Best Patio Heaters: Top Models Compared & Reviewed

If you live in a house or work at an office that has a deck, patio, or a terrace, having an outdoor patio heater may just be the perfect addition to help make that outdoor space warmer and a lot more comfortable during the winter months. You can invite friends over for an evening on your patio or hold a barbeque night for your family in the coldest of winter nights if you have a decent outdoor heater installed on your patio or terrace. Patios or gardens are generally a good space for cooking, entertaining guests, or just relaxing. In chillier conditions, an outdoor heater allows you to be able to use that outdoor space and enjoy being outdoors, all while being warm and cozy. Outdoor heaters generally sport a slim design, occupying only a small space, while emitting heat at a surprisingly wide angle. Place one in between your sitting space, perched on the ground against the house wall, or simply position it in a corner seldom used. The placement options for an outdoor heater are virtually endless, depending on your preference and seating arrangement. Most outdoor heaters come with various safety features that make them safe to be used around children or pets. But how does one decide on what heater is best for there patio? We have compiled a list of the best outdoor heaters to help you in your buying decision and research. Enjoy hanging out with your friends or family throughout the evening with the best patio heater available in the market! Comparison Chart Sunjoy Lawrence Floor-Standing Patio Heater BUY ON AMAZON BELLEZE Premium Patio Heater BUY ON AMAZON PAMAPIC Gas Patio Heater BUY ON AMAZON AmazonBasics Commercial Patio Heater BUY ON AMAZON FDW Propane Patio Outdoor Heater BUY ON AMAZON Best Patio Heater Reviews Sunjoy Lawrence Floor-Standing Patio Heater - Carry it anywhere! As the name of the product suggests, this heater brings you the joy of sunbathing in the chilly seasons. Ideal for your outdoor gatherings, this patio heater comes with a variety of features to keep you warm and cozy outside. Product Highlights Now you can spruce up your outdoor living space with this stylish patio heater and stay warm during your outdoor gatherings with friends and family. This outdoor heater is the perfect alternative to a fire pit for offering a noiseless and calming heat source while also accentuating the look of your outdoor space with its stylish design. Carrying this heater is extremely easy and hassle-free. The heater comes with wheels that make it easy for you to push it anywhere you want to place it without wanting any assistance. The heater lights up easily with a valve knob and an ignition button. Made with high-quality material, this outdoor heater offers easy to use operation that does not involve starting a flame manually. Say goodbye to the smelly smoke from the outdoor heater you used before. Sunjoy Lawrence Patio heater does not emit a pungent smell of smoke and keep your environment smelling naturally pleasant. Offering 47,000 BTUs of heating efficiency, this patio heater covers a wide area, ranging up to 9.5 feet in semi-diameter. The heat emission is consistent and steady while the flames do not make any noise. The patio heater is designed to be used around children and pets, with the heating source perched high above the ground, underneath the top disc. The high-grade iron with bronze hammer finish makes the heater durable and resistant to rust and dust. The elegant design complements your patio decor and goes with the overall outdoor ambiance. The heater also comes with three anchoring arms to securely place it on the floor without risking it tipping over from wind pressure. The heater also comes fitted with an automatic shut off feature that activates in the event of accidental tipping. PROS The heater is easy to assemble It’s made of durable protective material Rust and dust resistant Heat covers a wide area Easy to carry CONS The instruction manual contains vague information Height is not adjustable CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM BELLEZE Premium Outdoor Patio Heater - Stay warm outside! Seasons may come and go, but the fun should never stop. Parties aren’t that fun if they are carried out inside the house. While there is no other fun alternative to a garden party, a cold season may push people inside because of the uncomfortable chills. With a good outdoor patio heater, however, this fun can last all season. In comes the Belleze premium patio heater with its high-quality material and top-notch features to make you warm and cozy in your outdoor hangouts with friends and family. Product Highlights Place it in the middle of your garden or just outside your house; the Belleze Premium Outdoor patio heater helps you stay warm outside and enjoy the fresh air without getting cold. At one glance, this patio heater sports a classy look with premium colors and an outdoorsy appeal. The heater is gas-powered and gives off an ample amount of heat. The heater can produce 48,000 BTUs of heat which can practically cover 175 feet of space in diameter. The height of the heater is 7.25” with the heat source right underneath the metallic disc, also called the dome reflector. To stabilize the heater on the surface, the heater comes with a weight bladder that you can fill with water or sand. This makes the base heavy and stable, and the heater can withstand the wind without toppling over. If however, the wind gets too strong and the heater tips over, the lamp in the heater turns off automatically. The heater is made of high-quality steel with a powdered coated finish that can resist rust and withstand rainwater. Its attractive bronze finish complements your patio furniture and surrounding outdoor ambiance. The heater comes with wheels for easy mobility. The heater starts quickly thanks to its Piezo ignition system. All it takes to start the heater is to push the button and the lamp is lit. PROS The structure is corrosion resistant Greater stability with a fillable base Wheels provide easy mobility Auto turn off on 30-degree tilt Steel hood keeps the heat from rising CONS The product may turn off randomly Height of the post is non-adjustable CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM PAMAPIC Patio Heater - Winter garden parties made easy! Outdoor heaters always come in handy during cold weather when you have a garden party arranged in the evening. Just place them on your patio, deck or garden and you are good to go for the entire evening. The PAMAPIC Patio heater is built to make your time in your patio warm and cozy. Product Highlights The PAMAPIC patio heater is a commercial grade outdoor heater that comes in an impressive and innovative design. The heater comes with a Piezolectric ignition device that starts the heater with just the press of a button. An adjustable valve below the burner chamber increases or decreases the heat seamlessly to meet your varying temperature needs. The base of this heater comes fitted with wheels for easy mobility. The wheels move quite smoothly so you can move the heater anywhere you want without putting in too much effort. The heater also comes with zippered waterproof covers made of high strength nylon fabric that can protect the heater from rain, snow, or bad weather conditions. When it comes to the heat output of the heater, it offers 46,000 BTUs, enough to cover an area of about 18 feet in diameter. At the top of the heater is a reflector hood that pushes the heat down and evenly disperses it around so everyone underneath the heater stays warm. The dome is also put there to protect your patio’s roof if you are placing the heater under a roofed area. The heater comes with an auto shut-off system that stops the heater if it’s tilted over 30 degrees or tips over. PROS Built-in tank chamber Comes with a water and snow resistant cover Sturdy base and easy mobility Elegant design CONS Can be too tall for small spaces Height of the heater is not adjustable CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM AmazonBasics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater - Warmth for everyone! In the chilly season, no outdoor party can be carried out without a proper source of heat for everyone in the gathering. And when it comes to patio hangouts or garden parties in winter, a heater designed specifically to cater that need is what you want to invest in to make your time outside the house warm, cozy, and comfortable. This is where the AmazonBasics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater comes in, with its remarkable design and innovative features. Product Highlights AmazonBasics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater adds a subtle charm to your outdoor space while doing the best job at making you, your friends, and family warm and comfortable. This exceptionally powerful heater offers the heat output of 46,000 BTUs while delivering ample heat to spread warmth up to 18 feet in diameter. To start the heater, you need a standard 20-pound LP gas cylinder. Then simply push the button and start the heater in this simple, one-step process. The heater comes with a Piezo ignition system that only requires a push button to start operation. Near the heat source, there is a knob that lets you control the heat according to your preference. The heater also comes with two smooth-rolling wheels to make it easy for you to transport the heater from one place to another. This stylish looking commercial heater features durable steel construction with a slate-grey finish. The powder coating on the finish protects the heater from becoming rusty or wearing out. PROS Powerful heat output at 46,000 BTUs Smooth wheels for portability Sturdy base for stability Easy and quick startup Steel construction for longevity CONS Burner head is not completely stainless CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM FDW Propane Hammered Finish Patio Heater - Puts out a lot of heat! No more underutilization of your beautiful patio that was always your sanctuary during warm weather or everyone’s favorite place to hang out in the evening. We present the FDW Patio Heater, your knight in shining armor. Product Highlights Now you can use your patio efficiently by placing an outdoor heater in the midst of your sitting area. With the FDW Patio Heater’s size, shape and performance, you can organize any hangout in your garden, deck, or patio without being bothered by the cold weather. The FDW outdoor patio heater offers a heat output of 41,000 BTUs, covering an area of up to 5 square feet in diameter. The construction of the heater features high-grade steel material that makes the product fairly durable while also protecting it from the heat it’s producing. To power-up, this heater uses a large 20 lbs. propane tank that can last up to 10 hours at a stretch. This portable heater also offers easy to use functionality. Featuring a Piezo ignition system, the heater starts very quickly. All you need to do is press the start button and enjoy the warmth of this amazing patio heater. If you want to store the heater indoors when you are done using it; not to worry! This heater comes with smooth and durable wheels that allow you to effortlessly move the heater anywhere you want. On top of the heater, there is a reflector made with a high-quality shiny material that reflects and disperses heat evenly around the area for an altogether better experience. PROS Highly easy to assemble CSA Approved Adjustable heat valve Durable construction Ideal for medium to small areas CONS The heater does not have a weighted base CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON.COM BUYER'S GUIDE Before making a purchase decision, the following things should be considered: Power Source Outdoor heaters need an external energy source to emit heat for you. Typically, outdoor heaters use electric, propane and natural gas to power up and generate heat. Each source of fuel has its advantages and disadvantages. Propane The most common source of fuel for your heat is propane. Propane heaters don’t usually require professional installation and can easily be put together by one person. All you need to do is attach the gas tank and turn the heater on. While they are easy to use and install, they are costlier than natural gas and can be really expensive for long term heater use. Another great advantage of using a propane tank for your heater is the quick heating up. The heat can be up and running in no time and generate heat in a matter of minutes. Natural Gas Compared to a propane fuel tank, natural gas is a cheaper option for heater fueling. But it requires professional installation into the heater. The gas pipe has to be properly hooked to the heater for a consistent power source. However, heaters that run on natural gas are difficult to move since the gas pipe needs to connect to the heater for powering it. Electricity Electricity is the most convenient and readily available source of fuel for your heater. It doesn’t require any installation. You just have to simply plug the heater wire into an electric socket and turn the button on. Unlike propane and natural gas, the fuel never runs out in this case and the heater can be used for as long as you want. However, if the wire of the heater is not long enough, or there are no electrical sockets in your patio, this is when the utility of the electric heater becomes zero. Heat Output Before purchasing your outdoor patio heater, assess your need first. Your heater should offer you sufficient heat to serve its purpose. To know if the heater is sufficient for you, among other factors, you should work out how many BTUs of power you need to heat the space you wish to heat. It’s best to overestimate the BTUs since more won’t cause any problem for you as opposed to an insufficient heat supply. You can work out the area of your patio by multiplying the square feet long with the number of feet wide. In addition to that, you also need to figure out how much temperature difference you want from the heater. A simple formula for this calculation is: The area in Square Feet x (current temp in F – desired temp) = minimum BTUs Material and Size When it comes to the material of the patio heater, take into consideration the environmental and climatic conditions of your area. If you live in a city where rainfall is a frequent occurrence or if you live in a coastal area, make sure the patio heater you are looking for has a stainless steel construction. In contrast, steel patio heaters are best suited for dry weather conditions. Powder-coated steel patio heaters are also better suited for such an environment where steel tends to rust more. As for the size of the heater, you’ll want to consider the area of your outdoor space. If you want to place the heater on an elevated surface, go for a medium-sized heater or a free-standing heater. Mobility If you are looking for a light-weight, medium-sized patio heater, carrying it to your outdoor space might not be a difficult thing to do. However, if you have a large outdoor space and you want to buy a tall patio heater to be placed on the ground, make sure you look for a heater with a smooth wheeling option. Wheels come in handy when you have to move the patio heaters around. The large ones are otherwise difficult to be moved by one person alone. F.A.Q. How much area does a patio heater cover? A patio heater of 46,000 BTUs covers about 18 feet in diameter. How to fill patio heater base with sand? Usually, a patio heater comes with an empty chamber at its base. To fill the base, fill a removable plastic container with sand/water and re-install it. In many patio heaters, a bladder comes installed in the base. Fill it with water or sand with the help of a funnel if the opening is narrow. How to secure a propane patio heater from wind? You can protect your patio heater from the wind by anchoring it with weights or by filling its base tank with water or sand to stabilize it on the ground. How much clearance do I need to have above a patio heater? A patio heater occupies a very small space on your patio floor. However, since it’s relatively taller in size and occupies more vertical space, it is recommended that there is a 3 feet clearance above the unit and 2 feet on either side of the heater. How long does a propane tank last on a patio heater? A standard 20 lbs. propane cylinder will last for up to 10 hours. FINAL VERDICT A patio heater is a great addition to your outdoor space if you like spending time outdoors during winter but want to remain comfortable and warm. Nothing beats having a powerful and yet efficient patio heater. Patio heaters are also used by many restaurants and bars to allow customers the luxury of enjoying an outdoor socializing space even in extreme winter weather conditions. A large variety of patio heaters are available but not all of them are great, and each model generally comes with different features and options. If high heat output, easy mobility, and durability are what you prefer in your patio heater, then your best options are the Sunjoy Lawrence Floor-Standing Patio Heater, the AmazonBasics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater, and the PAMAPIC Patio Heater. If you need something smaller and more subtle, the FDW Patio Heater is well suited for small patios and compact outdoor spaces. All patio heaters featured on this list are competitively priced, durable, efficient, and safe for use outdoors.