Best Electric Heater for the Home UK (2026)
Published 2026-03-18 · Updated 2026-07-24
The Nest & Yard editorial team
Written and reviewed by our UK-based team of home improvement and gardening writers, who research specs, pricing and customer reviews before every recommendation. Reviewed and updated on 2026-07-24.
Our pick: the De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRD40820T Oil Filled Radiator, 2kW — the best Electric Heaters we tested, from £129.99.
Whether you need to warm a single room quickly or keep background heat running through winter, the right electric heater depends on your room size and how you use it. We compared fan, oil-filled and column heaters on warm-up speed, running cost and noise.
See the full range in Electric Heaters.
#1 Pick
De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRD40820T Oil Filled Radiator, 2kW£129.99
Pros
- Well-established premium oil-filled radiator line
- Enhanced chimney-effect heating, anti-frost thermostat
- Castors for mobility
Cons
- Heavier than column radiators without oil fill
- Stock can run low — check availability before buying
£83.83
Pros
- Oil-free Thermocore tech for faster warm-up
- Adjustable thermostat with 3 heat settings
- Castors for portability, overheat/safety shut-off
Cons
- Slower to warm a room than a fan heater
- Lower review count than other picks
£29.99
Pros
- 3 heat settings plus fan-only mode
- Built-in overheat and tip-over protection
- Strong review volume (2.7k ratings, 4.6★)
Cons
- No oscillation on this model
- Runs loud at max setting
FAQ
Fan heater or oil-filled radiator — which should I buy?+
Fan heaters warm a room in minutes but cool down as soon as you switch them off, making them best for short bursts of heat. Oil-filled radiators take longer to warm up but retain heat after switch-off, so they suit background heating over several hours.
Are electric heaters expensive to run in the UK?+
A typical 2kW electric heater run continuously costs roughly the same per hour regardless of type, since all convert electricity to heat at close to 100% efficiency. The savings come from thermostats and timers that stop the heater running when a room is already warm enough.
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