be placed near you or if it can heat the whole space from afar.
Then they assess how comfortable it is to sit in a room with the heater. Our experts ensure the room is cold beforehand, then use the heater on max to see what difference it makes.
For fan heaters, our experts also measure their air strength using a device called an anemometer; the more powerful the air strength is, the more likely you are to feel its effects quickly.
Finally, they measure how loud each heater is, to ensure it won’t prove too disruptive if it’s running in the background when you're trying to work or watch TV.
Throughout testing, they assess the heater’s overall design and ease of use, awarding it a final score that takes all the results into account. These are their best buys for a cosy winter.
Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09 Fan Heater
Score: 93/100
This is one of Dyson’s simpler designs, which means there are no built-in air purifying features (it doubles as a fan though). This also makes it one of the more affordable picks from the premium brand. And as its score shows, it’s very effective, heating our room quickly on test.
There are 10 air strengths (across a standout range), going up to 37 degrees and projecting the air well on test when measured from further away. It's also quiet – at max, our experts recorded just 51 decibels, which is a similar volume to the hum of a fridge.
It used a fair bit of energy on that setting, which would cost you 47p for an hour. It’s lightweight to move, and intuitive to use though, so provided you’re not planning to run it on high for hours on end, it won't disappoint.
Edge Oil Smart Heater 1500W
Score: 93/100
The best dedicated heater that we tested, this one is sleek and can be remotely controlled via your phone. Testers found the app easy to use, praising the quick connection and the fact that you can set routines.
The heater itself was also simple to set up and adjust via the on-board controls. And it excelled for its heat distribution and quiet operation. The stable design is on wheels and has handy indents which make it easy to reposition.
As for its efficiency, it was pretty good. In fact, we struggled to get an energy reading for it on its lower settings, it used that little electricity. It wasn’t until the heater hit 20 degrees that our monitors kicked in, recording 0.83kWh (20p). Its highest setting wasn’t too costly either.
Silent Power Pure Fan Heater
Score: 91/100
With its compact design, this electric heater won’t look out of place in even the most stylish of homes. Testers found it intuitive to use and were astounded by how quiet it was, noting that you can barely hear it even on max.
It’s not the most powerful fan we tested, but this does mean its energy consumption is lower – costing 18p on its lowest setting for an hour. It still proved effective at heating our test room and would suit a home office well.
The instruction manual wasn’t the clearest, but you don’t really need it given the simple design. As a nice bonus, it features ioniser technology, which helps neutralise nasties in the air.
Smart Ceramic Core Radiator EH3108W
Score: 89/100
Whether you want to wheel it around or mount it on a wall, this is a smart, radiator-style heater. Testers praised its quiet design and Wi-Fi compatibility, which allows you to control it from your phone, even if you’re not directly nearby. You can even set a seven-day timer. Crucially, our experts found it distributed warmth well throughout the test room, too.
It is heavy if you’re moving it around, and testers would have liked a longer plug cable. It’s also a little fiddly to set up, but once started, it heats up in 14 minutes, so you don’t have to wait too long to feel the warmth. Its lowest temperature setting is economical, too. It also has a setting that detects if a window is open and automatically switches off.
7 Fin Oil Filled Radiator 1500W
Score: 88/100
If you’re after a heater that’s whisper-quiet, look no further. Even on its highest, testers only recorded 40 decibels. There are three settings, and it projected warmth well. But its maximum temperature (about 32 degrees) wasn’t as high as testers would want for heating larger spaces.
There’s no timer, but it has a thermostat that turns the heater on and off depending on the room temperature and chosen setting. This makes it a good pick for minimising energy consumption.
It’s relatively small and robust too, and while there was some minor assembly required on arrival, it’s very easy to use and comes with clear instructions. Its cable isn’t that long though, which may impact where it can go, depending on your plug sockets. But it does everything you'd need to heat small spaces.
EvoRad Evo2BTA 2kW Oil Free Radiator
Score: 86/100
Performing well on test, this radiator-lookalike is hard to fault. Our experts rated it highly for its sturdy design, complete with a neat cord storage system and a responsive control panel. Instructions are thorough, too.
It did a reliable job of heating our test room, keeping warmth levels consistently high. It's also the quietest heater we tested; on its highest setting it reached just 37.5 decibels – that’s barely louder than a whisper – so there’ll be no apologising to colleagues about your background noise on Zoom.
It’s heavier than many we reviewed, and you’ll need to wait until it's cooled to move it due to the positioning of its handles, but if portability isn’t top of your must-have list, it’s a reliable warmer.
2000W 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator
Score: 85/100
Affordable, wheel-able, and quiet, is there a box this radiator-style heater doesn’t tick?! Our testers found it easy to attach the castors, and praised its stability when they knocked it. You can also store the cable neatly on board. It needs to be positioned a metre away from objects though, so keep that in mind if you’re buying it for a box room.
It used a fair whack of energy on its highest setting, but it distributed warmth impressively, heating up in a matter of seconds and using its built-in thermostat to keep the room at the right temperature. It didn’t reach particularly high temperatures though – testers recorded an average of 28 degrees. That's enough for a warmth boost, but not enough to cater to bigger spaces.
Threesixty Smart Fan and Heater
Score: 84/100
While this heater looks compact, it packs a real punch, heating up in just 38 seconds and then maintaining its heat well. The unique round shape means air is blown upwards, so wherever you place it in your room, it should still distribute heat evenly. This does mean that it can’t provide targeted warmth, so if you need a heater for cold feet, scroll on.
We found its instructions detailed and its controls intuitive, plus its accompanying app doubles as a remote. Our experts liked how it connects via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, offering added flexibility if you’re heating less connected spaces such as a garden shed.
It has a few dust traps, but it is quiet (although it continues to make a noise after it’s turned off, while it cools). The small yet stable design should store away easily come summer too, making it a savvy pick for smaller homes.
Air Pro Bladeless Tower Fan (Heater & Cooler)
Score: 84/100
You may recognise this as one of our top tower fan picks, and it fared well as a heater too, which means it can keep you company year-round as the seasons change. Testers found it simple to set up and move from room to room, too.
Its air strength is fairly strong, but it wasn’t the cheapest to run when it came to energy consumption. It's quiet on its lowest setting, although unsurprisingly, it's more noticeable on high. Overall, it heated our test room nicely, so if it’s value for money you’re after, we suggest adding this one to your cart.
IG9521 WiFi Smart Panel Heater
Score: 83/100
There aren’t many panel heaters on our list currently, but they look sleek – and this one is WiFi enabled, so you can control it via the Smart Life app on your phone, and even with Alexa. Our testers found it easy to connect and responsive to use – whether checking the room temperature or scheduling the heater.
While it doesn't consume as much energy as many, there wasn’t a lot of difference between its low and high settings; both measured just under two kilowatts for an hour’s use. It reached a higher temperature than many though – up to 35C – and testers found it projected the warmth quietly and effectively. They liked that you can set timers and mount it on the wall, too.
Note, though, when used as a freestanding heater, attaching the feet is a tad fiddly and the cable isn’t that long.
5000 Series Smart Tower Ceramic Heater
Score: 82/100
This is a cleverly designed fan; it uses AI to learn your usage habits and optimise your energy consumption accordingly. You'd need to use this for a while to see any benefits, but even in our testing, it wasn’t too much of an energy guzzler, using just shy of two kilowatts an hour on max. And it has app connectivity, so you can even schedule the fan from your phone should you wish.
It's also easy to set up, and quiet in use. The touch panel wasn’t always the quickest to respond, but it goes up to 37C. The temperature dropped noticeably as our testers moved further away though, making it better suited to keeping nearby (as close to you as is safe – most manufacturers will specify a set distance).
That said, it oscillates, which will suit if two of you want to feel its benefits. It’s a robust, quality pick.
Zone Ceramic Heater DXCH41UK
Score: 82/100
If you like the sound of the Duux Threesixty, but you don’t want to splash out, this could be a good alternative. It doesn’t have the smart capabilities, but it has the same intuitive design and effective heating that we appreciate from the brand.
It’s small, robust and easy to move about. The touch screen controls were responsive, and it was very quiet. Plus, with four temperature settings (including a notably efficient eco mode) and a cooling function, it should prove adequately versatile. There’s no timer function, but as you’ll no doubt be keeping it close by (the cable is a good length too), switching it off manually shouldn’t prove a burden.
Dragon 4 TRD41025T Oil Filled Radiator
Score: 82/100
Another super-quiet heater, this radiator is a large, robust home addition. Because of its size, it takes nearly 15 minutes to warm up, but once in action, it offers reliable warmth. Wheels are a handy design feature, but you’ll need to wait until it’s cooled to move it safely as it doesn’t have a handle.
The accessibility of its controls is a mixed bag – the thermostat dial is simple to adjust, but the small ‘off’ switch is hard to activate. It has good cable storage though, and three temperature settings; its lowest wasn’t too costly at 24p for one hour. On balance, if you need a bigger heater, it’s a trusty choice.
Scandi Black Retro PTC Tower Heater
Score: 81/100
This good-looking yet affordable heater is great if you need something portable, thanks to its compact design and well-placed carry handle. It still feels sturdy despite weighing a light 2.1kg, and there’s no assembly needed, so you can unbox it and warm up straight away. In fact, you’ll feel its heat within just 45 seconds of turning it on!
While it doesn’t have a timer, it does have technology to prevent overheating – it cuts off power if the heating element gets too hot. Our tester also liked how the design of its front vent allows you to vacuum away dust.
It’s not the most powerful heater, but this is to be expected for its price. Plus, it's fairly quiet and wasn't too expensive to run on test (28p for one hour on low). Position it relatively near to you and it should do an ample job.
2500W 11 Fin Oil Filled Heater
Score: 79/100
Fancy the De’Longhi but not its price? Well, this oil heater from Dunelm is similar in style and will set you back less than £60. On test, we found it a notably stable unit; of all the heaters tested, it withstood the strongest knock to remain standing. It’s straightforward to use too, with a clear thermostat and well-placed switches that keep your hands at a safe distance from the heater.
It's also one of the more economical heaters we've tested – its lowest setting used 26p of electricity an hour. However, it struggled to project heat, with relatively low temperatures measured from one metre away. It doesn’t have a timer either, and assembly was a bit of a faff. That said, its instructions are easy to follow and if you’re looking for an affordable heater to warm a small space, it fits the bill well.
Q3BTB 3kW Qube Fan Heater
Score: 79/100
This fan was mini but mighty on test; there’s a 12-hour timer, and it goes up to 30C, which isn't bad considering its stature. As it's a fan, it projected heat well too, but it was rather noisy, coming in between 55 and 60 decibels on all its settings. This shouldn’t be too irritating, but that’s definitely more noticeable than many others we've tried.
It has a lot of features to recommend it though; it’s sturdy, oscillates and doubles as a fan. A premium leather handle also makes it easy to move, and you can turn it on and off via an accompanying app. It wasn’t the most efficient, but you could set it to run for one-hour intervals to take the edge off, which should make a difference and keep costs lower.
Purifier Hot and Cool Formaldehyde Purifier Fan Heater
Score: 77/100
It has a hefty price tag, but you can turn to this versatile Dyson year-round as it heats, cools and cleanses the air in your home. Because it’s a fan heater, it’s a pro at providing directional heat, so you can position it in front of you to feel the benefit quickly. It also scored full marks for the distance it projects air, so even if it’s not right by you, the warmth should still reach you. Its 10 speed settings and adjustable rotation give lots of scope for customisation too.
Typical of Dyson, it’s a premium appliance that’s thoughtfully designed, so it's effortless to use and intuitive (although we’d have liked a handle for moving it). It is, however, one of the noisier fans we've tested, ranging between 58 and 63 decibels – that's equivalent to rain on the window, so not disruptively loud, but noticeable. It looks sleek though, and for functionality, it can’t be beaten.
The verdict on the best heaters
Quiet, portable and relatively affordable to run, the Dreamland Silent Power Pure Fan Heater is our runner-up and a worthy buy that should suit most homes.
For something bigger, consider the Duux Edge Oil Smart Heater 1500W which is on wheels and you controllable from your phone. Or the Beldray Smart Ceramic Core Radiator EH3108W, which you can mount on the wall.
For maximum flexibility, Dyson is always a great bet. The Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool™ Fan Heater heats and cools rooms, making it one of the brand's better value offerings. Or its Hot+Cool™ Purifying Fan Heater heats, cools and purifies the air – but it is more expensive, both to buy and run.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test everything from fans to heaters and electric blankets, to help you stay comfortable, whatever the weather. Our testing team, led by Blossom Boothroyd, develops meticulous protocols to ensure every product lives up to its claims and assess how much they’ll cost you over time.
Our homes editor, Hannah Mendelsohn, keeps her eye on market trends to make sure we're testing all the leading brands and models, helping you find the perfect heater for your home.
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