Conservatories make a brilliant addition to any house - but without one of the best conservatory heaters in the winter, they can become cold, damp and unwelcoming. Possibly the brightest and warmest part of your living space in warmer temperatures, who would ever think they'd benefit from the addition of something like an energy-efficient electric heater? After all, you probably use yours as a sunroom, a greenhouse, or the perfect place to entertain guests. But what about the rest of the year?
Unfortunately, in the middle of winter, you may find yourself not getting as much use of the conservatory as you did in previous months. Because conservatories are rarely extensively insulated, they're the one area of the house that is always colder than others. Whereas an outdoor heater will let you enjoy the outdoors rather than heat up a conservatory, it's important not to forget the latter. Remember, without some heat, a conservatory will trap moisture and create condensation, so it's always a good idea to invest in one of the best conservatory heaters.
Best conservatory heaters of 2024 at a glance
• Best overall: Amazon Basics ECO Oscillating Portable Tower Heater – View at ebay
• Best budget: Pro Breeze 2000W Ceramic Fan Heater – View at Amazon
• Best versatile: MYLEK Premium Aluminium Electric Panel Heater – View at Amazon
From portable heaters to gas ones, there are plenty of products out there that will ensure your conservatory stays warm all year long. But which type is right for you? Well, much of that will come down to personal preference - some prefer fans, others go for soundless halogen lamp heaters. We've put together a brief buyer's guide and answered some of your questions to help.
So, whether you want an energy-efficient electric heater, one large enough for a whole room, or with plenty of safety features, you'll be sure to find it here. Our experts have looked at everything from the type of heating technology to the size, controls and more. The best conservatory heaters for you are warming up for you, below.
Best conservatory heaters of 2024
Best overall conservatory heater
www.ebay.co.uk
Despite the Basics branding, this Amazon Basics ECO tower heater is no bargain-basement device. Not only do you have three heat settings that will go from 5 to 35 degrees, but it also has an oscillating two-speed fan. So, in a heater this tall, the 70-degree range of motion will evenly direct the heat around the conservatory.
A remote control makes things easy. There is no auto-on or off function, but a timer works in 1-hour increments. As this is a large fan heater with 2200w of power, it's more than capable of handling larger conservatories. And let's not forget that a conservatory is literally an extension of your living space - so there are some excellent safety features, including a child lock, and a switch that will turn it off if it tips over. Brilliant.
Pros
- Quick and thorough heating of the whole room
- Handy remote control and timer for easy use
- Great safety features like child lock and tip-over switch
- Three heat settings
Cons
- No auto on-off feature
| Dimensions: | 93.8 x 24.99 x 37.39 cm |
| Weight: | 6.7kg |
| Wattage: | 2200W |
| Extra features: | Oscillating function, Remote control, 3 heat settings and 2 fan speeds, energy-efficient eco setting, adjusts between 5-35° C, Includes tip-over switch and overheat protection for added safety. Built-in dust filter |
- Customer review: "It works great for me. The timer setting it has just allows you to set it to run for 1hr increments, up to 24hr, I think, after which it turns off. But otherwise, it's great. The dust filter is fairly effective so the air that it channels does not irritate."
Best budget conservatory heater
Are you looking for a small and compact heater that you can easily move around? This mini ceramic fan heater from Pro Breeze is perfect for just that. It features two different power settings, oscillation and an adjustable thermostat. That oscillating action means that, with the right placement in a smaller conservatory, you can quickly take the edge off on cold days and remove condensation from windows. The thermostat is ideal for controlling your energy use when it's on, too.
Pros
- Compact and light enough to move around
- Fan is ideal for keeping the conservatory free from condensation
- Adjustable thermostat for fine control over your room temperature
Cons
- Only useful in smaller conservatories
| Dimensions: | 18.5 x 15.5 x 26.2cm |
| Weight: | 4.8kg |
| Wattage: | 2KW |
| Extra features: | Ceramic Heating, Two Heat Settings, 60 Degree Oscillation, Overheat Protection, Auto Shut-Off, Tip-Over Switch |
- Customer review: "Bought this to use in our conservatory for obvious reasons. The heater is fantastic - compact and easy to use. The heat it gives off is superb and we don't need it on for long as it does it's job beautifully. Would definitely recommend."
Best convection conservatory heater
This convector heater from BLACK+DECKER certainly wins in the design stakes with this minimalist-looking portable heater. Being a convection heater, the warm air is going to circulate upwards really well, plus the lack of side fins that you normally find on an oil-filled version means it's easy to dust.
The built-in frost protection is ideal for conservatories that are colder than most on winter days, and the three power modes plus thermostat give you fine control over the heat. There's no timer though, so if you do need that you'll need to buy a timer plug adapter. Other than that, it's a smart unit that will fit well into any conservatory.
Pros
- Stylish modern design that's quiet and easy to keep clean
- Three heating modes plus a thermostat means lots of control
- Anti-frost protection will keep it working even in colder conservatories
Cons
- We would have liked a built-in timer and wall-mount option
| Dimensions: | 19 x 60 x 40 cm |
| Weight: | 3.16 Kg |
| Wattage: | 800W, 1200W, 2200W |
| Extra features: | Adjustable thermostat, Ethree power settings, quiet operation, anti-frost protection, Overheat protection, Safety tip-over switch, Freestanding with carry handles |
- Customer review: "Heats up a medium to large room within 20 minutes. Almost silent. Costs about £1 per hour on a current fixed tariff. Easy to use. Almost no setup is required (literally 2 screws). The unit is very light and easy to carry. Size of a medium suitcase, but slimmer. Stylish."
Best halogen conservatory heater
Warmlite's budget halogen heater with 1200W of halogen oscillation is a surefire way to keep the chill off your conservatory quickly. It's both lightweight and extremely portable, so perfect for moving about the house with ease. Also,m thanks to the thermal cut-off and tip-over switch, it's and is especially safe to use.
Like an infrared heater, halogen heaters use radiant heat to warm your conservatory. So, the heat is faster, gentler and less draughty than fan-based heaters. An added plus is that this does give off a comforting glow and is highly energy-efficient thanks to halogen technology.
Pros
- Quick heating thanks to radiant halogen bulbs
- Incredibly energy efficient with oscillation to spread the heat evenly
- Lightweight and portable for flexible use
Cons
- Not massively effective at heating large rooms
| Dimensions: | 31.7 x 32.1 x 46 cm |
| Wattage: | 1200W |
| Weight: | 1.81 Kilograms |
| Extra features: | Wide angle oscillation, Topple resistant base, Safety tip-over switch and built-in thermal cut out |
- Customer review: "I wanted a top-up heater for those days when you don't need the central heating on everywhere but you need the chill taken off the room you're in. This does the job perfectly. The heat is instant, variable, and sufficient. You can carry it easily to whichever room you want. It's small and not invasive. Just the job."
Best versatile conservatory heater
Whether you want it to be wall-mounted or free-standing, you can do either with this electric panel heater from MYLEK. Additionally, it's energy-efficient and features a long-range remote control, thermostat, three heat settings and frost protection.
That frost protection is an excellent feature for those who don't use their conservatory as living space but still need to defeat the dreaded frost while it clears the condensation from the windows. All in all, this is an excellent conservatory heater and is extremely light and adaptable too.
Pros
- A more low-key traditional look and finish than some others
- Lighter than oil-filled and easy to move around
- Energy efficient heating method with frost protection mode for a more passive solution
- Can also be wall-mounted for conservatories that have the space
Cons
- Front-facing display complicates an otherwise sleek-looking front panel
| Dimensions: | 54.5 x 5.5 x 58cm |
| Weight: | 5.78kg |
| Wattage: | 900W |
| Extra features: | Wall-mounting or freestanding, remote control, programmable LCD display, three heat modes, child lock function, displays current room temperature, thermostat and timer |
- Customer review: "Excellent heater. Heats our conservatory quickly and efficiently. We do find the remote control a little confusing though. Probably the most stylish heater on the market. Overall very pleased with the product."
Best infrared conservatory heater
Infrared heating works by converting electricity into radiant heat, which is far more efficient than your traditional heater with nearly 100% of energy being converted into heat. Best of all, the heat it generates doesn't blast out a hot draught like a standard fan heater. Instead, heat is evenly distributed gradually throughout your conservatory, giving you that wonderful steady warmth without any annoying draughts.
Because there's no fan, this model from ENERJ is virtually silent too. It also oscillates, so it's also good for larger conservatories and other spaces. There are two heat modes to choose from and the grille is cool to touch thanks to a special coating.
Pros
- Incredible warmth in moments for convenient use
- Doesn't require a fan so less noise and air movement
- Good energy efficiency from this lamp technology
Cons
- Fairly bulky and a little industrial-looking
| Dimensions: | 25 x 25 x 85cm |
| Wattage: | 600/1200W |
| Weight: | 3.54kg |
| Extra features: | Dual mode, noise-free, oscillation, coated cool-touch grille, integrated anti-tilting |
- Customer review: "Heats up well and warms up a large room really well. Don't think it costs too much to run either, I've had on through the night in the bedroom and the smart meter hasn't gone up that much."
Best oil-filled conservatory heater with simple controls
If you're not into digital this and remote control that, and just need a reliable radiator with easy-to-use controls, this Pro Breeze is ideal. The large dials on the side will do everything you need it to - including a built-in timer for turning this on nice and early. or off again at night.
We like the fact it has 11 fins - that means more heating efficiency. And of course, you'll find all the usual safety features, like overheat protection, a safety tip-over switch and an automatic thermal cut-off. It's a little heavier than some, but comes on castors so it can be wheeled around easily.
Pros
- Controls are large and easy to see and use
- Three power settings, a timer and an adjustable thermostat for excellent control
- 11 fins mean more heat and better efficiency
Cons
- A little heavy for some if it needs to be lifted
| Dimensions: | 51.5 x 24.5 x 62.7 cm |
| Weight: | 11.7kg |
| Wattage: | 2500 watts |
| Extra features: | 11 Fin, Thermostat, 3 Power Settings, 24-Hour Timer, Auto Shutoff, Overheat Protection, Tip-Over Switch |
- Customer review: "We have found it to be very good at providing a constant source of heat which can be easily adjusted depending on changes in the outdoor temperature. It was useful to be able to set the timer to come on before getting out of bed which meant no more freezing cold early mornings. Easy to assemble the runners to allow for both safety and manoeuvrability."
Best heater for small conservatories
If you have a very compact conservatory and need to keep the chills away, this is the heater for you. This Dreo Electric Heater is all about portability and convenience. The modern design and compact size houses temperature, thermostat and safety features. That means it can perch on a windowsill or side table and happily top up your conservatory with heat in Eco mode - it'll monitor the temperature and boost it back up automatically. It also features Hyperamics 1500w heat delivery - which means a 50% boost in heating efficiency.
All in all, this is ideal for those smaller conservatories when you need to get the frost and condensation at bay - if you like sitting in yours on a winter day, this will also keep your feet warm.
Pros
- Eco mode helps to control costs by monitoring and topping up the heat as needed
- Small enough for a table or desk - ideal for heating a personal workspace or small room
- Thermostat and timer give plenty of control when you need it
Cons
- Top controls are black - some users find them hard to see in low-lighting
| Dimensions: | 24.5D x 15.3W x 15.3H cm |
| Wattage: | 1500W |
| Weight: | 1.38 kg |
| Extra features: | Hyperamics 1500w heat delivery, 12-hour timer, mute, child lock, memory function, thermostat |
- Customer review: "Finally chose this one based on others' reviews. The heater has totally lived up to all my hopes. It is extremely quiet, gets up to temperature almost immediately, and then ECO mode cuts in and out in order to maintain it. The only pain is that all the controls on the top are in black, and therefore difficult to see."
Best designer conservatory heater
infynitihome.co.uk
Discreet and slim, this wall heater can be placed just about anywhere in your conservatory. It can be wall-mounted or floor-standing too.
Although this might look like a typical electric flat-panel radiator, it's actually an energy-efficient convection heater. It's capable of heating a 22-square-meter space thanks to its 2kw output. We also love the sleek black design that will slot right in with modern homes. One great feature is that it's waterproof - which is going to be ideal if your conservatory is single-glazed, damp, or prone to heavy condensation. Although its looks won't be for more traditionally-designed conservatories, it can at least be all-mounted so that it's up and out of the way.
Pros
- Modern design for newly built houses and conservatories
- Ultra-thin floor standing and wall mountable so it won't be in the way
- Convection-based heating means the surface isn't too hot to the touch
- Waterproof to IP22 standards so will be fine in damp or cold conservatories
Cons
- Looks won't be for more traditional conservatories with less wall space
| Dimensions: | 82 x 8 x 47cm |
| Weight: | 9.3kg |
| Wattage: | 2kw |
| Extra features: | Electronic Thermostat, Energy Efficient, Ultra Slim, Programmable Thermostat, Waterproof, Adjustable Temperature, Overheat Protection |
- Customer review: "This is a really good solution to keeping our conservatory warm. It looks smart and works well. It took a while to master the set-up of the daily programme, but now it is done and it is fine."
Best conservatory heaters of 2024: Buyer's Guide
Your final choice will completely depend on your needs and the size of your conservatory, there are plenty of different heaters, from electric to oil-based and even infra-red. We recommend selecting a free-standing one with a powerful motor such as the Pro Breeze 2500W if you have a rather large conservatory. This will allow you to move it around and it'll more easily heat the conservatory than a smaller, compact heater.
We also recommend selecting one with safety features so that if anything happens, it'll instantly turn itself off. Here's some extra things to look for:
Check the energy efficiency rating
Energy consumption is normally expressed as kilowatts per hour. So, a heater with a rating of 1.5 kWh (kilowatt-hour) will use 1.5 kW for every hour of use. Taking your energy supplier's charges per kilowatt you can calculate how much your heater will cost to run.
Thermostats and timers
A heater with a thermostatic control is best because you can set the heater to turn on and off automatically based on the ambient temperature. This is convenient but also a huge saving as it's not simply left switched on, even on a lower setting.
Alongside a thermostat, a timer could be set to make it come on just before you get up in the morning. And, of course, ensure that it's off at the end of the day.
Choose your heating method
As our pick of the best shows, there are a number of different heating methods to choose from. Some are less efficient than others. They can have annoyances for some users, like fan noise, or constant heat from an infrared lamp instead of a breeze. As this method will probably be an important decision, here are some of the most common types:
Fan
A typical fan heater uses elements to heat up the air inside the unit, and a fan circulates it. Many can be very quiet, but don't forget they heating the air and then blast it out - not everyone likes this airflow.
Convection
A convection heater works by drawing cold air into it. The heating mechanism does it's job and then hot air is propelled out of the top by convection. This type of heater is very good at circulating the air in the room.
Oil-filled
An oil-filled radiator is very similar to a regular water-filled household heating system. Oil doesn't evaporate as a water radiator does. It's an efficient heat conductor too. Bear in mind that the casing and radiator fins, usually metal, will take longer to heat up than some of the other methods here.
Infrared
Infrared lightbulbs emit light in the infrared spectrum. Like patio heaters, they radiate heat without director heating the air. Some dislike this method though. It's very direct, so you won't want to stand too close for too long. Whatever the light hits will get warm. But others prefer this method over blown air.
Halogen
Like infrared, this is a lighting technology. Heat radiates less gently than infrared but emit infrared light as part of their spectrum. The advantage over infrared is that these can often be cheaper. Not all infrared bulbs are of the halogen type, but halogens do emit infrared among other light frequencies.
Top tip: Take extra steps to keep warm
Aside from purchasing a great heater, there are plenty of ways to ensure your conservatory keeps warm during the colder months. Some of these may require more of an investment, but there are still a few quick ways to ensure the conservatory traps rather than expels heat:
Consider double glazing - Double glazing is an excellent way to keep the cold out.
Add rugs and carpets - Hardwood floors may look aesthetically pleasing, but they are cooler than rugs or carpets.
Curtains and blinds - This is a sure and easy way to trap heat and prevent some of the cold air from coming in.
Best conservatory heaters of 2024: FAQs
Is it worth putting a radiator in a conservatory?
Yes, especially when you consider the benefits. Not only will you be able to use that room throughout the winter and enjoy those frosty garden views, but you'll keep mould and dampness at bay too. When it comes to costs, look at the energy efficiency rating of your chosen heater and go from there. In winter, just having a heater on the lowest setting can defeat condensation.
What is the cheapest electric heater to run in a conservatory?
This is very much down to which type of heating method you prefer, and also the individual energy efficiency rating that will vary from model to model. In purely scientific terms, more of the energy that goes into an infrared or halogen bulb is converted to heat, so in many ways that will be a prime contender. That said, many oil heaters are very efficient once they reach temperature.
Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video production and photography.
He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, and TVs. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches), DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he’ll write about it.
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