Which Electric Radiators are the Quietest?

Last updated: March 2023

In theory, it’s a great idea to set your heating to turn on half an hour before you get up on a morning – but when you’re stirred awake early by the incessant clicking of the bedroom radiator, it’s hardly worth it. Central heating is notorious for the strange and persistent sounds it makes, whether from the water running through the pipes or the individual radiators themselves making loud clunking sounds. However, when it comes to electric, gone are the days of noisy heating. In fact, electric is one of the quietest systems on the market, mainly because it doesn’t rely on a larger network of pipes running through your entire property. But there’s more to it than that: we’re diving into the nitty gritty of what sounds are normal for electric radiators and the specific models we’d recommend for the quietest heating solution in your home.

Oil-filled electric radiators

Oil-free electric radiators

What we recommend

Ecostrad iQ Ceramic: our quietest electric radiator yet

Oil-filled, or thermal fluid radiators, are a versatile electric heating choice. Unlike gas, which relies on plumbing or pipes to heat the home, the thermodynamic fluid is contained entirely in the radiator body which spreads throughout the core to ensure that heat distributes evenly.

Due to its excellent heat-retentive properties, oil-filled radiators retain their warmth for longer, keeping the room temperature cosy even after the appliance has been switched off. A great way to reduce running costs as you still feel the benefits without using electricity.

As the thermal oil expanses and begins to heat up, it can create noises such as crackling, popping, or clicking. This will occur when the radiator is first turned on, but it can also persist for a little while after as the oil needs time to warm. This is completely normal, and causes little nuisance compared to gas radiators which are prone to noise at every stage of the warm-up and cool-down process.

Oil-free, or dry thermal electric radiators, are a popular heating choice because they tend to heat up faster than oil-free units, making them more responsive. Instead of relying on thermal fluid, they use ceramic stones or aluminium heating elements to provide warmth through a mix of convection and radiation – with no risk of them leaking.

As with most materials, the metal housing of these radiators will expand as it heats and then contract as it cools, which can cause the odd clunking sound. Although this can be common for dry thermal electric radiators, the occasional noise made by these appliances is nothing compared to the sounds you hear from other systems such as gas.

In this video, we’re answering pressing questions such as when to opt for professional hardwiring and how to DIY-install a wall mounted vs. freestanding electric radiator.

Haverland RC Wave

Haverland SmartWave - Black

Haverland SmartWave - White

Fitted with a silent TRIAC thermostat, the iQ Ceramic is the perfect addition for those wanting to leave the noisy, old-fashioned world of central heating behind. In fact, it comes with a range of functions that add to its quiet discreetness – from an intuitive motion sensor mode that silently adjusts your heating with no manual input, to a dimmable, touchscreen control panel that won’t disturb you when not in use. As an extra plus, it even comes with built-in WiFi compatibility and can be paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Home for handsfree voice control – proving that the iQ Ceramic is not only our quietest electric radiator, but the smartest too. Plus, it offers easy DIY installation with all fixtures included for wall-mounted fitting – simply follow the instructions provided and your iQ Ceramic will be up and running in no time, safely and soundlessly.

In this video, we're diving into everything the iQ Ceramic has to offer, including its flawless design, innovative heating technology, and fuss-free installation methods.