Best Patio Heaters Reviewed & Rated for Heat Output

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-GTSS
Test Winner: AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-GTSS
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No matter how good you are at ignoring and withstanding the colder weather, there is going to be a point at which you decide that you need to go back inside in order to avoid freezing. If you do not like it when colder weather chases you back indoors, then you should try to find a way to stay warm on your patio to maximize the amount of time that you can spend enjoying the outdoors. Blankets and hot drinks are obviously one simple solution, but you may also want to consider looking for a good patio heater to keep you feeling comfortable and toasty all year long on the patio. Patio heaters are definitely an extremely simple and effective way to keep warm on your patio when it gets cold outside and you want to enjoy the night’s sky.

Standout Picks

AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-GTSS
The AZ Patio Heater HLDS01-GTSS is a quartz glass tube patio heater that runs on propane gas. It will only obstruct 20 x 20 inches on your patio, but it does stand 91 inches tall.
Amazon Link
$272.40
Palm Springs
This product from Palm Springs is a CSA-approved heater that features a large 32-inch hood which helps to disperse your propane heat evenly.
Amazon Link
XtremepowerUS
XtremepowerUS Premium Outdoor Patio heater runs on propane gas. It is a free-standing eight feet tall and 35-pound patio heater that is good for outdoor events.
Amazon Link
Fire Sense
The Fire Sense Patio Heater is a free-standing patio heater with 46,000 BTU that is powered by propane gas. It is 89 inches tall, and it is made from stainless steel.
Amazon Link
Golden Flame
This 89-inch tall patio heater punches an impressive 46,000 BTU in pretty cold conditions. It is reasonably sturdy, and it is another heater that is great from special events.
Amazon Link
AmazonBasics
The AmazonBasics is another stainless-steel design with a heat output of 46,000 BTU. It stands at 89 inches tall, and you have the option to purchase it with a cover.
Amazon Link
$139.69
Thermo Tiki
Thermo Tiki Outdoor Patio Heater is powered by propane. It reaches between 42,000 and 45,000 BTU, depending on the temperature, the wind, and a few other weather factors.
Amazon Link
$229.99
Legacy Heating
Legacy Heating Patio Flame Heater uses a quartz glass tube with a flame to heat you up at 40,000 BTU. It is powered by propane and burns for a long time.
Amazon Link
$239.00
Ener-G+
Ener-G+ Outdoor Patio Heater is a free-standing electricity powered patio heater. At only 34 x 28 x 24 inches of height, this heater will fit on your cramped patio.
Amazon Link
$134.70
Versonel
Versonel VSLWMH100 is a wall mounted patio heater that can also work indoors. It is small and will save you plenty of space if you do not have enough room on your deck for a free-standing heater.
Amazon Link

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Effectiveness

Since your patio heater is, after all, a heater, you need to make sure that it can keep you warm. In order to figure out whether your patio heater is going to provide you all the heat that you need, you need to consider watts and BTU. The balance between saving energy and ensuring that your heater is strong enough is going to be a difficult one. However, the best heaters are going to be energy efficient, powerful, and small enough to fit on the average patio.

The amount of BTU you need will depend on a number of factors. First, you need to calculate the area of your patio. If you do not need to heat up your entire patio, then you are going to need to be able to figure out the area of the region that you want your patio heater to heat up. Add a couple of square feet to the area that you calculated because the label on some of the patio heaters might choose to exaggerate the actual BTU or it might choose not to take certain external factors into consideration.

The second thing you need to figure out in order to determine your required BTU is how much warmer than the outdoor temperature you need your patio to be. You should also overestimate this number a tiny bit just in case you end up outside when it is a little bit colder than you initially expected. By multiplying together, the desired temperature increases and the area of your patio, you will get the number of BTUs that you need to ensure that your patio heater will be strong enough for you. You also need to figure out how many watts you need. All you have to do is calculate the radius of the circle of heat you home your heater will cover. Multiply this radius by 100, and the result should be the minimum number of watts you need to ensure you are heating everything up. You may feel free to overestimate the watts as well just in case.

Size

The best patio heaters are going to be a size and shape that will fit on the average patio. However, when it comes to determining the perfect size for a patio heater, the size of your patio is not the only factor that you need to take into consideration. If you have a table, some chairs, or anything else already sitting on your patio heater, then there is a chance that you need a smaller heater. Unfortunately, the smaller heater might not be as powerful, but you may only need to heat the area with the table and chairs. After all, this is the area where people will most likely be sitting around. If your table is big enough, you may even be able to put a patio heater on top of it in order to get just the right radius of heat to cover everyone who may be sitting at the table.

If you truly do not have enough space for the heater, then wall mounted heaters can save you some space. The downside of these heaters is that they do not cover a circle of space. You would need to be sitting or standing almost directly underneath it in order to reap all the benefits that this type of heater has to offer. However, it definitely does have an advantage if you have a smaller or more crowded patio. Since they do not take up any space, you can even buy more than one in order to increase the amount of space that they cover.

Durability

Without a doubt, you do not want your patio heater to break. It should be sturdy so that it does not fall over that easily. It should be made from materials that last a long time. It should be able to withstand a certain amount of bad weather. In fact, the best heaters will not break in a storm. Other heaters, while definitely reasonably strong, are best taken inside during a more serious storm, which is probably not the biggest hassle in the world, especially considering you are unlikely to be using your patio if there is a storm raging. Additionally, heaters should be able to withstand hot temperatures for a long time. If they are conducting heat, then they cannot be made from materials that wear down under extremely high temperatures. Otherwise, they are going to break easily. You definitely want to be able to get your use of your patio heaters, so make sure that you will not have to replace them all that quickly. Eventually, they may need a replacement, but you ideally want them to last for several years or more before they stop working properly.

Safety Hazards

Heaters can provide both a fire hazard and a burn hazard. Therefore, you want a heater that is safe as it possibly can be. Since heaters are safer on flatter surfaces, you want a sturdy heater that is not easily dented or tilted. Some heaters will also come with safety features in order to ensure that they shut off if they sense some sort of danger. Burning is definitely more difficult to avoid. If heaters did not get hot, then neither would anyone trying to benefit from the heater. However, there are still plenty of safety features out there that can prevent burning. Some have cages and similar types of coverings around the flames. These coverings do not get hot, but they still allow heat to reach you because they have holes. Another common safety feature is to have handles or stands that can be safely touched without burning yourself as long as you stay away from the part of the heater that is hot.

Value

You can find any heater for any budget, but you also want to make sure that your heater works well enough for you. With all the best heaters, you are going to get exactly what you paid for. While you should definitely have a realistic budget, you should not expect to pay an insane price for a patio heater that is not also insanely good.

Fuel is another cost that you definitely have to think about when purchasing a heater. Natural gas and electric heaters will use gas or electricity from your own home, which is definitely the easiest options and you will only have to pay for what you use. However, some patio heaters use propane tanks, and you will have to purchase that yourself. If you are not willing to spend time or money buying propane tanks, then you will want to consider a heater that uses gas or electricity from your home.

BEST PATIO HEATERS REVIEWED & RATED FOR HEAT OUTPUT

1. AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-GTSS

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$272.40
AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-GTSS
Amazon Link

The AZ Patio Heater HLDS01-GTSS is a quartz glass tube patio heater that runs on propane gas. It will only obstruct 20 x 20 inches on your patio, but it does stand 91 inches tall.

Portable

This patio heater comes with wheels attached to the bottom, which makes it easy to move around in order to find the perfect place on your patio for this heater.

Anti-Tilt Safety Device

The anti-tilt safety device will ensure that this patio heater is never resting on a surface that is not flat because uneven surfaces can pose as a fire hazard.

Cost and Value

At around $200 for the black model, this patio heater may not be the cheapest option, but it is definitely within a reasonable range for a durable 40,000 BTU patio heater.

Amazon Link
$272.40

2. Palm Springs

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Palm Springs
Amazon Link

This product from Palm Springs is a CSA-approved heater that features a large 32-inch hood which helps to disperse your propane heat evenly.

Automatic Shut Off

This option is equipped with an automatic shut off feature. This is especially handy if you're hosting an outdoor party and forget to turn off your heater before you head inside for the night.

Easy to Put Together

This ain't your Ikea patio heater. This Palm Springs product comes with simple, easy-to-understand instructions that make assembly an absolute breeze.

Cost and Value

This isn't the cheapest option available on our top ten list, but it is not close to the most expensive, either. You can expect to pay middle of the road price for this option, but it's automatic shut off and snazzy appearance makes it an attractive option.

Amazon Link

3. XtremepowerUS

Where to buy
Amazon Link
XtremepowerUS
Amazon Link

XtremepowerUS Premium Outdoor Patio heater runs on propane gas. It is a free-standing eight feet tall and 35-pound patio heater that is good for outdoor events.

Works in Freezing Temperatures

This free-standing heater emits heat in all 360 degrees with over a six feet heat radius when temperatures are close to freezing, meaning it will cover well over twelve feet of ground in very cold temperatures.

Good for Special Events

While other heaters have extremely sensitive safety features that shut the heater off sometimes, the only thing that can turn this heater off is you, which makes it good for special events.

Cost and Value

The XtremepowerUS Premium is definitely within a reasonable price range, especially for such a large heater has an impressive 48,000 BTU and a long heat radius.

Amazon Link

4. Fire Sense

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Fire Sense
Amazon Link

The Fire Sense Patio Heater is a free-standing patio heater with 46,000 BTU that is powered by propane gas. It is 89 inches tall, and it is made from stainless steel.

Tip Over Protection System

With this important Tip-Over Protection safety feature, you will not have to worry about this patio heater posing as a fire hazard if it ever starts to fall over.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is definitely a heavy-duty material that will ensure that your patio heater is not prone to dents or breaking, so your patio heater should last a long time.

Cost and Value

This heater comes in many different colors. Each color varieties have different prices, but they are all around the same price point, still a reasonable cost for a stainless steel 46,000 BTU patio heater.

Amazon Link

5. Golden Flame

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Golden Flame
Amazon Link

This 89-inch tall patio heater punches an impressive 46,000 BTU in pretty cold conditions. It is reasonably sturdy, and it is another heater that is great from special events.

Pilotless Operating System

Because this heater has no pilot light, it is not going to waste any fuel. You also will not have to worry about the wind extinguishing any flames or blowing heat in the wrong direction.

Sand Base

You can fill the base up with sand so that it will not blow over in the wind. This safety feature makes it unique to another similarly designed patio heater, which only has room for propane in the sand.

Cost and Value

The Golden Flame Patio Heater is definitely on the expensive side. The high price probably has to do with that its design is much safer than similar models.

Amazon Link

6. AmazonBasics

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$139.69
AmazonBasics
Amazon Link

The AmazonBasics is another stainless-steel design with a heat output of 46,000 BTU. It stands at 89 inches tall, and you have the option to purchase it with a cover.

Auto Shut Off Tilt Valve

This patio heater will automatically shut off if it senses that it might fall over. This safety feature is important for reducing the risk of fire.

Stainless Steel Construction

With a commercial grade stainless steel construction, this patio heater is not going to dent or break easily, so you can assume that this heater will last you a long time.

Cost and Value

This patio heater is at an incredibly reasonable price point for a stainless steel 46,000 BTU design that is almost 90 feet tall. The cover actually costs more than the product itself.

Amazon Link
$139.69

7. Thermo Tiki

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$229.99
Thermo Tiki
Amazon Link

Thermo Tiki Outdoor Patio Heater is powered by propane. It reaches between 42,000 and 45,000 BTU, depending on the temperature, the wind, and a few other weather factors.

Aluminum

There is some steel this heater, but there is also aluminum, which gives it a certain stylish quality that bulky steel cannot. It also reduces your risk of burns.

Dancing Flames

The dancing flames inside the aluminum cage column that makes up most the heater appear when you turn the heater on. These dancing flames allow this outdoor patio heater to be incredibly attractive.

Cost and Value

This is not cheap for a patio heater that has a heat output of only 45,000 BTU at its best. However, it is weather resistant, safety certified, incredibly efficient, and super stylish, which means it may be worth your money.

Amazon Link
$229.99

8. Legacy Heating

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$239.00
Legacy Heating
Amazon Link

Legacy Heating Patio Flame Heater uses a quartz glass tube with a flame to heat you up at 40,000 BTU. It is powered by propane and burns for a long time.

Anti-Tilt Safety Device

The anti-tilt safety device will ensure that this patio heater never runs when it senses the patio is tilted due to resting on a flat surface. Safety feature protects you against fires.

Stainless-Steel

The stainless-steel finish looks classy, and it will ensure that this heater does not break easily. It will last you a long time and withstand many different weather conditions.

Cost and Value

This product is definitely not cheap, but you can get the same thing for cheaper if you are willing to sacrifice the stainless-steel finish. However, the stainless-steel finish will definitely mean that it will last a long time.

Amazon Link
$239.00

9. Ener-G+

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$134.70
Ener-G+
Amazon Link

Ener-G+ Outdoor Patio Heater is a free-standing electricity powered patio heater. At only 34 x 28 x 24 inches of height, this heater will fit on your cramped patio.

No Carbon Monoxide

This safety feature is one that most other patio heaters do not necessarily have. Without emitting any carbon monoxide, this patio heater will keep both you and the environment safe and healthy.

Water Resistant

With anything electronic, you sometimes have to worry about water, but this electrical patio heater is water resistant. Therefore, it is both safe and easy to clean.

Cost and Value

This price for this product is not particularly low, but it is still incredibly reasonable. The heater will last you a long time and will be well worth the money.

Amazon Link
$134.70

10. Versonel

Where to buy
Amazon Link
Versonel
Amazon Link

Versonel VSLWMH100 is a wall mounted patio heater that can also work indoors. It is small and will save you plenty of space if you do not have enough room on your deck for a free-standing heater.

Wall Mounted

The real benefit of wall mounted patio heaters is that they save a lot of space. It also means that it is small and easy to bring inside for indoor use.

Lifespan

Compared to other electrical heaters, this one will save you over 30% of electricity. The reason it is so efficient is that it has a lifespan that will last you over 10,000 hours.

Cost and Value

This product is reasonably priced and is compared in cost to many of the other options on our list. It will last you a long time and, because it works indoors, it can serve multiple purposes.

Amazon Link

Sources

  1. Michael Presutti, Si Live, Information Site
  2. Editorial Team, Wikipedia, Information Site
  3. Tomé Morrissy-Swan, Telegraph, News Site