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Electric heaters are a must-have during the cold season of the year. Moreover, the habitable space in your home can become quite uncomfortable when the temperature plummets. Electric heaters are not only energy-efficient but also safe for the environment. Besides, there is no combustion or emission of gases during the heating process.
These pieces of equipment will allow you to raise the temperature inside your room to the preferred level without impacting air quality. Additionally, electric space heaters have variable temperature control systems, making them even more convenient. Plus, they come in a range of sizes and also have different features and functionalities.
TL; DR: The #1 Electric Heater for Most People 👇
The De’Longhi Slim Style Panel Heater has all the features that you may look for in a standard panel heater. It is equipped with two Hi-Fi fans that allow it to dissipate heat over a wide area within a limited duration.
As if that is not enough, it has a timer function and great safety features that you can count on. It ticks all the boxes, making it one of the best options that you can add to your cart! 🙌
Choosing a heater can be a bit tricky since there are so many options on the market. Furthermore, the research process is both exhausting and time-consuming. As such, we’ve picked for you some of the best electric heaters that are currently available in Australia. If you don’t have time to go through this review list product by product, the quick links below can direct you to the section that you want to read.
The Best Electric Heaters to Buy Today in Australia
- Best Overall Electric Heater: De’Longhi Dragon 4 1500 Model (TRD41500ET)
- Best for Most People: De’Longhi Slim Style Panel Heater
- Best Heater for Small Room: Vornado Vmh350 Whole Room Heater with Remote Control
- Best Heater for Apartment: Hysure Portable Heater
- Best Ceramic Fan Heater: De’Longhi HFX65V20
- Best Heater for Baby Room: De’Longhi DCH7092ER Electronic Ceramic Fan Heater
- Best Oscillating Heater: Heller 2000W Electric Portable Ceramic Fan Heater
- Best Electric Heater for Energy Efficient: Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Ceramic Heater
- Best Heater for Bedroom: De’Longhi Portable Convection Heater
1. Best Overall Electric Heater: De’Longhi Dragon 4 1500 Model (TRD41500ET)
Why we like it:
- Brilliantly efficient
- 7-year warranty
- Usual De’Longhi quality
- Superb safety features
What customers say:
“This is a very good heater, I like that I can set up preferable temperature and heater will heat exactly to this temperature in your room. also I cab set up time to start the heater, so when I come from work it’s nice and worm in my apartment. On top of this I love the design. This heater worth it’s cost.”– Val
We picked the De'Longhi Dragon 4 1500w Model as best overall in our list of best electric heaters because it impressed us in so many ways during the testing process. We tested it in the second week of July when temperatures were extremely low at around 12°C.
It increased the room temperature by 3°C after two and half hours of running at maximum heat setting. This is quite impressive considering the ceiling in the test room is around 3m high. Based on the results that it delivered, we can confidently say this is a powerful unit that can you can count on in all scenarios.
Furthermore, it offers a long list of features that you will find helpful when warming your space. Best of all, it has straightforward control panel that will give you quick access to all the functions. We didn’t experience any problem switching from one heating mode to another during testing.
With a wattage rating of 1500W, this electric heater can effectively warm up small to medium-sized rooms. But you can as well use it for warming large spaces. The only problem is that it may take a longer time to raise the room temperature to the desired level.
It produces effective levels of heat through its 7 heating columns that are capable of heating rooms up to 45m3, which is plenty for most people. As with all oil-based heaters, it offers excellent heat retention even after it has been switched off.
This, in combination with the Eco Plus function that optimises the energy consumption based on the exact target temperature, makes this heater one of the best energy-efficient units on our list.
2. Best for Most People: De’Longhi Slim Style Panel Heater
Why we like it:
- Double fan design for effective heat distribution
- The tilt switch automatically shuts off the heating system if the heater accidentally topples over
- It utilises Hi-Fi technology for rapid heating
- Both the timer and the thermostat are programmable
What customers say:
“I purchased this heater to heat up a large living room and wasn’t expecting it to warm up the entire room. It’s super quiet and looks great.”–Houman
Based on our research, the De'Longhi Slim Style Panel Heater is one of the most liked units. Its performance was somewhat similar to that of the De’Longhi Dragon 4, but the main difference is that this model packs more power.
More to this, it does not have oil columns, so you won’t have to worry about it leaking over time. This panel heater distributes heat through convection, and that is why it is fitted with Hi-Fi fans for increased heating performance.
It continuously spread warm currents of air throughout the test room, increasing the temperature by 2°C in the first hour. This unit has three dials that will allow you to adjust the temperature, fan speed, and on-board timer according to your heating needs.
With a maximum heat output of 2,000 watts, this heater can adequately warm up medium-sized rooms that are up to 60 cubic meters (m3). In addition to this, it has a compact design, meaning it won’t take up a lot of space in your room. Moreover, you can use it as a freestanding unit and can also be mounted on the wall.
The mounting brackets are included in the package, so you won’t have to buy them separately. This equipment is double insulated to prevent heat loss, thus lowering your heating cost. The auto-shutoff function will be automatically engaged when the heater tips over. We tried out this feature and it worked like a charm.
3. Best Heater for Small Room: Vornado Vmh350 Whole Room Heater with Remote Control
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The is without a duoubt one of the best units that you can buy for small rooms. It is not as large as the first two heaters, but it generates a lot of heat, making it a great choice for anyone who is looking to heat up small spaces up to 20 square meters.
Like the De’Longhi Slim Style Panel Heater, the VMH350 is a convection heater. It has two heating modes that you can use depending how cold the weather is. Plus, it is equipped with a high-performance fan, which disperses heat uniformly. We could feel its warmth from all corners of the room after two hours.
The control panel is placed on the top side to give you direct access to the heating functions. Alternatively, you can use the included remote control when tuning the heating system. This will allow you to make adjustments from the comfort of your chair.
When it comes to durability, the housing is entirely made of high-quality steel and powder-coated to prevent rust. On top of that, this heater doesn’t have one but two digital displays that allow you to view the temperature readouts from different points.
One of the LED displays is placed on the front panel, so you’ll be able to see the temperature readings even when seated across the room. And the fact that the readouts are displayed in large font makes the digital interface even more convenient.
And like most high-end electric heaters, the Vornado VMH350 has a tip-over protection feature that will trip the circuitry system if the unit topples over. The fan system employs vortex action, which allows for the continuous flow of warm air inside your room.
This heater can run for long hours without it overheating. The housing remained cool-to-touch throughout the period that we tested the heater. You can use the auto-off timer function to schedule your preferred heating time.
Although it took a longer time to warm up our room, we feel that the Vornado VMH350 has a lot of potential and can deliver exceptional results when used in the right size of room. If you are looking for a small but powerful electric heater, the Vornado VMH350 can be a great pick.
4. Best Heater for Apartment: Hysure Portable Heater
Why we like it:
- Small enough to be moved around easily
- Has a filter that’s removable and washable
- Has an easy-to-set timer
- Comes with a safety child-lock
What customers say:
“It was a great purchase. It’s quiet and puts out a lot of heat in a short period of time. The swing option, which we never thought we’d use in our bedroom has been great because it lets us heat up the entire room more evenly.”– Sean Kaye
Great things come in small packages, they say, and this portable heater sure proves that saying right! The Hysure Portable Heater is a compact and portable heater that you can use whenever you need to heat up your apartment.
What we like most most about this heater is that it has two heat settings for you to choose from – 850W and 1500W. For faster heating, choose the latter and for slow yet steady warmth, go for the former. We tested it at 1500W since we were mainly interested in seeing how much heat it can generate when the settings are maxed.
Its small build allows you to move it around easily wherever you need it the most. Need to warm up your bedroom? Need to keep yourself warm while you work? Unplug it, lift it up with its built-in handles, and carry it to where you need its warmth.
And it heats up fast too. Within two seconds of plugging in and turning on, you get warm air blowing at you at the temperature that you desire. We had to sit close to the heater to feel its warmth, so it may not be the best option for warming large rooms.
If you want to use this heater with a timer, you can do so with a simple push of a button. One press on the timer button sets it to turn off in an hour. Want it to turn off in 2 hours or 4 hours? Press the corresponding number of times for each hour you want the heater to stay on. Indicator lights will show you how much time has been set for the timer function.
The Hysure Portable Heater also comes with a washable filter. Just remove it from the device after turning it off and wash with soapy water. Wipe dry before returning to your heater.
Also worth mentioning is the child lock feature . When there are kids around and you don’t want them to fiddle with this heater, press the child lock button for 3 seconds and they can’t play with the buttons on the heater. To deactivate, just hold the same button for another 3 seconds.
5. Best Ceramic Fan Heater: De’Longhi HFX65V20
Why we like it:
- Fitted with a safety thermostat to prevent overheating
- Built-in anti-dust filter for cleaner and healthier air
- Easy to use control panel for quick customisation
- It has Eco-Plus mode for conserving energy
What customers say:
“I love my heater…it’s very silent, warms up well, looks smart and takes up very little space. I haven’t used the remote control, as I just put it on in my studio when I need it. Brilliant!!”–London Walker
Stay toasty in winter with the De'Longhi HFX65V20. Equipped with a 2000W ceramic heating element, this electric heater will keep you and your family warm when the temperature plummets.
It is fitted with a powerful fan that ensures heat is distributed evenly, allowing for uniform heating. In addition to this, it features an oscillating base that allows you to direct airflow to specific spots in the room. More on the base, it has a large surface area to increase stability, so don’t expect this heater to topple over.
Besides, the heater has an auto-shutoff function that will kick in automatically when the unit tips over. And like most electric heaters in its class, the De’Longhi HFX65V20 distributes heat through convection for maximum coverage.
Thanks to its lightweight design, you can move this fan heater from one room to the next without straining yourself. You will be happy to know that the motor runs quietly, so it won’t interfere with your sleep. The control panel is strategically placed at the top to give you direct access to the heater functions.
Plus, the heater comes with remote control, meaning you can make changes to the heating system without leaving your comfy seat. This electric heater has a built-in anti-dust filter that can effectively remove allergens and contaminants from the air around you.
The filter is not only removable but also washable, so you can use it multiple times without needing replacement. This tower heater has a small footprint and can be placed just about anywhere.
When the Eco mode is engaged, the HFX65V20 will keep you warm while cutting down power consumption. The anti-frost function will automatically be triggered when the temperature drops below 5º C, thus allowing the appliance to run efficiently in extreme conditions.
6. Best Heater for Baby Room: De’Longhi DCH7092ER Electronic Ceramic Fan Heater
Why we like it:
- Anti-frost function for low-temperature conditions
- Intuitive controls for quick customisation
- Oscillating base for uniform heating
- Tip-over switch for maximum safety
What customers say:
“Love this heater. It’s so worth the money! Warms up our house’s main room instantly and uses less electricity. 10/10.”–Laura
The De'Longhi DCH7092ERElectronic Ceramic Fan Heater is one of the quietest units that we tested, making it ideal for baby rooms. We recorded 36dB when the fan was running at maximum speed, which is great compared to most electric heaters with a similar design.
This electric heater has three heat settings that you can apply based on your needs. Similar to most electric heaters from De’Longhi, the DCH7092ER features an Eco mode for reduced energy consumption. This allows the machine to heat your room while using the least amount of electricity.
Since the manufacturer cares about your health, the heater has an on-board air filter that can remove contaminants from the air around you. This will greatly improve indoor air quality, allowing you to breathe clean air.
The heater utilises ceramic technology for fast and efficient heating. It can also regulate the heat output based on the setting that is applied. Included in the package is a remote control for added convenience.
For your safety and that of your family, this unit is fitted with a reliable thermostat that will trigger the auto shut down function when the internal temperature of the heater rises beyond the recommended limit.
The stay-cool handles will allow you to carry the heater without burning your hands. This unit has a simple control panel with a backlit digital display that will simplify your work when customising the heating system.
7. Best Oscillating Heater: Heller 2000W Electric Portable Ceramic Fan Heater
Why we like it:
- Stylish design
- With timer and remote control
- Has two heat settings
- Filter is removable and easy to clean
What customers say:
“This is a good little heater that does exactly what it is supposed to do. One thing to be aware of, though, is that the safety switch on the bottom of the unit needs to be on a solid surface…”– Margaret C.
When you want a heater that has a directional functionality to it, the Heller 2000W Electric Portable Ceramic Fan Heater is a great choice. Since it has an oscillating function, you can direct heat all over the room. This same directional feature can help warm up a 10 square meter room in 20 minutes.
If you want to direct the heat at yourself, you can also do that by just facing the heater in your general direction. It can warm you up effectively while it oscillates, hitting you with warm air as it turns from left to right. If you’re in bed and you’re using this heater to keep you warm while you sleep, you get evenly distributed heating with its oscillating movements blowing warm air from your feet to your head.
This heater uses a ceramic heating element to warm up the air around it, which is then blown out by the unit’s fan. Choose from two power settings – 1000W and 2000W. This will give you temperature settings that range from a cooler 10 degrees Celsius to an amply warm 35 degrees Celsius.
If you want the heater to turn off after some time, you can always set the timer that is on it. Set it to turn off after 8 hours or earlier, depending on your preference.
When you find that you’re becoming too warm but don’t want to get up to turn off the heater, the remote control comes in handy here. Turn it off when you want to cool down the room a bit and turn it back on easily when it starts to feel chilly after a while.
And since it’s portable and lightweight enough to be moved around the house or office, you can always lift it up and place it where you need it. Weighing a mere 2.5kg, you can easily move it around whenever needed.
8. Best Electric Heater for Energy Efficiency: Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Ceramic Heater
Why we like it:
- Multimode design allows you to select cold or warm air
- Wide-angle oscillation for maximum coverage
- Compact and lightweight for easy portability
- Tip-over protection makes it safe
What customers say:
“…It’s great if you like to increase your room to room temperature (about 20 degrees) during cold winter mornings and evenings. Swing mode is very handy.”–Angela
If you are looking to cut down your electricity bill, Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Ceramic Heater may just be the right unit for you. This ceramic heater may be small, but don’t let its size fool you. The most impressive thing about this heater is that it features a multimode heating system.
It allows you to use the cooling function or heating mode, so you can use it throughout the year. Moreover, it is the only heater on the list with this feature, making it an option that is worth trying out. When using the heating function, you can set the heater at 450 watts or 950 watts.
As you may have noticed, its maximum heat output is low compared to other heaters on the list. However, it can still provide you with great results if you position strategically in your room. Like most ceramic heaters, this unit heats rapidly and also spreads the heat uniformly through the convection process.
Also, it does not consume a lot of energy and is equally safe for the environment. The swing function allows the heater to disperse heat at a wider angle, thereby increasing the area of coverage. As such, it won’t take long for the room to warm up to your desired level.
Due to its compact design, the Bitzong HA0001BK is not only ideal for household use but can also be a great addition to your office. Furthermore, you can place the heater just about anywhere without it cramping your space. It has multiple safety functions, so you won’t have to worry about anything while warming your room.
If the heater falls over, the intelligent circuitry system will automatically trigger the thermal cut-out function, thus shutting down the heating system. This makes it safe for toddlers and household pets. Its main disadvantage is that it is not very efficient when it comes to warming large rooms. If you want to get good results, you should use this heater in rooms that are no larger than 16 square metres (m2)
9. Best Heater for Bedroom: De’Longhi Portable Convection Heater
Why we like it:
- Overheat protection to prevent accidental fires
- Double insulated for optimum heat retention
- Convenient carry handle
- You can use it as a freestanding heater or wall-mounted unit
What customers say:
“..This little heater warms up the room within minutes & once it’s warm you can adjust it to maintain temperature. It’s not fancy, exciting, or decorative, but it does the job, works well & is light & portable.”–Ben Hackett
If you are looking for an electric heater for your bedroom, the De'Longhi Portable Convection Heater may just end your search. This convection heater is a bit small compared to most of the units that we tested, but it can effectively warm large bedrooms up to 15 square meters.
Its slim design makes it a suitable option for users who want to save on space. And like all the electric heaters that we have hand-picked for you, the De’Longhi HCM2030 delivers instant heat while keeping energy consumption at a minimum. It filled our room with warm air within the first 40 minutes.
The heating element on this unit is highly conductive and will ensure your room stays warm even when it’s freezing cold outside. This heater has well-placed vents, which allow air to move freely in and out of the heating chamber.
When warm air is dissipated, it will be replaced by cold air almost instantly, providing you with unlimited warmth. This unit can run extensively without it blowing out or damaging the adjacent surfaces.
It won’t ruin the paint on your wall, and neither will it scorch your carpet. However, you should avoid placing the heater directly on top of the floor rug for your safety and that of your family.
The mechanical thermostat will give you maximum control over the heating element, so you can fine-tune the heater based on the amount of heat that you need. Besides, the adjustable knob will allow you to make the needed changes in seconds. This is one of the best electric heaters that we tested, so you can purchase it without worries.
How We Researched the Best Electric Heaters
Our team started by conducting extensive research that lasted about 3 weeks, taking into account key factors of consideration for choosing the most reliable electric heater. We then picked 9 of the best electric heaters in Australia and tested them between June and August to see how they perform in Australia’s unforgiving cold weather.
The two main aspects that we were focused on testing are heating capacity and energy efficiency, but we also tested factors such as ease of operation and setup, noise level, and maintenance. We conducted the tests in a 35 square metre living room in melbourne with the windows and doors closed.
Firstly, we shut off our HVAC system and measured the ambient air temperature after two hours using the Inkbirdplus environment monitor. The measurements were taken three times, after which we averaged the results and got 18°C as the room temperature. However, the ambient temperature varied throughout the testing period, so this is just but an average of everything.
After this, we placed each heater at the centre of the room to maximise heat dissipation. Additionally, we ran the heaters at their max setting to check how effective they are when pushed to the limit. We let each of the heaters run for 3 hours straight and then recorded the temperature.
From this, we subtracted the baseline reading (18°C) to get the temperature increment. This was done for each hour that a given unit was running. We did this over the three month period—testing four electric heaters every month until we were done with the nine units that we had picked.
Also, we measured the noise produced by each heater using the Autens Decibel Meter. There was a noticeable variation in heat output, noise level, and overall performance for each heater that we tested. We compiled all the data and compared the heaters based on our notes and the performance of each unit during the three hours of testing.
Electric Heaters: Buying Guide
Electric heaters are essential in the winter months. With the right space heater in your home, you won’t have to worry about the cold. Nonetheless, finding an electric heater is no easy task. This is primarily because each brand claims to be the best, so you can easily get confused when comparing the available options.
Plus, there are different types of heaters, and each employs a different technique of heating. As such, you need to learn everything there is to know about these appliances before spending your money on one. We have created this buying guide to help you find the best heater for your heating needs.
Types of Electric Heaters
Below we have outlined the majority of different electric heater types. The Australian Energy Department also has a section on electric heaters here.
Column heaters
Column heaters, commonly known as oil-filled column heaters, are one of the most common types of electric heaters. As the name suggests, these heaters feature oil-filled columns that dissipate heat through radiation and convection.
When the heater is plugged into an outlet, the oil inside the columns is heated and circulated throughout the unit repeatedly, thus keeping your room warm. Oil-filled heaters are very efficient and can keep your room warm for a few hours even after they’ve been turned off.
However, they tend to be heavy, and that is why most of them are fitted with castors to allow for easy portability. The De'Longhi Dragon 4 is one of the best oil-filled column heaters that you can buy in Australia.
Panel heaters
Panel heaters are very popular because of their space-saving design. They utilise powerful heating elements that warm the air that has been drawn into the heater. The warmed air is then circulated to the cold spots of the room through the process of convection.
Depending on the model that you go for, you can mount these heaters on the wall or use them as freestanding units. The De'Longhi Slim Style Panel Heater can be a great choice for those who are looking for a panel heater.
Ceramic heaters
These types of electric heaters are fitted with ceramic plates with high heat conductivity. Once the plates are heated, the heater will automatically disperse the heat throughout the room. There are two main types of ceramic heaters—convection and radiant.
The former is equipped with fans, which blow warm air to the cold regions of the room. On the other hand, radiant ceramic heaters can radiate heat directly since they don’t have fans. Most people prefer using ceramic heaters because they are less costly, safer, energy-efficient, and easy to operate. Additionally, they are lightweight and equally portable.
If you are looking for a ceramic electric heater, you can go for the Devanti 2400W Electric Ceramic Tower Heater or Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Ceramic Heater.
Convector heaters
Convector heaters employ the same heating method as panel heaters. In fact, panel heaters are a type of convector heaters. Nonetheless, most convector heaters are larger compared to their panel style counterpart. These heaters can warm up an entire room in a matter of minutes, thus making them ideal for the commonly used rooms in the house.
Are you in search of a convector heater? If so, the De'Longhi Portable Convection Heater is one of the high-performance models that you can add to your shopping list.
What to Consider When Buying an Electric Heater
Safety features
When buying any electrical appliance, this is one of the factors that you should take into consideration. Most electrical heaters have advanced safety features that will safeguard you and your family against injuries.
Some models feature an auto-shutoff function that allows the unit to power down itself in case it overheats. Ensure that the heater you are about to buy has stay-cool surfaces to prevent accidental burns.
Heat output
As discussed above, electric heaters use different heating techniques. This makes some heaters more efficient than others. Most manufacturers measure heat output in watts. Heaters with a higher wattage rating generate more heat than those with a lower rating.
If you are planning to warm up a large room, you should consider buying a heater with high heat output. The electric heaters on our review list have a wattage rating of between 950W-2,400W.
Noise level
Most heaters that are fitted with fans tend to be noisier than fan-less models. However, a heater can make noise regardless of whether it has a fan or not, so you should choose wisely.
Price
The price of an electric heater may vary based on features, heating capacity, functionality, type, etc. An electric heater can cost anything between $50 to $600. However, some heaters may cost more or less.
Energy efficiency
If you want to lower your electricity bill, you should pick an electric heater that is energy efficient. Some heaters have energy-saving modes that can lower power consumption, while others are insulated to minimise heat loss.
According to the Centre for Sustainable Energy, all-electric heaters are energy efficient, but the running cost of each unit may vary based on its wattage rating. Heaters with high heat output use up more energy than low output units.
The Australian Victorian Government is offering a heating and cooling rebate to qualifying households. Check to see if you’re eligible here.
Features to Look for When Buying an Electric Heater
Automatic thermal cut-out
This feature will prevent your electric heater from overheating even when it has been running for long hours. It automatically shuts off the heater, thereby allowing the unit to cool down before resuming normal operation.
Timer function
Advanced electric heaters have adjustable timers that will give you full control over the heating system. A timer allows you to set the heater to run only when you want it to. That way, the heater won’t use up electricity as it would without the timer.
Tip-over protection
Electric heaters with tip-over protection are less likely to cause accidental fires because they can switch off automatically when they fall over. Virtually all heaters on our list have this amazing feature.
Adjustable thermostat
A large percentage of electric heaters feature a variable temperature control system that allows for quick and easy adjustment. This means you can decrease or increase the temperature level according to your preference.
Anti-frost mode
Heaters with this function can switch on automatically if the temperature drops below the set point. The set point may, however, vary from heater to heater. Nevertheless, most units use 5°C as the set point.
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- The Best Air Purifiers For Noticeably Better Air Quality
Last update on 2024-11-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
