Dreo oil filled radiator review

Dreo’s oil-filled radiator has all the best qualities of any oil-filled radiator – and all their issues. It’s silent in operation and doesn’t affect air quality by blowing dry, dusty air around the way a fan heater does. But it’s heavy, bulky and expensive to run.

In this review, we take a look at whether you should buy this model.

Bear in mind that you’ll either be getting a seven-fin 1500W model or a nine-fin 2000W model, depending on whether you buy in the US or the UK. Obviously, a higher wattage appliance can use more electricity, although what it costs you will depend on the settings you use.

We’re testing the 2000W model.

Design & Build

• Digital display
• Comes with remote
• Three heat settings and eco mode

Dreo’s oil-filled heater is a dark gunmetal grey and shaped like a traditional radiator, with either seven or nine M-shaped fins to maximise heat dissipation. It stands on casters, so it’s easy to wheel around but it’s heavy (11.96kg/ 26.36lbs), so it’s not the kind of heater you can easily move from room to room with you – especially if the trip involves stairs. It does feel solid and well-built, however, and has a pleasant, traditional look.

On one end is a digital display, complete with touch controls. The target temperature is shown in large digits but the rest of the display and touch controls are harder to read, especially in low lighting.

There’s an indicator to show that the radiator is plugged in, a heat indicator to show that it’s currently using power, and a sound indicator.

Underneath are the mode, timer and temperature keys. The radiator has three heat settings – low, medium and high – which you can cycle through. There’s also an eco mode, in which the heater will select the optimum heat power depending on the current and set temperature. In eco mode, it’ll also switch off as soon as the target temperature has been achieved and switch on again when it drops.

You can choose a temperature between 5°C and 35°C.

You can also set a switch-on/ switch-off timer in one-hour increments, up to 24 hours.

It comes with a remote control, complete with a battery, and as there are some multi-key presses to perform more advanced functions on the radiator itself (such as muting sounds and dimming the display), it’s handy to keep the remote to hand.

For example, the easiest way to stop the radiator irritatingly bleeping whenever you change a setting is to mute it using a dedicated button on the remote. Or you can try to remember that holding the Mode button down for three seconds on the radiator control panel will allow you to do the same. We wish there were separate on device keys for all functions.

There’s a child lock as well, although it’s not apparent. You’ll have to long press the timer button to activate or deactivate it, or use the remote.

In terms of safety features, the radiator has tip-over and overheat protection.

Performance & Features

• Some assembly needed
• Powerful heating
• Expensive to run

To set it up, you’ll need to attach the wheels to the base, using the caster screws provided. It’s a simple job. Dreo suggests that the best spot for the radiator is in front of a window, where it can block cold air from entering.

Dreo then recommends turning it on at full power for two hours in a ventilated room to burn off the factory odour. It wasn’t necessary on the model we tested, which just gave off a faint metallic smell on first use.

It does, however, make a popping, crackling noise when it initially heats up, especially in a cold room, but this doesn’t last for long.

Once it’s switched on, you’ll really see the advantage of this model. It’s hugely powerful and heats up a room very quickly. I have to say that, during the icy testing period – it’s 1°C outside right now – I loved having the excuse of reviewing it to switch it on whenever I wanted. This power is really the reason to buy it, but it could prove costly to run.

The UK model I’m testing is 2000W, which could cost me as much as 58p per hour to run on my current tariff. To get an idea of what it could cost you, you can use an online energy calculator. You’ll just need your tariff information to hand.

However, this still won’t give you an exact figure. If you use it in Eco mode, for example, it won’t be as pricey but running it for long enough will still rack up your bill.

The best way to find out exactly what this, or any appliance costs to run is to plug it into an energy monitoring smart plug. A smart plug will also let you schedule usage, making it easier to ensure you’re not wasting money having it on when you don’t need it.

Price & Availability

In the US, the 1500W model has an MSRP of $119.99 but is available for much less from online retailers including Walmart and Dreo. At the time of writing, however, Amazon has the best offer.

In the UK, the 2000w model is the one available. It has an RRP of £159.99 but Amazon is selling it for £129.99. There’s currently a voucher offer that will net you a further £10 off. All the details are on the page.

Altogether, this is is good value for such a powerful heater but if you’re concerned about ongoing energy use, our round-up of the best heaters has energy-efficient alternatives.

Should you buy the Dreo oil filled radiator?

If running costs aren’t your key concern, this is a durable, powerful and quiet radiator that you won’t regret buying.