Best oil heaters in Australia

The best oil heaters in Australia

• Best overall oil heater: Dimplex 2.4kW Oil Column Heater with Turbo Fan
• Best cheap oil heater: Russell Hobbs RHOFR5002 2kW 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator Heater
• Best oil heater for large rooms: DeLonghi 2400W Dragon4 Pro Oil Column Heater
• Best oil heater for baby's room: Goldair 2400W 11 Fin Oil Column Heater
• Best energy-efficient oil heater: DeLonghi Radia 2400W Oil Column Heater with Timer
• Best small oil heater: Warmlite WL43002YW 650W 5 Fin Oil Filled Radiator

One of the most popular heater types, an oil heater or oil-filled heater is efficient, cheap and safe. Despite its name, an oil heater uses electricity to keep an area warm, using oil as a heat reservoir and not as its main fuel. It looks like any old-fashioned radiator but smaller, featuring a series of columns or fins that are attached at the base. But there are several oil heaters constructed as a single panel.

To find the best oil heater for your home, consider the number of heating elements it has, safety features and adjustments. You should also pick an oil heater with adequate safety features as well as convenient functions such as an eco mode, delay timer and user-friendly controls.

For this list, we analysed various oil heaters from brands like DeLonghi, Goldair, Russel Hobbs and Midea. We then made a shortlist based on customer reviews and ratings. For each category, we picked oil heaters based on key product features.

For more general information on heaters, check out our guide to the 16 best heaters in Australia.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

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The Dimplex 2.4kW Oil Column Heater with Turbo Fan is our pick for the best overall oil heater. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman. This model is also one of our picks for the best heaters you can get right now in Australia.

With 3 heat settings and thermostat control, this Dimplex oil heater is designed to meet your heating requirements. It features a portable radiator design, so you can move it around with ease. Apart from 9 fins, this has a Turbo Fan Boost feature that offers rapid heat circulation.

Customers praised the product's ease of use, impressive performance and value for money. While it may be too small to heat large areas, this model remains a solid option for bedrooms and small living spaces. Equipped with castor wheels and a panel with a handle, this heater is also portable and easy to store.

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For the best cheap option, we recommend Russell Hobbs' RHOFR5002 2kW 9 Fin Oil Filled Radiator Heater. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

The RHOFR5002 features 9 fins designed for even heat distribution and improved performance. It also has 3 heat settings, including 800W, 1.2kW or 2kW to address any heating needs. Apart from a variable thermostat, this comes with an overheat and tip-over protection, carry handles, castors and a 1.45m power cord. The model is backed by a 2-year guarantee, too.

The perfect heating solution on a budget, the RHOFR5002 can evenly warm rooms up to 20sqm. It is easy to use and has a compact design, suitable for smaller households. Customers loved that it is user-friendly, durable and affordable. For added convenience, this heater will switch off once it reaches your desired temperature. It would then switch back on when the surrounding air cools down.

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With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on The Good Guys, we selected the DeLonghi 2400W Dragon4 Pro Oil Column Heater as the best option for large rooms.

The Dragon 4 Pro provides optimal heating and has a large radiant surface for enhanced airflow. It also has an increased chimney effect and ample warmth for spaces up to 70sqm. Equipped with a digital control panel, this heater is easy to use while providing quick and even warmth for the entire family. You can also use its ECO PLUS function to optimise power usage.

Featuring a 24-programmable time, this oil heater lets you pre-set its operating times to fit your schedule. And because it has pre-assembled folding castors, it is easy to move to any room. Its heated oil inside also maintains temperature for long-lasting warmth. This is pricier than other options in the market, but its durable build, silent operation and even heat distribution are well worth it if you have the extra money.

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For a baby's room, we recommend the Goldair 2400W 11 Fin Oil Column Heater as the best oil heater to get. On Harvey Norman, it has a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

This Goldair oil heater features 11 fins and an adjustable thermostat so you can easily change the temperature to get your baby's room to the ideal, comfy environment. Apart from 3 heat settings, this also comes with a tilt switch and overheat protection for safety.

Suitable for small and medium rooms, this oil heater has a near-silent operation. The adjustable thermostat is user-friendly, allowing you to set your desired temperature in no time. For portability, this model has smooth wheels and a carry handle. The brand claims it instantly heats an area using radiant technology. However, several reviews said it takes a minute or two for warmth to be distributed in the entire room.

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When it comes to energy efficiency, we recommend the DeLonghi Radia 2400W Oil Column Heater with Timer as the best option. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman.

Part of our list of the best energy-efficient heaters, the Radia features 3 power settings and an adjustable timer to meet any heating requirements. It also has a safety thermostat, an anti-frost function for much-needed heat during cold mornings, and 12 fins. It has pre-assembled castors, wheels and a carry handle so you can easily move it around from room to room.

The Radia has a patented battery design that helps distribute even and long-lasting warmth. It also uses Real Energy technology to optimise the amount of energy used by steadily increasing heat until the heater reaches your desired temperature. For added convenience, it features a handy 24-hour timer, a safety auto-shut-off system and cord storage.

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Our pick for the best small model is Warmlite's WL43002YW 650W 5 Fin Oil Filled Radiator, which has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.

With a lightweight and compact design, this Warmlite heater features 650W of heating power and 5 fins to warm small rooms in no time. It has an adjustable thermostat with a maximum temperature of 105°C, an LED power indicator light and overheat protection. For peace of mind, the brand also offers a 2-year guarantee for this heater.

Despite its small design, this oil heater packs a punch. Customers praised it for quickly and evenly heating small rooms, creating a warm and cosy environment during cold winter days. However, it may not be suitable for warming extremely cold areas and larger rooms.

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Amazon prices last updated on 19 December, 2024 at 05:09 pm

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eBay prices last updated on 19 December, 2024 at 06:09 pm

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Pros and cons

Oil heaters are some of the most popular heating options to keep you warm and toasty during cold winter days. But before you purchase one for your home, you should know its pros and cons:

Pros	Cons
Compared to gas and electric heaters, oil heaters are relatively cheaper. An oil heater has a lower power consumption due to the way it works. It provides long-lasting warmth. Most oil heaters have a near silent operation, making them suitable for a baby’s room. Most oil heaters also have wheels and carry handles for easy portability.	Oil heaters are slower to warm compared to other types of heaters. They also tend to be heavier and bulkier than electric heaters. Gas, wood and electric heaters are better at warming up larger spaces. They're not suitable for outdoor use

How to compare oil heaters

Consider these factors when comparing oil heaters to find the best model that fits your heating requirements:

Safety tips

There are certain safety precautions you should remember any time you're using an oil heater. To prevent accidents like the possibility of fire, follow these tips:

• Make sure your heater is at least 3 feet away from furniture, people and other objects.
• Place the heater away from foot traffic to prevent it from tilting over.
• Place your heater on a flat, solid surface.
• Don’t run your oil heater all night.
• Don’t plug your heater in an extension cord.
• To keep your oil heater efficient, carry out regular maintenance as recommended by your manufacturer.
• Keep pets and children away from the oil heater.

Frequently asked questions

• Does an oil heater consume a lot of energy?

  In general, an oil heater uses about 150W. However, its energy consumption depends on how much heat you need, the frequency of use and its make.

• What is the difference between an oil heater and an electric heater?

  Oil heaters utilise electricity for heating, but they use oil as a heat reservoir. They provide long-lasting warmth and a near-silent operation. On the other hand, electric heaters only use electricity to instantly make an area nice and toasty. They are also more lightweight and portable than oil heaters.

• Do I need to refill my oil heater with oil?

  No, you don't have to refill your heater with oil. Most oil heaters don't run out of oil as they use electricity to warm an area and only use oil as a buffer.