Best overallSolaira
Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater
In: Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches
- 1500W / 120V quartz infrared element
- 10 by 10 foot coverage area
Category guide
Patio Heaters: Propane, Electric and Tabletop Heaters
Outdoor heaters warm people, not air. Choose by fuel, coverage and how sheltered your patio is.
- 6 roundups · 4 reviews · 2 comparisons · 2 guides
- Updated
- No paid placements
Shop the shortlist
Top patio heaters we recommend
Standout picks from our best-of lists. Tap any product for features, pros and cons.
- Top pickAZ Patio Heaters
AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor Patio Heater
In: Best Patio Heaters for Large Decks
- 48,000 BTU propane burner
- 87-inch hammered bronze standing design
- Best overallFire Sense
Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater
In: Best Patio Heaters for Small Patios
- 10,000 BTU propane burner
- Stainless steel tabletop design
- Dr. Infrared Heater
Dr. Infrared Heater Carbon Infrared Patio Heater
In: Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches
- 120V / 1500W carbon infrared element
- 3 heat settings
- Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Propane Patio Heater
In: Best Patio Heaters for Large Decks
- 46,000 BTU propane burner
- 9 foot heat radius, water-weighted base
- Mr. Heater
Mr. Heater 11,000 BTU Table Top Patio Heater
In: Best Patio Heaters for Small Patios
- 8,000 to 11,000 BTU adjustable output
- Runs on a 1lb propane cylinder
- Amazon Basics
Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Commercial Patio Heater
In: Best Patio Heaters Under $300
- 46,000 BTU stainless steel construction
- Includes a stand-up patio heater cover
- Mr. Heater
Mr. Heater MH48PH 48,000 BTU Patio Heater
In: Best Patio Heaters Under $150
- 48,000 BTU propane burner
- Rated coverage up to 215 square feet
Best by need
Best patio heaters for every buyer
Ranked shortlists for specific budgets and use cases. Start with the one that matches yours.
- Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches: Safe Picks for Low CeilingsThe best patio heaters for covered porches and low-ceiling patios, focused on models rated safe under a roof, awning, or overhang. Electric See the picks
- Best Patio Heaters for Large Decks: Maximum Coverage PicksThe best patio heaters for large decks and open outdoor entertaining spaces, ranked by BTU output and heat radius. High-output standing propSee the picks
- Best Patio Heaters for Small Patios: Compact Picks That Don't Eat Your SpaceThe best patio heaters for small patios and tight balconies, ranked by footprint, heat radius, and safety around close seating. Tabletop proSee the picks
- Best Patio Heaters for Tables: Tabletop Picks for Dinner and Drinks OutsideThe best tabletop patio heaters for dining and entertaining, ranked by BTU output, tank type, and stability on a shared table. Compact propaSee the picks
- Best Patio Heaters Under $150: Real Heat Without the Premium PriceRanked by BTU output per dollar and build quality at the budget end of the category.See the picks
- Best Patio Heaters Under $300: Premium Finishes and Electric OptionsRanked by build quality, coverage, and features that actually matter.See the picks
Know before you buy
About Patio Heaters
Tall propane mushroom heaters warm a wide circle and need no outlet, but use a 20 lb tank in several hours. Electric infrared heaters warm people directly, are quieter and suit covered patios, but need a suitable outdoor outlet. Tabletop models warm a small group around a table.
Wind is the biggest enemy of outdoor heat. Sheltered spaces feel much warmer for the same heater.
How to choose a patio heater
Fuel type
Propane is portable and powerful. Electric is clean and simple under cover. Natural gas needs a gas line but never needs a tank swap.
Heat output
Tall propane heaters are often around 40,000 to 48,000 BTUs and warm a circle several feet across. Electric heaters are rated in watts.
Wind
Open, windy patios lose heat quickly. Windscreens and sheltered placement help more than a bigger heater.
Safety
Look for tip-over shutoff and, for gas heaters, a flame-failure device. Keep clearance from ceilings and walls as the manual specifies.
Covered spaces
Never use propane heaters indoors or in enclosed spaces. Electric infrared heaters are the usual choice for covered porches.
Research-based picks from specs, independent reviews and owner feedback.
No paid placements, ever.
Our methodologyQuick buying tips
What matters most in patio heaters
- Propane is portable and powerful. Electric is clean and simple under cover. Natural gas needs a gas line but never needs a tank swap.
- Tall propane heaters are often around 40,000 to 48,000 BTUs and warm a circle several feet across. Electric heaters are rated in watts.
- Open, windy patios lose heat quickly. Windscreens and sheltered placement help more than a bigger heater.
- Look for tip-over shutoff and, for gas heaters, a flame-failure device. Keep clearance from ceilings and walls as the manual specifies.
- Never use propane heaters indoors or in enclosed spaces. Electric infrared heaters are the usual choice for covered porches.
Deep dives
In-depth reviews
- AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor Review: The Standing Propane Heater to BeatA full review of the AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor standing propane heater, covering heat output, build quality, and who it's actually right
- Dr. Infrared Heater Patio Review: Electric Infrared Without the Propane HassleA full review of the Dr. Infrared Heater Carbon Infrared Patio Heater, a 1500W electric infrared heater with an IP55 weatherproof rating and
- Hampton Bay Tabletop Patio Heater Review: Is the Home Depot Standard Worth It?A review of the Hampton Bay tabletop propane patio heater line, the Home Depot house-brand standard for small-table heating, with a look at
- Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater Review: The Premium Mounted OptionA full review of the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater, a commercial-grade 1500W quartz infrared heater built for permanent wall or ceiling mount
Learn first
Buying guides & how-tos
- Buying guideHow to Choose a Patio Heater: A Decision FrameworkA step-by-step framework for choosing a patio heater, covering propane versus electric, standing versus tabletop, BTU sizing, and the space Read
- Buying guidePatio Heaters Buying Guide: BTU, Wattage, and Fuel Types ExplainedA complete patio heaters buying guide covering BTU and wattage ratings, propane versus electric infrared, standing versus tabletop versus moRead
- Buying guidePatio Heater Not Igniting: 6 Causes and FixesIf your propane patio heater won't light, ticks but doesn't ignite, or lights briefly and goes out, the cause is usually one of six common iRead
- Buying guidePatio Heater Not Producing Enough Heat: 7 Causes and FixesIf your patio heater is running but not putting out enough warmth, the problem is usually diagnosable without a repair call. We cover the 7 Read
Answers
Patio Heaters: common questions
What is the best patio heater to buy?
One of our strongest picks is the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater, a standout in our Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches list. The AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor Patio Heater is another excellent choice.
How do I choose the right patio heaters?
Start with your main use and budget, then compare our shortlists: Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches, Best Patio Heaters for Large Decks, Best Patio Heaters for Small Patios.
What should I look for when buying patio heaters?
Propane is portable and powerful. Electric is clean and simple under cover. Natural gas needs a gas line but never needs a tank swap.
How long does a 20lb propane tank last in the AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor?
Running it on a lower setting, when the weather doesn't require full output, stretches that considerably further, sometimes to 14 to 16 hours.
Does the AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor work in windy conditions?
Reasonably well, though like any tall standing heater with an open flame, strong gusts can affect the flame and occasionally trigger the safety shutoff. The wheeled base is a benefit here since it makes it easy to reposition against a wall or windbreak rather than leaving it fully exposed.
Is the AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor easy to assemble?
Most owners report 20 to 40 minutes for initial assembly, mainly stacking and securing the pole sections and attaching the base and heat shield. No specialized tools are required beyond a wrench, and the hardware is included.
What's the actual heat radius in real-world use?
The rated 10 to 15 foot radius holds up reasonably well in still air, with the most noticeable warmth within about 8 feet. Wind and cold ambient temperatures both reduce the effective radius, as with any standing propane heater.
Which heats a larger area, the AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor or a Hampton Bay-class tabletop heater?
The AZ Patio Heaters Tall Outdoor, by a wide margin. Its 48,000 BTU output and 10 to 15 foot radius cover a full patio or deck seating area, while a tabletop heater in the Hampton Bay or Fire Sense class is designed to warm just the people at one table, typically within a few feet.