Watts in, warmth out, and the running cost between them

The best electric space heaters for 2026

Every electric heater in this family converts watts to heat at essentially the same efficiency, so the real differences are in how the heat is delivered and how precisely it is controlled. Ceramic and PTC elements warm the air in a room quickly and cool down fast when switched off; infrared and oil-filled panel heaters warm objects and people more directly and hold heat longer after switching off, at the cost of a slower start. We compare rated wattage against the room size the maker states, element type, thermostat precision (a numeric setpoint that cycles the heater, not just a dial), and the safety features that matter in a plug-in appliance: tip-over shutoff and overheat protection, both of which are published and neither of which should be assumed.

The models we recommend

1. 

   Rowenta SO2212F0

   2 000 W max · ECO/Turbo · mechanical thermostat

   A compact electric fan heater with two heat stages — 1 000 W ECO and 2 000 W Turbo — plus a fan-only cool-blow setting. Rowenta publishes a mechanical thermostat, an automatic overheat shutoff with an integrated thermal fuse, and a 15-year repairability commitment backed by a network of 6,200 repair centres.

   Best for: A small room, bathroom, or desk where the priority is low upfront cost rather than precise temperature control.

   6.9/10

   ≈ 33 €

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2. 

   Dreo DR-HSH006

   1 500 W PTC ceramic · 5–35 °C in ±1 °C steps · tip-over sensor

   A 1 500 W PTC ceramic heater — Dreo's 'Hyperamics' system — with a thermostat adjustable from 5 to 35 °C in 1 °C steps, a tilt-detection tip-over sensor, overheat protection, and V0 flame-retardant housing. Dreo states 34 dB of operating noise from its brushless DC motor, and units sold since 5 September 2025 include a remote control.

   Best for: A bedroom or home office where quiet running and a specific thermostat setpoint matter more than outright wattage.

   8.1/10

   ≈ 42 €

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3. 

   De'Longhi TRRS0920

   2 000 W oil-filled radiator · 9 fins · safety thermostat

   A 2 000 W oil-filled radiator with 9 fins, sold under De'Longhi's Radia S line. De'Longhi states a safety thermostat for overheat cutoff, a stepless temperature-and-power dial, its own 'Real Energy' gradual-heat control, and 360° castors with front and rear handles for moving it between rooms. Coverage is stated as up to 60 m³ on the German listing.

   Best for: A room you want to heat steadily over hours rather than minutes, where the weight and slower warm-up of an oil-filled radiator are an acceptable trade for residual heat after it's switched off.

   7.5/10

   ≈ 118 €

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4. 

   Könighaus P-Serie 1000 W

   1 000 W infrared panel · wall-mount · aluminium frame

   A wall-mounted 1 000 W infrared radiant panel from Könighaus's P-Serie line, built into a powder-coated aluminium frame. Könighaus states no fan and no forced air circulation, publishes a wattage-to-room-size table across its whole line (130 W to 1 200 W), and backs the panel with a 5-year manufacturer warranty. The box includes mounting hardware and a 1.8 m cable — Könighaus's own listing does not confirm a thermostat is included.

   Best for: A well-insulated room where silent, fan-free radiant heat is worth paying more for than a fan heater's faster warm-up.

   8.7/10

   ≈ 170 €

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