A patio heater is ideal for those cool spring nights when you are entertaining guests out on your pool deck. You can also enjoy its heat and relaxing ambiance on those beautiful mild winter nights when you can just cuddle up on your porch swing, while you sip a glass of mulled wine, and watch the snowfall.
The 7 Best Outdoor Patio Heaters
- Bromic Smart-Heat Tungsten Electric Infrared Patio Heater
- Briza Infrared Indoor/Outdoor Patio Heater
- Thermo Tiki Propane Outdoor/Patio Patio Heater
- Amazon Basics Outdoor/Patio Heater
- AZ Patio Heaters Hiland Pyramid Patio Propane Heater
- Uniflame Endless Summer Gas Outdoor Table Top Fireplace
- DONYER POWER Electrical Patio Heater
Our Top Pick for the Best Outdoor Patio Heater
Our top pick for the best outdoor patio heater is the AZ Patio Heaters Hiland Pyramid Patio Propane Heater.
AZ Patio Heaters has designed a sleek and high-quality heater that will add a special touch of sophistication to your home. It will provide ample heating for a small-medium-sized patio or outdoor entertaining area.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose a Patio Heater
There are three things to consider before buying a patio heater:
1. Size of Your Patio/Entertaining Area
Consider the size of your patio and the entertaining area where you want to use the heater. Is your patio small, medium, or large? Will you be using the heater on your patio, the front porch, on a small or large dining table, on your pool deck, or in a gazebo?
One of the most important things to remember before choosing your patio heater is to remember that although freestanding heaters (which are the most common patio heaters) may generate a lot of heat, patio heaters work the best when they are placed in a covered outdoor area.
2. Power Source
What kind of power source would you prefer for your heater: electric, propane, or natural gas?
If you choose either a gas-powered free-standing or tabletop patio heater, then you need to consider the amount of BTUs the heater can generate.
Small patio heaters, especially tabletop patio heaters generate from 3000-10,000 BTUs. This will be sufficient for a small patio or a small table that can fit up to 4 people.
Larger or more powerful patio heaters like gas-powered freestanding models can generate more heat over a larger area.
38,000 BTUs are ideal for small to medium-sized patios or pool decks. 48,000-58,000 BTUs are ideal for a medium or larger-sized patio or entertaining area.
3. Design
Choose the heater’s overall design. The most common designs are freestanding, wall-mounted, tabletop, or hanging patio heaters.
– Freestanding
Freestanding patio heaters are the most common type of heaters for outdoor use. You may have experienced the amazing warmth from these heaters at your local cafe or restaurant. They usually stand at about 7-8-feet tall. They may or may not have a flame that you can see, and they have a sturdy base.
As freestanding patio heaters are powered by gas they generate a generous amount of heat. So they are the ideal choice for a medium-sized patio or pool deck. Some freestanding patio heaters are very portable as they have wheels. This is great if you need to move them around.
– Wall-mounted
Wall-mounted electric patio heaters are the best choice if you have a small entertaining area and need to keep the floor space clear. If you have children, they can be placed safely out of reach. They do not produce any fumes, which makes them very environmentally friendly.
– Tabletop
A tabletop patio heater can provide enough heat for guests at a small dining table for up to 4 people. You can also use a tabletop as an extra decorative function and place 1 or 2 on single tables around your patio or pool deck. They are more lightweight and portable and their attractive design will add a touch of style to your home.
– Hanging
Hanging patio heaters give out a small amount of heat up to 9-feet. So they are ideal for heating very small enclosed spaces like a porch or gazebo.
If you decide to hang the heater on a table, it will work the best if it is hung low over a dining table that will fit 2-4 people.
Some hanging heaters look like a ceiling fan or they can be similar to an elegant chandelier. They cast a beautiful ambient glow, and as they are powered by electricity, you do not have to worry about fumes. A hanging patio heater may need to be professionally installed. Or if you are a DIY handyman or woman, you can easily attach them to the ceiling, the rafters, or exposed wooden beams.
Two Important Patio Heater Tips
- Even though freestanding patio heaters can generate a higher amount of BTUs, to get the best results from the heater at a dinner party, place the heater close to the dining table or where people will be sitting or congregating.
- Another good tip for those who do a lot of entertaining or want to use the heater as the primary source of heating for a large table is to buy two free-standing patio heaters that you can place at either end of the table.
If you like the sound of a tabletop heater, then why not buy two small tabletop heaters to provide you with enough heating for all your family or guests.
Propane or Natural Gas Patio Heaters
Most of the propane gas-powered patio heaters run on a simple 20lbs propane tank, which can give you around 10 hours of heating.
Natural gas patio heaters can be hooked up to a natural gas line, which will give you continuous heating and you do not have to worry about re-filling the gas tank.
Although natural gas-powered patio heaters may have to be professionally installed, they are the cheaper option.
Portability
Many free-standing patio heaters have wheels that make the unit easy to maneuver. Depending on your entertaining needs, you can shift them around from place to place easily.
Safety Features
If you are looking to buy a freestanding patio heater, then a built-in safety valve for the gas tank is a great choice as it will automatically shut off the fuel supply if the heater is tilted or knocked over.
7 Best Outdoor Patio Heaters – Reviews
1. Bromic Smart-Heat Tungsten Electric Infrared Patio Heater
If you have a small-sized patio, then the Bromic Smart-Heat Tungsten Electric Infrared Patio Heater has a heating element of 4000-watts, so it can provide ample heat for the spring and fall seasons.
The Bromic heater uses infrared technology combined with a thick translucent fused quartz heating element and steel coils to give you ample radiant heating for up to 120-square-feet.
The heater is made from solid stainless steel that is weather and corrosion-resistant. The adjustable bracket and the mirror-finish parabolic spectral reflector allows you to direct the heat where you need it the most.
The heater needs from 230-240-volts of electric current and it can be mounted on the wall or hung from the roof. It emits a soft amber glow that will make a beautiful addition to your entertaining ambiance.
One of the highlights of this heater is the wireless remote that you can use to operate the heater, to either change the heating or light settings and turn it on and off.
The heater comes with a ceiling pole (which can be cut to length) and a recess kit to attach the heater.
Pros
- Ideal for small patio areas
- Good radiant heating
- Nice design
- Wireless remote
Cons
- May need to be professional installed
- Not ideal for large patios
2. Briza Infrared Indoor/Outdoor Patio Heater
Whether you are having a BBQ on the patio or working in your garage, the Briza Infrared Indoor/Outdoor Patio Heater will keep you warm on a cold night. This freestanding heater generates 1500-watts of power, has a heating range of up to 7-feet, and the large carbon fiber filament provides up to 93% energy efficiency.
The Briza heater is quite a versatile heating appliance as you can use it indoors and outdoors. You can use it as a freestanding heater with an adjustable weatherproof tripod stand. Or you can mount it on the wall with the universal mounting bracket. An automatic shut-off sensor will turn the heater off if it’s tipped over.
There is a generous 10-feet power cord that can be plugged into any standard 110/120-volts outlet. The heater can be controlled by a remote that has a 9-hour timer.
Pros
- Provides good heating for a small area
- Can be freestanding or wall-mounted
- Weather-resistant construction
- Portable
- Generous 10-feet power cord
- Remote control has a 9-hour timer
Cons
- Not ideal for large areas
- Customer service is not very helpful
3. Thermo Tiki Propane Outdoor/Patio Patio Heater
This very stylish freestanding Thermo Tiki Propane Outdoor/Patio Patio Heater stands at 7.5-feet tall. With 38,000 BTUs of heating power, it is the ideal choice for consistent heating for a small-sized patio for up to 15-feet.
The unique pyramid shape and the dancing fame inside the ceramic glass column will make an attractive addition to your outdoor entertaining. The wheels provide easy mobility.
The Thermo Tiki patio heater is constructed from high-quality stainless steel corrosion-resistant material. The protective mesh covers the ceramic-glass heating column.
It is easy to start with the push-button ignition and the 20lbs propane tank supplies up to 10 hours of heating. The built-in safety valve will automatically shut off the fuel supply in the case of an emergency.
The patio heater comes with a heavy-duty LPG regulator, pre-attached flexible hose, a premium weatherproof head, an element cover for storage, but you will have to purchase your own LPG gas bottle.
Pros
- Good heating for a small to medium area
- Ideal for use on cooler evenings
- Beautiful design
- Portable
- Easy to assemble
- Safety valve
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for heating large areas
4. Amazon Basics Outdoor/Patio Heater
Whether you are relaxing out on your patio or entertaining guests on your pool deck, the Amazon Basics Outdoor/Patio Heater with wheels has a strong heating output of 46,000 BTUs, which makes it the ideal choice for a small to medium-sized entertaining area.
It has wheels, so you can move it around depending on your entertaining needs. The soft golden glow will add to the ambiance of your cocktail party or a romantic date night.
The heater’s column is made from durable steel construction with a powder-coated bronze finish that protects it from all types of weather. The Amazon Basics heater has a sturdy base. The base reservoir system can be filled with sand to provide even more stability in windy conditions. Also, it is designed to shut off if it is accidentally tipped over.
It is so easy to start with just the push of a button. The 20lbs gas tank will provide you with heat for up to 10 hours. A heat control knob allows you to adjust the heat to your desired level.
An important operator tip for using the Amazon Basics heater is to remember to remove the blue protective film on the heater’s reflector before you start to use it otherwise it could catch fire.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Ideal for small to medium-sized patios
- Provides very good heating
- Attractive design
- Easy to use
- Adjustable heat controls
- Portable
Cons
- Not ideal for large patios
- Complex assembly
5. AZ Patio Heaters Hiland Pyramid Patio Propane Heater
If you are looking for an outdoor heater that is both powerful and stylish, then the elegant AZ Patio Heaters Hiland Pyramid Patio Propane Heater is a good choice for a small to medium outdoor area. Whether you are having friends over for a dinner party or having a midnight dip in the pool on a Spring evening, the omnidirectional 360° “column of flame” pumps out a generous amount of heat with 40,000 BTUs, which can supply good heating for an area up to 10-square-feet.
Its hammered bronze finish, mesmerizing flame, and sleek pyramid design will make the Hiland outdoor heater an attractive feature for your home.
The 91-inch high heater is made from sturdy stainless steel and the durable quartz glass tube is housed within a mesh safety cage. In case the unit is tilted or knocked over, it automatically switches itself off.
Even though the Hiland heater is one of the heavier outdoor heaters, its durable wheeled base makes it easy to move the unit around.
This outdoor heater uses propane gas and the reliable push-button electric igniter is easy to use. The steel side panels protect the gas tank compartment, which can accommodate a standard 20lbs propane tank that will give you up to 10 hours of consistent warmth.
Although the Hiland is one of the more expensive heaters, it is a very economical unit that will save you money on your gas bill. You can choose from black, hammered silver, hammered bronze, matte black, and silver, and the black heater comes with a cover and a bonus stainless steel table.
Pros
- Economical
- Ideal for a small to medium-sized patio
- Generates very good heating
- Reliable push-button electric igniter is easy to use
- Attractive elegant design
- Automatic switch-off
- Wheeled base
- Comes in 5 colors
Cons
- Expensive
6. Uniflame Endless Summer Gas Outdoor Table Top Fireplace
The Uniflame Endless Summer Gas Outdoor Table Top Fireplace is a good choice for a more manageable heat source. The fireplace is very versatile. It can warm your covered patio area or place on a table for outdoor entertaining.
With 10,000 BTUs, it is ideal for a small patio. Its elegant attractive faux stone black powder-coated finish design will add an extra touch of glamour to your dinner party, while also providing that extra warm comfort for those cool spring nights.
The fireplace has a hidden control panel with electronic ignition on the decorative base where you can safely store the propane gas bottle.
Pros
- Ideal for a small patio area
- Multi-functional
- Supplies good heating
- Stylish design
Cons
- Not ideal for larger entertaining areas
7. DONYER POWER Electrical Patio Heater
The DONYER POWER Electrical Patio Heater is a versatile heating option for any home. With its modern design, it will add a special touch of elegance to a small enclosed outdoor dining area like a patio or gazebo. You can even use it for heating indoor areas like a small garage or barn.
DONYER POWER has constructed this hanging heater from durable stainless steel with a beautiful copper finish. Whether you are sitting out on your front porch or enjoying an intimate dinner by the pool, this heater casts a warm amber glow. The 2 halogen heating pipes provide a good amount of 360° heat for cool summer evenings or chilly autumn nights
The patio heater is powered by 1500-watts and it runs on a regular household 110-130-volts current. You can hang it from the ceiling or exposed wooden beams.
To get the best heating results, it is recommended that when you install the heater over a table or in a small entertaining area, the unit is hung directly over a table or seating area. Also, if you are going to be hanging the heater over a table, make sure that the bottom of the unit measures 36-inches from the top of your patio table.
Although the DONYER POWER heater does not provide a lot of heat for open areas as it is designed to heat a very small space, the heater works best in covered or enclosed areas.
Pros
- Ideal for heating small enclosed areas
- Stylish copper design
- Supplies good heating and ambient light for a small table
- Versatile: can be used indoors and outdoors
- 360° heating
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for medium or large outdoor areas
Our Top Pick for the Best Outdoor Patio Heater
Our top pick for the best outdoor patio heater is the AZ Patio Heaters Hiland Pyramid Patio Propane Heater.
AZ Patio Heaters has designed a sleek and high-quality heater that will add a special touch of sophistication to your home. It will provide ample heating for a small-medium-sized patio or outdoor entertaining area.
Check the price on Amazon
