The 10 best electric heaters from our tests

The best electric heaters help stave off the autumn or winter chill by providing a quick burst of concentrated warmth wherever you need it in your home.

We've put electric heaters from Argos, DeLonghi, Dimplex, Dyson, Russell Hobbs and more to the test, including electric wall heaters, fan heaters, oil heaters and convectors.

We discovered which heat up a medium-sized room quickly and the cheapest electric heaters to run based on how much they cost per hour. 

Four heaters impressed us enough to be named Which? Best Buys, two of which also get our Great Value thumbs-up. 

The 10 best electric heaters from our tests

Only logged-in Which? members can view the test results below.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and recommendations below.

The electric heaters we tested

All the electric heaters we've tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best electric heaters from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Fan heaters tested

Beldray EH0569SSTK Portable Fan Heater

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 25 x 12.2 x 25cm (HxWxD); 1.27kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, 150cm cable, carry handle on the top

Challenge 2.4kW Upright Oscillating Fan Heater

Also available at Argos (£27)

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 32 x 26 x 18cm (HxWxD); 2.2kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2.4kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Two power settings, oscillates, fan setting, 137cm cable, lip handle on the back at the top

Challenge 2kW Flat Fan Heater

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 17 x 26 x 12cm (HxWxD); 1kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

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Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, 170cm cable

DeLonghi Capsule Hobby 2.4kW Fan Heater

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 27.5 x 26.6 x 16.8cm (HxWxD); 1.6kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2.4kW

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Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, 120cm cable, one handle on top

Dimplex 3kW Rugged Fan Heater

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 24.8 x 24.6 x 16.2cm (HxWxD); 2.3kg

Maximum power output (kW) 3kW

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Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, 150cm cable, lip handles on both sides

Dimplex Q3BTB 3kW QubeFan Heater

Available from Argos (£112)

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 28 x 25.1 x 18.9cm (HxWxD); 2.4kg

Maximum power output (kW) 3kW

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Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 5-30°C

Need to know Three power settings, fan setting, 180cm cable, digital display, programmable timer (12 hours), Bluetooth-enabled (controlled via smartphone app), carry handle on the top

Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Purifying Fan HP00

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 63.2 x 22.2 x 22.2cm (HxWxD); 3.9kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2.1kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 1-38°C

Need to know 10 power settings, fan setting, oscillates, two airflow modes, 180cm cable, digital display, programmable timer (24 hours), remote control

Logik L20THW22 Portable Ceramic Fan Heater

Available from Currys (£52.99) (Out of stock)

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 62.4 x 21.2 x 22.2cm (HxWxD); 2.8kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

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Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 5-35°C

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, oscillates, 160cm cable, digital display, programmable timer (24 hours), lip handle on the top, remote control

Warmlite WL44002 Thermo Fan Heater

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 26.5 x 12.5 x 22.5cm (HxWxD); 0.94kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings: Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, 120cm cable, carry handle on top, integrated cable storage

Convector heaters tested

Challenge Diamond 2kW Convector Heater

Also available at Argos (£40)
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Type Convector heater

Size and weight 34.5 x 52.5 x 20cm (HxWxD); 2kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Three power settings, 150cm cable, handles on top at each end, programmable timer (24 hours)

DeLonghi HSX2320 Convector Heater

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Type Convector heater

Size and weight 46 x 68.3 x 9cm (18cm with feet on) (HxWxD); 4kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Three power settings, 150cm cable, lip handles on both sides

ElectriQ 2000W Designer Glass Heater EGH20AW

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Type Convector heater

Size and weight 46 x 83 x 8.4cm (26cm with feet on) (HxWxD); 7.9kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

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Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 10-49°C

Need to know Three power settings, 150cm cable, remote control, digital display, programmable timer (24 hours), wi-fi-enabled, programmable via smartphone app, wall-mountable, has wheels, available in black or white

Glen 500W Wall Mounted or Freestanding Skirt Heater

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Type Convector heater

Size and weight 21.1 x 81.5 x 20cm (HxWxD); 3.15kg

Maximum power output (kW) 500W

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Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 5-30°C

Need to know One power setting, 150cm cable, digital display, wall mountable

Igenix IG5250 Portable Convector Heater

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Type Convector heater

Size and weight 50 × 33 x 20cm (HxWxD); 2kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Three power settings, 155cm cable, lip handles on both sides, programmable timer (24 hours)

Logik L20CHTW21 Convector Heater

Available from Currys (£35.99) (Out of stock)

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Type Convector heater

Size and weight 41 x 13.5 x 67cm (HxWxD); 3.9kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2.18kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 7-35°C

Need to know Three power settings, 150cm cable, digital display, 24-hour timer, lip handles at both ends

Princess 341500 Smart Glass Panel Heater

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Type Convector heater

Size and weight 38 x 76 x 9cm (24cm with feet on) (HxWxD); 6.18kg

Maximum power output (kW) 1.5kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 15-35°C

Need to know Two power settings, 146cm cable, digital display, programmable timer (24 hours), wi-fi-enabled, programmable via smartphone app, wall-mountable, available in black, white or grey

Russell Hobbs RHCVH4002 Convection Heater

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Type Convector heater

Size and weight 48 x 67.5 x 20cm (HxWxD); 2.42kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Three power settings, 143cm cable, lip handles on both sides, programmable timer (24 hours)

Oil filled radiators tested

Challenge 2kW Contemporary Digital Oil Filled Radiator

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Type Oil filled radiator

Size and weight 64 x 39.3 x 28cm (HxWxD); 9.7kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 7-35°C

Need to know Three power settings, 198cm cable, digital display, remote control, has wheels, programmable timer (24 hours), one lip handle at one end on the top, integrated cable storage

Daewoo Mini Oil Filled Radiator

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Type Oil filled radiator

Size and weight 12.2 x 5.1 x 16.1cm (HxWxD); 3.3kg

Maximum power output (kW) 800W

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know One power setting, 150cm cable, one handle on top at one end

DeLonghi Dragon 4 Oil Filled Radiator TRDX41025E

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Type Oil filled radiator

Size and weight 22.6 x 26.2 x 6.3cm (HxWxD); 18.8kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2.5kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 5-28°C

Need to know Four power settings, 130cm cable, digital display, has wheels, programmable timer (24 hours/seven days a week), two lip handles on top at both ends, integrated cable storage

Dimplex 2.0kW Rapid Eco Oil Free Radiator

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Type Oil filled radiator

Size and weight 65 x 57.5 x 17cm (HxWxD); 10.2kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, but you can't set specific temperatures in °C

Need to know Three power settings, 180cm cable, digital display, has wheels, programmable timer (24 hours), integrated cable storage

John Lewis Digital Oil Radiator

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Type Oil filled radiator

Size and weight 31.5 x 64 x 28cm (HxWxD); 8kg

Maximum power output (kW) 1.5kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 5-35°C

Need to know Three power settings, 170cm cable, digital display, has wheels, programmable timer (24 hours), integrated cable storage, lip handle on the top at one end, remote control

Zanussi ZOFR5005 Portable Oil Filled Radiator

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Type Oil filled radiator

Size and weight 66.5 x 14.3 x 56.3cm (HxWxD); 11.2kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2.3kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat Yes, temperature programmable from 5-35°C

Need to know Three power settings, digital display, remote control, wheels, 180cm cable, programmable timer (1-24 hours), one lip handle at one end on the top

Halogen heaters tested

Belaco Halogen Electric Heater BEL-HHC19S

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Type Halogen heater

Size and weight 21.26 x 12.6 x 5.12cm (HxWxD); 1.8kg

Maximum power output (kW) 1.2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat No

Need to know Three power settings, oscillates, 110cm cable, lip handle on the back

Beldray 1.2kW Halogen Heater EH0197

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Type Halogen heater

Size and weight 51.5 x 10 x 31cm (HxWxD); 1.5kg

Maximum power output (kW) 1.2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat No

Need to know Three power settings, oscillates, 105cm cable, lip handle on the back

Daewoo Oscillating Halogen Heater ‎HEA1416

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Type Halogen heater

Size and weight 18.3 x 14.2 x 10.2cm (HxWxD); 1.46kg

Maximum power output (kW) 1.2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat No

Need to know Three power settings, oscillates, 120cm cable, lip handle on the back

Igenix IG9509 Portable Halogen Heater

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Type Halogen heater

Size and weight 38 x 30.5 x 12.5cm (HxWxD); 0.95kg

Maximum power output (kW) 0.8kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat No

Need to know Two power settings, 140cm cable, lip handle on the back

Warmlite WL42005 3 Bar Halogen Heater

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Type Halogen heater

Size and weight 57 x 32 x 20cm (HxWxD); 1.5kg

Maximum power output (kW) 1.2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal.

Variable thermostat No

Need to know Three power settings, oscillates, 130cm cable, lip handle on the back

See all of our reviews of the best fan heaters, best convector heaters, best oil filled radiators and best halogen heaters.

How we test electric heaters

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

We buy all the electric heaters we test. We put the bestselling heaters from popular UK retailers through these tests: 

Heating speed, evenness, and accuracy

• We set up each heater in the centre of our test room and run it on the maximum settings, with the room starting at a cool temperature. We monitor how much the room temperature changes over the course of an hour using temperature probes. We've found the most drastic changes happen in the first half an hour and increases in temperature become more incremental after that.
• As well as how quickly the average room temperature increases, we also use probes to check for any areas significantly hotter or cooler than the rest of the room.
• For electric heaters with programmable thermostats, we set them to a specific temperature and compare the temperature display on the electric heater to our own temperature monitors to check for any discrepancies.

Ease of use, stability and noise levels

• We assess how easily each electric heater can be set up and how easily understandable the controls and settings are. We use any handles to lift the heater and move it around. While some heaters can be used straight out of the box, others have complicated program and timer settings.
• We use a force meter to record how much is needed to topple each heater over and a decibel meter to measure how much noise each one makes while running.

Energy use

• We use the RS PRO energy meter, £28, from RS Components, to record and calculate how much power each electric heater uses on its maximum setting in its first hour of use. If you're interested in measuring yours or other appliances around your home, you can buy similar meters starting from around £18 from popular retailers such as Amazon and Screwfix.

10 ways to save on energy bills

Beware these unsafe electric heaters

We've recently discovered several cheap electric heaters being sold by sellers on TikTok and Temu that have serious safety risks.

Read our full story, Elecric heaters sold on TikTok and Temu could explode, cause electric shocks or start a fire, to see those we identified as dangerous heaters you should avoid.

Last year we discovered electric heaters sold by online marketplaces, including Amazon, eBay and Wish, that could cause burns, fires or electric shocks. Unfortunately we keep seeing the same unsafe heaters being sold to this day.

Read our full story on illegal and dangerous plug-in mini heaters for sale on online marketplaces to see those we identified as having serious safety risks.

Hot water bottle or electric blanket – what's best and cheapest for keeping you warm in bed?

Types of electric heaters

Electric fan heater

• These are the lightest and most portable heater type. 
• They’re handy if you want to heat a room fast, as they warm up quickly and send plenty of heat into the room.
• They’re easy to set up – usually you just take it out of the box, plug it in and you’re ready to go.
• On the downside, this heater type can be quite noisy and they don't have some of the more advanced features you can get with convector heaters.

See our reviews of the best fan heaters.

Convector heater

• Convector heaters are usually taller than fan heaters, but thin and light – making them larger, but still relatively easy to move between rooms. 
• They have exposed heating elements, which heat up cold air as it passes. This often leads to slower, but more even, heating. They tend to be a little slower than fan heaters, but are quieter, and our tests found some are still pretty speedy.
• They're often wall-mountable. Brackets and instructions for wall mounting are usually included, but you'll need to drill holes in your walls.
• Some modern options also have smart features so you can program them via companion apps and smart speakers.

Find out which are the best convector heaters.

Oil filled radiator

• These heaters can still be bought, but they aren't as popular or widely available as fan or convector heaters.
• The oil in the radiator acts as a heat reservoir, which stays hot for some time after the heater's switched off. Some are called 'oil-free' and function in a comparable way, just with an internal heating element instead of any oil.
• Oil heaters are often cheap to run, but some can be really slow to heat up. Most oil filled heaters are also fairly heavy and cumbersome, so look out for models that come with wheels.

Read our roundup of the best oil filled radiators to see what we recommend.

Halogen heater

• These heaters are usually large and used for patio heating outdoors. But there are smaller, more portable options, such as those we've tested, that are designed for use indoors.
• Halogen bulbs in the heater radiate heat directly, so they don't spread heat around the same way convector heaters do. To benefit from the heat you'll need to have the halogen heater facing you.
• If you're wondering are halogen heaters cheap to run the answer is yes, but their limited ability to get a room up to temperature usually makes them a less effective heater type overall.

Check out the best halogen heaters to find out more.

Got a problem with your heater? See how to get a refund, repair or replacement

Electric heater features to look for

Some portable heaters have useful extras, such as an LCD screen that displays the current temperature or a remote control for turning the heater on from across the room. These features may come in handy:

• Programmable timer Useful for setting a heater to turn on just before you get home or wake up, so there's no waiting around for the heater to warm up.
• Frost protection The heater can be set to heat automatically when the temperature drops below 5°C, but you'll need to have it on standby for it to run, so this can limit its usefulness.
• Cold air setting Some fan heaters can help cool you down too. They're not nearly as effective as a dedicated air conditioner, but a light breeze of cold air is better than nothing.
• Adjustable thermostat Using this function, a portable heater will heat the room and when the desired temperature is reached, it will try to maintain the room at that temperature. Most of the cheaper, simpler heaters we tested have a dial thermostat that doesn't let you choose specific temperatures in °C. You'll likely need to buy a more expensive model for that. Our tests also found that they're rarely 100% accurate and will probably think the room is a couple of °C warmer or cooler than it is.
• Smart features Some are wi-fi-enabled and can be controlled using smartphone apps. This can be handy for easy timer scheduling, thermostat adjustment or voice commands – but you'll need to ensure you keep on top of downloading the latest updates to avoid any privacy or security risks. Each of the smart heaters we've tested have been internet-security tested, and at the time of publishing each provides an adequate level of protection.

See are electric heaters eco-friendly?

How much does an electric heater cost to run?

Portable electric heaters use electricity, which costs 22.36p/kWh under the current energy price cap. Depending on how effective the heater is, it can take anything from 30 minutes to an hour to notably raise the temperature of a medium-sized room. So if you're only planning on using a heater until the room gets up to temperature, it will likely cost you between 24 and 48p.

In our tests, we set every heater to run at full blast so you can see the maximum amount it cost to heat our medium-sized test room. If you have the thermostat of your heater set to a desired temperature, the heater will toggle on and off once it reaches that temperature – depending on what's needed to maintain it. The heater won't operate continuously, so won't cost you as much to run.

Are electric heaters cheaper to use than central heating?

Pinning down an exact comparison of how much central heating and electric heaters cost to run is nigh-on impossible, as the factors below are just some of the variables that play a part:

• The size of the rooms you're heating
• The level of insulation you have
• What settings you have your thermostats on your heaters and radiators
• What times of day you have them running.

Under current energy prices, the electric heaters we've tested can cost anything from 8p to 76p per hour to run on full blast. This range shows you that the answer to whether electric heaters are expensive to run is that it really depends on which one you buy.

A smart meter is the only way to compare costs with confidence

Due to the long list of factors that come into play to calculate your central heating costs, the only way you can confidently compare a heater to your central heating is to install a smart meter. You then divide your weekly heating cost by the number of hours you have it switched on and compare that figure to the cost of running your heater.

Electric heaters heat a much smaller area

Although the comparison might make your electric heater look cheaper to run, bear in mind that it will only be heating a small area, whereas your central heating will be aiming to heat your whole home.

If you were to try replacing the use of your central heating by putting an electric heater in each room, it will definitely end up costing much more.

Central heating will give a more stable temperature

Central heating is much more effective at maintaining a stable temperature over a longer period, whereas the heat from an electric heater will soon dissipate if the rest of your home is cold.

This means the electric heater will need to run at full blast for longer than your central heating, as it will have a tougher job keeping the room at the temperature you want. Once your home is up to temperature, your central heating will have an easier job than your heater clicking into gear and giving little top-ups of warmth.

Cheaper for a short-term blast in a small area

Overall, electric heaters can be cheaper for providing a short-term blast of heat in a small area, but over the course of a full day you're probably better off sticking to central heating.

Keen to optimise home heating? See our advice on boiler controls and thermostats, smart meters, and loft insulation

Are electric heaters safe?

As long as you use them according to their instructions, most electric heaters should be safe, especially if they come from a reputable brand.

Nearly all have some kind of carry handle for moving about and many have a safety cut-out feature, which will switch off the heater if it gets dangerously hot.

Tips to help you use yours safely:

• Never place anything on, or cover up, a portable heater as it hugely increases the fire risk.
• Never leave it unattended or go to sleep with it running.
• Avoid touching the body of the heater, especially after it's been recently used.

However, be wary of unbranded electric heaters, and unbranded electronics in general – our investigations often find these products, commonly found on online marketplaces, can pose a risk of electric shock, fire, or explosion. Find out more: why you should avoid unbranded electronics on online marketplaces