One of the most popular heater types, an oil heater or oil-filled heater is efficient, cheap and safe. Despite its name, an oil heater uses electricity to keep an area warm, using oil as a heat reservoir and not as its main fuel. It looks like any old-fashioned radiator but smaller, featuring a series of columns or fins that are attached at the base. But there are several oil heaters constructed as a single panel.
To find the best oil heater for your home, consider the number of heating elements it has, safety features and adjustments. You should also pick an oil heater with adequate safety features as well as convenient functions such as an eco mode, delay timer and user-friendly controls.
For this list, we analysed various oil heaters from brands like DeLonghi, Goldair, Russel Hobbs and Midea. We then made a shortlist based on customer reviews and ratings. For each category, we picked oil heaters based on key product features.
The Dimplex 2.4kW Oil Column Heater with Turbo Fan is our pick for the best overall oil heater. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman. This model is also one of our picks for the best heaters you can get right now in Australia.
With 3 heat settings and thermostat control, this Dimplex oil heater is designed to meet your heating requirements. It features a portable radiator design, so you can move it around with ease. Apart from 9 fins, this has a Turbo Fan Boost feature that offers rapid heat circulation.
Customers praised the product's ease of use, impressive performance and value for money. While it may be too small to heat large areas, this model remains a solid option for bedrooms and small living spaces. Equipped with castor wheels and a panel with a handle, this heater is also portable and easy to store.
For the best cheap option, we recommend Russell Hobbs' RHOFR5002 2kW 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator Heater. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
The RHOFR5002 features 9 fins designed for even heat distribution and improved performance. It also has 3 heat settings, including 800W, 1.2kW or 2kW to address any heating needs. Apart from a variable thermostat, this comes with an overheat and tip-over protection, carry handles, castors and a 1.45m power cord. The model is backed by a 2-year guarantee, too.
The perfect heating solution on a budget, the RHOFR5002 can evenly warm rooms up to 20sqm. It is easy to use and has a compact design, suitable for smaller households. Customers loved that it is user-friendly, durable and affordable. For added convenience, this heater will switch off once it reaches your desired temperature. It would then switch back on when the surrounding air cools down.
With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on The Good Guys, we selected the DeLonghi 2400W Dragon4 Pro Oil Column Heater as the best option for large rooms.
The Dragon 4 Pro provides optimal heating and has a large radiant surface for enhanced airflow. It also has an increased chimney effect and ample warmth for spaces up to 70sqm. Equipped with a digital control panel, this heater is easy to use while providing quick and even warmth for the entire family. You can also use its ECO PLUS function to optimise power usage.
Featuring a 24-programmable time, this oil heater lets you pre-set its operating times to fit your schedule. And because it has pre-assembled folding castors, it is easy to move to any room. Its heated oil inside also maintains temperature for long-lasting warmth. This is pricier than other options in the market, but its durable build, silent operation and even heat distribution are well worth it if you have the extra money.
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For a baby's room, we recommend the Goldair 2400W 11 Fin Oil Column Heater as the best oil heater to get. On Harvey Norman, it has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
This Goldair oil heater features 11 fins and an adjustable thermostat so you can easily change the temperature to get your baby's room to the ideal, comfy environment. Apart from 3 heat settings, this also comes with a tilt switch and overheat protection for safety.
Suitable for small and medium rooms, this oil heater has a near-silent operation. The adjustable thermostat is user-friendly, allowing you to set your desired temperature in no time. For portability, this model has smooth wheels and a carry handle. The brand claims it instantly heats an area using radiant technology. However, several reviews said it takes a minute or two for warmth to be distributed in the entire room.
When it comes to energy efficiency, we recommend the DeLonghi Radia 2400W Oil Column Heater with Timer as the best option. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman.
Part of our list of the best energy-efficient heaters, the Radia features 3 power settings and an adjustable timer to meet any heating requirements. It also has a safety thermostat, an anti-frost function for much-needed heat during cold mornings, and 12 fins. It has pre-assembled castors, wheels and a carry handle so you can easily move it around from room to room.
The Radia has a patented battery design that helps distribute even and long-lasting warmth. It also uses Real Energy technology to optimise the amount of energy used by steadily increasing heat until the heater reaches your desired temperature. For added convenience, it features a handy 24-hour timer, a safety auto-shut-off system and cord storage.
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Our pick for the best small model is Warmlite's WL43002YW 650W 5 Fin Oil Filled Radiator, which has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
With a lightweight and compact design, this Warmlite heater features 650W of heating power and 5 fins to warm small rooms in no time. It has an adjustable thermostat with a maximum temperature of 105°C, an LED power indicator light and overheat protection. For peace of mind, the brand also offers a 2-year guarantee for this heater.
Despite its small design, this oil heater packs a punch. Customers praised it for quickly and evenly heating small rooms, creating a warm and cosy environment during cold winter days. However, it may not be suitable for warming extremely cold areas and larger rooms.
Amazon prices last updated on 6 May, 2024 at 04:04 ameBay prices last updated on 5 May, 2024 at 06:13 am
Methodology
14 Brands considered
68 Products compared
6 Best products chosen
Why you can trust our picks
For this list, we examined oil heaters from online retailers like Amazon, Appliances Online, Bing Lee and The Good Guys. We looked at models from the following brands:
Belaco
DeLonghi
Dimplex
Goldair
Heller
Jack Stonehouse
Kogan
Midea
Russell Hobbs
Schallen
Starke
Status
Swan
Warmlite
We narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews (as of July 2023). We also considered each model's key product features like price, power, number of heating elements and safety features. We came up with what we believe to be the 6 best oil heaters available online.
Pros and cons
Oil heaters are some of the most popular heating options to keep you warm and toasty during cold winter days. But before you purchase one for your home, you should know its pros and cons:
Pros
Cons
Compared to gas and electric heaters, oil heaters are relatively cheaper.
An oil heater has a lower power consumption due to the way it works.
It provides long-lasting warmth.
Most oil heaters have a near silent operation, making them suitable for a baby’s room.
Most oil heaters also have wheels and carry handles for easy portability.
Oil heaters are slower to warm compared to other types of heaters.
They also tend to be heavier and bulkier than electric heaters.
Gas, wood and electric heaters are better at warming up larger spaces.
They're not suitable for outdoor use
How to compare oil heaters
Consider these factors when comparing oil heaters to find the best model that fits your heating requirements:
Room size
Before choosing an oil heater, measure the size of the room where you plan to place it. This will greatly help narrow down your choices.
Price
Most oil heaters cost anywhere from $20 to $1,000, depending on their size, coverage, functions and other features.
Thermostat and heat settings
Opt for an oil heater with an adjustable thermostat and at least 3 heat settings to meet your heating requirements.
Fins
An oil heater's fins help dissipate heat to evenly warm an area. Choose an option with at least 5 fins for warming smaller rooms and at least 10 fins for large rooms. The more fins the heater has, the better the heat dissipation.
Safety features
Make sure that the oil heater at least has a tilt switch and overheat protection for safety. Some models also have an auto shut-off function for added peace of mind.
Safety tips
There are certain safety precautions you should remember any time you're using an oil heater. To prevent accidents like the possibility of fire, follow these tips:
Make sure your heater is at least 3 feet away from furniture, people and other objects.
Place the heater away from foot traffic to prevent it from tilting over.
Place your heater on a flat, solid surface.
Don’t run your oil heater all night.
Don’t plug your heater in an extension cord.
To keep your oil heater efficient, carry out regular maintenance as recommended by your manufacturer.
Keep pets and children away from the oil heater.
Frequently asked questions
In general, an oil heater uses about 150W. However, its energy consumption depends on how much heat you need, the frequency of use and its make.
Oil heaters utilise electricity for heating, but they use oil as a heat reservoir. They provide long-lasting warmth and a near-silent operation. On the other hand, electric heaters only use electricity to instantly make an area nice and toasty. They are also more lightweight and portable than oil heaters.
No, you don't have to refill your heater with oil. Most oil heaters don't run out of oil as they use electricity to warm an area and only use oil as a buffer.
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Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication
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