It’s well and truly the season of cosy jumpers, comfort food and heated throws.
Though these small cosy comforts can warm us up, those extra chilly days call for a heater. If you live in a smaller space or have one particular frosty room that needs warming up, a portable heater should be your go-to.
While electric heaters are usually inexpensive to purchase, they can be quite costly to operate. If energy efficiency is your concern, start by draught-proofing your home and keeping doors shut to any rooms you’re unlikely to go into.
Read on to find the energy-efficient portable heater suited to your room and budget in 2025:
The best energy-efficient portable heaters in Australia 2025
01
DeLonghi portable convection heater
from $73.47, Amazon
Best for: high-performance
Ideal for spot heating, the DeLonghi convection heater is handy to have after a cold day outside when you need to warm up quicksmart. With 2000w of power and an adjustable room thermostat, instant warmth is easily achievable. While it is a machine you can move from room to room, there’s also the option for wall-fixture, if you love having it stationed as close as possible to your spot on the couch.
Key features:
- 2000W power
- Adjustable thermostat
- Free standing
- Easy to maintain
02
Purifier hot+cool
from $999, Dyson
Best for: year round usage
While you probably don’t want to drop such a hefty amount on one product, the Dyson Hot + Cool fan heater has thousands of five-star reviews to testify that it’s well worth the price tag. This appliance cools in summer and heats in winter, so you can get year-round usage. It’s best feature is by far it’s long range capabilities, so if you’ve got extra-long rooms or an especially drafty house, this heater is worth the investment.
Key features:
- Long range heating and cooling projection
- Air Multiplier technology for purified air
- MyDyson app connection
Available at:
- $894 (usually $999) from Bing Lee
- $899 from The Good Guys
03
DeLonghi capsule fan heater
from $92.80, Amazon
Best for: small but mighty heat
Offering optimal temperature control across two power levels, this sleek little machine will elevate the look of any room. It’s cute, extremely easy to move around and will give you enough heat that you won’t need any extra layers while walking around the house. Our favourite part? The power-off function that means it will automatically shut off if tipped over!
Key features:
- 1800W power
- Two power setting for heating versatility
- Lightweight with carry-handle
- Available in black and white
Available at:
- $67 (usually $79) at Bing Lee
04
Kambrook 2200W white ceramic tower heater
from $199, The Good Guys
Best for: extra warmth
This white, portable heater will blend easily into your modern décor. While it’s good for direct, immediate heat, you can also set a timer and let it slowly warm up your whole room. With an immense 2200w of power, this one will provide blazing heat even on the coldest days.
Key features:
- 2200W power
- Two heat settings
- Auto-off safety function
05
Delonghi bend line tower fan
from $149.99, Amazon
Best for: oscillating in a big room
This sleek remote-controlled oscillating heater from De’Longhi embraces ceramic heating technology, balancing power and energy efficiency through its self-regulating capability.
The option for oscillation means you can move heat around the room without moving the machine, and throw blasts of warm air to wherever it’s needed.
Key features:
- 2000W power
- Remote-controlled fan
- Safety auto off
- Eco Plus function for temperature detection
Available at:
- $203 (usually $239) from The Good Guys
What are the different types of portable heaters?
There are several types of portable heaters: radiant, oil-filled column heaters, convection (panel), and fan heaters.
Convection heaters are highly efficient for bigger spaces, providing even heat distribution these machines can take a while to heat up. Oil column heaters are reliable but take their time too, they’re also quite heavy making them hard to move around the home.
Fan heaters are a popular choice because they’re budget-friendly, but unfortunately are quite noisy. However, more upmarket models such as Dyson’s Hot + Cool fan heater have moved the blades into the base of the appliance, eliminating the noise. Lastly, radiant heaters can heat up a space quickly but have many safety concerns and are a fire risk.
Some home features that can help warm up a room are heat-retaining blinds and reversible ceiling fans that redistribute hot air. For something more stylish, a thick woolly throw can make a cosy couch companion in the evening, or can be just as easily draped over the bed for extra warmth.
While all these simple changes can make a difference, the key to a well heated space (and a low electricity bill), comes down to choosing the right heater.
What is the cost of heating with a portable electric heater?
Choice ran a study comparing a fan, oil and panel heater in prices and found that oil heaters are the cheapest to run at $0.65 cost per hour, followed by panel heaters at $0.80 and then fans at $0.82. Over a three-month winter period, they averaged that oil heaters will cost $324, panels $389 and fans $408.
You can also calculate the cost yourself by multiplying the input power in kW by the price of your electricity per kWh to get a rough figure. Most heaters display the wattage under technical specifications. However, calculations will depend on the area being heated and how well insulated your home is, among other things.
