For peace of mind, the radiator has an auto shut-off
With energy bills at an all-time high, the question arises of heating a room with an oil-filled radiator or putting on the central heating.
Oil-filled radiators are economical and offer very good heat output if you need to keep a room in your house or apartment kept warm.
They are not heaters that will heat up your room instantly like fan heaters (which are more costly in terms of bills).
The oil inside them needs a little time to heat up. But once heated they are a marvel for heating up a lounge, office, bedroom, and even a shed.
Oil-filled heaters come in a variety of wattages and settings. Typically, they have 3 settings allowing you to use the lowest wattage at the minimum setting.
Having different settings matters when it comes to buying an oil-filled radiator, as it offers you flexibility in terms of control over costs and usage.
As of October 2022, the average prices for electricity are as follows (according to Ofgem):
- 34.04p per kWh for electricity
- 46.36p per day for electricity standing charge (£169.21 per year)
The key thing to remember is the higher the wattage you use, the higher the cost. So, to get the most out of oil-filled radiators use lower settings to start with.
For more control, an oil-filled radiator with a timer can make life easier for you to control when the heater comes on and goes off. For example, overnight or early morning.
Therefore, always take a close look at settings and timer options when choosing the heater for your room. Don’t buy something too powerful or underpowered for the size of room.
So, which type of oil-filled radiator offers the best kind of heat for your kind of room?
We compile a list of the best oil-filled radiators on the market that offer a solution to different rooms and budgets.
Heating Up Large Rooms
Pro Breeze 2500W Oil-Filled Radiator
This powerful radiator features 11 heating fins which quickly and efficiently circulate hot air throughout large rooms.
It features a fully adjustable thermostat and three heat settings (1200W, 1300W, 2500W), allowing you to maintain the perfect room temperature.
A 24-hour timer lets users select when they want the radiator to run. This will help improve energy efficiency and lower energy bills.
For safety purposes, it comes with built-in overheat protection, safety tip-over switch and automatic thermal shut-off.
The heater is easy to move as it comes pre-assembled and fitted with four easy-roll castor wheels, a carry handle and cable tidy.
VonHaus Closed Fin Digital Oil-Filled Radiator
This oil-filled radiator from VonHaus is ideal for heating up large rooms but it can heat up smaller rooms thanks to its three power settings – 1000W, 2000W and 2500W.
It also has an adjustable thermostat so you can control the temperature to your liking.
The clever chimney design ensures that it will heat up your room quickly.
For peace of mind, the radiator has an auto shut-off, which will activate if the unit overheats or tips over.
No assembly is required and at £190, it is a reasonable price for an effective radiator.
Schallen Portable Heater
This oil-filled radiator has a maximum heat output of 2500W, making it ideal for large rooms and the modern sleek black design means it will look good also.
The tall, slim design makes it easier to store in the corner of a room while the carry handle makes it easy to move from room to room.
It is fitted with an adjustable thermostat dial and temperature control for added comfort and control.
This unit also has a timer, meaning you can heat your room for a set amount of time before the radiator automatically turns off.
An automatic overheat protection system and tip-over switch allow for safer use.
PureMate Oil-Filled Radiator
This radiator has 11 oil-filled fins which heat up instantly to quickly distribute warmth across large rooms.
Thanks to the tall vertical and slim design it is perfect for storing in the corner of a room and looks great.
The four castor wheels and carry handle make this radiator easy to move from room to room.
With three different heat output options (1000W, 1500W, 2500W), this efficient heater gives you total control over heating and maintaining your desired temperature when needed.
It also has an adjustable thermostat dial and temperature control for added comfort and control.
With a user-friendly timer, you can ensure the radiator will automatically switch on or off at your desired times, day or night.
This heater also has a number of safety features, including overheating protection, auto-thermo shut off and an auto tip-over switch.
AMOS 3000W Radiator
This powerful unit is designed to heat all types of indoor spaces, with a compact structure to fit in studio apartments, large rooms and office spaces.
It has an easy-to-manoeuvre structure.
This freestanding heater is equipped with castor wheels that allow it to be moved swiftly around the room. The lightweight structure and the carry handle make it easy to carry whenever you need it.
Featuring 13 heating fins, this oil-filled radiator has three power settings (1000W, 2000W and 3000W).
The power indicator light and automatic cut-off setting help to ensure user safety.
It heats up in no time, saves energy and is environmentally more efficient than other types of heating appliances.
The adjustable thermostat with automatic shut-off saves energy, heater oil, and prevents overheating.
Heating Up Medium Rooms
Mill Heat AB-H2000DN
Compared to other oil-filled radiators, this one is one of the more stylish.
Designed in Norway, this sleek model is minimal and understated, with an angled aluminium base that gives it a floating feel.
But the design also improves the efficiency as the closed structure forces hot air upwards through the fins, heating medium-sized rooms 29% faster and more evenly than traditional designs.
It has three settings (800W, 1200W and 2000W) as well as a day/night programme that will switch the radiator to a lower, energy-saving temperature.
The unit’s tip-over switch and overheat protection will come in handy.
The only issue could be moving it around as there are no castors, so you’ll have to carry it to another room when required.
DeLonghi Dragon 4
This slim-line radiator is perfect for medium-sized rooms, with a maximum heating power of 2000W.
It also has three heat settings, giving you the freedom to select your perfect temperature. The adjustable thermostat means your desired room temperature is automatically maintained.
The new heat cell design gives the radiator a stylish appearance.
It also offers 25% more radiant surface than previous versions, resulting in more rapid and evenly spread heat distribution.
The 24-hour analogue timer means you are free to choose when this radiator comes on. This can help when it comes to saving money.
Plus, with anti-frost protection and overheating safety protection, you are assured that you won’t be left in the cold either.
Zanussi Digital Oil-Filled Radiator
This unit offers a maximum 2300W heat output and has 11 fins to help efficiently heat up medium-sized rooms.
It has a sleek and compact design, meaning it will not take up too much space whether you want to heat up your bedroom or home office.
With an adjustable thermostat and three heat settings (1000W, 1300W, 2300W), you can set the temperature you want using the touch control panel.
The easy-to-use display and remote control mean you can heat your room in advance. Plus, the handy timer means you’ll only use the heat that you need, which can help save money in the long run.
With overheat and tip-over protection, this oil-filled radiator is safe to use around your home.
The integrated carry handle and castors mean it’s easy to manoeuvre to where warmth is needed most.
HOMCOM 1630W Oil-Filled Radiator
The HOMCOM 1630W Oil-Filled Radiator is perfect for heating up medium-sized rooms.
Three heat settings, ECO mode and adjustable temperature settings (7-35°C) allow for customised warmth without worrying about huge energy bills.
It is a quiet radiator, with no fan noise or other sounds to disturb your sleep or work.
A 24-hour timer and remote control is for distant operation without leaving your bed or sofa.
When it comes to safety, overheat protection and a tip-over switch ensure that it instantly switches off to avoid potential danger. An anti-freeze setting to help prevent freezing pipes.
This oil-filled radiant heater is safe for the family with children and pets.
Belaco Oil-Filled Radiator
This radiator has 11 oil-filled fins that heat up instantly and provide immediate heat after turning it on.
It comes with three heat settings (800W, 1200W, 2000W) as well as an adjustable thermostat control for comfortable use.
The black colour will match any interior colour whilst heating the room without taking up too much space.
It also has a safety tip-over switch that cuts off the power if the unit is accidentally knocked over or tilts too far.
Heating Up Small Rooms
Daewoo Mini Oil-Filled Radiator
This 800W radiator is more than enough to heat up small rooms quickly and efficiently.
It has a slim, free-standing design that makes it easy to move around and store.
The appliance has adjustable thermostatic temperature controls, ensuring you can choose your desired temperature and maintain it for maximum comfort.
At just £30, this mini oil-filled radiator is a budget-friendly option to consider.
Russell Hobbs 650W
With a maximum heat output of 650W, this mini radiator is perfect for heating spaces such as small living rooms and bedrooms.
It is a five fin unit, helping to evenly distribute heat across the room.
Some of the features include a variable thermostat and overheat protection.
Carry handles and castors as well as its small size makes it easy to manoeuvre around the house.
The product comes with a free one-year manufacturer guarantee. A free second-year guarantee is available upon registering your product.
Benross Mini Oil-Filled Radiator
This quick and easy-to-assemble oil-filled radiator will allow you to get warm efficiently.
It has a maximum output of 500W, making it suitable for small rooms. But this is enough power to heat up the whole room.
The thermostat means you can control the temperature precisely and accurately.
The radiator is portable and can be transported even after it has been used because the integrated carry handle does not get hot.
For those concerned with safety, the overheat protection feature ensures that it will not get too hot to cause danger.
VonHaus 800W 6 Fin Mini Oil-Filled Radiator
Based on the current electricity prices, this radiator costs 27p per hour to run.
This mini radiator is equipped with six sizeable oil-filled radiant fins to heat up small rooms.
The adjustable thermostat control dial means users can maintain a comfortable temperature with ease.
It also comes with an automatic overheat protection system and tip-over switch for safer use and peace of mind.
But note that this unit is only suitable for occasional use or in well-insulated rooms.
Should you need to store the radiator when not in use, ensure the unit is unplugged and has completely cooled before storing.
Warmlite WL43002YW 650W
Compact, nimble and affordable, Warmite’s five-fin oil-filled radiator might be small but it’s perfectly formed, offering a welcome boost of heat wherever it’s needed.
Its size means it’s a good choice for small rooms.
You could even pop it in your porch to take the chill off before stepping outside.
It has one adjustable heat setting controlled by a dial but its maximum output is 105°C.
It features overheat protection and a useful built-in carry handle, so it’s easy to move from room to room.
Oil-filled radiators are seen as cheaper alternatives to central heating for heating up a single room, especially amid the rise in energy prices.
They are also more efficient because not every room is used at one time. This means that a lot of heat generated from central heating goes to waste.
These oil-filled radiators are some of the best, whether you want to heat up small, medium or large rooms.
So as the weather gets colder, you might want to consider a heater because it might be more friendly on your wallet in the long term.