NICE AND TOASTY

Rachael Penn snuggles up to the top electric heaters

- Rachael Penn

The best electric heaters - otherwise known as portable or space heaters – are a cost-effective way to heat your home when temperatures plummet. As energy prices continue to impact household budgets, finding affordable ways to stay warm – without relying on central heating - remains a priority.

Whether you want to warm up on the sofa or to feel toasty in the bedroom, electric heaters are designed to heat individual rooms rather than an entire home - they focus energy use exactly where it’s needed. Their portable nature means they can be easily moved between rooms, offering far more flexibility than fixed radiators.

Today’s electric heaters do far more than simply provide heat, be it oil-filled designs, ceramic heaters or fan-powered models. Many are built with efficiency in mind to help keep running costs down, while safety features like tip-over switches and automatic cutoffs are now standard on most models. For extra comfort, they work particularly well alongside warming accessories such as electric blankets and wool throws.

Some heaters even double as cooling fans for summer or include air-filtration systems, which can be especially helpful for allergy sufferers. Whether you’re warming a home office or a guest room, an electric heater can make a space feel inviting in minutes. While the Dreamland pure air fan heater is a standout for me, I’ve tested a wide range of options to suit different rooms, needs and budgets.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

IndyBest’s testers examine a range of products for The Independent’s reviews section in an unbiased process to find the very best. IndyBest experts assess whether or not these products actually live up to their marketing.