Oil-Filled Radiator Heaters Comparison Table
Out of 10 heaters reviewed at qlabe, below are our top 5 picks.
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| Model: | Insignia HTRFBK6 Oil-Filled Radiator Heater | The DeLonghi EW7707CM Oil Filled Radiator | COSTWAY Oil Filled Radiator Heater | PELONIS PLN978-B Oil Filled Radiator Heater | Delonghi Mg7307cm Safeheat 1500w Radiator Heater |
Editor's Choice |  |  |  |  | |
| Qlabe Rating: | |||||
| Energy Usage: | 1500 watts | 1500 watts | 700 watts | 900 to 1500 watts | 1500 watts |
| Dimensions Size/Height: | 22 x 5.5 x 14 inches | 27" x 6.5" x 15.5" inches | 12 x 5.5 x 14 inches | 26.1 x 15.4 x 6.4 inches | 9.1 x 14.2 x 25.6 inches |
| Weight: | 17 pounds | 23.4 pounds | 8.6 pounds | 19.45 pounds | 23.8 pounds |
| Safety Feature: | Safety tip-over switch | Automatic overheat protection | Tip-over & overheat protection. | Automatic overheat protection | Automatic thermal shut off |
| Adjustments: | 3 settings | 3 settings | 2 settings | 3 settings | 2 settings |
| Check on Amazon! | Check on Amazon! | Check on Amazon! | Check on Amazon! | Check on Amazon! |
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During the cold winter months, when the temperature plunges to an uncomfortable freezing point, it is important to be fully prepared.
One of the most efficient ways to get through cold months comfortably is by using an oil-filled radiator heater.
There are different types of heaters and even various models of the same kind of heaters from different manufacturers.
However, among all the options available, an oil-filled heater is perhaps the most economical and energy-efficient option you can go for.
Agreed, it is not great for instant heating; neither is it for everyone.
But for those whose living or office space is small enough and you can make do with something energy-efficient and straightforward, an oil-filled heater is an excellent alternative for you.
But here’s the hard part, choosing from the several options available on the market.
While it is true that most space heaters are cheap to purchase, making the wrong choice can still be frustrating.
That’s not all. Apart from buying a good quality oil-filled heater, it is essential that your final choice can serve you well for a long time and gives your actual value for your money.
How To Find The Best Oil-filled Radiator Heater?
We have compiled a list of some of the excellent quality options out there. Additionally, this article includes a comprehensive guide for buyers.
You will learn some of the essential things to look out for when shopping for oil-filled heaters online or in a store.
We have also included several pieces of information about oil-filled that you will find valuable while making a purchase and in the process of using it. So let’s get right to it.
1. Insignia HTRFBK6 Oil-Filled Radiator Heater
If you are looking for something to heat your cold large-sized room quick and effectively, then this top-quality radiator heater from Insignia will work just great for you.
Thanks to its 1500 Watts power, it can efficiently heat about 144 Sq. ft. of living space, yet it operates so silently you can hardly hear it.
A Safety tip-over switch ensures that you operate the heater effectively without compromising safety. It also comes with a digital thermostat that automatically regulates temperature.
The remote control makes smooth operation and seamless control possible. Another feature of this heater you will most likely love is its portability.
It is easy to carry about and comes with wheels that make it easy to transport around the house. You can also be sure of the durability of the wheels as well since the wheels are fixed on metal brackets using metal screws.
The only downside is that it can get too hot to touch, which means it can pose a hazard if improperly managed.
Features:
- Safety Tip-over switch
- Operates silently
- Digital thermostat and remote control
Cons:
- It can get quite hot with use
2. The DeLonghi EW7707CM Oil Filled Radiator
With up to 1500-watts of heating power, this oil-filled radiator works just great for medium to large-sized rooms. It delivers constant heat with efficient distribution throughout your room when the temperature goes down.
This heater also comes with a lot of other impressive features. First, its patented steel construction helps to keep oil sealed within the cylinder, thus eliminating the risk of leaking with use.
Its patented thermal slot design also ensures that heat flow is maximized while maintaining a low surface temperature for your safety. Additional safety features include thermal cutoffs, antifreeze settings to keep pipes from freezing up and so on.
If you are looking for an economical option that helps to keep your energy cost low, then this heater is a great option to go for. It comes with a ComforTemp button which helps to keep the temperature at the optimal comfortable room temperature.
You can also further customize the temperature this heater delivers using its heat settings powered by an adjustable thermostat.
Features:
- Three heat settings
- ComforTemp button for economical use
- Easy to use smart-snap wheels for smooth transportation
Cons:
- The wheels are a bit flimsy
- The power chord is a bit too short
3. COSTWAY Oil Filled Radiator Heater
If you are looking for an oil-filed heater that is portable, affordable yet super-effective and powerful, then this portable radiator heater is the one to go for. While 700 watt might not seem like much, it is sufficient enough to heat up small to medium-sized rooms or offices on cold days.
It is remarkably small-sized, which makes it quite easy to move around with minimal stress. It also comes with a front handle for easy carrying. Another obvious advantage of a small size is its silent operation.
You will find that this heater makes little or no noise at all, which makes it suitable for use while you sleep or and doesn’t cause distractions when you work.
This heater might also be small in size, but it quite big in safety. The oil is permanently sealed, so it is unlikely to leak with use. It also has an automatic shut off feature for safety.
Additionally, the heater has an adjustable thermostat which makes it possible to regulate the temperature according to your needs.
Features:
- Oil is sealed permanently within the heater
- Silent operation
- Portable and affordable
Cons:
- Will not work for larger rooms considering the size and wattage
4. PELONIS PLN978-B Oil Filled Radiator Space Heater
One major feature that stands out with this heater is its large digital LED display which makes it easy to monitor the performance of your heater.
Also, it comes with simple and easy to use buttons which makes smooth operation possible.
To add to its profile as a truly digital space heater, this oil-filled heater comes with a remote control which makes it possible to operate and control your heater without having to step out of bed.
The heater itself is an impressive piece. It can power medium to large size rooms efficiently. You can choose between low to high heat settings varying from 600 to 1500 watts setting as well as an average wattage setting of 900 watts.
On top of that, there is an Eco-friendly setting which helps to optimize energy consumption by adjusting the temperature and heat settings of the heater and the room automatically.
Features:
- Eco-friendly mode
- Minimal surface temperature
- Caster wheels for easy movement around the house
- The LCD screen, intuitive buttons, and remote control
Cons:
- The thermostat can only move in 5 degrees increments which will make it harder if you want to set it at a one-degree increment.
5. Honeywell HZ-789 Electric Oil Filled Whole Room Heater
This electric oil-filled heater is designed to give you a truly digital experience thanks to features like an easy set of controls, 12-hour timer and an adjustable thermostat which automatically regulates temperature.
You can choose between 3 heat settings, and you can be sure of getting an effective and silent operation in all settings.
As far as energy efficiency is concerned, this heater will help you save cost on your electricity bills while costing you little or nothing by way of maintenance.
Safety is another of the key features of this heater. It features an automatic tip-over switch, and automatic protection to keep the unit from overheating. It also has a heavy-duty 3-pronged plug and power cord which ensure smooth and safe operations
Features:
- Large and easy to pull handle
- Easy gliding wheels
Cons:
- Only 5-degree increments can be set on the thermostat
- The wheels are plastic which makes them not really durable
6. Air Choice OH12 Oil Filled Radiator Heater
Air Choice oil filled heater is another portable but super-efficient heater that works perfectly for warming up small to medium-sized rooms. A wattage of 700 watts means it can heat up to 120 sq. feet of living space.
The fact that it is portable makes it possible to move this heater around. It also comes with a handle that allows you to move the heater around easily.
Quiet operation is one of the main highlights of this heater. This oil filled heater does not make any annoying sound while it works. You will also love the fact that it gives you total control over the heating power thanks to an adjustment knob on the heater.
This heater is made from solid steel which makes it durable, and it only requires minimal maintenance. There is an overheat shutoff system on this unit which helps to switch it off to prevent damage to the inner components due to overheating.
Features:
- Compact and slim design
- Noise lock-in ensures silent operation
- Highly efficient for saving power and energy bills
- Rapid heating option
Cons:
- Will not work for a large room
7. Delonghi Mg7307cm Safeheat 1500w Radiator Heater
The DeLonghi MG7307CM is a Portable Oil-Filled Radiator that comes with patented vertical thermal chimneys efficient for warming up medium to large-sized rooms.
By making use of DeLonghi’s ComforTemp technology, this 1500 watts power heater can reach and maintain an optimal and safe temperature without consuming too much power within a short time.
Consequently, it helps to keep your electricity bills down while delivering efficiency in the long run.
Seven permanently sealed fins help to keep the diathermic oil within the heater. It also distributes the heat efficiently throughout the room.
There is antifreeze setting on this heater that allows it to detect when the room temperature falls far below normal and set it right. On the other hand, a thermal cutoff in the heater also helps to keep the temperature within a safe range by turning off the heater when it gets too hot.
Features:
- Well-rounded design
- A fully enclosed heating element and permanently sealed fins
- ComforTemp technology for effectively warming up rooms
- Thermal chimneys for optimum heat flow
- Low surface temperature
Cons:
- The instructions in the user manual aren’t too helpful
Things To Consider Before Buying An Oil-Filed Heater
When buying any household fixture, you must know the important things to look out for. For oil-filled space heaters, there are a lot of models available from different manufacturers.
This makes finding the best among a long list of product a bit difficult. Online reviews can help, but whether shopping online or checking them out in the store yourself, it can still be tricky especially if you don’t know the things to look out for before you make a purchase.
Here are some important factors to consider:
How Much Heat Does It Generate?
The heat generated by any type of heater is generally measured in BTUs. The higher the BTU value, the more the heat generated by the heater per hour.
But even this can be difficult to understand for an inexperienced buyer. Another way to determine how much heat is caused by a radiator is to find out the size of the room the heater can effectively warm up.
You can then make your decision based on the size of the place you are planning to heat up.
Understand The Wattage And Effectiveness Of Oil Filed Heaters
Another way you can determine how effective the heater you are choosing will be for your room size is to consider the wattage. Generally, we recommend anything between 700 to 1500 watts depending on the size of your room.
A 700 watts heater will be perfect for small to medium-sized rooms. One hundred watts should work great is your place is slightly big or medium.
However, if you want to heat a large room, then a 1500 watts heater should work just fine.
Adjustable Heat Settings
What happens if you have rooms of varying size and would like to move your heater around? First, I’d say go for a heater that can work for the room with the largest size.
But even that might not be effective enough. The best thing in addition to following the advice above is to pick an oil-filled heater with an adjustable heat setting.
This way, you can quickly increase or reduce the heat based on the size of the room and according to personal preferences.
Is It Economical?
Although oil-filled heaters are generally more economical than most of the other types, this quality may vary from one model to the other.
You should consider how efficient the model you are going for is before making the purchase.
Is It Portable?
This is another feature that is shared by most oil-filled heaters. But like efficiency, portability can also vary from model to model and from one manufacturer to the other.
Since they are generally designed to be moved from one room to the other, being lightweight is a significant advantage. Features like wheels also make it easy to move heaters around the home and can be considered as well.
Is It Covered By Warranty?
A warranty isn’t always a sure sign of quality, but it will at least make you more confident about the product you are purchasing.
Generally, oil-filled heaters have a long life-span and are relatively cheaper to repair. But with a warranty, you can be less worried about it breaking down within the warranty period.
Usually, most manufacturers offer a one-year warranty, but you can look out for good quality ones with a more extended warranty period.
With all these in mind, let us consider some of the best oil filled space heaters available in the market.
Each of these products has been carefully selected based on the factors discussed above and also on reviews of buyers online.
Why Should You Buy An Oil-Filled Space Heater?
It Helps You Save Money:
One of the things we probably love the most about oil-filled heaters is how economical they are. These heaters help you to save quite a lot on your heating bills because of how effectively it makes use of electricity.
Although it takes quite a while to heat up, oil-filled heaters retain heat longer because it makes use of oil. But once it is up and running, you’ll be surprised at how efficient it is.
Also, since you can make use of an oil-filled heater as a standalone unit in a room of your home, you don’t have to turn on the heat for the other rooms which are quite economical if you think about it.
Is It Safe To Use An Oil-filled Heater?
Most of the top quality oil-filled heaters out there come with a lot of safety features inbuilt into them. They usually have features to protect the heater from overheating.
On top of that, most of them have thermostatic controls that automatically regulate temperature as well as manual controls too.
With features like this, you can be confident about your safety when you use oil-filled heaters.
Portability
Oil-filled heaters are portable compared to many of the other types of heaters. They can easily be moved around the house if you want specific rooms of your homes heated, meaning you don’t have to buy extra heaters unless necessary.
Ease Of Use
Top-quality oil-filled heaters are usually designed to be quite sophisticated in technology which ensures ease of use. Most of the great ones come with programmable timers allowing you to set the heater to turn on or off at specific times of the day. Eventually, you can come back from work to a room that has been warmed up before you arrive.
Efficient Heat Distribution
Oil-filled heaters make use of convection for heat distribution from the fins rather than using a blower like many of the other types of heaters.
This is more efficient as a means of heat distribution as long as there is sufficient space in your home. It is also a lot more comfortable than heat distributed by a blower.
Things To Do Before Buying An Oil-Filled Space Heater
Decide If You Need One
One of the very first things to do before you even start considering the idea of buying an oil-filled space heater is to decide if you need one.
This isn’t about just deciding whether you need a space heater or not. You need to be sure if an oil-filled space heater will be able to serve your specific needs.
The truth is, as high as they are, oil-filled space heaters don’t work in all scenarios.
Thus it is vital to be sure if it will work for you or you need to go for another type of heater.
First, how big is your house? If you live in a small apartment, then you don’t use central heating.
In this case, an oil-filled heater should be able to produce sufficient heat to warm up your home. However, if you have a big house, you might want to consider getting central heating installed as a more effective solution.
Another possible scenario where an oil-filled heater will still work despite having a big house is if you don’t need to use all the rooms in your home at the same time.
For example, if you use one room more often or you live alone in a big apartment, using an oil filled heater is a more economical option.
Finally, an oil-filled heater would also be an excellent choice for supplementary heating anywhere in your home. In this case, you can hook it up to the central heating system or simply power it as a standalone module.
Measure The Size Of Your Room
As mentioned earlier, size does matter when you are buying an oil-filled heater. Even when you are sure it is suitable for the size of your room, choosing the right model will still require you to be sure of the specific size of the room you intend to heat up.
Ensure you take accurate measurements of your room before you step out to make a purchase. Measure your room’s length and breadth to determine how many square feet it is.
This way you can compare it to the standards made available on the product page online or speak to a seller directly to help you match your room size to the right type of heater that can power it.
Additionally, if you intend to use the oil-filled heater in more rooms than one, then you might need to take multiple measurements.
You can simply go for the room with the most significant size as the standard for your purchase. Finally, as far as the extent is concerned, you need to consider how much room you have in your own home to fit in the heater.
If you don’t have enough space and can’t move things around in to create space, then you might have to consider a compact-sized model.
Consider The Various Design Options Available
There is a wide range of design options available, and you need to be familiar with them before making a final choice on which oil filled heater to buy.
This ensures that you not only get the best quality products for your budget, but you also get the best value at the end of the day. Here are some design considerations for oil-filled space heaters
Wider fins and long heating tubes: the fins of your heater will determine how effective it will be at dissipating heat around your home. Generally, heaters with wider fins are more effective at distributing heat since they have a larger surface area.
At the same time, they don’t get as hot to touch as the smaller one while doing the same amount of work.
An oil filled heater with more fins will also be more effective for heat distribution and management since it has a larger surface area compared to a model with fewer numbers.
Safety Features: Consider the safety features in place on the heater. Some oil filled heater automatically cut off the heat when there is a power surge or when the temperature becomes too high.
Get familiar with the various safety features available and look out for the ones you think you need.
Portability: This is for those who intend to move their heater from room to room. There are various design features that will make this easy. A heater with wheels will be quite easy to move around.
Some also come with plastic handles which makes it safe to move even when the temperature is high.
There are also a number of styles, colour and finish options you can consider depending on personal preference.
As a household appliance, aesthetics is of the essence as your final choice should fit right into your home.
Consider Your Material And Build Choices
Just like design, you also have various choices as far as the build material for your oil-filled heater is concerned.
Various models are built differently, and so will vary in terms of how strong and durable they are.
Since you will be spending quite a sum on your purchase, it is important that you go for a heater that is built to last long.
As far as this is concerned, you should consider a heater built with steel. Steel is quite strong and usually more durable than other options.
On top of that, it is also easier to maintain as it is resistant to rust. Also, you should consider heaters with an extra coating (preferably enamel).
This coating will provide additional protection for the heater. As for the build, try to find a heater with a solid build and as little loose moving part as possible.
A machine welded model is advisable as they are stronger and more resistant to leaks.
Precautions And Mistakes To Avoid When Using An Oil-Filled Radiator Heater
Oil-filled heaters are rarely hazardous in the home. However, as with other electrical appliances in your home, certain precautions must be taken in other to ensure your safety at all times. Here are some important precautions to take and mistakes to avoid.
- Avoid using a heater with an extension lead: plugging your heater into an extension outlet can be dangerous. Instead, you should plug it directly into an electric outlet in the wall. Also, ensure that the power rating on the heater matches the one delivered into your home to prevent it from blowing up.
- Ensure you buy quality heaters that conform to safety standards: improper wiring can be potentially hazardous. This is why you should purchase heaters and other household appliances from a reliable source and be sure that it is certified as safe.
- Don’t try to repair oil-filled heaters on your own: when technical issues arise, the best thing to do is to speak to a professional. Trying to repair or service your heater by yourself is not advisable unless you have the technical know-how required for it. Also, ensure you get quality replacement parts if you have to change anything.
- Be careful when handling heaters: it is normal or heaters to get hot with use. After all, that’s exactly what they are meant to do. Do not attempt to carry a heater while it is still hot. Also, try to keep children and pets away to prevent injuries.
Finally, make sure you turn off the unit when it is not in use. You should also unplug it from the wall socket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Oil-Filled Heaters Work?
First, we need to clarify the fact that the mechanism for generating heat isn’t by burning oil. So what does the oil do then? We’ll get to that in a minute.
Oil-filled heaters make use of electricity to burn. There is an electrical element in the radiator which has been submerged in a liquid (which is oil in this case).
When the electrical element is heated up, the heat created is transferred into the oil from where it is radiated by convection into your room.
Oil is generally more efficient in heat retention that most of the other liquids used in heaters due to its high boiling point.
Because of this mechanism, your oil-filled heaters are generally more versatile and works effectively as a standalone unit compared to other types of heater.
Do I Need To Refill Oil-Filled Radiator Heaters?
This is one of the most common questions people ask about oil-filled heaters. It is easy to understand your confusion since a lot of people assume that the oil will probably run out with time. However, this is rarely the case.
The oil in the heater is not used up in the process of heating. The oil simply heats up and circulates the fins to distribute heat. No combustion occurs, which means the oil is not burned up and doesn’t have to be refilled.
The only way you could lose oil if there is a leak somewhere which is quite unlikely. However, if you notice any liquid leaking out of your heater, it is best that you turn it off immediately and call in a technician to assess and fix the damage.
What Powers An Oil-Filled Heater?
An “electric oil-filled heater” will be a more apt name to describe your oil-filled heater since it is powered by electricity.
It has a standard plug that goes into your home’s electricity supply directly.
This powers a resistor in the heater that converts the electricity to heat. The filament is submerged in oil, and as this oil warms up, it is circulated around the fins of the heater which warms up the air around it.
Difference Between A Regular Electric Space Heater And An Oil-Filled Space Heater?
Both types of heaters are powered by electricity which usually causes some confusion with buyers.
The main difference between an electric space heater and an oil-filled heater is in how the heat generated is retained and its distribution.
An oil filed heater uses oil as the retaining fluid which is, in fact, more economical compared to regular electric heaters since it is able to retain heat for a longer period.
Ceramic Heater And Oil Filled Heater Differences
Ceramic heaters work through convection heating while oil-filled heaters make use of oil to retain heat.
The absence of oil or any type of fluid means ceramic heaters are a lot lighter and portable compared to the oil-filled variety.
However, this same factor can also be a disadvantage. Since ceramic heaters don’t have oil or any other fluid for heat retention, it heats up quite fast but also cools down very quickly once it is switched off.
Because of this, we consider oil-filled heaters to be more economical compared to ceramic heaters.
As for which of them is better, the answer to that question depends almost entirely of what you need the space heater to do.
For example, if you want instant heat or spot heating, then ceramic heaters will make a perfect choice.
But they won’t work that well for heating a whole room. Although oil-filled heaters take a while to heat up compared to ceramic heaters, once it does, it retains the heat for a more extended period of time compared to ceramic heaters.
Conclusion
Oil-filled space heaters serve as a portable and convenient to use heating solution during the cold winter months. It serves as an economical heating solution, first because it can be used as a standalone solution and again because of how efficiently it makes use of electricity.
This means you don’t have to turn on the entire heating system in your home to warm up a single room. At the same time, you are spending minimal power to achieve efficient full-room heating.
Of course, making a choice out of the long list of options available can be a daunting task. But by following the simple rules and guidelines, we have highlighted you should be able to find one that suits your need.
You can also check our oil filled space heater reviews for some recommended options. They are among the best you will find out there.
It looks stunningly great and constitutes a huge tantalizing affect the
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replace them anytime eventually.
Great article. Thanks. I have heard that you should place an oil filled radiator in the coldest part of the room. Any views on room placement?