Electric heaters
Find the best electric heater for your home with our buying guide and test results for 31 current and 19 discontinued models.
Looking for a new electric heater? We've tested a wide range of types, sizes and prices, including oil-column, panel, micathermic and ceramic models from DeLonghi, Dyson, Goldair and much more.
Buy the best electric heater for your needs
Find the right electric heater with our test results. Our expert reviews are based on scientific testing, member surveys and decades of experience. We’ll only recommend appliances you’ll love to own, that work well and keep working well for a long time.
We test electric heaters for:
- performance, including heating time and evenness
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thermostat performance
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ease of use
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safety
Best heaters of 2025
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Top-performing convection oil free column heater
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Top-performing convection heater
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Top-performing oscillating tower heater
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Top-performing oil column heater
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What you need to know when buying an electric heater
Electric heaters are expensive to run and often aren’t powerful enough to keep living areas warm, but their low purchase price means they’re often the best value for money in small spaces like the bedroom or study. Choosing the right size and type for your needs is crucial.
- Size: Use our table to estimate the size of heater you need for the room you're wanting to heat.
- Type: We break down the pros and cons of each type of heater, and explain which ones work best where.
- Features: From timers to thermostats, find out which features to keep in mind.
- Safety: We explain common heater safety features to look for.
Could your next power bill be smaller?
Powerswitch is the free, independent way to check your power plan, and see if you could save - backed by Consumer NZ. So why pay more than you need to? Check in just 3 minutes - and make sure you know the deal.
Which electric heaters are most reliable?
We asked thousands of Consumer members about their experience with products they've used to find out which brands are most reliable and satisfying to own. The results are available to members and Digital Pass holders.
Getting the most out of your heater
Learn how to improve your electric heater's performance with our expert advice.
How a wireless thermostat can transform your heater
The thermostat on your plug-in heater measures the heater’s temperature, not how warm it is where you sit. Could a remote thermostat help you to find your comfort sweet spot? We tried one to find out.
Heating science: How physics can save you money this winter
We break down how a heater warms a room, and what can you do to reduce your heating costs.
Use your ceiling fan for cheaper heating
Our hack will have you using your fan year-round and might even help reduce your power bills when the temperature drops.
Plug-in heater features: what’s hot and what’s not?
From timers to smartphone apps, we check out what bells and whistles are worth your dough.
Other appliances for keeping your home warm and dry
Which power company has the happiest customers?
See the full ratings of all power companies in our nationally representative survey.
We've tested 50 electric heaters.
Find the right one for you.
Arlec
Atlantic
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