Patio Heaters Are the Solution to Keeping Your Outdoor Parties Fun

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Picture this: you're in the backyard sipping your wine and chatting with friends when slowly, the sun goes down and the chill sets in. You want to keep entertaining outdoors, but without a source of warmth, this will make it rather difficult. To avoid this situation altogether, you should invest in a fire pit, or if you don't fancy yourself a fire starter, you'll want to go with a patio heater. The latter is your best solution to keep the wine party going without your guests catching a cold. The search for the best patio heaters to buy right now can feel daunting, especially when there are many nuances to purchasing one. Do you go with a propane option? An electric? Are they safe to use year round?

To answer all your questions, we spoke with outdoor furniture expert and the SVP of Sales at SunVilla, Corey Lee, to get all the details. He provided tips on how to shop for patio heaters, broke down the different types of heaters, and spoke on the safety precautions to know, ensuring you, the reader, is the most informed before buying a patio heater. As for the shopping, we did a majority of the legwork for you. We spent hours online researching the best ones to buy and what customers are saying about them, too. Since everyone has a different shopping budget too, we kept that in mind while selecting our picks. The list varies from heaters you can get for around $150 to a fancy heater that's over $1k (if you're willing to shell out). If you want to add warmth to your outdoor space, don't hesitate to add the following patio heaters into your checkout cart.

Bronze Steel Liquid Propane Patio Heater

You'll notice that a lot of the patio heaters on this list come in variations of stainless steel or black hues, so if you want a warmer neutral color, go with this chestnut option. The outdoor heater features a Piezo ignition system and a wide base for increased stability. One reviewer wrote, "Beautiful to look at. Excellent heat. Perfect for any outdoor party. We purchased this item for an Christmas outdoor cocktail party and were not disappointed. Easy to put together, and we were all toasty whilst it snowed around us."

Another person remarked how this Fire Sense is a new and approved version of their previous heater from the brand. "The new heater has been improved in my opinion. There is no more 'pilot' light to contend with, making starting the heater much easier. The bright metal finish to the head assembly appears to be of better quality. The tank housing has been redesigned making it lighter in weight to lift to gain access to the LP tank. It started very easily and produces an abundance of heat. The reason for only giving 4 stars has to do with the post for the heater head. My older model the post was one piece, the new model is two pieces that must be screwed together. This design does not seem as sturdy as the one piece post, there is a little bit wiggle between the lower and top post. Other than that it is a great heater."

Stainless Steel Commercial Patio Heater

Have you ever admired the patio heaters at outdoor restaurants? If not, you may want to take a closer look next time as they always give off that sleek and modern vibe. Should this describe your home aesthetic to the T, you'll want this luxe heater from SunVilla. "I love my patio heater from SunVilla. The flame is enclosed in a tube so it’s safe around my dog, but it looks beautiful—like one you’d see at a fancy restaurant!" tester Heather Rinehart says. "And, it has enough heat to warm up my entire back patio, which is something we renovated in 2020 and still love to use to entertain outdoors. This heater helps extend our patio season to start earlier in the spring and go well into the fall, as it creates enough warmth to keep everyone cozy and happy!"

Avanti Outdoor Portable Propane Heater

For a classic propane heater, this is an affordable and reliable pick. It weighs 28.9 pounds and releases 47,000 BTUs, providing generous warmth to the surrounding area. "For a 73-year-old man, I put this together by myself in less than 2 hours,"one reviewer said. "All parts fit perfectly, and all hardware was included and packaged perfectly. Lit the first time I tried; and now a week later and it's still going STRONG:-) Highly recommend this supplier, as the first one I ordered from another Amazon supplier turned out to be a scam. (That Amazon took care of very quickly for me!!)"

Another person loved this heater so much, they bought another! "I bought two for my outdoor patio. The installation was not difficult and the wheels make them easy to maneuver," the reviewer wrote."As for as performance in keeping an area warm, I say they do a descent job. Running it on high will keep you warm but you run through the gas supply quickly."

Triplett Propane Patio Heater

For those who prefer a pyramid patio heater, check out this one from Arlmont & Co. It may look massive, but the built-in wheels make it easy to move around your outdoor area. You can choose among three colorways: brown, black, and stainless steel. "It’s beautiful! It’s my birthday candle. I love it so much I bought one for my 80 year old sister in Tallahassee," a reviewer wrote. Other shoppers also mentioned the quality is amazing for the price. "Love this patio heater!! Could sit and watch the fire up the tube for hours!! Great quality!!" one reviewer said. They added that strong winds, 50 mph or higher, could topple the heater so a word to the wise if you live somewhere windy: strap this heater down.

Table Top Electric Patio Heater

At 13.5 pounds, this patio heater is on the smaller scale and rightly so because it's meant to be used on your outdoor table. The 360-degrees heat dissipation ensures everyone seated will get a touch of its warmth, but not to the point where your hands and eyes become dry. The anti-slip base, too, is a safety feature that's helpful to anchor this piece on the table.

"This heater is great! It’s a lot larger than I expected and it puts off plenty of heat," one reviewer said. "I’ve been searching for something to help keep warm that isn’t a wall mounted heater (we’re in an apartment) or one of those ugly freestanding heaters that take up way too much space. This is the perfect size for our patio. When we have more space it will probably live on an outdoor dining table. The controls and remote really make it easy to control. I also love that I have a place to charge my phone while grilling. Overall the unit is super well build with all metal, and it’s packaged really well - you can tell East Oak cares about quality. When I have more space I’ll likely look at getting another or even a taller freestanding version if they make one."

Outdoor Electric Patio Heater

While propane patio heaters are a dime in a dozen, electric options are harder to come back. That's because they usually require an outlet and if your home is lacking one outdoors, it may not be the best for you. That said, if you're not a fan of propane, add this $180 one to cart. It has a four-star rating and over 300 reviews. "We bought this to extend our evenings on the deck in the AZ winter and it definitely does the job. Still had to bundle up when the temps dipped below 45 degrees—everyone's tolerance would of course vary, however don't expect a massive heat rush as the graphics would suggest," one reviewer wrote. "It's plenty tall and with enough heat dispersion for two people sitting somewhat (about 4 ft for us) close to it. I'd personally like to see a beefier option with 2 or more coils for higher output to avoid having to buy a second unit. It produces a beautiful, mellow amber glow and is not too bright even on the highest setting. Suffice to say, we'd not have been outside had we not had this unit. Recommended."

Legacy Heating CAPH-7-S Mocha

Depending on how quickly you can decipher instruction manels, this heater will take you anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to put together. That said, once all the parts are assembled, it's very easy to operate. "We do a lot of entertaining and eating outdoors these days so this patio heater fit the bill," one reviewer said. "It was easy to assemble in under an hour. On our 12x12 deck it works great if you sit close to it and there is no breeze. Sitting directly under it is hot and dried me out after several hours that I had to sit back and continually drink water. We got the mocha color which matched our deck decor perfectly. Very happy with it, looks and works great!"

Patio Heater

If you're more focused on the style of a heater and are willing to shell out for a piece that looks extra chic, check out this Sundry pick. With a barrel bottom and mesh wiring surrounding the flame, it definitely looks like a heater that would be in the backyard of a celebrity's Hamptons home. "The prettiest heater I have seen but be aware that it does not throw out much heat. We have overhead string lights in our courtyard and need a heater that is not very tall which this fits the bill. Unless you are sitting next to it though, you will not feel the heat," one reviewer wrote. An easy fix to provide more heat while entertaining though is to simply opt for several more of these conversation pieces in your outdoor space.

What to Look for When Buying a Patio Heater?

According to Corey Lee, the SVP of sales at SunVilla, one of the key components to consider when buying a patio heater is the size of the outdoor space you’re looking to heat. Measure the total square footage of the space, as this will determine the type of heater you need as well as the heating power. This is where you'll consider the BTUs of a heater too, or British Thermal Units, which is a measure of the heat content of fuels or energy sources. "A general rule of thumb is to multiple your patio’s square footage by 20 to get the total BTU output needed," he says.

"Second, look at the style of heater and how the heat is emitted, as this dictates where the heater would need to be positioned on your patio," Lee adds. "A freestanding heater typically produces heat in a circular radius, so it would be placed central on your patio. Hanging heaters will push the heat downward so they can be positioned over a seating area without taking up space on the patio. Look at both the range of a patio heater (the total area it can heat) plus the radius (the distance it will heat from the unit’s center)."

Other considerations include determining if your patio is covered or open, as this will change how much heat you need. Lee says that the climate, the direction your patio faces and how much sun it gets will also play a role when buying a heater. "You might want to look at getting a few different heaters rather than one big one," Lee adds, noting that bigger backyards may require more heaters compared to a smaller uncovered patio.

Are Propane or Electric Patio Heaters Better?

Lee says that propane, natural gas, and electric patio heaters are good options but each come with their own pros and cons. He lays them out for us: "Patio heaters that use propane tanks are a convenient option and are able to be moved around your patio because they’re a freestanding unit not connected to a line," he says. "However, you do need to buy a separate propane tank to heat these, which means you’ll have to keep an eye on the gas levels so you don’t run out or have a spare tank on hand." As you can see from most of the options we included on this list, the propane patio heaters don't come with tanks, so you'll need to buy your own! Factor in this additional cost when purchasing your heater.

Meanwhile, Lee says that patio heaters using natural gas might be pricier than an electric heater, but the overall cost of usage is less. "If you already have a natural gas line piped into your home, then this is a great option, as you don’t need to worry about replacing or refilling a propane tank," he advises. "Typically, heaters that use a propane tank can be converted to use your natural gas line with the proper conversion kit. Natural gas heaters are usually free-standing units that aren’t portable, as they need to be connected directly to your gas line, but they’re a great option for large, open outdoor areas. But, you’ll need to consider the placement of the heater in relation to the gas line."

Lastly, electric patio heaters vary in style, from hanging to umbrella to wall mounted to free-standing, moreso than propane options. "These are energy efficient and eco-friendly, plus easy to install as they typically just require access to a standard outlet," Lee says. "You’ll need to consider the location of your heater based on where an outlet or cord can reach it. They typically don’t have as high of an output as a gas heater, but infrared elements can still make you feel warm and cozy."

Is a Higher BTU Always Better?

Short answer: not necessarily. "BTU is the unit of measurement for gas heaters, and it’s essentially a measurement of fuel efficiency. A unit with higher BTUs will give off more heat. But, with one large heater, the warmth is concentrated so some areas of the patio will remain chilly," Lee says. Meaning? If you have a big patio, even a heater with high BTU may not be able to warm all your guests. "Depending on the layout of your patio and where people sit and gather, you may want to strategically place a few heaters throughout the space," he adds. As you pick out your heater too, the design of it will affect how much heat it gives off and in what direction, from a downward flow to a specific direction to a circular area.

"Typically a propane heater is the most powerful–about eight times as powerful as an electric version—but they work by warming the air instead of heating you directly, so the warmth can last longer but it mixes with the air," Lee notes. "An electric heater with infrared properties may make you feel the heat more quickly as it beams the waves directly at your skin, although the output is much lower."

The Safety Precautious to Know When Using a Patio Heater

The electric heaters on this list require a cord and as you know, this can spell disaster if you accidentally trip over it or if you have kids who like to play in the patio area while guests are around. "In addition, if you have kids and pets, you'll want to consider the design and style of your heater because some use a flame, which you’ll want to be out of reach," Lee says. "Basically you want any element that gets warm to the touch to be protected or contained if you have kids or pets, just in case. You may see open flames on patio heaters at restaurants, but for home usage, a patio heater with the flame contained in a tube is much safer and reduces the fire risk."

Protective coverings aside, Lee says that propane heaters need to be cleaned at least once or twice a year in order to remove carbon buildup. You will also need to clean the burner and pilot area. Meanwhile, "Electric power heaters may need to be protected from water and dust, so that’s a consideration for an outdoor unit. You’ll want to look at the IP Rating to see if it’s waterproof and able to be left outside, exposed to the elements," he says. And if you're wondering if a heater is safe to use on a covered patio, Lee says it is—as long as the roofing is at least 10 feet high!

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Patio Heater?

There is no exact number as the cost of running a patio heater depends on the model and power output, according to Lee. "A general rule of thumb is that natural gas is the least expensive, then electric, then propane," he explains. "However, this also depends on the cost of utilities in your area as well. And, while electric might be less expensive, you may need to run that heater longer to get the same output, so it’s a bit of a game of balances here." You will want to take this all into consideration when you purchase your heater. Some of the ones on this list cost less than $300, so perhaps you can afford to shell out a little more to buy propane tanks if you only plan on using your heaters come winter. For those who are truly worried about price, you can always get a tabletop electric option as the smaller heaters will save you money on your energy bill.

Why Trust House Beautiful?

House Beautiful is dedicated to finding the best pieces for your home, no matter what your budget or design preference is. When it comes to decorating and furnishing your outdoor space, be it your spacious backyard or modest apartment balcony, we have you covered. We know where to shop for the best outdoor products, from pool lounge chairs to electric snow shovels to patio heaters that make your life at home easier.

For this story in particular, although we did not test the patio heaters ourselves, we spent 10+ hours combing through reviews to include only the highest-rated ones online. We provided patio heaters in a variety of price points, too, knowing some people prefer to spend less (or more) on decorating their outdoor area. In addition, we consulted an expert on the more nitty-gritty details of owning a patio heater: Corey Lee, the SVP of sales at SunVilla, who's a designer and manufacturer of outdoor products with daily use in mind. He’s an expert in the outdoor realm with more than a decade of experience—from patio and deck furniture, to fire pits and patio heaters, to pool and beach furniture—holding positions throughout the years at a variety of outdoor brands.

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