Winter heating can get expensive fast.
One of the biggest mistakes Australian families make is buying the wrong heater for the room they’re trying to warm. A small fan heater might struggle to heat a large living room, while an oversized heater can end up using more power than necessary in a small bedroom.
With electricity prices still putting pressure on household budgets, most of us aren’t looking for the fanciest heater on the shelf. We simply want something that keeps the family comfortable without turning every winter power bill into a nasty surprise.
The good news is that staying warm doesn’t necessarily mean heating the entire house. Choosing the right heater for the right space can make a huge difference to both comfort and running costs.
Whether you’re trying to warm the kids’ bedrooms overnight, take the chill out of the bathroom before school, or keep the family comfortable during movie nights on the couch, these are the heaters worth considering this winter.
Find the Best Heater for Your Home This Winter
- Quick Comparison: Which Heater Is Right For You?
- Best Bathroom Heater
- Best Budget Oil Heater
- Best Portable Heater
- Best Heater for Fast Warmth
- Best Bathroom Heater for Busy Families
- Best Heater for Family Rooms
- Best Heater for Overnight Heating
- Best Fireplace Alternative
- Best Space-Saving Heater
- How To Keep Heating Costs Down This Winter
- More Ways To Stay Warm This Winter
- Frequently Asked Questions About Energy-Efficient Heaters
- Final Thoughts
Quick Comparison: Which Heater Is Right For You?
| Heater | Best For | Why We Like It |
|---|---|---|
| Heller Convection Heater | Home Offices | Lightweight and portable |
| Heller 7 Fin Oil Heater | Bedrooms | Quiet overnight warmth |
| Heller 2000W Ceramic Tower Heater | Fast Heating | Quickly warms occupied rooms |
| Heller 1200W Strip Heater | Bathrooms & Hallways | Compact targeted heating |
| Heller 11 Fin Oil Heater With Timer | Bedrooms | Steady overnight warmth |
| Heller 2000W Bathroom Heater | Winter Mornings | Designed for bathrooms |
| Heller 2000W Wall Heater | Smaller Homes | Space-saving design |
| Heller 11 Fin Oil Heater With Fan & Timer | Family Rooms | Better heat circulation |
| Heller Electric Fireplace Heater | Living Rooms | Warmth plus ambience |
Best Bathroom Heater: Heller 1200W Strip Heater Wall Mounted
Nobody wants to step onto freezing bathroom tiles on a winter morning.
If you’re only trying to warm a smaller area, a lower-powered heater often makes more sense than running a larger heater unnecessarily. The Heller 1200W Strip Heater is designed specifically for compact spaces like bathrooms, hallways and laundries where you want targeted warmth rather than heating the entire house.
The wall-mounted design is also handy in smaller homes where floor space is at a premium.
Why mums like it
- Ideal for busy winter mornings
- Lower wattage than many larger heaters
- Great for bathrooms and hallways
- Wall-mounted design saves space
Best Budget Oil Heater: Heller 7 Fin Oil Heater
If you’ve ever walked into your child’s bedroom in the middle of the night and realised it’s freezing, you’ll understand why oil heaters remain one of the most popular winter heating options for Australian families.
Unlike fan heaters that blast warm air around the room, oil heaters provide steady, gentle warmth for longer periods. They’re also much quieter, making them a practical option for bedrooms where noise can disturb sleep.
The Heller 7 Fin Oil Heater is compact, affordable and easy to move between rooms when needed.
Why mums like it
- Quiet enough for bedrooms
- Consistent warmth
- Easy to move around the house
- Great value for smaller rooms
Best Portable Heater: Heller Convection Heater
Not every family wants a permanent heating solution.
The Heller Convection Heater is a lightweight option that can easily move from the study to the spare room or wherever warmth is needed most. It’s particularly useful for renters or households where heating needs change throughout the day.
Why mums like it
- Lightweight and portable
- Simple controls
- Suitable for small to medium rooms
- Easy to store when winter ends
Best Heater for Fast Warmth: Heller 2000W Ceramic Tower Heater
Sometimes you don’t want to wait an hour for a room to warm up.
Whether you’re working from home, helping with homework or settling in for a family movie night, the Heller 2000W Ceramic Tower Heater is designed to provide fast, effective warmth when you need it.
The slim tower design also means it won’t dominate the room.
Why mums like it
- Quick heat-up time
- Modern space-saving design
- Great for living areas and home offices
- Easy-to-use controls
Best Bathroom Heater for Busy Families: Heller 2000W Bathroom Heater
There is nothing enjoyable about stepping out of a warm shower into an ice-cold bathroom.
The Heller 2000W Bathroom Heater is designed to quickly take the edge off chilly winter mornings and make getting ready for school or work a little more comfortable.
Why mums like it
- Fast heating performance
- Designed specifically for bathrooms
- Great for cold winter mornings
- Helps warm smaller spaces quickly
Best Heater for Family Rooms: Heller 11 Fin Oil Heater With Fan & Timer
If your family spends most evenings together in the lounge room, this is the heater we’d look at first.
The Heller 11 Fin Oil Heater combines the steady warmth of an oil heater with fan-assisted circulation to help move heat around larger spaces more effectively.
The built-in timer is also useful if you’re trying to avoid leaving heaters running longer than necessary.
Why mums like it
- Timer helps manage heating schedules
- Better heat distribution
- Suitable for larger rooms
- Comfortable, consistent warmth
Best Heater for Overnight Heating: Heller 11 Fin Oil Heater With Timer
For families who prefer a quieter bedroom environment, this model offers many of the benefits of oil heating with the added convenience of a built-in timer.
It’s a practical option for bedrooms and smaller living spaces where steady warmth is more important than rapid heating.
Why mums like it
- Built-in timer
- Quiet operation
- Consistent overnight warmth
- Ideal for bedrooms
Best Fireplace Alternative: Heller Electric Double Door Fireplace Heater
Sometimes heating is about creating a cosy atmosphere as much as staying warm.
If you love the look of a traditional fireplace but don’t want the cost or maintenance, this electric fireplace heater offers a similar feel with the convenience of electric heating.
Why mums like it
- Creates a cosy focal point
- Suitable for family living areas
- Adds ambience as well as warmth
- Easy to operate
Best Space-Saving Heater: Heller 2000W Wall Heater
For smaller homes, apartments or rooms where floor space is limited, wall-mounted heaters can be a smart solution.
The Heller 2000W Wall Heater keeps the floor clear while providing practical everyday warmth.
Why mums like it
- Space-saving design
- Great for bedrooms and living rooms
- Keeps floors clutter-free
- Suitable for everyday winter use
How To Keep Heating Costs Down This Winter
Even the most energy-efficient heater can become expensive if it’s running in the wrong room or being used inefficiently.
The good news is that a few simple habits can help keep your family warm without unnecessarily increasing your electricity bill.
To get the most value from your heater this winter:
- Heat the room you’re actually using rather than the entire house
- Close doors to unused rooms to keep warmth where you need it
- Use timers whenever possible
- Seal drafts around windows and doors
- Keep curtains closed after sunset
- Layer up with warm clothing before increasing the thermostat
- Turn heaters off when rooms are empty
The right heater won’t magically slash your power bill. However, choosing the right heater for the right room can help keep your family comfortable while avoiding unnecessary energy use.
Looking for more ways to prepare your home for winter? Don’t miss our guide to Preparing for Winter, packed with practical tips to make your home warmer, cosier and more comfortable before the coldest months arrive.
More Ways To Stay Warm This Winter
A good heater is only part of the equation.
If you’re trying to stay warm without constantly reaching for the thermostat, these popular Stay at Home Mum winter guides are worth bookmarking:
Warm Up From The Inside
Nothing beats a hearty meal on a cold evening. These family favourites are perfect for winter dinners:
- Creamy Pumpkin Soup
- Homemade Chicken Bone Broth
- Cheeseburger Soup
- Pasta and Lamb Shank Soup
- Slow Cooker Pea and Ham Soup
- Marry Me Chicken Soup
- Slow Cooker Braised Lamb Chops
Keep The Kids Active During Winter
Cold weather doesn’t mean the kids have to stay indoors all season.
Check out our guide to Amazing Outdoor Activities for Your Family This Winter for fun ways to burn energy and make the most of sunny winter days.
Don’t Forget The Family Dog
If your furry family member feels the cold, you’ll love our guide to Winter Outfits and Warm Clothing for Dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Energy-Efficient Heaters
Which Heater Is Cheapest To Run?
The cheapest heater to run is usually the one that’s appropriately sized for the room you’re heating.
For whole-home heating, reverse-cycle air conditioners are generally considered one of the most efficient options available. For bedrooms and smaller living areas, many families prefer oil heaters because they provide steady warmth without needing constant adjustment.
Are Oil Heaters More Efficient Than Fan Heaters?
Both use electricity, but they heat spaces differently.
Oil heaters provide slower, more consistent warmth and are often preferred for bedrooms and overnight use. Fan heaters warm rooms more quickly but are generally better suited to short bursts of heating.
What Is The Best Heater For A Bedroom?
For many Australian families, oil heaters remain one of the most popular bedroom choices because they’re quiet, provide steady warmth and don’t blow hot air around the room.
Our pick for bedrooms is the Heller 7 Fin Oil Heater.
What Is The Best Heater For A Bathroom?
Bathrooms usually need quick, targeted warmth rather than all-day heating.
A dedicated bathroom heater or strip heater can help take the chill out of winter mornings without heating the rest of the house.
Our pick is the Heller 2000W Bathroom Heater.
Are Wall-Mounted Heaters Worth It?
Wall-mounted heaters can be a smart option in smaller homes where floor space is limited.
They’re particularly useful in bedrooms, hallways and living rooms where you want warmth without adding clutter.
What Size Heater Do I Need?
As a general guide:
- Small bedrooms: 1000W–1500W
- Medium rooms: 1500W–2000W
- Large living areas: 2000W+
The right size depends on insulation, ceiling height, window size and your local climate.
Final Thoughts
The best heater isn’t necessarily the most expensive one.
It’s the one that suits the room you’re trying to heat, your family’s routine and your budget.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet oil heater for the kids’ bedrooms, a bathroom heater for frosty mornings, or a larger unit for family movie nights, choosing the right heater can make winter far more comfortable without wasting energy.
Now we’d love to hear from you.
Which heater do you use at home during winter?
Have you found one that keeps the family warm without sending your power bill through the roof?
Share your recommendation in the comments below and help other Aussie families stay cosy this winter.
Have your say!