Whether you enjoy relaxing or hosting guests in your backyard, having one of the best patio heaters are essential for keeping you warm and toasty.
Not only should patio heaters be functional and powerful enough to heat up your space, but suitable for your backyard. In addition, factors such as the type of power, size, design and aesthetic appeal are important things to consider before buying a patio heater. Plus, you want it to be energy-efficient, especially during colder month.
To help you decide, we've done all the research to select a wide range of the best patio heaters to suit every backyard, lifestyle and budget.
The quick list
Here’s the best patio heaters you can buy right now based on our comprehensive online research. Scroll on for our full in-depth reviews.
If you’re after an all-round performer that warms up the space quickly, and looks stylish on your patio, the Hampton Bay 48,000 BTU Patio Heater is a great choice. Designed from durable stainless steel, this features adjustable heat control settings to customize the temperature. As its freestanding this can be placed in any sized patio.
For those after a pyramid-style patio heater, the Hampton Pyramid Patio Propane Heater is one of the best to opt for. It uses a 20-pound propane tank that is well hidden, while the attached wheels make it portable. At 85 inches tall, it may not be suitable for small spaces but adds rustic charm to your patio.
Whether you have small space and after an affordable, wall or ceiling-mounted patio heater, the Dr. Infrared is value for money. Ideal for covered patios, the adjustable heater provides clean, instant warmth at three different temperatures. Despite its budget price, it has a coverage area up to 1,000 square feet, and is safer around children.
If you’re after a vibrant color to match your patio style, this Amazon Basics Propane Patio heater comes in a wide range of finishes including powder coated, stainless steel and even wicker. At 46,000, this freestanding heater is fairly powerful, and comes with handy wheels on the base. A decent patio heater at a great price.
For those with small spaces, and after a table top patio heater, this Fire Sense heater is an excellent choice. At just 38 inches high, it’s easily portable, and ideal for small groups of people. Propane lasts for up to three hours, and there’s a weight plate in the base and burner screen guard for extra safety.
If you want to splurge on a heater-table combo, the Hiland Fire Pit is the best to invest in. With its hidden propane compartment, it will keep you warm all night long. Designed in a hammered bronze finish, it will add an elegant feature to backyard parties, and double up as handy furniture.
The best patio heaters you can buy today
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Best overall
If you’d like to give your patio an “outdoor restaurant” vibe, the Hampton Bay 48,000 BTU Patio Heater is a great choice. Constructed from durable stainless steel, this 33-pound heater is a good blend of style and functionality.
The best patio heater overall has a piezoelectric ignition to ensure quick, seamless starts, and the adjustable heat control settings let you customize the temperature as needed. (Up to 48,000 BTUs of warmth.) At 87 inches high and 32 inches in diameter, this portable hotspot (in the literal sense) will look right at home on the back porch, and it’s easy enough to stow in a corner when not in use. (Propane gas cylinder sold separately.) Pound for pound, this is one of the best values we could find.
Out of over 2,000 customers on Home Depot, 81% would recommend to a friend. Most praised its ease of assembly, use and power. They were mostly impressed by its performance to heat up the space well, especially for large gatherings. A few mentioned the absence of wheels for mobility and the need for a more stable base.
Bear in mind, that it is large and can take up quite a bit of space in your backyard. However, if you want something more slimline, the Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Outdoor Propane Patio Heater is ideal. It's a little under Hampton Bay's 48,000 BTU, but still packs a powerful punch.
Best mid-range pyramid
For a pyramid-style heat source that will grab some attention (in a good way), the Hampton Pyramid Patio Propane Heater is one of the best patio heaters you can get. Thanks to its 42,000 BTU output and a mesmerizing visual flame, this heater is pretty darn cool (err, hot).
Utilizing a 20-pound propane tank (hidden below via the easy-access door), the durable base isn’t going anywhere — unless you want it to. The attached wheels make it portable, but at 85 inches high, this isn’t the best patio heater for smaller spaces.
Amazon customers gave this product a generous 4.1 out of 5 stars, rating it highly for aesthetic appeal. They also rated its performance, heat output and easy assembly. Although a few noted there are quite a lot of different parts to assemble. A customer also praised the "dramatic mood lighting" to create a lovely ambiance in the yard.
If you did lack space however, and wanted a more compact heater, you could opt for a wall-mounted type, such as the Dr Infrared Heater. This allows more floor-space and less of an obstruction, especially around children or pets.
In any case, if you have room for this stylish patio heater, its rustic-yet-snazzy look is sure to please.
Best budget
Dr. Infrared proves that the amenity of outdoor heating isn’t just for one-percenters. For less than $150, this wall- or ceiling-mounted device is one of the best patio heaters you’ll find at this price point.
Perfect for covered patios, the adjustable Dr. Infrared DR-238 Heater provides clean, instant warmth at 900, 1,200, and 1,500 watts. (It also comes with a handy remote control.) And since infrared heaters themselves do not warm up during use, this is one of the best heaters for families with small children; the clean-burning warmth stays comfortably out of reach. Don’t let the reasonable price tag fool you: the DR-238 Heater has a coverage area up to 1,000 square feet.
One thing to note is that it's not as aesthetically pleasing, compared to other heater designs. And if it's style that you're after, you might prefer the Fire sense stainless steel table top patio heater. This is also a great option for small backyard spaces.
Amazon customers highly rated this heater for its functionality and ease of installation. The heat output differed among various users, however, this all depends on the type of space they have. Other things they praised were its size, design and affordability.
Some reviewers reported an odor when using the DR-238 for the first time, but otherwise, this is a top-notch heating machine that won’t let you down (or burn your wallet).
Best color range
If you're after a traditional ‘mushroom’-shaped patio heater, but want to inject a bit of color, then look no further. The Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Outdoor Propane Patio Heater comes in a range of finishes including powder coated, stainless steel and even wicker! This makes it one of the most customizable patio heaters we’ve seen. The design also benefits from wheels on the base so you can easily move it around when necessary.
At 46,000, this patio heater has a decent BTU. While it’s not as strong as our winner, it will still cover a generous area of 250 sq ft. It comes at a great price point of $153 — not as cheap as the winner once again, however if you want the extra color then it’s worth the expense. The only drawback with this design is the height. At 89 inches, it’s 7ft 4in tall which is so high that some had to shorten it.
However, if you were not too fussed about the fuel type, you could opt for this Fire Sense 1500W Electric Infrared Patio Heater. This has an adjustable height from 72 inches, and is also slimline to fit into smaller spaces.
User reviews on Amazon gave this heater a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. Customers liked the output, mentioning that not only does it put out good heat, but also melts light snow . They also found it straightforward to assemble and use. Plus, it looks great. However, some had mixed opinions on build quality, and its height.
In any case, the Amazon Basics will definitely make a stylish and eye-catching statement in any yard.
Best tabletop
If your space-heating needs are modest, this is one of the best patio heaters you can get. At just 38 inches high, it’s easy to move this tabletop heater from one surface to another. It’s also available in two color options—a neat bonus.
In addition, this this propane heater uses a 1lb LP gas cylinder (not included), and produces an adjustable output of 10, 000 BTU. This is sufficient enough to quickly heat up a space, and it features a one step Piezo ignition system that will instantly turn on the heater.
The Fire Sense Stainless Steel Table Top Patio Heater is ideal for small groups of three to four people; the propane lasts for about three hours at a time. There’s a weight plate in the base for added stability, and the burner screen guard adds some extra peace of mind for errant fingers.
The majority of customers liked the design and size of the heater, adding that it makes a pretty addition for their patio. A few users also appreciated its heat output and value for money. However, some customers have mixed opinions on the ease of assembly and light efficiency.
What's more, it has a stainless steel design that looks stylish in any yard. Should your space options be limited, you’ll want to consider this heater as a great contender.
Best heater-table
If you’re going to invest in one of the best patio heaters, you may want to consider one that doubles as furniture. The Hiland Fire Pit is much more expensive than most patio heaters, but there’s something to be said for the elegance of a bronze fireplace-island. (And one that never has to be stoked, no less.)
With a powerful 42,000 BTU, it stands at 23.4 inches tall. It also has an easy access propane tank door, lid for burner area and a safe fire glass.
The Hiland FS-1212-T-10 Aluminum Scroll Propane Pit is the perfect accessory for outdoor relaxation — and any self-respecting BBQ. The hammered bronze will look good in just about any backyard, and is perfect for year-round use. (The propane tank is hidden underneath.)
Alongside its premium price tag, it is large in size overall. So you'll need to ensure you have adequate space, or else you won't have much leg room to move around it safely. If you did want something more portable however, you could opt for the Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Outdoor Propane Patio Heater. This will give you more flexibility and offer the same eye-catching design to entertain in style.
The majority of customer reviews were happy with this patio table, praising the appearance, functionality, and heat output. They also liked the overall aesthetic, and how it provides "ambiance". However, some customers have issues with ease of assembly and build quality.
Sure, the Hiland is pricier than the average standing heater, but for the price, you get double the usefulness. Staying warm under the stars — all year long — has never been easier. Just don’t burn your feet!
Best standing infrared
If you’d like to take the more eco-friendly route for outdoor heating, the Fire Sense 1500W Electric Infrared Patio Heater should keep the shivers away during after-dinner cordials.
Operating at 90 percent heating efficiency, this infrared patio heater is less expensive than its propane-based cousins, and it starts heating up in just a few seconds; according to the company, this results in a 9-feet “blanket” of heat in the surrounding area, which is perfect for small gatherings in small spaces.
This patio heater is quiet — silent, in fact. The aluminum-and-steel construction is weatherproof, too, so you don’t need to worry about the rain. The attached wheels allow for easy mobility, and the 1,500-watt bulb lasts for up to 5,000 hours. In addition it comes with an adjustable height to suit your space and needs.
Reviews were consistently good for this heater. Customers mentioned good heat output, design and build quality. A few also mentioned it's ideal for heating and quickly warming up small patios. Other features were design. However, there were mixed reviews about its durability and brightness.
Price-wise, it is relatively expensive at almost $300, but this is a sought-after model at a variety of online retailers. If you were on a budget however, or not too fussed about design , you could opt for the powerful, Dr Infrared DR-238 Heater.
Best premium mounted
If you’re looking for a sleek, discreet heater for uninsulated spaces, look no further than the Bromic Heating BH0110003-1 Smart-Heat Platinum 500 Radiant Infrared Patio Heater. As opposed to freestanding heaters, this one is meant to be mounted permanently on a wall or ceiling, so there’s nothing to trip over.
For modern homes and contemporary spaces, this is one of the best patio heaters you can buy (if your pockets are deep enough, that is). Providing direct and automated ignition, this powerhouse heater pumps out 39,800 BTUs (up to 200 square feet of coverage), and its slow-release ceramic burners are environmentally friendly.
The patented screen and ionization probe technology provides excellent wind resistance (up to 12 miles per hour), and the pivoting mount bracket lets you control heat distribution as needed. If you have the money to spare, you won’t be disappointed with this bad boy.
This is one of our most expensive patio heaters on the guide, but it is designed with power efficiency and quality in mind. However, if you did want a more affordable option, you could opt for the Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 that is also wall-mounted.
Amazon customers gave this Bromic patio heater a good 4.1 out of 5 stars. Many liked the design and appearance of the heater, with a few stating it did an "amazing" job in keeping everyone warm. However, others mentioned that it's not so effective if you have windy conditions and there are mixed opinions on its heat output.
Please note that professional installation may be required for the Bromic. Be sure to follow instructions included with purchase and always take safety precautions.
Best for parties
For those who like to entertain outdoors with a side of style, the Thermo Tiki Deluxe Outdoor Propane Patio Heater puts its pyramid-style aesthetics on the same plane as its functionality. In addition to 38,000 BTUs of heat output, the added light makes this one of the best patio heaters for auxiliary ambiance.
Featuring a 15-foot diameter of warmth, your guests will flock to this ultra-efficient heat source like moths to the flame. It's mostly weatherproof, too; the components are made to withstand rust, fading, and corrosion.
The push-button ignition is super convenient, and the controls let you adjust both the temperature and the dancing flame. (There’s also a safety valve that automatically cuts the fuel supply if the heater is tilted or tipped.)
Overall, customers were pleased with the heater's "beautiful flame", appearance, ease of assembly and functionality. They mention ease of assembly and great heat output. However, a few mentioned poor packaging and the glass tube falling out of place while rolling across deck boards
It's also designed from premium, high-grade steel and aluminum, making it durable and weatherproof. And while it looks chic and expensive, it's actually great value for money, which is always a bonus.
How we decided
We made our selection based on extensive online research to find the best patio heaters. Our top picks are based on the most consistent user reviews, combined with its heat output, power and impressive specifications. We considered everything from the type of fuel and coverage, ease of use, overall design and value for money.
We looked at a variety of sizes and dimensions of patio heater, in order to find the most suitable type for every space — including a spacious yard, balcony or even the convenient, tabletop heater. Design and style were also noteworthy, with many eye-catching options in our guide. Whether you want to add rustic charm, or contemporary, geometric style, the best patio heater should fit in seamlessly with every backyard aesthetic.
In addition, we also rated convenient features, such as adjustable temperatures to suit any type of weather to having wheels for easy transportation. Safety was also taken into consideration, noting which is best for households with children or large groups. In doing this, we’ve found the best patio heater to suit every need, backyard space and budget.
How to choose
How to choose the best patio heater for you
Before you invest in a portable heater, make sure it checks off all the appropriate boxes for your wants and needs. There are lots of different styles and sizes out there, so you’ll want to find one that’s just right in regard to both features and aesthetics.
Deck/Room/Patio Size
If you’re just adding some warmth to a small porch, you won’t need the most powerful heater on the market. And not every home has the proper indoor/outdoor space for a standing heater. (The tallest one on our list is about 7.5 feet. Not exactly compact.) Measure accordingly.
BTU (British Thermal Units)
This is the formal measurement for all heating appliances: the higher the number, the higher the potential temperature. While tabletop heaters usually pump out 10,000 to 12,000 BTUs, larger heaters can blast your yard with 40,000 BTUs of heat or more.
Heater Types
There are several types of portable patio heaters:
- Freestanding - This is the best patio heater for large outdoor spaces. They generally consist of a pole, base, heat reflector, and heating source (gas or electric).
- Mounted - These heaters are better if you don’t want them to be the center of attention. They’re meant to be permanently installed in discrete locations (such as a high wall near the ceiling.)
- Tabletop - These are much smaller than their mounted and free-standing brethren, and far more portable. They’re usually electric, and come in a variety of interesting styles.
- Infrared - Energy efficiency is #1 with these heaters. They’re not that portable, but they heat up quickly, and are best for families with small children.
Heat Sources
There are three primary types of heat sources:
- Propane - This is the most popular option, and it heats up very quickly. Often found on free-standing heaters.
- Natural Gas - If you’re a homeowner, having a natural gas-powered heater is your cheapest, cleanest-burning option. Best for the outdoors.
- Electric - By far the most convenient option, electric heaters are generally less energy-efficient than propane or natural gas. You’ll run your electricity bill through the roof if you’re not careful.
Safety Features
If you’ve got kids, the best patio heater for you might be the one with the best safety features. As you shop, look for tilt-over protection, automatic shut-off valves, and cool-touch glass. (Infrared heaters can be a good option for families, since there aren’t any physical flames.)
Which patio heater is the most sustainable?
If you want to be more sustainable, you might be interested in which type of patio heater has the smallest carbon footprint. If you’re thinking in terms of gas vs electric, the answer is electric. Gas patio heaters produce much more CO2 compared to electric. This type is also more noisy and expensive to run.
You should consider infrared as an option too. This type of patio heater is as sustainable as it gets, because it will use 100% of the heat it produces. It does this by only heating physical objects within range through radiation, rather than the air itself.
If you want to be more eco-friendly with your patio heater, only use it when you actually need it and don’t set it to a higher temperature than necessary. You can also wear thicker clothes and use blankets as well, so your patio heater won’t have to work so hard.
Which patio heater is more safe?
Generally, overhead patio heaters are considered to be more safe to use. This is especially in high-traffic areas, where there are plenty of people or children running around or touching them. Not only do overhead patio heaters reduce the risk of being a trip hazard, but will free up floor space.
These are securely installed onto walls or ceilings, just be sure to follow installation guidance that comes with it, or have them installed properly by a professional.
Should you cover patio heaters outdoors?
Typically, patio heaters are not waterproof, and shouldn't be left exposed to the rain. When it's extreme weather, it's recommended to cover patio heaters with a protective, weatherproof covering. Or store under shelter or a partially covered space to protect it from the elements.
In addition, this will help to maintain its condition, and ensure it works properly at all times.
