Best Electric Heaters
One of winter’s little luxuries, electric heaters can be a cheap and efficient way to keep your living room or bedroom warm. With such a huge selection to choose from - including outdoor, fireplace, wall and portable electric heaters - it's worth thinking about how you'll use your heater before buying one. Continue reading...
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The $189 DeLonghi DL2401TF quickly heats up a room, and can be turned off soon after it speedily performs a job well done.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.9 (21)
- Value for Money4.3 (22)
- Noise Level4.4 (21)
- Heating Speed4.2 (22)
- Temperature Consistency4.6 (22)
- Safety4.7 (22)
- Smell Yes (2) · No (19)
- Heater TypeFin & Column and Portable
- Max Room Size 70 m²
- Colour / FinishWhite
- Dimensions 630 x 510 x 150 mm
- FeaturesFan, Thermostat, Timer and Wheels/Castors
- Additional FeaturesAnti-Frost Function
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power2,400 W
Heatstrip Classic THH-A Series
· includes 8 listingsAustralian designed and engineered, the electric heaters in the Heatstrip Classic THH-A Series are ideal for providing a gentle, radiant warmth in alfresco areas, verandas, and some difficult-to-heat indoor areas.
Price (RRP) $599 to $849
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.8 (17)
- Value for Money4.7 (17)
- Noise Level4.8 (16)
- Heating Speed4.6 (17)
- Temperature Consistency4.9 (17)
- Safety4.9 (17)
- Smell Yes (1) · No (15)
- Heater TypeConvector & Panel, Outdoor, Wall-Mountable and Radiant
- Max Room Size 3 m² to 8 m²
- Colour / FinishBlack and Black/Silver
- FeaturesRemote Control and Timer
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power1,500 W, 1,800 W, 2,400 W and 3,200 W
Noirot Spot Plus
· includes 12 listingsThe Noirot Spot Plus offers a range of convection heaters in a panel design. It’s available in 8 options, which you can select from based on the size of your room.
- Pictures
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.8 (41)
- Value for Money3.3 (39)
- Noise Level4.6 (39)
- Heating Speed4.0 (38)
- Temperature Consistency4.1 (38)
- Safety4.1 (37)
- Smell Yes (6) · No (34)
- Heater TypePortable, Convector & Panel, Bathroom and Wall-Mountable
- Max Room Size 10 m² to 24 m²
- Colour / FinishWhite
- Construction MaterialAluminium
- FeaturesThermostat, Timer and Wheels/Castors
- Additional FeaturesThermal Cut-Off, Digital Control Panel and Anti-Frost Function
- Power1,000 W, 1,500 W, 2,000 W and 2,400 W
Latest review: This is exactly what I was looking for. It's quite a practical design that you can easily move around, not heavy or too wide. I like that it doesn't blow the hot air at you, but gives a comfortable
Price (RRP) $489
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.5 (2)
- Value for Money4.5 (2)
- Noise Level5.0 (3)
- Heating Speed4.0 (3)
- Temperature Consistency3.7 (3)
- Safety5.0 (3)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (3)
- Heater TypePortable and Radiant
- Colour / FinishWhite
- Dimensions 729 x 354 x 318 mm
- FeaturesTimer
- Number of Heat Settings9
- Power1,200 W
DeLonghi Dragon 4 TRD4 Series
· includes 5 listingsThe $319 DeLonghi Dragon 4 Series offers a range of convection heaters that feature an 11-fin oil column design. They can be used to warm rooms that measure up to 70 metres cubed.
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.3 (29)
- Value for Money3.5 (28)
- Noise Level4.3 (29)
- Heating Speed4.0 (27)
- Temperature Consistency4.3 (27)
- Safety4.1 (29)
- Smell Yes (7) · No (23)
- Heater TypePortable and Fin & Column
- Max Room Size 45 m² to 70 m²
- Colour / FinishWhite
- FeaturesThermostat, Timer and Wheels/Castors
- Additional FeaturesThermal Cut-Off, Digital Control Panel and Anti-Frost Function
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power1,200 W, 1,500 W and 2,400 W
Latest review: My room is small and this heater warms my room in 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, I can turn off the heater, save electricity and still stay warm. Worth the
Price (RRP) $27
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.2 (12)
- Value for Money4.4 (11)
- Noise Level3.3 (13)
- Heating Speed3.8 (13)
- Temperature Consistency3.6 (13)
- Safety3.9 (13)
- Smell Yes (5) · No (8)
- Heater TypeCeramic & Fan and Portable
- Colour / FinishBlack
- Dimensions 312 x 255 x 170 mm
- Construction MaterialPlastic
- FeaturesFan and Thermostat
- Additional FeaturesThermal Cut-Off and Tip Over Protection
- Number of Heat Settings2
- Power2,000 W
The Delonghi HSX3324FTS Convector Heater warms up rooms up to 70m³, has a safety shut-off feature, and adjustable temperature and timer settings.
Price (RRP) $169
- Pros & Cons
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.1 (16)
- Value for Money3.6 (16)
- Noise Level4.3 (17)
- Heating Speed4.2 (17)
- Temperature Consistency3.9 (17)
- Safety3.9 (17)
- Smell Yes (1) · No (15)
- Heater TypeConvector & Panel, Portable and Wall-Mountable
- Max Room Size 700 m²
- Colour / FinishWhite
- Dimensions 460 x 683 x 90 mm
- FeaturesFan, Thermostat and Timer
- Additional FeaturesAnti-Frost Function and Tip Over Protection
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power2,400 W
DeLonghi Radia S TRRS0715
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: Works much better than i expected. Love it! Noise is minimal: I was worried about the noise from the mechanical thermoswitch. But that has not bothered me at all during the nights. Safety is
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.4 (5)
- Value for Money3.4 (5)
- Noise Level4.2 (5)
- Heating Speed4.0 (4)
- Temperature Consistency4.3 (4)
- Safety4.0 (5)
- Smell Yes (1) · No (2)
- Heater TypePortable and Fin & Column
- Colour / FinishGrey and White
- FeaturesThermostat, Timer and Wheels/Castors
- Additional FeaturesAnti-Frost Function
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power1,500 W
DeLonghi Radia S TRRS1224
· includes 2 listingsLatest review: I purchased the DeLonghi 2400W Radia S Column Oil Heater in April ready for winter. At the start of August the heater exploded, sparking and fizzing then released all the oil over the floor, luckily
- Pictures
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.8 (10)
- Value for Money3.5 (11)
- Noise Level3.2 (10)
- Heating Speed4.0 (10)
- Temperature Consistency4.2 (10)
- Safety4.0 (10)
- Smell Yes (2) · No (7)
- Heater TypePortable and Fin & Column
- Colour / FinishGrey and White
- FeaturesEnergy Saving Mode, Thermostat and Timer
- Additional FeaturesTip Over Protection and Anti-Frost Function
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power2,400 W
Heller HOIL5 / HOIL7 / HOIL9 / HOIL11 / HOIL11T
· includes 5 listingsLatest review: Just bought this so will give full review in one week. So far the cat loves it. Temp great. Was easy to assemble and heating started quite quickly. Im impressed so
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality2.0 (5)
- Value for Money1.5 (4)
- Noise Level2.6 (5)
- Heating Speed2.0 (3)
- Temperature Consistency2.0 (3)
- Safety3.0 (4)
- Smell Yes (1) · No (3)
- Heater TypePortable and Fin & Column
- FeaturesThermostat and Timer
- Additional FeaturesThermal Cut-Off and Tip Over Protection
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power1,000 W, 1,500 W, 2,000 W and 2,400 W
Latest review: Purchased a small, lightweight , and most importantly quiet, convection heater for our small motorhome. Heats up beautifully and we no longer have to worry about condensation on cold evenings.
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.6 (11)
- Value for Money4.3 (10)
- Noise Level4.9 (11)
- Heating Speed4.2 (11)
- Temperature Consistency4.2 (11)
- Safety3.8 (12)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (11)
- Heater TypeConvector & Panel and Portable
- Max Room Size 60 m²
- Colour / FinishWhite
- Dimensions 400 x 540 x 100 mm
- FeaturesThermostat
- Additional FeaturesAnti-Frost Function and Thermal Cut-Off
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power2,000 W
Latest review: I purchased the out door Heater from Harvey Norman appox 18mth ago. The unit is fantastic looks great on the outside wall of our Balcony and heats the Balcony within a short period of time. Everybody
Price (RRP) $899
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.8 (6)
- Value for Money5.0 (7)
- Noise Level4.8 (6)
- Heating Speed4.7 (7)
- Temperature Consistency4.7 (7)
- Safety5.0 (6)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (8)
- Heater TypeOutdoor
- Max Room Size 16 m²
- Colour / FinishBlack
- Dimensions 2118 x 650 x 670 mm
- Construction MaterialStainless Steel
Latest review: I'm too lazy to put the heater away at the end of winter, anyway there is always a cold spell before summer sets in so I love that this ceramic heater has a fan for when you want to cool down. Turn
Price (RRP) $32
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.5 (6)
- Value for Money4.8 (6)
- Noise Level3.3 (6)
- Heating Speed4.7 (6)
- Temperature Consistency4.7 (6)
- Safety4.3 (6)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (5)
- Heater TypeCeramic & Fan and Portable
- Colour / FinishBlack, Silver
- Dimensions 276 x 190 x 178 mm
- Construction MaterialPlastic
- FeaturesFan and Thermostat
- Additional FeaturesThermal Cut-Off and Tip Over Protection
- Number of Heat Settings2
- Power1,500 W
Latest review: We bought this over a year ago. Worked fine the first winter. Put it on this April and it started tripping the powerboard, then the trip switch. Now it's stopped working altogether. We have
Price (RRP) $169
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality2.5 (2)
- Value for Money2.5 (2)
- Noise Level5.0 (1)
- Heating Speed4.0 (1)
- Temperature Consistency4.0 (1)
- Safety4.0 (1)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (1)
- Heater TypeFin & Column and Portable
- Colour / FinishWhite
- Dimensions 650 x 160 x 472 mm
- FeaturesThermostat, Timer and Wheels/Castors
- Additional FeaturesAnti-Frost Function and Tip Over Protection
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power2,000 W
Kogan Portable Panel
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: We had it on for 1 hour then it started too burn. My whole room was filled up with smoke. Do no buy this as it's dangerous as it will burn your
Price (RRP) $89 to $229.99
- Pictures
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality1.0 (1)
- Value for Money1.0 (1)
- Noise Level4.0 (1)
- Heating Speed1.0 (1)
- Temperature Consistency1.0 (1)
- Safety1.0 (1)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (1)
- Heater TypePortable, Convector & Panel and Wall-Mountable
- Colour / FinishBlack, White and White
- FeaturesThermostat and Timer
- Additional FeaturesThermal Cut-Off and Tip Over Protection
- Number of Heat Settings2
- Power1,000 W and 2,000 W
Latest review: We have been using the Dimplex Portable Electric heater for a few months now and we love it. It makes our lounge room feel and so cozy, it also makes the room look stylish. We also have two little
Price (RRP) $349
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.5 (8)
- Value for Money2.4 (8)
- Noise Level3.1 (8)
- Heating Speed3.1 (8)
- Temperature Consistency2.6 (8)
- Safety4.3 (6)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (8)
- Heater TypeFireplace and Portable
- Colour / FinishMatte Black
- Dimensions 597 x 510 x 340 mm
- Number of Heat Settings2
- Power2,000 W
Latest review: I am not sure about overall quality, or durability. The manual included is frankly garbage, extremely poor print quality, and the single diagram to show how to put on castors, is low res and not
Price (RRP) $159.99
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality3.0 (1)
- Value for Money4.0 (2)
- Noise Level3.0 (1)
- Heating Speed4.0 (2)
- Temperature Consistency4.0 (2)
- Safety2.0 (1)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (2)
- Heater TypeFin & Column and Portable
- Max Room Size 15 m²
- Colour / FinishLight Grey
- Dimensions 610 x 250 x 490 mm
- FeaturesThermostat and Wheels/Castors
- Additional FeaturesTip Over Protection
- Number of Heat Settings3
- Power2,400 W
Dimplex Oil Free Column Heater ECR Range
· includes 6 listingsLatest review: Extremely impressed. It heats up very quickly and the fan helps distribute the heat around our large room (40 sqm). I am comparing to an Anko brand 2.4kW heater we bought a year ago, and it had good
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.5 (6)
- Value for Money3.8 (6)
- Noise Level4.0 (6)
- Heating Speed4.3 (7)
- Temperature Consistency4.3 (7)
- Safety4.7 (6)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (7)
- Heater TypePortable and Fin & Column
- Colour / FinishAnthracite
- Construction MaterialMetal
- FeaturesThermostat, Timer, Fan and Wheels/Castors
- Additional FeaturesThermal Cut-Off, Tip Over Protection and Anti-Frost Function
- Number of Heat Settings2
- Power1,500 W and 2,400 W
Latest review: Heats up a small bedroom effectively, decided to spend a bit extra but got quality in return It is safe for extended usage (like whole night etc) and comes with a manual dial timer It takes sometime
Price (RRP) $119
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality5.0 (3)
- Value for Money4.7 (3)
- Noise Level5.0 (3)
- Heating Speed4.3 (3)
- Temperature Consistency4.7 (3)
- Safety4.7 (3)
- Smell Yes (0) · No (3)
- Heater TypeFin & Column and Portable
- Max Room Size 30 m²
- Colour / FinishWhite
- Dimensions 650 x 160 x 348 mm
- FeaturesThermostat, Timer and Wheels/Castors
- Additional FeaturesAnti-Frost Function and Tip Over Protection
- Power1,000 W
Latest review: This product is great! Perfect for heating a bedroom to a very comfortable temperature. The heater is very easy to use with a digital display. Used in babies bedroom to ensure the room stays
Price (RRP) $169.99
- Review Summary
- Specifications
- Build Quality4.4 (5)
- Value for Money4.4 (5)
- Noise Level4.2 (5)
- Heating Speed3.8 (5)
- Temperature Consistency4.0 (5)
- Safety3.8 (5)
- Smell Yes (1) · No (4)
- Heater TypeConvector & Panel and Portable
- Max Room Size 20 m²
- Colour / FinishWhite, Black
- Dimensions 430 x 760 x 240 mm
- Construction MaterialAluminium
- FeaturesFan, Thermostat and Timer
- Additional FeaturesThermal Cut-Off
- Number of Heat Settings2
- Power1,500 W
Which is better, a gas or electric heater?
Best for | Electric | Gas |
---|---|---|
Purchase Price | ||
Running Costs | ||
Small rooms | ||
Medium-sized rooms | ||
Large rooms / Open plan spaces |
Types of Electric heaters
Fan heaters · See all
Offering instant ‘spot heating’, a fan heater radiates heat to the person sitting directly in front of it, via a fan.
Convection and panel heaters · See all
Convection heaters blow cool air over a heating element, which converts into warm air that rises to heat a room.
Panel heaters are a type of convection heater with a slimline, low-profile design. You can wall mount them to save space, or move them around the house if they're portable. Some types, like micathermic panel heaters, combine convector and radiated heating methods, for even more efficient heating.
Oil column heaters · See all
Their columns, or fins are filled with oil, which radiates heat. Oil heaters heat a room evenly and thoroughly, with a superior ability to retain heat.
Radiant heaters · See all
Containing tubes that heat up and usually glow orange, these heaters use either a quartz or ceramic heating element. Also known as infrared heaters, heat is radiated into the air in a small radius, warming whoever is directly in front of them – making for an effective personal heater.
Ceramic heaters · See all
Designed with an inbuilt ceramic block, which absorbs heat that it radiates to a small area.
Other factors to consider when buying a new heater
Room size/watts
Watts (W) are units of power that measure heat output. The higher the wattage, the more expensive your electricity bill, so it’s important to select correctly for your room size.
If you’ve selected a large, powerful heater for a small room, the high wattage means you’ll waste money and energy. Select a heater with the lowest number of watts sufficient for your room size.
For smaller rooms (around 20 sqm), heaters should have around 1500W (or 1.5kW). A heater with around 2000W is suitable for a medium-sized room.
For larger rooms wattage can go anywhere up to 2400W.
You might also need a higher wattage with any of the following present in your room: high ceilings, uncarpeted floors, consistently high outdoor temperatures, or frequent drafts. Also try and shut doors and curtains to retain heat.
Cost
Buying a new heater can cost anywhere between $20-700, so you can choose to splurge or be thrifty. Fan and radiant heaters tend to be the cheapest, while convection and oil heaters are more costly.
Running costs depend on factors such as your electricity provider’s usage rate, how often you switch on your heater, and the heat setting you commonly use.
Also check the energy star rating of a prospective model – the higher the rating, the more you’ll save, and be kinder on the environment.
Generally speaking, oil heaters and infrared heaters take the win for cheapest to run. Oil heaters boast superior heat retention, so you can switch them off more often, while infrared heaters offer the lowest wattage per unit of heat.
Convenient extra features add on to the price, but can also make life easier. These include: built-in filters to prevent the spread of dust and other allergens, digital controls, a thermostat to maintain ideal room temperature, and timers, so you can come home to a toasty-warm house.
Safety features
Many electric heaters have additional safety mechanisms that reduce the risk of fire. These include:
- Automatic shut-off: Turns the heater off if you forget
- Overheat shut-off: Switches the heater off if the heat setting is too high, especially if left on for a prolonged period
- Tip-over protection: Turns the heater off if it’s knocked over, and
- Drip protection: Safeguards the heater from damage caused by water or condensation.
Along with an electric heater, an electric blanket or heated throw can complement your choice with wraparound warmth that clings to you specifically.
If you have a large space or are the most cold-sensitive household member, an electric blanket might even be a worthy cheaper alternative to a heater altogether. Whatever your final decision, rest assured there are plenty of heating options to make your home a cosy den of comfort when Jack Frost comes to visit.