The best electric heaters

A kettle-sized ceramic heater with a proper digital thermostat, so it holds a room at the temperature you pick instead of blasting away until you switch it off.

• 1500W ceramic heating
• Thermostat, 5–35°C in 1° steps
• 3 modes and 12-hour timer
• Tip-over and overheat protection
• Remote control

What owners say: Owners say it heats quickly, is quiet and roughly the size of a kettle, and works as well as pricier heaters.

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A closer look: Set it a degree or two below where you’d like the room and let the thermostat keep it there, rather than running it flat out. The tilt sensor cuts the power if it’s knocked over, but it still needs clear space around it and a hard, level floor. It’s made for warming one room, like a study or bedroom, not a whole floor.

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A slim 16-inch tower that swings through 70°, spreading warm air across a living room rather than toasting one spot.

• 2000W ceramic heating
• 70° oscillation
• Thermostat and remote
• 12-hour timer, 24-hour auto-off
• Tip-over and overheat protection

What owners say: Owners say it warms up quickly, holds the temperature well and looks smart, and find the remote handy.

Heads up: Some owners find it louder than its quiet billing suggests.

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A closer look: Switch the oscillation on in open-plan rooms, where it spreads the warmth instead of heating whoever sits nearest. It turns itself off after 24 hours without a button being pressed, a sensible backstop if someone forgets. The 1.8m flat cord helps it reach a wall socket without an extension lead.

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A proper oil-filled radiator with a timer you can set to come on and off through the day, and fins shaped to push warm air up and out faster.

• 2kW, 3 heat settings
• Chimney-shaped fins for faster warm-up
• Thermostat and anti-frost setting
• 24-hour mechanical timer
• Wheels and carry handle

What owners say: Owners say it fills a room with warmth, takes about half an hour to reach temperature and looks smart, and like setting the timer for several slots a day.

Heads up: A few owners find it noisier than they expected.

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A closer look: Oil-filled radiators are slow starters, so set the timer to switch it on half an hour before you need the room. Once warm the heat is gentle and even, which suits bedrooms and anyone who dislikes the drying blast of a fan heater. The anti-frost setting is handy for a garden room or conservatory in winter.

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Dimplex has been making electric heaters since the 1950s, and this is its simplest: a light convector with one dial, three heat settings and quiet running.

• 2kW, 3 heat settings
• Adjustable thermostat
• Quiet running
• Overheat and tilt protection
• Carry handles

What owners say: Owners say it heats rooms quickly, is easy to use and good value, and like its single, straightforward thermostat dial.

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A closer look: Convector heaters warm the air rather than blowing it about, which is why this one is so quiet: a good pick for a bedroom where a fan’s hum would keep someone awake. It suits rooms up to about 20m², so a bedroom or small lounge rather than an open-plan space. The carry handles make it easy to move between rooms.

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A small, light fan heater for quick bursts of warmth, with a cool setting for summer.

• 1000W or 2000W
• Cool, warm and hot settings
• Overheat protection
• 1.13kg with carry handles
• 2-year guarantee when registered

What owners say: Owners find it good value, compact and quick to warm a small room, though reliability and noise get mixed reports.

Heads up: Several owners say theirs burned out within a few months.

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A closer look: Fan heaters are at their best for short bursts, like warming a cold spare room or an office first thing, rather than running all day. Switch it off once the room is warm. Register it online to get the second year of guarantee.

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