{
 "schema": "whattobuyfor/v1",
 "type": "comparison",
 "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/oil-filled-radiator-vs-fan-heater/",
 "json": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/oil-filled-radiator-vs-fan-heater.json",
 "publisher": "What to Buy For",
 "method": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/how-we-build-a-basket/",
 "pricesAsOf": "2026-09-29T07:19:39.897Z",
 "priceNote": "Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on amazon.co.uk at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.",
 "affiliateDisclosure": "Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.",
 "title": "Oil-filled radiator or fan heater?",
 "answer": "An oil-filled radiator for heating one room for hours: it warms slowly, keeps giving out heat after it switches off and, in Which? tests, cost a little over half as much per hour as a fan heater. A fan heater wins for quick bursts in a room you use briefly.",
 "published": "2026-09-29",
 "updated": "2026-09-29",
 "noindex": false,
 "kind": "format",
 "table": {
  "columns": [
   "",
   "Oil-filled radiator",
   "Fan heater"
  ],
  "rows": [
   [
    "How it heats",
    "Warms a reservoir of oil that gives out heat gradually",
    "Blows air over a hot element"
   ],
   [
    "Warm-up",
    "Slower than fan and convector heaters",
    "Much quicker than other types"
   ],
   [
    "After switching off",
    "About half an hour more heat in Which? tests",
    "Heat stops with the fan"
   ],
   [
    "Noise",
    "No fan; the thermostat clicks as it switches",
    "The fan can be noisy"
   ],
   [
    "Settings on the pick",
    "600W, 900W or 1.5kW",
    "1kW or 2kW"
   ],
   [
    "Electricity on full",
    "1.5kWh an hour",
    "2kWh an hour"
   ],
   [
    "Weight on the pick",
    "6.7kg, on castors",
    "1.13kg, with a carry handle"
   ]
  ]
 },
 "sections": [
  {
   "heading": "Speed against staying power",
   "paragraphs": [
    "Which? explains that an oil-filled radiator heats a reservoir of oil, which warms the room more slowly but for longer. In its tests the radiators kept heating for about half an hour after being switched off, and cost a little over half as much per hour to run as fan heaters, on average.",
    "A fan heater blows heat straight into the room and gets going much faster than other types, which suits a cold spare room or study used for an hour. Which? warns that the fans can be noisy."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "Working out the electricity",
   "paragraphs": [
    "The Centre for Sustainable Energy's method is to multiply the power rating by the time the heater is on. The 1.5kW radiator on full uses 1.5kWh in an hour; the 2kW fan heater on full uses 2kWh.",
    "Both picks have a thermostat, which holds the room at the temperature you set instead of heating flat out, so real use is below those full-power figures. Multiply the kWh by the unit rate on your bill to get the cost."
   ]
  },
  {
   "heading": "Safety for both",
   "paragraphs": [
    "London Fire Brigade says to keep heaters well away from bedding, curtains and furniture, never to dry clothes on them, and to sit at least a metre away. Turn a heater off and let it cool before moving it, and check it is not on a recall list.",
    "Electrical Safety First advises against running a heater from an extension lead, leaving it on while you are out or asleep, or using it overnight. It also notes that an oil-filled radiator's fins stay hot after use, so keep children away until they cool."
   ]
  }
 ],
 "picks": [
  {
   "role": "A 1.5kW oil-filled radiator for a small living room or study",
   "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/oil-filled-radiator-vs-fan-heater/#role-oil-filled",
   "pick": {
    "asin": "B07VWBJM2C",
    "name": "Russell Hobbs 1500W/1.5KW Oil Filled Radiator",
    "amazonTitle": "Russell Hobbs 1500W/1.5KW Oil Filled Radiator, 7 Fin Portable Electric Heater - Black, Adjustable Thermostat with 3 Heat Settings, Safety Cut-off, 15 m sq Room Size, RHOFR5001B, 2 Year Guarantee",
    "brand": "Russell Hobbs",
    "image": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41AKi5hdnnL._SL500_.jpg",
    "amazonUrl": "https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VWBJM2C",
    "data": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/products/B07VWBJM2C.json",
    "price": {
     "amount": 42.95,
     "currency": "GBP",
     "checkedAt": "2026-09-29T07:19:39.897Z",
     "note": "Checked on Amazon UK that morning; the price at checkout on amazon.co.uk applies."
    },
    "availability": {
     "status": "IN_STOCK",
     "amazonMessage": null
    },
    "subscribeAndSave": null,
    "signal": null,
    "amazon": {
     "source": "amazon.co.uk",
     "recordedAt": "2026-09-27T02:24:51.016Z",
     "rating": 4.3,
     "ratings": 1366,
     "boughtLastMonth": "300+",
     "categoryRank": {
      "position": 11,
      "category": "Electric Heating"
     }
    },
    "buyersSay": {
     "method": "Our own summary of the reviews Amazon showed; each count is the number of reviews making the point.",
     "reviewsRead": 10,
     "readOn": "2026-09-27",
     "like": [
      {
       "text": "Warms a small or medium bedroom or home office well",
       "count": 5
      },
      {
       "text": "The thermostat switches it off once the room is warm, then holds it",
       "count": 4
      },
      {
       "text": "The heat lingers after it cuts out, unlike a fan heater",
       "count": 3
      }
     ],
     "watchOutFor": [
      {
       "text": "Clicks when the thermostat cuts in, which can wake light sleepers",
       "count": 2
      },
      {
       "text": "Slow to take a cold room up to temperature on its own",
       "count": 2
      }
     ]
    },
    "ourName": "Russell Hobbs 1.5kW 7-fin radiator",
    "ourTake": "For steady heat in a room up to 15m², the listing gives three heat settings up to 1.5kW, an adjustable thermostat and a safety cut-off. On full it uses 1.5kWh an hour, less once the thermostat takes over. The thermostat clicks as it cycles, so in a bedroom warm the room before bed and switch off, as Electrical Safety First advises anyway."
   }
  },
  {
   "role": "A 2kW fan heater for quick warmth in a room used briefly",
   "url": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/compare/oil-filled-radiator-vs-fan-heater/#role-fan-heater",
   "pick": {
    "asin": "B008XF8HBS",
    "name": "Warmlite Thermo Fan Heater with 2 Heat Settings",
    "amazonTitle": "Warmlite Thermo Fan Heater with 2 Heat Settings and Overheat Protection, 2000W, White, WL44001",
    "brand": "Warmlite",
    "image": "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41fjsgSjwPL._SL500_.jpg",
    "amazonUrl": "https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008XF8HBS",
    "data": "https://whattobuyfor.co.uk/products/B008XF8HBS.json",
    "price": {
     "amount": 14.99,
     "currency": "GBP",
     "checkedAt": "2026-09-29T07:19:39.897Z",
     "note": "Checked on Amazon UK that morning; the price at checkout on amazon.co.uk applies."
    },
    "availability": {
     "status": "IN_STOCK",
     "amazonMessage": null
    },
    "subscribeAndSave": null,
    "signal": null,
    "amazon": {
     "source": "amazon.co.uk",
     "recordedAt": "2026-09-27T02:24:51.739Z",
     "rating": 4.3,
     "ratings": 9387,
     "boughtLastMonth": "3K+",
     "categoryRank": {
      "position": 2,
      "category": "Electric Heating"
     }
    },
    "buyersSay": {
     "method": "Our own summary of the reviews Amazon showed; each count is the number of reviews making the point.",
     "reviewsRead": 13,
     "readOn": "2026-09-27",
     "like": [
      {
       "text": "Warms a small room within minutes",
       "count": 6
      },
      {
       "text": "Small and light enough to move from room to room",
       "count": 4
      },
      {
       "text": "Simple controls, with two heat levels plus a temperature dial",
       "count": 4
      }
     ],
     "watchOutFor": [
      {
       "text": "A few units were faulty from the start or failed early",
       "count": 4
      }
     ]
    },
    "ourName": "Warmlite 2kW thermo fan heater",
    "ourTake": "For a room you use for an hour or two, Warmlite lists 1kW and 2kW settings, an adjustable thermostat and overheat protection. It weighs 1.13kg and stands upright or flat. The maker does not list a tip-over switch, so put it where it cannot be knocked over."
   }
  }
 ],
 "sources": [
  {
   "name": "Which?: cheap electric heaters for 2026",
   "url": "https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/cheap-electric-heaters-apTMt6P91fwW",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Which?: best oil filled radiators",
   "url": "https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/electric-heaters/article/best-electric-heaters/best-oil-filled-radiators-agOUe2W90Y1r",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Which?: best electric heaters",
   "url": "https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/electric-heaters/article/best-electric-heaters/best-electric-heaters-from-our-tests-aeXs65b7VHCm",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Centre for Sustainable Energy: how much electricity am I using?",
   "url": "https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/how-much-electricity-am-i-using/",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "London Fire Brigade: portable heaters, gas fires and open fires",
   "url": "https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/portable-heaters-gas-fires-and-open-fires/",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Electrical Safety First: portable heaters",
   "url": "https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/product-safety/portable-heaters/",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "Warmlite: 2000W thermo fan heater WL44001",
   "url": "https://warmlite-products.co.uk/fan-heaters/2000w-thermo-fan-heater-1",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  },
  {
   "name": "B&Q: Russell Hobbs RHOFR5001B oil filled radiator specifications",
   "url": "https://www.diy.com/departments/russell-hobbs-oil-filled-radiator-1500w-7-fin-black-rhofr5001b/5060440047855_BQ.prd",
   "checked": "2026-09-26"
  }
 ]
}