Best Electric Heaters UK (2026)
Electric heaters differ hugely in how they heat and what they cost to run. This guide compares the types and the models Mumsnet's panel picked, with their estimated running costs, so you can choose between whole-room warmth and heating just yourself. Safety guidance below comes from Electrical Safety First, a UK charity, not from the product reviews.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRDX41025E
Best for whole-room warmth
An oil-filled radiator with three heat settings, a thermostat and a timer. Mumsnet says it gives steady heat and keeps warming after switch-off.
- Steady heat
- Continues warming after switch-off
- Sturdy wheels
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRDX41025E | Best for whole-room warmth | Oil-filled, 2.5kW, thermostat and timer | Check price |
| Daewoo Convector Heater 2kW | Best budget | 2kW convector, thermostat | Check price |
| INVO Curved Panel Infrared Heater | Cheapest to run | 300W infrared | Check price |
| Beldray Oscillating Halogen Heater | Best for quick personal heat | 400/800/1,200W halogen | Check price |
| Dyson Hot+Cool HF1 | Best hot and cool fan | 2.25kW heat, app and remote | Check price |
| Dreamland Silent Power Eco Fan Heater | Best eco fan heater | 2.2kW, eco 1.85kW | Check price |
| VonHaus 2500873 11 Fin Digital | Best budget for larger rooms | Oil-filled, 2.5kW max, 24-hour timer with remote | Check price |
| Russell Hobbs RH0FR3001 | Best for small rooms | Oil-filled, 650W, carrying handle | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best for whole-room warmth
De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRDX41025E
An oil-filled radiator with three heat settings, a thermostat and a timer. Mumsnet says it gives steady heat and keeps warming after switch-off.
- Type
- Oil-filled radiator
- Power
- 2.5kW
- Extras
- Thermostat, timer, wheels
- Running cost
- About 66p/hour (Mumsnet estimate)
- Guarantee
- 10 years
Pros
- Steady heat
- Continues warming after switch-off
- Sturdy wheels
- 10-year guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and bulky
- Surface gets very hot
Best budget
Daewoo Convector Heater 2kW
A very cheap, silent and lightweight convector with three heat settings and an adjustable thermostat, though it heats slowly and has no timer.
- Type
- Convector
- Power
- 2kW
- Extras
- Adjustable thermostat
- Running cost
- About 53p/hour (Mumsnet estimate)
Pros
- Very low price
- Silent
- Lightweight
- Simple controls
Cons
- Slower heating
- No timer
- Basic build
Cheapest to run
INVO Curved Panel Infrared Heater
A low-power infrared panel that warms people and objects directly rather than the whole room. It is silent and light but has a hot front panel and no tip-over cut-out, per Mumsnet.
- Type
- Infrared
- Power
- 300W
- Running cost
- About 8p/hour (Mumsnet estimate)
Pros
- Very low power draw
- Silent
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Heats objects and people, not whole rooms
- Hot front panel
- No timer
- No tip-over cut-out
Best for quick personal heat
Beldray Oscillating Halogen Heater
A halogen heater with three settings and oscillation that gives instant warmth, and a tip-over shut-off. Mumsnet notes a short cable and flimsy construction.
- Type
- Halogen
- Power
- 400W, 800W or 1,200W
- Extras
- 75-degree oscillation, tip-over shut-off
- Running cost
- About 11p, 21p or 32p/hour by setting (Mumsnet estimate)
Pros
- Instant warmth
- Three settings
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- Short cable
- Patchy oscillation
- Flimsy construction
- Bright glow
Best hot and cool fan
Dyson Hot+Cool HF1
A premium fan that heats in winter and cools in summer, with Wi-Fi app scheduling and a remote. It is very expensive.
- Type
- Hot and cool fan
- Power
- 2.25kW heating
- Extras
- Wi-Fi app, remote, 70-degree oscillation
- Running cost
- About 59p/hour at full heat (Mumsnet estimate)
Pros
- Quick warmth
- Effective cooling
- App scheduling
- Remote control
Cons
- Very expensive
- Hot outlet edges
Best eco fan heater
Dreamland Silent Power Eco Fan Heater
A compact fan heater with four modes, a 1-9 hour timer and an eco setting, with a humid-room rating. Mumsnet notes it has not been independently tested.
- Type
- Fan heater
- Power
- 2.2kW full, 1.85kW eco
- Extras
- 1-9 hour timer, four modes, IP21
- Running cost
- About 49p/hour eco, 58p/hour full (Mumsnet estimate)
- Guarantee
- 2 years
Pros
- Multiple settings
- Two-year guarantee
- Rated for humid rooms
- Quiet
Cons
- Not independently tested
- Industrial appearance
Best budget for larger rooms
VonHaus 2500873 11 Fin Digital
Expert Reviews found this reached 20°C in 30 minutes and held a consistent temperature, with a digital thermostat and remote-controlled 24-hour timer at a budget price.
- Type
- Oil-filled radiator
- Power
- 2.5kW (maximum)
- Extras
- Digital thermostat, 24-hour timer with remote, Eco mode
Pros
- Rapid heating (20°C in 30 minutes in testing)
- Maintains consistent temperature
- Solid, no-nonsense build
Cons
- Makes clicking noises during warm-up
Best for small rooms
Russell Hobbs RH0FR3001
A lightweight, low-power oil-filled radiator with a carrying handle, well suited to a small room, though Expert Reviews found it struggles in larger spaces.
- Type
- Oil-filled radiator
- Power
- 650W
- Extras
- Single thermostat dial, overheat protection, carrying handle
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Low power consumption
- Affordable
Cons
- Struggles to heat large spaces
- Slower heating than higher-wattage models
Buying guide
Which type of electric heater is cheapest to run?
All electric heaters turn nearly all the electricity they use into heat, so running cost depends on wattage and how long you run them. Low-power infrared panels are cheapest for heating one person. For a whole room, a thermostat helps avoid heating for longer than needed.
Oil-filled, convector or fan heater?
Oil-filled radiators heat slowly but steadily and keep giving off heat after switch-off. Convectors give background warmth. Fan heaters heat a room fastest but can be noisy.
What safety features should I look for?
Electrical Safety First recommends a heater with a tip-over cut-off and, for halogen heaters especially, a cool-to-touch surface. Keep vents clear of dust so the heater does not overheat, and buy from a reputable retailer rather than secondhand.
Is it safe to leave an electric heater on overnight?
Electrical Safety First advises against running any heater unattended or overnight. If you do need overnight background heat, an oil-filled radiator is a lower-risk choice than a fan or halogen heater, but check the manufacturer's own instructions first.
Where should I place a heater, and can I use an extension lead?
Keep it at least a metre from curtains, furniture and paper, on a level surface out of the way of foot traffic. Electrical Safety First advises plugging heaters directly into a wall socket rather than an extension lead, which can overload and become a fire risk. Never dry clothes on or near a heater, and make sure you have working smoke alarms.
Sources
- Mumsnet: best electric heaters
- Expert Reviews: best electric radiator (2024)
- Electrical Safety First: portable heater safety guidance
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