Many homes in New Zealand don’t have the luxury of central heating or heat pumps, so finding the best heaters for your bedroom or living space is essential for staying warm during the colder months.
Choosing the right heater for your space can greatly affect your comfort and power bill. For small spaces like bedrooms and home offices, consider panel and fan heaters or oil-filled radiators that are quiet and provide consistent warmth. Open-plan living areas benefit from fan heaters that quickly heat larger spaces. Bathrooms require safety-focused options like moisture-resistant panel heaters that can be wall-mounted to save space.
To help you find your perfect match, we’ve rounded up top-rated portable heaters that suit various spaces, needs and budgets. We’ve selected these models based on key features, including energy efficiency, thermostat controls to maintain consistent temperatures, safety features like auto shut-off and tip-over protection, and silent operation and air purification for undisturbed sleep.
The best heaters 2025
The best heaters for apartments and small rooms

01
SmarterHome Premium Glass Panel Heater
From $149 at Kogan
Best for: A stylish, high-tech heater for small bedrooms, bathrooms and patios
The SmarterHome Premium Glass Panel Heater combines sleek design with advanced features like WiFi connectivity, so you can control the temperature from your smartphone or via the included remote.
With a wattage of 1500, it efficiently heats bedrooms and small spaces up to 15m². For larger areas, models with 2000 or 2400 watts are available. Its IP24 water resistance makes it suitable for damp spaces like bathrooms or enclosed patios.
The panel heater is freestanding with removable wheels, so you can mount it on the wall to save space.
Wattage: 1500W, 2000W, 2400W
Heating coverage: 15m², 20m², 25m²
Size: 597 x 70 x 400 mm
Colours: White, black
Key features:
- Glass panel materials for a modern look
- Freestanding with removable wheels or wall-mountable for space-saving
- Programmable timer for convenience
- User-friendly LED display and remote control
- WiFi-enabled controls via smartphone (2.4 GHz connectivity only)
- Safety features include tip-over protection, auto shut-off, and child lock
- IP24 water resistant, ideal for damp environments and bathrooms
Available at:
- From $149 at Kogan (1500W, 2000W, 2400W)
- From $219 at Mighty Ape (2400W)

02
Sheffield 1500W Panel Heater
$99 at Smiths City
Best for: A budget-friendly option for compact bedrooms
The Sheffield 1500W Panel Heater is ideal if you’re on a budget but need an efficient solution for heating a small bedroom. Its slim design ensures it fits easily into tight spaces and is splash-proof, making it suitable for bathrooms.
Wattage: 1500W
Heating coverage: 6m² (areas with colder than normal winter) to 9m²
Size: 615(W) x 500(H) x 250(D) mm
Key features:
- Two adjustable heat settings (750W and 1500W)
- Slim design with freestanding or wall-mountable functionality
- Overheat safety cut-off for peace of mind
- Splash-proof IPX4 construction, suitable for bathrooms
- 24-month manufacturer warranty

03
Goldair 2000W Fan Heater
$42.54 at Amazon Australia
Best for: A compact, portable fan heater for targeted heat
This budget-friendly heater delivers instant, targeted warmth wherever you need it. Great for shared workspaces and bedside use, the lightweight fan heater features two heat settings and an adjustable thermostat.
Wattage: 2000W
Heating coverage: Personal heat or up to 10m²
Size: 230(H) x 210(W) x 120(D) mm
Key features:
- Two heat settings with an adjustable thermostat
- Lightweight design for portability
- Built-in safety features like tip-over and overheat protection
Available at:
- $42.54 from Amazon Australia
- $49.99 from Kogan
- $49.99 from Mighty Ape
The best heaters for medium-sized rooms

04
The AirRounder Connect
$469.95 at Breville
Best for: The best heater for bedrooms year-round
The AirRounder Connect is an all-in-one solution that heats, cools, and purifies the air, making it perfect for year-round use. Its smart temperature controls automatically turn off the heater once your desired room temperature is reached, while the ambient light sensor ensures a restful sleep environment. As a bonus, its built-in air purifier can improve sleep quality for those with allergies.
Wattage: 1800Watts (heating), 24Watts (cooling)
Heating coverage: 25m²
Size: 24.5 x 26 x 45 cm
Key features:
- Heating, cooling, and air purification functions
- Oscillation options (60°, 120°, 180°) for even heat distribution
- Smartphone app and voice assistant compatibility for simplified use
- Smart ambient light sensor adjusts for bedroom-friendly night mode
- Energy-efficient operation with automatic temperature control

05
Dragon 4 1500W with timer
$299.99 at De’Longhi
Best for: Silent, steady warmth for medium-sized bedrooms
This oil column heater offers quiet, consistent warmth, making it perfect for peaceful nights. Its fin design enhances airflow, while the cool-touch handle makes it portable. It boasts a 24-hour timer and high thermal inertia for retaining heat after it’s switched off.
Wattage: 1500W
Heating coverage: 45m³
Size: 445(W) x 180(D) x 700(H) mm
Key features:
- Three power settings for flexibility
- 24-hour programmable timer
- Cool-touch handle for safe handling and portability
- Safety tilt switch and overheat protection
- Radiates warmth even after being turned off due to high thermal inertia
- 2180mm cable length
Available at:
The best heaters for open-plan areas and large rooms

06
Purifier Hot+Cool Fan Heater
$1,047 (usually $1,099) at Dyson
Best for: Purifying, cooling and heating large rooms with ease
Dyson’s Purifier Hot+Cool offers powerful, even heating while filtering pollutants from the air. With features like night mode for quiet operation, app control, and voice command, this model is a premium choice for maintaining a comfortable room temperature while improving air quality.
Wattage: 2000w
Heating coverage: 35m³ (heating), 81m³ (purification)
Size: 764(H) x 130(L) x 205(W) mm
Colours: White/silver, black/nickel
Key features:
- Purifies, cools, and heats efficiently
- 350° oscillation for even heat distribution
- Quiet night mode with dimmed display for disruption-free sleep
- Smart control via the Dyson Link app or voice assistants (Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri)
- Automatically captures allergens and pollutants
- 1.8m cord length

07
2400W Ceramic Tower Fan Heater
$369.99 at De’Longhi
Best for: Energy-efficient heating for large spaces
This ceramic tower fan heater is designed to heat large open-plan areas or spacious bedrooms and offers quieter operation at high power settings. Its eco function adjusts power settings based on the room’s temperature for efficient heating, while the anti-dust filter improves air quality.
Wattage: 2400W
Heating coverage: 70m³
Size: 275(W) x 262(D) x 695(H) mm
Key features:
- Ceramic Technology for self-regulating heat distribution
- Digital control panel for power, timer, and thermostat management
- Silent Plus mode for quieter operation
- Washable anti-dust filter for improved air quality
- Automatic shut-off and tip-over safety features
Choosing the best heater for your bedroom
Consider panel, fan, or oil-filled heaters with a thermostat function that distributes heat evenly for a consistent temperature overnight. For added convenience, opt for models with remote control or smartphone activation, allowing you to adjust the settings without leaving your bed.
To enhance sleep quality, look for heaters with a silent mode or night function and air purification if you suffer from allergies.
What is the best heater for a baby’s bedroom?
A wall-mounted panel or fan heater with a programmable thermostat is ideal for a nursery. Smart heaters with remote control options offer added convenience for parents.
For extra peace of mind, low-glare LED displays and air purifiers ensure a safe and clean sleeping environment for little ones.
If you’re using an older model oil heater in your nursery, consider a portable temperature controller that automatically turns it on and off to ensure the room temperature is consistent and you’re saving on unnecessary power consumption.
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