Installing a plinth heater within modern kitchens has become increasingly popular and this is mainly because space on the walls may be limited and installing underfloor heating can cost thousands. Therefore, this makes plinth heaters a very attractive option as they are relatively affordable and designed to fit under most standard kitchen units.
To assist you in selecting the right plinth heater, our handpicked selection lists top-performing models, chosen based on our first-hand experience installing both electric and hydronic units. Our testing and up-to-date research further ensure the quality of our recommendations.
Our Top Picks At A Glance:
How The DIY Works Team Tests & Rates Plinth Heaters
As we own a number of properties (Airbnb’s and rentals), we’ve had the opportunity to install multiple hydronic and electric plinth heaters over the years.
In terms of our preference between the two types, we prefer hydronic plinth heaters because they are more energy efficient when compared to the electric alternatives. However, in some of the properties, it isn’t that simple to install the heater to the central heating, which means that an electric alternative is the best solution.
In terms of our ongoing testing of the plinth heaters, we analyse the heater’s performance, energy efficiency, build quality, heat settings, ease of installation and operation and the safety features that it offers. As you can see in the image of the Smiths plinth heater we installed, it’s very stylish and it has easy-to-use fascia controls to control the heat.
To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest plinth heaters (for this article), we are continually testing the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice that a brand has released a new model, we attempt to upgrade our current installations with the newer model.
It’s important to note that although most plinth heaters are designed to fit under standard kitchen units, some models may require extra clearance.
As well as our testing and experience in installing multiple plinth heaters, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors we considered included the heater’s performance, build quality, ease of installation and operation, energy efficiency, heat settings, safety features, warranty and value.
