Quick answer
For warming one room quickly and cheaply, a thermostat-controlled ceramic electric heater is the best all-rounder. For all-day background heat in a large room, an oil-filled radiator works well. Our recommended everyday electric heater is the 1200W Ofenwerk K1.
Quick checklist
- Right type for how you'll use it (quick warmth or all-day heat)
- Thermostat and timer or remote
- Safety cut-offs
- UK plug and UKCA/CE marking
- A UK seller with a clear returns policy
Electric heater types compared
| Type | Speed | Running cost in practice | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | Very fast | Low (thermostat) | One room, evenings, bedrooms |
| Fan (coil) | Fast | Medium | Occasional bursts |
| Oil-filled | Slow | Medium | All-day background |
| Convector / panel | Medium | Medium | Larger rooms |
| Halogen | Instant | Medium | Spot heat |
| Infrared panel | Fast (radiant) | Medium | Wall-mounted |
Which electric heater is cheapest to run?
No electric heater is more efficient than another per kWh. They're all close to 100%. The cheapest is the one that runs for the least time at the lowest power, which favours fast, thermostat-controlled heaters used only in the room you're in.
Safety checklist
- Tip-over and overheat protection
- Cool-touch casing
- Plug straight into the wall
- Keep 1 m from fabrics
- Never cover the vent
What it costs to run (current UK prices)
At the Ofgem price cap of 26.32p per kWh (1 October to 31 December 2026), a 1200W heater like the K1 costs about 32p an hour at full power. Once the room is warm the thermostat switches the heater on and off, so in normal use it averages about 16p an hour.
| How long | Typical cost per day | Over 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 16p | £4.74 |
| An evening (4 hours) | 63p | £18.95 |
| A working day (8 hours) | £1.26 | £37.90 |
Your own price may be a little higher or lower depending on your region and tariff. See how we calculate running costs or try the running cost calculator with your own unit rate.
Which type of electric heater suits you?
- Quick warmth in one room for a few hours: ceramic fan heater
- All-day gentle background heat: oil-filled radiator
- Long, fixed use in one room: wall-mounted panel heater
- Warming only yourself in bed: electric blanket
- Cheap overnight electricity tariff: storage heater (needs installation)
Electric heating and Economy 7
If you're on Economy 7 or a similar tariff, electricity is cheaper overnight and dearer during the day. A plug-in heater used in the evening pays the day rate, so check your tariff. Use your own unit rate in our running cost calculator for an accurate figure.
Buying from a UK seller
UK consumer law gives you 14 days to cancel most online orders. Many sellers, including us, offer longer. Buying from a seller with a UK support team makes returns and warranty claims much easier than ordering from an overseas marketplace.
How the K1 compares with other heaters
| Heater type | Warm in | Running cost | Safety and comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofenwerk K1 (ceramic) | About 2 seconds | About 16p/hour typical | Tip-over and overheat cut-off, cool-touch case, no glowing coil |
| Coil fan heater (2–3kW) | Seconds | 53–79p/hour at full power | Hot coil, can smell of burnt dust, often noisy |
| Oil-filled radiator (1.5–2.5kW) | 20–30 minutes | 39–66p/hour at full power | Surfaces get hot, heavy to move |
| Convector (2kW) | 10–15 minutes | About 53p/hour at full power | Heat rises to the ceiling first |
| Electric blanket (100W) | 10–20 minutes | About 3p/hour | Warms the bed only, not the room |
Full-power costs worked out at 26.32p per kWh. Thermostats lower all of these in real use.
Using any electric heater safely
These tips follow UK fire-service and Electrical Safety First advice and apply to any portable heater, including ours:
- Plug the heater straight into a wall socket. Don't use an extension lead or adaptor; they can overheat.
- Keep it at least 1 metre from curtains, bedding, clothes and furniture.
- Stand it on a flat, hard, stable surface where it can't be knocked over.
- Never cover it or dry clothes on it.
- Switch it off at the wall when you go out.
- Check the plug and cable now and then. Stop using it if either is damaged or feels hot.
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor. Many UK fire services fit them free for older residents.
When the K1 is not the right choice
We'd rather you buy the right heater than return ours. The K1 is probably not for you if:
- You want to heat a large open-plan space over about 20 m² with one heater. Two K1s, or a bigger heater, will do a better job.
- You want to replace central heating for the whole house. The K1 heats the room you're in, not every room at once.
- You want a fixed, wired-in heater. Ask an electrician about panel or storage heaters.
Our pick: the Ofenwerk K1 Heater
- Warm air in about 2 seconds (PTC ceramic)
- 1200W, heats rooms up to 20 m²
- Tip-over and overheat cut-offs, cool-touch casing
- Thermostat + remote, about 16p an hour typical
- Free UK delivery, 30-day money back, 24-month warranty
Frequently asked questions
What is the most efficient electric heater?
All are about 100% efficient. Savings come from heating less space for less time.
Are electric heaters expensive to run?
A 1200W heater costs about 16–32p an hour depending on how often the thermostat cycles.
What is the cheapest electric heater to run in the UK?
The lowest-wattage heater that keeps you comfortable, used with a thermostat, in only the room you're using. For warming yourself in bed, an electric blanket is cheapest of all.
Is it cheaper to use an electric heater than gas central heating?
Per unit, gas is much cheaper than electricity. But heating one room with a small electric heater can cost less than heating a whole house with gas.
Do electric heaters need servicing?
No servicing is needed. Keep the vents free of dust and check the plug and cable regularly.
Is 1200W enough for a living room?
For a typical UK living room of up to about 20 m² with reasonable insulation, yes. For larger or draughty rooms, use two heaters or a more powerful one.
Sources and how we checked this guide
- Electricity price: Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges, checked 25 October 2026.
- Heater safety: UK fire and rescue service advice and Electrical Safety First guidance on portable heaters.
- K1 figures (1200W, about 2-second warm-up, room size up to 20 m², safety cut-offs) come from the product specification.
- Costs are worked out with the method on how we calculate running costs.