Last updated on November 28th, 2023
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Over the years, I’ve owned a few convector heaters and Mica heaters, which are very similar and often used interchangeably. However, they are different types of heaters, but very similar. With Micro heaters such as my favourite, this Duronic HV220 Mica Heater, the heating element is covered in thin sheets of mica. Micathermic heaters produce both convection heat and radiant heat which is what makes them unique. I’ve reviewed my greenhouse heaters from Biogreen as well as my garage heater extensively in the past but never convertor heaters which I have quite a bit of experience with as I use them in my home office instead of heating up the whole house, during two renovations of mine and in the office and dinner cabin on our family nursery.
With convector heaters including this De’Longhi HSX4324E.WH Thermo Convector Heater, which is a great bit of kit. The heating element heats up and draws cold air from underneath and then warms the air as it passes over the heating element, and then warm air comes from the top of the heater. With this in mind, I have decided to include both in this review as they are generally very efficient and good options for small to medium-sized rooms.
As previously mentioned, I have personally renovated my last two homes, and by using the best convector heater, I was able to heat individual rooms as needed. Convector heaters are particularly useful when I had plastering done over winter, and with no central heating installed at that point, I needed to add warmth to the room to help dry it out thee new plasted walls. In the past, I have also used oil-filled radiators and wall-mounted oil-filled radiators, and although these are efficient and we still use them in the family nursery to heat the cabin office, they do take a while to heat up. With a convector heater, they provide near-instant heat; usually, within a minute, they are kicking out heat and warming the room, which is why they’re probably my favourite type.
Before I get into a few of the models I think are worth considering, I want to point out that the best way to keep a room warm efficiently, is to make sure the room is well-insulated and doors closed. Don’t forget to make use of built-in thermostats and timers to only provide heat only when needed. There is a misconception that electric connector heaters are expensive to run, but this isn’t the case, convertor heaters have come a long way over the last few years.
I now work from home most of the week when I’m not out testing tools, so I really don’t want to be heating every room in the house by having the central heating on all day (The wife turns it up, i turn it down so the thermostat is up and down like a yoyo. This is where having my Duronic HV102 Heater has saved me some money and paid for itself in a few weeks as I can heat my small office up, or living room and keep them at a reasonable 20 degrees. Although it has a thermostat, it’s worth noting it does not have a timer function. To overcome this, I use a smart plus and set the timer on the smart app instead. Plus, I can also use Alexa to turn it on and off as needed.
If you looking for a model with a timer built in, then this De’Longhi HSX4324E 2.4KW Thermo convector heater is worth considering. It’s a great piece of kit with a little more power at 2.4KW and also features a digital thermostat so you can set the exact temperature, a nice LED display and then 3 power levels rather than the usual 2. It’s a great option for larger rooms as it does have that slightly better heat output. Just keep in mind that you can’t connect this to a smart plug as it loses its setting if you disconnect the power, which is what a smart plug does. It also cannot be wall-mounted. Overall, though, for a standalone heater, it’s still a great kind of kit.
If you are looking for a convector heater with a little more power, I also think this Duronic HV102 2500KW Heater is a micathermic type heater with all the features you need and that better heat output at 2500KW. You can choose between 1500WK and 2500KW, so it’s a good option for larger rooms. It also has a timer, which is super useful as you can set it to come on when needed and off again. It also has a built-in thermostat, frost stat to keep the room above freezing and even a remote to control the heater and a nice digital LCD display to see the temperature, power setting and timer. It is one of the most advanced electric heaters and worth considering.
Before I get into my detailed reviews and buyers guide, I want to quickly mention this Glen 500 Watt 2150Tie7 Skirting Heater. Now, this is only 500W heater, so it’s ideal for smaller rooms but is an excellent option for conservatories. You can attach it to the wall or have it freestanding; it’s perfect as it can be fitted just above a skirting where there is limited space. It also has a 7-day programmable timer, frost stat and a nice LCD display. It is a great bit of kit but only for small rooms, or maybe consider fitting a couple of them!
The best convector heaters that I have included in my review are listed below:
- Duronic HV220 Slimline 2.0KW Radiant Convector Heater
- Duronic HV102 2.5KW Convector Heater with Thermostat and Remote Control
- Prous 200w Electric Convector Heater
- HOMCOM 650W/1300W Convector Heater
- De’Longhi HSX4324E 2400W Thermo Convector Heater
- Glen 500 Watt 2150Tie7 Skirting Heater
Best Convector Heater Reviews
1. Duronic HV220 Slimline 2.0KW Radiant Convector Heater
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The Duronic HV220 Slimline Radiant Convector Heater is an oil-less one that has a few advantages over the oil-filled models. This means that you won’t need to wait for the oil to heat up before you feel the warm air. This model can actually reach full temperature in less than one minute. At the end of the month, your utility bill will show you how little this model actually costs to run. This is because this unit works efficiently, minimising the wastage of energy and saving you money on your heating bills.
The unit is built with a tip-over switch that renders the unit inactive if it happens to fall. The safety feature ensures that there are no fire hazard situations created and ensures that children and pets are kept safe. The unit is also fitted with a mechanism that prevents the unit from overheating. Even if the unit runs constantly for many hours, it will still continue functioning as it is designed to automatically turn off periodically and come back on again to protect the unit from overheating.
The unit is designed to warm the air only and not to rip moisture from the air. This is how people end up with respiratory infections as it creates what some people refer to as dry air. Be sure to check if the unit you are buying is friendly to the atmosphere that you live in.
When the device gets hot, you don’t need to worry should you need to move it. The unit has plastic holdings fitted. This feature paired with the wheels makes this unit very easy to transport, to be honest, at only 5kg is fairly light anyway for its size. This is not such a heavy product thus the wheels will manage to hold their own on different surfaces.
Being a 2kw heater it will work well in small to medium-sized rooms and offices.
This unit has heat settings that you can manipulate and a thermostat so you can set the room to the exact temperature that you desire. You can also select the speed at which the warm air is produced and distributed.
Finally, this unit comes with a 2-year warranty for extra peace of mind so you know you are covered should any problems arise.
Pros
- Heats up in only 1 minute and very efficient at heating small and medium-sized rooms.
- Built-in thermostat for maintaining the optimum room temperature.
- Easy to move from room to room on wheels and at 5kg it is lightweight.
- Produces warm air very quickly.
- Stable, robust design that also looks amazing.
- Runs quietly so as not to disturb you.
- Excellent value for money when compared to similar models in the same category.
- 2 year warranty for extra peace of mind.
Cons
- No timer fitted so you cannot set it to automatically come on at certain times.
My recommendation
The Duronic HV220 Convector Heater heats up amazingly quickly and is very effective and has some great features. As well as this, it comes in at a great price making it one of the most affordable options available.
The energy dispensed is so high that it is recommended that you do not place it in close proximity to objects. The unit comes with heat settings that you can adjust so as to get the right amount of heat and the thermostat is a great feature for controlling the room temperature.
It has a few flaws, the main one being a lack of a timer. This obviously depends if you need this extra feature but regardless it is a well-made convector heater that is robust, dependable, amazingly good at heating rooms and comes with some great features.
After many hours of research, we decided it is only fair to award this brilliant heater with our ‘Best Pick’ award and the fact that it includes 2 years warranty is another bonus. We also noticed it was a very popular model on Amazon, with mostly very positive reviews.
Overall, this model would be ideal for most homeowners and offers excellent value for money. If you after a very good heater at an even better price, this model ticks all the boxes.
However, if you are looking for a good model that comes with a timer function then we recommend you consider the equally impressive Dimplex 3kw Convector heater, which we have also reviewed further down in more detail.
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2. De’Longhi HSX4324E 2400W Thermo Convector Heater
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The De’Longhi HSX4324E.WH Thermo Convector Heater is a smart white convector heater with black controls down one side. It has only one power setting of 2.4kw (2400W) but within that you choose one of three power levels. There’s also an Eco Plus setting which allows the heater to figure out the best power setting for the room and lower the power consumption if appropriate. This could save you money in the long run if you have a habit of choosing too high a power setting.
The heat comes out the top of the unit so disperses all round into the room. Be careful when you read the stats as they say that this De’Longhi heater heats up to a 60m3 area. That sounds like a large space but note that it’s m3 not m2 like most of the other models in this review. Assuming 3m ceilings in rooms, 60m3 translates to 20 m2 in floor area. That’s the number you should use to compare models.
The controls are conveniently sited all down one side of the heater. At the top is a LCD panel that displays the temperature, whether the Eco mode is on and some other information. Then there’s a single line of buttons for On/Off, more or less of a function, the mode, Eco plus and the timer. All of these are well-labelled and are single push buttons so are simple to use.
And speaking of the timer, it’s a 24-hour one. There’s not much information about it but comments in the online reviews suggest that you set an On time and an Off time and they happen once. You need to reset them to happen the next day. I couldn’t confirm this on the manufacturer’s website.
And other reviewers couldn’t get this heater to work with their integrated Smart Home system. Again, I wasn’t able to confirm this, but it’s worth a further look if this is one of your requirements.
The safety features include a tip-over safety switch and a frost protection function.
Pros
- White convector heater with black controls,
- Power setting of 2400W.
- Heats an area up to 60m3.
- Heat comes out the top of the unit.
- Control buttons on a panel on the side along with a control dial.
- LCD digital display of temperature and other information.
- Three power settings and eco-plus function.
- Twenty-four hour timer.
- Lateral fan system for heat emission.
- Tip-over safety switch.
- Anti-frost function.
- Carry handles for transportation.
Cons
- Doesn’t work with Smart Home setup.
- No remote.
My recommendation
The De’Longhi HSX4324E.WH Thermo convector heater is a good choice if you like the styling of this brand’s products and you’re looking for a heater with a timer. But it seems like this timer is a one-shot deal (though I couldn’t confirm that) and you need to set it every day. That aside, this 2.4W heater can run at three power levels, chosen by very simple controls on the side of the unit. The LCD digital display tells you what’s going on with your heater.
3. Duronic HV102 2.5KW Convector Heater with Thermostat and Remote Control
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The Duronic HV102 Black Digital Display Mica Panel Convector Heater gets amazingly hot on full power and heats up almost immediately. The dark colour and design show how easily it can fit into your space and it looks great, especially in a modern setting.
The unit is fitted with a sizable digital display that you can use to set accurate temperature measurements. You can choose to run the machine on the 1.5kw or 2.5kw setting, which reduces the running cost should you not need to run it on full power. The choice is entirely yours but at least this model gives you that option. The unit is fitted with an 18-hour timer as opposed to a 24-hour timer which we found a little strange, however, it still works amazingly well. On this model what the timer actually does is turn it off and not on. So you actually set when you want the heater to be off rather than programming it to come on and off.
As this unit is an oil-less heater (as opposed to a model that uses oil and can take up to 15 minutes to get to temperature) this model heats up in minutes and gets very hot on full power and will quickly heat up the room.
The unit is protected from overheating and has a safety knock-off switch just in case it gets knocked over. That is why the overheating mechanisms and tip-over safety switches are fitted as this can be a problem, especially around pets. This also makes it a safe unit to use around children, but never leave children unattended with the heater on. The plastic moulding enables you to touch and move the unit, even when it is hot.
This is the only model that made it onto our review that actually has a remote to control the heater and pretty much controls all the functions. Although not essential, it is a great feature and more of a convenience.
A 2-year warranty has been provided for this unit. This unit does not deplete oxygen or moisture from the air so it is safe to use in your space.
Pros
- Lightweight and has wheels fitted for even easier mobility.
- Thermostat and 17 hour timer.
- Has great safety features, such as a knock over cut out switch and overheat protection.
- Good price for the high quality features that are provided.
- Does not strip moisture or oxygen from the air
- 2 year warranty for extra piece of mind.
Cons
- No major issues to report.
My recommendation
The Duronic HV102 Black Digital Display Mica Panel Radiant Convector Heater is a step in the right direction. Here we have a heater that has the ability to adjust the thermostat in an accurate manner and provide sufficient heat when needed and can be controlled by remote. This could be a great feature for any individuals who may not be that good on their feet.
This unit is somewhat heavier than some of the other models featured in our review. It has been fitted with wheels and plastic mouldings to enable easy transportation from place to place. We like that the design is cool and the display sizeable. It has all the right safety features set in place so that it does not become a fire hazard.
The price is higher but with the power and quality provided, you can swing it. It is a manageable unit and a great choice, especially if you’re looking for a model with a remote to control the heater.
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4. Prous 200w Electric Convector Heater
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The PROUS Electric Heater is a convector heater with two power settings – 1kW and 2kW. This puts it on a par with some of the most powerful heaters in this review. Its sleek white rectangular shape fits into any interior décor – well, except for the large” Do Not Cover” warning printed in large on the front of it. It’s unfortunate that the manufacturer feels that such a warning is needed.
This convector heater can handle an area of 20m2 to 30m2. It’s designed to be the only heater in that space and not one that just tops up the heat. The heat comes from the top of the unit so you get a 360? experience of being warm. There’s a built-in thermostat for you to set to your chosen temperature. And the LCD screen on the side of the unit displays the temperature of the room and can be easily viewed.
Along with the LCD screen are two control knobs – one to select which of the two settings you want to use and the other to dial between minimum and maximum power within that. There’s also a knob marked “Turbo” which switches on a fan to blow the hot air around the room.
This PROUS electric heater has the standard safety features. The tip-over switch turns the heater off if it tips over further than 45? and the overheating protection turns the heater off if it gets too hot. There’s also a Frost Protection feature that automatically turns the heater on (if it’s plugged in) when the temperature dips down to 10?C.
What sets this heater apart from most others is that the heat is generated through electric wires rather than through fans. This leads to a quiet experience for you, without the noise of fans blowing.
Pros
- Electric convector heater with two power settings of power.
- Power settings of 1000W and 2000W.
- Sleek white rectangular shape.
- Heats a 20m2 to 30m2 area.
- Heat emits from the top for all-round heating.
- Built-in thermostat.
- Dials and buttons to select heat settings and turbo power.
- LED display on remote control for temperature.
- Safety features include overheating protection and tip-over protection.
- Frost protection function.
- Disperses heat through electrical wires.
- Dual carrying handles.
- One-year warranty.
Cons
- No timer.
- No remote control.
My recommendation
The PROUS Electric Convector Heater is a smart looking heater that fits into any interior décor. You have the choice of two fairly powerful heat settings (1kW and 2kW) plus the Turbo fan which blows the air around the room. With plenty of safety features – tip-over; frost protection; overheating – this heater heats a 20m2 to 30m2 area with all-round heating.
The PROUS Electric Convector Heater is a good choice for a more powerful, floor-standing convector heater.
5. HOMCOM 650W/1300W Convector Heater – Freestanding or Wall-mounted Portable Electric Heater
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The HOMCOM Convector Radiator is a heater that can be used several ways. Have it as a stationary floor-standing heater; put it on castors as a portable heater; or mount it to the wall as a permanent fixture (fixings not included, unfortunately). This is a slimline sleek black convector heater (also available in white) that won’t stand out in your room.
You have a choice of two heat settings with this convector heater – 650W and 1300W. It’s not the most powerful heater in this review but it puts out enough heat to warm up a 9m2 to 15m2 area. You easily control the heat by a dial discreetly placed on the top of the unit. The adjustable thermostat goes from 7?C to 35?C so that covers the range of temperature you need indoors throughout the year.
The heat is emitted from the front of the heater. You have to be sitting in the ‘box’ area in front of the unit to directly experience the warmth, though the warmed air does disperse throughout the room.
The heater automatically cuts out if it’s tipped over so no-one and nothing gets burned.
Pros
- Narrow sleek black convector heater.
- Two heat settings, 650W and 1300W.
- Heat control via a dial on the top of the unit.
- Covers 9m2 to 15m2 area.
- Heat emitted from the front of the unit.
- Safety cut-off when tipped over.
- Thermostat goes from 7?C to 35?C.
- Portable on castors or wall-mounted.
- Power cable is 1.5m long.
- Carry handle for transportation.
Cons
- Wall fixings not included.
- No timer.
- No remote control.
My recommendation
The HOMCOM Convector Radiator is for you if you’re looking for either a wall-mounted heater or one that you can wheel from room to room. Though the castors come with your purchase, you do have to buy your own wall fixings. This convector heater has mid-range power with a choice of 650W or 1300W. The controls are out of the way on the top of the unit and easily accessed.
6. Glen 500 Watt 2150Tie7 Skirting Heater – Wall mount or Free standing Electric Convector Heater
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The Glen 500 Watt 2150Tie7 Skirting Heater is a convector heater that’s designed to supplement the warmth in a room. You can tell this from its power rating – just 500W. This is not a heater that heats a room from cold, but one that takes the chill off a cool room or adds some extra warmth to an already warmish space.
This is a small white thin convector heater designed to fit against a skirting board, either on the floor as a free-standing model or fixed to the wall (fixings included). Heat is emitted from the top of the unit and disperses into the room.
What I like about this small heater is its timer. This is really a seven-day timer. You can set different start and end times for each of the seven days. Plus you can set a different temperature for each day. If the weather forecast is for a cooler Wednesday, programme in a warmer temperature for that day. The LCD screen and the controls are easily used and seen on the front of the heater.
Your safety features with this Glen convector heater include a frost protection and a low heat protection feature. This heater turns on automatically when a specific low temperature is reached in the room. There’s also an over-heat protection safety cut-out. In addition, the heater turns itself off when the desired temperature is reached in the room. This saves you money on your heating bill as you won’t overheat a space.
One issue to beware of is that this heater has a metal (steel) body that gets hot when the unit is in use. Some online reviewers recommend keeping children away from the heater and using oven gloves if you need to pick it up to move it soon after you turn it off.
Pros
- Thin white convector heater on two static feet.
- 500W of power.
- Heat emitted from the top of the unit.
- Free-standing or wall-mounted (fixings included).
- Designed for along the skirting board.
- LCD timer, programmable for seven days.
- Variable thermostat.
- Frost protection and low level heat protection.
- Overheat safety cut-out.
- Power cord is 1.5m long.
- One-year warranty.
Cons
- No remote.
- Metal body gets very hot when the unit is on.
My recommendation
If you’re looking for a small convector heater to just take the edge off a chill in a room or to add a bit of additional heat, the Glen 500 Watt 2150Tie7 Skirting Heater is a good choice. Designed to fit along your skirting board, this model has a variable thermostat so you can choose how much heat it generates. The seven-day timer lets you programme in advance when it comes on and goes off. As this heater can be wall-mounted or free-standing, you can place it just where you need it.
Convector Heater Buyer’s Guide
A good convector heater is able to deliver full heat in less than one minute. You do not have to wait for ages just for the room to get warm. A good convector heater has safety measures installed so as to prevent accidents, especially around children and pets. These are just some of the few factors that you will have to bear in mind. Despite the overwhelming number of brands available, you should be able to point out which is the one for you amongst the best convector heaters that are currently on the market.
- How much space do you have? – The size of the space that need to to be warmed does (not surprisingly) factor in making a decision. The size of the space that you want to be warmed will determine the size and the power output required. Smaller spaces do not require much. In fact, you will find that warming up smaller spaces doesn’t cost as much as you would think and uses less space. Larger spaces need work and that is why the output needs to be high. The size of the unit will also determine whether you can mount it on the wall or leave it free standing. Measure out the space that you want to be covered so that you can pick the right unit. Most heaters give an approximate room size they can heat effectively.
- What is your budget? – As pointed out earlier, the size of the room to be warmed will determine the size of the unit you need to purchase. A smaller unit is likely to cost you less than a larger unit, simply because it is not likely to be of a high output. If you are looking for a large unit then you are guaranteed to spend more. The price goes even higher depending on the features that have been provided. Look at the money that you have at hand and decide if the product that fits well. If you disregard this, you might end up overspending or underspending and buying a unit that is not fit for purpose. You can cut spending by choosing models that don’t have timers or thermostats if this is a feature you do not require. If you prefer to turn the heater on manually when you feel necessary you probably do not require a timer for example.
- How much power is produced? – The energy that you consume on a daily basis usually ends up being reflected on your electricity bill. Knowing that you have a large space, you will definitely need to buy a large unit. The trick is to find a power saving unit. A unit that has a safety cut out so that the temperatures does not get too high. You can buy units that have timers so that you can have the machine off when it is not needed. Usually measured Kw, the higher the power you want the more you will end up paying for it.
- Consider ease of use – The unit that you want to buy has to be fitted with convenient features. This makes the unit easier to engage with. If the unit is heavy, wheels and handles have to be fitted. This is so that easy movement is facilitated. Easy to use displays make setting programs easy and temperature control visible. Safety features such as tip-over switches and over heat protection are required. This is because they make the unit safe to use. The use of a thermostat is nothing new. Make sure that you pick a unit that is able to give you accurate temperatures. Those with heat settings also use a different kind of thermostat. An easy to clean unit is also very much appreciated too.
Final Conclusion
The secret is just to look at your budget and the space that requires heating. Once you figure this out, the features that you need will fall into place.
Make sure that you have credible electricity connections so as to avoid problems like the fuses blowing or plugs melting. If you have a large space that needs heat you can buy one big unit or several well-positioned units. The choice is yours
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
