The Best patio heaters are outdoor essentials that can transform chilly evenings into cozy gatherings, extending the joy of outdoor living. In 2023, we’ve scoured the market to bring you the best patio heaters that offer warmth, style, and functionality, enhancing your outdoor experience.
Best Overall | Bang for Your Buck | Best on a Budget |
Thermo Tiki Outdoor Propane Patio Heater | Bromic Tungsten Portable Smart-Heat | SUN JOE Electric Infrared Heater |
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| The Thermo Tiki Outdoor Propane Patio Heater is a stylish and powerful heating solution, boasting a stunning pyramid-style design, 45,000 BTUs of heat output, and safety features for a warm and safe outdoor experience. | The Bromic Tungsten Portable Smart-Heat is the top “bang for your buck” patio heater, offering exceptional heating coverage, wind resistance, and safety features, making it an ideal choice for those seeking efficient and reliable outdoor heating. | The SUN JOE Electric Infrared Heater is a budget-friendly outdoor heating solution offering adjustable settings and remote-control convenience, making it an affordable choice for those seeking warmth on their patio or deck. |
What Is a Patio Heater?
A patio heater is an outdoor appliance designed to emit heat and provide warmth to outdoor spaces, such as patios, decks, or gardens. It operates on various fuel sources, including propane, electricity, natural gas, or infrared technology, ensuring comfort during cooler seasons.
Why Buy a Patio Heater?
Investing in the best patio heaters not only extends the usability of your outdoor space but also creates a cozy ambiance for gatherings and relaxation. Whether you enjoy outdoor dining, hosting parties, or simply lounging in your backyard, a patio heater keeps you warm and comfortable, making outdoor living enjoyable year-round.
Patio Heaters: What to Look For
When choosing the best patio heaters, consider the following criteria to ensure it meets your needs:
Best Overall: Thermo Tiki Outdoor Propane Patio Heater
Image credit: Thermo Tiki
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The Thermo Tiki Outdoor Propane Patio Heater stands out as the best patio heater on the market due to several key factors: Firstly, its striking design adds a touch of elegance and ambiance to any outdoor space, making it not only functional but also visually appealing. The 4″ diameter ceramic-glass column with a glowing flame creates a captivating focal point for gatherings, whether you’re hosting a pool party, wedding, or a cozy evening on your own patio.
Secondly, the Thermo Tiki patio heater is a powerhouse when it comes to heating. With an impressive 45,000 BTUs of heat output, it can comfortably warm an area with a 15-foot diameter. This means you can enjoy your outdoor space well into the cooler evenings and even during colder seasons.
Lastly, safety is a top priority with this patio heater. It features an anti-tip base for stability, concealing the propane tank and controls for a sleek appearance. Additionally, the safety shut-off valve and pilot lighter ensure that the heater is easy to operate while minimizing safety risks.
In summary, the Thermo Tiki Outdoor Propane Patio Heater combines exceptional functionality with a stunning design, making it the best choice for those seeking both warmth and style for their outdoor gatherings. It’s a versatile and powerful heating solution that can transform your outdoor space into a welcoming haven, whether for personal use or for hosting special events.
Bang for Your Buck: Bromic Tungsten Portable Smart-Heat
Image credit: Bromic Tungsten
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The Bromic Tungsten Portable Smart-Heat is undoubtedly the best “bang for your buck” patio heater on the market today for several compelling reasons. First, it excels in heating coverage, offering double the area coverage compared to many other portable propane heaters. This extended reach ensures that you can enjoy the warmth of this heater in larger outdoor spaces, making it a cost-effective choice for those with expansive patios or entertainment areas.
Next, its impressive wind resistance capability sets it apart. With the ability to handle wind speeds of up to 8 mph, this heater remains operational even when it’s a bit breezy outside. You won’t have to worry about the flame being extinguished by the wind, enhancing the reliability of this unit.
Safety is a paramount concern, and the Bromic Tungsten Portable Smart-Heat addresses it with patented flame failure and tilt safety technology. This ensures that the heater operates securely, regardless of unforeseen circumstances, making it a safe and reliable choice for outdoor heating.
While the initial cost might be higher than some other options, the Bromic Tungsten Portable Smart-Heat’s outstanding performance, wind resistance, and safety features make it an excellent long-term investment for anyone seeking an efficient and reliable patio heater.
The Bromic Tungsten Portable Smart-Heat offers remarkable value for its price, delivering superior heating coverage, impressive wind resistance, and unmatched safety features. It’s a reliable and efficient choice that ensures you get the most out of your outdoor space, making it the best “bang for your buck” patio heater available today.
Best on a Budget: SUN JOE Electric Infrared Heater
Image credit: SUN JOE
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The SUN JOE Electric Infrared Heater earns the title of the best budget patio heater on the market today due to its affordability and practical features. Its budget-friendly price point makes it accessible to a wide range of consumers. It provides an economical way to keep your outdoor space warm and comfortable without breaking the bank. This affordability makes it an excellent choice for those who want effective outdoor heating without a significant financial investment.
This patio heater offers versatility with its adjustable height and angle settings. You can tailor the heat distribution to your specific needs, ensuring that you and your guests enjoy a cozy environment. The included remote control adds convenience, allowing you to adjust settings without getting up from your seat.
The SUN JOE Electric Infrared Heater is an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers who have access to a power source in their outdoor area. While it requires electricity, it offers efficient radiant heating that can warm up to 130 sq ft, providing ample coverage for smaller outdoor spaces.
In summary, the SUN JOE Electric Infrared Heater stands out as the best budget patio heater due to its affordability, versatility, and ease of use. It’s an ideal heating solution for those looking to extend their outdoor enjoyment without breaking their budget, making it a smart and cost-effective choice for outdoor heating needs.
Best Tabletop Patio Heater: Star Patio Electric Patio Heater
Image credit: Star Patio
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The Star Patio Electric Patio Heater is the best table top patio heater on the market today due to its exceptional combination of portability, heating power, and safety features. Its portability is a significant advantage. As a table top heater, it can be easily moved and positioned on any tabletop, providing targeted warmth where it’s needed most. Whether you’re enjoying a meal on your patio, at a restaurant, or in a commercial setting, this heater can enhance your outdoor dining experience.
Despite its compact size, it packs a punch in terms of heating power, delivering 5,100 BTUs of radiant heat. This high heat output ensures rapid warming of the immediate area, allowing you and your guests to stay comfortably warm even on cooler evenings.
Safety is a top priority with the Star Patio Electric Patio Heater. It features an auto shut-off function for tip-over protection, giving you peace of mind while using the heater. This safety feature is especially important when using the heater on tabletops where accidental tipping is a possibility.
The Star Patio Electric Patio Heater’s combination of portability, heating capacity, and safety features makes it the top choice for table top patio heaters. Whether you’re using it in a residential or commercial setting, it provides efficient and reliable warmth, ensuring that you can enjoy your outdoor space in comfort, making it the best table top patio heater on the market today.
Best Mounted Patio Heater: Dr Infrared Heater
Image credit: Dr. Infrared
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The Dr Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater is the best-mounted patio heater on the market today due to its versatile features and exceptional performance. Its weatherproof design sets it apart. With an IPX4 rating, it’s built to withstand the rigors of outdoor use, making it a reliable choice for mounting on your patio, gazebo, deck, or backyard. You can enjoy warmth and comfort even in less favorable weather conditions without worrying about damage.
The heater provides instant and efficient heat, thanks to its carbon infrared technology. It offers three heating modes, allowing you to adjust the intensity of warmth to your liking. The timer operation adds convenience by allowing you to set the heater to turn off automatically, saving energy and ensuring safety.
Plus, the inclusion of a remote control makes operating the heater hassle-free. Whether you’re lounging on your patio or sitting in your home office, you can conveniently adjust the settings without getting up. Its easy mounting options on walls, ceilings, or tripods provide flexibility for installation in various locations.
In summary, the Dr Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater’s combination of weatherproof durability, instant heat, versatile heating modes, timer operation, remote control, and easy installation make it the best choice for a mounted patio heater. It ensures that you can enjoy the outdoors in comfort and warmth throughout the year, making it the top option for outdoor heating needs.
