One minute it’s hot, the next it’s cold. Who knows how to dress these days, let alone what to set the thermostat to. And forecasts show our yo-yo weather is only going to become more polarised.
This means it’s time to think ahead and invest in the right reinforcements now for the years ahead. In winter, draught-proofing your home is an excellent and easy measure to keep cold breezes from filtering in and making a mockery of your central heating, while in summer it can feel tempting to buy an air conditioning unit to take the edge off heatwaves. Both these temperature-tuning options are incredibly costly to run, far from ideal when energy prices are so high.
A heater and a fan for the seasons is the best option, offering localised heat or cooling just when you need it. But why occupy precious storage space with two machines when you can get one that does both?
A fan that heats as well as cools is a wise investment that you can keep in play year round. Luckily there are plenty of models that perform double duty and in all sorts of designs, from desk models to slim tower fans.
We’ve rounded up the best ones below worthy of a spot in your home. Whether it’s sub-zero or the height of a heatwave, these machines will always have your back.
Shop the edit below
Best kitchen appliance deals on Black Friday 2022: Offers to expect in the sale
Best portable electric heaters: Stay warm with these fan, ceramic and mini heaters
Best electric fireplaces: Top heaters for your home
Best carpet cleaners for picking up spills, dirt and pet hair
Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool™ Formaldehyde purifying fan heater
One of Dyson’s bestselling fan heaters, this design may be on the pricier side, but when you consider that winter sometimes lasts well into April here in the UK, it’s a sound investment against whatever the conditions lay beyond your front door.
Not only does this bladeless gadget flood hot or cold air into the room, but it will purify and scrub it clean of 99.95 per cent miniscule formaldehyde particles (dislodged from old furniture or wallpaper) too.
As you’d expect, it boasts world-class Dyson tech, such as Air Multiplier technology that evenly propels air all while operating at country mouse-like noise levels. It can warm or cool a room incredibly quickly, so you won’t need it switched on for very long. The best thing about this heater is that it’s blade-free, making it ideal for anyone with curious pets or infants in the house.
Comes with a two-year guarantee.
Buy now £599.00, Boots
Philips 3-in-1 Air Purifier, Fan & Heater, Black
Whether it's warm air or a refreshing breeze you're after, Philips 3-in-1 machine offers purified versions of both. It's all thanks to a three layer HEPA filtration system that removes 99.95 per cent of particles such as dust, pollen, smoke, mould and more.
The easy-to-use control panel shows three speed settings for heater and cooling fan models. The gadget constantly monitors the air and adjusts automatically to ensure you're breathing in the freshest air you can. Control it all with a remote, including sleep mode and the 350-degree oscillation function.
Buy now £399.99, John Lewis
Dimplex DXMBCF Black Tower Fan
Powerful yet quiet, Dimplex’s three-speed fan will sit unobtrusively in the corner of your room, gently cooling you with soft breezes to the point where you’ll wonder if there is actually a heatwave raging beyond your windows. The freestanding design also emits a blue light, adding to the calm and refreshing atmosphere.
Set it to oscillate to propel cool breezes around the room and use the remote to contol the fan speed as well as the on/off function. Comes with a one year’s manufacturer’s guarantee.
Buy now £60.00, Argos
Dimplex Hot & Cold Black Tower fan
Reach the right temperature whatever the weather thanks to this Dimplex fan which can heat as well as cool. It's easy to use wherever you are in the room thanks to the included remote control and there's also a 12 hour timer so you can get it to run automatically. The device oscillates to help climatise every inch of the room, rotating 70 degrees.
Buy now £269.95, Scotts of Stow
Currys ESSENTIALS C20FHW20 Fan Heater - Black & White
This budget 2000W heater is the perfect addition to any household and is useful throughout the year as it works as a cooling fan as well as a heater. All bases of temperatures are covered and complimented with two speed settings. Move it to any spot in the house to shield yourself against the cold with ease thanks to the attached carry handle.
Buy now £19.99, Currys
Russell Hobbs RHRETPTC2001 Retro Fan Heater - Black
Vintage vibes reign supreme with Russell Hobbs’ cute little heater, which offers two heat setting so you can use it as a fan in the summer too.
Set on short legs, this fan heater operates at a powerful 1500W output and has an adjustable thermostat. There is a safety overheat and a tip over switch that will cut the power if the heater gets knocked over or too hot - handy if you have curious pets or toddlers around. It’s perfect for providing localised heat, like your WFH desk or positioned by your feet when you’re watching telly.
Works most effectively on spaces measuring 15 m².
Buy now £29.99, Currys
Black & Decker 1.5KW Mini Ceramic Fan Heater
Looking more like a speaker, you would never know this heater pushed out warm air - until you switch it on. This makes it a perfect option for those who want their new purchase to fit seamlessly into their interiors.
Keep it on at night without worry thanks to the seven hour timer, and choose from a pair of heat settings; 1000W and 1500W. There is also a cooling fan option which will come into its own when summer arrives.
It has all the usual safety elements, plus a handle so you can easily move it from room to room.
Buy now £33.39, Amazon
Drew&Cole Humi Smart Air 4 in 1 Personal Heater and Fan
Offering bags of appeal, this small personal heater does double duty as a cooling fan, earning its keep year round. The dinky design is one of the best-looking options we’ve seen but its not all surface level. The device comes with a magentised hand warmer which you can attach to the front of the heater to warm up and then detach into your pocket to keep your hands warm on cold winter walks. For safety, it will automatically switch off after a four hour period. It’s not going to warm the entire room, but then, it’s not designed to. This is a personal heater that you can enjoy all for yourself.
Buy now £29.99, JD Williams
De'Longhi 1.8kW Ceramic Capsule Fan Heater
A stylish option for those looking for a quick fix. Weighting just 1.3kg and standing at roughly 27cm, this ceramic fan heater comes complete with a safety cut-out switch to prevent overheating.
The compact shape and gently rounded edges are a welcome departure from the standard rectangle while the contrasting loop handle makes it very easy to move from one room to another. A good job, because this little heater is destined to be your cold weather BFF, although there is a fan setting to circulate air without any extra heat.
Buy now £59.99, Lakeland
