Silent Operation: Because oil-filled radiators don’t have a fan attached to them, they are nearly silent when in operation. This makes them a great choice for bedrooms, media rooms and anywhere you want to have a quiet, uninterrupted conversation.

The Price: Oil-filled space heaters tend to cost more than other types of space heaters. This is because a high-quality model will be tightly sealed and designed with anti-tip, automatically shut-off technology. Repairs will require opening up the unit, which can also be pricey.

Long-Lasting Heat: Once the oil gets hot, it stays warm for a long time. This means you can turn the heater off but still feel warm for a while afterward.

The Size: Oil-filled radiators are fairly large and can be heavy. They often come with wheels to help move them around, but these are not the most portable space heaters available.

Energy-Efficient Heating: Another bonus to that oil staying warm is that your room heater can cycle off for a bit and let the hot oil keep your room warm. The less electricity you use, the less money you’ll spend on operating your space heater. This works best when your heater has a thermostat to regulate the temperature.

High Surface Temperatures: Like traditional steam or hot water radiators built into older homes, the metal surface of oil-filled space heaters can get quite hot. This makes them a poor choice for families with very small children, as they will need to be well supervised when the heater is in operation — and until it cools down completely.

Heat Larger Rooms: While no space heater is ideal for a cavernous great room, oil-filled heaters typically do a better job heating large rooms. Eventually, the constant heat rising upward and outward from your heater can keep an entire room warm.

Slow Start-Up: It can take 20 to 30 minutes for a space heater that delivers radiant heat to warm your room to a comfortable level. If you’re looking for instant, on-demand heating, you’ll be disappointed.

Allergen-Free: Radiant heat is a great choice for anyone suffering from air-borne allergies caused by dust, dander and pollen. With no fan to blow these microparticles around the room, you’ll breathe easier.

Instant Heat: Thanks to the fan speeding things along, a ceramic heater delivers instant hot air flow, which can warm up your room quickly. If you stand right in front of it, you’ll feel the warmth right away.

Noise: Any electric space heater that uses a fan will be louder than a radiator, but some models are quiet than others. If noise is a concern, check the decibel level and look for adjustable fan settings that offer you additional control.

Accurate Spot Heating: Many ceramic heaters with a fan allow you to aim the airflow exactly where you want it. This can effectively combat stubborn drafts and alleviate cold corners.

Harder to Clean: It’s important to keep fan blades and heating elements dust-free to avoid spreading particulates through the air, but this could require taking the model apart to wipe it down as necessary. If allergies are a concern, convection heating is far less convenient.

Effective for Small Spaces: If you have a small room or just need to heat up your personal cubicle or office space, ceramic heaters get the job done efficiently.

Difficulties Maintaining Steady Temperatures: Because of the instant on/instant off type of heating, it’s harder for convection heaters to heat rooms evenly for a long time. If you’re looking for long-term heating for a large room, the temperature fluctuations could be frustrating.

Quick to Cool Down: Once you turn off your ceramic heater, the heat stops. This makes these models a better choice for families with young children and pets, since you can make sure everyone is safe from burns by shutting down the heat when you leave the room.

Convenient Portability: Because ceramic heaters tend to be smaller, they’re much easier to carry from room to room as needed. If you’re looking for a portable heater, this is a great choice.