Buying guide for best patio heaters
Do you enjoy spending time in your home's outdoor space? If so, you don’t have to let the cold weather drive you inside when the temperature drops. You can stay outside and enjoy the view with a good patio heater.
The best patio heaters are simple to use and relatively inexpensive. What’s more, they can extend a pleasant evening by several hours.
There are hundreds of patio heaters to choose from, too. Whatever the size or style of your outdoor area, there's an efficient solution to be found. So how do you find it?
At BestReviews, we’re here to help you find the products you need.
Patio heater styles
In this shopping guide, we’ll discuss three basic types of patio heaters: table-top patio heaters, full-size electric patio heaters, and full-size propane patio heaters.
Full-size electric patio heaters
Full-size electric patio heaters come in a variety of styles, from single, wall-mounted heating bars to three- and four-element configurations fixed at a central point that look a lot like ceiling fans.
The main drawback of full-size electric patio heaters is that they require a cable. Most are designed to be fixed in position on a wall or overhead. We suspect that's why they're mostly seen in restaurants and other commercial locations rather than residential decks and yards.
Table-top patio heaters
As the name suggests, a table-top patio heater sits atop an outdoor table. Some have quite a limited range; if your outdoor space is small, that could be ideal. But other table-top patio heaters pack a powerful punch. In fact, their performance may rival that of a full-size unit.
The main drawback to table-top patio heaters is that they are quite large. We tend to envision a “table-top” item as small, but in truth, table-top patio heaters usually stand three to four feet tall.
Even at that size, propane table-top patio heaters have relatively short run times of an hour or two. The reason: most can only hold a one-pound glass bottle.
Full-size propane patio heaters
Full-size propane patio heaters come in two primary shapes. Some are cylindrical with a narrow stem and mushroom-like hood. Others are tall, pyramid-shaped units that house a flame in a crystal glass tube.
If full-size propane patio heaters have a disadvantage, it's that you must change the propane tank periodically. The standard 20-pound bottle lasts weeks if not months, but it's a good idea to keep a spare on hand.
Perhaps the biggest plus is that these types of patio heaters are portable. Many have small wheels to help you move them, giving them great flexibility.
We look at the advantages and disadvantages of electric patio heaters compared to propane. Electric patio heaters require a cable and tend to be fixed in place. While propane heaters require propane tank changes, they are more portable.
When we look for the best patio heaters, we compare full-size heaters and tabletop heaters to evaluate their pros and cons. Tabletop heaters can be just as powerful as full-size heaters, but their fuel doesn't last as long, and full-size heaters can come in more configurations.
We break down the patio heater’s heat output, which can vary from roughly 1,000 watts to several thousand BTU per hour depending on the heater’s size and fuel type.
The heat output is important to know, but the heater’s actual effective range can vary based on the ambient temperature. We find out how well patio heaters perform in different weather conditions.
We look for patio heaters that have special features that set them apart, like timers, remote controls, or automatic shut-off for safety.
During our research, we want to know if the patio heater has wheels, which can make repositioning it on a deck or patio much easier.
How much a patio heater costs depends on the size and power source. Tabletop propane heaters cost around $75, while wall-mounted electric heaters can be found for $90. Tabletop electric heaters, on the other hand, can cost more than $200.
Propane patio heaters emit convection heat, which heats the air as well as people and objects nearby. This makes propane patio heaters great for large spaces, but their reach can vary.
When we research patio heaters, we consider electric patio heaters and the efficiency of radiant heat. This type doesn’t warm the air, but it’s helpful in drafty, enclosed spaces.
We look for wall-mounted patio heaters that can help save space on your deck or patio. These electric heaters are convenient but tend to be more expensive.
Radiant heat vs. convection heat
When selecting a patio heater, the most important question would seem obvious: how much heat does it provide? But in fact, heat output is not the whole story. Let’s look at the two kinds of heat used by patio heaters: radiant heat and convection heat.
Radiant heat
Electric patio heaters emit radiant heat. The heat warms nearby objects and people, but it doesn’t actually warm the air. Electric patio heaters are particularly efficient at heating enclosed spaces that might otherwise be drafty.
Convection heat
Propane-fueled patio heaters emit convection heat. These units do heat the air, and thus they also heat the objects and people within their reach.
How far their reach extends depends on the power of the heater, which we'll look at in a moment.
Convection heaters are excellent for larger spaces and situations in which people move from one area to another — in and out between house and deck, for example.
Combination heat
In the last few years, the boundaries between electric and propane heaters have been blurred by the introduction of patio heaters that feature a live flame within a glass crystal tube.
The result is radiant heat from a propane patio heater. Some people see it as the perfect combination.
Did you know?
Glass tube patio heaters combine electric and propane technology. For this reason, they are very popular — and also quite expensive.
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Understanding heat output ratings
Before you lay money down on a patio heater, you undoubtedly want to know what kind of heat output to expect.
An electric patio heater’s output is measured in watts, whereas a propane patio heater’s output is measured in BTU/h (British Thermal Units per hour).
The following ratings are reasonable minimum estimates for efficient heat generation:
Table-top electric heaters: 1,000 watts
Wall-mounted electric heaters: 1,500 watts
Table-top propane heaters: 10,000 BTU/h
Free-Standing propane heaters (radiant or convection): 40,000 BTU/h
Effective range claims
You may be tempted to opt for a patio heater with a larger numeric rating, but these numbers aren’t always indicative of efficiency.
You'll find wall-mounted patio heaters that can warm an area of 10 to 15 square feet and table-top patio heaters that can warm an area ten times that.
All of which is perhaps necessarily vague, because the effective range of a patio heater depends on the ambient temperature. On mild days, your patio heater will seem to warm more space than on frigid days when the temperature drops towards freezing.
Caution
Don't use a propane patio heater indoors due to risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous as it has no odor. Some patio heaters have an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) that turns the heater off if it senses an overabundance of carbon monoxide.
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Patio heater prices
Table-top heaters
At the lower end of the pricing scale, you'll pay around $75 for a table-top propane heater.
For $10 to $15 more, you can get a glass tube version.
An electric table-top patio heater costs far more. You’re unlikely to find one for less than $200 on the market these days.
Full-size patio heaters
Entry-level wall-mounted electric models can dip as low as $90. In fact, you’re unlikely to pay much more than $150 for one.
Free-standing propane patio heaters start at about $130. During the course of our research, we found some terrific models of this type that cost no more than $200.
Tips
If you have a more informal outdoor space, you'll want to look at the best propane patio heaters. The reason: propane heaters warm the air, not just the objects around it.
If you want to heat a specific area designed for outdoor dining (under an awning perhaps), an electric patio heater would probably be most efficient.
You might need more than one patio heater. Sure, you can look at manufacturer details to get an idea of the effective range of each model. But a heater’s effective range depends heavily on how cold the air gets.
Because patio heaters are stationed outdoors, some are vulnerable to rust. Opt for a patio heater made of a hearty, rust-resistant material like stainless steel or hammered bronze.
If you opt for a propane patio heater, there is a danger that it could topple over in windy weather. To guard against this, choose one with a weighted base. Better yet, choose one with a tilt sensor and automatic shutoff.
If you want an easy time igniting your propane-powered patio heater, choose one with Piezo-electric ignition. It doesn't require batteries and should make lighting your propane patio heater as easy as the flick of a switch.
