Best Outdoor Heaters in 2022

Last update: December 22, 2022

Are electric outdoor heaters expensive to run?

Electric outdoor heaters are not expensive to run. In fact, they are quite efficient because they do not produce any emissions.

Are infrared heaters cheaper than electric heat?

Are patio heaters worth buying?

If you have the money to spare and you frequently entertain guests outdoors, then buying a patio heater may be worth it for you. Patio heaters can help extend the outdoor season by providing warmth on chilly evenings. They also create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making your patio a more enjoyable place to spend time.

Are propane or electric patio heaters better?

There are a few things to consider when deciding if a propane or electric patio heater is better for you. Cost is always a factor to think about. Propane tends to be cheaper than electric in the long run. Electric is often more expensive to set up, but may be cheaper to operate. Another thing to consider is how easy each type is to use. Propane heaters typically require little to no assembly, while electric heaters may need to be plugged in. Electric heaters are often more portable than propane heaters.


Mr. Heater Corporation 29,000-45,000 BTU 540 Degree Tank Top, Multi Review:


I bought this to heat my 20' by 22' shop, which has 9' ceilings, along with an adjacent 5' x 22' tool room. Both the ceiling and any exterior walls are uninsulated. When this heater is on, I turn on my central air cleaner. Although the central air cleaner's primary function is to remove sawdust, it also does a great job of circulating the air.With the central air filter on and the air circulating, this heater, when set to high, will raise the temperature of my shop from 35 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes. When the surrounding air temperature is comfortable, I turn the heater to its lowest setting, but due to the high heat output even at this setting, I only use it for 10 minutes out of every 20.Keep in mind that this heater creates carbon monoxide, a poisonous and odorless gas. I leave the bottom of my garage door open by approximately 8", which lets fresh air in via the bottom and allows air to circulate out the top of the door. Never use this heater inside of a closed-off environment. Not about you, but with you, is what your family wants to talk about.I'm quite happy with this high output propane heater overall.



TRUSTECH Outdoor Patio Heater- 1500W Garage Heater w/Remote, 24H Timer Auto Shut Off Outdoor Heater,Super Quiet 3s Instant Warm Wall Heater, Space Heater for Patio, Garage, Thanksgiving Review:


This is what we use in our garage for our outdoor farm dog, and he adores it! I enjoy how secure it is. Because it is infrared heat, it just heats the area right in front of it, not the entire garage. Our dog sleeps with his bed positioned exactly in the flow of the heat, keeping him warm and cosy. It is fantastic that it has a timer, remote, and many heat settings. comes with brackets as well for hanging on the wall. We hung it right out of the box in about 5 minutes.



Fire Sense Full Length Patio Heater Cover Review:


This is the ideal fit for our Palm Springs Hammered Bronze Commercial Outdoor Garden Patio Heater, which we also bought from Amazon, and it prevents the weather from damaging our heater. It hasn't been exposed to the rain more than a few times, so it's unclear how it will do in Northern California's wet winter (if there is one!). However, things are looking up so far. The bottom half of the zipper contains a pocket where a pole can be inserted, making it easier to put on and the zipper runs smoothly. I have to stand on a chair to put the cover on or take it off because the blot ends on the top of our heater's hat grab the fuzzy interior of the cover. We're delighted with our buy!



Hiland HLDSO1-WGTHG Pyramid Patio Propane Heater w/Wheels, 87 Inches, Hammered Bronze Review:


No problems with subpar quality assurance. Flame is centered under the glass tube, and parts lined up perfectly. Thus, some unfavorable evaluations may simply have come from subpar units or batches. Although assembling the heater requires some patience, the directions are actually fairly accurate and straightforward. Just focus on the little things. For instance, when looking at photographs of the assembly process, be sure to identify which side is the front and rear of the unit. (The four tiny holes on the bottom base plate where the wheels screw into will help you identify the back side.) Or you risk trying to mount components upside down if you don't carefully examine the illustration of the vertical arms to discover that one end of the arm has a hole while the other does not. Give it some time. It took approximately 90 minutes to put together with just the two of us, with a few small pauses for chips and snacks. Unit has height. Like, when putting the top section on, I almost scratched the ceiling. Additionally, lighting is simple but distinct from a usual BBQ. It resembles a water heater or an inside gas heater more. You push the ignite button while turning the knob to pilot. PILOT shall ignite (not the main flame). Release the knob after roughly 30 to 60 seconds. Keep the pilot glowing. Otherwise, start afresh. Rotate the knob to light the main burner if it remains lighted.



Dr. Infrared Heater 1500W carbon infrared heater indoor outdoor patio garage wall or ceiling Mount with remote, black Review:


Before making this decision, I looked around a lot and read a lot of product reviews. I think I made a good decision!I purchased this heater to enhance the baseboard heat produced by my oil furnace. My home has a lot of open space because it is a 1000 square foot open loft design with cathedral ceilings. I anticipated needing something that could distribute heat well. The major reasons I chose this one over the others were the additional humidifier and oscillation capability.For my needs, this heater works just fine. So that it doesn't turn on the furnace as frequently, I maintain my thermostat at a steady 60F. I use this heater to raise the temperature there to between 64 and 68 (a little cooler is fine). Typically, I set it at 64-68 and let it run downstairs with the oscillation and humidifier on (depending on different factors). The downstairs area has been kept at roughly that temperature so far with great success. Although there haven't been any particularly harsh cold spells in New York yet, as of November 2014, there have been a few below-freezing days when the system performed just well. It maintains a fairly stable temperature downstairs, and typically the upstairs area—a master bedroom loft—remains around 2 degrees warmer than downstairs. This is after I've sealed and covered all the windows with plastic for the winter. If I hadn't done that, I imagine this wouldn't work quite as well, but I digress.Depending on the situation, the heater switches between high, low, and only the fan. The lights serve as a signal for this. Since it adjusts itself fairly effectively, I have only used it on auto so far. I haven't felt the need to switch it to solid high or low. The auto temperature can be simply increased or decreased at any time and is set to 68F by default.Oscillating led me to believe that the entire apparatus was mounted on a rotating turntable when I saw the word. However, the only moving parts are the inner slots inside, which are where the heat is released. Because it is less mechanical and uses less energy to not have to turn the entire unit, this is a wiser design. The oscillation spreads the heat reasonably, at least in one direction, covering an arc of around 60 degrees. The oscillating slots are constructed of a high temperature polymer (plastic), which feels strange since you believe that, given enough time, they may melt or the polymer may denature, yet they function properly at the moment.The humidifier works fairly well. A solid jet of chilly mist is launched about a foot above the device when it is turned on. The hole where the mist comes out may be closed off with a tiny sliding door, which I suppose is to possibly control the mist a little but ultimately seems kind of worthless. Perhaps to stop dust and other particles from entering when it is off? The back reservoir and bottle are illuminated by a nice blue light. Although I like it, I am aware that some people are picky about errant L.E.D. lights. One of the few features of this device that I don't like is the design of the back reservoir. The misting device is merely a little reservoir that has been integrated. The mist is sent into the unit through a plastic pipe that hangs off the back of the device. Although the connection is strong and I haven't experienced any leaks from there, it feels like a lot of weight to have on top of the reservoir when a 3 liter bottle full of water is placed there like I have. This is especially true considering that the connection is just made by a pipe. I wish there was some other kind of support to stop the pipe from bending rearward under the pressure. It comes with two adapters for bottles of various sizes. I use an adaptor that fits a standard soda bottle. If left on all day, a full 3-liter bottle of water lasts roughly one to two days. It works well as an addition to my PureGuardian 4500 humidifier. Because my house is entirely made of wood, I value dampness.The bottom castors make it simple to move across the floor. It's often almost too simple because I frequently set it down on a small wooden side table, where the tiniest push or tug might tip it over. It would have been helpful to have castor locks.The design and general construction are good. Cord is a good length. The supplied remote controller has a battery and functions well. The toggle buttons (with the exception of the unit power button, which actually has on/off positions) seem a little cheap, and sometimes you have to push with intent to switch something on or off. The back of the unit also has a built-in filter, so it does at least slightly clean the air.Potential restrictions:- Don't anticipate a "hush quiet" machine because the fan noise is audible on high setting. White noise is not a problem for me.- The humidifier's reservoir itself occasionally has a tendency to overflow and spill water onto the floor, but as long as you keep an eye on it, there shouldn't be any issues. It's simply pouring over, not actually leaking from the pipe.- The oscillation motor occasionally makes an audible clicking or creaking sound. I'm not sure if that is typical or simply a minor defect in my unit, but it doesn't bother me much. It can always be turned off.- This unit requires a dedicated circuit because of its maximum 1500W draw. In essence, this implies that if you have this plugged in and use another device on the same circuit (for example, from an outlet on the same wall), it could fry anything or trip your breaker. So, when plugging things in, be mindful of what and where you're plugging them in. I don't have a full cycle of invoices to assess how much energy this "saves," but I use it more frequently than before, thus my electricity costs are a little more than my fuel/oil costs.-Unlike some of the other units I've seen, particularly the LifeSmart infrared heaters, this one isn't as aesthetically beautiful.The display and button layout are reminiscent of a 1970s appliance. I believe a deeper wood stain would look better. I've seen LifeSmart heaters with a similar wattage that performed just as well and had far nicer looks. Therefore, you might choose the LifeSmart if the style and color of your furniture are important to you, but you'll lose out on the humidifier and oscillator that make this device more functional.As I apply this in more scenarios and am aware of the eventual cost to my electric bills, I will update. Keep warm!*Update as of 12/22/*I've received two bills since the purchase. Both were around $50 more expensive than usual, but that price includes the energy cost of the supplemental oil furnace/boiler. This is with the unit set on auto for pretty much 24/7 unless it's a clear sunny day (passive solar heating does wonders in my house). In the end, it will definitely prevent me from having to refill my oil tank halfway through the winter like last year, so it's still a positive purchase for my situation. My oil tank was at 7/8 and is now about 5/8, which is a much slower decrease than last year already. I hope this is helpful; I'll keep you updated.Updated as of 2/22/14The heater is still functioning properly and is essentially always on. This heater did a decent job of keeping the temperature in my home above 60F during some really chilly spells that we've seen here in New York (consistently below 0F with wind chill) (what my thermostat is set to). The heater can only function as well as my insulation efforts, and it is doing as I anticipated it would under the circumstances. Due to the size and openness of the house, only the lowest portion of the house was heated during the harshest cold snaps. It is functioning in that regard because the loft continued to remain 2-4 degrees warmer than the rest. The humidifier attachment has made me a little more frustrated. I had to lay down rags to soak up the water that results because it is now leaking out the bottom of the unit. I suspect that this is caused by splash droplets from the ultrasonic disc entering the fan hole, but I can't be sure. Given how much more this unit was than the one without the humidifier attached, the leakage is somewhat annoying, but the humidifier still functions perfectly as long as it is kept decalcified. On my next update, I'll reduce this from 4 stars to 3 if I can't halt the leak. For now, ta ta.



Hiland HLDS032-BB Portable Table Top Patio Heater, 11,000 BTU, Use 1lb or 20Lb Propane Tank, Hammered Bronze Pack of 2 Review:


A wonderful small heater, that one. Though I do mean small. Although we (luckily) have a roof over the patio, I would love to have a larger version of this type of heater. A large heater cannot be installed because the roof is only about 7' tall. This scaled-down version will have to do. It does, too. Of course, it sits on top of a table, and to remain warm on a chilly night, you really need to be right next to the table. It works well for that purpose. The temperature is pleasant down to around 50 degrees (right next to it). Below that, you actually need a heater with a higher power. For an 11K BTU heater, this one performs well and as it should, but be aware of what you're buying. When it's extremely cold, we have other heaters with larger BTUs, but this one gets the job done.Not too bad, the assembly. Although attaching the base weight is a headache, you can just turn the entire assembly upside down. Get an adaptor so you can connect it to a 15-20 propane tank if you intend to use it frequently or for longer than a few hours at a time. For this heater, they are inexpensive and definitely worthwhile. The 1 pound tanks are short-lived.



PAMAPIC Patio Heater, 46000 BTU Commercial Gas Outdoor Heater - 88 Inches Tall Standing Patio Heater with Cover, Hammered Bronze Review:


Although this heater arrived in a sizable box, unloading was simple. The package was thoughtfully designed. The assembly instructions were primarily simple. The names of the washers, which are referred to by diameter but come in two varieties with different sizes and the same diameter, were the only aspect that was just a little bit perplexing. But it was simple to understand. The actual assembly was quite reasonable. Opening the box and attaching the gas tank both took around an hour. There was only one action when two persons might be helpful (but can be done by just one person). The remaining assembly work was simple for me to complete alone. There were no missing components or pieces of hardware. But in order to attach the reflector, you do need a step stool. One small issue was that the piezo igniter did not come with instructions on which way the accompanying battery should be inserted. The device is unmarked, and the booklet has no instructions. However, it will only function in one direction—negatively. For scientific purposes, I experimented with both methods. But if it were included in the handbook, that would be great.It began on the first try without any issues after being connected to the tank. I put it to the test on a night that was just below freezing, and it started to feel substantially warmer after a few minutes. While it wasn't "t-shirt and shorts" warm, it did remove the cold from the air around me and allowed me to remove my jacket while it was operating.The quality of the item is excellent overall. There are no scratches and the coating is even and robust. It has the impression that it can resist numerous days of harsh weather. The tank space door has a latch that secures tightly. The gas pipe is the perfect length—not too long but not too short either. Although the tank stabilizing strap must be almost fully extended to accommodate a regular tank, it still functions effectively. And strapping the tank is crucial because if you don't, it'll move around while you move the heater. The heater is very simple to move about the deck thanks to the wheels at the base. To open or close the tank without opening the access door, there are two quick access ports on either side of the tank chamber.In general, I think it will be useful and that it will last for a while. If you're looking for a heater, I'd suggest this one based on how simple it is to assemble, how simple it is to operate, and how efficient it is.



AmazonBasics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater, Slate Grey Review:


used for a few weeks already. It was simple to assemble, start by following the instructions, and it ignited with just one push.38 to 45 degrees outside, with some breezes. The heater worked okay but not fantastic on an open back porch that had its side walls coated with plastic for the winter. The heat had a hard time warming us up while we were seated on standard-height chairs. But it undoubtedly removed the chill.I made the decision to squat the top tubing four inches. What a change, easily twice as warm, holy Mother. Maintaining the unit at the open front provided a sort of heat wall that significantly reduced the amount of cold air entering.As people sat on the seats, the room warmed up. (10x12). I have the equipment necessary to redrill the mount holes and cut the steel tubing.The recommendation is to use the shorter form unless it is intended to be a "standing" space. I'm 6' 2" and this one is now ideal because it's 4" shorter. On a sunny day in the high 40s, I utilized it for a woodworking job. In fact, I started to sweat. When it's shorter, you're lot closer to the heat when standing, and gosh, it's fantastic. I turned down the heating and opened my hoodie.Just purchase the shorter one; this gadget is fantastic and functions well. Ah, the review where it was said to have "blown over" in the wind. What?!?!?!?! First of all, why the hell are you out there if it's so windy? Additionally, in that kind of wind, the heater won't be able to keep you warm. Because there are no air holes for wind deflection and the "hat" is a heat reflector, a strong wind will treat the down-angled top hat like a kite or parasail, creating "lift."FYI I only used the weight of the tank as ballast instead of adding any weight to the base (such as water or sand). Additionally, I store it up against the house when not in use rather than leaving it out in the yard. away from the wind. Compared to other retailers, Amazon's price of $144 for the stainless steel version is fantastic, and the quality is excellent. However, use caution because it is not the $499.00 edition.All of the burners, dials, tubing, and tank connector are of top-notch, commercial-grade quality.***Three support legs that rise up and bend inward over the tank area connect the tubing (the neck) to the base (where the tank is located). The tubing (neck) and legs are fastened together by a triangle plate. Then, on top of the tube, put the igniter, burner head, and hat.The problem is that because the LP tank must fit between two of the legs in order to sit inside the cover, the round base with three legs cannot evenly divide the space and provide equal strength in all directions. Meaning that it is not as powerful as it could be in all directions. Just keep this in mind before relocating it. That is a 4 out of 5 star rating. see imageI definitely would suggest this heater to any company or home owner, but not this large one; at 7 feet 10 inches, it is a mammoth. It's shockingly so much better after taking 4 inches off. Wow!The unit being assessed is 94" (7'10") tall, although the majority of units are 87" (7'3") or 89" (7'5") tall.So, by shaving off 4", I was able to go closer to the 7-foot-5 mark, which is definitely better.



Dyna-Glo TT15CDGP 15,000 Liquid Propane Tank Top Heater - CSA Review:


For more over 20 years, I have used a Mr. Heater single tank top heater. It eventually gave up and purchased this one. The Mr. Heater was good, but when it began up, it made a grating fog horn noise. purchased this one. When it was connected, I was happy to discover that it did not immediately start making a horn noise. I picked up three new skills from this chapter. Ensure that the tilt sensor wire is securely attached and that the device is completely upright. Start out on high and wait for at least a minute or so before lowering the heat. The tank should be turned off first and foremost. If you don't, the pressure will increase and the system won't shut off. If this occurs, switch off the tank, loosen the connection to the tank to let the pressure out, and then retighten the connection to the tank. If you do this, it will function perfectly. Perfectly warms my enclosed garage man cave.



Fire Sense 61322 Hammer Tone Table Top Patio Heater, Bronze Review:


Despite other reviewers' criticisms, I found assembling to be simple. It probably only took a few minutes. I really appreciated that almost all of the screws were already inserted into the various components; this eliminated the need to determine which screws went where. True, I had to remove the screws, put the pieces together, and then replace the screws, but I still appreciated what they accomplished.I was a little perplexed because so many reviewers complained about either not having enough heat or using up the 1lb tanks too quickly. Wouldn't the unit use a tank faster if it produced more heat? In any event, I simply connected a 20-pound tank to the adaptor hose I had. The device is designed to fit level on my patio table and has a nice hole in the base for the hose to pass through. If you choose to go this path, I advise that before turning the heater's control knob to the off position, you first cut the gas off at the tank and wait until the burner goes out.The heat reflector on top of the unit is one area where they could have improved. Its bottom is made of brushed (boring) metal. The amount of heat that is reflected outward is decreased as a result. A tabletop unit's top surface is 40 to 50 degrees (F) hotter when compared to a full-sized outside heater, according to temperature measurements. A somewhat larger reflector would also be good. This, in my opinion, would aid in enhancing heat radiation. To enable me to slant the reflector to one side, I replaced one of the top posts with a threaded rod and some nuts. When no one is seated on the other side of the table, this helps direct the heat.Revision: 12/20/2017I started experiencing problems with the pilot light going out when I let off of the gas control knob as the weather became colder. By pure accident, I discovered that letting go very slowly increases the likelihood that it will stay lit and allow me to turn the gas all the way up without turning out.


Can I put a patio heater on a wood deck?

Yes, you can put a patio heater on a wood deck, but you will need to take some precautions to protect your deck. First, make sure that the patio heater is stable and will not tip over. Second, use a heat resistant mat under the patio heater to protect the deck from heat damage.

Can outdoor heaters be left out in the rain?

Can you use outdoor heater in covered patio?

If you have a covered patio, you can still use an outdoor heater to enjoy the space. Be sure to get a heater that is rated for outdoor use and keep it away from any flammable materials.

Do infrared patio heaters work well?

Infrared patio heaters are becoming increasingly popular as a way to heat outdoor spaces. But do they actually work well? There are a few things to consider when determining whether or not an infrared patio heater will work well for you. First, infrared patio heaters work best when there is no wind. If you live in an area with high winds, an infrared patio heater may not be the best option for you. Second, infrared patio heaters work best when they are placed directly next to the area you want to heat. If you have a large patio, you may

Do patio heaters really keep you warm?

How big a patio heater do I need?

If you're wondering how big of a patio heater you need, a good rule of thumb is that you should have at least one BTU (British Thermal Unit) per square foot. So, for example, if you have a 200 square foot patio, you'll need a patio heater with at least 200 BTUs.