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Wood heater for small rooms

A wood heater uses wood combustion to produce heat and keep you warm during colder days. The wood fire warms the body of the heater, which then radiates into the surrounding space. The smoke from the fire exits through a pipe, leading to a chimney. A wood heater comes in many styles and sizes, such as freestanding, inbuilt and fan-forced options. However, they all have the same basic principles.

When choosing a wood heater, consider your budget, room size, and the type you want. Freestanding heaters are suitable if your house doesn't have an existing fireplace, while inbuilt options are more energy efficient. You should also look at the safety features, installation costs and the level of insulation in your house before buying a wood heater.

For this list, we examined wood heaters from retailers like Bunnings, Ultimate Fires, Heatworks and Energy Hot House to find the top options for any needs. We picked models based on customer reviews and ratings as well as their key product features.

Read our full methodology below.

For the best overall wood heater, we picked the Radiant 16 from Ultimate. Designed to keep small areas warm, the Radiant 16 features a heating capacity of up to 140sqm and can accommodate logs up to 350mm in length.

With advanced combustion technology and a clean glass viewing area, this wood heater is one of our picks for the best heaters available online. This also has a triple burn system where the primary air is drawn into the firebox, then into the airports above the door. Then it washes down the glass door into the fuel at the bottom of the firebox to make a primary ignition.

The Radiant 16 has a starting price of $899 for the heater only. For the standard fuel kit, you need to shell out $454. It features an extremely sleek design and an easy installation. However, this still requires the helping hands of a qualified installer. For peace of mind, it is also backed by a 10-year warranty on the firebox.

With a rating of 4 out of 5 stars on Bunnings, we recommend the Chapala Small Mexican Clay Chimenea as the best cheap option.

Chapala's Small Mexican Clay Chimenea is both a decorative and functional little fireplace that can heat areas up to 5sqm. The chimenea is handmade using volcanic clay and a centuries-old design.

Individually handmade, this chimenea is a great outdoor wood heater that can boast curve appeal. Customers said it is easy to use and evenly heats smaller areas. To make the heater a lot more durable, it is recommended to slowly season with fires. Note that you need to buy sand and firebricks to properly use the chimenea.

The Cheminées Philippe Radiante 692 Wood Heater is our pick for the best slow-combustion wood heater. This model is Australia emission and efficiency compliant as well as EPA approved.

The Radiante 692 is 100% French and made over 60 years. It has a cast iron constructed firebox and a swing door opening system for a sleek, modern look. The ceramic heat-resistant glass can withstand heat up to 800°C, while the removable ash pan is easy to clean.

This wood heater is a versatile option for large areas. This can be a freestanding heater or an inbuilt fireplace, blending into any home aesthetic. It's got a generous firebox that can accommodate large firewood and a clean burning function. And while it has a hefty price tag, the Radiante 692 is sure to keep you and your entire family warm during cold, winter days.

When it comes to the best wood heater for large rooms, our team recommends the Eureka Solitare. This model has a heating capacity of up to 350sqm and uses 480mm fire logs, making it an ideal option for bigger households.

The Solitare is created with high-quality performance in mind while being friendly to the environment. It is a freestanding model that features a panoramic glass door, offering maximum exposure to the flames within the furnace. According to the brand, it also features a unique pre-heated primary and secondary combustion air for "total burn". For cleanability, it has a removable 8mm-thick steel baffle plate, easy-access three-speed fan and self-cleaning glass door.

The Solitare is A.S. 4013-compliant and has a 175mm flue system to prevent combustion gasses from escaping into your room. It also has a firebrick lining on the firebox's sides and back, enhancing combustion efficiency and protecting its most vulnerable part. Several customers aren't a fan of the heater's design, but this seems to be a minor issue.

Our pick for the best heater for small rooms is Saxon's Walnut SXWN07K. This model features an 8mm-thick steel firebox for durability and an automated fan with three speed settings. It can also warm rooms up to 200sqm.

The Walnut wood heater is suitable for small indoor areas and has low emissions of just 0.7g per kilo. It comes fitted with a SKAMOLEX baffle, which the brand claims to push the heat back into the fire for a clean and efficient burn. For added convenience, it also has an automated fan that switches on/off when the model reaches the ideal temperature for maximum efficiency. The firebox is backed by a 15-year warranty as well.

This wood heater has a classic design with modern efficiency. The traditional firebox helps enhance its radiant heat, while the modern efficiency ensures small areas are evenly heated while being environmentally friendly.

The Ultimate Radiant Cottage is our choice for the best freestanding model. The Cottage is suitable for keeping medium-sized homes warm and cosy during cold months. It has a cooktop facility and the option of a three-speed fan.

Featuring a minimalist, modern design with a clean glass viewing area, this wood heater helps add visual interest in any area while keeping the household warm. It is made from BHP Australian steel and has advanced combustion technology.

The Cottage can heat up areas up to 190sqm. Like the Ultimate model, this uses a triple burn system to ensure optimal heating efficiency. For peace of mind, it also comes with a 10-year unconditional warranty.

For the outdoors, we recommend the Rusty Slim Outdoor Fireplace. It has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Bunnings.

Part of our list of the best outdoor heaters, the Rusty Slim is an affordable option to keep your outdoor area warm during the winter. It features a modern design and is easy to assemble. It also has a large hinged door to maximise the viewing of the flames. It can be positioned to create directional heating, too.

This wood heater is a simple yet budget-friendly option that adds a visual appeal to any outdoor area. It provides even heat for small spaces, according to users. Others added that it is sturdy and has a small footprint for narrower areas. However, this shouldn't be used near combustible materials.

For this list we examined wood heaters from the following retailers:

We then narrowed our selection based on customer ratings and reviews (as of July 2022). We also considered key product features such as price, size and type when choosing wood heaters for the list. For the best cheap option, we looked into wood heaters below $400. We then came up with what we believe are the seven best wood heaters you can get online.

Wood heaters provide even warm, heating areas faster and more efficiently. These heaters come in various shapes and sizes to ensure your household is all warmed up during the winter.

When it comes to choosing a wood heater, consider the following factors:

Before wood heater shopping, determine the size and layout of the room where you want to put it. This will help you identify the heating capacity suitable for the area.

Inbuilt models are ideal for households with an existing fireplace, while freestanding wood heaters don't need an existing fireplace to operate.

These are the two main types of heating that most wood heaters have. Convection heaters are more suitable for houses with great insulation, while radiant options are better for homes that aren't well-insulated.

Apart from the heater's price tag, you should also factor in the cost of installing a wood heater. Most options require a qualified professional to do the job.

Make sure to get a wood heater that complies with the current emission level of 1.5g per one kilo of wood burnt. Most brands also offer wood heaters with a lower emission level to be more environmentally friendly.

Consider the heater's build when choosing the best option. A cast iron or steel wood heater will not only produce optimal heating but will be safer and more durable.

Here are several tips to ensure you are properly and safely operating a wood heater:

Wood heaters pollute less than an open fireplace. However, they can still be a major source of air pollution if not properly operated. Fine particles from a wood heater may cause several environmental and health problems related to woodsmoke.

Wood heaters provide more even heat compared to electric heaters. They also cost less to run if you use well-seasoned wood logs. However, wood heaters are more high-maintenance than electric models.

In general, you should clean your wood heater at least twice a month to keep its efficiency.

Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in reviews. She has previously written articles about property investment, finances, and health. She’s a huge fan of Tina Fey, bubble teas and dogs. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila and is currently writing her thesis for a Master’s degree in Communication

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