Best Gas Heaters in 2026 as reviewed by Australian consumers

Are indoor gas heaters safe?

Flued or installed gas heaters are safe, as all emissions are vented outdoors via a pipe, and don’t remain inside the room.
For unflued gas heaters, the small amount of combustion gases vented back into a room is limited by government regulations. However, if safety is of top priority to you, installed models generally maintain a purer air quality.
Look for unflued gas heaters that automatically turn off the heater if oxygen levels in the room become too low. A flame failure shut-off mechanism, if included, will halt the gas supply if the flame falters.
Unflued models have an open front and exposed flame, so these models might not suit homes with young children or pets.
Most modern gas heaters are now fitted with a range of safety features to prevent accidents.

Types of Gas Heaters

When it comes to ventilation options for gas space heaters, there are two types you can choose from - flued and unflued.

Flued gas heaters · See All

A flued gas heater refers to a built-in gas heater that is installed in your home.

Flued heaters are known for their safety, because they vent fumes like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide outside. They are eliminated from your home via a pipe known as the flue.

Pros

Offers a safe gas heating option, as emissions don't linger inside the home.

More powerful heating capacity than unflued gas heaters. Flued models are a great option for larger rooms or spaces.

Can be used in small rooms as there’s no danger of fumes cluttering up a small space and making air unsafe to breathe.

Better air quality means that flued gas heaters are friendly for asthma and allergy sufferers.

Wider range of features than portable gas heaters, making them feel more premium.

Cons

Priciest type of heater to buy compared to both portable gas heaters and electric heaters.

Installation can be expensive, and along with gas filter installation, presents an additional cost.

Not as energy efficient as portable gas heaters, which means a more expensive energy bill.

Unflued gas heaters · See All

This refers to a standalone or portable gas heater. This kind of model is not made to be connected to a flue, so it can't vent gasses back outside.

As a result, these models feed vapours back into the heated room. While concentrations are very low, effective ventilation is still a must for health reasons.

Also, if you're planning to use a portable gas heater in a small room like a bedroom, state-based regulations prescribe that the room can't be smaller than a certain size for safety reasons.

Pros

Portability is convenient, as you can cart around the heater with you as you move from room to room. It's also easy to store it in the summertime, freeing up living space.

More energy efficient than flued gas heaters.

Cheaper to run than both flued gas heaters and portable electric heaters.

Good for renters as you don't have to both with installation, and can take it with you when you move.

Safety features are found in most modern unflued gas heaters, which can allay concerns that unflued gas heaters may be unsafe.

Cons

Gasses are vented indoors, where they can be breathed in by household members.

More expensive to purchase than electric portable heaters - but cheaper to run.

Illegal to use in small rooms under a certain size depending on your state.

Unsuitable for rooms without proper ventilation. In these rooms, mould can also form from condensed water vapour.

May trigger breathing difficulties for asthmatics or anyone else sensitive to air quality.

Types of unflued gas heaters

Radiant convection heaters · See All

These transfer heat into a room via the exposed area through a metal grill. They are more basic and fitted out with less features than convector gas heaters. For example, many models lack the thermostat, timer and remote control found on convector heaters. However, this also makes them cheaper to buy.

Radiant convection heaters turn on with the aid of a manual electric ignition, and you'll have to hold down a button for about 20 seconds until the flame ignites.

Gas convector heaters

These models use a fan to help circulate warm air around a room, achieving more quick and even heating.

These heaters are equipped with a greater range of features than their radiant counterparts. You're more likely to be able to switch them on using a remote control, adjust the temperature using a thermostat, and set a timer.

If you're a fan of modern conveniences, this may be the better option for you - but you'll pay a little bit more for the luxury.

Ducted gas heaters · See All

Gas ducted heating works using a gas-operated central heating system that’s installed in your roof, under the floor, or outside your house.

The other, non-gas ducted heating option is a electric reverse cycle ducted system.

Air is drawn in from outside by a fan, heated by the gas heating unit, transferred to different rooms in the house via a series of ducts, and then finally released into a room via vents.

Is ducted gas heating expensive?

Pros

Suitable for effectively heating larger homes

Cheaper to run than ducted electric reverse cycle ACs

Cons

Expensive to purchase and install - more expensive than electric ducted systems.

The exact cost of a ducted gas heater depends on the size of your home, the energy efficiency of a heating system, and how many ‘points’ or rooms in your home will be fitted with vents for heating.

For example, say you are purchasing and installing a 10kW gas unit that works in 6 rooms, has a 10 kW heating capacity, and an outstanding energy rating of 5.8 stars. This should set you back around $9, 000 to purchase and install. On the lower end of the scale, a ducted gas system can cost around $5, 000.

Gas fireplaces · See All

Gas fireplaces provide the cosy aesthetic of a traditional wood fireplace, but are more convenient. Also called gas log heaters, these provide the attractive appearance of flames - without the hassle of needing to procure and tend to wood. The flame can be switched on to achieve a ‘roaring’ fireplace look in seconds.

Gas fireplaces can operate using either natural gas or LPG. As per usual, you’ll need to be connected to a gas mains line to opt for the natural gas option.

Outdoor gas heaters · See All

These gas heaters are designed to only be used in the open air. They include freestanding patio gas heaters, as well as wall-mounted gas heaters for outdoor use. Both use radiant heat to warm up an outdoor space, and can work a charm if you’re entertaining guests outside in winter.

An outdoor gas heater should be placed on flat, level ground. If you have an undercover patio, you’ll need enough space for clearance from ceilings and awnings, and any other combustible mtaerials.

What is the difference between LPG and natural gas heaters?

Natural Gas

Reticulated natural gas requires a connection with a gas mains line in your local area. If this is available, you can hire a gas fitter to come and install a natural gas connection to your home.

However, this option can get expensive, when you add the cost of the heating unit itself and installation fees onto the price of connecting with a gas line.

On the flipside, once your connection is up and running, it will be cheaper to run a natural gas heater than an LPG heater.

Natural gas heaters are not just affordable to run - they also tend to be reliable and durable, heating even large rooms with ease.

Can you use a natural gas heater with LPG?

Some flued natural gas heaters come with - or are compatible with - an LPG Conversion Kit.

This lets you operate an installed heater using an LPG bottle, even if it was originally designed to operate using natural gas.

LPG

Some gas heaters are designed to be used with LPG, or liquified petroleum gas. This is made from propane, butane or a mix of the two.

The LPG is stored in large gas cylinders (for example, a 45 kg cylinder) outside your home. The gas is then ducted in through pipes to outlets in the house, which your heater will connect to.

Other factors to consider when buying a gas heater

Room Size

Gas heaters are suitable for a wide variety of room sizes. Unlike most electric heaters, there are plenty of gas heaters that heat up medium to large rooms, and open plan spaces.

To make the most of the warming capacity of your new appliance, select a model that’s the right size for the room you’re heating.

First of all, you’ll need to measure your room to find out how many square metres it is. You can do this by measuring a room’s length and its width, and multiplying them.

Heater capacity or net heat output is measured in kW or kilowatts. As a general rule, for every 10 squares metres, you’ll need 1 kW of heat output. For example, if your room is 25 square metres, you’ll need a 2.5kW heater, or if your room is 8mx10m measuring 80 square metres, a 8kW gas heater is more suitable.

The number of kilowatts your heater should have also depends on other conditions of the room you’re heating. For example, if your room has a tall ceiling height, poor insulation, and you live in a very cold climate, you’re likely to need a heater with a little more power than suggested by the standard calculation.

Heater Design

Each type of gas heater features a unique design, however for safety reasons they can be classified as having one of two designs: either a design with an exposed heating element, or a non-exposed heating element.

An exposed heating element is potentially dangerous, as the hot part of the heater can be touched, resulting in injury. It's best to avoid these if you have young children or pets. For example, with radiant heaters, it's easy to poke fingers or fur through the grills.

In this case, a gas heater with a non-exposed heating element is likely to be a safer choice. These types of heaters include: convector and panel gas heaters, gas fireplaces and ducted gas heating systems.

Features

Safety features

Auto-off mechanism: This automatically switches off the heater if it’s left running for a specific period of time, e.g. 8 hours. This is an especially useful and safe feature for unflued gas heaters.
Oxygen depletion sensor: This alerts you if and when the level of oxygen in a room gets too low.
Flame failure protection: If the flame unexpectedly goes out, this prevents the release of large amounts of unignited gas, which can become dangerous if allowed to build up.
Tip-over protection: If a heater is tipped over or is tilted at an angle of 45 degrees or more, this safety feature will cut off power to the heating element.
Carbon monoxide alarm: This fits the heater with an alarm that sounds if the heater malfunctions and starts emitting dangerous carbon monoxide into a room’s atmosphere. You can buy separate carbon monoxide alarms as separate devices from heaters in hardware stores.
Child lock: This prevents the heating element from switching on if a child starts experiments with various buttons and settings.

Extra Features

Energy saving mode: This is sometimes also called Economy mode. After a room has reached its set temperature, this feature gradually lowers the temperature by increments per hour in order to prevent overheating the room and save on energy costs.
Electronic ignition: This is available for portable gas convector heaters, and unflued models. It makes turning on the heating easier, as you won’t have to press a button continuously while waiting for the pilot light to ignite.
Fan: Some gas heaters, such as a gas convector heater, incorporate the use of a fan to circulate hot air around a room more evenly.
Filter-clean warning: Available for flued gas heaters, this handy features alerts you when your filter is due for a clean. This stops dirt and debris from clogging up your filter and preventing the efficient flow of heated air into a room.
Remote control: This allows you to change the settings on your heater or switch it on and off from the comfort of your couch.
Thermostat: This allows you to program the gas heater to reach a certain temperature.
Timer: This allows you to program the periods your gas heater runs over a 24-hour time frame.

Price

Gas heaters are typically more expensive than electric heaters to buy, but cheaper to run. Flued models are dearer than unflued or portable models, due to installation costs and a higher average selling price.

Portable gas heaters can cost anywhere between $400 - $1,400 to buy, while flued or installed models can set you back $400 - $2, 200.

Wrapping up

A gas heater offers superior heating during the winter months. It heats larger spaces thoroughly and evenly, which can be comforting in particularly cold climates. When buying a new gas heater, consider how safe it is first.

Also consider how you'll use the heater. This includes where you'll use it, the size of the rooms you're heating, any features you'd like for added convenience, and lastly, any design or aesthetic preferences you have for a new household appliance.

Best Gas Heaters

Jump to:

Are indoor gas heaters safe?

Types of Gas Heaters

Flued gas heaters · See All

Unflued gas heaters · See All

Types of unflued gas heaters

Radiant convection heaters · See All

Gas convector heaters

Ducted gas heaters · See All

Is ducted gas heating expensive?

Gas fireplaces · See All

Outdoor gas heaters · See All

What is the difference between LPG and natural gas heaters?

Natural Gas

Can you use a natural gas heater with LPG?

LPG

Other factors to consider when buying a gas heater

Room Size

Heater Design

Features

Safety features

Extra Features

Price

Wrapping up