Best Electric Heaters

For most UK homes, the Dreo 1500W Electric Heater is the one to buy. It costs less than £35, has over 10,000 Amazon reviews at 4.6 stars, heats a room quickly, and runs efficiently enough to use daily without guilt. Simple, compact, and proven at scale.

That said, the right electric heater depends on how you plan to use it. A portable fan heater is very different from an oil-filled radiator or a wall-mounted smart unit. We’ve reviewed eight of the best electric heaters currently available on Amazon.co.uk, covering every main type and a range of budgets from under £30 to £130.

Our Top Picks

8 Best Electric Heaters

1. Pro Breeze 2000W Mini Ceramic Fan Heater

Plug it in, point it at yourself, done. The Pro Breeze Mini is about as straightforward as electric heaters get, and for many people that’s exactly what they want. At 2000W it heats a small room or workspace quickly, the two heat settings give you some control, and the built-in thermostat cuts in once the target temperature is reached. Over 7,200 Amazon reviews at 4.5 stars suggests it does what it says reliably.

The size is genuinely compact. It sits comfortably on a desk or bedside table without taking over the space, and the cool-touch housing means it’s safer around kids than older bar heaters. There’s an overheat cut-off as well. At under £30 it’s one of the cheapest ways to get instant heat into a cold room, though it’s not designed for all-day background heating.

Features

• Power: 2000W
• 2 heat settings plus cool fan mode
• Built-in adjustable thermostat
• Overheat and tip-over protection
• Compact desktop design
• Cool-touch housing

2. Dreo 1500W Electric Heater

This is the one we’d recommend to most people. The Dreo 1500W is the best-selling electric heater on Amazon UK for good reason: 10,800 reviews at 4.6 stars, a compact form that fits anywhere, and genuine energy efficiency at 1500W rather than the 2000W that cheaper fan heaters default to. That 25% reduction in draw adds up over a winter of daily use.

The PTC ceramic heating element warms up within seconds and maintains a consistent output. There’s a thermostat to avoid the unit running flat out unnecessarily, a tip-over cut-off, and an overheat shut-off. The noise level is low enough for background office use, though you’ll notice it in a quiet room at night.

At £33.99 it sits just above the budget tier but feels meaningfully better built than the cheapest options. If you want one heater that works well almost anywhere in the home, this is the straightforward answer. The review count alone should tell you all you need to know about its track record.

Features

• Power: 1500W
• PTC ceramic heating element
• Adjustable thermostat
• Tip-over and overheat protection
• Quiet fan operation
• Compact upright design

3. HOMCOM 1500W Oil Filled Radiator

If you want heat that stays in the room after the heater switches off, an oil-filled radiator is where to look. The HOMCOM 1500W is the budget entry point for this type: three heat settings, a 24-hour programmable timer, and an adjustable thermostat that lets you set a target temperature and leave it running without babysitting. At £44.99 it’s the cheapest way into oil-filled radiator territory with a reasonable review base.

It’s also completely silent. No fan, no moving parts, just radiant heat that warms the air gently without blasting it around the room. That makes it a better overnight choice than any fan heater for sensitive sleepers. The four wheels make it easy to move between rooms.

Features

• Power: 1500W
• 3 heat settings
• 24-hour programmable timer
• Adjustable thermostat
• Silent operation (no fan)
• 4 castors for easy movement
• Overheat protection

4. Duronic HV220 Oil Free Convection Heater

The Duronic HV220 occupies an interesting middle ground: it’s a panel-style convection heater that heats silently like an oil-filled radiator but warms up significantly faster because it uses a heated element rather than oil. It covers up to 20m², draws 2000W at maximum, and has a digital thermostat with seven temperature presets. At £69.99 it sits above the budget options but below the premium smart heaters.

The slim panel design means it stands upright without taking much floor space, or can be wall-mounted using the optional bracket. This versatility makes it useful in rooms where floor space is tight. With 560+ Amazon reviews at 4.5 stars it has a solid track record, and Duronic is a UK brand with reliable customer support.

Features

• Power: 2000W
• Oil-free convection heating
• Digital thermostat with 7 temperature presets
• Coverage: up to 20m²
• Freestanding or wall-mountable
• Silent operation
• 24-hour timer

5. PELONIS 2000W Silent Electric Heater

The PELONIS positions itself as a quiet step up from basic fan heaters, and at £76.99 it’s priced accordingly. The headline claim is a low noise level on its quieter setting, which makes it more viable for bedroom use than most fan heaters. It runs at 2000W on high and has a thermostat mode that cycles the element on and off to hold a set temperature. The 4.6 star rating from nearly 200 reviews is strong for a relatively newer listing.

It’s worth considering if your main complaint with cheaper fan heaters is the noise. You still get fast heat delivery (much faster than oil-filled), but with a noticeably lower audible output. There’s also a timer function and remote control, which aren’t standard features at this price point.

Features

• Power: 2000W
• Low-noise ceramic heating
• Adjustable thermostat
• Remote control included
• Timer function
• Overheat and tip-over protection

6. Dreo 25 Inch Tower Heater with 70° Oscillation

Ask someone what they want from a living room heater and you usually get the same answer: something that heats the whole room, not just the corner it’s sitting in. The Dreo tower heater’s 70° oscillation is designed for exactly that. It sweeps heat across a wide arc as it runs, which means better distribution in open-plan spaces or larger rooms than a fixed-position fan heater can manage. With 7,500 Amazon reviews at 4.5 stars, it’s one of the most reviewed tower heaters in this category.

At 1500W it’s efficient for its size, and the tall column design means it circulates air at a level that actually reaches seated adults rather than just heating the floor. There’s a thermostat, multiple heat settings, and a sleep mode that dials back the output and dims the display for overnight use. At £88.78 it’s a genuine upgrade over compact fan heaters for anyone with a living room or open-plan space to heat.

The main limitation is that it’s a floor-standing unit with a defined footprint. If you’re short on floor space, the wall-mounted Dreo smart heater below might be a better fit.

Features

• Power: 1500W
• 70° horizontal oscillation
• Height: 25 inches (64cm)
• Multiple heat settings and thermostat
• Sleep mode with dimmed display
• Tip-over and overheat protection

7. Dreo Smart Electric Wall Heater

The most divisive pick on this list, and deservedly so. At £89.99 the Dreo Smart Wall Heater asks you to commit to a fixed installation rather than a portable unit, which isn’t for everyone. But what you get in return is wall-mounted heating that takes zero floor space, operates at just 28dB (genuinely near-silent by any measure), and connects to the Dreo app for remote control and scheduling. With 2,600 Amazon reviews at 4.6 stars it has earned that price tag.

The smart features are genuinely useful here rather than marketing additions. You can set heating schedules tied to your routine, check the room temperature remotely, and control it via voice if you have Alexa or Google Home. The ceramic heating element heats up quickly despite the silent operation, and the flat panel design means it blends into a wall rather than sitting in front of it.

It’s the right choice for anyone who wants a permanent heating solution in a bedroom, study, or bathroom where floor space and noise are at a premium. Installation requires screwing a bracket to the wall, which is straightforward but does rule it out for renters without landlord permission.

Features

• Power: 2000W
• Noise level: 28 dB
• Wall-mounted installation
• Dreo app control (iOS and Android)
• Alexa and Google Home compatible
• Ceramic heating element
• Weekly scheduling function

8. De’Longhi Dragon 4 TRD40820T Oil Filled Radiator

De’Longhi has been making oil-filled radiators longer than most of its competitors have existed, and the Dragon 4 is the model that has accumulated the most trust. At £129.00 it’s the most expensive option on this list, but 1,900 Amazon reviews at 4.6 stars across a product that has been available for years tells you this isn’t a flash-in-the-pan purchase. The Dragon 4’s heating elements are positioned at the base of each fin rather than the top, which De’Longhi calls Dragon Technology: it heats the oil faster and more evenly than traditional top-element designs.

The 2000W output covers rooms up to 20m² comfortably, and the thermostat is precise enough to hold a set temperature without constant cycling. Three heat settings, a 24-hour timer, and a frost protection mode (which kicks in at around 5°C to prevent pipes freezing) round out the feature set. Like all oil-filled radiators it’s silent, and the heat retained in the oil continues radiating even after the element cycles off.

If you want the best oil-filled radiator you can buy from Amazon without worrying about whether it will still work in five years, this is the answer. The brand reputation and review track record justify the premium.

Features

• Power: 2000W
• Dragon Technology base-positioned heating elements
• Coverage: up to 20m²
• 3 heat settings plus thermostat
• 24-hour timer
• Frost protection mode (activates at approx. 5°C)
• Silent operation
• 4 castors for easy movement

Electric Heater Buying Guide

Key Takeaways

• Fan heaters heat a room fastest but are noisier; oil-filled radiators are silent and retain heat but take longer to warm up
• For most people the Dreo 1500W is the best all-round choice: compact, efficient, and backed by over 10,000 reviews
• Running costs are directly tied to wattage: a 2000W heater costs roughly twice as much to run as a 1000W one at the same rate
• A thermostat is not a luxury: it’s the single most important feature for keeping running costs under control
• Oil-filled radiators retain heat after switching off, making them more efficient for sustained background heating than fan heaters
• Smart heaters with scheduling pay for themselves in reduced running costs if you’re disciplined about programming them
• Check the wattage relative to the room you’re heating: 1000W works for a small bedroom, 2000W+ for an open-plan living space

What Is an Electric Heater?

An electric heater is any device that converts electrical energy into heat using a resistive element, ceramic plate, or oil-based system. Unlike gas central heating, electric heaters require no boiler, no pipework, and no installation beyond plugging in or, for wall-mounted models, screwing a bracket to the wall. Every watt of electricity drawn is converted to heat with 100% efficiency at the point of use, though this doesn’t mean they’re cheap to run compared to gas: UK electricity costs significantly more per kWh than gas.

They come in several main forms: fan heaters, which blow air over a heated element; convection heaters, which heat air by contact without a fan; oil-filled radiators, which heat thermal oil that then radiates warmth; panel heaters, which work on convection principles in a slim profile; and infrared heaters, which heat objects directly rather than the air. Each type has different characteristics in terms of heat-up time, noise, running cost, and suitability for different rooms.

How Do Electric Heaters Work?

The core principle is the same across all types: an electric current passes through a resistive element, which heats up. What varies is how that heat is then transferred to the room. In a fan heater, a small motor blows air across the element so heated air is dispersed quickly. In an oil-filled radiator, the element heats oil sealed inside metal fins, which then radiates heat slowly and silently. In a ceramic PTC heater, a ceramic plate is the element: PTC (positive temperature coefficient) ceramics self-regulate, reducing current draw as they heat up, which is why they’re considered more energy-efficient than bare wire elements.

Thermostats work by interrupting the circuit when the set temperature is reached and restoring it when the temperature drops. A heater with a good thermostat runs efficiently because it cycles on and off as needed rather than running continuously. A heater without one (or with a poor one) will either overshoot the temperature and waste energy or fail to hold the temperature at all.

Benefits of Using Electric Heaters

The most obvious benefit is flexibility. You can heat only the room you’re in rather than running whole-house central heating for the benefit of an empty property. During shoulder season, when it’s cold enough to need heat in the evening but not cold enough to warrant firing up the boiler all day, a portable electric heater in the living room or bedroom is often the more economical choice despite electricity’s higher per-kWh cost.

Installation is another advantage. Oil-filled radiators and fan heaters need nothing beyond a 13A socket. Even wall-mounted smart heaters like the Dreo model above need only a few screws rather than a gas engineer and planning permission. That makes electric heaters the only practical supplemental heating option for renters, people in flats, and anyone in a property without a gas connection.

Modern electric heaters are also significantly safer than older designs. Tip-over protection, overheat cut-offs, cool-touch housings, and thermostat cycling all reduce the risks that made older bar heaters genuinely hazardous. A modern fan heater left running with the thermostat set correctly is far less of a fire risk than the older style of open-element storage heater.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying

Running cost is the number one consideration that people overlook when comparing price tags. At the current UK average electricity rate of around 24p/kWh, a 2000W heater running continuously costs roughly 48p per hour, or about £3.36 for a seven-hour overnight run. Over a winter that adds up substantially. A 1500W heater with a good thermostat running in cycling mode will cost considerably less over the same period than a 2000W heater running continuously.

Room size matters too. A 1000W heater is adequate for a well-insulated bedroom of 10-12m². A 1500W unit covers most living rooms in a well-insulated modern home. Older properties with poor insulation, high ceilings, or draughty windows need more output for the same effect. If a room is particularly cold or difficult to heat, sizing up rather than running a smaller unit continuously is usually the better approach.

Think about noise in the context of where you’ll use it. Fan heaters produce audible fan noise even on low settings. For a bedroom or study where you sleep or concentrate, this matters. Oil-filled radiators and panel convection heaters are completely silent, which is a significant practical advantage for anyone who finds background noise disruptive. The Dreo wall heater at 28dB is the quietest fan-based option on this list.

Types of Electric Heaters

Fan heaters are the most common type. They heat quickly, are compact and portable, and are the cheapest to buy. The trade-off is noise and the fact that once they switch off the room cools quickly because there’s no stored heat. They’re best for quick warming of small spaces rather than sustained background heating.

Oil-filled radiators heat slowly but silently, retaining warmth for a period after the element cycles off. They’re better for sustained background heating in a room you’ll be in for several hours. De’Longhi is the benchmark brand in this category; their Dragon Technology sets them apart from budget alternatives.

Panel and convection heaters sit between fan heaters and oil-filled radiators. They operate silently like oil-filled models but heat up faster. Many can be wall-mounted, which is useful where floor space is limited. The Duronic HV220 is a good example of this type.

Smart heaters add Wi-Fi connectivity, app control, and scheduling to any of the above types. The practical benefit is that you can program them to come on before you arrive home and switch off after you leave, rather than heating an empty room. The Dreo Smart Wall Heater is the best example of this type at an accessible price.

Case Study: Heating a Victorian Terrace on a Budget

Background

A family in a Victorian terrace in Leeds had been relying solely on gas central heating but found the boiler was struggling to heat the back extension, a conversion with poor insulation and single-glazed windows. Heating bills were high and the back rooms were still cold. Rather than upgrade the boiler, they decided to supplement with electric heaters in the rooms that needed it most.

Project Overview

The goal was to make the rear kitchen-diner and one upstairs bedroom comfortable through winter without dramatically increasing energy bills. Budget was around £200 total. They needed two heaters: one for background warmth in the extension and one for the bedroom that a light sleeper used.

Implementation

A De’Longhi Dragon 4 was placed in the kitchen-diner extension, running on a timer to come on an hour before the family used the room in the evenings and switching off at 10pm. In the bedroom, a Dreo Smart Wall Heater was installed, scheduled via the app to run at low setting from 10pm to midnight and switch off, giving the room enough residual warmth without running all night.

Results

The extension was noticeably warmer within a week, and the family found themselves using it as a living space rather than avoiding it. The bedroom occupant reported better sleep with a warm room that didn’t have fan noise running overnight. Monthly energy cost for both heaters in active use came to approximately £28 at typical usage patterns, well within the budget for the improvement in comfort delivered.

Expert Insights From Our Heating Engineers About Electric Heaters

One of our senior heating engineers with over 22 years of experience in domestic heating systems offers this perspective on getting the most from electric heaters without wasting money on running costs.

“The most common mistake I see is people buying a heater without a thermostat, or buying one with a thermostat they never set properly. A thermostat is what makes an electric heater economical. Without it, the thing runs continuously at full wattage. With it set correctly, it cycles on and off to hold your target temperature and you might be running at 30-40% of maximum draw on an average evening. That difference in run time is where the real savings are. Always set the thermostat to the lowest temperature you find comfortable, not the highest.”

“On type: if you’re heating a room for a few hours in the evening, a fan heater is fine. If you’re trying to maintain background warmth in a room over a full day or overnight, an oil-filled radiator is more appropriate. The reason is thermal mass. Oil stores heat and releases it gradually, so the element doesn’t need to run continuously to keep the room at temperature. A fan heater has no thermal mass at all, so it either runs or it doesn’t. For a bedroom, I always recommend oil-filled or a near-silent panel heater over a fan heater.”

“One thing people don’t factor in is placement. Electric heaters should be positioned where the heated air can circulate freely. Don’t put a heater behind furniture or in a corner where the output is blocked. For oil-filled radiators, central floor placement with clearance on all sides is ideal. For tower heaters with oscillation, place them so the sweep arc covers the seating area. That positioning makes a real difference to how efficiently the room warms up.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Summing Up

For most UK homes, the Dreo 1500W Electric Heater is the best starting point. It’s compact, efficient, backed by over 10,000 reviews, and costs under £35. If you need something quieter for a bedroom, step up to the De’Longhi Dragon 4 oil-filled radiator or the HOMCOM as a budget alternative. If you want to heat a larger room efficiently, the Dreo tower heater’s 70° oscillation makes it the standout choice. And if floor space and noise are your main concerns, the Dreo Smart Wall Heater at 28dB is in a class of its own.

The right heater depends on the room, your tolerance for fan noise, and how long you plan to run it. Use the buying guide above to match the type to your needs, and always factor in running costs alongside the purchase price when making your decision.

Updated April 2026