Have you gone through a number of heating options during the winter months? You’ve come up with some oil filled heater reviews as well. Yep, right? Warming up a room is pretty challenging and comes at a price when it’s really cold outside. Did you know that about 65% of the electrical consumption of an average family goes for domestic heating? Well, you can reduce that number if you manage to get your hands on one of the best oil-filled heaters on the market today.
Check out our buying guide and take advantage of the tips we will provide you before selecting the product that suits your needs the best. See which are the most trusted and popular models available and read about the most important feature an oil filled radiator heater must have!
See The Quick Comparison Chart
Why Getting an Oil-Filled Radiator Heater is a Good Idea?
Winter months can be challenging to deal with when it comes to having a warm home. A portable solution to such a problem is getting an oil-filled radiator heater. It will also affect your family budget in a pretty positive way as its main features are related to efficiency and comfort.
We can distinguish 4 main reasons as to why an oil-filled radiator heater is a good purchase and then you can determine for yourself whether your family can benefit from using one or two. In short, the way it works, the amount of heat which it provides, the level of safety, and its portability are the focal points that typically sway people into getting an oil-filled radiator heater.
How Oil-Filled Heaters Work
Once you plug your heater into the socket, electricity will interact with the resistor of the product. This is the simplest process and what it does is to basically turn electrical energy into heat. This is how most stoves, hotplates, and all other forms of heaters work. But here we also have oil which starts absorbing the heat. This is the main difference in how oil-filled radiators work.
Instead of using water or simply having grills in the columns and the fins, here we have hot oil. This is perhaps the biggest benefit of such a heater. The oil transfers heat to the body of the radiator and vice-versa. Since the metal also heats up, it starts generating warmth in the room.
Efficiency
Everything described above sounds no different than a typical radiator that uses water or has just heating-resistors like a typical floor heater. Using oil as the main liquid for heating, however, makes all the difference in the world. This is because oil stays hot for longer than water. The moment you turn the heater off, the warm fins along with the oil inside will keep emitting heat.
All of that aids the energy efficiency of such radiator heaters because they do not to be running all the time in order to provide you with heat. Additionally, even though we call them radiators, they work by convection. This means that the temperature is gradually increased and the same goes for cooling off. You will not notice a sudden dip in the temperature of the room the moment you plug the heater off.
Safety
There are hardly any dangers of oil heaters. In comparison to most typical floor heaters, the oil-filled radiator heater is way safer. First of all, children and pets can almost freely interact with it. Even at the highest power output setting, the heater’s fins and columns will not be hot enough to burn you. This is due to the presence of the convection technology which we already mentioned above.
When looking to move such a radiator, you can also use the wheels that it most likely has. There’s no need to touch any part of the surface in order to relocate the heater. And lastly, some of the best oil-filled radiator heaters also have a tip-over switch off. This characteristic shuts off the item in case it falls over thus preventing any sort of fire danger.
Portability
Yep, a home radiator can be portable. Some people even call these products petit but that doesn’t mean that they are suitable for small spaces only. In fact, one typical oil-filled radiator will be good for a 250 square foot room.
That’s not all (as they say in infomercials), you also do not need to drill any holes in your walls in order to install the heater. There’s no infrastructural hassle when you buy one of these. They simply rest on your carpet or hard floor and provide you with plenty of heating energy.
Mobility isn’t an issue and it is an essential part of the functionality of every oil-filled radiator heater. If you hang something on the wall such as a top-rated electric wall heater, how are you moving it to the other room? Well, you don’t. Here you have 4 wheels which will allow you to focus on whichever room you wish to have heated. Anyone can push or pull these heaters – they are fairly light.
In case you are interested in more portable models, check out our reviews on portable car heaters now!
Best Oil Filled Heaters Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | DeLonghi Safe Heat Portable Oil-Filled Radiator |
| View On Amazon |
 | Pelonis Electric Oil Filled Radiator |
| View On Amazon |
 | Honeywell EnergySmart Oil Filled Radiator |
| View On Amazon |
 | Costway Oil Filled Radiator Heater |
| View On Amazon |
 | Pelonis Portable Radiator Heater |
| View On Amazon |
 | Tangkula 5-Fin Thermostat Radiator Heater |
| View On Amazon |
1. DeLonghi Safe Heat Portable Oil-Filled Radiator
White is a universal color and it can really add something to any room. Of course, when it comes to the DeLonghi Safe Heat Radiator it is not all about design because you get so much more from it. Since this is one of the leading brands on the market you get a heater packed with technology.
The ComforTemp Button will automatically adjust the output of the heater to the optimal temperature of the room. Just a remarkable function to cut down on electrical costs. You have two light indicators showing you which of the two power settings is on (if not both). This is similar to what you see on a stove. You just spin a dial and heat emerges. This mini-heater is perfect for a small office or study. With its, simple to use, panel, you will have a respectable little heating gadget right by your side.
2. Pelonis Electric Oil Filled Radiator
When looking for pleasant and long-lasting warmth, the Pelonis Radiator stands out as the perfect solution. With features like overheat protection, tip-over safety, remote control, and temperature settings, you don’t have to look any further.
Conduction Oil filled radiators are heavy, so Pelonis have taken care to install four 360 degrees rotation wheels to make things much more comfortable. There is also a built-in handle, so you don’t have to touch any other surface.
Energy efficiency has not been overlooked. The radiator offers an ECO mode, which shifts between the minimum 900 watts and a maximum of 1500 watts to meet the preset temperature. To optimize even further, you can set the timer, so the unit starts working before you come home, and you can safely take off your jacket and start relaxing. If there is a power outage, the radiator will resume operation with the previous settings once the power is back.
In terms of appearance and keeping things neat, there is a slick-looking holder on the front of the radiator where you can roll up the 6.5 feet long power cord. The unit has a voltage of 120 and draws 12.5 amps.
The remote’s sound indications can be loud and cause some unpleasant events like waking up the baby.
3. Honeywell EnergySmart Oil Filled Radiator
This is perhaps one of the more advanced oil-filled radiators when it comes to electronics. The digital features really set the Honeywell EnergySmart Oil Filled Radiator apart from all others and the best thing is that you do not need to pay a fortune for it.
If you can live with the little crackling noises when the product heats up, then you will be just fine. Use the digital timer to decide when the heater should turn off automatically. The black color also makes it rather “invisible” in most rooms and will prevent it from showing signs of wear.
The wheels are not hard to glide but bear in mind that they might fall off if you push or pull too impatiently. As far as safety goes, any accidental bump resulting in a tip-over will automatically turn off the radiator. Use the ECO function to save some energy while still getting enough heat.
4. Costway Oil Filled Radiator Heater
Did the name of this heater really give it away? Yep, cost efficiency is rather important when it comes to using an oil-filled radiator heater. According to many, 700 watts of heating power don’t sound like a lot but in fact, they will be more than enough for simple domestic needs. Let’s not also forget that the price tag of the product will not intimidate anyone.
This budget-friendly heater also has a pretty useful feature when it comes to safety. In case the heater is pushed over it will turn off automatically thus preventing any catastrophic consequences. The size is petite and this is an advantage, although the radiator might need just a little while until it heats up the whole room. Additionally, it is not going to make any extra noises when heating or cooling off. But do you need to refill oil heaters? No, the sealed oil mechanism keeps any of the contents of the heater from leaking out.
5. Pelonis Portable Radiator Heater
While not a large product in size, the Pelonis Portable Heater will give you a lot of warmth at home. Its max setting allows it to go to 1500 watts and the lowest one stands at 600 watts. There’s one in the middle which gives you a middle ground of sorts – 900 watts. The thermostat is adjustable thus preventing overheating and granting you full control when it comes to the temperature on your premises.
Bear in mind that the 1-year warranty is good only if the heater malfunctions on its own and not thanks to your actions. That being said, make sure that you clean it with a damp cloth only when the radiator is plugged off and completely cool. Don’t apply any abrasives or strong detergents as you might compromise the integrity of the product. The power cord gives you plenty of flexibility as it is 70 inches long.
6. Tangkula 5-Fin Thermostat Radiator Heater
Find serenity inside of your own home during the winter by going for the Tangkula 5-Fin Thermostat Radiator Heater. While the body of the product is not small and it runs on 4 lb. of oil, it will not make any noises while turned on. Sleep quietly and enjoy warmth by selecting one of the three possible heat settings using the dial-up front. The highest one is 1500 watts and will definitely aid you in heating a medium room.
It doesn’t include a tip-over switch off technology but such a massive body is tough to push over anyway. Additionally, the 4 heavy-duty wheels improve the stability of the heater. They also make moving rather easy and when it is time to tuck it away for the summer, you can simply take the wheels off. Automatic shut off is ensured by the 5-Fin thermostat.
7. Kenmore Oil-Filled Radiator Heater
One of the not-so-small radiator heaters is the Kenmore oil-filled heater. The fact that it is made in China shouldn’t disappoint you as the product has a number of advantages. For instance, the performance is truly off the charts as you can count on it to heat a 250 square foot room. The heater is pretty easy to operate as it only features two dials.
You use the top one to set the thermostat and the bottom one to adjust the wattage. A slight drawback is that for such a price it should have perhaps also had a timer but it is not the end of the world. Don’t expect any operation problems such as smell or leakages as the craftsmanship of this Kenmore heater is very satisfactory. Roll it all over your carpet using the built-in wheels without worrying that it might damage the surface.
8. Teknogas Portable Oil Filled Radiator
The Teknogas Portable Oil Filled Radiator doesn’t feature a fancy digital display or many electronic settings but the manual dials will help you just fine. In fact, the heater can be programmed to work in cycles meaning that it will shut off, save energy, and then heat up again. You are the one to select how often you wish a cycle to repeat. This is why the item features a 24h timer.
Such a convenient characteristic is pretty important especially during nighttime when you do not want to turn off the radiator completely. It also works in a quiet fashion making your rest truly peaceful. The heater also warms gradually so there’s no sudden spike in temperature thus preventing any parts from malfunctioning. While there are wheels so that you can roll the radiator, you also have handles at your disposal in case lifting it is the only option. The highest power output setting stands at 1500W.
Key Features to Consider When Buying an Oil-Filled Heater
Now that you’ve arrived at the decision to possibly get an oil-filled radiator heater, it is time to become familiar with some of the key characteristics of one. Make sure you have a certain budget in mind and be aware that the more perks a radiator has, the larger the price will be. There are some great value options and we will help you spot them by highlighting the most important specs of a good oil-filled heater.
Output
Well, power really matters, doesn’t it? You don’t need a product which will not provide you with a decent enough amount of heat. Once you know how large of a room you want to heat, you will have a better idea of how strong your oil-filled radiator should be.
Typically the most powerful ones have a heat output of 1500W to 2500W although anything more than 2000W might be a slight overkill. This is because at such a point you fall into a category where energy efficiency and value aren’t so good. After all, you perhaps look for something which will do a good job but won’t make you go broke.
At a minimum, the wattage you should look for is 600W. Such a setting is not really going to make a huge difference although it might be quite convenient for a small study.
Heat Settings
This is a rather important aspect of each oil-filled radiator heater as the way you operate it will determine the level of comfort, the possibilities that the product has, and of course – the price. Some heaters come with a digital display and they also make some friendly beeping sounds as you press their buttons.
This indeed sounds like fun but is it really that necessary? Whether you press buttons or rotate dials to operate your heater shouldn’t be all that important. Most electronic radiators also have a timer function but in reality, a number of analog ones also have that ability and they do come at a way lower price.
Also, the more digitalization you have, the more things to go wrong. And once your display or software goes bad, it will cost a lot to fix. A heater has one single purpose and it is definitely not related to being perky. The value for money does not lie in the expensive flashy product but in the one that will improve the temperature in your room.
Also, you definitely need a heater with a thermostat and at least two power output settings. The thermostat will switch the thing off after a certain temperature is reached. The output settings will allow you to pretty much decide on the power consumption of the heater at any given moment.
Design
The style of your oil-filled radiator heater also matters and it doesn’t come down to only the color options. Some people really pay attention to how a product looks and often time they pass on a good deal because the thing doesn’t “compliment” their living room setting.
All of that is fair but there’s more to it. The size of a heater is also rather important because of the liquid which is inside. The larger the body, the more time it will need to heat up. This sounds like an inconvenience but it doesn’t have to be. After the radiator heats up and this big body starts emitting warmth, you can plug it off.
Now it will take more time for the radiator to cool off. Once the oil and the fins are all hot, they will remain like that for a while. So a larger body means slower convection but also a prolonged cooling-off period. It comes down to your personal preference but in many cases, this trade-off is worth it. You see now that this is one of the main reasons why oil-filled heaters are so popular.
Safety and Maneuverability
We already mentioned these two things earlier but they are essential qualities and you shouldn’t neglect their presence or absence for that matter. If an oil-filled radiator heater has a tip-over switch off function then it will be pretty safe. If you have children or pets running around then this feature is vital to you. It will prevent not only the malfunctioning of the product but also a complete fire hazard disaster. In short, oil-filled heater safety is something you can rely on.
You also have mobility which should definitely be present. If your radiator doesn’t have wheels then it will be pinned down in only one room. If you wish to move it you will need to wait for it to cool off and then lift it and carry it. Such an ordeal is definitely not attractive to anyone.
The wheels also serve as a buffer between the body of the heater and the floor. People put those heaters on all sorts of carpets or wooden floors and you want to have a good distance between the two. This goes to show you that a set of wheels will also play a nice part in the safety aspect.
Comparison With Other Heating Options
It is obvious that there is a wide array of possibilities when it comes to buying a gadget to provide you with heat during the wintertime. Here we will compare an oil-filled radiator heater with two other very popular ideas – an AC and a floor heater. There are pros and cons to each and every one of them so nothing should remain overlooked.
Oil-Filled Heaters vs Air-Conditioners
Getting an AC is often not the best solution as it will be detrimental to your family budget straight away when you buy it. The initial investment is big but you aren’t going to see a significant decrease in your monthly electricity bill.
What’s more, is that most of the time people prefer having an Air-conditioner for the summer months in order to use it to cool off. A number of households actually detach and put away their ACs when the winter comes. It is not easy to get something that cools you off in the summer but heats you up during the winter.
You also lose the mobility element when you choose to go with an AC. If you have a number of rooms which you want to have warm, then you either need to install a second air-conditioner or you will have to, again, get a radiator.
ACs are better off running all day long. Even when you aren’t at home, you shouldn’t have them turned off. This is because upon restart they use a ton of electricity and you will not like the bill at the end of the month. An oil-filled radiator heater will warm up your room without having to work all day. On the other hand, you might ask the question: are oil heaters safe to leave on overnight? The short answer is, yes!
The AC constantly blows some air around. This is negative in a number of ways. For instance, you need to often open a window so that fresh air can come in and the one that has been “used” to go out. ACs only “spin” the air and do not refresh it. This causes germs to stay in the room and thus threaten the health of the inhabitants.
Another example of why the constant draft by the air-conditioner is unpleasant is because it can be quite bothersome to people sitting under it. There’s a regular airflow coming your way and will be either on your neck or your back. There’s no way around this.
Oil-Filled Heaters vs Electric Heaters
First of all, regular floor heaters can be pretty dangerous. They feature only heat resistors hidden behind a wire mesh or some sort of a screen. In case of this thing tipping over, some fire can easily start immediately. You can still use a top-notch radiant floor heater but you have to be smart about them.
Furthermore, a floor heater will not give you a lot of residual heat. Yes, it will definitely heat up quicker than the oil-filled heater because there’s no convection. But once the machine gets hot it will still need time to warm the whole room. If you turn it off, it goes cool right away and you are left with some cold premises.
If anybody touches the floor heater when it works, then there’s the risk of being burned. The consumption is definitely a lot but the heat is not something that impresses.
Wrapping up
What we have highlighted in our buyer’s guide to getting the best oil-filled radiator heater is that this invention is rather efficient and easy to use. Hopefully, the information that you have found in our oil-filled heater reviews is sufficient to help you decide whether such a product is good for you or not. The fact that these products are very user-friendly and hardly dangerous makes them an excellent purchase for everyone.
If you liked what you read, please share and comment on the article. Kindly let us know if you think anything can be added or needs to be reviewed. We have more reviews on our website such as the best gas fireplace inserts, too. As HomeClimate editors, we will take your notes into consideration. Enjoy the comfort of your home and as always – stay put!
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