Half-price £25 heater made a huge difference to my cold flat within minutes | Wales Online

It's ideal for cold winter evenings, is lightweight and great for small flats

During the recent cold spell, I found myself constantly bundled up in numerous layers: thermal tops, thick socks, and jumpers. After spending too many evenings shivering on my sofa, I decided it was time to invest in a portable heater.

Given the compact size of my flat, I needed a small appliance that wouldn't take up too much space and could be easily moved from room to room. After some research, I settled on the Devola Portable Ceramic Fan Heater.

This petite device offers quick heating, two heat settings up to 1500W, and crucially, portability. Best of all, it's available at half price, reduced to £24.99 from its original price of £49.99.

READ MORE

• Superwarm 15-tog duvet that saved me when my boiler failed just £4.80 in deal stack
• Walt Disney World and Universal tickets 25% off for a few days on '1st Class' company

Over the past few weeks, I've been testing it out to see if it could make a noticeable difference in my perpetually cold flat. Fresh out of the box, the heater has a sleek and minimalist design, finished in matte white and weighing just 1.5kg, the same weight as a small laptop or basketball.

Setting it up was as straightforward as unpacking it and plugging it in, reports the Express. The buttons are intuitive and clearly labelled, so there was no need to even glance at the instructions.

The heater features two heat settings: 900W for smaller spaces and 1500W for quicker, more potent warmth. I've found the lower setting perfect for my medium-sized bedroom, while the higher setting is effective in larger areas like my living room.

The difference was noticeable within minutes in both instances, a significant advantage over oil radiators that can take a considerable amount of time to heat up properly. For those who prefer a warmer temperature and a bit more oomph, the VonHaus Electric Radiator, £47.99 on Wayfair, offers adjustable power settings up to 2000W.

The Devola heater also provides three temperature options (18°C, 23°C and 28°C). Despite my flat's usual chilliness, I've seldom needed to use the highest setting; the lower temperatures have been more than sufficient to maintain a cosy atmosphere.

Indeed, there have been times when I've had to remove my jumper due to overheating, which feels nothing short of miraculous for January.

One aspect that initially puzzled me was the heater's tendency to switch itself off occasionally. This is due to an automatic temperature sensor that shuts down the unit once the room reaches the set temperature.

This feature is actually quite useful for conserving energy and preventing overheating. However, I did need to consult the instruction manual to figure out how to turn it off (you have to press the temperature button a few times).

Another notable feature is the oscillation mode, which isn't common on many other compact heaters. It aids in distributing heat more evenly throughout the room, rather than directing hot air in one direction, so I don't have to sit directly in front of it to enjoy the warmth.

The heater also features a fan-only mode for cooling airflow. While I haven't had the need for this during the winter, it's a nice addition that enhances the heater's year-round utility, particularly given its price.

In terms of noise level, it's quiet. It's audible when switched on, but barely noticeable, allowing me to watch television, read and work without being disturbed.

As for portability, it's faultless. The integrated carry handle makes it easy to transport from one room to another, and I've even taken it along to my boyfriend's flat when staying overnight (another typically cold London property).

My only minor complaint is the lack of dedicated cord storage; a small hook or wrap would have made it more convenient to carry. However, I've noticed this sleek cordless option at Fruugo, currently discounted to £33.95 from £69.

For those living in a cold, poorly insulated home, this Devola Portable Ceramic Fan Heater is a solid choice. It's compact, user-friendly, heats rooms swiftly, and includes several thoughtful features that make daily use straightforward and efficient.

Priced at £24.99, the current 50% discount makes it even more attractive. It's transformed my winter evenings from bitterly cold to genuinely cosy, and that alone makes it a winner in my eyes.