Increases your bills, throws noisy tantrums, and acts dangerously if not treated well. If you are a parent, this isn’t a description of your kids, but your current heating system at home. With winter approaching and ready to make the HVAC worse, an oil-filled heater should be a nice and warm way to give you a good night’s sleep.
And not just your entire room, the garage or outbuilding, or even your office can make use of one of these and pose to be both economical and convenient, only if you know about the best oil-filled space heaters.
This is why this article will guide you through 8 reliable and effective options to help you find the top-rated oil-filled heater based on the modes offered, sizes, timer, power, control, noise levels, and more. Let’s check them out!
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Top Picks
Best for Small Spaces: Aikoper Space Heater
“Whether you need to heat your small office or small rooms in the house, this is a great solution.”
Editor’s Pick: PELONIS Oil Filled Heater with Programmable Thermostat
“Excellent control, smooth operation, easy and convenient—what more could you want from a powerful heater?”
Best Overall: Aireplus Oil Filled Electric Heater
“A smart pick that heats you noiselessly and comfortably with its power and is quick to become a favorite.”
Best Assembly: Comfort Zone CZ7007J Oil-Filled Electric Heater
“With the installation like a breeze, this electric heater will keep you toasty even when the world outside doesn’t.”
Best for Portability: COSTWAY Oil Filled Heater
“If you need to carry around your heater from place to place or room to room, this is one of the best portable space heaters.”
Also See: TANGKULA Electric Oil Heater
“For those seeking a budget option for oil-radiator heaters that are slowly rising to popularity, here’s a heater that offers a good source of heat and reliability.”
Premium Choice: Pelonis Electric Radiator Heater
“A little expensive than the contemporaries but one of the best oil-filled heaters worth every penny when it comes to matching functionalities with utility.”
Best for Personal Use: Optimus H-6003 Portable Oil Filled Radiator Heater
“Good oil-filled heater if you want to heat yourself as you work in your station and keep the cold weather at bay.”
Product Reviews on the Best Oil Filled Space Heaters
The heat generation and room size may be fixed for your preference. But there are a lot of features to pay attention to when buying the best oil-filled space heaters. Let’s see what the 8 oil-filled heater reviews have to say for themselves!
Best for Small Spaces: Aikoper Space Heater
The first one on the list is from Aikoper. A popular brand known for its high number of settings and modes, this brand offers you 3 heat generation settings (max 1500w), namely high, low and medium on this model. You also get an energy-saving ECO mode that works in both large and small rooms! This helps to optimize the consumption of energy.
So other than energy efficiency, what else makes it the best oil heater? You will find this to be very noiseless in operation. Since there are no annoying sounds and fan noises to bother you, you can easily place it in your bedroom and enjoy the heat!
Key features:
- Programmability: The heater comes with an LED display on which you can program your settings for heat and operation. With this, you can control the temperature, the other heat settings, timer, and modes.
- Portability: Since you get caster wheels on the model, you can easily take it from one room to another if the latter needs heating.
- Safety: It has a very durable construction that will last you many winters. You get overheat protection features on the model from the patented tail fin separation technology by Aikoper. Besides, the auto-off with up to makes sure that no harm happens if it tips over. Most importantly, the anti-freeze setting saves your house from freezing pipes upon using the heater.
Pros:
- Can heat large living rooms comfortably as a primary source of heat.
- Generates excellent, consistent warm air.
- Can heat up to the back of the house if left long enough.
- Maintains correct temperature that is easy to remote control from any place.
- It is possible to set a sleep timer on it.
Cons:
- Is not reasonable if you are on a budget.
- Can get a little hot to touch if left on for the entire day.
Editor’s Pick: PELONIS NY1507-14A Oil Filled Heater with Programmable Thermostat
If you have come to find out the best oil-filled heater that is less noisy, it is impossible to complete the list without a recommendation from Pelonis! Now, many heaters come with 3 heat settings (lowest 600w), but how many have you seen with five temperature settings?
This is what is unique to Pelonis. In a luxurious Gold Champagne color, you can pick between Hi, Low, and Eco Modes and choose between 65-85F to have the heating of your dreams!
Now you can enjoy highly customized heat in your rooms without having to worry about huge bills that send your eyes on top of your forehead! And with the sleek and professional look and build of the room’s radiant heater, the last days of your old heater seem to have come already!
Key features:
- Timer and Control: When you sleep, you can use the timer with its 10-hour control. And since it comes with a remote, you can control it from a distance too! So you can use it overnight, and when you want, shut it off from the comfort of your bed.
- Safety: It comes with a power indicator that tells you when the heater is on. Moreover, you also get tip-over and over-heat protection built in the model for added safety. But it lacks the anti-free operation of the Aikoper Space Heater.
- Quality construction: You get non-drying heat from it. The oil-filled heater uses multidimensional heating with high thermal efficiency. The consistent power consumption works perfectly fine with the balanced heat from this stunner.
Pros:
- Comes with 3 heating options and 5 temperature settings to heat any room.
- The LCD makes viewing the program and control manual simple and stylish.
- Has 4 swivel caster wheels that rotate 360 degrees and help in carrying the heater.
- Cool to touch when moving or checking.
- Gently heats the room without drying out the air inside in a noiseless manner.
Cons:
- The remote is quite tiny.
- Has a little initial odor.
Best Overall: Aireplus Oil Filled Radiators
Third, on the list, you have one of the best oil-filled radiators from Aireplus. Known for making efficient heaters that always save you in the energy field, this heater comes with 3 heat settings of high, low, and medium mode, and an eco mode as well separately, unlike the PELONIS NY1507-14A Oil-filled Heater with Programmable Thermostat. Also, you get a five temperature settings range of 40-95F on it, with +/-1F control for precision-cut temperatures!
If the 10-Hour timer on the Pelonis heaters had you impressed, wait till you hear about the 24-Hour programmable timer from Aireplus. Aptly called the best oil radiator heater that can challenge and win over Pelonis’ version, let’s see what it has to offer when it comes to great features.
Key features:
- Convenient: The control panel on this heater is big, but not the big and ugly type. It is elegant and helps you to control the heat settings as well as the 24 hours on/off timer with the included remote control.
- Quiet: Since it does not come with a fan, the operation is quite noiseless. So you can quickly heat the room without waking up the baby!
- Comfortable: You do not need to do any oil refill on this. The heat generation with a maximum of 1500 Watts and 7 fins is even and non-dry that gently warms up your house for a long period. And if you pick the smart eco mode, the desired temperature adjusts automatically.
Pros:
- Soft-touch buttons and a clear display ensures comfortable operation.
- Can be assembled quickly and easily with the caster wheels.
- Comes with overheat, tip-over, and child lock safety functions.
- Gives up to 30 minutes of dissipated heat even after shutting down.
- Cheaper to operate than traditional heaters without any smell or smoke.
Cons:
- Remote works on a circular battery not included with the heater.
- The outer layer may peel if not maintained properly.
Best Assembly: Comfort Zone CZ7007J Oil-Filled Electric Heater
When your heater is easy to assemble, what more do you need? Now, you may say, of course, you need to know about the heat and temperature settings. So what does Comfort Zone have to offer in that regard? A dial indicator that can be adjusted to your heat requirements.
This white and silver heater uses a radiant method to warm up your house. As for the heat settings, you get 3 heat settings on it, namely 500w low, 700w medium, and 1200W high settings.
While most oil-filled heaters like the Aireplus Oil Filled Electric Heater or the Aikoper Space Heater have an eco mode/medium heat mode operating at 600w, one that offers 700w of medium heat is commendable. Let’s see what else it can offer.
Key features:
- Silent: If you need a heater for your office which can run quietly and noiselessly, then this is it. It can run quietly in the background of your work without disturbing your flow and can also be used in bedrooms and dorms where silence is important.
- Compact: The compact size and lightweight design of the heater makes it perfect to be placed in medium-sized rooms safely without hurting the surroundings. The dimensions are quite slim and hence take up a lot less floor space.
- Sturdy: This is a permanently sealed seamline radiator. So you need not worry about refilling oils. With the oversized back wheels on it, you can move it pretty easily, while the front end offers you a stable stance.
Pros:
- Includes tip over and overheat protection functions.
- Do not crank up the heat of the whole house.
- Has adjustable heat settings to select from according to requirements.
- Molded handle and wheels let you comfortably transfer, steady, and use it.
- Consistent warmth and even radiation.
Cons:
- Can be smelly in the first use.
- Not for large rooms.
Best for Portability: COSTWAY Oil Filled Heater
When you want to create a match of affordability and portability, very few heaters will take that into account with their heating. Like you saw in the Comfort Zone CZ7007J Oil-Filled Electric Heater that was so easy to use and set up, this is another similar model from Costway that makes it the best oil space heater. However, this heater runs on the convection and not radiation principle.
You get 700w of heating power on it for your home or office. It also comes with an adjustable thermostat that can be used to control the heat requirements. All of these happens under the close observance of the power indicator that lets you know that the power is still on and the warmth is incoming!
Key features:
- Compact: This is perfectly sized for any small to medium room with a dimension of 5.5 x 12 x 14 inches in size, even smaller than the Comfort Zone heater. So if you have a small workspace or two-room tiny apartment that needs heating safely, you can use it.
- Durable: Since this heater comes with 7 mini heat sinks in it and features a high-quality construction of materials, it will last you a long time. And the permanent seal will ensure that no oil leaks as you continue to use it for many winters!
- Portable: This heater comes with a beneficial front carry handle besides the smooth caster wheels. So you can easily switch them from one place to another, with setup happening in less than 20 minutes if you make use of the instruction manual!
Pros:
- Comes with overheating protection to keep your family and house safe.
- Temperature can be comfortably adjusted using twist buttons.
- The intelligent mode of the heater saves energy and maintains the ideal temperature.
- Warms the space in a short time.
- Perfect for keeping attics/closets warm through the winter.
Cons:
- A little noisy in operation.
- Analog functions oppose to the digital and popular picks.
Also See: TANGKULA Electric Oil Heater
The name may not be quite as fascinating as the rest of the heaters on the list. But it sure is interesting. But does a heater sell based on its name? Not at all! What good features does it have then? Let’s find out!
Compared to the COSTWAY Oil Filled Heater that had analog temperature control, you get the same analog control on the Tangkula model. In terms of the heat generated, you can pick from High, Low, and Medium settings and choose from 1500, 600, and 900w power consumptions.
The adjustable thermostat is here, too, like the Costway heater, helping you to make temperature adjustments as you need it.
Key features:
- Efficiency: You have 7 thermal slots on the heater, filled with oil and sealed to safety. These work together to heat any medium to large-sized rooms in need of consistent and constant heat. The temperature can be easily customized here.
- Quiet: Since this runs almost noiselessly, you can use it in your workspace, your bedroom, or anywhere that requires peace of mind. The heater can run in the background and not disturb you at all!
- Easy to Store: The cast wheels on this heater are more heavy-duty than most heaters. As a result, you can move it easily. When winter ends, you can remove the base, wrap the cord and securely store it before your next use!
- Age-friendly: If you have elderly people at home whose rooms need constant heating or heating for a long time, then the simple operation would be just perfect.
Pros:
- Energy-efficient that can be modified for temperature as needed.
- No need for refills in the duration of the usage.
- Automatically shut down during overheating.
- Maintains low surface temperature to prevent scalding.
- Power indicator red LED light ensures the heating is on.
Cons:
- Does not have digital controls on it like other heaters.
- Heat the room slowly.
Budget Choice: Pelonis Electric Radiator Heater
And Pelonis makes it to the list again! Discussing the best oil-filled radiator requires you to discuss the thrilling (or should you read warming) features in detail. To bring you closer to what Pelonis has to offer this time, let’s take a look at the features.
When it comes to the heating settings, this one lets you choose from the three heat settings 1500W, 900W, and Eco mode (which replaces the medium heat setting in Pelonis models when compared to other models) at 600W.
And as for the temperature settings, you get to pick from the 65, 70, 75, 80, and 85F, just as you could in the PELONIS NY1507-14A Oil Filled Heater with Programmable Thermostat model.
Key features:
- Timer and control: As opposed to the more premium 2019 option that had a 10-Hour Timer, this model comes with a 24-Hour timer that can be managed to heat or not heat your house even when you’re away. The remote control makes selecting temperatures and settings much easier.
- Heating: It efficiently heats any space economically well by saving energy with the Eco Mode. The convection heating method used in this heater also makes sure that you get a good and maximized heat generation for some time, even after it is turned off.
- Protection: A lot of safety features are included here, namely overheat protection, tip-over protection, and power indicator. The power cord also safely stows away when you need to store it for the summer!
Pros:
- Combines the benefit of both the adjustable thermostat and remote control.
- Saves a lot of energy as it shifts on and off the cycle to maintain the ideal temperature.
- Large and well-marked buttons make it easy to use.
- The front panel is simple to be used and run by different types of users.
- Great for closed and insulated garages and basements.
Cons:
- 5-degree increments.
- More for auxiliary heating than central heating.
Best for Personal Use: Optimus H-6003 Mini Oil Filled Radiator Heater
Last but not the least, we have a heater from Optimus! Just like the giant and mighty Optimus Prime, this Optimus is just perfect when you need a primary heat source entirely for yourself to keep yourself toasty and warm. Let’s talk about its temperature and heat settings first.
This is an analog-style heater, just like the COSTWAY Oil Filled Heater and the TANGKULA Electric Oil Heater. But unlike the Tangkula model that had different heat settings, it is more like the Costway model that came with a 700w heat output. However, you still have automatic thermostat control on it. Now let’s find out what else it has to offer!
Key features:
- Construction: This heater presents you with one of the most robust construction you will ever find, with its cabinet made of heavy gauge metal sheets. The front carry handle on it is also sturdy enough to let you carry it from place to place.
- Installation: Although it comes with an instruction manual, you will find it the simplest to use and will probably not even need to look at the manual. The energy indicator will let you know when the heater is in use.
- Heating: You can use it either on your deskside or heat a small room without heating the entire house. The diathermic oil is completely sealed and protected to let you enjoy the heat while keeping an eye out for the thermo.
Pros:
- Very quiet operation making it best for workspaces.
- Generates soft warmth all around that is not directional to a single place.
- Thermal safety is mounted inside to protect it from overheating.
- Quality construction that will last you years of heating.
- Best for elderly people who require a simple, compact, and effective personal heater.
Cons:
- Could be a little larger.
- Analog operation.
Different Kinds of Oil-Filled Heaters
Although there can be many different kinds of heaters (propane, infrared, fan, panel, etc.) based upon how the manufacturer intends to sell it. But you will find 2 kinds of heaters relevant to the guide here.
Electricity-Powered Oil-filled Space Heaters
These may sound like you need to refill them with oil, but that isn’t the case. In it, diathermic oil inside is not burned to produce heat. Instead, it is used to retain heat and for the radiation properties.
The heated oil is circulated through metallic fins, which heats up the surface. As a result, usage of oil simply makes the efficiency higher and the cost of operation lower in these heaters to give you prolonged warmth. You never find a fan in these.
Ceramic Oil-filled Heaters
Ceramic heaters either operate in the method of with a fan or without a fan. In both kinds of ceramic heaters, heat blows out into the room from an electrical source (electricity passing through metallic coils) inside the heater. However, for a ceramic heater without a fan, the process takes longer.
Differences Between Oil Filled Vs. Electric Space Heaters
All oil-filled heaters are powered by electricity. But all-electric heaters are not powered by oil.
Like you read seconds ago, oil-filled heaters run on electricity via the use of diathermic oils. Now, some heaters do not run on oil and are simply powered by electricity.
Such heaters are ceramic space heaters that use electricity, infrared heaters that heat the object with electromagnetic wave emission, all oil-filled space heaters, and panel space heaters. The only type that can run even when it is not powered by electricity is the liquid propane heaters.
Safety Tips for Oil-Filled Space Heaters
When you use an oil-filled space heater, it becomes essential that you are using it safely to avoid accidents. This is true for any electrical appliance, but you get it. So here are some tips you can follow:
- To save yourself from a fire hazard, don’t use extension leads with the heater.
- Have your oil-filled heater always fixed by a professional instead of DIY solutions.
- Auto-shut-off features are always welcome on the heaters.
- Place it somewhere so that running children or cleaning adults don’t knock it off.
- Since these don’t have a fan and can heat up quickly, give it some space where you are going to install it.
Things to Consider Before Buying Oil Filled Space Heaters
Oil-filled space heaters come with their own set of features for each brand. But before you set out to pick up, you should know what exactly to look for.
Design
The design of the heater should be such that it is easy and comfortable to touch. Some materials can be used in the construction to avoid the design of the heater from getting too hot. Again, portability is an important factor if you need it elsewhere at different times.
Power Output
The power wattage or output is directly proportional to the positive warmth. But increasing power output also means more energy consumption. This is why you should select models that come with an Eco Mode to save money.
As you know, there are 3 kinds of heat settings on heaters: high (1500w), medium (900w), and low (600w). Eco Mode switches the heat between these settings. Once the desired warmth has been generated, the mode shuts down and turns back on when the room starts to cool. This is energy efficient, whether you use the heater for large rooms or small.
Size
If you have a small room, buying a heater and installing it in a congested space may pose fire hazards. So besides giving attention to how much floor space the heater will take, pay closer attention to the surroundings and the size of the room overall.
Heat Generation
Heat generation is usually measured by the BTU unit. While you should be keeping an eye out for the BTU count and heating element, be sure to check if your heater can heat the room size that you are required to heat.
Timer
If you have a timer in your heater, you can select the time manually, after which your heater will shut off. This is helpful if you like your room to be at a specific temperature before you come from the office.
Controls
There are a lot of control features on any heater. If you have a manual heater, you can control the temperature with (+) and (-) signs on display.
Again, digital thermostats let you fix on a specific degree, such as 60 or 70F. Besides these, having a remote control lets you use it when you feel lazy, and a Wifi control lets you enjoy it from your smartphone when you can’t find the remote!
Safety Features
Your heater should be safe from tipping over, should have overheat protection, and, if possible, a GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter feature to save you from electrical shocks. Don’t forget these safety features on an oil-filled radiator heater when you are trying to save money!
FAQs:
Why are oil-filled space heaters considered to be energy efficient?
Because the thermal property of oil allows it to retain and generate heat for longer.
Do you know how an oil-filled heater works?
The diathermic oil inside warms up the metallic fins, which warms up the surface. Through radiation and convection, it warms up the objects in the room and thereby raises the heat of the house.
Do I need to refill my oil-filled electric heaters?
No. The oil heaters can generate heat consistently without the need for a refill.
Are oil-filled heaters safe to be left on overnight?
Yes. As long as you keep it in safe premises and surroundings and you don’t have flammable objects near at hand. With necessary precautions only, it can be left on.
What are the benefits of using a space heater?
Since these heaters heat up quickly and cool down slowly, they are energy efficient. Besides, they are portable, less costly, and silent in operation.
Final words
As you have seen already, from the collection of the best oil filled space heaters, the first choice and favorite are the Aikoper Space Heater for its beneficial and wide heating options, convenient programmability, overheat protection, and professional build that can be handled with ease of a remote.
Next to this, the functional timer, ECO mode, safety features, and modern design of the PELONIS Oil Filled Heater with Programmable Thermostat is also quite commendable.
So if you want to have the best, keep in mind that power generation and heating are important, but your safety is also important when it comes to buying heaters. And with two of the most important features in mind, you’ll hardly find any rivals to this apt list!
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to direct message me. I would be delighted to help you out.
This was all for today. Will see you soon with another discussion.
Take care!