We spent weeks with Lidl’s Tronic tower to see if €89 buys reliable comfort, sensible running costs and living‑room manners.
The kit on review and why it matters
This is a tall, slim tower heater with a 2000 W element and a footprint that tucks beside a sofa or desk. It stands roughly 103 cm high, comes in black or white, and keeps moving parts out of sight. A magnetic remote docks on the body, so it does not vanish under cushions. A soft LED strip offers five colours if you want a low‑key glow at night.
Set‑up takes minutes. The base twists on, and the controls feel direct. You get a thermostat you can set, a 12‑hour timer and three modes that change how the fan behaves: a gentle ramp for ease, a quieter night setting, and a punchy option for cold snaps.
€89 buys 2000 W heating, 20 fan speeds, four oscillation angles and a 12‑hour timer in one compact tower.
Heat where you sit, not where you don’t
Heat output, airflow and reach
At full chat the Tronic warms a small to medium living space quickly, then holds temperature with the thermostat. You can choose how far the head swings: 30°, 60°, 90° or 120°. That choice helps you aim heat at a single armchair or sweep warmth across a wider seating area. Twenty fan speeds mean you can land on a setting that suits your ears and your room, not just “too loud” or “too weak”.
In a compact study, it takes the chill off in a few minutes. In a larger lounge, ten minutes of higher flow gives a clear lift, then you can drop down to a quieter speed. Anti‑freeze and overheat protection layer in safety if temperatures drift in either direction.
Noise and comfort after dark
Air moves cleanly with little hiss when you pick a mid‑range speed. The hidden rotor helps reduce whirr and makes dusting straightforward. The night mode lowers fan noise for bedtime, while the gentle ramp avoids that harsh blast at switch‑on.
| Heater category | Rated power | Warm‑up feel | Noise at low | Best for | Approx. cost/hour at €0.25/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tronic tower (on test) | 2000 W | Quick in small–medium rooms | Soft hum | Spot heating with control | €0.50 |
| Basic fan heater | 2000 W | Fast but patchy | Harsher tone | Short bursts | €0.50 |
| Oil‑filled radiator | 1500–2000 W | Slow and steady | Very quiet | Background warmth | €0.38–€0.50 |
Design details that make life easier
Looks, stability and care
The pared‑back design blends into most interiors. Non‑slip feet hold firm, and an anti‑tip cut‑off kills power if it gets knocked. With no exposed rotor, you have fewer dust traps and less risk for small fingers or curious pets. The LED strip doubles as a soft night light in a hallway or guest room.
Modes that match daily routine
- Programme the 12‑hour timer for a mild pre‑warm before you wake or get home.
- Pick narrow oscillation for a snug, wider for a lounge with several seats.
- Switch to night mode after a film to hold temperature with less fan rush.
- Lift and move the tower to where you sit: study by day, bedroom in the evening.
- Dust the case and check intake vents monthly to keep airflow steady.
Price, delivery and what you actually get
List price is €89, including a €0.58 eco‑fee. That undercuts many rivals that offer fewer controls. Online orders arrive quickly. You get free returns for 30 days, which makes a home trial straightforward if you are unsure about fit or noise in your space. The brand nudges users to recycle spent batteries, which matters as small electrics pile up in drawers.
Free 30‑day returns and fast home delivery take the risk out of trying a heater as temperatures dip.
Who this suits best
Households with children or pets gain safer edges, hidden moving parts and a tip sensor. Tenants and students can warm a desk area without firing up a whole flat. Remote workers get a direct boost under the desk that keeps shoulders relaxed on long calls. Style‑conscious readers will like that it does not dominate the room.
Rooms where it earns its keep
- Guest bedroom used at weekends.
- Home office that sees daytime peaks, not constant occupation.
- Playroom that needs short, frequent bursts of heat.
- Workshop bench or hobby table where fingers go cold.
- Lounge corner for sharp evenings on the sofa.
What it costs to run
All electric heaters convert power to heat at close to 100%. So the maths stays simple: 2 kW draw at full power. Multiply by your tariff to get the hourly spend. When the thermostat cycles on and off, real‑world cost drops because the heater does not pull 2 kW every minute.
Cost per hour (€) = power (kW) × tariff (€/kWh). At 2 kW and €0.25/kWh, expect about €0.50 when running flat out.
Three quick planning examples:
- Pre‑warm before bed: 15 minutes at full power costs roughly €0.13 at €0.25/kWh.
- Film night: two hours at a mid setting with about 50% duty lands near €0.25.
- Hybrid working: four hours at low to mid, 40% duty, used twice weekly comes out close to €0.80 across the week.
Use the thermostat and timer to avoid waste. Focus heat where you sit, then trim fan speed once you feel comfortable. Pair with draught‑proofing, lined curtains and a thick rug to cut boiler run‑time and keep toes warmer at lower room temperatures.
Safety and sensible placement
Give the heater space to breathe. Keep fabric and curtains at least 1 metre away. Place it on a level, hard surface. Avoid extension leads that may be underrated for 2000 W. Feel the plug after a long first run; warmth points to a poor socket or resistance. Skip damp rooms unless the manual approves. Tip and overheat cut‑outs add layers of protection, but supervision still matters in busy rooms.
What our long run showed
During cold spells the Tronic tower becomes a go‑to for spots that always run cool. It works best as a targeted top‑up rather than a whole‑home solution. The oscillation options keep warmth even across a sofa set or a child’s play area. Because the fan can stay quiet, TV dialogue and conversation remain clear. The slim footprint makes it easy to park beside a bookcase or desk without clutter.
Extra notes that help you decide
Want to keep bills tame? Aim for about 19°C in living spaces and wear layers. A cheap room thermometer helps you hold that line without guesswork. If your tariff offers cheaper overnight hours, set a timed pre‑warm for mornings. For older homes, check sockets are sound and avoid multi‑way adapters in a chain. A 2000 W heater pulls close to 8.7 A at 230 V, which leaves little headroom on small extension blocks.
If your home battles damp, a small dehumidifier can make rooms feel warmer at lower temperatures by drying the air. If you need background warmth for long periods, an oil‑filled radiator may suit better, while the Tronic excels at quick comfort where you sit. Run a simple comparison: at €0.30/kWh and a 75% duty cycle, an evening of two hours costs about €0.45. Use that figure to plan weekly use, and you will know if the €89 outlay makes sense for your routine.
