Best electric heaters

We've found top picks from brands including DeLonghi, Dimplex, Dyson, John Lewis and Russell Hobbs.

We discovered which heat up a medium-sized room quickly and how much they cost to run per hour. 

Two impressed us enough to be named Which? Best Buys. One of these is also a Great Value pick due to its combination of excellent heating ability, and lower upfront and running costs.

The best electric heaters from our tests

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

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The electric heaters we tested

All those we've tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

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

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

Beldray EH0569SSTK Portable Fan Heater

Only available at Beldray £24.99 (out of stock)

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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 unlock our test results

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 2kW Flat Fan Heater

Only available at Argos £27 (out of stock)

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Type Fan heater

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

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results

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

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, 170cm cable, automatic shut-off when lifted

DeLonghi HSX2320 Convector Heater

Cheapest price £77 at Amazon (out of stock), Appliances Direct (out of stock)

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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 unlock our test results

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, wall-mountable

Dimplex DXUC2B Ceramic Fan Heater

Only available at Amazon £39 (out of stock)

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 25.8 x 18.5 x 18.5cm (HxWxD); 1.99kg

Maximum power output (kW): 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results

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

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, 174cm cable, lip handle on the back

Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Purifying Fan HP00

Cheapest price £399 at Currys, also available at Amazon, Dyson, Sonic Direct  

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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 unlock our test results

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

Need to know 10 power settings, fan setting, oscillates, two airflow modes, digital display, digital timer, remote control

ElectriQ 2000W Designer Glass Heater EGH20AW

Cheapest price £99.98 at Appliances Direct, also available at Amazon.

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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

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results

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

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

John Lewis & Partners Mini Tower Fan Heater

Only available at John Lewis £40 (no longer available)

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Type Fan heater

Size and weight 44 x 18.6 x 18.6cm (HxWxD); 2kg

Maximum power output (kW) 2kW

Approximate cost to run per hour on max settings Log in now or join Which? to unlock our test results.

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

Need to know Two power settings, fan setting, 160cm cable, oscillates, carry handle on the top

Princess 341500 Smart Glass Panel Heater

Cheapest price £114 at Amazon, Currys, also available at Wickes

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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 unlock our test results

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

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

Russell Hobbs RHCVH4002 Convection Heater

Cheapest price £49.99 at Amazon (out of stock), also available at Robert Dyas (out of stock)

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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 unlock our test results

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

Warmlite WL44002 Thermo Fan Heater

Only available at Charlies £11.99 (out of stock)

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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 unlock our test results

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

See our reviews of the best electric blankets and heated throws, and the best heating for your home

How we tested electric heaters

We bought bestselling heaters from popular UK retailers. They were set up in our test room where we spent days armed with temperature probes to find out which ones warmed up the quickest and most evenly, and which used the least energy to get the room up to temperature.

We bought all of the heaters we tested.

Heating speed, evenness, and accuracy

• We set up each heater in the centre of our test room and ran it on the maximum settings, with the room starting at a cold temperature. We monitored how much the room temperature changed over the course of an hour using temperature probes.
• As well as how quickly the average room temperature increased, we also used probes to check for any areas that were significantly hotter or cooler than the rest of the room.
• For electric heaters with programmable thermostats, we set them to a specific temperature and compared 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 assessed how easily each one can be set up, how straightforward the instructions are to follow, and how easily understandable the controls and settings are. We also used any handles to lift the heater around.
• We used a force meter to record how much is needed to topple each heater over.
• We used a decibel meter to measure how much noise each one makes while running.

Energy use

• We used 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 discovered electric heaters sold by online marketplaces, including Amazon, eBay and Wish that could cause burns, fires or electric shocks.

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.

Find out if paying more gets you a better a hot water bottle

Types of electric heaters

Electric fan heater

• These are the lightest and most portable 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 the box, plug it in and you’re ready to go.
• On the downside, this type can be quite noisy and they don't have some of the more advanced features you can get with convector 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. 
• These 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.

Oil-filled radiator

• These can still be bought, but they aren't nearly as popular or widely available as fan or convector heaters, so we haven't included them in our tests.
• 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. There aren't many about, though.
• They tend to be 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.

See wood-burning stoves: what you need to know

Electric heater brands rated

We can't test every electric heater, so if the one you're considering isn't one that we've tested, why not consult our ratings of the best electric heater brands? 

The table below summarises the opinions of 2,279 electric heater owners and the information is based on those bought in the past seven years. Brands are ranked by their customer score, which reflects whether customers would recommend each brand and their level of satisfaction.  

The 'proportion faulty' is the percentage of those that experienced a fault and the 'proportion repaired or replaced' is the percentage that were fixed or disposed of due to a fault.

Only logged-in Which? members can see which brands achieved the scores in the table below. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

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 32.2p/kWh under the current energy price cap. Depending on how effective the heater is, they 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 it until the room gets up to temperature, it will likely cost you between 32.2p and 80p.

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 on your heaters and radiators
• What times of day you have them running.

Under current energy prices, a run-of-the-mill plug-in electric heater can cost approximately 60p to 80p per hour to run on full blast. 

A smart meter is the only way to confidently compare costs

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 much smaller 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 there any dangers to using an electric heater?

As long as you use them according to their instructions, electric heaters are safe.

Nearly all have some kind of carry handle for moving about and many have a safety cut-out feature – this 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.

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