Dreo

PTC fan heater Solaris 718

from £118.99

What we love
Quieter operation than most fan models, despite its power

What we don’t love
Relatively high energy usage

I was instantly impressed with this obelisk-shaped fan heater from Dreo. Within a few seconds of activation, it had begun to make a chilly room feel cosy. And after five minutes of heating at the highest of the five available settings, my jumper was well and truly off.

Why we love it
For a powerful fan model (drawing up to 2,000W), this is an impressively quiet heater, producing a deep, rushing sound as opposed to a harsh roar. I measured the noise at 46dB while using the highest setting – far quieter than any other fan heater I’ve tested. Operation is simple, with either the remote control or the on-unit buttons tapping into timed heating, lateral oscillation and a child lock. You can also use this as a tower fan for cooling, with three settings to choose from.

The Solaris 718 has some heat-sensitive features to guide or control your usage. The Eco mode automatically chooses a heat setting to keep the room at a specified temperature, and there’s an LED indicator ring on the top that glows different colours to tell you whether the room is cold or hot (how Dreo defines these states, we know not).

It’s a shame that … it’s quite energy-intensive on a high heat setting, and the elaborate grilles on the front and back of the heater are not the easiest to clean.

Temperature increase during testing: 5.9C
Average noise level: 46dB
Enclosure temperature after an hour: 40.2C
Running cost an hour on maximum: 52p
Size: 75.4 x 20.1 x 20.1cm (HWD)
Weight: 3.6kg

Dreo

PTC fan heater Solaris 718

from £118.99

What we love
Quieter operation than most fan models, despite its power

What we don’t love
Relatively high energy usage

Russell Hobbs

Oscillating ceramic 2kW heater

from £41.99

What we love
Quality and performance are great for the price

What we don’t love
Its on-unit controls are a trifle clunky

Although it’s compact and affordably priced, the Russell Hobbs oscillating ceramic 2kW heater promises the kind of powerful, efficient heating you might expect from a more expensive model. It has some higher-end features, too, including oscillation (the heater rotates) and an Eco mode that adapts heating to the room temperature.

Why we love it
Without a doubt, this is one of the best budget-friendly heaters I’ve tested. It spreads warm air throughout the room, even when used in its static mode. Activating oscillation with a press of a button on the remote control (or the on-unit control panel) only makes the effect more pronounced. The air directly in front of the heater felt very hot when I used a high temperature setting.

This heater has quite a low-pitched operating noise, and while it’s a little loud, I find this more agreeable than the high-pitched whine you get with some fan heaters. I also appreciated its small footprint, bleep-free option (perfect for timer-based heating at night) and safety features, which include automatic shut-off if the heater were to topple over.

It’s a shame that … the on-unit control buttons are a little tricky to press. But I’m splitting hairs here – this is a brilliant heater for the price.

Temperature increase during testing: 6.3C
Average noise level: 51dB
Enclosure temperature after an hour: 59.1C
Running cost an hour on maximum: 49p
Size: 33.5 x 15.5 x 14.8cm (HWD)
Weight: 1.9kg

Russell Hobbs

Oscillating ceramic 2kW heater

from £41.99

What we love
Quality and performance are great for the price

What we don’t love
Its on-unit controls are a trifle clunky

Everhot

Electric heater

from £1,369

What we love
Beautiful looks and top-notch cast iron construction

What we don’t love
You’ll need plenty of floor space to accommodate it

This cast-iron model is surely the nicest-looking electric heater of them all. It would make a fabulous addition to most interior schemes – especially if you have an empty fireplace or alcove that needs filling.

Why we love it
Far from just a talking point, Everhot’s heater serenely produces 1.5kW of heating power via its stove-top vent. It warmed the space effectively and near-silently during my testing, resulting in a gradual increase in room temperature.

The controls are simple, with just a power switch and heat-setting dial to master. Both components have a lovely finish, in keeping with the generally outstanding quality of the appliance.

While the door on this model is non-functioning, you can get a similar model with an integrated oven and a working door, which understandably comes at a higher price.

One note of caution: the top of this stove gets extremely hot during and after use, so this heater may be unsuitable in households with pets or children.

It’s a shame that … the price of this heater is too high for most buyers, especially if you’ll use it only occasionally. With that said, if you’re looking for an electric stove to use regularly, this one’s for you.

Temperature increase during testing: 3.8C
Average noise level: 34dB
Enclosure temperature after an hour: 105.2C
Running cost an hour on maximum: 41p
Size: 50.8 x 48.7 x 41cm (HWD)
Weight: ~40kg (each model is handmade, so some variation is inevitable)

Everhot

Electric heater

from £1,369

What we love
Beautiful looks and top-notch cast iron construction

What we don’t love
You’ll need plenty of floor space to accommodate it

Mill

Wifi max portable heater 1,500W

from £157

What we love
It’s effective and energy efficient

What we don’t love
Takes up more floor space than expected

Norwegian brand Mill promotes this heater’s wifi operability first and foremost – but I believe its real strength is its near-silent, highly efficient heating. Barely detectable by a sound meter, it subtly heated my cold living room to a comfortable temperature in less than 10 minutes while using less electricity than any comparable model.

Why we love it
There are two ways to operate the heater: via the Mill Norway smartphone app, or using a dial and LED display on the side of the unit. The app brings some fancier functionalities such as remote operation and weekly heating programmes, but the control that will really matter to most users is the on-unit dial, which effortlessly adjusts the thermostat to temperatures up to 35C.

Unusually for a heater, this model is bathroom suitable with IPX4 moisture resistance. That means it can withstand the occasional spray of water, although it definitely shouldn’t be used too close to the bath or shower. The oval-shaped base – which requires assembly using your own screwdriver – feels stable and is gentler on flooring than feet or casters.

It’s a shame that … the heater takes up quite a lot of floor space, and setting up wifi operation via the app proved fiddly.

Temperature increase during testing: 7C
Average noise level: 26dB
Enclosure temperature after an hour: 65.8C
Running cost an hour on maximum: 39p
Size: 38.5 x 62 x 24.5cm (HWD)
Weight: 5.5kg

Mill

Wifi max portable heater 1,500W

from £157

What we love
It’s effective and energy efficient

What we don’t love
Takes up more floor space than expected

Swan

700W plug-in mini fan heater

from £14.89

What we love
A useful option for warming up at close quarters

What we don’t love
Noisy operation and relatively limited heating power

Best for: small rooms too short on space for a conventional heater

This tiny power socket heater from Swan is designed to plug straight into an outlet and deliver warmth in your direction of choice. I had it set up and appreciably warming my living room within about 30 seconds.

In terms of extra features, Swan has kept this heater straightforward and practical. Using the controls on the top, you can adjust the output temperature and set a timed heating duration between one and 12 hours. Selected settings are shown clearly on the digital display.

You can also use the plug rotation button (on the right-hand side) to switch the heater’s position, which partly makes up for the restriction of using it only in a place where it can be plugged in.

It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s noisy. This heater would be best suited to people who spend a lot of time wearing headphones.

Temperature increase during testing: 2.4C; average noise level: 56dB; enclosure temperature after an hour: 60.4C; running cost an hour on maximum: 17p; size: 14 x 11 x 12cm (HWD); weight: 0.63kg

Swan

700W plug-in mini fan heater

from £14.89

What we love
A useful option for warming up at close quarters

What we don’t love
Noisy operation and relatively limited heating power

Duux

Threesixty 2 ceramic heater

from £89.99

What we love
Efficient, temperature-sensitive heating

What we don’t love
Flawed connectivity proves an obstacle to smart features

Best for: powerful heating with a small footprint

Looking like the defiantly well-adjusted love child of a smart speaker and an air purifier, the Duux Threesixty 2 is clearly the techiest heater on our list. Its minimalist design and pleasing packaging positively beg you to feature it in a social media unboxing video. On a more practical note, the Threesixty 2 delivers heated air in all directions, and has a PTC element that delivers temperature-appropriate heating thanks to its electronic properties (the element’s electrical resistance is such that it heats up intensely when the air is cold, and warms gently in milder conditions).

I felt the warming effect of this compact fan heater pretty much straight after turning it on. There are three on-unit temperature settings, giving you some control over the heat level – but less than you’d get with most heaters. As a simple, manual fan heater, the Threesixty 2 works great, thoroughly warming the space while making less noise than your standard fan model.

It didn’t make the final cut because … controlling this smart heater via smartphone or smart assistant is difficult. I found the Duux app too buggy to use.

Temperature increase during testing: 7.6C; average noise level: 54dB; enclosure temperature after an hour: 58.3C (lid); running cost an hour on maximum: 48p; size: 30 x 22 x 22cm (HWD); weight: 2.4kg

Duux

Threesixty 2 ceramic heater

from £89.99

What we love
Efficient, temperature-sensitive heating

What we don’t love
Flawed connectivity proves an obstacle to smart features

Devola

Wifi-enabled smart glass panel electric heater

from £119.99

What we love
Its sleek, contemporary design

What we don’t love
Elevated risk of breakage during assembly

Best for: extensive smart functionality at an affordable price

This smart-assistant-compatible glass-panel heater from Devola is as sleek as they come, with a well-integrated digital on-unit display and controls. Plus, connect it to your wifi and smartphone, and you’ll have access to advanced features, including voice control and timed heating. During my testing, it operated quietly and heated the space steadily.

A little assembly is required before use, with the exact steps depending on whether you wish to use the heater as a freestanding or wall-mounted unit. I chose the freestanding configuration and had the plastic feet attached to the bottom within a few minutes (taking great care during handling, as dropping this glass-panelled heater could be disastrous).

It didn’t make the final cut because … operating the heater with the remote control isn’t exactly intuitive. You need to go into its settings menu and set a temperature for each of the three operating modes, rather than raising or lowering the heat manually. Smartphone app operation proves easier.

Temperature increase during testing: 6.4C; average noise level: 34dB; enclosure temperature after an hour: 44.6C; running cost an hour on maximum: 48p; size: ‎47 x 65 x 8cm (HWD); weight: 7.68kg

Devola

Wifi-enabled smart glass panel electric heater

from £119.99

What we love
Its sleek, contemporary design

What we don’t love
Elevated risk of breakage during assembly

VonHaus

Small oil-filled radiator 1,500W

from £47.99

What we love
It costs little and works quietly

What we don’t love
Modest heat output

Best for: those on a strict budget

This small, portable, inexpensive oil-filled radiator is a practical choice for occasional use. There are just two controls to master: a power selection switch (which toggles between 600W, 900W and 1,500W) and a thermostat dial.

I found this radiator produced enough heat to make a chilly room comfortable, and it used relatively little electricity to do so. You can use the thermostat dial to set the desired temperature at which the heater will maintain the room – saving you from overheating and overspending on energy.

The heater is quiet, except for the occasional quiet gurgling of oil, which is quite a pleasant sound in my opinion.

It didn’t make the final cut because … it heats only moderately. While this model does a good enough job in a small space, it’s not suitable for heating a medium-sized or large room.

Temperature increase during testing: 2.7C; average noise level: 33dB; enclosure temperature after an hour: 70.6C; running cost an hour on maximum: 23p; size: 62 x 33.5 x 24cm (HWD); weight: 6.9kg

VonHaus

Small oil-filled radiator 1,500W

from £47.99

What we love
It costs little and works quietly

What we don’t love
Modest heat output