I test portable heaters for a living, and this is the smartest, most impressive model I've tried

I've been testing the Meaco Grisos Smart 2kW PTC Fan Heater for a couple of weeks and let me tell you, I am obsessed. When the weather gets colder, I'm too impatient to wait around for my underfloor heating to warm up, and sometimes I need a quick boost from one of the best portable heaters.

While it is on the pricier side compared to other models I've tested this year, Meaco has packed in a load of cool smart features that other brands are missing, such as a PIR sensor, open window detection and calm mode.

To find out my full verdict on the Meaco Grisos Smart Fan Heater (available on Meaco), including how easy it is to set up, and how I rate its performance, keep reading.

Meaco Grisos Smart 2kW PTC Fan Heater: Specs

Meaco Grisos Smart 2kW PTC Fan Heater: Setting it up

The heater arrived in perfect condition, well protected by cardboard inserts – and, to my delight, with minimal plastic wrapping! The matte stone finish looks stylish and modern, as does the touchscreen manual control pad and LED display.

The heater sits sturdily on my floor and unlike other models which can feel a bit wobbly, I have no concerns about it toppling over. The built-in handle and lightweight design make it easy to carry from room-to-room, and the cable is a suitable length for my needs.

There are three different ways to control the heater – via remote, manual pad or app – but I find the latter is the easiest to use. Otherwise, you keep having to refer to the instruction manual to work out what the icons mean (though many are self-explanatory).

It was pretty easy to connect it to my phone – I just had to download the app, hold down the oscillation button for three seconds and select the device in the app. Within a couple of minutes, I could access all of the controls and adjust everything from the desired temperature to the angle it's positioned in.

My only criticism is that the remote control design is a little bulky and sometimes isn't responsive – but this doesn't bother me too much, as I'd rather use the app anyway. Meaco also says it can magnetically attach to the heater (like the MeacoFan Sefte Pro Air Circulator I also tested), but I wasn't able to get this to work.

Meaco Grisos Smart 2kW PTC Fan Heater: Performance

I've tested numerous portable heaters this year, but the Meaco Grisos Smart 2kW PTC Fan Heater has stood out for all the right reasons, thanks to its array of energy-saving smart features and reliable performance.

While many heaters will continuously run until you turn them off, this one lets you set your desired temperature and will automatically turn on and off as the room temperature fluctuates – helping you to prevent a nasty heating bill at the end of the month.

There's even the option to turn on a PIR sensor, which can detect human presence to influence the heating settings, as well as open-window detection, which pauses heating when the temperature suddenly drops.

Perhaps the most unique feature of this fan is its oscillation capabilities, which allow it to tilt between 45 and 80 degrees horizontally to reach whole room consistently – which is perfect if you're heating a home office like me. You can also manually tilt the device vertically to find the perfect position.

As someone who needs total silence when concentrating on a work email, I was pleased to see that there was a Calm Mode, which reduces the sound to as low as 21 dB, as well as an energy-saving mode for reducing costs. There's also a Manual Mode (with six power settings to choose from), an Auto Mode (which adjusts itself), and a Smart Energy Mode (to reduce your bills).

One thing I usually hate about portable heaters is the chemical smell they often produce, but I'm very happy to report that this one has a very minimal scent. You can barely notice it, and it only lasts a second when first turned on.

The fan also boasts other great features, such as a child lock, light on/off control, a timer from one to seven hours, and automatic shut-off after eight hours of continuous use.

Meaco Grisos Smart 2kW PTC Fan Heater: Final verdict

The Meaco Grisos Smart 2kW PTC Fan Heater ticks all of my boxes: it looks good, feels sturdy, and can effectively heat my open-plan living room without needing to blast it all day long.

No, it's not the cheapest portable heater out there, but I think the price tag is deserved given its premium feel, energy-efficiency and smart capabilities. Meaco also offers a five-year heater guarantee for extra peace of mind.

There might be more affordable options on the market, but you may save in the long run by investing in this one, as the Energy Saving Mode turns it on and off depending on the environment.

However, if you're not quite ready to commit £129 to a heater and aren't too fussed about the smart controls, Meaco has also launched a budget-friendly version for £69 that can heat rooms of up to 20m².

Want to compare it with other portable heaters? We've also tested the Electrolux 2kW Digital Oil-Free Radiator and the Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater.