In this guide 7 sections
All electric heaters turn electricity into heat at the same rate — 1,000 W of electricity always makes 1,000 W of heat. What differs is how they deliver it: straight at you, or into the air of the whole room. That one difference decides which type suits your room.
The four types side by side
| Halogen / sun | Quartz rod | Fan / ceramic | Oil-filled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it heats | Infrared, from a dish | Infrared, from rods | Blows warm air | Hot fins, convection |
| Warms | People in front | People in front | Whole room | Whole room |
| Feels warm in | Seconds | Seconds | 10–20 min | 20–40 min |
| Typical power | 300 – 1,000 W | 400 – 1,200 W | 500 – 2,200 W | 1,500 – 2,500 W |
| Noise | Silent | Silent | Fan hum | Silent |
| Thermostat | Rarely | Rarely | Usually | Always |
| Price | Rs 1,000 – 10,000 | Rs 900 – 6,500 | Rs 2,500 – 20,000 | Rs 25,000 – 70,000 |
Halogen (sun) heaters
Best for sitting areas and the lowest bills. A 300/600 W sun heater warms you instantly but does little for the far side of the room.
Quartz rod heaters
Very similar to halogen but in a flat box, usually with a tip-over switch. The 2-rod room heater is the budget favourite for desks and bedsides.
Fan and ceramic heaters
The fastest way to warm a whole closed room. With a thermostat, a 2,000 W fan heater switches itself off when the room is warm. Ceramic towers like the Sogo JPN-76 add remotes and timers.
Oil-filled radiators
Slow to start but the most comfortable: silent, even and still warm after switch-off. The Black+Decker and Gree radiators are our picks for bedrooms.
Quick decision guide
- Sitting on a sofa or at a desk? Halogen or quartz.
- Need a closed bedroom warm fast? Fan heater.
- Need silent, all-evening warmth? Oil radiator.
- On UPS or solar? 300–500 W halogen or small fan heater.
Safety for every type
- Wall socket only — no multi-plugs.
- 1 metre from curtains and bedding.
- Flat, hard floor so the tip-over switch works.
- Off when you sleep or go out.
Browse all electric heaters.
