The best electric fan and ceramic heaters (November 2026)
Fan and ceramic heaters warm a room in minutes and cost little to buy. Here is our ranking, what each one costs per hour at the price cap and the best one for each room.
The ranking for November 2026
| # | Model | Type | Power | Per hour | Per month* | Controls | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dreo Atom 316 Ceramic Heater 1500W Most-reviewed ceramic heater | Fan heater | 1,500 W | 39.5p | £23.69 2 hours a day at full power | Digital thermostat, eco mode, timer, remote | 9.7 | Check price → |
| 2 | Dreo 2000W Oscillating Ceramic Heater Best for a living room | Fan heater | 2,000 W | 52.6p | £31.58 2 hours a day at full power | Digital thermostat, timer, remote | 9.3 | Check price → |
| 3 | Dreo Solaris Slim H3S Smart Heater 2000W Smart (Wi-Fi) | Fan heater | 2,000 W | 52.6p | £31.58 2 hours a day at full power | Digital thermostat, timer, Wi-Fi, remote | 8.9 | Check price → |
| 4 | Pro Breeze 2000W Mini Ceramic Fan Heater Budget pick | Fan heater | 2,000 W | 52.6p | £31.58 2 hours a day at full power | Dial thermostat | 8.2 | Check price → |
| 5 | Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater 714S Whole-room circulation | Fan heater | 2,000 W | 52.6p | £31.58 2 hours a day at full power | Timer, Wi-Fi | 8.0 | Check price → |
| 6 | Dimplex DXFF30TSN 3kW Fan Heater Big rooms and garages | Fan heater | 3,000 W | 79.0p | £47.38 2 hours a day at full power | Dial thermostat | 7.4 | Check price → |
| 7 | Dimplex RUG3TS Rugged Workshop 3kW Fan Heater Workshop tough | Fan heater | 3,000 W | 79.0p | £47.38 2 hours a day at full power | Dial thermostat | 7.2 | Check price → |
| 8 | Dimplex ML3TSTIE7 3kW Convector Heater Big rooms on a schedule | Convector heater | 3,000 W | 79.0p | £71.06 5 hours a day on thermostat | Digital thermostat, weekly schedule | 7.0 | Check price → |
| 9 | Dimplex ML2TSTIE7 2kW Convector Heater 7-day timer, no app | Convector heater | 2,000 W | 52.6p | £47.38 5 hours a day on thermostat | Digital thermostat, weekly schedule | 7.0 | Check price → |
Dreo Atom 316 Ceramic Heater 1500W
Digital thermostat, eco mode, timer, remote
Dreo 2000W Oscillating Ceramic Heater
Digital thermostat, timer, remote
Dreo Solaris Slim H3S Smart Heater 2000W
Digital thermostat, timer, Wi-Fi, remote
Pro Breeze 2000W Mini Ceramic Fan Heater
Dial thermostat
Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater 714S
Timer, Wi-Fi
Dimplex DXFF30TSN 3kW Fan Heater
Dial thermostat
Dimplex RUG3TS Rugged Workshop 3kW Fan Heater
Dial thermostat
Dimplex ML3TSTIE7 3kW Convector Heater
Digital thermostat, weekly schedule
Dimplex ML2TSTIE7 2kW Convector Heater
Digital thermostat, weekly schedule
* Typical use shown under each figure, 30 days, at the Ofgem price cap (26.32p/kWh). Typical means the seller does not publish the power, so we use a typical figure for that kind of appliance. Recalculated every update.
- Running cost: What each one costs per hour and per month at the Ofgem price cap (26.32p/kWh). Watt for watt, every electric heater costs the same to run: the one that saves money is the right size and switches itself off.
- Controls: Thermostats, timers, weekly schedules, eco modes and Wi-Fi score highest: they are what actually cuts the bill.
- Safety: Tip-over and overheat protection, and splash protection (IP24) for bathrooms.
- What buyers say: Amazon UK sales and what buyers repeat in their reviews, summarised in our own words. Newer models with few reviews score lower until they have them.
We don't test products at home: we combine manufacturers' specifications, Amazon UK listings and buyer feedback with the running-cost maths. How we compare.
The best for each situation
Dreo Atom 316 Ceramic Heater 1500W
Small, quiet and with a thermostat: warms you where you sit.
Check price on Amazon →Dreo 2000W Oscillating Ceramic Heater
Oscillation spreads 2 kW of heat around the room.
Check price on Amazon →Dreo Solaris Slim H3S Smart Heater 2000W
Switch it on from your phone before you get home.
Check price on Amazon →Pro Breeze 2000W Mini Ceramic Fan Heater
Cheap to buy, fine for occasional use.
Check price on Amazon →Dimplex DXFF30TSN 3kW Fan Heater
Lots of heat for a big, draughty space.
Check price on Amazon →Dimplex ML2TSTIE7 2kW Convector Heater
Silent convector with a 7-day timer: heats only when you need it.
Check price on Amazon →If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission. The price is the same for you.
Fan heater or ceramic heater?
Both blow warm air. A ceramic (PTC) heater regulates itself, runs cooler on the outside and is usually quieter; a basic fan heater is cheaper. Per watt they cost exactly the same to run. What saves money is a thermostat that stops it at your chosen temperature, a timer, and choosing a smaller model for a small room.
Fan heater or oil filled radiator?
A fan heater is best for short bursts (heat in seconds). For several hours in the same room, an oil filled radiator gives steadier, silent heat and its thermostat keeps it off for longer.
🧮What is the cheapest way to heat your home? Gas, electric, heat pump or heated throw: the numbers→Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest electric heater to run?
The one with the lowest power that keeps you warm: a 1.5 kW heater costs 39.5p an hour at full power, a 2 kW heater 52.6p. Thermostats and timers cut the real cost. To warm just yourself, a heated throw costs pennies an hour.
How much does a 2kW fan heater cost to run?
About 52.6p an hour at the Ofgem price cap (26.32p/kWh). Two hours a day for a month is about £31.58.
Are ceramic heaters more efficient?
No electric heater is more efficient than another: all turn 1 kWh of electricity into 1 kWh of heat. Ceramic heaters are safer and quieter, and usually come with better controls.
Is it safe to leave a fan heater on?
Use it while you are in the room, with tip-over and overheat protection, plugged straight into the wall (never an extension lead) and at least a metre from curtains and furniture.
Running costs use the Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026: average unit rate for electricity paid by Direct Debit (26.32p/kWh, standing charge 54.83p/day) and gas (7.97p/kWh). National averages; your region and tariff may differ. Prices on Amazon change: check the live price before you buy.