An hour at a desk or a chair
You want heat on the person in front, often on 500 W, and you will check the base is clicked home. The Warmlite carbon tower is 4.4 from 1,197 reviews at about £56.46. A thermostat and a tip-over switch are not stated.
Freestanding radiant heater comparison 2026
The best freestanding radiant heaters, compared.
Top pick: Dimplex ECR20TIE oil-free radiator – Highest score: 4.6 from 377 reviews, a thermostat and a 24-hour timer, at about £75.99. A tip-over switch is not stated. Best value: Warmlite WL42013 carbon tower – About £56.46 with 4.4 from 1,197 reviews, the strongest count under £60 at 4.4 or above, at 500 W or 1,000 W. Updated October 2026.
A freestanding radiant heater stands on the floor and warms you and nearby surfaces with infrared, rather than blowing hot air around the room. You use one to take the chill off a chair, a desk, or a covered patio without running the whole central-heating system. A sound one has a UK 3-pin plug, a guard, a tip-over switch on a light unit, and controls that match the job. Halogen and quartz tubes are cheap and glaring. Carbon towers are a narrower version of the same idea. Mica panels and oil-free columns behave more like room heaters. Outdoor towers need a weather rating, a lead to an socket, and a base that will not blow over. The [freestanding radiant heater buying guide](/hub/portable-heaters/freestanding-radiant-heater/sub/freestanding-radiant-heater-buying-guide) sets the job and the indoor or outdoor split before these eight listings. It does not blow hot air around the room the way a fan heater does. The for Energy splits the job in two: directional radiant for a person warmed briefly, and a thermostatic heater, or central heating, when a room must be held for hours. Bar fires use two bars and fireplace styling. Treat 1.2 kW as the figure to plan around.
A freestanding radiant heater stands on the floor and warms you and nearby surfaces with infrared, rather than blowing hot air around the room.
28 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +22,100 readers
8 of 8: Best freestanding radiant heaters compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 8Best overall
Best value
9.2/10
8.8/10
8.8/10
8.8/10
8.4/10
8.2/10
8.2/10
8.0/10
∼ £76
∼ £56
∼ £49
∼ £99
∼ £40
∼ £21
∼ £122
∼ £140
4.6(377)
4.4(1,197)
4.4(342)
4.4(36)
4.2(511)
4.1(2,153)
4.1(592)
4.0(23)
Personal buying guide
Which freestanding radiant heater fits?
Question 1 of 2
Where will it stand?
The best freestanding radiant heaters in detail
Our view
The Dimplex ECR20TIE is a 10.2 kg oil-free column at £75.99, listed as radiant, with 2 kW, three settings, a thermostat and a 24-hour timer on castors. Across 377 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.6, and reviewers say a room comes up quickly, including on a low setting, faster than the oil-filled radiators they compare it with. The listing states overheat protection and a safety shut-off, and a tip-over switch is not stated. The same reviews say it cools as soon as you switch it off, and that the control clicks or buzzes when it cycles, including at night. The timer display is called small, and 10.2 kg is heavy to lift even though the castors tighten by hand. The coverage line of 12–25 m² is seller text, and the faster-warm-up claim does not name the heater it was compared with.
Pros
- 4.6 from 377 amazon.co.uk reviews at £75.99
- Thermostat and a 24-hour electronic timer on a 2 kW, three-setting column
- Reviewers report a faster warm-up than oil-filled radiators, with no oil to leak
- Castors fit by hand; overheat protection and a safety shut-off are stated
Cons
- Cools quickly once switched off
- Clicking or buzzing when the control cycles, including at night
- Timer display called small; 10.2 kg is heavy to lift
- A tip-over switch is not stated
Best for: You want a thermostatic top-up for a home office or a room you stay awake in, and you will roll it rather than carry it.
Less suitable: You want silent overnight background heat, a stated tip-over switch, or a glowing bar you can sit close to.
Specifications
- Model
- Dimplex ECR20TIE oil-free radiator
- Brand
- Dimplex
- Price
- ∼£76
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(377)
- Element
- Oil-free column
- Output
- 2,000 W
- Settings
- 3 steps
- Use
- Indoor
- Thermostat
- Yes
- Timer
- 24-hour
- Mounting
- On castors
Common questions
Does the Dimplex ECR20TIE have a timer?
The listing includes an electronic 24-hour timer as well as a thermostat and three heat settings.
Is the tip-over switch stated?
A tip-over switch is not stated. The listing does state overheat protection and a safety shut-off.
How heavy is it?
The listing weight is 10.2 kg. It is freestanding on castors, which reviewers say fit by hand.
Our view
The Warmlite WL42013 is a 2.2 kg carbon tower at £56.46, with 500 W and 1,000 W and 70° oscillation. Across 1,197 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.4, and reviewers feel heat within seconds on the person in front, often on the 500 W setting at a desk. It is quiet when it is not oscillating. The base is the complaint that repeats: floppy, wobbly, or easy to knock, and oscillation ticks for some owners. A tip-over switch, a thermostat and a timer are not stated, while overheat protection is. The coverage figure is 270 with no unit, and one reviewer reported a skin mark from standing too close in a shed.
Pros
- 4.4 from 1,197 reviews at £56.46
- 500 W and 1,000 W, so a desk can stay on the lower step
- 70° oscillation and a 2.2 kg carry weight
- Heat felt on the person in front within seconds
Cons
- Base described as floppy or not standing straight
- Top-heavy and easy to knock; oscillation can tick
- No thermostat, timer or tip-over switch is stated
- Heats the person in the beam, not the air in the room
Best for: You want an hour of directional heat at a desk or a chair, and you will check the base is clicked home.
Less suitable: You need the air in a whole room held for an evening, or a heater that stands firmly on thick carpet.
Specifications
- Model
- Warmlite WL42013 carbon tower
- Brand
- Warmlite
- Price
- ∼£56
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(1,197)
- Element
- Carbon fibre
- Output
- 1,000 W
- Settings
- 2 steps
- Use
- Indoor
- Oscillation
- 70°
- Mounting
- Floor standing
Common questions
Does the Warmlite WL42013 have a timer?
A timer is not stated. The bullets list two heat settings, oscillation and overheat protection.
Does it have a tip-over switch?
A tip-over switch is not stated. Overheat protection is stated.
Is it meant for a whole room?
The listing marks it indoor and gives a coverage figure of 270 with no unit. Reviews describe heat on the person in front, not even air heating.
Our view
The Harrier is a 2,000 W outdoor tower at £48.99, listed at 211 cm and 9 kg, with three settings and a head that tilts from 0° to 45°. Across 342 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.4, and reviewers use it under a gazebo for heat that feels strong for the price. The bullets claim IPX4, which is splash resistance, not a promise to leave it in heavy rain. A timer, a thermostat and a tip-over switch are not stated. The 1.8 m lead is the complaint that repeats: once the pole is up, it often does not reach past the base. Heat is described as short of a whole table, and there are no wheels, so the base is awkward to move.
Pros
- 4.4 from 342 reviews at £48.99
- 2,000 W with three settings and a tilting head
- Freestanding or wall-mounted, with a 9 kg base reviewers call stable
- Used under gazebos in reviews; IPX4 is claimed on the listing
Cons
- 1.8 m lead often does not reach past the raised pole
- No timer, thermostat or tip-over switch is stated
- Heat does not cover a whole table, in reviews
- No wheels, and the instructions are criticised
Best for: You have a covered patio or gazebo and a socket close enough for a 1.8 m lead.
Less suitable: You need a long lead, a timer, or a heater you can leave out in heavy rain.
Specifications
- Model
- Harrier 2000 W patio tower
- Brand
- Harrier
- Price
- ∼£49
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(342)
- Element
- Radiant
- Output
- 2,000 W
- Settings
- 3 steps
- Use
- Outdoor
- Weather
- IPX4 claim
- Mounting
- Stand or wall
Common questions
Can the Harrier be used under a gazebo?
The listing says outdoor use and claims IPX4. Reviewers report using it under a gazebo. A timer is not stated.
How long is the lead?
The bullets state a 1.8 m power lead. Reviews often say that does not reach past the base once the pole is extended.
Is it freestanding?
Bullets describe a freestanding stand and a wall-mount option. Item height listed is 211 cm and weight is 9 kg.
Our view
The Mylek MY284857 is a 2,000 W mica panel at £99.45, 5 kg, for wall or floor, with a thermostat, a timer, a remote and Wi-Fi. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.4 from 36 reviews, and owners say a cold kitchen or summer house comes up quickly and then cycles to a set temperature. The listing claims IPX4 and says a qualified electrician should install it in a bathroom. Touch controls, a dim backlight and a beep are the usual complaints, and the app asks for location. One grey unit was dead on first mount, and a buyer who ordered white was sent grey. A tip-over switch is not stated, and 36 reviews are a short record of how the Wi-Fi holds up.
Pros
- Thermostat, timer, remote and Wi-Fi on a 2,000 W panel
- Wall or floor mounting, 5 kg, listing coverage 18 m²
- Owners report it cycling to a set temperature
- IPX4 claimed, with electrician installation named for a bathroom
Cons
- Only 36 reviews, at 4.4
- Touch controls, a dim backlight and button beeps
- App connection failed for one owner; app asks for location
- Colour mix-ups and one unit dead on first mount
Best for: You want a slim indoor panel with a timer and app control, and you accept a short review file.
Less suitable: You want a large review sample, a glowing spot heater, or a plug-in bathroom heater with no electrician.
Specifications
- Model
- Mylek 2000 W mica panel
- Brand
- Mylek
- Price
- ∼£99
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(36)
- Element
- Mica panel
- Output
- 2,000 W
- Use
- Indoor
- Thermostat
- Yes
- Timer
- Yes
- Remote
- Yes
- Weather
- IPX4 claim
- Mounting
- Wall or floor
Common questions
Can the Mylek panel be used in a bathroom?
The listing claims IPX4 and says a qualified electrician should install it in a bathroom. It also lists wall or floor mounting. A plug-in zone rating beyond that claim is not stated.
Does it have a timer and app control?
Special features include an on/off timer, a remote and Wi-Fi. Bullets name the Tuya Smart WiFi app.
What area does the listing claim?
The listing states 18 m2 and a 2,000 W output. That coverage line is seller text.
Our view
The SONBION LSG13 is an 800 W indoor heater at £39.95, 1.57 kg, with two settings, tip-over protection and an overheat cut-out. Across 511 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.2, and the listing uses both quartz and halogen for the element. Reviewers like the silence on a call and instant heat on one bar for feet or a desk, with less glare than some three-bar dishes. The switches sit low, next to the heat, so a hand gets very hot, and it only warms what is in front. Spare tubes are hard to find, and reviews report a top bar stopping after weeks or months. A blanket and cat fur were scorched on the grille, and a timer, a thermostat and an IP rating are not stated.
Pros
- 4.2 from 511 reviews at £39.95
- 800 W with two settings, quieter than a fan on a call
- Tip-over protection and overheat protection are stated
- 1.57 kg, small enough to move between a desk and a chair
Cons
- Switches sit next to the heat and get very hot
- Bars fail in reviews, and spare tubes are hard to find
- Fabric scorched on the grille when it was too close
- No timer, thermostat or IP rating is stated
Best for: You want a quiet 800 W beam for feet or a desk, and you will keep fabric off the grille.
Less suitable: You need a whole room heated, a spare tube you can buy, or any bathroom use.
Specifications
- Model
- SONBION 800 W quartz heater
- Brand
- SONBION
- Price
- ∼£40
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(511)
- Element
- Quartz/halogen
- Output
- 800 W
- Settings
- 2 steps
- Use
- Indoor
- Tip-over
- Yes
- Mounting
- Freestanding
Common questions
Can this quartz heater be used in a bathroom?
Bathroom suitability is not stated, and no IP rating is given. The listing says indoor use with tip-over and overheat protection.
Does it have a timer?
A timer is not stated. There are two heat settings on an 800 W output.
Is it silent?
The special-features line says noiseless. Reviews contrast it with fan heaters and do not describe a fan.
Our view
The Warmlite WL42005 is a 1.5 kg three-bar halogen dish at £21.45, with 400 W, 800 W and 1,200 W and 120° oscillation. Across 2,153 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.1, the largest sample here, and heat is felt immediately on one bar when you do not want the full 1,200 W. The bullets state a tip-over switch and overheat protection, and reviews say that switch may not press in on soft carpet. The dish is very bright in a dark room and easy to knock at 1.5 kg. Halogen tubes fail in days or weeks for a recurring group of owners, and replacement tubes are hard to find. A thermostat and a timer are not stated, and the elements stay hot after you switch off.
Pros
- £21.45 with 4.1 from 2,153 reviews
- 400 W, 800 W and 1,200 W, plus 120° oscillation
- Tip-over switch and overheat protection stated in the bullets
- 1.5 kg with a carry handle, heat felt straight away
Cons
- Very bright, and easy to knock at 1.5 kg
- Tip switch may not press in on soft carpet
- Halogen tubes fail in reviews, and spares are hard to find
- No thermostat or timer; lead shorter than some expected
Best for: You want the cheapest short blast in this set, on a hard floor, and you can live with the glare.
Less suitable: You watch television in a dark room, use thick carpet, or need a tube you can replace.
Specifications
- Model
- Warmlite WL42005 three-bar halogen
- Brand
- Warmlite
- Price
- ∼£21
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(2,153)
- Element
- Halogen
- Output
- 1,200 W
- Settings
- 3 steps
- Use
- Indoor
- Oscillation
- 120°
- Tip-over
- Yes
- Mounting
- Freestanding
Common questions
Does the Warmlite three-bar heater have a safety cut-out?
The bullets state a tip-over switch and overheat protection. Reviews say the tip switch may not press in on soft carpet.
Can you run one bar only?
The listing states 400 W, 800 W and 1,200 W settings across three bars.
Is a timer included?
A timer is not stated.
Our view
The Dimplex Yeominster YEO20E is a freestanding bar fire at £121.50, 6 kg, with a log effect and two bars. Across 592 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.1, and reviewers sit by it for quiet radiant heat, with several saying one 600 W bar is enough in a medium living room. The listing disagrees with itself: the bullets say 600 W or 1.2 kW, while a heat-output cell says 2 kW. The brass-effect trim is called cheap, and several buyers say the flame is a spinning lamp rather than a flicker. A glow or spinner has stopped within about a week for some owners, and one seller said a guarantee visit would be chargeable. A thermostat, a timer and a tip-over switch are not stated.
Pros
- 4.1 from 592 reviews for direct radiant heat without a fan
- 600 W and 1.2 kW bars, with one bar enough for some living rooms
- Freestanding at 6 kg, no installation beyond placing it
- Log lamp can run as evening light; overheat protection is stated
Cons
- Listing output clashes: bullets 1.2 kW, one cell 2 kW
- Flame effect called a spinning lamp, not a flicker
- Plastic brass-effect trim criticised; glow failures within days
- No thermostat, timer or tip-over switch is stated, at £121.50
Best for: You want a quiet bar fire to sit beside in a living room, and you will treat 1.2 kW as the stated maximum.
Less suitable: You want a realistic flame, a thermostat, or a settled 2 kW output on the listing.
Specifications
- Model
- Dimplex Yeominster bar fire
- Brand
- Dimplex
- Price
- ∼£122
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(592)
- Element
- Radiant bar
- Output
- 1,200 W
- Settings
- 2 steps
- Use
- Indoor
- Mounting
- Freestanding
Common questions
Does the Yeominster have a remote?
A remote is not stated. Assembly is unpack, place and plug in.
Can the flame effect run without the heat?
The bullets say the flame effect works independently of the heater. Several reviews say the effect is a spinning lamp and that a flicker was missing.
Is the output 1.2 kW or 2 kW?
Bullets say 600 W or 1.2 kW. The heat-output cell says 2 kW and the power-consumption cell says 1.2 kW. Both figures are on the same listing.
Our view
The SOUTHEATIC T20-GR20 is a 2,000 W carbon-fibre patio heater at £139.99, with eight heat levels, a remote and an eight-hour timer, weighing 3.55 kg. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.0 from 23 reviews, and the bullets claim IP65 for rain, snow and dust. Reviewers feel heat almost as soon as it is switched on and like the remote so they can stay seated. The remote has to be pointed at the receiver, batteries are not included, and transport foam on the element is easy to miss. Finish is called short of the price, and a cable length is not stated. Twenty-three reviews are a thin sample, and the title also says indoor while the usage field says outdoor.
Pros
- Eight heat levels, a remote and an eight-hour timer on 2,000 W
- IP65 claimed for rain, snow and dust
- Heat felt almost immediately, quieter than a fan in reviews
- Bolted assembly described as straightforward
Cons
- 4.0 from only 23 reviews at £139.99
- Line-of-sight remote, and batteries are not included
- Finish and height criticised; foam left on the element
- Cable length not stated; indoor and outdoor both appear on the listing
Best for: You want a remote and a timer on a freestanding patio head, and you will treat IP65 as a seller claim.
Less suitable: You want a large review file, a known lead length, or a heater whose listing is only outdoor.
Specifications
- Model
- SOUTHEATIC 2000 W patio heater
- Brand
- SOUTHEATIC
- Price
- ∼£140
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(23)
- Element
- Carbon fibre
- Output
- 2,000 W
- Settings
- 8 steps
- Use
- Outdoor
- Timer
- 8-hour
- Remote
- Yes
- Weather
- IP65 claim
- Mounting
- Floor or wall
Common questions
Is the SOUTHEATIC heater claimed to be waterproof?
The bullets claim an IP65 rating for rain, snow and dust. That is a seller claim. A separate lab result is not stated.
Does the remote need a line of sight?
The listing includes a remote. Reviewers say it has to be pointed at the controller. Batteries are not included, according to a review.
How many heat levels are there?
The listing states eight heat levels and an eight-hour timer on a 2,000 W carbon-fibre element.
How we compared
Eight amazon.co.uk listings were scored on 19 October 2026. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK lines. There was no laboratory heat test. A 4.4 from 36 reviews does not outrank 4.6 from 377. A lower shelf price only helps when the review count is still large and the job is clear. The five weights below sum to 100. Deductions for a wattage clash, a quartz and halogen clash, a seller-only IP line, a tiny sample, or repeated reports of a dead tube sit inside the listing-consistency weight.
1
Amazon stars
25%Star points follow the amazon.co.uk rating. A higher star line from a thin sample does not outrank a slightly lower line from hundreds of reviews.
2
Review volume
20%The count behind the stars is part of the score. 4.4 from 1,197 reviews carries more than 4.4 from 36, and 4.0 from 23 is held down.
3
Controls and safety
30%A thermostat, a timer, a stated tip-over switch and an overheat cut-out, only where the listing actually names them. A missing tip-over line is not treated as present.
4
Price for a clear job
15%A lower shelf price helps only when the review count is still large and the job, spot heat or patio, is clear on the page.
5
Listing consistency
10%Deductions when wattage disagrees inside one listing, when quartz and halogen are both claimed, when an IP rating is only a seller line, or when reviews repeatedly report a dead tube, a short lead, or a base that will not stand.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Freestanding radiant heater buying guide
A freestanding radiant heater in this set is a floor-standing infrared heater, not a fan heater. On these eight amazon.co.uk listings the shelf runs from about £21.45 to about £139.99. The first cut is the job: a person warmed for an hour, or a room held with a thermostat. Outdoor towers are a third job, and an indoor listing does not cover it. Coverage lines and star counts are not a room test.
What is a freestanding radiant heater?
A freestanding radiant heater stands on the floor and warms people and surfaces with infrared. It does not blow hot air around the room the way a fan heater does. You use one to take the chill off a chair, a desk, or a covered patio without running the whole central-heating system. The Centre for Sustainable Energy splits the job in two: directional radiant for a person warmed briefly, and a thermostatic heater, or central heating, when a room must be held for hours.
Best for
- An hour of direct heat at a desk or a chair, without a fan on a call
- A thermostatic top-up in a room you stay awake in, or a covered patio with a close socket
Not ideal for
- Silent overnight background heat, or a whole house in place of central heating
- A bathroom zone, heavy rain, or a second-hand glowing heater
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Reading a coverage line as even room heat
Listing areas are seller text. Directional halogen, quartz and carbon heat the person in the beam. They do not hold the air in the room the way a thermostatic column can.
- 2
Using a patio heater indoors
Indoor listings are not patio heaters, and an outdoor tower does not belong in the house. IPX4 is splash resistance. IP65 on the SOUTHEATIC is still a seller claim, and the title also says indoor.
- 3
Trusting a 2 kW cell or a spare tube
The Yeominster bullets say 600 W or 1.2 kW, while one cell says 2 kW. Do not quote 2 kW as settled. Reviews of the cheap halogen and quartz heaters often report a dead tube and no replacement.
What to weigh up
Job and wattage
HighThe first cut is the job, not the star rating. If you want a person warmed for an hour, choose directional radiant: halogen, quartz, carbon, or a bar fire. If you want a room held for hours, choose a thermostatic panel or oil-free column, or use central heating. The Centre for Sustainable Energy makes that split explicit. A coverage slogan on a listing is not even room heat. Wattage is the setting you will actually run. A 400–800 W step is the honest cost for spot heat.
Safety, place and controls
HighA UK plug to BS 1363, a guard, and an overheat cut-out are the baseline. A tip-over switch matters when the unit is light. The Warmlite halogen and the SONBION state one. The Dimplex column, the carbon tower and both patio heaters do not. A tip-over switch does not make close contact safe. Reviews of the halogen dish say the switch may not press in on soft carpet, and a SONBION review describes fabric scorched on the grille. Keep about one metre from combustibles.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
A room held while you stay awake
You want a thermostat and a 24-hour timer on a 2 kW oil-free column, and you will roll it on castors rather than carry 10.2 kg. The Dimplex is 4.6 from 377 reviews at about £75.99. Reviews say it clicks when it cycles.
A covered patio with a close socket
You have a gazebo or covered patio and a socket close enough for a 1.8 m lead. The Harrier is 4.4 from 342 reviews at about £48.99. IPX4 is a seller claim of splash resistance, not clearance to leave it in heavy rain.
Common questions about freestanding radiant heaters
What is a freestanding radiant heater?
A freestanding radiant heater stands on the floor and warms you and nearby surfaces with infrared, rather than blowing hot air around the room. This set includes an oil-free column, a carbon tower, a mica panel, a bar fire, halogen and quartz dishes, and two patio towers. A fan heater is a different machine. Listing coverage figures are seller text, not a measured room temperature. Stars on amazon.co.uk are not a lab test.
How much does a freestanding radiant heater cost?
On these amazon.co.uk listings, checked on 19 October 2026, shelves run from about £21.45 for the Warmlite halogen to about £139.99 for the SOUTHEATIC. The Dimplex column is about £75.99 and the Warmlite carbon tower is about £56.46. At Ofgem's direct-debit average of 26.32p per kWh, 500 W is about 13p an hour and 2 kW is about 53p. That average covers England, Scotland and Wales, not Northern Ireland.
What should I check before I buy one?
Start with the job. A short beam on a person is halogen, quartz, carbon or a bar fire. Hours in a room want a thermostat, which the Dimplex column and the Mylek panel state. Check a UK 3-pin plug, a guard, an overheat cut-out, and a tip-over switch if the unit is light. Indoor listings are not patio heaters. IPX4 is splash resistance, not heavy rain. Keep about one metre from fabric.
Is a halogen dish or a carbon tower better indoors?
Halogen and quartz dishes are instant, bright, and usually have no thermostat. The Warmlite WL42005 is about £21.45, with 400 W, 800 W and 1,200 W, and reviews call it very bright. The Warmlite WL42013 carbon tower is about £56.46, at 500 W or 1,000 W, and quieter when it is not oscillating. Both heat the person in the beam, not the air in the room. The wider halogen set is in the halogen radiant heater comparison.
Can I use a freestanding radiant heater on a patio?
Only if the listing is outdoor and the manual states a weather rating. The Harrier at about £48.99 claims IPX4, and reviews say the 1.8 m lead often fails to clear the raised pole. The SOUTHEATIC claims IP65, a remote and an eight-hour timer, from 23 reviews, and the title also says indoor. Outdoor sockets should be at least IP44 on an RCD. Do not use an extension lead, and do not bring an outdoor tower indoors.
Which freestanding radiant heater is the top pick?
The top pick is the Dimplex ECR20TIE at about £75.99. It has the highest score in this set: 4.6 from 377 reviews, a thermostat and a 24-hour timer on a 2 kW oil-free column. A tip-over switch is not stated, and reviews say the control clicks when it cycles. The best value is the Warmlite WL42013 at about £56.46, 4.4 from 1,197 reviews, for an hour of directional heat. Neither score is a lab test.
Can I use one in a bathroom?
A plug-in heater does not belong in a bathroom zone under BS 7671 Section 701. The Mylek listing claims IPX4 and says a qualified electrician should install it in a bathroom. That claim is not a plug-in zone clearance. The SONBION has no IP rating, and bathroom suitability is not stated. Call an electrician for bathroom electrical work, a new outdoor socket, hard-wiring, or a damaged plug or guard.
Why do cheap tubes fail, and when should I stop?
Reviews of the cheap halogen and quartz heaters often report a dead tube and no spare. The Warmlite WL42005 and the SONBION both draw that complaint. Drying clothes on the guard, or standing fabric against the grille, is a separate mistake: a SONBION review describes scorched fabric. If the consumer unit trips once a faulty appliance is ruled out, or the plug or guard is damaged, call a professional.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Dimplex ECR20TIE at about £75.99. It has the highest score in this set: 4.6 from 377 reviews, a thermostat and a 24-hour timer on a 2 kW oil-free column. A tip-over switch is not stated, and reviews say the control clicks when it cycles. The best value is the Warmlite WL42013 at about £56.46, 4.4 from 1,197 reviews, with 500 W and 1,000 W for an hour of directional heat. The Harrier matches that score at about £48.99 and stays a patio heater, because IPX4 is a seller claim and the 1.8 m lead keeps coming up. None of these scores is a lab test.
Best overallView offer
Dimplex ECR20TIE oil-free radiator
Highest score: 4.6 from 377 reviews, a thermostat and a 24-hour timer, at about £75.99. A tip-over switch is not stated.
Best value
View offer
Warmlite WL42013 carbon tower
About £56.46 with 4.4 from 1,197 reviews, the strongest count under £60 at 4.4 or above, at 500 W or 1,000 W.
Editorial
Editor
Freestanding radiant heatersUK portable heatingamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to freestanding radiant heaters
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Freestanding radiant heater buying guideType, wattage, controls, and the indoor or outdoor split. The main page is the one that ranks the eight listings.Best freestanding radiant heaterWhich role each shortlisted heater fits, and who should skip it.How to use a freestanding radiant heaterClearance, the plug, the settings, and when to switch it off.Halogen or carbon freestanding heaterA bright bar or tube against a carbon tower, for indoor directional heat.Freestanding radiant heater for a patioA covered patio, the IP claim, the lead, wind, and the outdoor socket.
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Sources
Public UK sources for plugs, efficiency rules, running cost and heater safety. Listing prices, stars and review counts are from amazon.co.uk on 19 October 2026.
- Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, regulation 35 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Regulation (EU) 2015/1188 on legislation.gov.uk (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- GOV.UK — Placing energy-related products on the UK market (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Ofgem — Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Electrical Safety First — Portable heaters (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Electrical Safety First — Patio heaters (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Centre for Sustainable Energy — Room heaters (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue — Heaters (retrieved 19 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk with the tag pcuk26-21. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing lines from 19 October 2026. We did not run a lab test.