11 Best Electric Heaters 2024 | Top-Reviewed Electric Heaters
Get your home ready for the chilly season with shoppers' top "great value" heaters.
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As temperatures start to drop and Aussies (mainly Melburnians) whip out their North Face puffer jackets and vests, many of us want nothing more than to stay in bed to escape the chill.
Thankfully, portable heaters exist.
But with the cost of living impacting everyone’s wallets, leaving a heater on overnight or for extended periods of time seems like nightmare power bill shock waiting to happen – unless you can find the right model that won’t ramp up your electricity use for a few hours of warmth.
Exactly how much you can minimise your heater's running costs heavily depends on your location, service provider and the size of your space, according to Appliances Online Category Expert Colin Jones.
“Having the correct size heater for your room is the best way to ensure you have the right heater for your needs,” he suggested.
“If you have a large area and a gas connection, I would recommend a gas heater. For bedrooms, I would consider a panel heater as these can be wall mounted or portable (depending on the model you purchase).”
What are some electric heaters we're loving right now?
The ceramic Pronti tower heater has caught our eye, with some bargain hunters calling it "real value for money". It has an ultra short warm up time of just three seconds, and has a slim and lightweight design that makes it easy to move between rooms and doesn't take up too much floor space. Plus it's under $100!
For particularly chilly days when you want to keep the heater running for longer, oil column models like De'Longhi's Dragon 4 Oil Column Heater with Timer are worth considering. These are great for extended periods and maintaining warmth for a decent amount of time after the appliance has been turned off.
“Heats my place up so evenly, the unit itself doesn’t get too hot and I love that it has a timer option. Seriously good heater (and) would highly recommend, 1000 times better than normal electric heaters,” raved a fan.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST ELECTRIC HEATER OVERALL
De’Longhi 1500W Radia S Digital Oil Column Heater
What You Need To Know
The De’Longhi Radia S oil column heater range is popular for a reason. Its fin design allows the unit to warm medium to large rooms within a fairly short amount of time (compared to other oil heaters), and can maintain long lasting heat (even after it’s been switched off).
There are three power settings to choose from, plus a handle and castor wheels for easy portability.
“You really do get what you pay for. This unit is more pricey but gives out excellent heat for its size. It has also been used in a bedroom overnight with it set to 23 degrees Celsius and it did its job perfectly in regulating the temperature,” praised a shopper.
“Love the easy, digital heat settings and the fact it doesn’t get too hot to touch,” commented another.
Although what really impresses reviewers is how well the heater uses minimal electricity, helping you keep your power bills low.
"This heater heats up very quickly and is good with electricity usage. (Our) bill hasn't been too big while using it," one person commented on the Myer website.
"Perfect heater for our babies' rooms, keeps the room at a consistent temperature and reduces heating costs as we don’t have to heat the whole house overnight," agreed a second reviewer.
BEST BUDGET ELECTRIC HEATER
De’Longhi Portable 2000W Convection Heater (HCM2030), $59 (down from $89) at Amazon Australia
De’Longhi Portable 2000W Convection Heater
What You Need To Know
Designed to heat medium to large-sized rooms up to 15 sqm, this De’Longhi convection heater can be used both in freestanding mode or mounted to a wall as a fixed heating appliance.
Weighing in at just 2.8kg, the space heater is also lightweight and portable enough to move around with ease, making it an ideal choice for spot heating on chilly days. You can also expect carry handles, along with adjustable knobs so you can easily change the temperature and power settings.
“Great heater. Love the option to adjust the thermostat and easy to adjust during the night. An absolute winner in my toddler’s room as it isn’t too intense and just helps take that chill off the air without being overpowering,” a reviewer raved.
“Small in size but heats up a room well. I consider the heater value for money, the size is a good feature for those of us who have limited area for use,” another wrote.
Pronti Electric Ceramic Tower Heater 2000W, $99 at Myer
Pronti Electric Ceramic Tower Heater 2000W
What You Need To Know
This Pronti electric heater has it all, boasting a quick three-second heat up time, 60-degree oscillating function and a wallet friendly price tag. The model also comes with a dial at the top of the unit with easy to read settings, making it handy for anyone who hates constantly losing a small remote or struggles with using the control panel on other heaters.
"Excellent heater. I bought this to replace my small fan heater which died and this one is great. It produces a lot of heat and I usually only have it set on low. Real value for money," an impressed shopper posted.
"We bought this heater to use in our bathroom which is starting to get a little cool in the mornings. It’s a good size, not too tall or wide and works very well. My husband feels the cold and has been using it when the mornings are colder. When I go into the bathroom after him in the morning the room is toasty warm. Our winters are going to be much more comfortable when we take a shower!" agreed another.
Nordic Low Profile Fan Heater (FH119N), $38 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Talk about affordable. Coming in hot under $40, this Nordic fan heater features two heat settings and an adjustable thermostat plus a fan to distribute heat evenly throughout the space. It's also compact enough for small rooms.
"Warms a much bigger area than I expected. Does the job well. We have two of them now and we're happy with them, especially for the price," praised a shopper on The Good Guys website.
BEST PORTABLE ELECTRIC HEATER
De’Longhi 2200W Electronic Ceramic Heater (DCH7992ER), $189 at The Good Guys
De’Longhi 2200W Electronic Ceramic Heater
What You Need To Know
Compact, portable and powerful, this 2200W Electronic Ceramic Heater by De’Longhi is a great all-round choice for rooms up to 15 sqm. With its modern monochrome design and digital display panel, the heater is an attractive addition to any room. It can also be controlled through the accompanying remote, making it a great choice for bedrooms.
"We use it in our caravan and have it set on low, running all night. (It has) worked great and kept us warm throughout the winter," a happy customer posted on the Harvey Norman website.
"This is the best heater I have purchased so far. It is quieter than my older one and it has a remote control, which is even better. The temperature setting is very easy to control and it can heat a reasonable size room (study room) in a short period of time," agreed another commenter.
BEST PANEL HEATER
Noirot 2400W Spot Plus Panel Heater (7358-8), $549 at The Good Guys
Noirot 2400W Spot Plus Panel Heater
What You Need To Know
Struggle with allergies all-year round, not just pollen season? This Noirot heater uses natural convection, rather than a fan function, to distribute heat and warm up a room. This helps prevent dust or dirt particles from circulating in the air, and potentially trigger allergy symptoms. The model has also been approved by the Sensitive Choice program, making it asthma and allergy friendly.
BEST ELECTRIC TOWER HEATER
$100 off Dyson Hot Cool Purifying Fan Heater (HP07), $899 (down from $999) at Myer
Dyson Hot Cool Purifying Fan Heater
What You Need To Know
Prefer a tall and slim design? Dyson's bladeless fan heater is year-round solution that not only keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer, but it can also maintain clean air in your home all-year round. This popular home appliance can be used as a standalone, fan, heater or purifier as well as a two-in-one purifying fan or heater. Unlike many other heaters, this can oscillate up to 350 degrees for maximum coverage. There's also a night mode for sensitive sleepers, plus voice control and remote control for convenience.
"Love the heat output and being able to warm the room before arriving home," praised a shopper.
"This sleek little bad boy is exactly what you need to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Quiet as a mouse and sexy as a fan can get... this is the perfect addition for your home," agreed another.
BEST ELECTRIC COLUMN HEATER
De'Longhi 2400W Oil Column Heater with Timer (DL2401TF), $199 (down from $239) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
This De'Longhi oil column heater packs plenty of convenience, from its pre-assembled castor wheels and on-board cord storage to the 24-hour timer that lets you program when you want your heater to run. The model additionally boasts a 500W fan heater to give you the extra boost of hot air and distribute it evenly around the room.
Shoppers are certainly loving the slim column heater, with one reviewer saying the unit "worked reliably and the fan and timer were an added bonus".
"Heats a large open lounge room with ease. The fan makes all the difference in distributing the heat. Tried to heat the same area up with an 11-fin 'non-fan' column heater but it was still cold," a happy commenter posted on The Good Guys website.
"Even on a low setting it warms my bedroom. Love it," raved an Amazon Australia customer, rating the appliance five stars.
"This heater is sooooo good! No more on/off clicking every few minutes like the old one we have. It stays on and heats the room very quickly. Highly recommend!" agreed a commenter.
"Wasn't sure if a heater this size (45 sqm) would be able to warm that space but it did very well. So easy to operate, too," a third praised. "Heats a large open lounge room with ease. The fan makes all the difference in distributing the heat. Tried to heat the same area up with an 11-fin 'non-fan' column heater but it was still cold."
De’Longhi 2400W Dragon 4 Oil Column Heater with Timer (TRD42400MT), $319 at The Good Guys
De’Longhi 2400W Dragon 4 Oil Column Heater with Timer
What You Need To Know
If one part of the room seems cooler than another, this is another De'Longhi heater that can help get rid of cold spots. Aside from a handy 24-hour timer, pre-assembled folding castors and cord storage compartment, this 11-fin column heater features a chimney design with coil fins that supposedly encourage fast air flow, helping cut down the heat-up time. It also continues to produce heat after it’s been turned off, giving you long-lasting warmth.
“Heats my place up so evenly, the unit itself doesn’t get too hot and I love that it has a timer option. Seriously good heater (and) would highly recommend, 1000 times better than normal electric heaters,” one reviewer wrote online.
“Don’t waste time and money on cheaper alternatives, this heater is the best of the best,” another commented.
BEST OUTDOOR AND RADIANT ELECTRIC HEATER
Heller 2400W Quartz Radiant Heater (HRH2400FG), $129 (down from $139) at Betta Home Living
Heller 2400W Quartz Radiant Heater
What You Need To Know
The warm glow of a radiant heater like this one from Heller is nearly as comforting as the warmth it gives on a gloomy day. It's equipped with three settings (800W, 1600W and 2400W), an adjustable thermostat for efficiency and a built-in fan to help spread the hot air.
“Fantastic heater. Warms the place up very quickly and love the built-in fan which isn’t noisy. Really well made,” a reviewer wrote.
BEST ELECTRIC FIRE HEATER
Dimplex Casper 2kW Optiflame LED Portable Electric Fire Heater (CAS20N-AU), $299 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
If you enjoy the idea of snuggling up by the fireplace with a good book, but lack an actual fireplace to sit in front of, an electric stove heater is the perfect solution. This electric heater by Dimplex uses Optiflame technology to create realistic looking fire and the cosy ambience of a traditional fireplace without any of the hassle or mess.
You can even use the electric fireplace without the heating function, allowing you to enjoy the appliance all-year round.
“The flame effects are surprisingly realistic and create a nice atmosphere. Also, it is great if you have little kids because the whole outside is cool to touch as the heat blows from underneath,” a reviewer wrote.
“What a lil ripper of a heater. Easy to operate looks great & easy to move from room to room. Very pleased,” another reviewer posted.
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If you’re really committed to cosiness this winter, why not stock up on some more top-rated products to keep you warm?
Dark Charcoal Oodie Weighted Blanket, $129 (down from $159) at Oodie
Weighted blankets have become hugely popular over the past few years, making now a great time to invest. Weighed down with a heavy materials like micro glass beads, the blankets are claimed to mimic the sensation of a warm hug, which can be very soothing when you’re feeling anxious or stressed out. You’ll sleep like a baby with one of these on – and you’ll be super cosy too.
If you’re experiencing anxiety or stress, it’s important to speak to your GP or a mental health professional about the options available that could assist you. Alternatively, please contact Lifeline by calling 13 11 14 or head here.
The Oodie Hooded Blanket, from $99 at Oodie
Oodies are a mash-up between a wearable blanket and a giant hoodie, and after gaining popularity during the 2020 isolation period, they’re back again to get us through another chilly winter. The machine-washable designs feature soft flannel fleece on the outside and warm sherpa fleece on the inside, ensuring that you stay snug even on the coldest of days. They’re also available in a range of fun prints, giving you plenty of great options to choose from.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING AN ELECTRIC HEATER
When choosing the electric heaters to include on this this list we evaluated several factors:
Type of heater
Heating performance not only varies between models, but the kind of heater you buy can also make an impact since they all circulate warm air a little differently. All portable electric heaters (and some gas heaters) you use at home are called space heaters, which is essentially a compact appliance designed to heat small to medium areas such as an entire bedroom or a section of an open living room. So, this includes your fan heaters, ceramic heaters, panel heaters and oil column heaters.
Keep in mind some brands may use the all-encompassing term 'space heater' when labelling certain models, such as the Dreo Solaris Slim H3 Space Heater, but still mean a ceramic heater (or any other type of heater).
For those who prefer a personal heater, ceramic heaters are great at spot heating (i.e. heating a particular area) but not warming up a whole room. Meanwhile, oil column heaters and ceramic heaters tend to be better at covering a wider area.
Square footage and wattage power
Not all electric heaters are up to the challenge of heating larger spaces, so it’s worth comparing models to find one with enough wattage power to heat your room. For smaller rooms with average insulation, you should be able to get away with an electric heater with up to 1500W of power. For larger rooms, you’ll want to look for a unit with 2500W or more.
Adjustable thermostat
Turning a heater back on after switching it off when the room felt hot and stuffy half an hour ago isn’t efficient. A thermostat helps you room stays at your set temperature and ensure the heater doesn’t overwork (i.e. use more electricity than necessary).
Timer
Many electric heaters now come with a timer, which is a great addition for both safety and convenience. It allows you to switch the unit off after you’ve fallen asleep so it isn’t running through the night, or have it switch on first thing in the morning so your home is nice and warm when you first get up.
Safety
Most electric heaters now come with an overheat production function and tip-over switch, but it’s still worth checking what’s available on each model. Features to look out for include:
- A thermal cut-out function that turns the heater off once it overheats.
- Automatic shut off switch that turns the appliance off after it has been running for an extended period of time.
- A tilt switch that turns the heater off whenever it’s tilted or falls over.
- Drip protection to protect the heater if any water drips onto the unit and fries the electric components.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best portable heater that meets your needs and budget, we asked Appliances Online Category Expert, Colin Jones for their expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a portable heater. In addition, our experienced team of writers read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best portable heater from premium to budget that will help keep you toasty all winter long.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN YOU LEAVE AN ELECTRIC HEATER ON ALL NIGHT?
Certain types of electric heaters can be left on for long periods, according to Colin, but it’s always best to check the manual of the model you buy to see what the manufacturer recommends.
“This will depend on the type of heater you have, for instance, panel, gas and column heaters are designed to run 24/7 and therefore suitable to keep running overnight,” he explained.
If you plan on leaving your heater running overnight, oil heaters are usually ideal because they retain heat really well and known to be more cost-effective when left on for extended periods.
Either way, you’ll want to look for a model with a timer and safety features like automatic shut-off and tip-over protection.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR POWER BILLS IN WINTER
Here are Colin’s tips on how to more money savvy and energy conscious when buying or using a heater this winter.
- When buying a heater, take into account factors like room size, whether you want to use your heater all the time or for specific periods, and whether you have a gas connection.
- If your heater has a heater, use this function to automatically switch your appliance on or off after a period of time.
- Keep your home well insulated because when heat rises, the warmth can escape through the ceiling. “Having proper insulation will not only help to keep the heat in your desired room, but also in the summer months to keep hot air out,” he explained.
- Seal off draughty areas in your home to ensure cold air isn’t returning back into the room, such as by purchasing door seals or simply checking the doors and windows are closed once you start heating up the space.
More Best Heater Coverage:
Best energy-efficient heaters to save power and money
Keep your home looking cosy with these electric fireplaces
More Coverage
Top portable heaters to buy in Australia
Looking for more winter warmers? Check out our news.com.au Coupons page for deals and offers on a wide range of retailers including Myer, The Good Guys and Amazon Australia. There are also brands like Sheridan, The Oodie to get both you and your home cold weather ready.
Also, sign up to our free weekly shopping newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest sales events and money saving tips.
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