Using plug-in heaters can be a practical alternative to central heating, especially during chilly evenings or when working in less-used spaces. These portable heaters provide a quick warmth boost, making them ideal for home offices, guest rooms, and other chilly areas. However, it’s essential to monitor usage to prevent spiraling energy costs. Running a portable heater continuously at high settings can lead to significant power consumption.
In the UK, you can calculate the running costs of your chosen heater by checking your electricity tariff and the heater’s wattage. For accurate estimates, consider using an energy calculator. For instance, a 1,000W heater would cost around 26p per hour, which amounts to about £1.84 for an entire workday.
Smart and energy-efficient technology is increasingly common in modern heaters, with features like thermostats, scheduling, and eco modes designed to optimize energy usage. If you’re looking for cost-effective warmth, specialized alternatives, such as heated throws or electric blankets, offer affordable options that can save energy significantly.
For thorough information on your best heater options available, keep reading!
The Ultimate Guide to Plug-in Heaters
Dreo Smart Whole-Room Heater 714 – Best All-Round Heater
Pros
- Powerful and quiet
- On-device thermostat
- Smart features, including scheduling
Cons
- Running costs can be high: 2500W in the UK, 1500W in the US
Price When Reviewed: $99.99 without smart features
Best Prices Today:
$89.99
This heater has been our top pick, balancing price, design, and performance. Featuring a fan-like design, it allows for summer use with just the fan setting. At 2000W, it produces a significant amount of heat and quickly warms rooms thanks to vertical and horizontal oscillation. To optimize energy usage, take advantage of the thermostat and eco settings, allowing it to heat only when necessary.
The included app facilitates scheduling, ensuring you use it solely when needed. It also comes with a remote for convenient operation. The quiet operation, coupled with multiple safety features, makes it a reliable choice.
Note that the US model does not have the smart features and operates at 1500W.
Read our full Dreo Whole-Room Heater 714 review
Devola Smart Wi-Fi Glass Panel Heater – Best for Semi-Permanent Use
Pros
- Attractive modern design
- Great smart features
- Silent operation
Cons
- Heavy and not very portable
- Expensive to operate
Price When Reviewed: Not currently available in the US
Best Prices Today:
This sleek panel heater is excellent for semi-permanent installations in garden offices or less-frequented rooms. With wall-mounting or portable options, it’s both visually pleasing and functional.
The glossy finish adds to its appeal, while the integrated touch control and LED display ensure ease of use. Its smart features provide comprehensive control, making it a standout option.
This heater features an application to schedule heating, create smart home automations, and offer voice control compatibility. Ensure you check the wattage before purchase, as costs will vary with the model.
Read our full Devola Smart Wi-Fi Glass Panel Heater review
Dreo Oil Filled Radiator – Best Oil Filled Heater
Pros
- Silent operation
- Powerful heating capabilities
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- Costly to operate
- Lacks smart features
Price When Reviewed: $119.99
Best Prices Today:
If you prefer a traditional oil-filled radiator’s design and efficiency, the Dreo delivers in both style and performance. While it lacks smart technology, it excels in quiet heating.
Be mindful of energy costs, as it does not offer scheduling capabilities and runs at high power. Overall, it’s a strongly built option for cozy warmth during colder months.
Read our full Dreo Oil Filled Radiator review
Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09 – Most Affordable Dyson
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Excellent heating performance
- Offers heating and cooling functions
- Includes remote control
Cons
- High price point
- Limited color options in the UK
Price When Reviewed: $469.99
Best Prices Today:
$449.99
$499.99
Dyson’s Hot+Cool Jet Focus model serves dual purposes as both a heater and fan. While it is one of the more affordable Dyson heaters, it still carries a premium price tag. This model lacks some of the features of its pricier counterparts but provides efficient heating, oscillation, and a user-friendly experience.
It has an automatic shut-off feature that activates once the space reaches the desired temperature, which can help control energy consumption. However, take care with the wattage, as it operates at 2000W.
Read our full Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus AM09 review
Aeno Premium Eco Smart LED Heater – Best Energy Saving Heater
Pros
- Affordable operation
- Flexible floor-standing or wall-mounted use
- Adjust temperature settings easily
Cons
- Initial cost is high
- Not suitable for larger spaces
Price When Reviewed: $349.99
Best Prices Today:
$299.99
$599.99
This high-end heater may carry a hefty price tag upfront, but it compensates through exceptional energy efficiency, operating at under 0.8kW per hour. By translating the costs, this means roughly 18p per hour on constant heating settings.
The Aeno’s attractive glass design adds elegance while its smart capabilities let you monitor real-time energy usage, create schedules, and even operate the heater remotely.
Although Aeno suggests it can heat up to 30m², we recommend limiting use to 20m² for better results.
Read our full Aeno Premium Eco Smart LED Heater review
De’Longhi Capsule Ceramic Fan Heater – Stylish, Compact Design
Pros
- Stylish appearance
- Compact size
- Efficient operation
Cons
- Higher operating costs
- Noisier than expected
Price When Reviewed: $49.95
Best Prices Today:
This aesthetically pleasing ceramic heater is not the cheapest small heater available, but its design is both attractive and practical.
With a metallic body and ceramic finishing, it’s durable and portable, making it functional in both home and office settings. Its 1,800 watt output generates ample heat quickly, although at the cost of higher operational expenses.
While the heater’s size is ideal, it should be noted that it can be noisy, which may detract from its otherwise strong design and capabilities.
Read our full De’Longhi Capsule Ceramic Fan Heater review
Dreo Solaris Slim H3 Space Heater – Best Compact Heater
Pros
- Compact design
- Attractive aesthetics
- Powerful heating performance
Price When Reviewed: $74.99
Best Prices Today:
$63.19
$74.99
Dreo Solaris is a stylish heater that’s compact enough to fit under most desks or into tight corners.
It features three heat settings ranging from 900W to 1,800W, providing greater flexibility for temperature control. Although it lacks smart features, you can set a timer and enjoy oscillation for larger areas.
While its heating capacity may make it a power-hungry option on high settings, it is overall a charming appliance for personal heating needs.
Read our full Dreo Solaris Slim H3 Space Heater review
Mill Gentle Air Oil Filled Radiator – Intelligent Heat Control
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Smart energy-saving features
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Complicated control panel
- Hot side panels
- No wheels for mobility
Price When Reviewed: $329
Best Prices Today:
If you need an efficient heater for a room without central heating, Mill’s Gentle Air model is an attractive option. Complete with smart capabilities, it combines oil-filled convenience with fan-like quick heating.
The intelligent thermostat provides efficient temperature management, helping to prevent excess energy expenditure. The app can also monitor energy use in real-time.
However, assembly is required, and without wheels, portability can be an issue. While the price reflects quality, it can result in a higher initial investment.
Read our full Mill Gentle Air Oil Filled Radiator review
Dyson Purifier HP09 Hot+Cool Formaldehyde – Best 3-in-1 Appliance
Pros
- Visually appealing design
- Year-round functionality
- Formaldehyde destruction capability
- Integration with smart assistants
Cons
- Expensive investment
- Individual portability may be challenging
Price When Reviewed: $769.99
This appliance is a luxury investment but serves as three devices in one: a heater, a fan, and an air purifier. Stylish and functional, it suits various environments and helps maintain air quality.
The HP09 also effectively destroys formaldehyde in the air, a feature rare for air purifiers. However, its weight may limit mobility, making it more suitable for static locations.
Read our full Dyson Purifier HP09 Hot+Cool Formaldehyde review
Dreo – PTC Fan Heater – Best Desk Heater
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Sturdy construction
- Impressive power for size
Cons
- Limited utility of oscillation
Price When Reviewed: $49.99
This compact heater is perfect for placing on desks or under them, making it a great personal heating option.
Crafted from high-quality materials, the Dreo fan heater features a sleek design alongside useful features such as a removable dust filter. With four heat modes, including a fan function, it does an admirable job of maintaining warmth in close quarters.
However, at this size, oscillation may not deliver maximum benefit since it’s typically used in closer proximity. Ensure safety protocols are followed to avoid overheating or tipping accidents.
Read our full Dreo PTC Fan Heater review
Princess Smart Heating & Cooling Tower – Best 2-in-1 Appliance
Pros
- Highly versatile design
- Visually appealing
- User-friendly interface
- Great smart integrations
Cons
- Relatively high price
- Fan noise increases on higher settings
Price When Reviewed: Not available in the US
Best Prices Today:
This elegant heating and cooling tower stands out with its compact footprint and stylish design while providing both heating and cooling functions.
The smart capabilities, once connected with the HomeWizard Climate app, allow convenient remote access, daily scheduling, and even voice commands via platforms like Alexa and Google Assistant.
Despite the benefit of being bladeless, the fan can become noisier than standard circular units, particularly on higher settings. Nevertheless, this multifunctional appliance is a clever choice for year-round climate control.
Read our full Princess Smart Heating and Cooling Tower review
How We Test Our Heaters
We assess heaters in everyday settings rather than controlled environments. Products are tested over weeks, employing all their features in various contexts to gauge overall functionality.
FAQ
1.
Which heater is the cheapest to run?
If cost-efficiency is a priority, consider wattage first, as generally, the higher the wattage, the more it costs to operate. Additionally, using an online energy calculator can provide clearer insights into costs.
It’s essential to factor in the varying modes of the heater when calculating actual usage costs. The best method for accurate data is using a power meter or smart plug once it’s in daily use.
2.
Will a heater reduce humidity and damp?
A dehumidifier is the best choice for moisture content reductions in air. However, a heater can assist in alleviating condensation and damp issues by efficiently warming the air, increasing moisture capacity and mitigating damp issues.
3.
Is it cheaper to use an electric heater or gas central heating?
If you’re someone who prefers to heat themselves rather than an entire room, a plug-in heater could be the more economical choice. Having a closer look at the cost comparisons reflects that using one in isolation may be beneficial. However, for multiple people needing warmth simultaneously, gas central heating is usually more efficient.