Best electric heaters UK (2026)
Every electric heater turns 1kW into the same heat — what differs is comfort, control and safety. Here’s the honest maths and the picks.
The short version
The truth first: all plug-in electric heaters cost the same per unit of heat — roughly 27p per kWh at current tariffs. A “cheap to run” heater is one with a good thermostat and timer, not magic technology.
Our pick for most rooms: an oil-filled radiator with a thermostat — silent, safe, and the thermostat cycling means it draws full power only a fraction of the time.
What heating actually costs per hour
| Setting | Draw | Cost/hour (26.3p/kWh) | Real-world with thermostat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 800W | 21p | ~10–15p once room is warm |
| Medium | 1500W | 39p | ~20–25p |
| High | 2000–2500W | 53–66p | ~30–40p |
Adjust for your tariff: cost/hour = watts ÷ 1000 × your p/kWh. The thermostat column is the one that matters — a heater that cycles off is the only genuinely cheaper heater. Heating one room this way instead of the whole house via gas central heating is where plug-in heaters actually save money.
Pro Breeze Oil Filled Radiator (11 fin)
- Slim 11-fin oil-filled
- Thermostat
- Multiple heat settings
- Silent
Oil-filled is the comfortable way to heat a room you’re living in: silent, no scorched-dust smell, gentle persistent warmth that keeps radiating after the thermostat cuts power — which is exactly what makes it cheap to actually run.
The slim 11-fin format fits beside a desk or sofa. Give it 20 minutes to warm through; it’s a room-living heater, not an instant blast.
£89.99£64.59–£89.99 since 11 Sep
VonHaus 2500W Oil Filled Radiator
- 2500W · 11 fins
- 24-hour timer
- 3 heat settings
- Thermostat
The extra 500W and the built-in 24-hour timer make this the choice for larger rooms and schedules — warm the home office for 8am without heating it all night.
At full tilt it’s ~66p/hour, but the timer + thermostat combination is precisely how you avoid ever paying that for long.
£79.99£57.78–£89.99 since 6 Sep
Russell Hobbs 1500W Oil Filled
- 1500W · 7 fins
- Compact
- Thermostat
- Trusted brand
The right size for bedrooms and small offices where 2.5kW would be overkill — and usually the cheapest trusted-brand oil-filled radiator on Amazon.
Small rooms warm quickly and the thermostat does the economising from there.
£42.95£42.95–£51.99 since 6 SepOil-filled vs fan vs halogen
Fan heaters heat air fastest but noisily, and the warmth vanishes the moment they stop — right for a 10-minute bathroom warm-up, wrong for an evening. Halogen/radiant heats you rather than the room — efficient for a workshop bench, odd in a living room. Oil-filled is the slow-and-steady room heater — the one you stop noticing, which is the point. Whatever you buy: it’s the thermostat, not the technology, that controls your bill.
Prices update hourly from the Amazon API — tap any button for today’s price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest electric heater to run in the UK?
Per unit of heat they all cost the same — about 26.3p/kWh at current tariffs. The genuinely cheaper heater is one with a good thermostat and timer so it cycles off; oil-filled radiators do this best for lived-in rooms.
How much does a 2kW heater cost per hour?
About 54p per hour at 26.3p/kWh if running flat out — but with a thermostat holding a warm room, real consumption is typically half that or less.
Is it cheaper to use an electric heater than central heating?
For heating one room, usually yes — a 1.5kW heater in one room beats firing a whole gas system for the house. For whole-home heating, gas remains cheaper per kWh.
Are oil-filled radiators safe to leave on?
They're among the safest plug-in heaters — no exposed element, cooler surfaces, and thermostat plus tip-over protection on modern units. Still avoid unattended running with children, pets, or anything draped over them.