Oil-filled heaters stay warm after they switch off and run quietly, but are heavy (often over 30 lbs) and slow. Electric fan heaters are light, cheaper to buy and heat the air fast. Choose electric for budget, oil-filled for steady warmth.
When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than a warm and cozy atmosphere in the comfort of your own home.
Both electric and oil-filled heaters are fantastic solutions, but the question is which is better?
While electric heaters are more popular, oil heaters also have some advantages.
Let’s first mention the main difference between these two. Then, I’ll dive deep into the benefits and disadvantages of both.
Difference Between Electric and Oil Heaters
The most significant difference between oil-filled and electric heaters is in the efficiency and longevity of the heat.
Oil heaters are more efficient and provide long-lasting heat, but they take longer to heat the room.
On the other hand, electric heaters can provide instant heat, and they’re usually very lightweight, and it’s easy to carry them from one room to another.
Without any sugar coating, let’s talk about the pros and cons of each one.
Benefits of Oil-Filled Heaters
Efficient
At the same wattage an oil-filled radiator and a fan or ceramic heater draw the same power: every electric resistance heater turns all the electricity it uses into heat. What differs is how the heat is delivered: the oil holds it and releases it slowly.
The main secret behind their efficiency is storing oil inside the radiator instead of using it as fuel.
When the heater reaches the desired temperature, it will maintain that temperature and stop “overheating” the room.
Long-lasting heat
Although it might take an oil heater a bit longer to heat up the whole room, it has what we call a “long-lasting” effect.
It has a great volume of air contact with the heat source, and that’s why it’s able to keep the room warm for a longer period.
Quiet
You won’t hear the oil heater running, even if you leave it turned on for a few days.
The main reason behind this is that oil-filled heaters don’t have fans, so there’s nothing that can produce noise.
This makes it the perfect option for your bedroom.
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Safe
Oil heaters don’t have fans that can be blocked and cause fire, so that is one fire risk fewer, though they still must not be covered or run on a light extension cord in your living room.
They aren’t easy to knock down and less likely to cause any type of fire.
Accurate
Newer oil heaters have amazing thermostat technology, which is very accurate and works well.
Getting an oil heater with a thermostat is important as you’ll appreciate the constant “sweet spot” temperature.
Overall Best Oil Heater: PELONIS Oil-Filled Radiator
The Downside of Oil-Filled Heaters
The most significant disadvantage of oil-filled heaters is that they’re a bit heavier and usually weigh more than 30lbs.
This makes it less portable.
Another thing that you might not like is that it takes more time to heat up the whole room.
While it will provide long-lasting heat, it will take around 20 minutes before the room reaches the desired temperature.
Oil heaters are made for longevity, so that might be the reason why it takes a bit longer to heat.
Benefits of Electric Heaters
Quick heating
When I say electric heaters are very fast when it comes to heating the whole room, I mean very fast.
An electric fan heater warms the air near it within minutes.
The quick-heat feature is similar to the electric fireplaces.
When you get home, you just have to turn it on and enjoy the warm, cozy feeling that electric heaters provide.
Lightweight & portable
It’s easy to carry electric heaters from one room to another. They even usually have a built-in handle for easier carrying.
They usually weigh less than 5 lbs, so even seniors can carry them.
Like the models in our energy-efficient space heaters guide, they’re easy to move from room to room.
More options
There are thousands of different models of electric heaters on the market.
It’s easy to find the one that fits your needs, no matter the power, size, heating levels, etc.
Electric heaters are the most popular type of heaters.
Cheaper
They’re cheaper and don’t require a larger up-front investment than oil-filled heaters.
Many people are buying multiple electric heaters because of their low price point.
No wonder the Presto Heat Dish heater is one of the most popular options, considering the amazing features you get for such a small price.
Safety
Electric fan and ceramic heaters are easy to knock over, and the grille or heating element gets hot enough to burn skin on contact. Oil-filled radiators stay cooler on the surface but still burn after prolonged contact.
Keep children and pets away from both kinds, and switch any space heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep (NFPA heating safety).
Overall Best Electric Heater: Lasko Electric Space Heater
What You Might Not Like About Electric Heaters
While electric heaters are cheaper to buy, they do not use more power at the same wattage, meaning you might experience a bit higher electricity bills.
Another thing to note is that electric heaters can get noisy if you’re using them for a couple of hours without turning them off.
It all depends from model to model as newer ones have ultra-quiet technology.
And the last thing worth mentioning here is that it doesn’t have long-lasting heat like oil heaters. It’s because they’re spreading through the air instead of walls.
Which One Is Better For You?
After all, it all depends on your needs and requirements.
If you have a tight budget and you’re looking for something you can easily carry from one room to another – I would advise you to go with electric heaters.
They’re lightweight, and they can quickly warm the whole room.
On the other hand, if you want something that will provide you with long-lasting heat while keeping the power consumption low – go with the oil-filled heaters.
From my experience, you won’t regret buying any of these two as both are great solutions for cold winter days.
FAQ
Do electric heaters dry the air out in rooms more than oil heaters?
It doesn’t. A room with an electric heater has exactly the same amount of moisture. It just feels dryer. Warm air can evaporate and hold more moisture than cold air. If you’re in a cold room, there isn’t much moisture in the air, but it’s not evaporating from your skin, eyes, sinuses, etc. If you warm the room up, there’s still not much moisture, but the warmer air dries you out much faster.
Content writer from Croatia. Dominic studies Information Science at the University of Sarajevo, which helps him research and organize his work.
