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Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I tried all the budget hand held fans to keep cool this heatwave – and foldable £12 gadget blew me away
Scroll down to find out which fan is perfect for desk use FAN CLUB I tried all the budget hand held fans to keep cool this heatwave – and foldable £12 gadget blew me away Advertisement WITH the current amber weather warnings and the nation facing hosepipe bans, it's proving hard to beat the heat. Advertisement Sales of hand-held fans have rocketed, as we rush to avoid meltdown. Advertisement 7 Sophie Warburton puts six fans to the test with marks out of five Credit: Newsgroup Newspspers Ltd Advertisement But which one is the coolest choice for a hot, sticky day? Sophie Warburton puts six to the test with marks out of five. Advertisement Bush Advertisement Hand fan, £12, Argos 7 The Bush fan is foldable, making it perfect for desk use Credit: Newsgroup Newspspers Ltd Advertisement THE Bush fan, available in four colours, is my top pick due to its powerful airflow, extensive coverage and quiet operation. Advertisement It's foldable, so perfect for desk use. Advertisement But as the largest on test, it won't fit in a small bag or pocket. RATING: 5 Advertisement Ryman Advertisement Pocket fan, £6.99 Advertisement 7 This fan offers powerful yet quiet operation Credit: Newsgroup Newspspers Ltd Advertisement THIS stylish fan is a close second, offering powerful yet quiet operation in a lightweight and compact design – it even fits into a tiny handbag. A key feature is the adjustable head, letting you direct the airflow. Advertisement The Range Dyson fan dupe Advertisement RATING: 4 Primark Advertisement Hello Kitty desk fan, £8 Advertisement 7 This fan offers powerful airflow despite its kitty design Credit: Newsgroup Newspspers Ltd FOR those with a playful sense of style, this fan is unique. Despite its kitty design, it offers powerful airflow. Advertisement Slightly louder than the top competitors with three settings. Advertisement Overall, it's a good choice. Advertisement RATING: 3 Go Travel Advertisement Portable, £14.99, Robert Dyas Advertisement 7 This fan can be worn round your neck for hands-free cooling Credit: Newsgroup Newspspers Ltd SLIM, high-quality, foldable and super-quiet. Advertisement A major plus is the lanyard, so you can wear it round your neck for hands-free cooling. It has a 12-hour run-time. Advertisement But when prop-ped on a desk, it moves about. Not the most stylish. Advertisement RATING: 3 Superdrug Advertisement Portable fan, £5 Advertisement 7 The wobbly head on this fan requires careful positioning Credit: Newsgroup Newspspers Ltd THIS gets top marks for portability, as it is small and slim, but its build feels a bit cheap. Advertisement When placed on a desk it tends to shift, and its rather wobbly head requires careful positioning. Second noisiest fan in the group. Advertisement RATING: 2 Advertisement Dunelm Mini hand fan £1.50 Advertisement 7 This fan is lightweight and easy to transport Credit: Newsgroup Newspspers Ltd Advertisement FOR a small, battery-operated fan at just £1.50, it performs pretty well. It's compact, lightweight and easy to transport. Advertisement But it can be noisy and blows fairly warm air. Plus the blades are exposed, making it prone to damage. Advertisement RATING: 1
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
The best patio heaters to warm up chillier summer nights, chosen and tested by experts
The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We will earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. Even the best British summer days can turn chilly. A good patio heater helps you stay outside for longer as the temperatures drop. High street and online homeware retailers like Robert Dyas, Dunelm and Wayfair all sell a wide range of patio heaters, from electric to wall-mounted and freestanding models. Choosing the right one can be tricky. Some heaters are heavy and hard to move around, while others may not match your garden furniture. There are functional questions too: how quickly does it heat up? Does the casing get dangerously hot? Can it be stored easily? And how much warmth does it emit? To clear things up for you, we've tested a selection of models from leading garden brands. We also answer some frequently asked questions at the end of the page, with the help of Heat Outdoors expert, Stephen Levy. But if you're short on time, here are our top five: The best patio heaters: At a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS How to choose the best patio heater Outdoor heating specialist Levy says: 'Prioritise the quality of build, the level of waterproofing and the wattage.' Safety switches and remote controls are also useful. But: 'While weight is usually a sign of quality, you still want a heater that won't be too heavy to lug around yourself.' Consider where you want to place your heater; do you want one for the table, or one to warm your legs and feet from the ground. Aesthetics play a role too, but don't sacrifice functionality in the name of style. How we test patio heaters With Stephen's advice in mind, I tested every patio heater on this list at home in different weather conditions. I rated how easy each one was to set up, how sturdy it felt once assembled and how convenient it was to move around the patio. During testing, I used a thermometer to record the temperature at the base of the heater. For tabletop models, I added a second thermometer at windowsill height, 60cm above. I recorded readings at five, ten and thirty minute intervals, and I considered how wide the heater's radius was while sitting and standing at various distances. Safety was a significant factor, too. I assessed how easy it was to use the controls and adjust temperatures, and checked whether any parts became hot to touch. Once switched off, I noted how long the heating element took to cool down. If you're keen to add more decor to your patio, we also have guides to the best fire pits, the best charcoal BBQs, the best hanging egg chairs and the best garden parasols. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best patio heaters for 2025 1. Best Buy Patio Heater: Swan Portable Patio Heater The Swan heater packs a punch for its diminutive 60cm height. I felt the heat kick in immediately upon turning on its single switch. The temperature rose by an impressive fourteen degrees in just 30 minutes, the largest heat output of all the models featured. The carbon fibre heating element is housed in an attractive column, creating a 360-degree radius of warmth. A wide and weighty base plate in stainless steel allays any fears about this heater tipping over – it doesn't rock at all, even when pushed. Should you need to move the heater around, the chunky built-in handle is easy to grip and feels sturdy in hand. While the central column cools down immediately after use, the aluminium alloy struts on either side remained hot to touch for up to 10 minutes afterwards, so some care is needed. With a singular heat setting and no noise to speak of, this is a great option for a steady output of heat on colder evenings: I found it particularly useful as a floor-level heater for keeping people's feet warm. Key specifications: 2. Best Value Patio Heater: Gtech HeatWave Electric Patio Heater This Gtech mountable patio heater, from the increasingly popular British appliance brand, only has one 2,000W setting. It would have been nice to have a lower, less energy-hungry option as it costs approximately 50p per hour at a typical electricity tariff of 26p/kWh. However, the Gtech Heatwave heats up in one second, claiming to warm up to six metres of space with its infrared technology. On test, I found this accurate, heating my entire patio impressively quickly. It's also pretty easy to install if you're willing and able to drill into outer brickwork. (You might find our guide to the best cordless drills useful here.) However, the cable length is just shy of two metres – about six feet – making proximity to a plug socket a necessary consideration. Once installed, it emits a gentle orange glow with little glare, reminiscent of a pub garden – with none of the rowdiness. The heater's compact size also makes it easy to store during the winter, although its IP65 rating means it's both dust proof and resistant to rainfall. With the lowest RRP on our list, it's a good value heater with only minor drawbacks. Key specifications: 3. Best Electric Patio Heater: Kettler Kalos Universal Electric Lantern Patio Heater This square-shaped Kettler patio heater is a reliable option that will pair well with your elegant rattan garden furniture thanks to its outer lattice pattern. This casts a lovely golden shadow on the patio. Plus, it can be left outside all year round thanks to the IP55 rating, meaning it's resistant to dust, rain and moisture – although you wouldn't want to aim a high-pressure hose at it. The slim halogen heating element doesn't skimp on heat, jumping five degrees in as many minutes during testing. After half an hour, I felt satisfyingly warm and appreciated the unobtrusive light emanating from the heater. A simple on and off switch at the base makes operating the heater easy, and the medium and large models also feature a discreet touchscreen switch beside the top handle for additional control that beeps when pressed. Said handle is also sturdy enough to easily manoeuvre the heater's 4.3kg weight around your patio – at least, as far as the 1.8 metre cable allows. Be aware that all the heaters on our list adhere to this cable length because it's the legal maximum. As manufacturers don't recommend using an extension, make sure you have a nearby outdoor power source. Key specifications 4. Best Column Patio Heater: La Hacienda Electric Standing Patio Heater Just a few screws attach this cylindrical La Hacienda electric heater to its circular base plate, then it's ready to use. With a heat range of approximately 1.5 inches and a maximum of 1,200 Watts, it's not the hottest of the heaters. But the infrared technology provides a good level of uniform heat in all directions, along with a gentle orange glow. Operation is completely silent and, despite my initial caution, neither the brushed black metal nor plastic elements retain any heat whatsoever. I particularly appreciated the red LED that shines behind the single control switch at the base of the unit: it's easy to see with a quick glance whether or not the heater is on or off. With an IP rating of 55, it's able to withstand any temperate weather, though I found the compact shape and 3.4kg weight made it easy to store when not in use. That said, I wasn't overly confident in the plastic handle, which feels quite flimsy and doesn't leave much room for grip. The heater's lifespan of approximately 5,000 hours is less than we'd like ideally, but the low price makes it a good value option nonetheless. Key specifications 5. Best Table Top Patio Heater: Kettler Terrace Table Top Heater A lamp-style tabletop heater is a subtle way to provide warmth to your garden and this Kettler electric heater is no different. It has a double frost halogen heating element hidden by a matte gunmetal grey lampshade. Moreover, it doesn't make a sound while emitting a decent whack of heat in a downward trajectory: I recorded a nine degree increase in 30 minutes. It's controlled by two switches just below the lampshade – one is an on and off switch, and the second is for standby, beeping loudly when touched. Unfortunately, the lack of any indicator makes the three provided heat levels a little tricky to discern. Though, the remote control is a handy touch when you're too comfortable to move. Some assembly is required here: affixing the shade, threading the power cable and securing it beneath the base. The latter seemed a little light for adequately supporting the heater's 10kg weight, and the large size – 94cm high with a 50cm diameter shade – may be difficult to store. Luckily, the IP45 rating protects against jets of water. Bringing it inside during heavy rain would be a good idea. While designed to sit on your table, this heater could just as easily operate as a floor-level lamp to warm chilly feet. It also fits in beautifully with the rest of Kettler's outdoor range, which is known for its durability. Key specifications 6. Best Standing Patio Heater: Marl Floor Standing Outdoor Heater This slim standing heater from Dunelm is probably the most inconspicuous of all the heaters on our list, especially when you consider its 200cm height. It's surprisingly lightweight at 8.4kg too, though the wide base is sufficiently solid to stop the heater from swaying. The central pole is divided into four sections that join together easily enough with a series of screws. But this requires a screwdriver, which the instruction manual fails to mention. The heater is operated by the pull of a drawstring switch. I'm not its biggest fan; made of thin cord it makes a somewhat irritating 'ding' noise when it knocks against the metal column in a breeze. But, it elicits a satisfying click as either one or both of the circular halogen heating elements radiates heat downwards and outward. Radius wise, you'll feel a nice temperature increase up to an area of 20 sq metres. The only indication of the two heat settings is found by looking up at the element itself (one glowing ring is the lower setting, two glowing rings is the higher), which can cause some trial and error upon first use. I particularly appreciated the pair of brackets that clip around the central pole. While intended to hold the 1.6m power cable in place, this also allows use of its full length while accessing a plug socket. Key specifications Patio heater FAQs How many square feet does a patio heater cover? 'About eight square metres, assuming a high quality two kilowatt shortwave heater,' Levy says. 'That's roughly equivalent to a garden table and the garden chairs around it.' The kilowatts refer to the electricity a heater uses, rather than the heat it emits: more kilowatts do not necessarily mean more warmth, especially if the heater has a poorly-made reflector or cheap bulbs. To heat a bigger space, it's usually better to get more than one heater. What is the difference between infrared and halogen heaters? Halogen is used in the most intense bulbs, emitting shortwave infrared. Shortwave will warm you even in a breeze, whereas mediumwave and longwave infrared bulbs are only effective in sheltered spaces as they can be blown away in a draught. The ceramic elements used in indoor portable electric heaters emit longwave infrared, which heats the air in a rising column. Carbon fibre filaments used in low-glow patio heaters (such as table-top heaters) emit mediumwave infrared. Finally, Tungsten filaments, housed in quartz bulbs containing halogen gas, glow brightly and emit shortwave infrared which doesn't actually heat the air. It heats you. 'Shortwave is the type emitted by the sun,' Levy says. 'It travels through the vacuum of space and heats the earth when it hits it. That's why shortwave infrared from a halogen patio heater (or tungsten and quartz heaters – they're all names for the same thing) heats your skin when it hits it, whether it's windy or not. You'll notice that if someone stands in front of you, casting a shadow, the warmth instantly disappears.' In a nutshell, the intense bulbs (sometimes called halogen, but not always) emit shortwave radiation and will work in a breeze. Other types of heater feel cosier and less intense but don't work in windy or open areas. Are all patio heaters waterproof? Not necessarily. Look at the IP rating – which stands for Ingress Protection – to find out. It is an international standard of measurement of an item's resistance and comes as two digits, for example IP34 or IP65. The first digit refers to dust proofing, the second relates to waterproofing. If the second digit is three or below, it's not suitable for use outside. If the last digit is four, it's shower-proof. If it's five, it's rain-proof. If it's six, it can resist a blast from a hose and if it's seven it can be briefly submerged, although we don't recommend doing this with your patio heater. What is the highest BTU for a patio heater? This is a misguided question. British thermal units are a standard measurement of heat energy and outdoor heaters can produce anything from 10,000 to a scorching 80,000 BTUs. Most are somewhere around 40,000. But, according to Levy, all that is completely irrelevant if the heat is blown away by the wind. How effective are gas patio heaters? Fine in an enclosed space, but otherwise most heat is wasted and gas is an expensive option.
Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Pretty and useful' garden storage bench now on sale
This little-known retailer is selling the two-seater wooden storage bench for the cheapest price around Households on the hunt for the perfect garden storage solution that also doubles up as a stylish seat will want to check out the Outsunny 2 Seater Wood Garden Storage Bench. Shopping marketplace Yimbly (owned by the Mirror's parent company Reach Plc) is selling the 'pretty and useful' bench for the cheapest price around, but that's not all, as our readers can add it to their outdoor space for even less. The bench can conveniently store gardening tools, cushions, kids' toys and more, and is the perfect spot for basking in the morning sun with a cuppa or a good book. This comfy, high-backed bench costs £119.99 at Yimbly, beating rivals such as Robert Dyas' sale price of £124.99 and B&Q's cost of £132.29. The Mirror's readers can get the Outsunny 2 Seater Wood Garden Storage Bench for even less, as Yimbly is offering a 10% discount across its website with the special discount code SUMMERDAYS10. This brings the cost of the bench down to £107.99. Built robustly from poplar wood and finished with a varnish coat, the Outsunny bench laughs in the face of British weather, promising to stand its ground come rain or shine. As reported by the Express, Argos is selling a similar Keter Eden Bench 265L Outdoor Garden Storage Box for £125 that has a durable wooden facade. Meanwhile, Dunelm's chic Florenity Galaxy Garden Storage Bench costs £339. This option is crafted from Eucalyptus wood, although it doesn't have a backrest. Only one Yimbly customer has so far reviewed the Outsunny bench, awarding it top marks. They said: "This looks really good at the top of my garden. Great quality and price." Over on the Robert Dyas website, shoppers have been sharing their thoughts on the same bench. One satisfied customer remarked: "Perfect and exactly what we needed to sit on our veranda/deck. Ideal to store our outdoor cushions in too." A different buyer gave the Outsunny Storage Bench a four-star rating, stating: "Good-looking, lovely bench... Pretty, lightweight and very useful." However, they went on to note a few negatives: "Definitely needed a couple of people to help put it together, as it was a bit tricky. The reason for only four stars is that the seat panel has now warped and the joints are coming apart. Also the wrong amount of wooden plugs and a bent hinge." Meanwhile, another purchaser couldn't be happier, saying: "Good quality seating and storage unit. Makes a really nice change from all the plastic products available."
Boston Globe
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Boston Globe
A heat wave leaves Britons looking for ways to stay cool
'A lot more of my friends now have air conditioning,' Youssef said. 'People wouldn't have thought about air conditioning five years or so ago.' As the United States sweats through its own run of high heat, temperatures in Britain have been above the seasonal average for days. The country was forecast to officially tip into the first heat wave of the year Saturday, with a high of 34 degrees Celsius, or about 93 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Met Office, Britain's weather service. The average high for June is around 64 Fahrenheit, and many homes are designed to retain heat, given Britain's historically cooler climate. But high temperatures have become more common in the past few years. And climate scientists have warned that heat waves will become more intense as the planet grows warmer. Advertisement In recent days, some U.K. schools have allowed children to wear their own clothes rather than school uniforms, or at least to leave the ties and blazers at home. People who would normally work from home went to the office for the air conditioning. Robert Dyas, a national retailer of housewares and appliances, said that its stores have seen a 4,000% increase in the sale of fans and air conditioning units from 2019 to 2024. Advertisement Richard Salmon, director of the Air Conditioning Co. in London, said that his business has boomed as temperatures have risen, with demand for portable air conditioning units increasing by 625% compared with last year. 'You'd be amazed how many orders we get between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. from customers who can't sleep because of the heat,' he said. He planned to open the warehouse before 6 a.m. Saturday in anticipation of the weekend's high heat. For Britain's more vulnerable, the heat poses a health risk. The U.K. Health Security Agency issued an amber-level heat health alert across the whole of England through Monday, meaning that significant effects are likely across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths. Care UK, which operates 165 elder care homes across the country, said it would focus on keeping residents hydrated with icy treats and a specially formulated tea. 'It can be tricky for those caring for a loved one to ensure they drink enough, but little things can make a big difference,' said Andrew Mussett, the group's nutritionist. In London, the mayor's office has designated hundreds of 'cool spaces,' public spaces offering shelter from the sun. At one of them, the St. Luke's Community Center in the Islington area of North London, Collin Browne watched the Royal Ascot horse racing event on television while a portable fan blasted cool air onto his face. Across the room, another fan whirred. Advertisement 'I don't cope,' Browne said of the heat. 'When it's muggy, I just get very irritable.' For others, the warmer summers are bringing more mixed feelings. On Clapham Common, a grassy expanse in South London, friends and co-workers Darcey Wilkinson and Finty Willis enjoyed the sun, as they studied for an insurance industry exam on a picnic blanket. 'I can't believe this is the U.K., and I feel like there's definitely a consciousness of 'Is this normal?'' Willis said. In their first year of professional work since graduating from university, Wilkinson and Willis said that they had taken advantage of their office's air conditioning, and had to budget for a much lighter summer wardrobe than they had expected. Across the grass, dozens of children squealed under the neon pink and orange sprinklers spinning in the splash bath. Emily Williams, 34, has enjoyed the common's fountains since she was a child and brought her 19-month-old daughter, who was wearing a soaking wet hat to keep cool. 'I don't remember it being this hot, but I remember having great summers,' Williams said. For many Britons, air conditioning remains out of reach, and the best way to beat the heat is to cool down outside. With an ice cream cone in one hand and a pint in the other, Chris Warren led his friends to a shaded spot in a square outside the Rose and Crown pub in Clapham's Old Town Square. 'I love the heat,' Warren, 31, said. 'I'm Scottish -- it's too hot for me,' said Ryan Wilkin, 31, as he fanned himself. 'I can't deal with this.' This article originally appeared in
Scottish Sun
17-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Three ways to keep your pooch looking great without a trip to the grooming salon
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YOU can spend a small fortune pampering your dog at a pet-grooming salon. Some owners fork out thousands for this but you can keep your pooch looking great for a whole lot less money. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Find out how to save money by grooming your dog at home Credit: Getty Here's how . . . ALWAYS BRUSHING: If your pet has longer hair, you should regularly brush its coat, according to Megan Roberts, manager and head groomer at London dog salon Mon Joli Chien, which offers pups luxury facials and paw-cures among its services. She says: 'This is the most effective way to manage shedding, prevent painful matting and distribute those essential natural oils that keep their coat gleaming.' Make sure you choose the right brush for your dog's coat type. You can choose from a slicker brush, pin brush or rake. Just a few minutes of brushing can make a world of difference. CLEAN UP: When your four-legged friend ends up mucky, you can get them squeaky-clean without pricey products. Megan says: 'Skip the expensive wipes and sprays and opt for a warm, damp washcloth for quick clean-ups. 'Coconut oil isn't just for cooking, it's a fantastic paw balm and a safe, effective moisturiser for their coat and skin. 'Repurpose an old comb for gentle de- tangling, and use a soft toothbrush to keep those teeth in tip-top shape.' NAILED IT: You should make sure your dog's claws are kept trim or they can cause discomfort and other issues. I was stunned when I got my dog back from the groomer - I think he might have been switched in the shop Invest in a good pair of nail-clippers and you can do it yourself at home, advises Megan. You can ask a vet or dog groomer for a demonstration or even look on YouTube for an online tutorial. Trimming hair at home is very tricky. If you choose to try it yourself, Megan says: 'Take your time, use blunt-nosed scissors or clippers with appropriate guards, and prioritise safety above all else.' All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability Deal of the day 7 Save £68 on this pizza oven at Robert Dyas Credit: Robert Dyas WHIP up your own Italian dinner with this pizza oven, down from £167.99 to £99.99 at Robert Dyas. SAVE: £68 Cheap treat 7 Pick up these shades from Matalan for £4 Credit: Matalan PROTECT your eyes from the sun with these stylish shades, £4, from Matalan. What's new? TUCK into this limited-edition pistachio flavour sponge cake, topped with raspberry jam buttercream for a delightful sweet treat. It's £5 from Sainsbury's. Top swap 7 This two-drawer side table is £109.99 from Credit: 7 Or grab this three-drawer table for £41 at Credit: CREATE some extra storage in a bedroom with this two-drawer side table, £109.99, from Or get this three-drawer table for £41 at SAVE: £68.99 Little helper TOAST the summer with £1 Spritz cocktails and mocktails, all day today only, at Bella Italia. Shop & save 7 This tropical-print midiskirt is down to £14.99 at New Look Credit: New Look MATCH the heat with this tropical-print midiskirt, down from £19.99 to £14.99 at New Look. SAVE: £5 Hot right now PICK up 20 hot wings for £7.99 from KFC until July 20. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
