6 best portable heaters for fast and flexible heating this winter (tried and tested)

Whether you're looking to minimise cold spots or quickly boost warmth in a targeted room, the best portable heaters are a must-have as the weather gets colder and can be inexpensive to buy upfront.

Portable heaters have come a long way, with many models (like the ones in this guide) featuring smart controls, precise temperature control and a range of different heating modes, along with app and voice control.

To help you find the right portable heater for your home and budget, our team has been on a mission to test the very best options out there and has shared our honest thoughts below. Keep reading to find out why we loved the Dimplex HeatLite TEX Convector Heater the most.

The Quick List

Short on time? Here's a quick summary of the best portable heaters, along with a jump link to more details.

The best smart portable heater

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The Dimplex HeatLite Tex Convector Heater ticks all of my boxes, and I was surprised that it cost under £85, which is considerably cheaper than ones I've seen with a similar spec.

I've always thought portable heaters looked a little drab and old-fashioned, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this one looked in my home – its soft grey appearance looks sleek and modern, and it's ultra-quiet when in operation.

It was super simple to set up too – simply screw on the two legs, plug it in and you're good to go. Whether you want to adjust the temperature, set timers or manage heating schedules, it's easy to control via the touchscreen LED display (which can be dimmed if you want to use it while you sleep) or the Dimplex app on your phone.

Thanks to its lightweight design, I had no issues moving it from room to room, and it even features a handle to make this easier, along with a decent-sized cable length. I was also reassured to know it had all the key safety features, such as a child lock, tilt shut-off and overheat protection with fire-resistant materials.

While this heater is perfect for my medium-sized home office, you may want to try the Duux Edge Oil Filled Radiator 2000W if your space is bigger.

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The best budget portable heater

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It might not have any smart features like the Dimplex model above, but this cheap and cheerful heater will do the job if you're simply looking for a quick boost of warmth – without spending a lot of money.

Considering it costs under £30, I was impressed with how quickly it heated up and how easy it was to set up and use. You have a choice between three settings: 750W, 1250W or 2000W, along with a min/max dial that's adjustable manually.

While it's definitely not the prettiest heater I've ever seen and the build feels quite cheap, I am a fan of its compact size (measuring just 52cm in diameter) and how lightweight it is to manoeuvre around (weighing 2.7kg). With that in mind, it's easy enough to store away if you don't want it out permanently.

If you're looking for something of better quality but still don't want to spend too much, I would suggest the Dimplex HeatLite Smart Convector Heater as a good middle ground.

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The best premium portable heater

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If you plan to use your portable heater on a regular basis, it's well worth investing a little extra in this premium model by Duux. Homebuilding's editor, Beth Murton, tested it out in her home office and was happy with its contemporary design and smart capabilities, recommending it for larger spaces with a modern room scheme.

Beth also praised how easy it was to set up and, while it does take longer to heat up as an oil-filled heater, it stayed warm for a long period of time once it had reached the optimum temperature – even after it had been switched off.

There are three ways to control the heater: either via the main control panel, a remote control or the Duux app. Smart home owners will also be pleased to know that it's compatible with Hey Google and Alexa.

If you're bothered by noise or want to use it in the bedroom or home office, Beth assures us that it's super quiet on the normal mode, so you won't have to worry about being disturbed.

The only drawback of this heater is that it's not the smallest, measuring H71 x W46 x D23cm, and can be heavy to lift around as it weighs a hefty 15kg. However, it does come on wheels, which Beth says makes it easy to tuck out of sight and easier to manoeuvre.

For something smaller and cheaper, we'd recommend the Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater instead.

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The best portable heater for cooling and heating

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If you're looking for something that will take you from summer to winter, this two-in-one model by Dreo is just the ticket, featuring both a fan and heater to save storage space and money.

Homebuilding's assistant editor, Sarah Harley, put this model to the test and was impressed with how lightweight and portable it was to move around, noting that it's less cumbersome than any oil-filled heater she's tried.

Unlike the other options in this guide, this heater offers 12ft/s airflow with 60° vertical and 90° horizontal oscillation, which Sarah said created a better overall ambient temperature in a quicker space of time.

The heater can be controlled via either a remote control, smart home voice assistant or the Dreo app, which Sarah said are all easy to use, letting you adjust the temperature, set schedules and track your usage.

One downside is that it's likely more expensive to run than an oil-filled radiator, so you may want to opt for the Duux Edge Radiator 2000W if that puts you off.

Read our full Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater review.

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The best portable heater for quick heating

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Hate waiting around for your heater to warm up? This convector model by Dimplex features a turbo boost to speed things up, emitting heat within a couple of minutes, according to customer reviews.

Sarah Harley has had a positive experience testing this heater in her home and praises how easy it was to set up, as well as how lightweight and portable it is, weighing just 3.6kg.

To adjust the temperature or set a timer, you can either use the side control panel or the Glen Dimplex Connect app – both of which are very simple to get your head around. "The app means I don't even need to leave my seat to operate the heater as it can be controlled from my phone," Sarah says.

"It pushes out plenty of heat, and even more so when you use the turbo fan function. This is ideal as I want it to heat my main living space quickly in the mornings so I don't have to turn the central heating on just yet. What pleasantly surprised me about the turbo boost was that even when it was in use, it was still very quiet, which means it will also be suitable for keeping my home office warm while working."

The fan is recommended for rooms of up to 20m², so you may want to opt for the Duux Edge Oil Filled Radiator 2000W instead if your space is on the larger side.

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The best mid-range portable heater

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This electric heater by Electrolux is another fantastic option which comes highly recommended by our freelance writer, Gabriella Dyson, who tested it out for a month in her home.

Not only does its sleek grey design look attractive, but it also works well on a practical level, heating up quickly in under a minute. "It heated my whole office (3.7 x 3.4m) and the hallway outside," Gabriella says. She was also impressed with how the space remained warm for 15 to 20 minutes after it was switched off.

The heater has three different settings to choose from – one of which is an Eco mode, which is what Gabriella mainly used it on. At 23°C, she said, "My smart meter stayed on green the whole time and it only went amber on full power, which I never needed."

If you have a tendency to worry about whether you left your appliances on or off, the timer function will give you peace of mind, letting you set it for your desired time and knowing that it will automatically turn off.

Gabriella found the heater easy to set up – you just have to screw on the castors and clip on the side panel (though you will need your own screwdriver). She was pleased to see that there was hardly any plastic in the packaging, too.

Weighing 10.5kg, it's not the lightest option in this guide, but Gabriella still found it easy to move around, thanks to the wheels.

While there are many pros to this mid-range heater, we were a little disappointed with the short 1.5-metre cable – especially since you can't use an extension lead. If you're short on plug sockets in your desired area, you may want to choose the Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater instead which is slightly longer.

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How we tested the best portable heaters

To help you find the best portable heater, we've been busy testing the latest and greatest models out there from all the top brands. We considered the following:

Heating performance: How quickly does it warm up? H ow effectively does it heat the room? How many power/temperature settings a

Ease of use: How easy was it to set up and use?

Price: Is it good value for money? Does the quality reflect the price tag?

Portability: How easy is it to manoeuvre? How much floor space does it take up? Is it easy to store when not in use?

Design: How attractive does it look in the home? Is it easy to hide if it's unattractive?

Special features: What smart and safety features are worth noting?

For more information on our procedure, read our dedicated page on how we test products.

Who tested the best portable heaters?

Wondering who is behind this buying guide? Meet our trusty review panel below:

Curated and tested by

Curated and tested by

Megan Milstead

This buying guide was curated by Homebuilding’s content editor, Megan Milstead, who tested the Dimplex HeatLite Tex Convector Heater and Beldray Portable Convector Heater.

Tested by

Tested by

Beth Murton

Beth's first journalism job was working for Real Homes magazine 20+ years ago. It cemented her love of all things homes- and garden-related and she's never looked back since. She tested the Duux Edge Oil Filled Radiator 2000W.

Tested by

Tested by

Sarah Harley

Sarah has been an avid lover of all things homes and interiors since she started redecorating her bedroom as a teenager. Since then she has worked in a number of different roles from copywriting, PR, events management and photography to interior design and home staging. She tested the Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater and Dimplex HeatLite Convector Heater.

Tested by

Tested by

Gabriella Dyson

Gabriella is an interiors journalist and has a wealth of experience creating interiors content. She was Homebuilding & Renovating's former Assistant Editor and former Head of Solved at sister brand Homes & Gardens. She tested the Electrolux 2kW Digital Eco Oil-Free Radiator.

How to choose the best portable heater

When it comes to choosing the best portable heater, we recommend considering the following:

Type of heater: While oil-filled radiators tend to keep a room warmer for longer, convector heaters are quicker, while fan heaters are good for targeting a specific area. You'll need to decide what your priority is.

Room size: Have a think about where you intend to place your portable heater, as some models are only suitable for smaller spaces.

Portability: If you plan on moving your heater around regularly or want to store it when it's not in use, make sure you check the measurements and weight before buying.

Temperature control: If you want to use your heater in a bedroom or home office, it's worth buying one with remote or app control so you don't ever have to get up to adjust the settings.

Found this helpful? You may also want to read our guide on the cheapest heaters to run and whether you can use a portable heater in a home office.

Edited by Beth Murton.