Which heater is right for you?
Choosing a heater starts not with the brand, but with the question of where and how you'll use it. A garden house without an electrical outlet calls for something different from a living room you want to keep warm every evening. Answer the four questions below and you'll know within a few minutes which type of heater is right for you.
Find the right heater in 4 questions
1. Is there an electrical outlet in the room?
- No: choose a Wick heater. It works without mains power; ignition runs on batteries. Ideal for the shed, garden house, campsite or as emergency heating during a power outage.
- Yes: then you can choose from all types. Continue to question 2.
2. Do you want to be able to move the heater?
- Yes: a laser heater or Wick heater. Place it wherever you need it, without installation or a flue.
- No, it can be permanently mounted or placed: a flued wall heater, pellet heater or electric wall heater.
3. Will you use it occasionally or every day?
- Occasionally, as supplemental heating: a laser heater. Set a temperature and the thermostat takes care of the rest.
- For daily, permanent heating: a flued wall heater (kerosene, with an exhaust through the exterior wall) or a pellet heater (wood pellets, with a flue).
- For a small room without fuel: an electric heater, such as the Qlima Sereno EPIH 5110 for rooms up to 40 m³.
4. How large is the room?
Calculate the volume: length × width × height in meters. Then choose a heater with a rated capacity that suits your room's volume, allowing some extra capacity if the room is poorly insulated. Find out exactly how to calculate this in How many kW do you need?
Heater types compared
| Type | Electricity required | Exhaust required | Portable | Thermostat | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wick heater | No (batteries for ignition) | No | Yes | No | Shed, garden house, camping, emergency heating |
| Laser heater | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Living room, conservatory, supplemental heating |
| Wall-mounted heater | Yes | Yes, one narrow flue through the exterior wall | No | Yes, with weekly timer | Fixed heating without a chimney |
| Pellet stove | Yes | Yes, flue | No | Yes | Living space as primary heating |
| Electric | Yes | No | No (wall-mounted model) | Yes | Smaller rooms with an electrical outlet |
Wick heater: heat without an electrical outlet
A Wick heater burns kerosene through a wick and provides direct radiant heat: you feel the warmth immediately. It has no fan or thermostat; you adjust it manually. Because it doesn't need mains power, it's ideal for places without an electrical outlet. Always make sure there's enough ventilation.
- Toyotomi – Zibro RS-2222 and Zibro RS-122: compact and lightweight, for smaller spaces.
- Qlima R 4224S TC-2: 2.4 kW, for spaces of approximately 40 to 85 m³.
- Zibro RS-30: 3.0 kW, for spaces of approximately 60 to 110 m³.
- Qlima R 8128S C-2: double burner, 2.85 kW, with CO₂ sensor.
Do you already have a Wick heater and need a new wick? Then use Which wick fits my heater?
Laser heater: comfortable and precise temperature control
A laser heater has an electronically controlled burner and a fan that distributes heat throughout the room. You set the desired temperature, and the heater adjusts its output automatically. Most models have a timer, so the room is warm when you get home. It needs an electrical outlet, but uses very little electricity; the heat comes from the kerosene.
- Toyotomi – Zibro LC-30 and LC-130: 3.0 kW, for spaces from 48 to 120 m³.
- Qlima SRE 3631 TC-2 and Tectro SRE 1330 TC-2: compact models for spaces up to 120 m³.
- Zibro LC 140 and Qlima SRE 8040 TC: 4.0 kW, up to 170 m³.
- Zibro LC 150 and Qlima SRE 9046 TC: for larger rooms up to 190–200 m³.
Not sure whether to choose a laser or a wick? Read Laser heater or Wick heater.
Flued wall heater: permanent heating without a chimney
A flued wall heater (FF heater) is fixed against the outside wall, either mounted or standing. Through a single narrow flue through the wall, it draws in fresh air from outside and expels combustion gases. This means no additional ventilation is needed, and it is suitable as permanent heating, for example in an extension, holiday home, or workshop. The heater has a thermostat, weekly timer, and frost protection, and can be controlled via Wi-Fi with a separate module.
- Zibro FF-V30-T: 3.0 kW.
- Zibro FF 55-T: 5.5 kW.
- Zibro FF-95: 9.5 kW, for rooms up to 390 m³ (external fuel tank required).
A flued wall heater must be connected correctly according to the manual. Is the wall thicker? Then you may need an extension kit.
Pellet heater: primary heating with wood pellets
A pellet heater burns wood pellets from a built-in hopper and automatically regulates the temperature. Enjoy a visible flame display and heat a living space with it as your primary heating source. A pellet heater needs a power outlet and a suitable flue; have it installed according to regulations.
- Qlima Eleonora 74-2 S-line: up to 7.8 kW, for rooms up to approximately 200 m³.
- Qlima Viola 85-2 S-line: 8.5 kW, for approximately 97 to 220 m³.
- Qlima Fiorina 90-2 S-line: up to 8.7 kW, for rooms up to 240 m³.
- Qlima Amadea 116: 11.6 kW, the most powerful model.
Keep the ash pan clean with an ash vacuum.
Electric heater: no fuel or flue
An electric heater only needs a power outlet: no fuel, no flue, no ventilation. The Qlima Sereno EPIH 5110 is a 1000 W electric wall heater with heat storage, for rooms up to 40 m³, and can be controlled via Wi-Fi and an app. Ideal for a small room, study, or office.
Heating safely with a paraffin heater
- Always ensure adequate ventilation when using wick and laser heaters, for example by leaving a window ajar or a ventilation grille open.
- Use only suitable, fresh heater fuel. Find out which type is best in Compare heater fuels.
- Refill the tank when the heater is off and has cooled down, preferably using a siphon pump.
- Install a CO detector in the room where you're heating.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to heat with a paraffin heater?
That depends on the heat output and setting. On What does heating cost?, we calculate it for each model.
Can I use a laser heater without a power outlet?
No. A laser heater needs electricity for the electronic burner and fan. If there's no power outlet, a Wick heater is the right choice.
My heater is showing an error message. What should I do?
See Error codes explained. Often, the cause is old fuel, a dirty filter, or insufficient ventilation. You can find replacement spare parts in our online store.
Looking for an affordable heater?
Then take a look at our Second Chance heaters: inspected returned heaters at a lower price.
Can't decide? Contact us, and we'll help you choose personally. Or view all heaters →
