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Incredibly efficient, portable and safe, the best oil-filled radiators are great as spare heaters in your home. Although a central heating system should be your main heating solution, oil-filled radiators are great for a cold room or as a spare heater if the central heating system crashes.
But with so many styles on the market, how do you tell which oil-filled radiator is the best one for you? Worry not! We’ve gone through all the models and created this guide, covering the cost, efficiency, features and reviews to help you make the right choice.
You may be surprised to hear that oil-filled radiators don’t burn oil as fuel. Instead, they store it in a reservoir where it’s heated and spreads heat in the room. That’s why you never have to refill it. For the same reason, they’re incredibly efficient because they convert almost all of the energy they consume into heat.
They also don’t dry out the air in your room as blower-equipped heaters do. To add the cherry on top of the cake, they don’t make any noise! And that isn’t all; they’re also incredibly safe because they have no exposed element, which could be a fire hazard.
Enough about their benefits – let’s get right into the list!
We’ve carefully gone through the Best Oil-Filled Radiators that we could find on the internet and organized them into the top 3 contenders – based on price competitivity, product performance, features and customer reviews.
So go ahead, grab a cup of tea and take a few minutes to discover our top pics – At Heat Adviser, we find the best radiators and heating accessories on the market; providing pros and cons for each product so that you can make an informed decision on your purchase.
Our Top The Top Oil-Filled Radiators of 2023
1. Russell Hobbs 1.5KW, 7-Fin Radiator
With over 1374 5-star reviews, this compact heater from Russell Hobbs has everything! It’s lightweight, heats up quickly, is sturdy, and comes with a 2-year warranty. That’s double the warranty of most other oil-filled radiators on the market!
Why does it top our list of the best oil radiators, you ask?
Well, first of all, despite its small size (only 7.86kg), it can heat up a 15-metre sq. room. That’s the size of an average bedroom, if you’re wondering. Reviews also mention that it heats up the place pretty quickly. No cold toes while you’re waiting!
If you want to save money on central heating this winter by using a small heater in multiple rooms, this compact heater is the way to go! It also has 3 heat settings so you can use it in the less-chilly season.
Lastly, as any good heater should, this Russell Hobbs heater also has safety features- it shuts down if it overheats or gets knocked over. The only drawback we’re seeing with this Amazon’s Choice heater is that the digital controls are a little clunky and take time to get used to. But we’re not complaining! Available in black and white, the heater still provides fabulous value for money. Don’t take our word for it! Check it out here yourself.
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2. DELONGHI Light Grey 2 KW Oil-Filled Radiator
Rated 4.7/5 by over 2884 people, this Amazon’s Choice radiator by Delonghi deserves the second place on our list.
With a maximum setting that produces 2000 watts of heat, this sleek grey radiator will keep mid-sized rooms toasty warm! But worry not; if you want to save energy, the radiator has 3 power levels with the option to run at 1200W and 800W as well.Like the Russell Hobbs radiator that made it to the top of our list, this sleek radiator also turns off automatically if it tips over or overheats. But where it loses out, is its timer- or lack thereof. The radiator has no timer and no digital display.
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3. PureMate 2.5KW Radiator With Thermal Safety Cut off & 24 Hour Timer
The best-wattage oil filled radiator on this list, this radiator from PureMate claims to keep an area of 26 metre sq. piping hot. That’s the size of a mini apartment!
As expected, the model is slightly bulkier with 11 fins. (fins are those vertical sections on the radiator in case you’re wondering). However, you can easily roll it from room to room with the castor wheels and handle. What sets this model apart from all the others is its safety features and user-friendly timer. You can set the heater to automatically turn on and off at any time of the day or night!
We love the:
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4. De’Longhi Dragon 4 Oil-Filled Radiator – White
Again, a sturdy heater from De’Longhi makes our list. This is one of the best energy-efficient oil-filled radiators on the market! It’s actually a cross between a fan heater and an oil heater. This smart heater sucks cold air from the bottom, which is passed through the heater and expelled out the top, thus warming up your room quickly. As expected for a radiator of this price, it has a stunning white finish.
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5. Russell Hobbs 650W, 5-Fin Portable Electric Heater.
Russell Hobbs doesn’t disappoint with mini radiators either. This adorable little radiator weighs only 2.8 kilograms and is just 15 centimetres tall! However, don’t be fooled by the small size. Russel Hobbs claims that it keeps an area of 10 metre sq. cosy. And 2084 people seem to agree!
Given the low price, we believe it’s the best value oil-filled radiator on the market. It’s available in both black and white, but we’re partial to the white version because of the modern look it gives!
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6. HOMCOM Portable Electric Heater
HOMCOM isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think of radiators, but don’t let that fool you! This solid heater has been given a solid 4.5/5 by people who have tried and tested the device!
Weighing just 8kg and with 7 fins, it has a high output for its small size and claims to keep an area of 9-15 metre sq. toasty warm. It’s also available in a 5-fin and 9-fin version.
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7. De’Longhi Compact Oil-Filled Radiator – White
If you’re looking for a small, compact radiator, this one is it! With a maximum setting of 650W, it won’t heat up your living room, but it’s great for a small bedroom or even a caravan!
This radiator weighs only 6.1kg and has large carry handles, making it one of the best portable oil-filled radiators on the market!
The only complaint we have is that it’s a little blob-shaped! But that was necessary because a slimmer body for a lightweight radiator could mean the danger of tipping over. Check out what people are saying about this mini oil-filled radiator here!
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Buyer Guide / FAQs
Do oil-filled radiators need refilling?
No, oil-filled radiators do not need refilling. Unlike the name suggests, oil-filled radiators don’t burn the oil as fuel. The oil is heated via electricity and it diffuses heat throughout the room. Since the oil is never used up, the radiator doesn’t need refilling.
Can oil-filled radiators be left on all the time?
Oil-filled radiators are safe because they have no exposed element that could be a fire hazard. All the models on this list have safety features such as tip-over protection, timers and overheat protection. However, leaving on any radiator overnight is not recommended.
