Russell Hobbs 1800W/1.8KW Electric Heater, Retro Horizontal/Vertical Fan Heater in Black with Adjustable Thermostat, 2 Heat Settings, 20m² Room Size, Dial Control, RHRETHFH1001B with 2 Year Guarantee

Product Information

PORTABLE DESIGN – The lightweight design and 1.2m power cord are ideal if you need a heat source that can be moved around the home from room to room A lot of mini-coolers look a bit naff, but Russell Hobbs has done a great job with this appliance. Available in white or grey, both models feature wood-effect handles on the doors. I’m reviewing the larger 14-litre model here, but this mini-cooler is also available in a smaller 4-litre unit.

While today’s fan heaters are pretty energy-efficient, they’re not suitable for leaving on for hours on end; they still consume a lot of electricity compared to, say, standalone oil-filled heaters. In fact, most of the models in this guide will cost between 35p and 70p per hour to run, possibly more given the current high electricity prices. The limited settings are both a plus point – how nice not to be overwhelmed with 30 speed settings the Duux Whisper Flex Smart Fan boggles the mind with – but at the same time a little more variation would have been welcome in practice. Then you slot on the rear grill and secure it with the nut you’ve just loosened. Next, it’s the fan blades and then the fan blade securing cap. Followed by attaching the fan cover. Annoyingly this needs a screwdriver to undo and then refasten the small screw at the bottom of the grill plate, and no tools or allen keys are provided in the box. The need for a screwdriver also isn't mentioned on the box or in the assembly instructions, which is a little frustrating. If you’re in the market for a saviour against the cold that’s easy to store away when not in use, then this dinky unit is most definitely worth the small outlay.

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This retro heater is easy to use and features 2 power settings (750W and 1500W), an adjustable thermostat and fan only setting, making it ideal for use all year round. Safety features include overheat and tip-over protection. You’ll become aware of the latter the minute you take the heater out the box, because it feels like something is loose inside. Don’t panic, it’s part of the design. The last thing to note is the Russell Hobbs 12” Scandi Desk Fan's size. Pictures make this appear a fairly compact design – perhaps because the grill is see-through rather than solid like the MeacoFan 1056 Air Circulator – but in practice this fan is really pretty large, especially so if it's going to be sitting on your desk next to you. You will definitely need a desk larger than mine.

Measuring 422 x 323 x 325mm, the Russell Hobbs Scandi Portable Mini Cooler & Warmer is plenty small enough to fit comfortably into compact spaces. A few options for it use, provided by the manufacturer, are as a drinks cooler in a home office or for keeping make-up cool in a bedroom. It’s also a great drinks chiller, if you have a party. Whether you want to heat a chilly home office or just take the edge off when the temperatures plummet, a fan heater is a great option for short-term use. Rather than heat your entire home, electric fan heaters can be placed in your immediate vicinity, directing heat to where it’s needed most. Simply place the heater a few metres away from where you’re sitting and your feet, hands and face will remain warm while you watch TV, read a book, cook or work at your desktop. Second, compressors that use refrigerant are more efficient than the thermoelectric system used in the Russell Hobbs Scandi.

USE ALL YEAR ROUND - In the warmer months, the fan only setting can be used to circulate air around the room. The 1500W total heat output is ideal for rooms up to 15m2. The compact design and cool touch outer make it ideal for moving from room to room throughout your home. For added peace of mind there’s overheat and tip over protection. MAXIMUM HEAT OUTPUT – Choose from 2 heat settings for complete flexibility during cold spells and winter months – 750W for low heat and 1500W for high heat. In both cases, Russell Hobbs recommends that you leave the cooler for four hours to achieve the right temperature before putting anything into it, so you’ll need to plan ahead. Performance Despite the lower-quality build, we were impressed by this heater’s performance. It’s very keenly priced, too.

This was a little disappointing considering nearly every other fan I’d tested came ready assembled – and because I couldn’t find anywhere that warns that the product would need self-assembly on the box. Sure, it’s cheaper to run than a large fridge freezer, but the two products aren’t directly comparable. With the Russell Hobbs Scandi Portable Mini Cooler & Warmer you’re getting a smaller, neater chiller that’s great for parties, general soft drink storage or even make-up, and you can take it anywhere you want. You don’t get many onboard controls on this sleek cylindrical ceramic heater; but, then again, it’s designed to work via an Apple or Android app, which lets you set your preferred room temperature and even set a schedule to turn it on and off over the course of a week. This model looks wonderfully retro with its Scandinavian wood-effect details and old-fashioned FM radio-style shell. In fact, it looks better in the flesh than it does in photos. You can take out the middle shelf entirely, which will allow you to fit in full-height bottles, such as the bottle of wine. Russell Hobbs says that it will hold two 1.5-litre bottles.

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The controls aren’t very ergonomic or nice to the touch; they feel pretty basic. And the corrugated edges of the speed button in particular are quite uncomfortable to hold and left some big indents in the thumb after twisting through the settings. But, the controls are manual and don't involve any clever (faffy) touch screens or tiny (easily lost) remote controls to be operated, and they produce a good stream of air that has a cooling effect on a hot day.

If you can afford it, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde is a sterling choice for winter warmth and air purification. What’s more, when the summer months arrive, you can turn off the heater element and enjoy a cooling breeze instead. When it comes to air purification, this Dyson can filter down to 0.1 microns, which includes pollen, pet dander, bacteria, smoke, benzene, nitrogen dioxide and, in the case of this specific model, formaldehyde – a poisonous gas emitted by cigarette smoke, many household products and wooden flooring. In other words, this model doesn’t just heat – or cool – the air in your room, it cleans it too at a rate of up to 290 litres per second. Grab the lever on the front and the door swings open level with the cooler to reveal the inside. The compartment is spacious, with room for 14 330ml drinks, spread over the top and bottom shelves.

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This attractive Italian-designed model from DeLonghi arrives with a high-quality, cool-to-the-touch metal casing with legs attached. And with its maximum sound pressure of 48dB, it’s one of the quietest fan heaters you can buy.