Testing the Best Patio Heaters for Your Outdoor Space

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Add cozy warmth to an outdoor living area with a heater suited to your needs and budget.

Investing in a patio heater is a great way to extend the entertaining outdoor season any time of year. We recently tested 10 outdoor heaters of various sizes, styles, and power sources to see which could add enough warmth to make staying outdoors comfortable, even when the temperatures are chilly. We ate dinner near them, gathered our chairs nearby, and used them to enjoy our deck well after dark on a cold fall night.

The best patio heater enhances outdoor living enjoyment and provides heat exactly where you need it. Each of the top picks below was selected after an in-depth review of the market and thorough product vetting. Ahead, learn the important features of the best outdoor heaters before shopping, and find out why our testing revealed the following products are worthy of a second look. Then start the grill, light some tiki torches, and let the best patio heaters keep you warm and toasty.

1. BEST OVERALL: AZ Patio Heaters 87-Inch Tall Patio Heater With Table
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: EnerG+ Hanging Outdoor Electric Patio Heater
3. BEST ELECTRIC: East Oak E-Glow Wall & Standing Electric Heater
4. BEST PROPANE: Hampton Bay 48,000 BTU Stainless Steel Patio Heater
5. BEST WOOD PELLET: Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater
6. BEST TABLETOP: AZ Patio Heaters Outdoor Tabletop Patio Heater
7. BEST WALL-MOUNTED: Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Heater
8. BEST PORTABLE: Outland Living Mega Fire Pit
9. BEST HEATER AND TABLE: Best Choice Products Wicker Propane Fire Pit Table
10. BEST PYRAMID: AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-GTSS Quartz Glass Tube Heater

How We Tested the Best Patio Heaters

We rated patio heaters by the output of BTUs (British thermal units), maneuverability, and overall style. To test the heaters, we assembled them according to the manufacturer’s instructions and measured their ability to warm an outdoor space by noting the farthest distance one could stand from each unit and still feel the warmth. Overall, we found that the tower-style heaters with dome or “mushroom” reflective covers distributed heat most efficiently at a distance. Infrared patio heaters were less powerful overall but also less affected by changes in wind speed and direction.

Fortunately, many of the larger heaters were easy to maneuver thanks to wheels on the base. Models without wheels are best placed and stored in a single location. For patios without overhead coverage, a heater that has a cover for protection is strongly recommended during wet weather.

Our Top Picks

Consider power source, material, design, safety features, and more to find the best patio heaters to keep warm. The following patio heaters are all at the top of their respective categories, and any of them would be a great choice for most users.

Best Overall

AZ Patio Heaters 87-Inch Tall Patio Heater With Table

For those looking for a heater that pushes out plenty of heat, this mushroom-style patio heater is the way to go. The steel-constructed heater offers a diameter of warmth between 10 and 12 feet. It also features a table with an adjustable height for added usability and a wheeled base for maneuverability on paved surfaces. The heater has a clearly marked ignition mechanism that allows the user to easily and safely start the heater.

Overall, we found this heater to be convenient and efficient. Its construction was primarily sound, except for the cylinder access door for the propane tank at the base, which is somewhat flimsy. However, we wish this unit came with a rain cover to help keep it clean and dry when not in use.

Product Specs

• BTU rating: 48,000
• Dimensions: 87 inches tall by 17 inches in diameter
• Power source: Propane

Pros

• Wheeled base for easy moving on paved or rough surfaces
• Incorporates an adjustable-height tabletop for drinks or added accessories
• Hinged door built into the base allows convenient access the gas cylinder
• Adjustable flame is easy to control; temperature can be set as desired

Cons

• No rain cover, so it will need to be moved during bad weather
• Bulky size may make it difficult for some users to store or move
• Cylinder access door is somewhat flimsy and can catch on frame

Get the AZ Patio Heaters patio heater with table at Tractor Supply Co., The Home Depot, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, or Build With Ferguson.

Best Bang for the Buck

EnerG+ Hanging Outdoor Electric Patio Heater

Hang this overhead heater over a patio or under a porch or gazebo for extra warmth in cool, damp weather. The EnerG+ hanging patio heater is IP24 certified for use in dusty and rain-exposed environments, so users won’t need to worry about moving it on account of inclement weather. Its adjustable hanging chain allows users to suspend it at any height from an overhead support. High and low power settings produce 750 or 1,500 watts of silent radiant heat, and a pull chain on/off switch controls the heater.

The EnerG+ electric patio heater was inexpensive, easy to install and operate, and produced a warming effect across an 8-foot diameter. To adjust the temperature, we selected between the high and low settings and raised or lowered the hanging height. It worked well inside our covered deck when hung 7 feet above the floor over a cluster of chairs, but at that height, it needed to stay on the high setting for us to feel the warmth in ambient temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. We could have lowered the height for a stronger effect if it had been over a dining table or near a corner where no one could bump their head walking around it, but that would have shrunk the heated diameter accordingly.

Product Specs 

• BTU rating: 5,119
• Dimensions: 11 inches tall by 16.73 inches in diameter
• Power source: 110-volt power outlet

Pros

• Warms the area without taking up floor space or getting in the way of foot traffic
• Provides energy-efficient infrared heat that is less affected by wind than radiant heat
• IP24 water-resistant and rated for outdoor use in all weather conditions
• Convenient choice for covered patios and decks, porches, or gazebos

Cons

• Does not induce the same warm-to-the-touch sensation as radiant heat

Get the EnerG+ patio heater at Amazon.

Best Electric

East Oak E-Glow Wall & Standing Electric Heater

Electric patio heaters are budget-friendly and offer loads of flexibility. The East Oak E-Glow outdoor electric heater boasts an IP65 water-resistant rating for all-weather use, offers three heat settings for quiet warmth, and comes with both an adjustable stand and wall-mounting hardware. The included remote control allows users to power on/off, change the temperature setting, or set the 24-hour timer.

We assembled the East Oak E-Glow patio heater on its stand and tested the low (1,000 watts), medium (1,200 watts), and high (1,500 watts) power settings at different heights. Unlike tower-type heaters that send out heat on all sides, this one emitted directional heat, making it a better option for use near or on a wall.

At the lowest height, about 40 inches, it was perfectly aligned for placement behind a bench or a row of chairs. The tallest setting, about 70 inches, was a better configuration for a cluster of three to six people standing within 8 feet. The best heating effect was within a 64-square-foot area, up to 8 feet from the heater and 4 feet to either side of the heater’s center point. As with other electric heaters we tested, this one produced a pleasant warming effect on the highest power setting in cool temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The warming effect in really cold temperatures would likely be minimal.

Product Specs 

• BTU rating: 5,118
• Dimensions: 40 to 70 inches tall (5 height settings) by 18 inches in diameter (base) by 31 inches wide (heater)
• Power source: 110-volt power outlet

Pros

• 1,500-watt corded electric heater warms up to 64 square feet
• IP65 dust- and water-resistant rated for safe use outdoors in all weather
• Flexible setup, either wall-mounted or freestanding on the included adjustable base
• Suitable for use indoors or outdoors, including covered and enclosed patios

Cons

• Heats a relatively small area when compared with propane and wood-fueled patio heaters
• Top-heavy design presents a tip-over risk when assembled on the stand

Get the East Oak patio heater at Amazon or East Oak.

Best Propane

Hampton Bay 48,000 BTU Stainless Steel Patio Heater

Similar to the AZ Patio Heaters mushroom-style heater, Hampton Bay’s version offers a 48,000- BTU heat output. It’s built almost identically to the AZ heater, with a couple of exceptions. This heater comes in a stainless steel finish and does not have an adjustable table or wheels, but it does have three anchor points where it can be staked to the ground or fastened to a wooden deck.

This Hampton Bay heater did not come with a rain cover, and we found the wheelless base made it difficult to move. However, the biggest frustration was removing the protective film from the stainless steel base when unpacking the heater. Overall, the Hampton Bay is a good heater for those who don’t plan to move it often, but it’s a good idea to also buy a cover.

Product Specs

• BTU rating: 48,000
• Dimensions: 86.6 inches tall by 31.5 inches in diameter
• Power source: Propane

Pros

• Lift-up housing allows for easy tank access or replacement
• Adjustable 48,000-BTU flame is easy to control or adjust as needed
• Durable stainless steel construction makes the heater suitable for long-term use

Cons

• No wheels built in; may be difficult to move or store
• No rain cover; heater may need to be brought indoors during inclement weather
• Heater’s bulky size may take up a lot of space and make it difficult to store

Get the Hampton Bay patio heater at The Home Depot or Walmart.

Best Wood Pellet

Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater

Nothing beats the feel of real wood heat. The Solo Stove Tower patio heater offers a fast, clean, and easy way to heat an outdoor living space with environmentally friendly wood pellet fuel. The 6.5-foot-tall tower gives off 72,000 BTUs of full-height warmth without gas or electricity. It’s equipped with an automatic-feed pellet hopper that holds 25 pounds of pellets. After the user lights the fire, it burns for up to 3 hours with no stoking, poking, or feeding.

The Solo Stove Tower patio heater can be thought of as a wood stove for the patio. It was easy to light with a small dab of fire-starter gel and produced a good amount of heat within 5 minutes. Unlike the gas tower heaters we tested with burners at head height, the Solo Stove Tower’s burner is near ground level. It radiated heat from its base all the way to the top of the chimney, providing a much more even heat from about knee-high and up and covering about 314 square feet or 10 feet in diameter.

Although the Solo Stove patio heater was priced higher than others we tested, operating it was competitively cost-effective. We paid under $8 for 40 pounds of wood-stove pellets, which provided about 5 hours of burn time at a cost of about $16 for 10 hours of burn time. In comparison, a standard propane tank provides about 10 hours of burn time for a 48,000-BTU propane tower heater. Propane tank exchanges range in price from about $18 to $25, or up to about 30 percent more than the price of heating with wood pellets.

Read our full review: Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater

Product Specs 

• BTU rating: 72,000
• Dimensions: 80.5 inches tall by 19.8 inches wide (base) by 23.3 inches deep
• Power source: Wood pellets

Pros

• Durable 304 stainless steel and cold-rolled steel construction
• Fueled by standard wood pellets, yet produces extremely low smoke and ash
• 16-liter automatic-feed hopper holds 25 pounds of wood pellets for 3 hours of burn time
• Radiates heat the full height of the unit and over a 10-foot radius

Cons

• At 104 pounds, it is heavy and difficult to reposition
• Sides become dangerously hot to the touch during operation
• Questionable finish durability on the cold-rolled steel components

Get the Solo Stove patio heater at Solo Stove,Academy Sports + Outdoors, or BBQGrills.com.

Best Tabletop

AZ Patio Heaters Outdoor Tabletop Patio Heater

When cool weather rolls in, it’s still possible to share a meal with friends or cozy up with a good book on the patio. The AZ Patio Heaters tabletop patio heater, powered by a 1-pound propane bottle, produces up to 11,000 BTUs of warmth that keeps the cold at bay. It is made of durable stainless steel and features a weighted base, push-button starter, adjustable heat output, and anti-tilt safety shutoff. The mushroom-style top reflects heat downward and outward to cover a 3.5-foot radius or about 10 square feet.

Essentially a miniature tower patio heater, this tabletop heater did a great job heating our 4-foot dining area. Its narrow body and high dome reflector minimally obstructed eye contact across the table. We also liked that the propane bottle was hidden inside the base of the heater because it made it possible to set up the unit anywhere, unlike other tabletop heaters that require a fuel connection through an umbrella hole.

We also used this heater on an end table to heat a pair of side chairs. The heat level was pleasant on a damp, 50-degree-Fahrenheit morning. The runtime was a little less than we would have liked, at a few minutes under 2 hours on the high setting—but this was still our favorite tabletop model.

Product Specs 

• BTU rating: 11,000
• Dimensions: 38 inches tall by 13 inches in diameter
• Power source: Propane

Pros

• Produces 11,000 BTUs, which is more than 2 times the heat output of electric heaters
• Short enough to heat the seating area; tall enough to minimize visual impact
• Sturdy stainless steel and aluminum construction withstands the elements
• Compact size makes it portable for tailgating, picnics, or camping

Cons

• Short runtime per 1-pound fuel bottle; about 1.75 hours on the high setting

Get the AZ Patio Heaters tabletop patio heater at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, BBQGuys, or Best Buy.

Best Wall-Mounted

Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Heater