October 25th, 2019 by Chris Chapman

Panel heaters are an increasingly popular way of keeping cosy through the winter. It’s easy to see why – with heating costs rising every year, a panel heater offers an affordable alternative to an expensive central heating upgrade. By picking up an eco-friendly panel heater, you can complement your existing central heating and run it at a lower level (or not at all), and only warm the rooms that you’re using. With over 15 years’ experience working with them, we can safely say that 2019’s batch of heaters is the best yet. But which are the best? We’ve picked out five models you should be looking at this year.

MYLEK App Controlled Electric Panel Heater

The best of the bunch this year is this smart panel heater from MYLEK. Available in three models – 1kW, 1.5kW, and 2kW, it boasts an ERP-compliant energy-saving heating performance thanks to its aluminium heating element. The main benefit, though, is its user-friendly smartphone app which you can use to control your heater from anywhere in the world (as long as you’re connected to the internet). The app is completely free, so there aren’t any hidden costs attached to it. You might not think you need a smart heater, but once you’ve used one, you’ll never go back! You can adjust your heating from across the room, over the street, and even on the other side of the planet. This has so many practical uses; you could turn your heating on when you’re on the way home from work and step into a warm door. If you’re away on holiday or on a work trip and you’ve left the kids at home, you can check that they’re not running up a big heating bill. Or, if you’re the forgetful sort, you can check whether you’ve accidentally left your heating on after you leave the house. It also means programming the heater’s timer is quick and easy – no more fiddling around with tiny buttons and control panels. To round it all off, the unit itself looks great – it’s got a clean, minimalist sense of style that fits subtly into any décor. It’s wall-mountable, but you can leave it free-standing if you prefer. This means it’s suitable for use anywhere in the home and even in the office! When you take into account the low price, this panel heater really is the total package. + Eco-friendly, energy-efficient performance + Stylish looks + Amazing value price + User-friendly app - Nothing at this price

Prem-I-Air Electric Panel Heater with 7-Day Timer

It might not be much to look at, but this electric panel heater offers an incredible heating performance at a low price. If you want something simple but effective, this could be the model for you! Available in four models ranging from 500w to 2kW in power, this range can be used to keep cosy in very large rooms, and it can be used both wall-mounted and free-standing. This means it’s ideal as a portable heater for sheds and caravans as it’s so compact. The real selling point of this model, though, is the price. It offers a surprising heating performance for such a low price, and it includes several extra features including a thermostat and a 7-day timer. It also features a few handy extras, such as a frost prevention setting and an IP24 (waterproof) rating. This makes it a really versatile heater for all occasions. + Incredible value + Easy to use + Versatile + Lots of features - Not a looker

Sunrise Digital Radiant Panel Heater

Most panel heaters work by warming up the air and circulating it around the room in a process known as convection heating. This panel heater is a little different, however – it works using radiant heat instead. Radiant heating doesn’t warm up the air around you; instead, it uses infrared rays to warm you (and any other object they hit) directly. The benefits of this are that it works almost instantly, so you’ll start to feel warm as soon as you turn the heater on. Radiant heat also won’t escape through cracks, open windows, or doors, making this heater the ideal choice for a draughty room. This model has all the modern features you expect from a quality panel heater including a timer and a thermostat. Its simple, elegant looks and compact size are a far cry from most radiant heaters on the market, making it a popular choice for conservatories. + Stylish + Provides instant heat + Can heat up cold or draughty rooms + Compact and slimline - A bit pricy

MYLEK Slimline Electric Panel Heater

If you like a simple, minimalist look, then this MYLEK panel heater is hard to beat! It uses a single, seamless front panel to great effect, giving the heater an understated and classy appearance. The real selling point of this heater, though, is its slimline design. It measures just 55mm thick, so it’s ideal for rooms where space is tight. Like most MYLEK heaters, it’s well-made, incredible value, and packed with features. It has a thermostat, timer, open window detection mode, and more, which guarantees you an eco-friendly performance as it’s ERP Lot 20 compliant. You can use it as a wall-mounted heater or leave it free-standing and wheel it around wherever it’s needed – the choice is yours. There are four standard models – ranging from 500w to 2kW in size – and a 1kW low-profile model which is designed for low walls and conservatories. + Gorgeously simple design + Ultra-slim + Lots of features + Splashproof and bathroom-safe - Nothing!

Levante Wall-Mounted Electric Panel Heater

Levante is a world-renowned name when it comes to heaters. This compact, feature-packed panel heater shows you why! It’s available in six models ranging from 0.5kW to 2kW, so there’s something to suit almost any size room. Every model is fitted with a thermostat, a 24/7 timer, and an open window detection setting. In addition, there are nine pre-set heat settings and three customisable modes so you can flip between settings at the push of a button. You can control all these settings using the simple LCD control panel. It’s really easy to use, even if you’re not the most confident with technology. Bear in mind that this heater does need to be wall-mounted and it doesn’t come with a plug, so it’ll need to be wired into the mains. The upside of this, though, is that you can install it anywhere – it’s splashproof so it’s even safe for bathroom installation! + Full of features + Lots of models to choose from + Bathroom-safe - Needs to be hard-wired in by an electrician - Not the cheapest You can find all of these panel heaters and more at the best online price by checking out our panel heater store here!