Extend patio season into the fall and even winter with the best patio heaters to keep you warm and toasty. These powerful outdoor heaters deliver a concentrated blast of warmth that makes it comfortable to keep lounging, whether you're dining al fresco or catching a game on a dedicated outdoor TV. Plus, unlike traditional fire pits, another excellent source of heat, patio heaters start up in seconds and don't produce smoke or open flames during operation, making them easy to use in any outdoor space.
While commercial restaurant towers can run upward of $500, staying warm outdoors doesn't require a massive investment — over half of our top-tested picks cost less than $200 and still carry full CSA or UL safety listings.
After talking to experts and testing 10 patio heaters for heat output, safety, and ease of use, our best overall pick is the East Oak Patio Heater. This dome-style propane heater heats large spaces quickly and powerfully. If you're looking for something small and portable, the Mr. Heater Buddy Patio Heater is a small, yet mighty option that costs under $100.
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Top picks for patio heaters
Best overall patio heater: East Oak 50,000 BTU Patio Heater - See at Amazon
Runner-up patio heater: AmazonBasics Patio Heater - See at Amazon
Best 2-in-1 patio heater and fire pit: Ninja Fireside360 Patio Heater & Fire Pit - See at Amazon
Best electric patio heater: Westinghouse Electric Outdoor Patio Heater - See at Wayfair
Best tabletop patio heater: Cuisinart Portable Tabletop Patio Heater - See at Amazon
Best portable patio heater: Mr. Heater Buddy Patio Heater - See at Amazon
Best wood pellet patio heater: Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater - See at Solo Stove
Best overall
The mid-priced East Oak came out on top for its powerful heat output, easy install and overall use, and stable, nice-looking design.
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This stylish model doubles as a table. The East Oak Torch Propane Patio Heater excelled in all our tests, coming out as a top performer in terms of design, ease of use, and heat output. It's also the best propane patio heater we tested. This dome-style patio heater features a classic barrel-style base that holds a 20-pound propane tank, and it comes in a variety of colors to match your decor. I tested the black model, which was surprisingly stylish with its contemporary matte finish, and I love that the top of the base doubles as a small table where you can put a drink or small plate — the surface doesn't heat up during operation, so you could rest your phone there if you wanted.
It's easy to set up. This patio heater took around 30 minutes to set up, and I appreciated its clear, illustrated instruction manual and well-labeled hardware. The heater was a bit wobbly when it was first assembled, but it was much more stable once I filled its base with sand and installed a 20-pound propane tank. The unit also comes with mounting hardware in case you want to secure it directly to the ground, and, in case it tips over, it has an automatic shut-off for safety. It's also the only model I tested that offers flame-out protection, automatically cutting off the gas supply if the fire goes out.
Ignition is simple, but reaching the controls might be difficult for shorter people. I was able to ignite this heater on the first try, and unlike other models, the ignitor doesn't require a battery, so it's ready to go right out of the box. It's worth noting that the heater's controls are somewhat high off the ground — I'm 5' 5" and could just reach them. This means that they're out of reach of children, but shorter adults might have trouble operating the control dial.
It's powerful. In addition to being well-designed, the East Oak Patio Heater also excels at its main function: heating up your outdoor space. It emitted a significant amount of heat on its high setting, raising the temperature in my testing area by 20 degrees in just 30 minutes. I could feel the warmth from about 6 or 7 feet away, making it a top performer in both heat output and coverage area. It will certainly keep you toasty warm, even on the chilliest evenings, and it's a top choice for larger outdoor entertaining spaces.
Runner-up
The powerful AmazonBasics Commercial Patio Heater blasts out 46,000 British thermal units (BTU) of heat that covers the surrounding air like a warm blanket. It's sturdy and easy to use.
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This is the best patio heater under $150. The AmazonBasics Patio Heater was our tester Steph's "panic purchase" during the pandemic when the weather started to turn colder. Living in Canada, it was comfortable enough to sit outside even during the chilly fall and early winter. It provides a consistent amount of heat that spreads over a large enough area to keep a small group of people comfortable when the weather is chilly. At 46,000 BTU, the Amazon Basics Patio Heater has a slightly lower heat output than the East Oak, but the base has wheels that make it easier to reposition on your patio. Price-wise, it's marginally cheaper, available for just around $150.
It's powered by propane and features simple controls. The mushroom-top unit has a single control knob with an ignition setting and two adjustable heat options, low and high. The heat controls are placed at the top of the unit, which requires short people like Steph to stand on their toes to reach, but keeps the controls out of kids' hands. It runs on a propane tank, the same kind you may use for your BBQ. The stainless steel design is weather-resistant, so there's not really any need to store it away for the winter.
It makes being outside more comfortable during cool weather. Even a powerful patio heater like the AmazonBasics unit won't turn your deck into a summertime oasis when the weather is freezing. Still, it can offer a hint of warmth, making it easier to spend more time outside in the cooler months.
Read our full AmazonBasics Patio Heater review.
Best 2-in-1
The Ninja Fireside360 Outdoor Heater & Fire Pit is a versatile hybrid that combines the cozy visual flame of a fire pit with the direct warmth of a propane patio heater.
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It delivers the best of both worlds. The Ninja Fireside360 Patio Heater & Fire Pit bridges the gap between a traditional flame table and a high-output patio heater. While it's significantly pricier than standard dome heaters, combining two outdoor staples into one offers genuine space and value — saving you $300 or more you'd otherwise spend on a stand-alone fire pit. Unlike standard dome heaters that beam warmth downward from eight feet high, the Fireside360 sits at seating level, distributing radiant heat outward in a full 360-degree radius. It can be used in three versatile ways: heat-only mode for warmth, flame-only mode for ambiance, or both simultaneously for a full firepit effect.
Don't let the 80,000 BTU rating fool you. On paper, its 80,000-BTU rating sounds like twice the power of a standard 40,000-BTU tall dome heater. However, that figure represents its total combined output when running both its visual flame and radiant heating elements at maximum settings simultaneously. While it won't throw heat across an entire open yard, its multi-burner design delivers fast, concentrated warmth right at coffee-table level—raising temperatures around our seating cluster by 15 to 20 degrees within minutes. Keep in mind, however, that both modes on high draw fuel faster than standard single-burner units, draining a 20-pound propane tank in roughly 5 to 6 hours on full blast.
It's simple to set up and safe for a covered space. Assembly took about 20 minutes out of the box —far faster than tall dome models with multi-piece reflectors. You mostly just need to plug in a 20-pound propane tank inside the cabinet and add the ceramic fire rocks. The push-button ignition sparked up reliably on the first try during testing, and the side-mounted control dials have a deliberate push-turn-and-hold safety mechanism to prevent young kids from accidentally turning on the gas. Plus, its low profile makes it an option under porch overhangs where dome-top and pyramid heaters can't run safely.
Read our Ninja Fireside 360 review.
Best electric
The Westinghouse Infrared 1500 Watt Electric Patio Heater is a great choice for those who want a patio heater without having to fuss with propane, but it does have a shorter heating radius. Its weatherproof design can be used safely outdoors, on screened-in porches, patios with an overhang, or outdoor seating areas very close to a house.
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Electric patio heaters are lightweight and heat quickly. "The Westinghouse Infrared 1500 Watt Electric Patio Heater is a light and powerful electric heater that heats small areas well and has a small, portable footprint. Unlike propane tower heaters, this electric patio heater requires minimal assembly, and you'll never run out of fuel. Though it needs to be positioned within the distance of a wall outlet.
It's versatile. It can also be used in areas with an overhang and closer to buildings, which propane heaters can not. That is useful for people with smaller yards like mine, who may not have the option to move an outdoor dining table or seating away from their house. It also has an IP44 rating, meaning it's OK if it gets sprayed with water.
The Westinghouse heater is powerful, but it only heats a small area. It was capable of raising the temperature by around 30 degrees after 10 minutes. Even after two hours of running at night, the heater maintained a 27-degree improvement over the ambient temperature. However, the heater heats only a small space, up to about 3 feet. That means it's most useful for those who need only enough heat to keep one or two people comfortable outdoors, and only if they sit very close together. I thought this heater was a good choice when working and eating outside alone, but I wouldn't use it when entertaining. If you are looking for a heater that can warm a crowd or a large patio, this isn't the heater for you." — Jamie Davis Smith, Reviews contributor
Read our full Westinghouse Electric Patio Heater review.
Best tabletop
The Cuisinart Tabletop Patio Heater is compact and lightweight, making it easy to take on the go. It’s just the right size to warm up an outdoor dining space.
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It's compact and quiet. If you have limited space on your patio, Cuisinart's Portable Tabletop Patio Heater. This compact design weighs just 11 pounds (without a propane tank) and is easy to move around; you could even pack it in your car for camping or other outdoor adventures. It runs on 1-pound propane tanks, which screw into the base, and it was also the quietest of all the propane models I tested, so it won't disturb your conversations as you relax outside.
It's easy to carry around. This tabletop patio heater had a surprising number of screws to assemble, but the whole process only took around 10 minutes — much faster than any of the full-size models. I loved that I could easily lift and carry the heater around my outdoor space, and it lit up on the first try. However, I did find that I needed to hold the base steady as I pressed the control knob in, as it requires enough pressure that you might accidentally tip the unit over.
It's the perfect size for small spaces. Despite its compact form, the Cuisinart heater proved just the right size to warm a dining table or a small conversation area. It raised the temperature in the immediate area by 5-10 degrees, and its warmth could be felt from around 3 feet away. It did give off a slight chemical smell the first time I used it, likely due to manufacturing residue burning off the burner and wire guard, as there was no odor on subsequent uses. Overall, it's a solid pick for smaller outdoor spaces or taking on the go.
Best portable
The Mr. Heater Buddy Patio Heater is a compact, portable heater perfect for personal use and heating up small outdoor spaces. Its rugged design also makes it suitable for camping.
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You can take this patio heater anywhere. This little, lightweight device from Mr. Heater is an excellent option if you're short on space or want an outdoor heating option while you're on the go. It's only 14 inches wide, making it suitable for tabletop use, too. On mild winter days, I use it as a supplemental heating device to my AmazonBasics unit. It heats the surrounding area fairly quickly and runs for up to five hours — the single control knob allows you to choose between low and high heat. You'll benefit most if you're sitting in front of the heater.
It's my personal favorite. I recommend this space-saving heater to anyone wanting to spend more time outside, as it will help keep you warm without gobbling up valuable real estate.
Best pellet
Unlike most patio heaters, this one burns wood pellets instead of propane fuel. The Tower Patio Heater is a sturdy and powerful option that can heat a large area and offers the cozy ambiance of a wood-burning fire.
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This heater combines intense warmth with cozy vibes. While propane patio heaters are convenient and easy to use, they just don't offer the same ambiance as a wood-burning fire. If you like the coziness of a crackling flame, you may want to splurge on the Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater, which runs on wood pellets instead of propane. It does take longer to heat up (and shut down), but this sturdy heater is unbeatable if you want a warm, homey vibe on your patio.
Setup is quick. The base of this heater arrives fully assembled, so you really just have to install its chimney and heat deflector, making it faster to set up than other full-size models. My test unit did arrive looking a little worse for wear — it had a few dents on the hopper from being banged around during shipping. The marks didn't impact its functionality, but customer service still offered to send replacement parts free of charge.
A full hopper lasts three hours. In terms of operation, the unit's hopper can hold 25 pounds of wood pellets for up to three hours of operation, and there's a shutoff handle inside the hopper that lets you start or stop the gravity-fed pellet feeder. To start the stove, the brand recommends using a fire-starting gel, which gets the pellets burning in around 10 minutes.
It's the most powerful patio heater we tested. During testing, I found that the stove takes around 30 to 45 minutes to reach its maximum heat output and can raise the temperature in my testing area by 15-20 degrees. The warmth could also be felt up to 8 feet away, making this one of the most powerful options I tested. When you want to turn the heater off, you simply close the pellet feed, and the fire will burn out in around 10 minutes. It's not quite as convenient as a propane heater, but it's faster and easier to put out than a regular fire pit.
It's very heavy. The Solo Stove is much heavier than other models, weighing over 100 pounds. This makes it harder to move around your outdoor space, but the weight also makes it incredibly sturdy. The unit would be nearly impossible to tip over, which is a good thing, considering it lacks safety features found in its propane counterparts.
How we test patio heaters
To create our guide to the best patio heaters, we researched top-rated models, including propane, electric, and wood-pellet options. We reviewed ten products during two separate testing rounds.
After setting up each patio heater, we evaluated its appearance, stability, portability, and safety features. We also considered how easy it was to get them ready for use — whether that meant attaching a propane tank or filling a hopper with wood pellets — and igniting the heater.
To assess each model's heating performance, we ran the units at their highest setting for at least 1 hour. Using a thermometer, we monitored the temperature 3 feet from the heater, taking measurements every 15 minutes. We also measured the maximum distance at which we could feel the heater's warmth, and we noted how much propane (or other fuel) each model consumed during testing.
We also spoke with three experts to learn more about patio heater safety and features: Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief with the Montreal Fire Department; Dan Mock, brand manager for Mister Sparky, an electrical services company; and Thomas Bonfiglio, CEO and founder of Triple T Hospitality.
What to look for in a patio heater
Type: Here's a quick breakdown of the most common types of outdoor patio heaters on the market:
- Dome-top: Also known as mushroom-top heaters, these models are tall and skinny, with a large metal disk on top that deflects heat downward, distributing it evenly over a large area. They run on propane and have a similar heat output to pyramid-style units.
- Pyramid: A tall, freestanding outdoor heater with a triangular shape that usually runs on propane. Flames run up a center column from the bottom to the top of the heater. This guide currently does not feature a pyramid style because our previous pick from Fire Sense is no longer available, and we're exploring new options.
- Tabletop: Compact, portable gas heaters small enough to fit on a patio table, such as the Mr. Heater Buddy Heater or the Cuisinart.
- Electric heaters: These hanging-lamp or freestanding infrared heaters offer plug-and-go convenience and can be placed in enclosed areas, unlike propane models, which require proper ventilation. However, they require a power outlet and put out a lot less heat than propane-powered heaters.
While most outdoor patio heaters use propane or electricity, natural gas heaters also exist, but they require professional installation into an existing gas line, so we don't expect to test these anytime soon.
Certifications: Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief with the Montreal Fire Department, said shoppers should look for patio heaters with certifications from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). Other recognized testing labs include CSA (CSA Group) and ETL (Intertek). These independent certification bodies test appliances and ensure they meet specific safety standards.
Griffith said many inexpensive products don't have these safety certifications, which can be quite expensive for brands to obtain."There's a reason one company can sell it at half the price," he said. Though a product with safety certifications often costs more, Griffith said it's important to prioritize safety over price.
Heat output: Outdoor patio heaters rely on radiant heat to warm people and surfaces directly rather than on trapped air volume. Manufacturers rate outdoor heat output in British Thermal Units (BTU)—a measure of total heat energy. Generally, higher BTUs indicate a more powerful heater and a larger potential coverage area. However, manufacturer square-footage estimates assume ideal, windless conditions; in open outdoor spaces, real-world warmth depends heavily on heater placement and radiant efficiency.
Estimate your heating requirements based on direct coverage area (square footage) and space exposure:
- Baseline heating rule: Plan for roughly 30-50 BTUs per square foot of targeted outdoor living space.
- Tabletop and personal spots (up to 100 sq. ft.): 5,000 to 12,000 BTUs warm 1 to 2 seated individuals directly in front of the unit.
- Standard seating area (150-250 sq. ft.): 40,000 to 50,000 BTUs cover a 6-to-10 foot radius. A single 40,000-BTU dome heater comfortably warms a small conversation cluster, not an entire deck.
- Large Outdoor Spaces (300+ sq. ft.): Require multiple tall heaters or overhead infrared strips spaced 8 to 12 feet apart for uniform coverage.
Fuel type: Whether you choose an electric, propane, or natural gas patio heater may depend on your setup and preferences.
- Propane: Propane-powered heaters typically produce more heat than electric heaters because they aren't limited by the circuit system of your home. That, of course, means there are some additional safety considerations for propane heaters since they won't shut off automatically like an electric heater will when a circuit is overloaded. Most propane patio heaters are compatible with standard 15- to 20-pound propane tanks, but some portable models use smaller 16-ounce canisters. Small and large propane tanks are readily available at most hardware stores; it typically costs about $20 to $25 to refill or buy a 20-pound propane tank at Home Depot. How much gas your patio heater uses depends on its heat output, what setting you're using, and the surrounding air temperature. (The colder it is, the more gas you'll use to heat the area.) AmeriGas says you can expect to generate 22,000 BTU per hour per pound of propane. So if you have a 40,000-BTU patio heater, it'll burn through about 2 pounds of propane every hour at its highest setting. Gas-powered patio heaters create flames, producing a natural, fireplace-like glow. Bonfiglio said he settled on gas models for his restaurant because of their ability to diffuse heat evenly without adding unnecessary bright light.
- Electric: Electric heaters are usually cheaper and safer to operate because they produce less heat. They also don't require regular trips to the hardware store for fuel refills. But the heat isn't very powerful or far-reaching if you're looking to keep a crowd warm. Keep in mind that frequent use of an electric heater will increase your power bill. Depending on your local utility's energy mix, an electric heater may be more environmentally friendly than a propane or natural gas heater, especially if the electricity is generated with renewable energy. However, if your home isn't equipped with an outdoor outlet, a gas heater may be your only option.
Controls: Bonfiglio also chose patio heaters with controls high up and out of customers' reach, which keeps diners safe and the atmosphere consistent. If your household has children or pets, consider a patio heater with out-of-reach controls to prevent accidents. Most tall, freestanding patio heaters naturally have controls that are high up. My AmazonBasics patio heater has controls that are so high I need to stretch to reach them.
On the flip side, if you don't have wayward hands in your home, you might find it a pain to break out the step ladder whenever you want to turn on your patio heater. Some models come with remote controls for easier operation, or you may opt for a tabletop unit.
Portability and storage: Experts told us that you can store most propane heaters outside year-round. Add a cover to prevent unnecessary wear and tear during rainstorms and cold winter months. We recommend choosing a wheeled model if you're opting for a standalone unit, such as a dome-top or pyramid heater, so it's easy to wheel out of the way when not in use. If you're storing a portable patio heater indoors, remove the propane attachment first.
Patio heaters FAQs
Are patio heaters safe?
To make sure your patio heater is as safe as possible, Griffith says to always follow manufacturer recommendations and to keep your heater away from anything combustible. Be sure to allow 4-5 feet of space in all directions, including vertically.
Are electric patio heaters safer than propane patio heaters?
Electric patio heaters are generally safer than propane patio heaters because they're limited to electrical power and include built-in safety features. But still be careful when using an electric patio heater. Dan Mock, brand manager for Mister Sparky, an electrical services company, advises being careful about the placement and taping down wires to avoid tripping.
Is a higher BTU better for patio heaters?
A higher BTU output means your patio heater will cover a larger area and deliver more warmth, but it will also consume fuel faster than a model with lower output.
How long will a patio heater run on a 20-pound propane tank?
It depends on heat output and the ambient temperature, but patio heaters using a 20-pound propane tank will generally run for about nine to 15 hours.
How many square feet will a 40,000 BTU patio heater heat?
While it depends on output and reach, a 40,000-BTU patio heater should comfortably heat about 150-200 square feet.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
