Don't let the cold temperature at night lose your interest in enjoying your party outdoor. You can add a little warmth to this atmosphere with an outdoor heater.
Here are the best outdoor heaters for patio you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall (Propane Patio Heaters): AmazonBasics Commercial propane outdoor patio heater
- Best for Small Area (Propane Patio Heaters): Hiland HLDS01-GTHG
- Most Durable (Propane Patio Heaters): Fire Sense Hammer Tone Bronze
- Best for Large Area (Propane Patio Heaters): Legacy Heating CAPH-7-S
- Best Overall (Electric Patio Heaters): Dr. Infrared heater
- Best for Large Area (Electric Patio Heaters): DONYER POWER Electric patio heater
- Quietest Model (Electric Patio Heaters): sundate outdoor heater
- Best for Small Area (Electric Patio Heaters): Hiland HLI-1P
8 Best Outdoor Heaters for Patio | ||
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Best Overall | AmazonBasics Commercial propane outdoor patio heater
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Best for Small Area | Hiland HLDS01-GTHG
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Most Durable | Fire Sense Hammer Tone Bronze
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Best for Large Area | Legacy Heating CAPH-7-S
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Best Overall | Dr. Infrared heater
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Best for Large Area | DONYER POWER Electric patio heater
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Quietest Model | sundate outdoor heater
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Best for Small Area | Hiland HLI-1P
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Best Overall (Propane Patio Heaters): AmazonBasics Commercial propane outdoor patio heater
Powerful
Stylish design
Sturdy
- Not clear instruction
Is there really a perfect heater with high durability, strong power, good mobility, and beautiful design? More than these outstanding features, AmazonBasics is extremely easy and safe to use.
It's straightforward for a tall and thin floor-standing heater to fall. However, this model is an exception. Its base reservoir system allows you to fill with water or sand to add weight, improving stability. But, this heater is not a perfect solution on heavily windy days.
Even first-time users can use this model easily. After installing, what you need to do is to adjust the large variable-heat control knob to choose a suitable level of heat or turn off the unit.
When it comes to safety, it will automatically shut off when the heater gets tipped over. Therefore, there is no need to worry about unexpected accidents.
After adding water or sand, the heater is pretty heavy. So, if you want to move it from a place to place, you can mount the 2 attached smooth-rolling wheels to transport with less effort on your end.
AmazonBasics Commercial propane outdoor patio heater Specifications | |
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Height | 89 inches |
Heat Range | 18 feet |
BTU Output | 46,000 |
Highlight Features | Powder-coated slate gray finish, piezo ignition, auto shut-off tilt valve, wheel |
Do you want to purchase a heater with high durability, excellent performance, a lot of safety features at a reasonable price? Pick up AmazonBasics.
Best for Small Area (Propane Patio Heaters): Hiland HLDS01-GTHG
Safe
Durable
Not work well in large space
You have a small and compact patio, right?
If so, there is no need to waste your money on a big model with a large capacity. The size and power of Hiland HLDS01-GTHG are enough to heat a small area. Specifically, this heater produces 40.000BTU, which can provide a 10 sq ft patio with the warmth.
Also, thanks to a small design and its black wheels, you can move this model inside your house when it's rain easily. If you are a lazy person and that day doesn't have strong winds, the cover can protect the heater from light weather conditions.
Hiland HLDS01-GTHG Specifications | |
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Height | 91’’ |
Heat Range | 10 sq Ft. |
BTU Output | 40,000BTU |
Run Time | 8-10 hrs |
Highlight Features | Wheels in Black color, One cover and One Stainless Steel table, a reliable igniter and a Safety auto shut off tilt valve |
Hiland HLDS01-GTHG can provide you with enough warmth.
Most Durable (Propane Patio Heaters): Fire Sense Hammer Tone Bronze
Straightforward to maneuver
Quick to operate
Easy to follow the manual
It takes time to assemble
Where you live has strong winds frequently, right? And does the structure of your patio require a floor standing machine?
In these cases, don't worry because I am here to offer an appropriate solution. This model is made from commercial-grade steel, which is tested to pass safety standards. It is durable enough to resist damages from strong winds, heavy rains, snows, and fire.
Fire Sense Hammer Tone Bronze Specifications | |
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Height | 89’’ |
BTU Output | 46,000 BTU |
Run Time | 10 hours |
Highlight Features | Heavy duty commercial grade steel, wheels, 20 pound LPG propane tank, |
The high-durable level of the Fire Sense Hammer Tone Bronze is a long-term investment.
Best for Large Area (Propane Patio Heaters): Legacy Heating CAPH-7-S
Durable
Effortless to move
Sleek design
Not ideal to use in a covered patio
A bit hard to assemble and change the tank
First, you need to know this thing. BTU is the amount of energy that a heater will produce.
While a small portable patio heater produces 10.000-35.000 BTU's, the bigger ones can create 35.000-50.000 BTU's.
The heat output of Legacy heating is 47.000 BTUs, which can warm a big patio. Thus, this is a perfect choice for parties with a lot of people on cold days. Although this product can be affected by weather, it still works well on a patio with strong winds and even a constant inflow of cold air.
Legacy Heating CAPH-7-S Specifications | |
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Height | 88 inches |
BTU Output | 47,000 BTUs |
Highlight Features | Hammered Black powder coating, wheels, 20lb Propane tank |
Do you want to warm plenty of people in a large space? Legacy heating is an ideal solution.
Best Overall (Electric Patio Heaters): Dr. Infrared heater
Healthy
Durable
Weatherproof
Easy to install
Not detailed instruction
No matter which solution you will heat, this overall product can meet your requirements.
This is an electric-powered patio heater and an infrared patio heater, so you can safely use both indoors and outdoors. It has 3 heat output settings, which allow you to adjust the highest modes (1200W-1500W) to generate more power for warming up an outdoor area. When changing 900W, it's incredibly safe to use in an enclosed environment.
This infrared doesn't take time to heat your entire room. Instead, it directly produces a steady stream of heat particles to warm you. Thus, when turning on, you will feel warmer immediately without waiting.
Moreover, you can put this heater in your bedroom where it requires a high level of quietness. This model creates radiate light instead of fan producing noise.
Depending on the design of your patio, you can install it on the wall or the ceiling because the package includes a wall and ceiling mounting bracket. In the event of the ceiling, there is no need to worry about a high patio ceiling. You can control your model through a remote.
Dr. Infrared heater Specifications | |
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Dimension | 35 x 8 x 4 inches |
No of Heaters | |
Heat Output Setting | 900W, 1200W, 1500W |
Highlight Features | Suitable for indoor and outdoor installations, clean, instant and odorless Infrared heat, remote, wall and ceiling mounting bracket, durable and weatherproof aluminum |
Dr.Infrared heater is a perfect product at a reasonable price.
Best for Large Area (Electric Patio Heaters): DONYER POWER Electric patio heater
Easy to install and carry
Lightweight
Durable
Energy-efficient
Weatherproof
Short power cable
Do not judge a book by its cover.
The design of DONYER POWER is small, but its capacity is high. At the highest setting mode, it can produce the power up to 1500W. And a 1500 watts heater can emit 5100 BTUs to heat a 150 square feet patio. Though it creates plenty of heat, this thing won't hurt children and pets.
What's more, its 360° all-round heating feature can provide evenly heat in all directions. No matter where you sit or stand in your patio, you can feel the warmth.
Perhaps most of you know that it's ideal to use halogen heaters in outdoor areas like patio because it can generate a high level of heat. DONYER POWER Electric patio heater is one of them.
DONYER POWER Electric patio heater Specifications | |
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Dimension | 17"x 17" x 13" |
No of Heaters | |
Heat Output Setting | 600W, 1500W |
Highlight Features | Halogen heating pipes, 360°all round heating, use for indoor and outdoor activities |
This is the best solution to warm a large patio.
Quietest Model (Electric Patio Heaters): sundate outdoor heater
Easy to operate and assemble
Safe
Weatherproof
Suitable to use both indoors and outdoors
- Not clear assembly instructions
The patio is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, read books, and enjoy the view around your house. Don't let the noise produced from a heater disturb this fantastic moment. In this case, you should consider the quietest sundate outdoor heater.
Unlike traditional heaters with moving parts, this infrared space heater radiates light instead of producing noise from fans. So, it is a wonderful solution for noise-sensitive environments like when reading.
sundate outdoor heater Specifications | |
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Dimension | 27 x 5.3 x 5.3 inches |
No of Heaters | |
Heat Output Setting | 500/1000/1500W |
Highlight Features | Adapting a carbon fire tube as a heating element, remote control, waterproof switch, LED display, |
Do you want to enjoy the quiet and warm atmosphere in your patio? sundate is a big help.
Best for Small Area (Electric Patio Heaters): Hiland HLI-1P
Possible to use both indoor and outdoor
Weatherproof
Safe
Well made
No assembly required
Too bright light
Don't buy a big heater with a large capacity for a small patio because this thing can increase your electric bill unnecessarily.
With 1500 watts, producing 5100 BTUs, this heater is strong enough to heat a small patio about 150 square feet in the center heat.
Hiland HLI-1P Specifications | |
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Dimension | 40 x 40 x 6 inches |
No of Heaters | |
Heat Output Setting | 1500 Watts |
Highlight Features | Indoor and outdoor use, stainless steel material, variable temperature control |
Owners of small patios should invest in this heater.
How To Choose The Best Outdoor Heater for Patio?
Types of Outdoor Heaters
Propane outdoor heater
It's effortless to add a propane heater to your patio because it doesn't require professional installation. What you have to do is only to put them together, attach the gas tank, and turn on.
In spite of its convenience, the cost is high in the long run; especially, you have to replace the gas tank regularly.
What you like:
Fast to heat up
Portable
What you don't like:
It's not suitable in a covered and enclosed space.
Electric outdoor heater
The electric outdoor heaters are usually the hanging and wall-mounted designs, but it doesn't require complicated installation. You just have to plug it in and enjoy the warmth from the heater. Compared to the gas and wood models, the electric outdoor heater costs you more in the long run.
What you like
Straightforward to use and maintain
Safe to use in a covered or an enclosed space
What you don't like
Must be used close to the outlet
Slow to heat up
Note:
In fact, there are two extra choices of outdoor heaters: natural gas and wood models. However, I won't recommend them in this article. While the natural gas outdoor heater needs professional installation, it's a bit hard for beginners to control the fire pit.
Designs of The Best Outdoor Heater for Patio
Floor-standing patio heaters
These heaters are the most common ones. They are usually the tall and thin gas heaters, producing a significant amount of heat.
These designs are used in restaurants and coffee shops with patios. Depending on the different types of fuel, sizes, and power, the price range varies.
Hanging and wall-mounted heaters
These models are an excellent choice for those who need to save floor space for more guests and more pieces of furniture. The heater can release enough heat to keep you warm as long as you install it in a proper position.
The price range of these types of heaters also varies. And it takes you a lot of time for installation. Of course, you can shorten this time if you have a useful skill. However, don't worry; it is not so complicated that you must find the help of professionals. Instead, you can completely do it on your own.
Tabletop heaters
This is the smallest one among others, so its capacity is limited. However, this reasonable model suits people with a tight budget and small space. Tabletop heaters are in the form of electric models. With a few others, they are gas devices.
They are small enough to put on a table, so this is a great solution for people who love sitting around a table and chatting on the patio.
How to Use
Answer the following questions:
What are the size and shape of your patio?
Will you organize parties or enjoy yourself in your patio?
How many people need to be warm in the patio?
If you have a small patio and everyone usually sticks close to a table or a specific area, I strongly recommend you use a tabletop heater. This electric outdoor heater can warm a covered and enclosed space.
Power
The power of a heater is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The higher BTUs is, the more heat your model emits. Most manufacturers will let you know how far a heat can go. In fact, this feature can be affected by the temperature outside. You can take a look at what other customers say about in their reviews. They will let you know how much power a heater can provide in different types of weather and climates.
Safety
Which risk can you get from a heater?
If you don't weigh your floor-standing patio heater, it can't put up with mostly windy days. THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE. To avoid these unexpected accidents, you had better invest in a model with an auto-shutoff feature. It will automatically turn off your heater when it gets a fall accidentally. Or, at least, you must find an effective method to anchor your model down.
You should read the manual, which provides you with caution in how to use it. This way can reduce safety risks significantly.
Weather
This feature will influence the amount of heat you need. If where you live drizzles regularly, a weatherproof electric heater is useful. In the event of high-powered winds, you should choose a wall-mounted heater instead of a floor-standing model.
Aesthetics
Many people don't care about anything but the functions of a heater. Meanwhile, others want to use an outdoor heater as decor to add to their patio. If you are one of them, consider a beautiful design.
Which Brands Make The Best Outdoor Heater for Patio?
Fire Sense
Fire sense is famous for an array of high-quality patio heaters in different designs. Moreover, all of them work efficiently; especially even beginners can use them.
Dr Infrared Heater
Dr Infrared heater products are an amazing combination between the energy efficiency of infrared heating and the comfort of convection heating. So, they can offer warmth throughout your house and help you save a lot of money on your electric bill.
FAQs
Can you put a patio heater under a covered porch?
Yes. But, remember to angle it on an open side. This helps your model work efficiently and offer enough lighting and warmth.
What is the best outdoor heating?
The electric heater is the best way to use outdoor because it won't be affected by the weather conditions on rain or wind days too much.
Do outdoor patio heaters really work?
How do you heat an outdoor patio?
You can use one of the following things to heat your outdoor patio, such as a fire pit, an outdoor fireplace, a gas fire table, a large portable heater, a hanging heater.
Do patio heaters work in the winter?
Yes, they do. The patio heater emits enough powerful radiant heat to offer warmth during the winter. And this type of heater works well in windy days with cold air.
Say no with cold air!