Oil filled heaters can be a really great source for heating your entire house compared to other heating systems.
We’ll be taking a look at seven of the best oil filled heater models that are currently on the market. The list below will give you a chance to look at each one with the unique features it has and whether or not it would be fitting for your budget.
These oil-filled heaters play a unique role like nothing else. They are are low maintenance, easy to operate, and can be moved from one place to the next. They are a slow heater that will take time to heat up a room, but the efficiency and effectiveness of this technology is worth the wait.
Oil filled heaters can be placed in a bedroom, a living room within a safe distance from your couch, or even a small office space, be it at home or at work. Either way, the flexibility of this type of heater means they can be effective in many different situations. And due to their safe method of keeping the room warm, you can run them for as long as possible without any risks of overheating.
If you are pressed for time, check out the comparison table below so you get the pertinent info about the best heaters and choose from there. You can find the detailed review of the best oil filled heaters after the table.
Oil Filled Radiator Comparison Table
Our Top Heater Pick
Best Oil Filled Heater
KopBeau 1500W Oil Filled Radiator
- Adjust temperature in 1 degree increments
- Eco power mode for efficient running
- Modern design
The Kopbeau oil filled radiator is the newest addition to our list, and it has also claimed the top spot.
It not only heats the space super efficiently, but it also sports a modern design, flexible heat settings, and a 24 hour timer.
If you want the best oil filled heater, then the KopBeau model should be at the top of your list to check out.
The Best Oil Filled Heater Reviews
Now, we’ll be taking a look at different oil filled heater models.
There are hundreds of heaters available, but we made the effort to choose the best of the best! There are seven oil-filled heaters in total that we’ll be looking at. Each of them has its own unique features that might provide you with the best value and performance. You’ll also need to take into account your budget (and find the best heater you can afford based on quality, performance, etc.).
KopBeau 1,500 Watt Electric Oil Filled Heater
Key Features
- 1,500w of heating power
- Modern design
- 24 hour timer
- Advanced safety features
The most recent addition to our best oil filled heater list is also the top model. The KopBeau 1,500W Oil Filled radiator clearly sits above the rest.
The modern design is the first thing you will notice about this model. It would fit in well in any home and doesn’t look like it belongs in the 1980’s like many other designs do.
But good looks isn’t all this heater has going for it. The easy to read digital control panel gives you 3 power settings, as well as the ability to adjust the desired temperature in 1 degree increments – which gives you an amazing level of control over the temperature in your space. It also comes with a remote control, which means you can change the settings from anywhere in the room.
A 24 hour timer is also included, so if you need the heater to turn on at specific times during the day (e.g. before wake up time in the morning) then this heater has you covered.
Efficiency is also important when it comes to heaters and when it comes to cost savings, oil heaters are probably the best. But when you use the KopBeau’s eco mode – it can really help to reduce those home heating bills. The Eco mode will automatically switch between the heater’s lowest power mode and highest mode to keep the room at the desired temperature – at a minimum cost to you.
The only downside we have come across so far is that there is a strong hot/plastic smell when the heater is new, but this dissipates quickly and is not an ongoing problem.
Throw in all the usual safety features, and you have an oil heater that ticks all the boxes.
Highly recommended!
Lorell 1,500 Watt Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater
Key Features
- Heats up to 300sq ft in 2 hours
- 3 heat settings
- Handy carry handles and wheels
- 1500w of heating power
Next, we’ll be looking at the 1,500 Watt Oil-Filled Radiator Space Heater.
This oil filled model comes with a handy remote control. It’s perfect for the user who doesn’t want to get up and freeze for a bit. Especially when they need to manually set the thermostat to their favorite temperature.
In other words, you don’t have to get out of bed or off the couch if you feel like staying warm. You can adjust the thermostat, set the timer, and program it to shut off automatically before going to bed. In other words, you can do it all with just one touch of the button.
If you want to move this oil filled radiator from one room to another, there’s a carrying handle that will allow you to easily carry it. It’s not too heavy, and it’s light enough for you to pick it up with one hand. No heaviness, no problem.
The heater comes with three different heat settings, so you can choose which one works better in your favor. Even better, this is an oil-filled heater that doesn’t need refilling. That takes a lot of time, frustration, and mess right out of the equation.
One more feature that might impress you is that it has an air purifying feature. This is perfect if you are dealing with indoor allergies on a regular basis.
Simply put, this is a heater that has the potential to heat smaller rooms completely. If you live in an apartment, condo, or a small single-family home, there is no denying that this heater can get the job done. And at the price that it’s going for, it’s worth every penny for those on a budget.
PELONIS Electric 1500-Watt Oil-Filled Radiator Heater
Key Features
- Three power settings
- 5 Temperature settings
- Quiet operation
- Advanced safety features
Next is the PELONIS Electric 1500-Watt Oil-Filled Radiator Heater. One of the things you’ll notice about this heater is that it has five different temperature settings. You can choose between 65, 70, 75, 80, or 85 degrees.
With three heat settings and five different temperatures you can adjust to, you won’t have a problem finding your favorite temperature and settings. If warm and full blast is your thing, go right for it.
This is the perfect heater for your home or office. Especially if you just want a low, warm heat to travel throughout the room. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about this sucking down a lot of energy, unlike most heaters.
This heater can also be operated with a remote. If you need to make temperature adjustments or if you want to crank up the heat setting to the next level up, all it takes is a touch of a button and you’re good to go. All you need to do is stay relaxed.
You’ll know what temperature setting it’s at and the level of heat that it’s on courtesy of the built in LCD display screen. It’s visible even from halfway across the room so you can make the necessary adjustments if needed. If you see it at 70 degrees and think “that’s not enough”, you can just bring it up to 75 degrees and be satisfied with it.
As far as portability goes, you’ll notice that there are four small wheels attached at the bottom. They move around at 360 degrees, so you don’t have to worry about stopping to properly position the heater itself. Just take the handle and roll it from one place to the next.
If you hate noisy heaters, you’ll rejoice at the fact that this heater doesn’t do that. You’ll have a quiet operation every single time you run this, even for longer periods. If you run this heater during a nap or meditation session, it won’t be loud enough to interrupt you.
Speaking of running it for long periods, this heater has plenty of safety features. It includes an automatic shut-off, overheat protection, a safety switch that shuts off the heater in case it tips over, and a power indicator light. This might give your vote of confidence if safety is very important to you.
This oil-filled heater is by far one of the better options due to its rich features. Plus, it’s a great option for those who are looking for the best they can afford on a budget. Rest assured that when it comes to quality and performance, this heater should be worth a lot more than what it’s going for.
Frigidaire Oil Filled Electric Radiant Radiator Heater
Key Features
- Digital thermostat
- Remote control
- Automatic shutoff
- 5,120 BTU output
Just when you thought Frigidaire did kitchen appliances, the fact that they make heaters might surprise you. Sure enough, they have done a good job putting such a quality unit together. If you liked the previous heater, this one might be just up your alley as well.
To begin, this oil filled model has a digital display that lets you know of the heat settings and what temperature it’s currently on. Don’t like the current adjustments? You can always adjust them using the remote control that comes along with it.
With three heat settings and a timer that goes up to eight hours, this heater has great flexibility. And it can run all day long without cranking up your energy bill. When it comes to keeping warm, energy efficiency is exactly what you’ll want in a heater no matter what.
Like most modern oil heaters, safety is a must. That is exactly why it has safety features like automatic shut-off in the event of a tip over. If that gives you peace of mind, then you might already be sold on this heater.
Back in the day, there were no electric heaters that provided you with such safety features like the ones this has. Plus, most of the oil-powered heaters were tacked onto the wall and didn’t have the ability to move around. But nevertheless, this heater is definitely a step up from the ones of ages past.
This heater is safe to use for children and senior citizens. It will definitely keep them warm during the winter if their rooms tend to get a little cooler than usual. Since the remote control is easy to use, all it takes for them is one touch of a button to adjust the temperature or heat settings.
If you are looking for a heater that can cover up to 300 square feet, obviously this might be the best possible choice. It can warm up a room in less than an hour and you’ll never want to leave it on a cold winter day. This heater is durable, reliable, and will certainly be a good fit for any home or office space.
Comfort Zone 1500 Watt Electric Convection Radiator Heater
Key Features
- Adjustable thermostat
- Cost effective
- Stay-cool handle
- 5,120 BTU output
Up next, we have the Comfort Zone 1500 Watt Electric Convection Radiator. For a heater of its size, the heat output is pretty good. And you know what they say about big things coming in small packages.
While this heater is smaller in size compared to the others, it’s a great radiator that can still output a good amount of heat. With an adjustable thermostat and three heat settings, this is perfect for the user who wants something that is budget-friendly and will help them save money on their energy bill in the process.
One of the issues that most heaters face is the handles getting overheated. You may have to wait a while before it cools down so you can move it from one room to the next. With this heater, this is no longer a problem.
That’s because the handle will stay cool and never conduct heat. If you want to move it, just shut it off, grab it by the handle and move it to where it needs to go. Since no additional installation is required, you don’t have to worry about disassembly.
This heater contains a five-channel oil radiator that requires no additional refills. If you hate using a heater that is high maintenance, then you’re going to love this one. Especially since you don’t need to refill and make a mess by accident (which happens when you’re refilling oil).
If you’re looking for a great heater but may not have the cash to grab one of the nicer ones, you don’t have to resort to the cheap, low-quality models. This heater from Comfort Zone is reliable, of excellent quality, and will certainly give the others a run for their money. Especially if you are in a small area like a spare bedroom or a cubicle office space.
NewAir AH-450 1500 Watt Electric Convection Tower Heater
Key Features
- In built timer
- Adjustable thermostat
- Remote control
- Silent operation
Imagine a heater that will run quietly in the background for as long as you like. The NewAir delivers exactly that. Since it contains no fans, you won’t need to worry about it making all kinds of noise. You will get plenty of heat coming from it no matter what.
The oil-filled panels will provide your room with plenty of coverage. You won’t have to worry about a cold spot in one corner of your room. Talk about convenience.
This heater has built-in safety features to prevent excessive overheating or fire hazards. If the heater tips over, it will automatically power off so you don’t get caught in a dangerous situation even while you sleep. If you want to save energy, you get a timer feature where you can be able to schedule it to shut off automatically after a few hours.
Also included is a digital thermostat so you can be able to keep track of the temperature, the settings, and so much more. And with a remote control in your hand, you’ll be able to control the settings with it. Plus, it does have a pretty good range.
Whether it’s for the living room or your bedroom, this heater can fit in a tight space and still provide you with a lot of warm air. It’s also low maintenance so you don’t have to worry about refills, regular checkups, or the like. The closest thing to that is basically changing the batteries in the remote if and when the time comes.
Aikoper Oil Filled Radiator Space Heater
Key Features
- 3 heat settings
- Eco setting for extra cost savings
- Portable
- Anti-freeze setting
Our final oil-filled heater on the list is the Aikoper Space Heater. This might have the same features as most of the heaters listed above. But one of the more unique features is its ability to run for 24 hours on a timer.
Will it hurt your energy bill if you run it all day or all night? Not really, since it is energy efficient. But if you want to run it for longer periods of time without any kind of repercussions from your electric company, this heater might just do the trick.
It operates in the background without making a sound, which is perfect for those who can’t sleep with a lot of noise going on. Plus, it’s perfect for the person who wants a little peace and quiet throughout the day. The quieter, the better.
This has a built-in display to help you see what the temperature is set to along with the heat settings. Adjust it accordingly to your preferences and you’re ready to keep it running all day or even all night. You can adjust the settings using the panel or with the included remote control.
Of course, we can’t forget about the safety features included. If the heater tips over by accident, it will automatically shut off. This is a great feature for those who may have limited mobility or if there are children present in the room.
The last thing you want is tragedy to strike due to an ill-placed heater causing a fire. With safety features like this, you know that it is a literal life saver. Too many fires in the past have been caused by heaters that overheat or lay face down on the floor.
To take it a step further, this heater has an anti-freeze feature. Why does it have that? If it’s not running while you are at home, the pipes and inner workings of the heater itself will never freeze even if it’s exposed to cold air.
This means when you turn on the heater, it will still run like normal. You won’t have any kind of failures to deal with because the pipes are frozen or the like. There is probably no other heater on the market that might have something similar to it.
If you are looking for an ideal heater that will start up and run for a long time, this just might be exactly what you’re looking for. With all the features it’s got, it’s hard to say no to it.
How Do Oil-Filled Heaters Work?
As you might have already noticed, this type of heater is powered by electricity. Electric power is used to heat the reservoirs that contain thermal oil. The oil will submerge the entire electrical element and therefore will distribute the heat within a designated coverage area.
For example, a small space heater with 300 square feet of coverage will distribute over 5,000 BTUs of heat. That’s enough to cover a small room. The warmth that is created from the oil will be transferred to the rest of the oil reservoirs.
The oil inside the radiator uses its own heating elements to warm itself up. Inside the heater itself is a system of pipes where oil and liquid transfers usually take place. The good news is these pipes don’t need to be connected to any pipes that may be found in your house.
The heating element located inside the heater itself is a coil made of metal resistive wire. Since the heater is powered by electricity, the electrons will go to work to create friction which in turn generates heat. The wire heats up and then transfers the same heat to the oil inside.
The heat is soon distributed throughout the entire heater unit and then expelled out of the heater where it will heat up the room that it’s placed in. Depending on the size of the heater, the coverage area will vary.
If the heater is smaller in size, it should only be for heating smaller rooms. Likewise, larger heaters will be ideal for heating larger rooms like living rooms, master bedrooms, and so on. Regardless, the process will still be the same.
Heater convection In An Oil-Filled Heater
So you know about the technical stuff about how heaters work. But what about the process where it heats up a room? Let’s talk about convection.
Take a look at the image above, yes – it shows a cooking pot. But the principle of how convection works inside of an oil heater is the same.
Convection is defined as a form of heat transfer that occurs specifically in gases and liquids. This occurs when atoms will flow from one place to the next. The atoms will form molecules that flow in what is known as a convection cycle.
When this happens, warm oil will rise to the top while cooler oil will sink to the bottom. The cooler air will eventually warm up and rise (hence it will be a cycle). This will happen both inside and outside of the heater unit itself.
Oil-filled heaters give off two-thirds of the heat they generate by way of convection. Most of the units are designed with fins to ensure that the heat itself maximizes contact with the air in the room. This finned design is common on most of the smaller oil filled units.
Why You Should Buy Oil Filled Heaters for Your Home
There are different types of heating system that you can get for your home. You can get an electric heater, gas-fired space heaters, boilers, furnaces, and more. So, why should you choose an oil-filled heater? Here are some advantages of the best oil filled heater:
- Adjustable heating level: Most top of the line oil-filled radiators are equipped with an adjustable thermostat for quick and hassle-free heat control. Some even have a remote control for flexibility.
- No professional installation needed: Most of oil-filled heaters come in a portable design and caster wheels so you can move them anywhere around your house. You don’t need to hire a professional to set up this type of heater. No need to rewire and drill!
- Energy-saving modes and safety features: The best oil filled radiators offer ECO-mode for maximum heat output without increasing your electricity bill. Other models also include an automatic shut-down feature in case the oil-filled heater is accidentally knocked down.
- Doesn’t dry the air: Hate heaters that dry the air? An oil-filled heater does not use a fan.
- Low noise operation: Without any equipped fan, you can enjoy maximum warmth without any annoying and irritating sound.
Difference of Oil Filled Heaters and Ceramic Heaters
Ceramic heater uses a convection heating system. Although it can heat up quicker, it also means that it cools down faster. It is also harder to keep the temperature consistent. This is why the ceramic heater is recommended for spot heating only.
Difference Of Oil-Filled Radiator And Electric Heater
Electric and oil-filled heaters need some electricity to produce heat. Choosing between the two boils down to which type of heater can provide you with the best value for the money. If you’re looking for a more energy saving heater, an oil-filled radiator is better.
Choosing the Top Oil-Filled Heater for Your Room
With so many heaters available in the market, choosing an oil-filled heater can be difficult. However, you can make the process less of a chore if you have an idea of what type of heater you should be looking for. We’ll be taking a look at a few things that you need to pay close attention to before making your final purchase.
The following is a list of features to take into consideration:
the Best Oil-Filled Radiator Size for your space
Oil-filled heaters come in different sizes. So choosing the size will depend on some factors. One such thing to consider is your current living environment.
If you are living in a small apartment or house, it makes sense to choose a small heater. However, you may want to get the specific measurements prior to making a choice on which size heater fits you best. A small sized heater is perfect if you have a 300 to 500 square feet room.
If the room you want to warm up is above 500 square feet, that’s when you’ll need to consider the idea of looking at heaters that are larger in size. Space should also be taken into consideration as well.
It would not make a lot of sense to put a small heater in a large room as the coverage area will be limited. Likewise, a large heater won’t fit in a small room because of the obvious reduction in space. Thankfully, the smaller heaters will be easy to place in any corner of your target room (i.e. bedrooms).
Power and Wattage of Oil-Filled Heaters
There’s a good chance that you’ll want to run the heater for longer periods of time. If that’s the case, it’s important to find an oil-filled heater that is energy efficient. This will help you save a ton of money on your electric bill every single month.
Unfortunately, one of the major downsides to owning a heater is it consumes quite a bit of power. And it can cause your energy bill to spike. Particularly, 1500 watts is good enough for you to run a heater for a long time (plus, it doesn’t drain your electricity).
However, the larger the heater, the more wattage and power it will use since it will generate more heat and distribute it to a larger coverage area. This is where choosing the right size will be vital.
Heat and Timer Settings of Oil Filled Heaters
Heat and timer settings are a must-have heater feature. You’ll want different heat levels instead of just one (i.e. low, medium, or high). Timer settings will vary from one model to the next.
The timer’s maximum period of time will vary. Some heaters will go higher than three to four hours and others will have a higher maximum time period like 8 or more hours. The intervals of time will be based on your personal preferences.
The reason why heater timers are included is because it will automatically turn off after time runs out. This will be used to ensure that the heating unit doesn’t run for too long, which can save on heating bills.
The number of heat settings will vary. But more often than not, there will be three. The lower heat settings will conserve more energy while the highest level will use slightly more power.
Safety Features Of Oil Filled Heaters
If there is one thing that many modern heaters must-have, it’s safety features that will prevent the heater from causing a fire. For some reason or another, heaters can get knocked down by complete accident.
If the heater comes in contact with carpets or any kind of material that can easily catch fire, it can spell disaster. Seniors and children may knock it down by accident due to horseplay or limited mobility.
Now, there are features that allow heaters to automatically shut off in the event of it being knocked down to the floor.
Plus, these features will benefit both groups of people the most. In the event of a fire, they may have a hard time evacuating safely. If you are shopping for an oil-filled heater, be sure to give a higher priority to those that have safety features (especially when you have children or senior citizens living with you at home).
How To Use Oil Filled Radiators Efficiently
Now that you have an idea of how you can choose an oil-filled heater based on some of the considerations and features, we’ll show you in this section how to use an oil-filled heater with great efficiency. This is perfect for when you want to save energy as much as possible.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Use the timer feature: While you can run the heater all day long, it’s always a good idea to use the timer feature – especially if you want to keep your electricity bill down. Moreover, this feature allows you to set how long the heater can run continuously until it shuts off automatically. As mentioned, the reason for this is to help you conserve the energy that you’ll be using to power the heater itself. Plus, a heater with this feature will save you a ton of money in the long run when it comes to your energy bill.
Leave the heater off when you are not home: This is the equivalent to leaving a light on before you head out the door. You don’t want to leave the heater unattended as it will be a waste of energy. Back then, leaving the heater on would pose as a fire hazard. But thanks to the auto-shutoff feature, that may no longer be a concern. But regardless, it’s better to safely use it than use the heater improperly.
Choose a schedule when you want to run your heater: If you’re going to be home for most of the day, you may want to consider a designated time slot. How long would it be? Morning, afternoon, or night? You can leave the heater on for a certain time slot and turn it off for most of the day. Obviously, the timer feature on your heater will come in handy here.
How Much Electricity Will Your Space Heater Use?
If you want to know how much your space heater will use, and how much it will cost – then check out our handy calculator here.
The Wrap Up – The Best of the best Oil Filled Radiator
Now that we have reviewed all seven of the best oil filled heaters, we’ll now choose a winner and two runner ups. Our top choice is the KopBeau oil filled radiator. This heater’s durability and coverage area for small rooms really make it a standout choice for most users.
Placing second place is the Aikoper Space Heater. What impressed us most was that its inner workings are resistant to freezing, making transportation in the wintertime a lot easier.
The last spot belongs to the NewAir 1500 Watt Electric Convection Tower Heater. It’s the total package with its LCD display and safety features that make this one of the best heaters of modern time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you leave, we’ll be taking a look at some frequently asked questions about oil-filled radiators. Use the following questions as a guide so you’ll be able to understand some of the ins and outs of oil-filled heaters and why they are important.
Does an oil Heater need to be refilled?
No. You don’t need to refill the oil heater. That’s because the oil itself doesn’t serve as fuel. It’s used to help transfer the heat from inside the unit in order to help it expel the warm air outward and throughout the room.
Therefore, the oil that is used is never dried up and will never need a refill at all. It makes the maintenance process little to non-existent.
Is it safe to leave an oil heater on?
Believe it or not, you can leave an oil heater on all night. As long as you are there to attend to it, you should be good to go. However, if you are leaving your home you might want to set a timer or shut it off completely to be on the safe side.
But if you want to keep the place warm while you’re gone, there may be no harm in leaving the heater unattended as long as it’s in a low heat setting.
Can oil Filled Radiator cause fires?
In the past, oil heaters have been known to explode due to failing thermal fuses. In the event of this happening, you’ll want to look for potential signs before it’s too late.
Signs to look for include but are not limited to thick black smoke, oil on the walls, unpleasant odors, and any possible surface damage to the heating unit.
Do oil heaters use a lot of power?
Compared to exposed-element heaters, oil heaters use a lot less power. That’s because most heater models use a resistive wire and also have heat sinks that are used to take in any excessive heat.
Therefore, it doesn’t require a lot of power to heat a room even if it’s slightly larger in size compared to others.
How long does an oil heater last?
Despite no need for any major maintenance, the average oil heater should last you anywhere between 16 to 20 years.
As long as the heater coil maintains a temperature ranging anywhere between 750 to 1000 degrees, it will last that long.
Are oil heaters safe for nurseries?
If you have an infant sleeping in their own room, you’ll be reassured to know that oil heaters are safe to run. That’s because these heaters don’t have a surface that will heat up as much compared to other types. An oil heater gets warm, but not so hot that it causes serious burns.
Even if your child is older, these heaters can still be used in their rooms and will mostly be safe to the touch on the surface (unless otherwise instructed by the manufacturer).
Do oil heaters dry out air?
Since they don’t have fans, oil heaters won’t dry out a room. Because of this, oil heaters won’t even make a sound at all. If anything, you’ll hear an intermittent clicking sound coming from your heater from time to time.
This is perfectly normal for most oil heaters and should not be a cause for concern.
Are oil heaters cheap to run?
Yes, oil heaters are cheap to run. Since the need for replacing the oil in this type of heater is non-existent, oil heaters are cheap to run because you won’t need to spend extra money on oil. On top of that, most of them are energy efficient. So you won’t have to worry about a lot of electricity being used up.
The heaters themselves are obviously not that expensive either. If you are looking for a lot of value out of your initial investment, these oil heaters will definitely take the top prize. The low maintenance and ability to run for longer periods safely are two of the best reasons why you should consider getting one.
Are oil heaters better than electric?
When it comes to energy efficiency, oil heaters are indeed better than their electric counterparts. Yes, it will take longer for an oil heater to completely warm up a room. But you won’t have to suck up a lot of energy in the process.
It pays to wait a little longer (as it will be evident on your next power bill). With electric heaters, fast is fine. But there are some issues that people may run into. Such examples include more noise, a greater chance to trigger allergies in the household (especially dust, dander, and other indoor allergens), and of course high energy bills.
Oil heaters may have some issues of their own. But if you can get past the slow heat up time, then an oil heater is probably a better choice than an electric heater.
Do I need a Humidifier When Using an Oil-Filled Heater?
No, oil filled heaters do not dry out the air like some other heater types, and thus you do not need to use a humidifier at the same time.
