This January is proving to be a bitter one, and we’ve still got the ever-chilly February to contend with before the weather gets brighter. With energy bills being as high as they are, it’s understandable that switching on the central heating might feel like a last resort. Instead, you could opt for a space heater to do the job, costing far less to run and ensuring you only heat up the spaces you’re using.
A great little option is the 500W GAIATOP Space Heater for £13.99 down from £29.99 at Amazon (all prices correct at the time of writing). It’s got a low wattage, meaning it costs just 12p per hour to run on the average UK energy tariff, although this does mean it’s only suitable for small spaces.
For larger rooms, there’s the 1500W oscillating Dreo Space Heater for £44.80 down from £59.99. This one costs 37p per hour to run, but with three times the power output. All running costs calculated using the price cap on sust-it’s energy calculator.
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The 500W GAIATOP option is nevertheless a cracking little device that takes up minimal space, is highly portable, and heats up quickly. Its PTC heating element can get up to temperature in as few as two seconds, setting to work on warming up your space quickly.
Its safety features are great too, with an auto-off function kicking in if it tips by more than 45 degrees and if it overheats. The heater is made of fireproof material too, for added peace of mind.
It’s done a decent job for the majority of its Amazon customers, with 4.3 out of 5 stars averaged across more than 3,000 reviews so far. “Puts out a good amount of heat for its size and wattage, very compact and the safety feature that turns it off if tipped or knocked over is fool proof,” said a five-star review.
“This is only a 500W heater, so don’t expect it to heat anything beyond a small space,” began another five-star review. “The heat projection however is impressive. I compared it to a 1500W PTC fan heater from about 5 feet away, and surprisingly, the 500W heater performed better in terms of direct warmth.”
Another added: “It’s only 500W, so don’t expect much, but it’s great for heating a small, well insulated shed. If you want heat more quickly, get a higher powered heater.”
Unfortunately, some customers have noted a short lifespan for their GAIATOP heaters. “I really loved this product, yet I literally bought it 1 year ago, and it’s just given up — I am so sad!” said a three-star review. “It didn’t endure any drops or anything of the kind, so I am so surprised that it’s just given up.” Others have noted its noisy operation: “Wow this thing is loud. I measured the decibels on my iPhone and it’s averaging 62. For reference, according to Google, a microwave averages at 55-59 decibels.”
For something with five times the power output, check out this 2500W oil-filled heater at Robert Dyas for £54.99 — please note this one will cost around 61p per hour to run. A super-efficient option is this £49.99 smart heater at Currys, with a running cost of as little as 1p per hour.
Nevertheless, for a little space, the 500W GAIATOP Space Heater is a great buy at a great price. Our standout pick for larger spaces also remains the 1500W Dreo Space Heater for £44.80.