Best Patio Heaters to Keep You Warm Outside

What is the best patio heater? Patio heaters differ by the type of fuel and installation method. By type of fuel, these appliances are categorized into gas-powered, electric and wood burning patio heaters. By installation method, patio heaters can be hanging, tabletop, mounted, or standing. 

How Patio Heaters Differ

Patio heaters are available in a variety of designs. Hanging models are installed from a ceiling and are recommended for enclosed areas like porches. Their main advantage is a compact, space-saving design. The same applies to wall-mounted patio heaters, which are installed permanently in the porch. 

• Propane patio heaters are portable and do not require professional installation. The downside is higher operation costs as you will need to purchase propane tanks to power the appliance. 

By contrast, patio heaters that work on natural gas are designed to be connected to a fixed gas line and, therefore, cannot be easily moved around. When compared with propane gas heaters, this option is more environmentally friendly, cheaper to run, but requires professional installation and is not portable. 

• Infrared patio heaters use radiation to heat objects around them, which, in their turn, heat the surrounding air. These appliances operate mostly on electricity, meaning you will need to pay higher energy bills.

The advantage of infrared models is that they instantaneously generate heat, work fast, are portable, cheap to maintain, and highly efficient. Unlike gas heaters, they do not burn fuel. Nor do they require refilling a tank. Since infrared heaters do not emit harmful substances, they are safer to use. 

Tabletop heaters can be powered by gas or electricity and are more portable than ceiling-mounted ones. Standing heaters have an upright, elongated design and will suit any environment. This type of heater is propane-powered and has a fuel tank mounted in the base. 

Best Patio Heaters Compared

Amazon Basics Slate Grey Patio Heater | Best Standing Patio Heater

This highly efficient, gas-powered appliance is an excellent example of a standing patio heater. Not only is it powerful enough to heat large areas, but it is also stylish and portable thanks to included wheels. The heater offers an output of 46,000 BTUs and is made with powder-coated stainless steel.

Additionally, the appliance has essential safety features, such as a shut-off valve that automatically shuts the heater off should it tip over. Designed with a one-step Piezo ignition system, the heater is fast and easy to start. You can also choose between different heat settings using a control knob. 

Slim and compact in width, the device measures 89 cm in height and weighs 18 kg. All in all, the Amazon Basic standing patio heater is robustly built, easy to put together, and comes with fittings of good quality.

Planika - Faro - Portable Patio Heater | Gas Propane Outdoor Fireplace

Apart from the amazing sleek appearance, this heater will effectively warm your outdoor area in cold weather. This gas-powered appliance warms an area within a radius of up to 120 cm and distributes the heat evenly. It has a compartment designed to store a propane tank of up to 20 lbs and a tempered glass cover.

The powder-coated steel housing has an elegant black finish and will look great in any garden. It also includes decorative black pebbles. The unit is waterproof, so you can safely leave it outdoors in the rain. The Planika patio heater has a heat output ranging from 5 to 8 kW and can operate on full power continuously for around 55 hours. 

Equipped with 4 castor wheels, the appliance is easy to move around the patio. To activate the device, just turn the knob and press the ignition button. This product is really unique: having a fireplace in your patio is such an enjoyable experience that you will no doubt spend more time outdoors.

Heatlab Outdoor Heaters |  Electric Quartz Garden Patio Heater

These wonderful devices are multifunctional in every sense. Not only do they produce heat, but they are also designed to serve as a source of light. Additionally, Heatlab patio heaters offer two methods of installation. By default, these are freestanding units, but you can also install them onto a wall using the included fittings.

Built with long-lasting steel, the Heatlab infrared heaters have a IPX4 waterproof rating, a heavy stable base, and a safety tilt switch. You can select the desired temperature using 3 heat settings ranging from 500W to 1,500W, depending on whether you need more heat in cold weather or want to save money. 

Another strength of this product is adjustability. You can adjust the heater’s height between 1.74 meters and 2.1 meters, while the head can be adjusted 45 degrees. And finally, these devices are convenient in use and come with the remote control that enables you to change settings from a distance.

Martello Freestanding Patio Heater | Best Infrared Patio Heater

This portable electric heater can be placed as close as possible to the user, as it is absolutely safe and free from harmful substances. While being stable, the unit is lightweight and has a carry handle for transporting.

What we particularly like about this product is the oscillating function. You can fix the direction of heat flow or adjust the device to oscillate to spread focused warmth. The unit can oscillate 360 degrees, 120 degrees or can be fixed for individual use.

The heater is equipped with two heat lamps and has two settings. The low 600W setting uses only one lamp, while the high 1200W setting uses both. On top of that, the device has low energy consumption and is cool to the touch.

FUTURA Purus 2500W Patio Heater | Best Wall-Mounted Patio Heater

Ideal for terraces, patios, and summer houses, the Futura infrared heater covers an area of up to 25 square meters. This 92-cm long device comes with wall-mounting brackets, so you can easily mount it onto any outdoor wall.

The device features a heat lamp, a bulb grill cover, and an LCD screen on the side. In addition to being a space-saving option, this product is the most powerful infrared heater on our list as it offers 2,500 watts of heat output. 

You can switch between three heat settings using the included remote control. But note, the remote only works upside down. From our experience, the heater works really well and warms up large spaces in a few minutes.

Log-Barn Chiminea Outdoor Wood Burner | Best Wood-Burning Heater

Old concepts with a modern design have always been appealing to people. The device can burn any wood, provided it is dry, while the flames are shown through the flue pipe. The item weighs 6 kg and can be effortlessly moved around the patio.

The greatest benefit of a wood-burning heater is that there are no maintenance expenses. You will not have to purchase fuel tanks, nor will you need to pay higher energy bills. On the other hand, the product has some downsides. 

In terms of safety, you need to be cautious and keep flammable materials away from the wood burner. Also, you will need to spend some time lighting the wood and that may require some basic skills. Keep in mind that the unit gets hot and must not be touched when the wood is burning.