Patio Heaters in 2021: 11 Reviews

Buying heaters for patios is the perfect thing for the outdoor party enthusiast. You will be able to host all manner of parties throughout the four seasons and keep yourself and your guests warm and happy. There are different types of patio heaters designed for different kinds of spaces.

If you are looking for a patio heater for your next outdoor party, you need to start looking for one that fits the space you want to heat and is safe to use wherever you choose to put it. For every heater you look at, you will need to consider the number of BTUs of heat produced and whether it will be big enough to fill your outdoor space or too big if you have a small patio.

All of this may sound daunting, but don’t worry - we’re here to help point you in the right direction. We’ll take you through some of the best patio heater options you can find today, and we’ll even point you to the best places to buy them so that you know you’re getting a good deal. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get right to it!

Top Patio Heaters of 2021

The best patio heater for your home is the one that fits your space requirements and adds to the décor of your patio. Choose one that you can put in the middle of your party guests or one you can put off to the side, depending on the design of your patio and the safety of your guests.

Hiland Pyramid Patio Propane Heater

The Hiland Pyramid Patio Propane Heater is a pyramid-shaped propane patio heater that comes with wheels. The design of the heater is very stable, so you do not need to worry about the tipping heater with high winds. Made with Hammered Bronze wheels, the heater is moveable and stable.

The patio heater weighs only 65 lbs and can heat a space up to ten feet in diameter. It comes with an easy on-off switch that lets you control the temperature of the heater to match your heating needs. The system comes with an easy-on ignition and an automatic shutoff for tilting hazards.

The heater operates using a 20 lb propane tank and can last up to ten hours with the heater set to the highest setting. It has a maximum butane heat output of 40,000 BTUs. The design includes quartz glass tubes to heat your patio and help control the mesmerizing flames safely.

The Hiland Propane heater has passed safety testing for reliability and stability. The heater comes with CSA and ETL certificates of approval. A one year warranty comes with the heater to protect your investment against manufacturer’s defects. We’ve already chosen it as today’s best outdoor heater. By no coincidence, we’ve chosen the Hiland Pyramid as our selection for today’s best patio heater as well.

AmazonBasics Commercial, Propane 46,000 BTU Patio Heater

The AmazonBasics Commercial, Propane 46,000 BTU Heater lets you select up to eight different color combinations of the heater. The heater has a durable powder-coated finish that is resistant to weather changes. The design features a tall lamp-like design that spreads heat and color across your patio.

The heater is a powerful heater putting out up to 46,000 BTUs of heat onto your patio. A Piezo ignition comes built into the heater. An automatic shutoff valve ensures your safety in the event of the heater tipping. Made with solid steel, the heater is durable and resistant to the elements.

Wheels come attached to the 40 lb heater help it be easy to move around your patio. The heater is capable of coming in and out of storage for all seasons to make your cocktail parties and a family get together a warm occasion. We can confidently conclude that this model from AmazonBasics is a worthy runner-up for today’s best patio heater.

PAMAPIC Patio Heater, 46000 BTU Commercial Propane Outdoor Heater

The PAMAPIC Heater is a freestanding tall heater capable of heating up to eighteen feet in diameter with up to 46,000 BTUs of heat. The heater has a built-in tank chamber that helps provide stability for the heater while protecting the internal components from rain and other weather.

There is a reliable pulse button ignition that starts your heater with just a tap. One the ignition is tapped, the double-mantle grid heats the stainless steel burners. The purpose of the double-mantle heating grid is to add extra protection against weather and for durability.

Built with tip-over protection, your patio heater will automatically turn off with the slightest lean. It also comes with convenient wheels that let you roll your patio heater in and out of storage easily, and a specially designed cover keeps it safe while not in use.

hOmeLabs Gas Patio Heater

The hOmeLabs Gas Patio Heater is a freestanding gas patio heater that you can use for your outdoor parties and family get-togethers. A thirty-two-inch reflector helps to send the heat outwards to heat large areas with up to 41,000 BTUs of heat. Better than fire pits, the gas heater ensures wide distribution of heat across your back yard party.

The design of the heater is sleek to help with heat production and distribution. Made with high-grade steel with a bronze finish, the heater resists rust and is durable. Protective mesh design helps contain the flame and make it appealing and complementary to your patio decor.

The heater has a round table design that helps make the heater stable and easy to use with butane or propane gas. The round construction allows it to be a table for your guests to set glasses while enjoying the heat on a cold night. You can remove the extra table if you do not want to use it for your patio party.

Built with wheels, you can easily move the heater around and have it stay stable. When you move the heater into place, you only have to hold the instant ignition switch for ninety seconds to start the heater right up. A variable heat knob lets you set the exact temperature you require for your back yard party.

FDW Outdoor Patio Heater

The FDW Patio Heater is a tall, powerful heater that puts out up to 41000 BTUs of heat for your patio party. The heater is gas-powered and runs on 20 lb tanks that you secure within the base of the heater.

The design of the heater has a very stable base that uses the weight of the propane tank to hold it down, preventing accidents. You can also mount the base of the heater to your deck to add additional stability and ensure it does not tip over. An automatic shutoff ensures the heater turns off the instant it does start to tip or when it runs out of gas.

The heater is a high-quality design made with stainless metal steel, including the heating element. You will not need to worry about it melting or the heating element burning off. It comes with a CSA certificate of quality and a guarantee for safe use.

UPHA 46000 BTU Commercial Bronze Outdoor Patio Heater

The first high-quality patio heater that we are going to present within this review is the UPHA 46000 BTU Commercial Bronze Outdoor Patio Heater. This brown-colored patio heater is extremely efficient and has stainless burners that are approximately 18-Feet in diameter. There is also a slightly darker colored variation if you are not a fan of the light-brown design scheme. This patio heater is perfect for winter conditions and can provide you with nearly 12 hours of consecutive heating. 

A lot of customers might be concerned about the complexity of the design for this patio heater. The good news is that this device is extremely simple to operate. You can simply push the ignition button and use the heat control switch to adjust your desired temperature settings. There is a high-heat setting and a low-heat setting that can be used.

You might also be interested in learning about the portable design for this reputable patio heater. You can easily use the double-equipped rolling wheels that are attached to the bottom of the base to conveniently move this patio heater to new locations. The portable design is an extremely popular aspect of this product and it is certainly one of the reasons that it is such a popular patio heater on the market. 

It might be a good idea to conclude this initial review by talking a little bit about the safety and efficiency of the UPHA 46000 BTU Commercial Bronze Patio Heater. You can safely operate this patio heater outdoors because there are several important safety features integrated into the design. If the heater gets knocked onto its side, an automatic safety system kicks into effect and disables the heater immediately. This freestanding heater will bring warmth to your patio and make it significantly easier to manage the temperature in winter conditions.

Garden Treasures 48000-BTU Stainless Steel Floorstanding Liquid Propane Patio Heater

Our next heater review will focus on a product that has earned an exceptional reputation and has earned several best-seller ratings. The Garden Treasures 48,000-BTU Floorstanding Liquid Propane Patio Heater is a budget-friendly heater with many great features. This patio heater is perfect for large outdoor areas upwards of 200 Square Feet.

A lot of users were impressed with the durability and reliability of this heater. The design is popular with customers because it looks great and functions efficiently. This heater clocks in at about 40 lbs and have a couple of portable rolling wheels on the bottom of the patio heater base.

The assembly process is probably the least convenient aspect that you will have to deal with after making your purchase. You should expect installation and assembly to take upwards of an hour. The really nice thing about this heater is that manages to balance value and quality extremely well. You certainly won’t have to break the bank in order to afford this high-quality heater. This Garden Treasures 48,000-BTU Floorstanding Liquid Propane Patio Heater is exactly 87-Inches tall and is capable of sufficiently managing outdoor temperatures on your patio.

Dr. Infrared Heater 1500W Patio Heater

We are going to shift our focus towards the high-quality design of the Dr. Infrared Heater 1500W Patio Heater. This heater is powered electrically by using radiant heating technology. This device is suitable for both indoor and outdoor activities and includes an optional wall-mounting bracket for wall-mounted installation purposes. 

There are three different heat settings that use a various amount of electric power. The lowest setting uses approximately 900 Watts of power. The medium heat settings use around 1200 Watts and the highest setting uses a total of 1500 Watts. This multi-purpose heater is fairly efficient and has an extremely affordable price. 

This infrared heater is only available in a black color scheme. It has been crafted and designed with high-quality aluminum materials to provide enhanced durability to customers. We previously mentioned that this device was suitable for outdoors but it is also weather-resistant. This means that this infrared heater should be able to operate effectively even in some of the harsher weather conditions. 

As an added bonus, customers will automatically be eligible for a one-year limited product warranty after their purchase. The assembly process is fairly straightforward but it is very time-consuming to install. The optional mounting brackets are included in the packaging.  

Hampton Bay 48000 Btu Patio Heater

Our next product review highlights the impressive and innovative design of the Hampton Bay 48,000 BTU Patio Heater. This gas-powered heater is coated in a silver color scheme and is pretty lightweight when compared to several other similar patio heaters on the market. 

This heater provides users with incredible efficiency and durability. It is highly recommended that this heater be used in larger outdoor spaces to take full advantage of the heating capabilities that are integrated into the design. You can expect many years of excellent heating performance without experiencing any issues or durability problems.

Some people believe the price is a little bit high for the level of quality that is provided within this heater. This might not be the most budget-friendly selection but it certainly still has a lot of impressive features. The largest complaint with this heater is that the silver coating starts chipping off after long periods of time. This is a little bit concerning but it is completely cosmetic and doesn’t affect the performance of the heater. 

Assembly instructions are included and you can read through some of the existing reviews to gain a better understanding of the installation process. You can expect installation to take approximately 60 minutes before having everything set up and ready to go. 

TRUSTECH Infrared Patio Heater

Our next patio review focuses on the incredible design quality of the TRUSTECH Infrared Patio Heater. This excellent heater is innovative, efficient, and extremely cost-effective. You probably won’t find a better budget-friendly product selection in this entire review than the TRUSTECH Infrared Patio Heater. This device utilizes advanced infrared technology to provide multiple levels of heat for outdoor patio spaces. In addition to the high-quality design features, you can also be confident with several safety features that will protect you from hazards and malfunctions.

This TRUSTECH Infrared Patio Heater is extremely easy to use. You can configure your desired heat settings through the included remote control. The safe and reliable design of this infrared patio heater can be used either indoors or outdoors. A convenient timer function allows you to set up an automated schedule for your heater to operate. If your heater ever starts to overheat, the automated overheating safety feature will kick in and automatically shut off the heater. 

The best thing about this heater is the cost-effective price. You get all of these advanced safety and design features for a fraction of the cost that you might expect. The installation process is a little bit challenging but you do get several wall mounting brackets to help you with installation for wall-mounting. 

OT QOMOTOP Outdoor Propane Fire Pit Table

We have finally arrived at our final heater review. This time we are going to take a look at this innovative OT QOMOTOP Outdoor Propane Fire Pit Table. This is a great unique outdoor heater that serves as a great centerpiece for a patio or porch. 

A simple control knob can be used to conveniently operate the fire pit table. The assembly process is pretty straightforward and it shouldn’t take you too long to get everything set up and ready to go. The multi-purpose design is convenient for customers that want to use this fire pit table for varying purposes. Several safety features are also integrated to ensure that no hazards or dangerous scenarios take place. 

This isn’t like your traditional freestanding patio heater. The miniature fire pit table design is different, unique, and effective. We highly recommend this patio heater as a decorative piece. The price range might seem like it is a little bit high but it still provides great value and quality. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are patio heaters worth it?

If you are an all-seasons party thrower, a heater is definitely worth it. Whether you live in an area that gets cold falls and colder winters or a desert where summertime nights turn chilly, an outdoor heater for a patio can help you hold parties wherever you choose to have it. A heater lets you choose when to have a get-together and lets you be in control of the temperature.

Do Outdoor Patio Heaters Really Work?

The design of outdoor heaters lets it spread heat throughout a wide area. They most often have a cone design that lets you cover a very wide area, often bigger than your patio without taking up too much room for your guests and tables. Some types of heaters are also tables, which lets you have a dual-purpose addition to your outdoor furniture.

How many BTUs do I need for my Patio heater?

Most patio heaters come with built-in safety features and other things to help build up the right amount of heat and disperse it correctly. The average range for the patio heaters is from 30,000 BTUs up to 50,000. The size of your patio and how far beyond it you want to heat determines how large of a heating element you should look for.

Patio Heater Buying Guide

BTUs of Power

The amount of BTUs you need for your patio depends on the area in square feet you want to heat. If you have a small space up to 150 square feet, you will only need around 5,000 BTU. Still, as your patio and yard get larger up to around 2,000 or 25,000 square feet, you will require at least 34,000 BTU of power to disperse the heat far enough to meet your needs.

Styles

Depending on how much space you have and how you want to compliment your patio furniture, there are different types of heaters you can invest in.

Hanging Patio Heater

The hanging electric patio heater is a good choice for smaller areas and does not require a lot of BTUs to meet the needs. The hanging electric patio heater either installs into the ceiling or hangs from a hook to provide enough heat directly over one or two tables. While most of these heaters are electric, you may find suitable alternatives from time to time.

Tabletop Patio Heater

A tabletop patio heater is a small propane or electric patio heater that can sit on the table in the middle of or to the side of other tables. They tend to be more compact and generally do not exceed 30,000 BTUs of heat. They are perfect for balcony parties or small patio parties.

Wall-Mounted Patio Heater

A wall mounted heater is one that you can attach to a wall to keep it out of the way of your guests. It provides plenty of room for people to move around, is less likely to cause an accident such as tipping over, and is a good small to a medium space heater that accommodates porches and decks without a problem.

Standing Patio Heater

Standing heaters are generally the most powerful. They have a way of radiating a large amount of heat for larger patios and gardens. You will see these in restaurants with outdoor seating and often allow for a large amount of fuel to run through the base of the heater. They operate at around 40,000 to 50,000 BTUs and are an excellent way to heat large amounts of space.

Safety Features

Safety features are crucial for any type of tool that has an operating flame. For heaters, these features include protection around the ignition switches to prevent them from accidentally getting turned on through an automatic shutoff feature. The automatic shutoff is a feature that prevents fire or burns should the heater tip over or run out of fuel.

When you are looking at heaters, you need to look for certifications from consumer reports for the safety and usability of the heater. You also need to read reviews across multiple websites for possible safety hazards indicated in those reviews.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-Friendly heaters come with multiple tools to help save energy and fuel as it operates. They often contain recycle materials and are easy for most people to operate.

Final Thoughts

The right home heater for patio can be multiple things. Its primary design is to heat a space large enough to keep your guests comfortable and add to the décor of your party. For cooling, an outdoor ceiling fan will be a perfect addition. For indoors, you can try out electric fireplaces. You can look at different types and styles to make your final choices. You can also try out other types, and we also provide information like the kerosene heater reviews.