Best electric heaters UK (2026): oil-filled, convector, fan and panel

Dimplex describes this as a Thermocore column radiator with no oil to leak or top up, a frost setting and a 24-hour programmable timer with an LCD screen and up to four on/off programmes, per its manual. It sits at the simpler end of the radiator group on this page: no app and no remote, with rotary dials for heat and temperature. Compared with the same maker's ECR20 it adds the timer, which is the main reason to choose it. Dimplex's manual says it suits well-insulated spaces or occasional use, so treat it as a room heater, not whole-house heating.

Best for A bedroom or small living room that needs steady, quiet-running background heat with a built-in daily timer.

• Dimplex states it has an electronic 24-hour timer, three heat settings and a frost setting
• Oil-free column design with castors, and a 1.8m cable per the maker
• Safety cut-out on Dimplex's page, and a tilt switch in its manual

• The timer's backup battery needs about 72 hours plugged in to charge before it will hold the time through a power cut, per Dimplex's manual
• About 10kg, heavier than the convectors here

Who shouldn't buy it: You want app or voice control, or a lighter heater to move daily: look at the Devola glass panel or a convector instead.

De'Longhi's UK page lists the Radia S as 2000W maximum and 900W minimum with three power settings, a digital panel, an electronic timer and a two-year warranty. As an oil-filled radiator it heats slowly and keeps releasing warmth after switch-off, which suits steady use better than quick top-ups. Its digital controls set it apart from the dial-only Dimplex column radiators. It is a branded, established choice with UK support, though not the cheapest.

Best for A bedroom or lounge up to about 60 cubic metres where you want a digital thermostat and a timer.

• De'Longhi lists a digital control panel with temperature, power and timer setting
• Two-year warranty included, per De'Longhi's UK page
• Rated for rooms up to 60 cubic metres

• Slow to warm a cold room compared with a fan heater
• About 12kg

Who shouldn't buy it: You need heat within minutes of switching on: a fan heater responds faster, though it cools just as quickly.

The Select XLS is Herschel's plug-in panel line: the maker lists a fitted UK plug and a 1.8m cable, with wall or ceiling mounting, or freestanding on optional feet. Herschel says it pairs with its wireless thermostats and offers app and voice control; the Amazon listing notes no thermostat is included. Herschel gives a front temperature of 95 to 105 degrees, so keep furniture and curtains clear. Like any electric heater, it turns each watt into a watt of heat, and 400W suits a small room.

Best for A small bedroom or study where a plug-in wall or ceiling panel suits better than a hard-wired one.

• Fitted plug, so no hard wiring, per Herschel
• Wall, ceiling or freestanding with optional feet
• Herschel lists TUV GS approval and a five-year warranty

• No thermostat included, so temperature control means buying one
• Front reaches 95 to 105C per Herschel, so it is hot to touch
• Needs secure fixings into a suitable wall or ceiling

Who shouldn't buy it: You want one heater with a built-in thermostat and display: look at a freestanding model with integrated controls.

Devola says this 1.5kW glass panel suits rooms up to 20 square metres, mounts on a wall or stands on the supplied feet, and works with Alexa, Google and the Tuya app. It is the smart-control pick on this page, with a timer, child lock, frost mode and open-window detection listed. Panel heaters warm gradually and radiate as well as convect. At 7.5kg it is heavier than a convector, and a wall-mounted panel should be fixed as the instructions say.

Best for A living room or home office where you want scheduled, app-controlled heat without a bulky unit.

• Wi-Fi, a timer, a remote and an eco mode at half output are all listed
• Child lock, frost mode and open-window detection
• Two-year warranty on registration, per the maker

• Heavier and less portable than a convector, so best left in one room
• Smart features depend on a Wi-Fi connection and the Tuya app

Who shouldn't buy it: You want something to carry between rooms or do not use apps: a convector or radiator is simpler.

Herschel makes the Comfort range in the UK and classes it as a fixed low-temperature infrared heater: like other radiant panels, it warms people and surfaces in front of it rather than mainly heating the air. The HC-420 is the 420W size, 60x60cm per the Amazon listing, for wall or ceiling fixing. Herschel gives a surface temperature of 95 to 110 degrees, a five-minute warm-up and a ten-year warranty. Every watt of electric heat is a watt of heat whatever the heater type, so the case for a panel is comfort and placement, not a lower bill.

Best for A bedroom or home office of modest size that wants quiet background warmth.

• Square 60x60cm panel that fits most wall spaces
• Ten-year warranty and UK manufacture, per Herschel
• No fan, so it runs silently

• No built-in controls: Herschel says it meets Lot 20 only with its own controls
• Supplied with 1.8m of cable and no plug, so an electrician has to wire it in

Who shouldn't buy it: You want a heater you can plug in and control straight from the box: this one needs wiring in and a separate controller.

Herschel makes the Comfort range in the UK and classes it as a fixed low-temperature infrared heater: like other radiant panels, it warms people and surfaces in front of it rather than mainly heating the air. The HC-600 is the 600W size, 60x80cm per the Amazon listing, for wall or ceiling fixing. Herschel gives a surface temperature of 95 to 110 degrees, a five-minute warm-up and a ten-year warranty. Every watt of electric heat is a watt of heat whatever the heater type, so the case for a panel is comfort and placement, not a lower bill.

Best for A medium bedroom or living area where the wall space allows an 800mm panel.

• Mid-range output from a 60x80cm panel
• Ten-year warranty and UK manufacture, per Herschel
• No fan, so it runs silently

• No built-in controls: Herschel says it meets Lot 20 only with its own controls
• Supplied with 1.8m of cable and no plug, so an electrician has to wire it in

Who shouldn't buy it: You rent, or cannot fix a heavy panel to the wall or ceiling and have it wired in.

The ECR20 is the no-timer version of the Dimplex column radiator above, with a mechanical dial and three heat settings according to Dimplex. It is the lighter-on-features choice from a maker with UK support. Pick it if you will switch it on and off by hand and do not need scheduling. If you want the timer, the ECR20Tie is the same body with one added.

Best for A medium room where you want simple dial controls and no timer to program.

• Dimplex lists 2kW, three heat settings and a mechanical dial
• Oil-free design with castors; 1.8m cable per the maker
• Overheat cut-out and tilt switch, per Air Concentre's listing

• No timer, so it only runs when you switch it on
• About 10kg per Air Concentre, so heavier to carry than the convectors here

Who shouldn't buy it: You want it to start on a schedule: choose the ECR20Tie or a convector with a 7-day timer.

Dimplex describes the Eco Chico as a compact 700W oil-free radiator with a rotary thermostat and a frost setting. At 700W it draws far less than the 2kW heaters on this page, so it is gentle on the meter but will not lift a large room quickly. Dimplex gives it a three-year guarantee on its page, longer than several rivals. Think of it as a small-space or draught-chasing heater.

Best for A small bedroom, box room or office where low, steady warmth matters more than speed.

• Dimplex states 700W with a thermostat and frost setting, so a low draw
• Safety cut-out and tilt switch both listed by the maker
• Small and portable: 448mm high with a 1.3m cable

• Only one heat setting and 700W, so it is slow to warm anything beyond a small room
• Limited controls: no timer

Who shouldn't buy it: You need to heat a lounge or a cold extension: a 2kW radiator or convector fits better.

Dimplex rates the HeatLite for rooms up to 20 square metres and lists three heat settings with a thermostat dial. It is a plain, light convector from a mainstream maker, the sort of heater you plug in and forget the controls on. It is the simplest heater in the convector group here, with no app and nothing to programme. Convectors warm the air rather than you, so they suit a room you will be in for a while.

Best for Quick top-up heat in a bedroom, study or hallway up to about 20 square metres, without programming anything.

• Dimplex lists 2kW, 3 heat settings and an adjustable thermostat
• Tilt switch and safety cut-out listed on the maker's page
• Carry handles and plug-in use, with no installation needed

• No app control, and Dimplex describes dial controls only; its spec table also lists a digital timer, so check before relying on one
• Warms the air, so it feels slower than a fan heater when you walk into a cold room

Who shouldn't buy it: You want scheduled heating or a heater for brief, fast bursts: a timer convector or ceramic fan heater suits better.

De'Longhi's UK page lists the Capsule You&Me as a 2000W ceramic fan heater with 1000W as the lower setting, oscillation, a digital panel with remote, a timer and a tip-over switch. It is the most feature-rich fan heater here and compact at 1.3kg. Fan heaters respond fast but cool quickly, so it suits short spells in an occupied room. De'Longhi's page gave it a two-year warranty, and noise is listed at 45 to 48dB.

Best for A small room where you want quick, evenly spread warmth you can set with a remote and timer.

• De'Longhi lists oscillation, a remote and a digital timer
• Tip-over switch listed; 2-year warranty on De'Longhi's UK page
• Compact and light at 1.3kg

• Only two power settings: 1000W and 2000W
• Stated noise of 45 to 48dB is audible in a quiet bedroom

Who shouldn't buy it: You want quiet, constant background heat: a radiator or panel heater suits better.

Herschel makes the Comfort range in the UK and classes it as a fixed low-temperature infrared heater: like other radiant panels, it warms people and surfaces in front of it rather than mainly heating the air. The HC-215 is the 215W size, 60x30cm per the Amazon listing, for wall or ceiling fixing. Herschel gives a surface temperature of 95 to 110 degrees, a five-minute warm-up and a ten-year warranty. Every watt of electric heat is a watt of heat whatever the heater type, so the case for a panel is comfort and placement, not a lower bill.

Best for A small room, hallway or desk alcove where a low-output panel on the wall is enough.

• Smallest Comfort size, about 4kg according to The Eco Experts, so the lightest to fix
• Ten-year warranty and UK manufacture, per Herschel
• No fan, so it runs silently

• Only 215W, so it suits a very small or well-insulated space
• Supplied with 1.8m of cable and no plug, so an electrician has to wire it in

Who shouldn't buy it: You want a plug-in heater you can move between rooms: this is fixed and wired in.

Herschel makes the Comfort range in the UK and classes it as a fixed low-temperature infrared heater: like other radiant panels, it warms people and surfaces in front of it rather than mainly heating the air. The HC-850 is the 850W size, 60x120cm per the Amazon listing, for wall or ceiling fixing. Herschel gives a surface temperature of 95 to 110 degrees, a five-minute warm-up and a ten-year warranty. Every watt of electric heat is a watt of heat whatever the heater type, so the case for a panel is comfort and placement, not a lower bill.

Best for A larger living room with a clear wall or ceiling area for a 1.2m panel.

• The highest output of the Comfort sizes listed here, with the HC-850L
• Ten-year warranty and UK manufacture, per Herschel
• No fan, so it runs silently

• A 1.2m steel panel needs secure fixings and often two people to hang
• Supplied with 1.8m of cable and no plug, so an electrician has to wire it in

Who shouldn't buy it: You have limited wall space or cannot take a heavy wall load.

Dimplex describes the DXUC2BS as a 2kW upright ceramic fan heater with three power settings, warm or cool air and an adjustable thermostat. Fan heaters respond faster than the radiators and convectors here but cool down just as quickly and are noisier. It is the small, inexpensive end of a Dimplex-brand choice. Use it for short top-ups and keep it clear of curtains and fabric.

Best for Fast warmth at a desk, on a landing or in another small space you only use for a short time.

• Dimplex lists 2kW, three settings and a cool-air mode for summer use
• Adjustable thermostat and frost setting
• Tilt switch and carry handle listed

• Fan noise, and heat stops soon after it is switched off
• Not suited to running for hours in a large room

Who shouldn't buy it: You want quiet background heat for an evening or overnight: choose an oil-filled or oil-free radiator.

At 3kW this Dimplex draws about as much as a 13A plug is designed to carry, so it heats a large space faster than the 2kW models here, with two heat settings, a thermostat with frost setting and a cool-air option per the maker. That also means it must go straight into a wall socket, never an extension lead or adaptor, and it should not be left running unattended. Dimplex gives it a three-year guarantee on its page. For ordinary rooms a 2kW heater is the more measured choice.

Best for A big heat boost in a larger room or conservatory when you are in the room and can watch it.

• Dimplex states 3kW with two settings and a thermostat for large rooms
• Safety cut-out and tilt switch listed
• Slim and light at 1.3kg per the maker

• High draw: at full output it uses half as much again as the 2kW heaters here
• Fan noise, and no timer

Who shouldn't buy it: The room is small or you want something to leave running: a 2kW radiator or a lower-power heater is safer and cheaper.

De'Longhi lists the Capsule Hobby HFS30C24.DG with IP21 drip protection and a two-year warranty, and a UK retailer lists 1500W and 2400W settings, an adjustable thermostat, a two-position stand, a tip-over switch and a thermal fuse. That retailer puts it at about 45dB on higher settings, a noticeable hum. It heats a small room quickly but still suits short use. At 2.4kW it should go straight into a wall socket, never an extension lead, and must not be covered.

Best for A compact, higher-output fan heater for a workroom, hobby room or other small space used in short spells.

• Two power levels and an adjustable thermostat, per a UK retailer
• Tip-over switch, safety thermostat and thermal fuse listed
• Two-year warranty on De'Longhi's UK page

• About 45dB on higher settings, per a UK retailer
• At full power each hour uses 2.4kWh, more than a 2kW heater
• IP21 covers dripping water only, not splashes

Who shouldn't buy it: You want quiet background heat, or plan to leave it running for long periods.

Herschel makes the Comfort range in the UK and classes it as a fixed low-temperature infrared heater: like other radiant panels, it warms people and surfaces in front of it rather than mainly heating the air. The HC-850L is the 850W size, 45x160cm per the Amazon listing, for wall or ceiling fixing. Herschel gives a surface temperature of 95 to 110 degrees, a five-minute warm-up and a ten-year warranty. Every watt of electric heat is a watt of heat whatever the heater type, so the case for a panel is comfort and placement, not a lower bill.

Best for A long, narrow space such as a hallway or under a window where a landscape panel fits.

• Long, narrow shape for spaces a squarer 850W panel will not fit
• Ten-year warranty and UK manufacture, per Herschel
• No fan, so it runs silently

• A 1.6m steel panel needs several secure fixing points
• Supplied with 1.8m of cable and no plug, so an electrician has to wire it in

Who shouldn't buy it: The wall run is shorter than 1.6m.

Igenix lists the IG5200 as a 2kW convector at 2.0kg with three heat settings, an adjustable thermostat and carry handles, and offers a two-year guarantee when you register. It is a plain no-frills heater, closest in kind to the Dimplex HeatLite. The Igenix listing names overheat protection but does not mention a tip-over switch, which is worth knowing if a heater may be nudged by children or pets. The lower 750W and 1250W settings let you avoid running at full draw.

Best for A budget-friendly extra heater for a bedroom or home office, with a two-year guarantee on registration.

• Igenix states 2kW with 750W, 1250W and 2000W settings
• Two-year guarantee on registration, per the maker
• Light at 2.0kg and has carry handles

• Igenix's page names overheat protection but not a tip-over switch
• No timer on this version

Who shouldn't buy it: You need a tip-over switch confirmed by the maker or a timer: pick a Dimplex convector or the timer version.

Dimplex lists the DXFF20TSN as a 2kW flat fan heater with two heat settings, an adjustable thermostat with a frost setting, and a cool-blow mode for summer. It stands about 11cm high, so it sits low on the floor. Like any fan heater it warms the air fast and stops warming soon after it is switched off, so it suits short bursts rather than all-evening heat. Plug it straight into a wall socket rather than an extension lead, and never cover it or let fabric near the grille.

Best for A quick top-up of warmth in a small room or hallway you only use for short spells.

• Dimplex lists two heat settings, an adjustable thermostat and a frost setting
• Safety cut-out and tilt switch listed, and Dimplex names BEAB approval
• Dimplex lists a 3 year warranty and a carry handle

• Fan noise while it runs; Dimplex gives no noise figure
• At full power it draws 2kW, so each hour on that setting uses 2kWh

Who shouldn't buy it: You want quiet, steady heat for hours or overnight: an oil-filled or oil-free radiator suits that better.

De'Longhi's UK support page names the Dragon 4 TRD41025T as a 2.5kW oil-filled radiator with a mechanical timer; Air Concentre gives 1100W, 1400W and 2500W settings, a 24-hour timer set by knobs and a 75 cubic metre room rating. It is the highest-output radiator on this page, so it draws the most per hour. Air Concentre says registering with De'Longhi extends the warranty to 10 years. Neither source names its safety features, so it scores below the radiators whose makers list them.

Best for A large room up to about 75 cubic metres where you want strong oil-filled warmth and a simple mechanical timer.

• De'Longhi names a 2.5kW output with a mechanical timer
• Rated for rooms up to 75 cubic metres, per retailer listings
• Castors and cord storage, per Air Concentre

• Slow to warm a cold room compared with a fan heater, and no safety cut-out or tip-over switch is named on the pages checked
• Highest running draw on this page at full output

Who shouldn't buy it: The room is small or you need to move it often: the Eco Chico or a convector is lighter and cheaper to run.

Pro Breeze lists this 2000W mini ceramic fan heater at 1.44kg with three power modes plus fan-only, a thermostat, overheat protection and an anti-tip switch, for rooms up to 15 square metres. It is less established than Dimplex or De'Longhi, though Pro Breeze is a recognisable UK-sold brand. Noise is stated as 55dB, so it is audible. It is a short-spell heater, not a radiator replacement.

Best for A small, light heater for a desk, caravan or tiny room that is occupied while it runs.

• Pro Breeze states a thermostat, overheat protection and anti-tip switch
• Light at 1.44kg with a 165cm cable
• Fan-only mode for summer

• Stated noise level of 55dB is noticeable in a bedroom
• Sized for rooms up to 15 square metres only

Who shouldn't buy it: You want quiet, longer-running heat or a timer: pick an oil-filled radiator or a panel heater.

Dimplex describes the DEUF2N as a 2kW upright fan heater with two heat settings, an adjustable thermostat with a frost setting and a cool-air option. Dimplex gives its size as 240 x 190 x 125mm with a carry handle, so it fits on a floor or a clear desk. It heats quickly and cools quickly, and the fan is audible, so treat it as a short-burst heater. Use a wall socket, not an extension lead, and keep it uncovered.

Best for A small upright heater for a bedroom, study or hallway when you want warmth fast and only for a while.

• Dimplex lists 2kW, two heat settings and an adjustable thermostat
• Overheat cut-out and tilt switch listed by Dimplex
• Small footprint and a carry handle

• Dimplex lists a 1 year warranty, extended to 3 only if you register it
• Fan noise in a quiet room, and 2kWh used for each hour at full power

Who shouldn't buy it: You want a heater for a large or draughty room, or quiet warmth through the night.

Dimplex describes the Desk Friend as a compact 400W ceramic fan heater for desks and bedside tables, with two heat settings, two fan speeds, an adjustable thermostat and a detachable handwarmer. At 400W it uses a fifth of the power of a 2kW heater, but Dimplex itself says it is for personal warmth rather than a whole room. Keep it on a clear, stable surface and plugged into a wall socket.

Best for Warming one person at a desk or bedside when heating a whole room would be wasteful.

• Dimplex lists 400W, so an hour at full power uses 0.4kWh
• Two heat settings, two fan speeds and an adjustable thermostat
• Tilt switch listed, plus a detachable handwarmer

• Warms one person close by, not a room
• Dimplex's spec sheet lists a tilt switch but no separate overheat cut-out

Who shouldn't buy it: You need to bring a whole cold room up to temperature.