The best under-desk heaters and foot warmers (November 2026)
Cold feet and legs at your desk? Warm yourself, not the whole office or house: a heated foot mat or foot warmer costs pennies a day. Our ranking and what each costs per working day.
The ranking for November 2026
| # | Model | Type | Power | Per hour | Per month* | Controls | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OLYDON Heated Floor Mat Under Desk 55W Lowest running cost | Under-desk heater | 55 W | 1.4p | £2.43 8 hours a day, 21 working days | Timer | 9.7 | Check price → |
| 2 | Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Foot Warmer Warm feet at your desk | Under-desk heater | — | 1.3p (typical) | £2.21 8 hours a day, 21 working days | Timer, hand controller | 8.2 | Check price → |
| 3 | Coldfighting 180W Infrared Panel Heater (Under Desk) Radiant leg warmer | Under-desk heater | 180 W | 4.7p | £7.96 8 hours a day, 21 working days | — | 6.2 | Check price → |
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Foot Warmer
Timer, hand controller
Coldfighting 180W Infrared Panel Heater (Under Desk)
—
* 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
OLYDON Heated Floor Mat Under Desk 55W
Rest your feet on it: a few pence a day.
Check price on Amazon →Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Foot Warmer
Fleece foot warmer with auto shut-off.
Check price on Amazon →Coldfighting 180W Infrared Panel Heater (Under Desk)
Silent radiant heat for your legs.
Check price on Amazon →If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission. The price is the same for you.
Heat your feet, not the room
When you sit still for hours, your feet and legs get cold first, especially on a cold office floor. Warming them directly with 50–180 W does more for your comfort than a 2 kW heater warming the air around you, at a tiny fraction of the cost. Combine it with a heated throw over your knees on the coldest days.
Can I use one at work?
Ask first: many employers control which electrical items can be plugged in and may want them checked. Low-power devices with auto shut-off are the easiest to get approved. If the office is simply too cold, your employer has a duty to keep the temperature reasonable: see too cold at work.
| Power | 1 hour | 3 hours a day, a month | On a thermostat* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 W | 1.4p | £1.30 | 78.2p |
| 180 W | 4.7p | £4.26 | £2.56 |
| 500 W | 13.2p | £11.84 | £7.11 |
| 2 kW | 52.6p | £47.38 | £28.43 |
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.
🧮What is the cheapest way to heat your home? Gas, electric, heat pump or heated throw: the numbers→Frequently asked questions
How much does an electric foot warmer cost to run?
Most use roughly 30–100 W. A 55 W heated mat costs about 1.4p an hour at the Ofgem price cap: about £2.43 for a month of working days.
Is a foot warmer cheaper than a heater?
Far cheaper: about 1.4p an hour against 52.6p for a 2 kW fan heater, because it warms only you.
Is it safe to leave a heated foot mat on all day?
Use one with auto shut-off, keep it flat and dry, never fold it while it is on and switch it off when you leave your desk.
Do under-desk infrared panels work?
They warm what is within a metre or so (your legs), not the room. Quiet and cheap to run, but they need to be close to you.
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.