Best Electric Heaters

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.