The fan heater is the quickest way to warm up a room. Switch it on and you’ll feel the difference within minutes, whether you’re heating the bathroom before a shower, the home office on a cold morning, or the bedroom before going to sleep.

Room size, power, placement, features, safety… there are so many options that it’s easy to feel confused. That’s why we’ve gathered everything you need to know to help you choose the fan heater that best suits your needs. Let’s take a closer look!

1. Where will you use it: a room or the bathroom?

The first and most important decision is where you’ll use it, as this determines the moisture protection, power, and features you’ll need.

➡ Bathroom fan heaters are designed for humid spaces. The main thing to check is the IP rating: IP21 protects against vertically falling drops, while IP24 also withstands splashes from any direction. They’re usually compact and heat up quickly, so your bathroom will be warm in just a few minutes.

Choose one if: you want a warm bathroom before and after your shower. If it will be near a bathtub or shower, look for an IP24 rating.

➡ Room fan heaters are suitable for bedrooms, offices, and living rooms. You don’t need water protection here. Power, noise level, and control features, such as a thermostat and timer, matter more.

Choose one if: you want supplementary heating in your room or office for the hours you need it.

SkroutzTip: Many floor-standing models are sold as suitable for both bathrooms and rooms. If you plan to move it to the bathroom, choose one with an IP rating so it can comfortably cover both uses.

2. Installation type: Floor-standing or wall-mounted?

Whether you keep it portable or install it permanently affects its flexibility, the space it takes up and its safety.

➡ Floor-standing fan heaters are the most popular, and for good reason. Simply plug them in, move them from room to room and store them easily in summer. They’re the most practical option if you rent or want one appliance for multiple rooms.

Choose one if: you want flexibility and a solution that requires no drilling or installation.

➡ Wall-mounted fan heaters are permanently installed, usually high up on the bathroom wall. They don’t take up floor space and stay out of reach of water, children and pets. Since they’re mounted high up, a remote control makes a big difference. Some models also have a towel rail, so you can wrap yourself in a warm towel after your shower.

Choose one if: you’re renovating your bathroom or want a permanent, safe solution that doesn’t take up floor space.

3. Power & room coverage

Power (in watts) indicates how quickly and how large an area a fan heater can warm. A useful rule of thumb is to allow about 100 W per square metre in a room with a standard ceiling height.

• Fan heaters up to 1500 W are ideal for small spaces, such as a small bathroom or a corner of a home office. Mini models with just a few hundred watts of power warm only the area right beside you.
• Fan heaters rated 1550–2000 W are the sweet spot for most homes, comfortably heating bedrooms and bathrooms up to around 20 m².
• Fan heaters over 2000 W warm larger spaces more quickly, such as a living room or an open-plan area.

SkroutzTip: This table is indicative. If your home has poor insulation, high ceilings, or large windows, opt for a higher power rating. Also, choose a model with two or more heat settings: warm up quickly on the highest setting, then maintain the temperature on the lower setting to use less energy.

4. Heating technology: Ceramic or resistive?

The heating element determines how comfortable you’ll feel when the fan heater runs for hours.

➡ Ceramic fan heaters (PTC) heat the air using ceramic plates instead of an exposed heating element. The surface doesn’t glow red, so there’s no “burnt dust” smell and the air doesn’t dry out as much. In addition, the ceramic element regulates its own temperature, making it safer to use for long periods.

Choose one if: you’ll keep it on for hours in a room, office, or bedroom.

➡ Fan heaters with a resistive heating element heat just as quickly, are usually simpler and smaller, and are suitable for short periods of use.

Choose one if: you need it for a few minutes at a time, such as in the bathroom before a shower.

5. Thermostat & smart features

Features make a difference to energy consumption and how often you have to get up to adjust the heater. Here are the ones worth looking for:

• The thermostat is the most useful feature. It switches the fan heater on and off automatically to maintain the set temperature. Without one, it runs continuously at full power until you turn it off.
• Eco mode automatically adjusts the power to maintain the temperature while using less electricity.
• The timer switches the fan heater off after the number of hours you set. It’s ideal for the bedroom: you fall asleep and it switches off by itself.
• The remote control lets you adjust it from the sofa or bed. For wall-mounted fan heaters, which are positioned high up, it’s almost essential.
• Wi-Fi connectivity combined with an app gives you control from your phone, even when you’re away. That way, you can come home to a warm house.
• The weekly schedule, found mainly on wall-mounted bathroom models, switches the fan heater on at the times you set, so you can enjoy a warm bathroom every morning without having to remember to turn it on.

SkroutzTip: If you’ll be using it for hours at a time, combining a thermostat with Eco mode makes the biggest difference to your electricity bill.

6. Noise, fan & oscillation

Every fan heater has a fan, so some noise is inevitable. However, certain features can make it more pleasant to use:

• Quiet fan heaters are the right choice for a bedroom or office where you work and make video calls. If the manufacturer lists a noise level in dB, the lower the number, the quieter it is.
• Fan mode blows air without heating. That way, in summer, your fan heater becomes a small fan and doesn’t spend the whole year in the cupboard.
• Oscillation moves the fan heater from side to side, so the warm air spreads throughout the room instead of being directed at one spot. It’s very useful in a living room or open-plan space.

Choose a quiet model if: you’ll have it on while sleeping, reading or working.

7. Safety & proper use

A fan heater draws quite a lot of power and blows hot air, so it’s worth checking its safety features too:

• Overheat protection: switches off the fan heater if it gets too hot, for example if something blocks the air outlet.
• Tip-over protection: switches off floor-standing models if they fall over. This is especially important if you have children or pets.
• IP rating: essential for bathroom use, as we saw above.

SkroutzTip: Plug the fan heater directly into a wall socket, not into a power strip or extension cord. Keep it away from curtains, clothes, and furniture, and never cover it while it’s operating.

Don't forget! By considering the features above and combining the ones that suit your space and needs, you can find the ideal option. Before you decide, take a look at other users' reviews to read about their experiences, which may help make your decision much easier.

Also discover the best fan heaters for every use at the best prices!