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Best electric heaters: The best electric radiators, fan heaters, convection and halogen lamps in the UK

 (Klarstein)
(Klarstein)

The nights are drawing in and it won’t be long before we have Jack Frost at our windows. Pulling on yet another jumper will only get you so far, and cranking up the central heating will no doubt deliver a serious hit to your bank balance.  What to do?

The answer? An electric heater, which can be more cost- and energy-efficient for a temporary fix, or when your main heat source just isn't cutting it.

They’re not just for home use. Shop wisely and a portable heater can warm those awkward spots that don’t have readily available heat: think a conservatory, shed or caravan. If you’re one of those folks who always feels a chill, a personal heater can help avert thermostat temperature wars by offering localised heating directly to you instead.

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For dual purpose warming, it's worth considering getting a heated clothes airer. While most models don’t have enough power to heat a whole room, they will keep your clothes off radiators, drying them effectively as a tumble dryer minus the costly running expenses.

Before we dive into our roundup of the best personal heaters, think first about your needs and the space you need to heat.

A fan or halogen heater is likely to be sufficient for most small spaces, while larger, loftier rooms will probably benefit best from a radiator heater.

Fan Heaters

Even if you’re shopping on a strict budget, there are plenty of heating options to keep you warm on frosty days. Perfect for anyone with a small space to warm, a fan heater rapidly billows heat into the room by propelling air across a heated element and then blowing it into the room.

While a fan heater works quickly in making the room toasty, the flipside is once you switch it off the heat vanishes too. The fan element means some heaters can make quite a racket, which may not be such a thorn if you’re using it in a home office but would be a deciding factor if you want a heater to warm a room before bed.

Electric Radiators

A free-wheeling cousin of a traditional wall radiator, this freestanding version works in pretty much the same way – by heating an element such as water or oil in a metal structure which in turn radiates heat into the room.

First off, the pluses. They’re as quiet as a mouse, and create long-lasting heat that doesn’t disappear the moment you turn off the power source. In fact, the slow cool down time means the radiator continues to produce heat without using energy which means you don’t need to have it on all day to stay warm.

The downside is that these radiators also take longer to warm up, so you’ll need to think ahead and switch them on a good half an hour before to feel the benefits. Luckily many models come with built-in timers so you can set them to switch on when you need them to.

Convection Heaters

Also working in a similar way, convection heaters work by directing hot air through the radiator then circulating it throughout the room, although the heat given off is not as far reaching – you’ll notice if you step out of the direct line of heat.

Where can you use a convection heater? It will earn its keep with small groups, but it isn’t the most sensible option for families or spacious rooms. The cons of a convection heater is the circulated air can be an issue for allergy sufferers or anyone sensitive to dust. The upshot is they’re cheaper to operate and can heat a room faster.

Halogen Heaters

Finally, meet the halogen heater - you might have encountered the motion-detected versions outside pubs. They work by warming filaments which then give off heat and they’re ideal for anyone planning outdoor events or if you’re working outside. The negative? You can only really feel its warmth if you’re directly in front of it, which stands to reason if you’re using them in the open air.

The ES Best Electric Heater Guide 2021

This guide is split up into the following sections:

  • Fan Heaters

  • Radiators

  • Convection Heaters

  • Halogen Heaters

See the best options below

Best fan heaters

Best for: A quick warming fix

Dyson Purifier HEPA Cool™ Formaldehyde purifying fan

One of Dyson’s bestselling fan heaters, this design may be on the pricier side, but when you consider the UK’s temperamental weather (we’ve seen occasional winters lasting well into June), it’s a sound investment against whatever the conditions lay beyond your front door.

Not only does this Quidditch goal-looking gadget blast hot and cold air into the room, but it will purify it and scrub it clean of 99.95 per cent miniscule formaldehyde particles (dislodged from old furniture or wallpaper) too.

As you’d expect, it boasts world-class Dyson tech, such as Air Multiplier technology that evenly propels air all while operating at country mouse-like noise levels.

It can warm or cool a room incredibly quickly, so you won’t need it switched on for very long. The best thing about this heater is that it’s blade-free, making it ideal for anyone with curious pets or infants in the house.

Comes with a two-year guarantee.

Buy now £549.99, Dyson

Duux Threesixty 2 Smart Fan Heater

A machine with figurative fire power, the Duux ThreeSixty is a great smart heater designed to warm up small and medium-sized rooms quickly and efficiently.

Cylindrical in design, it uses a fan to cascade heat from the top, flooding the room with warmth to keep you in blissful toastiness. There's no worry about having it on while you're working or watching TV; it has a Quiet Mark accreditation which means you'll barely notice it when it's on.

The Dutch-made device is a sturdy little thing that's available in a choice of white or grey, but still features a tip-over safety switch in case of accidental knocks, and auto shut-down in case if overheats. Control three heat settings on the unit or via a smartphone app.

We've found using it for a few hours in the evening is enough to keep the room cosy all night long. A smart winter investment in more ways than one.

Buy now £99.00, Very

Pro Breeze 2000W Mini Ceramic Fan Heater

Pro Breeze 2000w is one of the highest rated fan heaters on Amazon, it does what it says and looks good doing it too - but let’s get down to the specifics.

The ceramic heating element helps create a faster and stronger heat and unlike many static fan heaters the Pro Breeze offerers 60 degrees of oscillation.

It measures 18.5 x 15.5 x 26 cm, so while it is bigger than your average mini fan heater it’s still smaller compared to its peers. If you have a small flat and need something in equal parts powerful and petite—this is the fan heater to buy.

Safety features include built-in overheat protection and automatic anti tip-over switch.

Buy now £39.99, Amazon

Black & Decker 1.5KW Mini Ceramic Fan Heater

Looking more like a speaker, you would never know this heater pushed out warm air - unless you turned it on. This makes it a perfect option for those who want their new purchase to fit seamlessly into their interiors.

Keep it on at night without worry thanks to the seven hour timer, and choose from a pair of heat settings; 1000W and 1500W. There is also a cooling fan option which will come into its own when summer arrives.

It has all the usual safety elements, plus a handle so you can easily move it from room to room.

Buy now £39.99, Ryman

Russell Hobbs RHRETPTC2001 Retro Fan Heater - Black

Vintage vibes reign supreme with Russell Hobb’s cute little heater, which offers two heat setting so you can use it as a fan in the summer too.

Set on short legs, this fan heater operates at a powerful 1500W output and has an adjustable thermostat. There is a safety overheat and a tip over switch that will cut the power if the heater gets knocked over or too hot - handy if you have curious pets or toddlers around. It’s perfect for providing localised heat, like your WFH desk or positioned by your feet when you’re watching telly.

Works most effectively on spaces measuring 15 m².

Buy now £24.99, Currys

De'Longhi 1.8kW Ceramic Capsule Fan Heater

A stylish option for those looking for a quick fix. Weighting just 1.3kg and standing at roughly 27cm, this ceramic fan heater comes complete with a safety cut-out switch to prevent overheating.

The compact shape and gently rounded edges are a welcome departure from the standard rectangle while the contrasting loop handle makes it very easy to move from one room to another. A good job, because this little heater is destined to be your cold weather BFF.

Buy now £44.51, Amazon

Best Mini Fan Heaters

Best for: smaller rooms or areas where you’ll be seated - like a lounge or home office.

DeLonghi Capsule Desk fan heater

Create your own micro-climate while working from home or relaxing in bed with DeLonghi Capsule Desk fan heater. The 360W mahcine uses 5.5 times less energy and operates quietly in the background at 39dBs so you won't even notice it's on. The compact design comes with a carry handle, so you can move it around easily, keeping your personal cloud of heat exactly where you want it.

Buy now £39.99, DeLonghi

LOGIK L20CTH20 Tower PTC Heater - Black

There’s no need to spend an afternoon shivering in the conservatory or turning on the central heating when you’re getting ready for bed when you’ve got this sleek portable Logik heater ready to warm up your space. The carry handle makes the 2.2kg heater easy to move and there are two heat settings to take advantage of, giving temperatures a push when it’s particularly chilly.

Heat gain is rapid on both small and medium-sized rooms and while there is some noise while its operational, it’s not overbearing. You can read or watch telly with it on, no trouble.

Requires mains power, runs on 2000W.

Buy now £14.00, Currys

Drew&Cole Humi Smart Air 4 in 1 Personal Heater and Fan

Offering bags of appeal, this small personal heater does double duty as a cooling fan, earning its keep year round. The dinky design is one of the best-looking options we’ve seen but its not all surface level. The device comes with a magentised hand warmer which you can attach to the front of the heater to warm up and then detach into your pocket to keep your hands warm on cold winter walks. For safety, it will automatically switch off after a four hour period. It’s not going to warm the entire room, but then, it’s not designed to. This is a personal heater that you can enjoy all for yourself.

Buy now £24.99, JD Williams

Pro Breeze Mini Heater

As far as personal fan heaters go, this triangular design ticks all the boxes. It uses ceramics to push out heat efficiently enough to keep your immediate area warm, it’s not powerful enough to heat an entire room but, if you forever have cold feet or want to make a small space like a camper van cost, this compact fan is ideal.

It has the safety tip over switch, temperature control and portability of the other heater fans on our list, but at a snip of the cost. Operating noise is as quiet as a mouse too. A brilliant bargain buy.

Buy now £21.99, Amazon

DeLonghi Capsule Fit heater in grey

Make room for this unique-looking heater from DeLonghi, which can be positioned both vertically or horizontally allowing you to heat your space more efficiently. The 2400W device fan heater works quickly to bring temperatures up to a comfortable level, helped along by three fan settings. There's also a small carry loop at the back to help you move it around your home with ease.

Buy now £59.99, DeLonghi

Best Radiators

Best for: Big spaces, allergy sensitivities, soundless.

ANSIO 2300W Oil Filled Radiator Heater

The Ansio 2300 is one of the best radiators for the home for many reasons: it can be operated at three power settings, Low-Power at 1000W, Medium-Power at 1300W and High-Power at 2300 W. It’s easy to move and includes a nifty child lock which disables the buttons on the display.

The remote control is more useful than you might expect: staying cosy under the covers and not getting out of bed to turn the heat on/off feels like its own special winter magic.

There is a practical timer setting which can be set from one hour to 24 hours to start or stop the heater, and an Eco Mode which will help save power.

As safety is concerned this one ticks all the most important boxes. There is a safety tip-over switch at the base and if the temperature of the heater gets too high, (say for example if you are using other heat sources in the room) the thermostat will automatically turn it off.

Buy now £149.97, Amazon

Dunelm 2000W 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator

This tiny design may look dinky, but boy, does it pack a punch. Measuring 55 x 41 x 24cm, the mains powered heater has a 1.2m cord, allowing you the freedom to position it where you need warmth - and on 2000W, it’s powerful enough to bring up the temperature of a medium-sized room. Three settings allow you to control things to your liking.

Buy now £49.00, Dunelm

De'Longhi TRNS0505M Nano S Oil Filled Radiator

Small and compact, this curved radiator from De’Longhi is ideal for when you want heat quickly. It comes with anti-frost protection which automatically turns the heater on if the temperature falls below 5 degrees and there’s also a overheat safety function, designed to keep you safe as well as warm.

It’s not the kind of device we would recommend using in a poorly insulated space, such as a garden shed, but it will keep you nice and cosy while sheltering indoors from a blustery evening. Comes with a five-year guarantee.

Buy now £69.49, Amazon

Best Convection Heaters

Best for: Fast heat for medium-sized rooms.

LOGIK L20CHTW21 Convector Heater - White & Black

This streamlined heater is perfect if you want to add additional warmth to your home without tripping over bulky machines. Logik’s machine is compact and light, with a touch control panel and a digital display to make it easy to set to your preferred temperature.

Best of all, unlike fan heaters, it will warm the room silently and features a 24 hour timer so you can use it only as and when you need to.

Buy now £29.99, Currys

Igenix 2,000 Watt Portable Electric Convection Compact Heater

Keep spaces where there’s no conventional heating warm with the help of this nifty little convection heater. It’s virtually silent and dispels gentle warming heat of 3W, adjustable through a trio of heat settings. There’s also an automatic switch off function which is triggered if the heater overheats, adding to a sense of safety.

Buy now £25.14, Wayfair

De'Longhi 2kW Thermo Convector Heater

The freestanding unit has a heat output of 2kW and features an adjustable room thermostat to help you find and maintain your desired temperature.

We’re particularly impressed by its sleek appearance, which makes it a stylish addition to almost any modern space. There’s also three heat settings, a safety cut out switch and an anti-frost function for using in low temperatures.

Buy now £77.00, Argos

Best Halogen Heaters

Best for: Direct heat outdoors.

Outsunny 2100W Electric Patio Heater w/ Ceiling Hanging - Black

Raising the style as well as the heat stakes, this vintage-look pendant heater from Outsunny is ideal for those with small gardens and patios they want to keep in use over the winter months. Measuring 48.5 x 36cm, it uses energy-saving halogen to diffuse heat and offer gentle lighting too.

Buy now £64.99, Robert Dyas

Dunelm Grey 1200W Halogen Heater

This lightweight and portable design comes complete with three heat settings and a wide angle oscillation to help you control the distribution of heat.

A thermal cut-out control as well as a tip over switch are both beneficial and necessary when considering safety.

This halogen heater also features replaceable tubes so should any damage occur you can replace the parts rather than the whole thing. Measuring W 36cm x L 26cm x H 46.5cm x D 26cm it’s a small yet sturdy option for indoor use on hardwood floors only.

Buy now £28.00, Dunelm

Belfry Heating Hugo Electric Patio Heater

Shaped like a fan, this three-arm halogen heater means evenings out in the garden are still on the agenda, even in the deepest midwinter. Mounted under your garden parasol, it uses infrared tech to keep you and your family warm within minutes. The arms fold down flat when not in use, so you don’t need to remove it when it’s time to fold away the parasol. Requires mains power.

Buy now £119.99, Wayfair