Top 10 Best Plinth Heaters 2023

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Model	Features
CDA APH01SS 2kW Read Our Review	2kw of power Has 3 different heat settings Made from stainless steel
WinterWarm 2kW Heater Read Our Review	Comes with a remote control to make it easy to turn on and off Has 2 different settings
A365 Plinth Heater Read Our Review	Can be hard wired 2KW of power Made from stainless steel Easy to fit
Smiths Hydronic Plinth Heater Read Our Review	Runs off central heating 1.7kw of power Comes with 15m of plumbing
Eterna Plinth Fan Heater Read Our Review	Has 3 different heating settings Is more powerful than some at 2.4kw of power Comes in 3 different colours

The UK may have been enjoying the hottest summer for many a year – in fact, for a few decades – but it’s not going to last forever! Before you know it, you’ll be stepping out into cloudy grey skies, donning those extra layers, and the heating in the house will be on full blast. That’s the nature of the country, and it’s why we all have heating systems in our homes, offices and places of work. Central heating is a standard feature of new homes these days, yet there are always those occasions when you need a little extra heat.

Many of us have portable heaters around the home, which we can place and plug in wherever we want for the heat we need at a certain time. Plenty of homes also have fires in the sitting rooms – perhaps a gas or electric fire or, as is more commonly seen these days, log burners or open fires. These are great for quick, radiant warmth in a direct location, and they make a sensible choice.

There is one room, however, that tends to be overlooked, and that’s because it is associated with heat: the kitchen. However, we don’t always have the oven or grill on – think mornings in the winter, perhaps, when the kids are getting ready for school – and we spend a lot of time in the kitchen, too. That’s why we’re going to talk about the best plinth heaters, and if you haven’t heard of these clever yet simple and discreet heaters, you may well be interested.

Best Plinth Heater Reviews

1: CDA APH01SS 2kW

One of the main benefits of the plinth heater is that it takes up space that is already wasted; that area under your cupboards is not going to be used by anything else. So, you don’t have a heater taking up space that you need. This one is absolutely typical of the breed. It’s a neat, slim and compact model that is designed to fit standard cupboard widths – it’s for 500mm width cupboards -and it is very easy to fit and use. It’s also a sensible price, and is not too powerful.

With 2kW of power this model will easily provide extra power for your kitchen, especially on those cold winter mornings. It also has a cool function for if you are already too hot, along with a warm and hot temperature setting. It is operated by simple switches for on and off and the temperature settings, and is finished in a rather nice stainless steel frontage that looks the part – although it is not likely to be seen given it is down towards the ground. Mains plug or hard-wire options too, and we like the fact it comes with a lengthy warranty.

2: WinterWarm 2kW Heater

This model of plinth heater is a very similar design to the above – in fact, as these items are limited by the space they are intended to fill, they will all likely look very similar – but has a couple of features the above does not. It is another 2kW heater, which seems to be around the norm for one of these, and comes with a fascia board that fits under the standard 500mm cupboard it is intended to sit beneath (the item itself is around 400mm in width).

It’s finished in white, so will look best in a kitchen that has a white furniture design, and it is also operated by simple on and off switches. This one, however, this is a plinth heater with a remote control, so you don’t have to lean down to the floor to switch it on and off, or to select either of the two heat settings – low, and boost. This one is great for instant, temporary heat – which is what these are designed for – and can be hard-wired in, and is a similar price to the above.

3: A365 Plinth Heater

This is another of the stainless steel designs, and it is very similar to that which is first on our list. We don’t expect to find many differences between such specific items, yet this is not a bad thing. This one is absolutely typical of the breed. It’s a neat, slim and compact model that is designed to fit standard cupboard widths – it’s for 500mm width cupboards -and it is very easy to fit and use. It’s also a sensible price, and is not too powerful.

With 2kW of power this model will easily provide extra power for your kitchen, especially on those cold winter mornings. It also has a cool function for if you are already too hot, along with a warm and hot temperature setting. It is operated by simple switches for on and off and the temperature settings, and is finished in a rather nice stainless steel frontage that looks the part – although it is not likely to be seen given it is down towards the ground. Mains plug or hard-wire options too, and we like the fact it comes with a lengthy warranty, but be aware it is around twice the price of the two listed above.

4: Smiths Hydronic Plinth Heater

So far, we’ve featured plinth heaters that are effectively stand-alone portable electric heaters that plug into the mains. This one, from Smiths, is a different concept altogether. We’ve also mentioned that part of the benefit of these is that they save space; this one does so, but in more ways than the usual. It’s a plinth heater that, when plumbed in, becomes part of your central heating system. One of the benefits of this is that it can then be used in place of kitchen radiators, thus freeing up valuable space taken up by those.

It’s a clever idea, and one that utilises that wasted space we have mentioned for a much more sensible purpose. There is a 15metre plumbing kit to the heating system included in the package, and it can put out as much as 1.7kW of heat. This one can heat a room of up 37 cubic metres, which will easily cover a standard kitchen, and it is very neat indeed. The only consideration is that it does cost considerably more than some others on the list, but the benefits of an integrated heater rather than a plug-in model may be the clincher.

5: Eterna Plinth Fan Heater

Back to the standard under the cupboard fan heater type with this one, which you can have in 3 colour finishes – white, brown or stainless. This one is the standard size for 500mm cupboard widths, is easy to use and fit, and comes with the option of plug in or hard-wire. It’s a neat little design that will easily heat a kitchen temporarily, and one that is very cleverly designed to be discreet.

This one has three heat settings, with a maximum of 2.4kW output on the boost level, and can be operated via simple switched on the front of the fascia. It also has a thermostatic cut-off system so you will not find it overheating. This one is great for instant, temporary heat – which is what these are designed for – and can be hard-wired in. We should say that while it is not the most expensive on the list, it is by a long way not the least expensive, so you should consider your options carefully.

6: Diamond Central Heating Plinth

This is another of the type that sits within your central heating system, rather than being a stand-alone electric heater. Part of the benefit of these is that they save space; this one does so, but in more ways than the usual. It’s a plinth heater that, when plumbed in, operates automatically as do the rest of the radiators in your heating system. One of the benefits of this is that it can then be used in place of kitchen radiators, thus freeing up valuable space taken up by those.

It’s a clever idea, and one that utilises that wasted space we have mentioned for a much more sensible purpose. There is a 15metre plumbing kit to the heating system included in the package, and it can put out as much as 1.7kW of heat. This one can heat a room of up 37 cubic metres, which will easily cover a standard kitchen, and it is very neat indeed. The only consideration is that it does cost considerably more than some others on the list, but the benefits of an integrated heater rather than a plug-in model may be the clincher.

7: Smiths Space Saver

This one, from Smiths, is another of the plinth heaters that, when plumbed in, becomes part of your central heating system. One of the benefits of this is that it can then be used in place of kitchen radiators, thus freeing up valuable space taken up by those. We have featured a Smiths model a few models above and this is also a good one, as it represents a smaller version of that model.

It’s a clever idea, and one that utilises that wasted space we have mentioned for a much more sensible purpose. There is a 15metre plumbing kit to the heating system included in the package, and it can put out up to 900w of heat, so not the most powerful but effective for its intended use. This one can heat a room of up 23 cubic metres, which will be suitable for smaller kitchens, and it is very neat indeed. The only consideration is that it does cost considerably more than some others on the list, but the benefits of an integrated heater rather than a plug-in model may be the clincher.

8: Darsley Plinth Heater 900

We are splitting these reviews roughly half and half between the electric fan models and those that fit into the central heating system, as each has its relative merits. This is one of the latter, and it’s one designed for smaller kitchens as is that above. It’s from the Darsley brand, who offer a wide variety of such products, and is good quality. One of the benefits of this is that it can then be used in place of kitchen radiators, thus freeing up valuable space taken up by those.

Within the kit you get a 15metre plumbing kit to the heating system included in the package, and it can put out up to 900w of heat, so not the most powerful but effective for its intended use. This one will be suitable for smaller kitchens, and it is very neat indeed. The only consideration is that these central heating linked systems cost considerably more than the stand-alone models, but the benefits of an integrated heater rather than a plug-in model may be worth the additional investment.

9: Greaves Plinth Fan Heater

We return to the plug in variety with this model, and it is very much the standard variety in every way – though we must say that is not a bad thing! It is also a powerful which you can have in 3 colour finishes – white, brown or stainless. This one is the standard size for 500mm cupboard widths, is easy to use and fit, and comes with the option of plug in or hard-wire. It’s a neat little design that will easily heat a kitchen temporarily, and one that is very cleverly designed to be discreet.

This one has three heat settings, with a maximum of 2.4kW output on the boost level, and can be operated via simple switched on the front of the fascia. It also has a thermostatic cut-off system so you will not find it overheating. This one is great for instant, temporary heat – which is what these are designed for – and can be hard-wired in. Also, while it is not the most expensive on the list, it is by a long way not the least expensive, so you should consider your options carefully.

10: Dimplex 2.4kW heater

Our final model comes from the Dimplex brand, which is highly regarded in terms of heating devices. It’s a typical under-cupboard fan heater, and one that has many decent features, not least that you get a control panel you can attach at worktop height so you do not need to go down to the flow to switch this one on and off. It’s designed for standard size cupboards, too, and is easy to fit and use.

This one has three heat settings, with a maximum of 2.4kW output on the boost level, and can be operated via simple switched on the front of the fascia. It also has a thermostatic cut-off system so you will not find it overheating. This one is great for instant, temporary heat – which is what these are designed for – and can be hard-wired in. it’s not the cheapest of those on the list, but it is sensibly priced in this company and does a good job.

That’s our list of the top 10 best plinth heaters on the market, so which is for you? Let’s check out some of the features you need to consider, then we’ll see if we can give you a verdict.

How It Works

So, you’re in the kitchen, it’s early in the morning, it’s cold and you need some extra warmth; what do you do? You switch on your small, discreet yet sufficiently powerful plinth heater, and you get instant heat that you can select a temperature for at whatever level you need. It’s cheap, it’s easy to use and it’s a very clever way of making sure you have a warm kitchen every time.

What is a plinth heater? Essentially, it’s a small electric heater that fits into the plinth area beneath your fitted cupboards in the kitchen. As this area is little-used, it’s a great way of utilising space that is not already used. They use little power – they are all electric – and as they become a fitted part of your kitchen furniture, they tend to be finished in a nice metal style, so they do look good if they happen to be noticed.

You can choose one of two ways of powering your best plinth heater; either plug it into the mains, or have it hard-wired in like you do with your oven or other appliances. Either does the job, and each makes it simple to use and readily available. You’ll also find they tend to designed for standard-width kitchen cupboards, so there will certainly be one suitable for you. So, let’s have a look at the top 10 plinth heaters you can buy right now, and find the best one for your kitchen.

Important Features to Consider When Picking The Best Plinth Heater

Plinth heaters are a great way of getting added heat in the kitchen without taking up any space that is needed for other purposes, and as such are an excellent purchase. The selection we have included above covers two different types and also a variety of other factors, so before we give you our opinion on the one to buy, let’s check out some of the features you need to look for.

• Plug In or Integrated – some of the above best plinth heaters are the type you fit beneath your cupboard and plug into the mains system, or hard wire into it. These are fan heaters under your cupboard. The other type is the version that is integrated into your heating system; this is in effect an additional radiator, and in many cases is a far more efficient device. The latter are more expensive than the former, but as they switch on and off with your heating, they will provide heat when you need it.
• Power – the power of the various models on our list ranges from a maximum of 900W to 2.4kW, so there is plenty of breadth to consider. You need one that will heat your room, depending upon its size, so check the manufacturer specifications carefully.

That really is just about all you need to think about as they are all designed for fitting under standard sizes of cupboard, and the only thing extra is that of colour, which is variously stainless steel, white or brown. So, which of the above is for you? Let’s wrap it up!

Let’s Wrap It Up!

So, plinth heaters, a great idea, but which of our ten suits you? First, if you want the type that is linked to your central heating system, we recommend you look more closely at the Smiths model, number 4 on the list. It’s very nicely made, comes from a known brand, and is powerful enough to heat a good sized kitchen. It may not be the cheapest, but you’re getting a good quality device.

If you want a simple model that you fit, plug in and go, check out number 2, from WinterWarm; all of the models featured do a great job, but we reckon that this one gives a decent amount of power at a sensible price, and comes with the added convenience of a remote panel so you can operate it without having to bend down all the time.

Have another look and choose the best plinth heater that suits you, and enjoy additional heat in your kitchen with no loss of space!