For particularly draughty buildings, a halogen heater is the best heating appliance you can get. Its infrared heat focuses on heating objects rather than the surrounding air. And that’s perfect when you’re in a building with a constant flow of cold air — a small heater would struggle to keep the entire air mass at the desired temperature. Cold air setting Some fan heaters can help cool you down too. They're not nearly as effective as a dedicated air conditioner, but a light breeze of cold air is better than nothing. Some modern options also have smart features so you can program them via companion apps and smart speakers.

Electric appliances of all kinds measure power in watts: Higher wattage means more power. Of course, wattage isn't everything, as the burner's design also affects how efficiently it heats. Minimum power also matters; some burners can supply a small amount of power consistently to maintain a simmer, while others have to cycle on and off and can't hold a temperature as consistently. No matter which portable electric burner you choose, it won't be as powerful as a full-size electric range, which uses a special high-powered outlet instead of a normal 110-volt wall plug. Some heaters come with a timer to switch them on just for the evening, say, while others have a temperature display or a remote control. A few heaters are even introducing Wi-Fi connectivity and smart controls, so you can activate and control your heater using an app – or even Alexa voice commands. It’s easy to use: just set the required temperature with the digital controls, then leave it to work. However, it still crams in some useful features, including a timer and an eco mode, weighs less than 1.4kg and, with a carrying handle built into the top of the tower, is particularly portable. What’s more, De’Longhi throws in a compact remote control. Unobtrusive and effective, this is one of the best compact heaters around. Keep in mind, too, that the cheaper brands aren’t likely to come with a warranty, compared with Dimplex’s 3-year warranty offering. Power output

Keep yourself warm as the cold creeps in with the best electric heaters and radiators

This machine might not be the prettiest thing in the world, but it's a durable workhorse that's easy to clean with a simple wipedown, and it comes at an excellent price for its quality. So, if you want a portable heater, the Dimplex DXFF30TSN fan heater should be at the top of your shortlist. Controls Timers and thermostats: These give you more control over how long your heater is on for and the warmth it’s emitting. Setting a timer and thermostat also means you can use your fan more efficiently, as it will turn off once it's been on for a set period of time or when the room reaches your desired temperature – much better than guessing or leaving it on for longer than necessary!

However, they’re not the best heating system for large rooms with high ceilings, or spaces you’re planning to heat over a long period of time. A 2kW heater, only being used at half capacity (1kW on the thermostat) will use 13p per hour, but 26p per hour on its maximum 2kW setting.

You work at BID, what a legend.

You’ve probably come across storage heaters if you’re on an Economy 7 or 10 tariff. They resemble electric radiators, and can store heat while you’re on your evening tariff, then let you use it in the day. We buy all the electric heaters we test. We put the bestselling heaters from popular UK retailers through these tests: Heating speed, evenness, and accuracy