I was faced with the repair of a convection micathermal heater BIMATEK PH300 (external view in the photo below), and decided to search the Internet for background information on this, as they say everywhere, the latest achievement in the field of home heaters. I didn’t find anything concrete, but I read a lot of fiction and fables about heaters. I decided to write an article to dispel some misconceptions about electric heaters that have no physical basis.
In our country, the beginning of the heating season, contrary to common sense and medical indications, begins when the average daily air temperature outside the window drops below 8˚C. During this cold season, the indoor temperature drops below 18˚C. People have to put on warm clothes, but this still does not save them from colds and colds. There are not so many lucky people who have an individual apartment heating system, so to create comfortable living conditions, most people are forced to use electric heaters. The issue of heating rooms is especially acute if there are small children and elderly people in the family.
There is a huge selection of electric heating devices on sale. In order to buy exactly the one that is best suited for your case, you need to know what types of electric heaters there are, what their differences are, advantages and disadvantages. Then in the store you will only have to decide on the appearance of the heater.
Rating of the TOP 20 best heaters of 2021-2022
Place | Name | Price |
TOP 3 best heaters for apartments in price/quality ratio | ||
1 | Ballu BOH/TB-07FH | Find out the price |
2 | Hyundai H-HV7-15-UI593 | Find out the price |
3 | Noirot Spot E-5 1500 | Find out the price |
TOP 3 best heaters for summer cottages | ||
1 | Ballu Camino Eco Turbo BEC/EMT-1500 | Find out the price |
2 | Ballu BEC/EVU-2000 | Find out the price |
3 | Electrolux ECH/AG2-1500 T | Find out the price |
TOP 3 best floor (portable) heaters | ||
1 | Electrolux ECH/AS-1000 MR | Find out the price |
2 | Electrolux ECH/AS-2000 ER | Find out the price |
3 | Ballu BEC/ETMR-500 | Find out the price |
TOP 3 best wall heaters | ||
1 | Ballu BEC/EVU-1500 | Find out the price |
2 | Electrolux ECH/AS-1000 ER | Find out the price |
3 | Ballu BEP/EXT-1000 | Find out the price |
TOP 2 best convectors | ||
1 | Ballu BEC/HMM-1000 | Find out the price |
2 | Ballu BEC/ETER-2000 | Find out the price |
TOP 2 best oil heaters | ||
1 | Zanussi ZOH/CS-11W | Find out the price |
2 | Ballu Classic BOH/CL-11 | Find out the price |
TOP 2 best infrared heaters | ||
1 | Ballu BIH-AP4-1.0 | Find out the price |
2 | Ballu BIH-AP4-0.8 | Find out the price |
TOP 2 best ceramic heaters (fan heaters) | ||
1 | Ballu BFH/C-31 | Find out the price |
2 | H/W-102 | Find out the price |
The best manufacturers
The best manufacturers of oil heaters:
- Ballu.
- Electrolux.
- Vitek.
- DeLonghi.
- Vitesse.
The best convector manufacturers:
- Timberk.
- Noirot Spot.
- Electrolux
- Roda Delux.
- Alpine Air.
- Nobo.
The best manufacturers of IR heaters:
- Ballu.
- Polaris.
- Zenet
- Neoclima.
The best manufacturers of fan heaters:
- Ballu.
- Vitek.
- AEG
- Timberk.
How to choose and what to pay attention to?
Modern models of heating systems have a number of characteristics that must be taken into account when choosing:
- Type of device - a distinction is made between oil radiators, electric and gas convectors, infrared emitters, heat fans;
- Power – the area that the unit can heat directly depends on it;
- Control - many modern heaters are equipped with an electronic control system and remote controls;
- Dimensions are especially important for subsequent storage of devices outside the need for their use. In addition, in small rooms, large heaters can simply interfere with movement or work.
How much electric heater power is needed to heat a room?
It is almost impossible to calculate the required heater power to sufficiently heat a room, since everything depends on its volume, the tightness of windows and doors, the temperature and direction of the wind outside the window. But from the practice of using electric heaters, it is known that to heat 10 m2 of space you need a heater with a power of 1000 watts.
When choosing and connecting an electric heater, you need to take into account that the electrical wiring in the apartment must have a cross-section corresponding to the power of the heater.
The best heaters for apartments in price/quality ratio
Ballu BOH/TB-07FH
One of the most inexpensive radiators, not much inferior in power to other models in the price segment.
Enough to heat a room of 24 sq.m. The built-in fan improves convection, which speeds up the heating of the room.
Mechanical control is very simple - using rotary handles, power designations are signed on the front panel . A convenient handle and wheels make the heater easy to move.
Overheat protection turns off the device automatically when a certain temperature is reached.
A special cord compartment helps protect against damage during long-term storage without use.
It is worth noting that this is one of the best models of 2021-2022.
Specifications:
- Type: oil cooler;
- Power: 1500/900/600W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 24 sq.m.;
- Control: mechanical;
- Sections: 7;
- Placement: floor;
- Operating modes: 3.
pros
- accelerated convection;
- sustainability;
- combination of price and quality.
Minuses
- the fan is noisy;
- clicks when heated.
Hyundai H-HV7-15-UI593
High-quality convector with two operating modes of different power . Has a stylish
convex panel design.
A special grill improves convection and ensures quick heating of a room up to 18 square meters.
Electronic control is easy to learn, the model is equipped with a clear display and a 24-hour timer.
Wall and floor placement possible due to well-designed wheels.
When overheating or tilting, an automatic protection system is triggered.
The moisture-proof housing allows you to heat and dry the bathroom and rooms with high humidity.
Specifications:
- Type: convector;
- Power: 500/1500 W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 18 sq.m.;
- Control: electronic;
- Placement: wall, floor;
- Operating modes: 2.
pros
- stylish design;
- electronic control and display;
- protection from moisture.
Minuses
- The body clicks.
Noirot Spot E-5 1500
A model with excellent technical characteristics, high build quality thanks to special technologies and a durable monolithic heating element.
The convector is equipped with electronic control, which simplifies operation and allows you to very accurately adjust the temperature of the heater.
The digital thermostat smoothly regulates the warm-up temperature . Precise settings additionally save energy.
After turning on the device, the room temperature rises within 10 minutes.
Additional standby mode allows you to save energy when necessary.
The housing is protected from moisture and dust, as well as from freezing, so there is no need to dismantle it for the winter.
Specifications:
- Type: convector;
- Power: 1500 W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 20 sq.m.;
- Control: electronic;
- Placement: wall;
- Operating modes: 4.
pros
- stylish design;
- electronic control and display;
- protection from moisture.
Minuses
- The body clicks.
Which heater is better to choose
To choose the right heater, you need to determine exactly for which room it is needed.
Heater for apartment
When choosing a heating device for a small apartment, take into account factors such as:
- Area of rooms.
- Number of windows.
- Power and serviceability of the central heating system.
- Number of residents in the apartment.
For a small apartment with sealed windows and weak central heating, a convector or oil heater is suitable. Heating 1 sq/m of area requires 100 W of device power. Therefore, if a room is 10 sq/m, to heat it you need a device with a power of at least 1 kW.
If there are 1 or 2 people living in an apartment, you can choose a fan heater or an IR heater.
Heaters for home
For a large house, one device is unlikely to be enough. Convectors are the most effective choice for private homes. They can be hung in different rooms, they will not disrupt the aesthetics of the interior and will not “eat up” too much energy.
An oil radiator is also quite suitable for heating one specific room. If the house has a veranda, an infrared device will allow you to enjoy fresh air, feeling warm and comfortable.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with our rating of the best heaters for home and apartment.
For the dacha
As a rule, people do not spend much time at dachas in winter. For suburban areas, fan heaters or IR heaters are suitable. They provide heat almost instantly and quickly warm the room.
For those who live in the country for a long time, we can recommend an oil device. It will gently warm the air and, if there is a timer, will not require too much energy.
For children's
Wall convectors are recommended directly for a children's room or for an apartment with a small child. They are as safe as possible: they do not burn, will not turn over, and do not make noise. The devices have multiple settings and allow you to adjust the temperature at any time.
For bathroom
The bathroom has high humidity and is a non-residential space. This means you need a device that will quickly heat up and reduce the humidity level. Fan heaters are best suited for this purpose.
Models with a high degree of tightness and insulation of the electrical system are suitable for the bathroom.
The best heaters for a summer house
Ballu Camino Eco Turbo BEC/EMT-1500
Compact convector with aluminum monolithic heater and mechanical thermostat.
The monolith is heated in less than a minute and a half, and thanks to this, heating of the room begins within 2-3 minutes from start-up.
Despite the mechanical control, it maintains the set temperature during operation, is easy to operate, and causes virtually no complaints..
The modest, but at the same time stylish design allows the heater to fit into any interior of a country house.
However, moving the device is not very convenient - it does not have wheels, so mobility is carried out only by carrying it with the help of a handle.
Specifications:
- Type: convector;
- Power: 1500 W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 20 sq.m.;
- Control: mechanical;
- Placement: floor;
- Operating modes: 1.
pros
- fast heating of the heating element;
- power;
- nice design;
- optimal price;
- simple controls.
Minuses
- short power cord;
- no wheels.
Ballu BEC/EVU-2000
A convector equipped with a monolithic heating element allows you to heat rooms up to 25 sq.m. – one of the highest indicators .
Heating of the element is fast and uniform, which also ensures a rapid increase in temperature in the room.
Electronic control using the built-in display allows you to set the most accurate temperature.
Built-in protection against frost, overheating, tipping over and child control lock allow us to talk about the high safety of the device.
It is possible to modify the model with a special remote control module, which allows you to set the required temperature using a smartphone.
Specifications:
- Type: convector;
- Power: 2000 W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 25 sq.m.;
- Control: electronic;
- Placement: wall, floor;
- Operating modes: 1.
pros
- possibility of modification;
- high level of security;
- low energy consumption;
- modern design.
Minuses
- Temperature sensor error on some units.
Electrolux ECH/AG2-1500 T
A convector type model with wall placement provides heating of a room up to 20 sq.m..
The case is equipped with moisture and dust protection, which allows it to be placed in rooms with high humidity, including in the kitchen or country house.
It has a built-in air purification system with four filters, and special aerodynamics enhances air flow and quickly warms up the room.
It has high power, so it is demanding on the condition of the wiring and network voltage. The built-in safety system turns off the device if it overheats.
The monolithic element ensures a long service life of the convector.
Specifications:
- Type: convector;
- Power: 1500/750 W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 20 sq.m.;
- Control: electronic;
- Placement: wall;
- Operating modes: 2.
pros
- air cleaning;
- thoughtful security;
- design;
- durability and reliability.
Minuses
- heavy;
- There is no regulation of factory settings.
Efficiency of the main types of home heaters
Everyone knows what efficiency is, this is the difference between the energy expended and the energy produced. When calculating the coefficient, we tried to provide the most detailed answer in tabular form . Since, in addition to the energy component, there are also financial costs for the purchase of the device itself, electricity costs, the calculation is made taking into account these factors.
The table shows the average values obtained from tests of various types of heaters (thanks to one well-known store for providing testing equipment). The cost for 1 kW of energy is 4 rubles. Heating took place for 1 hour in a furnished room of 18 square meters with an initial temperature of 22 degrees C. Heater power 1500 W. Control type – electronic.
View | Average price, r | Declared maximum power, W | Temperature change over 1 hour, gr. WITH | KW consumed according to the meter | Cost of consumed electricity, p |
Fan heater | 1250 | 1500 | +3,9 | 1,69 | 6,76 |
Oil | 3200 | 1500 | +5,1 | 1,74 | 6,96 |
Convector | 3540 | 1500 | +6,2 | 1,52 | 6,08 |
Infrared | 3580 | 1500 | +6,1 | 1,22 | 4,88 |
Micathermic | 7800 | 1500 | +7,0 | 1,24 | 4,96 |
The obtained figures are approximate, since many important factors influencing the result are not taken into account, such as: a single brand of the manufacturer, humidity in the room, the model of the heater itself, direction, voltage in the electrical circuit, etc.
But nevertheless, the figures turned out to be the following; the highest efficiency was obtained from convectors, infrared, and micathermic heaters. The fan heater was barely able to heat the room by 4 degrees.
The oil radiator heated the room quite well; after the end of the experiment, the room continued to heat up and remained heated longer than others, so it should not be written off due to high power consumption.
In addition to the electronic type of control, there are also mechanical (outdated) and inverter (the most modern and economical). If we compare the electricity consumption of similar heaters with different control modules, the following figures come out:
mechanical - 0% savings, the electronic unit allows you to save 30% in contrast to the mechanical one, the inverter control unit is the most economical, this method of thermoregulation allows you to save up to 80% of electricity compared to mechanical regulators.
Inverter thermostat
The cost of heaters with inverter units can vary from 8,000 to 30,000 rubles. In the long term, as a rule, such costs pay off. More details in the video:
The best floor (portable) heaters
Electrolux ECH/AS-1000 MR
Convector of a Swedish brand of Russian assembly . Easy to use thanks to
small size, convenient wheels, possibility of wall mounting.
It is highly resistant to moisture and is therefore suitable for bathrooms.
The built-in air purification filter traps dust particles . When tilted or overheated, the convector automatically turns off.
The control is mechanical and does not cause any difficulties.
The high quality of the device is evidenced by European standards and a long warranty period from the manufacturer - 3 years..
The disadvantage is that the power cord is only short; users note the frequent need for an extension cord.
Specifications:
- Type: convector;
- Power: 500/1000 W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 15 sq.m.;
- Control: mechanical;
- Placement: wall, floor;
- Operating modes: 3.
pros
- compactness and weight;
- efficiency;
- price.
Minuses
- short cord.
Electrolux ECH/AS-2000 ER
Powerful convector with an X-shaped monolithic heating element with a “shell” coating.
This design increases the surface area of the monolith and increases heat transfer by 20-25%.
The heating element reaches full power in less than two minutes, thanks to which the room begins to warm up within 5-10 minutes.
Electronic control is carried out using touch buttons and a precise display.
The device has fine tuning, allowing you to set the desired temperature with an accuracy of 0.5 degrees.
The convector is fireproof and can withstand power surges well . Equipped with automatic shutdown when tilted or dropped, as well as a sensor lock to protect against children.
Specifications:
- Type: convector;
- Power: 2000/1000 W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 25 sq.m.;
- Control: electronic;
- Placement: wall, floor;
- Operating modes: 1.
pros
- practicality;
- energy efficiency;
- fine settings;
- improved heating element;
- low price.
Minuses
- poor build quality.
Ballu BEC/ETMR-500
Convector heater with a heating element in the form of a monolith . Effective in
small rooms with an area of up to 15 sq.m.
Easily mounted on the wall, floor placement is possible using the included wheels.
It weighs little, so it doesn’t cause trouble when moving, but it also makes it easy to tip over.
Temperature adjustment occurs manually using mechanical controls.
Built-in overheating and tip-over protection automatically turns off the device when necessary.
It is small in size and has a pleasant design, so it will be optimal in use for almost any design solution for a room.
Specifications:
- Type: convector;
- Power: 500 W;
- Voltage: 220 V;
- Area: 15 sq.m.;
- Control: mechanical;
- Placement: wall, floor;
- Operating modes: 1.
pros
- light weight;
- easy to move;
- protection against overheating and capsizing;
- nice design.
Minuses
- short power cord.
Customer Reviews
Mikhail Kisil
Ballu BEC/EM-1000
An ordinary heating pad, no surprises. The first 5 hours at maximum power there was an unpleasant smell and a headache. Then the smell gradually faded away, but still looks like new. It is unlikely that you will get burned on the body, since it is not red hot - 65-70 degrees. The legs are very stable. The relay clicks are quiet and do not disturb sleep. The power is quite enough to heat the entire apartment in the fall, provided that the windows are closed. It was 8 degrees outside, 16 degrees in the apartment. The room warmed up in about 4 hours, then a few more hours and it became warm in the other rooms. The regulator is hidden on the back wall and to see the mode or adjust the power you have to look there specifically, which is inconvenient.
Yuri S.
Electrolux ECH/AG-500 PE
With the help of several just such convectors, we solved the heating problem in the country. Through simple calculations, it became clear that it is cheaper to buy heaters than to do repairs and all that. We don't live here all the time. They put two appliances in the larger room, and one each in the kitchen and the other room. They heat the room evenly, the heat is natural, the air does not change and does not dry out. Electricity costs are commensurate with the level of comfort and ease of use of convectors.
Pavel M.
Hyundai H-HV16-10-UI620
An ideal option for those who do not need to heat it up very much in a short time, but rather to leave it overnight so that it warms itself quietly and it is not cold at night. I have a powerful 2500 W oil heater. It gets too hot and has to constantly turn on and off. When turned on and off, a click occurs, and then the case itself clicks due to the thermal expansion of the metal. It is difficult to sleep with such constant clicking. The only option is to set it to minimum power (turn on only one heating element per 1000 W), the thermostat to maximum - then it does not click, but even this can be too much. In the morning you wake up - there is a sauna in the room. That's why I decided to buy some kind of low-power heater. It also has two power buttons and the rated power of 1000 W can also be reduced by 2 times (if you need to heat just a little or the room is small). There is a thermostat, but I don't usually use it. I prefer to turn it on at either 500 or 1000 W in advance and have it work constantly.
Olga V.
Timberk TFH T15NTX
I recently bought myself such a warm fan, I am completely satisfied with its performance, I just wish it would turn itself off, but this is so, a small whim. Quite powerful, it quickly heats my small room, there is protection against overheating, and you can adjust the heating intensity. A practical and convenient thing, compact, does not take up much space.
Vasily D.
Hyundai H-HV15-20-UI619
We purchased a convector heater for our dacha; it’s convenient that you can hang it on the wall. The device is very powerful, it heats the house in a matter of minutes and + eliminates dampness. Of course it is a little noisy, but you can sleep. the convector heater turned out to be quite economical, electricity bills did not increase much, but at the same time the house is now warm in early spring and late autumn
Evgeniy Parshakov
Ballu BEC/EM-1000
Compact, practical, nothing superfluous. It heats quickly, in a room of 10 square meters it increased the temperature from 17 to 22 degrees in 25 minutes at maximum power. I liked the logic of the thermostat’s operation: having warmed the room at maximum to the desired temperature, we reduce the power until it clicks - that’s it, the device will maintain it. Economical: to maintain 20 degrees, the thermostat turns on the element for less than a minute, and then natural convection for 4-5 minutes, due to cooling. In terms of kilowatt/day, about 5. For the pre-heating period, it’s generally excellent. Safe - the body heats up no more than a regular battery (with the exception of the outlet grilles, I wouldn’t stick my fingers there) I bought it for the kitchen and shower at the dacha. I’ll say right away that you can hang it on the wall. There are holes in the back wall, only they are not round, but rectangular and shaped like a T. Everything is easily installed on self-tapping screws with a wide head. The only thing they wrote here is that it doesn’t heat up from the outside - complete nonsense! It gets warm and how, that’s what it’s designed for. Therefore, if you hang wood or plastic trim in the shower, then it is better to first attach a bakelite panel to the wall (as for stoves), and then attach a convector to it. Fire safety comes first. The length of the cord suits me quite well, because I made the socket specifically for the location. The most important thing that makes me happy is that there is a mechanical temperature control and if the electricity is turned off, the settings will not be lost and when you turn on the convector you do not need to switch it back on. It will turn on using the old settings. I recommend it for small rooms up to 10-12 square meters. With the door closed it holds the temperature perfectly.
Gena Petlichenko
Ballu Solo Turbo BEC/SMT-2500
We needed a heater for a living room in a private house. Based on the reviews, I took this convector heater. Heats the room well even at half power. Only in the morning we usually set it to full power for half an hour, and then reduce it by half and for the rest of the time we simply maintain the preset temperature. The case does not overheat. Heat is dissipated evenly throughout the room. There are no odors when burning.
Olga Olga
Hyundai H-HV15-15-UI618
Super! We bought it for the dacha, heated up the change house, 18m, in half an hour, from +8 to +15! An hour later it was already, well, very warm! A couple of hours later, it was completely turned off! It's getting hot! I really liked it! Lightweight, compact. There is a very good function, automatic switching off and on! You turn the relay counterclockwise, and then the heater turns on itself, after 5 minutes... And so it will be in alternating mode, then warm up, then turn off! Very convenient at night! Delivered quickly! It’s better not to hang it on a wooden wall, it gets very hot! Well, if only to make protection for the wall!... I’ll add more information as I use it... Temperature - 3, we didn’t even notice! Warm, economical. The oil heater ate more, although weaker!
Natalya Sh.
Ballu BIH-APL-0.6
Great heaters! Used as the main heating in the house. There are 6 heaters installed in the bathroom, kitchen and two rooms. The corridor is unheated. The house is warm and comfortable. They are run through thermostats from the same company. Keep in mind that 0.6 W as the main heating is designed for 6 m²! With the same indications they were established. Everything is fine! Thanks to the manufacturer and Yandex!
Elena L.
Hyundai H-HV15-15-UI618
The dimensions are small, the room heats up quite quickly. True, it dries the air slightly, but we used to have high humidity, so this is more of an advantage than a disadvantage (at least for our apartment). Last year we moved into an apartment and in the very first winter we realized all the “charms” of heating. We live on the 10th floor, so the rooms get cold even in early autumn, so we had to urgently look for a good convector to handle the heating and not consume a lot of electricity
Seraphim S.
Nikaten NT 300
In the process of repair and living, the need arose for additional. heating... We live in Yakutsk, our oak is down to -50, aluminum radiators are complete garbage - they can’t cope. So the question arose of what to do - I planned to add 2 radiators... But I didn’t like this idea, the whole wall was full of radiators - it’s not nice and the gas price has gone up HORRIBLY. I saw quartz and IR heaters at the market in the city. I didn’t like both options, quartz - they heat up horribly (I have children), IR - very large. I found Nikaten on the Internet - WATTDOM, left a call back on the website, the manager called - he told me, calculated the transport costs (well done guys, they did everything quickly), waited about 2 weeks, arrived safe and sound, and voila it’s on my wall. I will order more for the hallway and room. I sit calmly and wait for the Yakut frosts, the cat has found the warmest place in the house