With winter in full swing, you may be on the hunt for the best heaters to keep your home warm and cosy all season long.
If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve found the best heating options on the market to suit any occasion, budget and room in the house.
Which is the most efficient heater to heat a room?
You can find out how strong your heater is by looking for the figure in kilowatts or watts to determine what heater to shop.
Obviously it depends on your needs to choose a heater. If you live somewhere particularly cold, you will likely want something that can pump out a bit more warmth, thus using a bit more energy.
Convection heaters that use oil or water are largely considered to be the most efficient heaters for homes. Convection heaters work by transferring heat onto cold air, which then rises and distributes throughout a room. Just ensure to keep windows and doors closed to avoid heat loss, which isn’t very efficient.
The best heaters to buy around New Zealand this winter
01
Best cheap heater: Folders 5-Fin Oil Heater (500W)
from $89.90 at Folders
Most of us don’t want to blow the budget to keep ourselves warm in winter.
Luckily, there are plenty of options for affordable heating systems that don’t skimp on quality or function, and that provide your home with much-needed warmth without burning a hole in your wallet.
Our pick is this oil heater from Folders, which comes in under $100, but has all of the features and capabilities of a heater twice its price. Oil heaters are a great option if you’re on a budget, as they retain heat well and can turn off once they reach the desired temperature.
This heater has an adjustable thermostat to control the temperature, wide feet for stability and a built-in carry handle for manoeuvrability.
Key features:
- 500W of heating power
- Oil heater
- Wife feet for stability
- Adjustable thermostat
02
Best oil heater: Delonghi Dragon 4 Oil-Filled Radiator
from $302.33 at Folders
As we mentioned above, oil heaters are an energy-efficient and budget-friendly option for your home, and they are portable and can be moved throughout the house.
There is a huge range of oil heaters to choose from that come in a range of prices, styles and sizes, which means there are plenty of options to suit your needs.
Our pick is this speedy oil heater from DeLonghi, which warms up any room in the house in mere minutes.
This portable electric heater is powerful with 24000W output and three heat settings. The heated oil inside maintains its temperature to give you long-lasting heat. Even after the unit is switched off, the oil continues to release heat for a while.
Key features:
- 2400 Watt
- 24-hour timer
- Safety tip-over switch
- Cool-touch handle
03
Best bedroom heater: Dyson Purifier Hot + Cool Formaldehyde
from $1249 at Dyson
One of the places we want to feel our cosiest is the bedroom.
As we restore and replenish our bodies through sleep, we want to ensure our heater purifies the air and keeps our bodies healthy.
With its advanced heating capabilities, including ‘night mode’ for uninterrupted warmth while you sleep, this purifying Dyson heater ensures your home stays cosy throughout the winter months. Plus, with the MyDyson App, you can control the purifier remotely, so you can turn the heat on to warm the bedroom up before you even head upstairs to bed.
Key features:
- Purifies and heats the air, and captures 99.95% of pollutants
- Detects and destroys formaldehyde while heating the air
- Live air quality results on the LCD screen and MyDsyon app
- Oscillates 350 degrees
- Weight: 5.5kg
- 10-speed settings
04
Best electric heater: De’Longhi Ceramic Tower Fan Heater
from $244 at Folders
There are many benefits to electric heaters. They allow a controlled temperature throughout the house and are often super economical to run.
This chic and sleek black tower heater will compliment the décor of your home and slot in like a dream. It is easily portable throughout the house and the digital control panel allows you to easily manage power settings, thermostat and timer. It also features adjustable temperatures and overheating and power-off protection. Not to mention it’s silent, so you don’t have to pause it during your movie!
Key features:
- Dimensions: 27cm x 26cm x 69cm
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Digital control panel
- 2400W heating power
05
Best outdoor heater: Portable Infrared Tower Heater
from $189 at Trade Tested
Want to enjoy your outdoor space year-round but don’t want to be left blue and shivering?
This standing heater is small but mighty. Thanks to the infrared heat, you won’t worry about toxic gases, static and that awful drying sensation. Place this next to your outdoor table for an alfresco dinner and completely forget about the weather – plus, there’s no need to mount it to a wall or ceiling.
Key features:
- Portable infrared 800W heater
- 2-3m² heating area
- Tip-over safety cut-out
- Weighted base for stability
- Cool-touch design
06
Best portable heater: Mothaf Capsule Fan Heater
from $42.03 at Amazon
Are you after a little pocket rocket to take on the go and stay warm all winter?
This handy little heater is not only adorable to keep in your room but the perfect size for transporting around with you – take it to the office if the heating isn’t up to scratch this winter.
It has two power settings and digital control to suit your needs, as well as using ceramic technology to self-regulate its heat.
Key features:
- Digital control
- Two power settings
Which type of heater is the most energy efficient?
Look out for that energy rating on the heater you want to gauge its power usage first. Panel and column heaters are generally a great option, or for bigger rooms gas heaters certainly fit the bill. Ultimately, the most energy-efficient way to heat your home depends on size, climate and needs.
Below are some tips to make the most out of your heaters while reducing energy waste.
- Use your heater’s timer. Most modern heaters can turn on and off at pre-determined times which means you can prevent them running all night long.
- Take advantage of the heating from natural daylight when you can. Open blinds and curtains to allow the sun to heat the house for you.
- Older appliances often have higher energy use. If you can, switch to a more modern appliance that uses less.
- Keep doors and windows closed while the heater is running.
Every heater is made equal, however, the hunt for a good heater has never been easier thanks to the myriad of options on the market, as well as handy guides like this on how to find the heater that best suits your needs.
Related articles:
- Embrace the chill with our guide to a warm and cosy home
- From moisturisers to masks, these are the best winter skincare products for dry skin
- These are the best electric blankets for keeping warm
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