5 of the Best Oil Filled Heaters Reviewed + Buying Guide

As temperatures drop, our space heaters work harder than they should to regulate the room temperature. That directly translates to higher costs of electricity or natural gas bills.

It’s relatively difficult to keep the bills under control as the weather gets chillier. One way to to keep your utility bills in check is to invest in an oil filled space heater.

Oil filled heaters, as their name suggests, are space heaters that use oil to operate. Contrary to popular perception, the oil doesn’t power the unit but instead acts as a heat reservoir. That means it never gets depleted.

Also known as oil filled radiators, these heaters are useful in offering the soothing warmth during frigid weather, without racking up your utility bills. But the cost-effectiveness of oil filled heaters doesn’t only manifest during its use. These heaters are also some of the most affordable, and investing in one is a prudent economic decision.

Besides their affordability, oil filled heaters are popular for their single-zone heating as well as ease of operation. Read on for a comprehensive guide on oil filled heaters, while you also explore some of the popular product recommendations out there.

Quick Picks: Best Oil Filled Heaters Comparison

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Advantages of Oil Filled Heaters

Oil-filled heaters come with a host of advantages compared to traditional heaters.

The following are some of the benefits of investing in oil-filled radiators.

1. Reduced noise levels

Most traditional space heaters feature exposed heating elements that use fans to blow hot air from the unit into the room. That comes with significant noise levels. However, oil-filled heaters are remarkably quiet, with the only noise coming from the clicking sounds made when the thermostat adjusts itself.

2. Doesn’t dry the air

As oil-filled space heaters don’t have a fan, they do not dry out the air in your room. That makes them the go-to space heaters if you care about maintaining air quality. With these heaters, you won’t need a whole-house humidifier.

3. Non-scorching surfaces

The metallic surfaces and components of an oil-filled radiator may get warm. But compared to traditional heaters, they won’t burn you if you brush against them. And unlike conventional space heaters, the heating elements in an oil-filled heater are sealed inside and not exposed. That feature makes these space heaters excellent for use even around flammable substances.

4. Energy-efficiency

Oil filled electric heaters are nearly 100% efficient. The unit converts all the energy supplied into heat energy, which reduces wastage and translates to lower utility bills. Remember, oil-filled heaters are designed to cycle on and off automatically once the space achieves a comfortable temperature. Without continuous heating, the room doesn’t overheat, and you save on energy costs.

And the fact that oil-filled radiators don’t provide power for a motor makes them all the more energy-efficient. What’s more – the oil acts as a reservoir that keeps radiating heat even after turning off the power supply. Not to mention, you’ll never need to replenish it.

5. Adjustable thermostats

With adjustable thermostats, you can customize your heating preferences. You can even program the timer in advance to allow it to shut-off at the designated time.

6. Portability

Most oil-filled heaters come with carrying handles for ease of carriage and transportation. Larger models have caster wheels that make for excellent manoeuvrability.

7. Ease of maintenance

As oil filled radiators have no grilles or vents, you’ll never have to worry about dust and debris getting trapped inside the unit. That makes these devices easy to clean and maintain. Besides, the apparent lack of vents reduces the risks of poking your hands through exposed vents.

8. Safety

Oil filled heaters don’t burn oil or gas, which means they do not give off fumes. That makes them completely safe for indoor use. Also, various models pack overheat protection and tilt-switch features, which automatically shut down the unit in the event of a malfunction.

Features of the Best Oil Filled Heaters

The space heater market is awash with thousands of products, with each manufacturer keen on touting their offerings as ‘the real deal.’ Sifting through the long lists of recommendations may not be easy unless you understand the factors to consider when shopping for these devices.

The following are some of the primary considerations before purchasing an oil-filled radiator:

1. Heating Capacity vs The Size of Your Room

Every oil filled radiator comes with its unique heating capacity, depending on the size of the heater and the wattage output. Before buying the product, determine the size of the room where you’ll be using the heater. Generally, insist on larger heaters with higher wattages if your room is reasonably big, and vice versa for smaller rooms.

2. Heat Settings

Modern oil-filled radiators come with numerous heating settings. These controls enable you to adjust the temperature to your preferred levels and have better control of the heat output.

It’s prudent to consider heaters with many heating settings while keeping an eye out for models that come with eco-friendly heating modes.

3. Power and Wattage

Most high-end oil-filled heaters have a wattage range between 700 and 1500 watts. You can go for appliances with higher wattage if you’re looking for more power. For smaller rooms, you’re better off with 700-watt heaters.

And while you check the wattage, also consider the British Thermal Unit of the device. BTU is a unit for measuring the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water by two degrees Fahrenheit. Higher BTU rating translates to better heating performance of an oil-filled radiator.

4. Noise Level

You’ll likely be using your oil-filled heater in the office, library, at night, or in other places that demand total silence. The good news is that the noise emitted by most oil-filled radiators is almost imperceptible.

But for some users, the feeble noise produced when the thermostat clicks or the electrical elements kick on may be unsettling. As such, you might want to consider models that come with efficient sound insulation.

5. Energy-Efficiency

Oil filled heaters are generally more energy-efficient than traditional exposed-element heaters. But if you care so much about your energy bills, you’ll want to invest in an appliance that guarantees higher energy-efficiency, as well as one that’s eco-friendly. That will help to keep your utility bills lower even during winter.

But remember, lower-wattage models consume less energy compared to higher-wattage models. So, if wattage and energy efficiency happen to be top on the list of your considerations, then you’ll need to do some balancing act.

6. Safety Features

This is an area that most shoppers often ignore. But as you’ll be using your oil-filled heater indoors, it pays to go for models that come with additional safety specifications. If you have kids and pets, always insist on heaters whose exteriors are cool-to-touch.

Besides, check for safety switches that will shut the system down in the event of accidents, such as tip-overs. Another safety spec to look out for is a timer that allows you to shut down the device after a given amount of time. Even better if the timer works by remote control.

7. Other Considerations

• Aesthetic appeal, especially in relation to your home décor
• Cost of purchase and transportation
• Shipping and return policy
• Warranty terms