Best heaters for beating the winter cold
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Which heater is best for you?
Keeping your home cosy is essential, especially when the cold weather begins to bite. From portable electric heaters to fan heaters, there are lots of ways to turn a chilly room into a place of comfort. Unsure which heating option is right for your home? Check out our guide to the best electric heaters below.
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What types of space heaters are there?

Convector heaters
Convector heaters warm up to a comfortable temperature. They are best used as a backup or top-up heater, or for heating smaller spaces like spare rooms. Because they heat rooms by warming the air, they’re often less effective in spaces with little or no insulation.

Oil-filled radiators
Oil-filled radiators take time to warm up, but retain their heat for longer. Most have adjustable thermostats and variable heat settings, so you can easily control the temperature of a room. As they stay warm for several hours after they’ve been turned off, they tend to be more energy-efficient.

Panel heaters
Panel heaters provide instant warmth on cold days. They’re ideal for warming up rooms that are used occasionally, or as a back-up to the main heating system. Their slimline style means they won't get in the way or take up precious floor space.
Heaters that heat, cool and purify
These multi-purpose units can be used as an air purifier as well as a heating and cooling machine. They can rotate almost 360 degrees to deliver heated and purified air to every corner of the room.
Energy efficient heaters

Halogen heaters
Radiant heaters like halogen ones provide more direct heat, making them effective in drafty spaces with no insulation. They emit heat through a halogen lamp, which heats up the objects around it, not the air. Although they’re not designed for larger spaces, halogen heaters are good for warming up a small area within a room.

Oil-free heaters
Oil-free heaters take little time to heat up. They are light and very portable, so you can easily move them from room to room. Similar to their oil-filled counterparts, they warm up to a preset temperature and maintain that temperature level for as long as required.

Smart electric heaters
With a smart heater, you can wirelessly adjust your heating using an app on a smartphone or tablet device. This allows you to control your heating even when you are not home to ensure none is being wasted. Some smart heaters are also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to use voice commands.
Portable heaters

Fan heaters
Fan heaters are not capable of heating a whole room, but do provide a quick blast of warmth when you need it. They’re small in size and great for supplementary heating, especially if your central heating system takes a while to warm up. Some also have an option for cool air, making them great for the summer too.

Ceramic heaters
Ceramic heaters are often used as a secondary heat source. They mainly come in tower or desktop forms, and the ones that oscillate distribute warm air to all parts of the room, not just one direction. Unlike oil-filled heaters, they don’t get too hot to the touch, so they’re safe to use around children and pets.
Things to consider when buying an electric heater

Electric heater features
Frost protection - An electric heater with frost protection emits low-level heat when the temperature drops below a certain level.
Timer option - With a programmable timer you can set the heater to automatically turn on and off at any time. This is especially useful if a heater takes time to warm up.
Oscillation - Heaters that oscillate from side to side spread warmth evenly around a room. This function often gives a heater a higher coverage area.
Power output - If you’re looking to heat up a smaller room, go for a heater that uses less energy. For larger spaces, you’ll need a heater with at least 2kW of power.
Other heaters

Electric stove burners
For a more traditional look, opt for an electric stove burner. This type of heater is popular because of its classic looks and styling. It offers a realistic flame effect, which mimics the appearance of a real log or coal fire. Some electric stoves can also be operated by remote, so you don’t have to leave the sofa to turn up the heat.