The most energy efficient electric heaters: what really cuts the cost
Every electric heater is 100 % efficient, so which ones really cost less to run? The ones with good thermostats and timers, sized for the room: our picks and their running costs.
The truth: every electric heater is 100 % efficient
A plug-in electric heater turns all the electricity it uses into heat, whether it is a £20 fan heater or a £200 smart panel. Adverts promising an energy efficient heater that halves your bill are misleading: 1 kWh of electricity always gives 1 kWh of heat and costs 26.32p at the price cap. The only plug-in exception is a heat pump (for example an air conditioner that can heat), which gives around three times more heat than the electricity it uses.
What actually makes a heater cheaper to run
- A good thermostat, ideally electronic: it stops heating once the room is warm instead of overshooting.
- A timer or weekly schedule: heat only the hours you are in the room.
- The right size: about 100 W per m²; a bigger heater just costs more per hour.
- Heat where you are: one room with the door shut, or yourself with a heated throw.
The most efficient heaters to live with: thermostat and timer
| # | 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 | Devola DVPW2500WH Smart Glass Panel Heater 2500W Best for large rooms | Panel heater | 2,500 W | 65.8p | £59.22 5 hours a day on thermostat | Digital thermostat, weekly schedule, Wi-Fi, remote | 8.8 | Check price → |
| 5 | Devola DVPW1500WH Smart Glass Panel Heater 1500W Best smart panel heater | Panel heater | 1,500 W | 39.5p | £35.53 5 hours a day on thermostat | Digital thermostat, weekly schedule, Wi-Fi, remote | 8.7 | Check price → |
| 6 | De'Longhi Radia S TRRS0920E.G 2000W Digital oil radiator | Oil filled radiator | 2,000 W | 52.6p | £47.38 5 hours a day on thermostat | Digital thermostat, eco mode, timer | 8.5 | Check price → |
| 7 | De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRD40820T Classic, 10-year warranty | Oil filled radiator | 2,000 W | 52.6p | £47.38 5 hours a day on thermostat | Dial thermostat, timer | 8.4 | Check price → |
| 8 | De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRD41025T 2.5kW Premium for large rooms | Oil filled radiator | 2,500 W | 65.8p | £59.22 5 hours a day on thermostat | Dial thermostat, timer | 8.1 | 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
Devola DVPW2500WH Smart Glass Panel Heater 2500W
Digital thermostat, weekly schedule, Wi-Fi, remote
Devola DVPW1500WH Smart Glass Panel Heater 1500W
Digital thermostat, weekly schedule, Wi-Fi, remote
De'Longhi Radia S TRRS0920E.G 2000W
Digital thermostat, eco mode, timer
De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRD40820T
Dial thermostat, timer
De'Longhi Dragon 4 TRD41025T 2.5kW
Dial thermostat, timer
* 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.
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| Power | 1 hour | 3 hours a day, a month | On a thermostat* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 W | 13.2p | £11.84 | £7.11 |
| 1 kW | 26.3p | £23.69 | £14.21 |
| 1.5 kW | 39.5p | £35.53 | £21.32 |
| 2 kW | 52.6p | £47.38 | £28.43 |
| 2.5 kW | 65.8p | £59.22 | £35.53 |
| 3 kW | 79.0p | £71.06 | £42.64 |
At the Ofgem price cap (26.32p/kWh, Direct Debit, 1 October to 31 December 2026). * A heater on a thermostat is assumed to heat about 60 % of the time once the room is warm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most energy efficient electric heater?
All plug-in electric heaters are 100 % efficient. The cheapest to run are those with an electronic thermostat and a timer or weekly schedule, sized at about 100 W per m², used only in the room you are in.
Are oil filled radiators more energy efficient?
Not per kWh, but they hold heat and their thermostat keeps them off for longer once the room is warm, so over an evening they can use less.
Are infrared heaters more efficient?
They are also 100 % efficient. They warm people and surfaces directly, which can feel warmer at a lower air temperature if you sit close to them.
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.