By Elle May Rice

Copyright glasgowlive

As autumn sets in, many people will be eyeing up something they haven’t laid a finger on for months – the central heating. While a handful may have already given in, others will do absolutely everything possible to avoid flicking that switch unless it becomes essential.

Many might fancy holding off a bit longer by seeking out alternatives, like piling on a few additional layers, to keep themselves toasty until the temperature really begins to plummet. There are plenty of cosy and cost-effective ways to make sure that the weather is not getting the better of you this time of year.

Amazon is currently offering the Dreo Smart Electric Heater for £59.99, which customers have lauded for being “energy efficient.” The heater merges Hyperamics 1500W advanced PTC technology with an innovative heat funnel design to pump out warmth “within seconds” and “enhance warm air circulation for up to 200% farther reach than traditional heaters,” according to Amazon.

The product allows users to schedule room heating hours to match their routine, access heater settings from anywhere with the Dreo app, or even use their voice to control it with Alexa and Google Home compatibility. The heater has a range of 5-35°C, with ±1°C increments, reports the Daily Record.

The portable heater has a handle, making it easy to carry, and is equipped with multiple heating levels and modes. It also features handy extras for a hassle-free experience, including 12-hour timer, mute, child lock, and a memory function.

Alternatively, Dunelm offers the 2000W Flat Fan Heater for £16, while B&Q stocks the 2KW Portable Fan Heater Silent 2000W Electric for just £11.99. Lakeland is selling the De’Longhi Capsule Fan Heater Cream for £59.99.

The Dreo Smart Electric Heater has earned itself a stellar 4.6 star rating online, with a range of glowing reviews from satisfied customers. One shopper said: “This device has top marks all around. It is very quiet; not silent but not disturbing at all. On the lowest setting, it warms up a modest size room very quickly. Placed on the floor, the heat gets to all corners of the room very quickly.

“Love the timer feature, as I can pop it on for an hour on the lowest setting and forget about it. An hour is usually perfect for heating up the room comfortably. Considering how quickly and efficiently it performs, I would consider this better value for money over gas mains heating.”

Another customer wrote: “I’ve used this to heat a small room in an outbuilding. Instant heat, fully adjustable temperature and eco mode. Nice and compact and better than what I’ve tried previously (fan heaters, oil filled heaters, diesel heaters). Would recommend this for anyone looking to heat a small space fast. Great value.”

A third happy buyer added: “Absolutely love it. Sleek, light, portable, looks good in any room. Easy to use, comes with a manual and quick guide. Nice warm levels. Also a remote control so easy to adjust from my room. I’m so satisfied with this buy that I had to review.”

However, not all customers were thrilled with the heater, with some highlighting that despite its wireless appearance, it actually requires a mains connection. One customer said: “Works well but the video is extremely misleading. I bought it as the video shows it to be wireless, ideal for camping. It requires constant mains connection.”

Another voiced their confusion, writing: “The advert makes it look wireless but you have to plug it in. Not sure what they mean by “portable” if you have to plug it in. I had assumed it was battery powered.”

Despite these criticisms, many continued to sing the product’s praises. One satisfied customer said: “Great little heater. Fantastic supplemental heater. Bluetooth connectivity good and works well from my phone. Very easy to set up. You can set it to reach and maintain a designated temperature. Great output for wattage. I use it in a 12′ x 10′ bedroom and it heats the room up quickly.”

Another chimed in, writing: “The Dreo electric heater works perfectly. It heats up quickly, is energy efficient, and the remote makes it very convenient to use. Portable and easy to move around, it’s perfect for keeping a room warm. Dreo has always been a great brand, and this heater lives up to expectations.”