Infrared heaters and panels for UK homes, compared (2026)
An infrared panel is a flat electric heater, hung on a wall or ceiling, that warms the people and surfaces in front of it rather than mainly heating the air, which is why a room can feel comfortable with a panel on before the thermometer says so. This page compares a set of panels sold in the UK on output, size, whether they come with a plug or need wiring in, the surface temperature the maker states and what controls they rely on. Every figure is the maker's own or a UK retailer's; we have not run or measured any of them.
By Tom Calder · Updated 21 October 2026 · 6 products, all price-tracked
Our picks by type
Photo: AmazonHerschel Select XLS400W
A small bedroom or study where a plug-in wall or ceiling panel suits better than a hard-wired one.
as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: AmazonHerschel Comfort HC-420
A bedroom or home office of modest size that wants quiet background warmth.
as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.All 6 compared
| Panel | Type | Max power | Controls | Safety | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Herschel Infrared Select XLS400W 400W Frameless Infrared Panel Heater (60x60cm) Best plug-in infrared panel Infrared panel, wall or ceiling · 400 W · None built in; pairs with Herschel thermostat · IP44 per Herschel; front runs at 95-105C A small bedroom or study where a plug-in wall or ceiling panel suits better than a hard-wired one. | Infrared panel, wall or ceiling | 400 W | None built in; pairs with Herschel thermostat | IP44 per Herschel; front runs at 95-105C | £258 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 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. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want one heater with a built-in thermostat and display: look at a freestanding model with integrated controls. | |||||
2. Herschel Infrared Comfort HC-420 420W Infrared Panel Heater (60x60cm) Best hard-wired infrared panel Infrared panel, wall or ceiling · 420 W · None built in; Herschel controls sold apart · IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in A bedroom or home office of modest size that wants quiet background warmth. | Infrared panel, wall or ceiling | 420 W | None built in; Herschel controls sold apart | IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in | £349 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 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. Good
Worth knowing
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. | |||||
 Infrared panel, wall or ceiling · 600 W · None built in; Herschel controls sold apart · IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in A medium bedroom or living area where the wall space allows an 800mm panel. | Infrared panel, wall or ceiling | 600 W | None built in; Herschel controls sold apart | IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in | £469 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 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. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You rent, or cannot fix a heavy panel to the wall or ceiling and have it wired in. | |||||
 Infrared panel, wall or ceiling · 215 W · None built in; Herschel controls sold apart · IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in A small room, hallway or desk alcove where a low-output panel on the wall is enough. | Infrared panel, wall or ceiling | 215 W | None built in; Herschel controls sold apart | IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in | £309 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 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. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You want a plug-in heater you can move between rooms: this is fixed and wired in. | |||||
 Infrared panel, wall or ceiling · 850 W · None built in; Herschel controls sold apart · IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in A larger living room with a clear wall or ceiling area for a 1.2m panel. | Infrared panel, wall or ceiling | 850 W | None built in; Herschel controls sold apart | IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in | £549 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 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. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: You have limited wall space or cannot take a heavy wall load. | |||||
 Infrared panel, wall or ceiling · 850 W · None built in; Herschel controls sold apart · IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in A long, narrow space such as a hallway or under a window where a landscape panel fits. | Infrared panel, wall or ceiling | 850 W | None built in; Herschel controls sold apart | IP44 per Herschel; no plug, needs wiring in | £619 at Amazon as of 21 Oct 2026, 10:37 BST · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched 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. Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: The wall run is shorter than 1.6m. | |||||
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Before you buy
Start with how the heat arrives.
A convector or fan heater warms the air, and the warm air then warms you; an infrared panel sends its heat out as radiation, so it warms your skin, the sofa and the wall opposite directly, and the air only slowly. Herschel describes its panels as fixed low-temperature infrared heaters. The practical result is that a panel feels pleasant where it points and does little round a corner, so it suits a room where people sit in one place, and it is a poor choice for a hallway people pass through or a room with many alcoves.
Treat the efficiency claims carefully.
Panel makers often say infrared is more efficient than other electric heating. What is true is that all electric heaters turn electricity into heat at the same rate, so the cost per hour at a given wattage is identical whatever the type. What differs is comfort: makers say that because the panel warms you directly you may be happy with a cooler room and switch it on for fewer hours. Judge any saving by how you would actually use it, and compare the running cost of the wattage you need using our electric heater running costs guide.
Then decide between plug-in and hard-wired.
Herschel's Select XLS panels come with a fitted UK plug and a 1.8m cable, so once fixed they go into a normal wall socket; as with any heater, avoid running one from an extension lead. Its Comfort range is supplied with cable and no plug and needs wiring in by an electrician; it carries a ten-year warranty and is made in the UK. Neither type has a thermostat built in: Herschel sells its controls separately and says the panels meet the Lot 20 rules only when used with them, so plan for a controller at the same time.
Fix it properly and respect the surface temperature.
Herschel gives a front temperature of 95 to 110 degrees for its Comfort panels and 95 to 105 for the Select XLS, hot enough to burn skin, so hang them where nobody will touch or lean on them, keep curtains, bedding and furniture clear, and think twice about a child's bedroom. A large steel panel needs fixings suited to the wall, into masonry or a stud rather than plasterboard alone, and often two people to hang; ceiling fixing needs the joists. Follow the maker's fitting instructions and clearances, and never cover a panel or dry clothes on it.
Bathrooms are a special case.
The IET Wiring Regulations divide a bathroom into zones around the bath and shower, with minimum protection ratings for anything electrical in each, and a fixed heater in a bathroom should be chosen and installed by a registered electrician, who will tell you whether a given panel and position are allowed. Herschel states IP44 for its panels, which covers splashes but is not a licence to hang one anywhere wet. A plug-in panel is the wrong choice, because ordinary sockets are not allowed within 3m of a bath or shower. Use your electrician's judgement, not the listing's.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its UK price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
Are infrared heaters cheaper to run than other electric heaters?
Not for the same wattage. Every electric heater, infrared or not, turns the electricity it draws into heat, so a 600W panel costs the same per hour as a 600W convector at the same tariff. Makers argue that because a panel warms you directly you can be comfortable with a cooler room and run it for fewer hours; whether that saves anything depends on how you use it, not on the panel.
Do infrared panels heat the air?
Mostly not directly. The panel sends out heat as radiation that warms whatever it lands on: you, the furniture, the walls and the floor. Those surfaces then warm the air a little over time. That is why a panel feels warm as soon as you sit in front of it and far less so round a corner or behind furniture, and why placement matters more than it does for a fan heater.
Can I plug an infrared panel into a normal socket?
It depends on the model. Herschel's Select XLS panels come with a fitted UK plug and a 1.8m cable and can go into an ordinary wall socket. Herschel's Comfort range is supplied with cable and no plug and needs wiring in by an electrician. Check the listing for the exact model, because two panels of similar size and output from one maker can differ on this.
Can I use an infrared panel in a bathroom?
Only with the right protection rating, in a position the wiring regulations allow, fitted by a registered electrician. Bathrooms are divided into zones around the bath or shower, each with a minimum IP rating, and a plug-in panel is the wrong choice because ordinary sockets are not allowed within 3m of a bath or shower. Herschel states IP44 for its panels; an electrician will say where, if anywhere, that is enough.
How hot does the front of an infrared panel get?
Hot enough to burn. Herschel gives a front temperature of 95 to 110 degrees for its Comfort panels and 95 to 105 degrees for the Select XLS. Hang the panel where nobody will touch or lean on it, keep curtains, bedding and furniture clear, and never dry clothes on it or cover it. If you have young children or anyone who might not move away from heat, choose the position with that in mind.
Do infrared panels come with a thermostat?
The Herschel panels here do not. Herschel sells its thermostats and controllers separately and says the panels meet the Lot 20 heater rules only when used with its own controls. Without a thermostat the panel simply runs whenever it is on, so allow for a controller when you work out the cost. A controller also lets a panel switch on before you get home.
