As the months continue to get colder here in Australia, it is but natural for all of us to look for ways to make sure that we get warm during this season. While Australia maybe known for having great beaches and those scorching summer days, we still experience those cold, winter nights. And I know that it can be very chilly if you don’t have the right companion to battle the cold weather.
Good thing there is a way to be warm and cozy in the comfort of our homes – the efficient portable heater. Portable heaters are clever and safe way to keep the whole family warm during the cold season. Hence if your home becomes extremely cold during this season, you are definitely assured that you can heat up with these portable heaters.
Ideally the best portable heaters should be portable, energy-efficient and of course safe and function as a space heater. You wouldn’t want to put your home at risk of fire hazards right? These portable heaters should be able to warm up your whole room rather than the warm air staying in just one place.
So, if you are on the look-out for the best portable heaters, here are my top picks for you to check out:
- Devanti 2400W Electric Ceramic Tower Heater
- Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Heater
- Devanti 2000W Portable Electric Glass Panel Heater
- Heller 1800W Electric Freestanding Fireplace Heater
- De’Longhi Portable Convection Heater
These portable heaters are very helpful especially when your heating system suddenly broke down or it is not enough to keep you warm. They are also great when you go to camping or other outdoor activities.
And if you happen to have those small cabins outside the city and would like to take a break from the daily grind, then having a portable heater is good enough to bring along and keep you warm in your small cabin.
To check out the following portable heaters, here is a quick comparison table:
Top 5 Best Portable Heaters in Australia 2024
| Image | Name | Dimension (LxWxH) | Type | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Devanti 2400W Electric Ceramic Portable Tower Heater | 22 x 22 x 74 cm | Ceramic | Check Price from Amazon AU |
 | Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Heater | 12.5 x 12.5 x 20.5 cm | Electric | Check Price from Amazon AU |
 | Devanti 2000W Portable Electric Glass Panel Heater | 86 x 23 x 52.7 cm | Glass panel | Check Price from Amazon AU |
 | Heller 1800W Electric Freestanding Fireplace Heater | 63.5 x 35 x 70 cm | Electric fireplace heater | Check Price from Amazon AU |
 | De'Longhi Portable Convection Heater | 54 x 10 x 41 cm | Convection | Check Price from Amazon AU |
Still want to know more about these portable heaters? Listed below are an in-depth description to help you out in deciding what to purchase.
Devanti 2400W Electric Ceramic Portable Tower Heater
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Heat your home with the Devanti 2400W Electric Ceramic Tower Heater. This is another excellent product which features a slim and space saving design. It is effective and works fast which makes it the portable fan heater you should have at home.
This fan heater has a dual power setting, 1200W and 2400W that ensures efficient and powerful heating all throughout the winter season. It has an adjustable thermostat that goes from a low 10 degrees to a high 49 degrees centigrade. It is versatile as it works as a fan and heater depending on your need.
It is very quiet ceramic tower electric heater that stands 74cm tall and oscillates to a 70 degree angle to give off a warm air amidst the biting cold. You can pre-set the timer as long as 8 hours so it will automatically turn off when not in use.
Enjoy other features such as the touch screen LED digital display, anti-tumble design, overheating protection, built-in handle and remote control for your utmost convenience. The Devanti Ceramic Tower Heater comes with a one year warranty so you may experience a hassle-free and risk-free heating solution.
Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Heater
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Keep yourself warm and cosy in the comforts of your home with the Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Heater. It has light weight design with an easy carry handle so you can bring it wherever you go.
While it seemed that this portable heater is small, it is packed with efficient and impressive features. With its good energy efficiency rating, you will be able to keep the running costs in check because it produces the much needed heat but uses less power. This electric heater can heat up rooms as big as a 4×4 in size and can be used anywhere such as study room, bedroom and even play rooms as a space heater. It is safe even if you have small children.
Additional features include quick heating system, 2 air mode – hot and cold, wide-angle automatic swing, LED power display and the safety power off. This safety power off feature is useful especially when the unit is tipped off. The Bitzong Energy Efficient Portable Heater is the best companion in these chilly, winter season.
Devanti 2000W Portable Electric Glass Panel Heater
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If you want to spend a warm and cosy winter season, the Devanti 2000W Portable Electric Glass Panel Heater is the perfect choice to provide heat all over your home. This panel heater is so versatile that you can use it indoors and outdoors – either mounted in the ceiling or free standing.
It has a black coloured tempered glass casing with LCD display and a touch screen control panel for easy usage. Because it has a slim design, it is a space saver and you can bring it wherever you want. Choose from two heating options of 1000W and 2000W and an adjustable temperature of 15 degrees to 50 degrees C, which makes it easier for you to change it in your desired setting.
This electric heater has a great safety feature such as the frost-free protection and overheat protection. What’s more it is also water resistant!
The Devanti 2000W Portable Electric Glass Panel Heater is maintenance free and comes with a 1-year warranty. Enjoy a peaceful and warm environment with this efficient portable heater.
Heller 1800W Electric Freestanding Fireplace Heater
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Stay warm inside your home with the use of the Heller 1800W Electric Freestanding Fireplace Heater. Enjoy a cosy environment with its cast-iron effect finish and the log LED flame effect which makes you feel that you have your own fireplace.
This fireplace heater features an overheat protection and safety thermal cut-off device which gives you peace of mind when you using it. The flames’ brightness is adjustable and can be easily operated. Choose from heat settings of 900W and 1800W, or if you want, you can just use the flame effect while the heater is off.
Overall, this electric heater will be a cool addition to your home for having a fireplace heater.
De’Longhi Portable Convection Heater
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If you are looking for a way to stay warm and comfortable, consider the De’Longhi Portable Convection Heater as your heating companion. It is compact and performs as those of the traditional convectors and can be placed in any part of your house.
This electric heater can be wall mounted or free standing. Select from the 3 heating power settings of 750W, 1250W and 2000W and it also has an adjustable thermostat so you can keep your preferred temperature.
Worry no more because it features a Tip Over Switch Safety System which automatically turns off in case the heater tips off. Other safety features include the safety thermostat, cool touch carry and anti-frost function.
Things to Consider When Buying a Portable Heater
Of course when buying your own portable heater you need to take note of some considerations so that you will get your money’s worth and it is the one that suits your needs. But before that, let me provide you an information on the various types of portable heaters:
Electric Fire Heaters
These type of electric heaters offer an ambience of having a real fireplace without the need to have your own chimney. You can choose from the modern or classic style so it would suit the décor in your home. Electric fire heaters can be wall mounted, inset varieties or freestanding. They can also look like a fire with a flickering effects without having to emit any heat. But if you want to use these fire heaters as a great way to add some design or décor in your home the whole year round, opt to buy models with controls that can be hidden. That way, it will look more realistic and authentic.
Column Heaters
Column heaters are the standard heaters that work and look like radiators. Most of these types are affordable, quiet and very ideal for longer use. While they can warm your house a bit slower as against the other models, column heaters have a greater heat retention. This just means that even if you turned the column heater off, the heat remains all night long.
These heaters are more bulky and heavy than the other models. So if you are considering having this type of column heater model, make sure that you will not move it as often especially when bringing the column heater upstairs. They are available in oil-free or oil-filled type of radiators. The difference between the two is that oil-free heaters heat faster than the oil-filled heaters.
Fan Heaters
Another type of heaters is the fan heater. They are affordable, light, effective and a fast way to make the room warm. A fan heater may not be as powerful as other types of heaters but it is an easy solution when the need arises.
Fan heaters both provide cooling and heating functions that is why they can be used all year round. They are quick in heating up but sometimes will have issues when it comes to noise levels. The heat can also easily disappear when you let air in your room.
If you ever want to have the heat spread all throughout the room, be sure to buy the fan heater model that has the oscillating feature. Keep in mind as well that fan heaters may have the tendency to dry out your skin if you are using it very close. So make sure to keep your distance when using a fan heater.
Radiant Heaters
These type of heaters are very easy to set up and can warm up your room very easily. They come in different sizes which can suit any space in your house. Radiant heaters are quick solution when that biting cold seeps in your room. Installation is easy-peasy and can get you cozied up in minutes.
They come in wall mounted and freestanding models. Of course, if you get those freestanding models, they can still be moved in different parts of your home. A word of caution though, radiant heaters are not advisable for families with young children. Since the heater has an exposed heating element, it is dangerous when young children gets near them as they may accidentally burn themselves.
Panel Heaters
Although these heaters maybe similar in function with the convector heaters, they are slimmer and comes with a slicker and stylish design. It also offers a different kind of feature which maybe unique from other portable heaters.
Panel heaters are space savers. They come in wall mounted design so that it won’t be a bother in your walkways and floors. Most design of panel heaters work by using convection heating. However, there are other models that combine radiated and convection heat which is more efficient and provide maximum performance.
If you decide to buy this kind of heater, be sure to choose a model that has a thermostat so that the temperature will be maintained in your room and you can just leave it without any worries.
Convector Heaters
Yet another type of heater is the convector or convection heaters. They draw cold air in the heating element and return it back in the room once done, as warm air. These type of heaters are lightweight, efficient and very effective in making sure that the room will become warm. It is suitable for any types of heating needs.
Convector heaters are quick to heat up a room. Good thing about these heaters is that they are quiet and are excellent in heating up an entire room and not just a portion of it. They suit well in living rooms and other large spaces in your home. For best results, choose models that have micathermic panel. This will help absorb a lot of cold air then release it back with warm air and allows you to enjoy the benefit of having radiated and convection heat around the room.
Ceramic Heaters
This type of heater works by heating built-in ceramic block. This ceramic block radiates heat, creating an effective, quiet and safe way to bring in warmth to any room.
Ceramic heaters are suitable for families with kids because the heating element is hidden at the back of the block. It is also quiet which also works well in places for studying or working. They are perfect in heating up a certain space in the room or “spot heating”. But if you choose the ceramic heater that has an oscillating function, it will help in heating up a bigger area. Better yet, choose the tower heater for areas that are taller or bigger. They are better equipped to heat such spaces or rooms because they have a larger heating block.
The features
So aside from knowing the different types of heaters, you should also know about the different features. This will also help you decide what kind of heater best suits your needs.
Safety
Since we are dealing with heat and electricity, this is one of the most important consideration you should take in seriously. Almost all of the heaters have thermostat and may have the ability to oscillate and tilt switches. Look for those safety feature. Why? Because if the temperature reached a certain degree, or they are accidentally tipped over, they turn off automatically which is a good precautionary measure.
If you are going to place the heater in your bathroom, be sure to choose those that have drip protection feature to avoid electrocution and not have the risk of having droplets of water get inside the heater.
Heating function
Look out for heaters that have digital controls, timers and thermostats that are easy to operate. These features will make it easier for you to control the temperature in your room and it will also allow you to set up as to how long you want your heater to function. Timers are not only safe, but they also help conserve energy. It would also translate to a possibility of better energy efficiency and keeping the running costs low.
If you have allergies or any member of your family have one, you may want to consider checking out heaters with built-in filter. This will help in preventing dust and other allergic causing substances to spread while the room is being heated.
Output of heat
While it may be a bit difficult to know exactly how much heat you need at home, it will not hurt for you to know the kilowatts or watts of the heater you will purchase. A 2000 to 2400W will most likely be enough for most homes.
However, if you have a large home and you don’t have much insulation, you may want to get a more powerful heater. Take note, that if you choose to get a heater with a higher heat capacity, it is likely that you may pay more in your electricity bill. So, choose wisely and look for the one that is more energy efficient.
Level of noise
If you are one who hates a lot of noise, then make sure you check out the model that does not make much noise. Heaters that have fans are most likely to create more noise, so you might want to check out other models that don’t have fans but will still deliver the heat you need at home.
Size
Of course, it will be difficult if you choose models that are extremely large but will not fit your home. So make sure that you don’t overdo your purchase. Look for the right size with the right amount of heat that will cover your whole house.
Overall, when choosing for a heater, safety should be a priority. If you plan to use your portable heater in different places of your home, then look for one that is lightweight or have castors so you can move it freely. Lastly, match the size of the heater with your home. It will definitely be a waste of money if you bought a large heater and just place it in a small, confined place. You will simply waste the heat it emits plus a waste of money as well.
FAQs on Portable Heaters
Can you leave a portable heater on all night?
While some portable heaters have safety features, it is a general rule to make sure that you don’t leave them unattended. Portable heaters can still create a potential safety risk. Turn on the heater in advance so that once you get to sleep the room is already warm enough. If you think that you will fall asleep immediately, make sure that you turn it off before going to bed. A remote controlled heater is a good option so you don’t have to get up.
Just remember that even if you have already taken the necessary precautionary measures, bottom line is there will still be a great risk that leaving your heater turned on can cause fire. This is because the device can overheat or it may overheat other objects that are inside your room. Aside from that, it can also make your skin dry and can even affect your nasal passages as well.
Do portable heaters use a lot of electricity?
In order to know how much electricity is being used by your portable heater, you have to know its wattage. These are usually found in the manual of the model you are purchasing.
Generally, portable heaters consume about 1500 watts while others may use less or slightly more. This is somehow equivalent to a toaster or a coffee maker but with the exception of how long you will use it.
Is it cheaper to use portable heaters?
The answer to this question is YES. However, there are things you need to know. Portable heaters are perfect heating device if you only want to heat up a certain part of your home like your bedroom or when the whole heating system breaks down. So, if you want to heat up a larger space, then you might want to consider having a larger heater.
But a great advantage these portable heaters hold, is that they don’t need to use and vent any gas which is not only cheaper but environment-friendly as well. Aside from that, it is a great alternative for those who do not have enough budget to have a traditional heating system installed at home.
Do oil-filled radiator heaters use much electricity?
Arguably, oil-filled radiator heaters are the most reliable and economical one. Because the energy that is being produced goes to the oil rather than being discharged, and eventually getting lost in the whole room. Heating elements consume a lot of energy when it is turned on, but since there is heat sink which is created by the oil, less electricity is being used.
An electrical current is being used in the thermal oil which in turn heats the oil then allows it to be circulated all over the heater, just like water inside a radiator. It may take time to probably heat up the whole room, but once the heat is emitted, it will stay for long even if the portable heater is already turned off. This of course saves more energy because you don’t have to turn on the portable heater for long.
Is it cheaper to have heating on low all day?
According to experts, leaving the heat on low all day to conserve energy is not true. However, this issue still remains to be debatable. While others, believe that it will not make a difference, there are other advocates that leaving it on low all day can save money. The key factor here is that, it will all boil down to the amount of energy needed in order to warm up your home.
However, majority of the people think that turning on the heating system when needed is the best way to conserve not just energy but money as well. Think about it, if you keep your heater turned on the whole day, you lose energy. Losing energy means paying more. So it just makes sense that you turn on your heater when you need it.