The 8 Best Patio Heaters of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

AZ Patio Heaters Patio Heater With Table

$198 at Amazon $174 at Walmart $182 at Home Depot

After testing over 50 patio heaters, we found the AZ Propane Patio Heater to be the most functional and aesthetically pleasing propane patio heater. To gauge its effectiveness, we put this patio heater through its paces on a cold day of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (that felt like 35 degrees) with winds of 10 miles per hour.

We were quite impressed with how well it heated our immediate area. Despite the manufacturer's promise that the heat can reach up to 12 feet away, on the highest setting, the furthest distance we could feel the heat was 7 feet. On the lowest setting, the heat was noticeable from as far as 3 feet away.

Even though the heat didn't extend as far as the manufacturer had indicated, we liked that we could feel the heat being dispersed evenly from all sides when standing nearby. If you want a more directional option, our best design pick has a slightly lower heat output with an adjustable reflector. This is especially convenient when hosting a small group of friends around the heater's built-in table.

We were quite pleased with how fast and easy the patio heater was to assemble. Thanks to the clear labels and illustrations in the manual, it took us less than an hour to build. Once assembled, we added the propane tank to the built-in tank compartment and turned it on without any issues.

One of the most appealing features of this patio heater is its portability. The mobility afforded by the wheels allowed us to easily move the heater through grass, concrete, and even a few steps of stairs. We do wish the heater came with a cover to protect it from the elements—however, you can purchase one separately.

_{Dimensions: 87 x 17 x 17 inches | Material: Steel | Btu: 48,000 | Heat Range Diameter: 10-12 feet}

Best Electric

EnerG+ Electric Patio Heater

$300 $260 at Amazon $294 at Walmart $260 at Wayfair

If you're looking for a quick way to warm up guests on your patio or deck during chilly weather without the use of propane, we recommend this electric heater. During our testing, we used this model on its lowest setting and observed an impressive rise in surface body temperature from 65.7 to 92.7 degrees.

The tower is over 50 inches tall, so it can warm a person from the ground up even if they are sitting down, unlike the tabletop heaters we tested. While the electric heater doesn't have as far of a heating range as our best overall pick, we could feel a decent amount of heat while sitting about 3 feet away from the unit.

Thanks to its simple two-button remote, we also liked that we didn't have to get up from our comfy patio or deck seats to turn it on. (The ON button activates the 500-watt low setting; a second click toggles the heat to the medium 1,000-watt setting; and a third click throttles the heat to the 1,500-watt high setting; the OFF button turns the system off.)

We do wish the the device had a remote-specific storage area or a clip for attaching the remote. Although there is a shelf for the remote, it can easily be knocked off. The heater itself is weatherproof, so you can leave it outside without worrying that it might get damaged if it gets wet.

Despite weighing 18 pounds, the device shouldn't tip over in light to medium breezes. The assembly process, which involved putting together the base and threading the power cord through the shaft, took us approximately 23 minutes. All the necessary hardware, including screws, washers, and an Allen key, is included, but a Phillips screwdriver is not.

While the assembly was not difficult, the diagrams were not foolproof, and we assembled the unit backward. Despite this, we found it a great electric heater for intimate gatherings with your closest pals. Although it may not warm up a large crowd, it gets the job done for those sitting within a few feet of it.

_{Dimensions: 51.5 x 11 x 11 inches | Material: Aluminum | Btu: 5,100 | Heat Range Diameter: 10 feet}

Best Design

Hampton Bay Heat-Focusing Propane Gas Patio Heater

$336 at Amazon $179 at Home Depot

Some people prefer electric heaters over propane heaters because they can easily be moved to the spot where you want more concentrated heat. However, we recently tested the Hampton Bay Heat-Focusing Propane Patio Heater and found that it effectively addresses this common concern. This innovative heater has an adjustable reflector to aim the heat, so we felt warmer even though the heat output was lower than our best overall with its stationary reflector.

We found the lever itself easy to move and enjoyed being able to customize our heating experience. However, its placement is notably high, which may pose a challenge for individuals shorter than 5 feet 4 inches. While the height can be inconvenient for some, it is a safety feature for households with children.

We placed and tested the heater about four feet away from our outdoor patio chair. As far as heating goes, there are only two options: low and high. When we initially set the heater on high, the warmth it provided was almost immediate; it took about 10 seconds to feel the heat from where we were sitting. The low setting was just as effective but not as intense, allowing for a more gradual warmth.

While the heater’s reflective shield allows you to enjoy the warmth without needing to move your patio heater close, it also features wheels, which can be useful when moving this 74-pound unit. That said, we did find that the wheels were not very effective on grass when we relocated to our patio. However, it's a lot more effective on a flat, cemented surface.

_{Dimensions: 86 x 34 x 34 inches | Material: Steel | Btu: 38,200 | Heat Range Diameter: 120 square feet}

Best Pyramid

Thermo Tiki Patio Heater

$235 at Amazon $235 at Walmart

If you’re looking for a patio heater that won’t ruin the aesthetic of your outdoor space, check out the Thermo Tiki Outdoor Propane Heater. When turned all the way, we found that it provided a 6-foot radius of warmth—beyond that distance, it was less effective. However, we think the Thermo Tiki heater is surprisingly powerful for such a slender tower.

It's also worth noting that because of the tower's tall, narrow design, the heat was concentrated at face height when we were seated at a table, causing a noticeable difference in warmth between our upper and lower bodies (the opposite of our best with table pick that only warmed our legs).

We do have to warn you that setting it up was a bit of a challenge. While the tower arrived neatly arranged in the box with tools and screws in a separate container, the instructions were more illustrations than words. Because the illustrations lacked detail, assembling the heater took much longer than expected, at about 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, once assembled, the heater element worked flawlessly.

The Thermo Tiki Outdoor Propane Heater has a pyramidal shape that is remarkably sturdy and won't budge if bumped. The heater's strap for securing the propane tank gives users peace of mind even though it lacks gas leak sensors. For less than $300, you can get an efficient yet stylish heater that will make those late-night outdoor gatherings very cozy.

_{Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 90 inches | Material: Steel, aluminum | Btu: 38,000 | Heat Range Diameter: 15 feet}

Best Wall-Mounted

Dr. Infrared Heater Carbon Infrared Outdoor Heater

$159 $110 at Amazon $190 at Walmart $100 at Home Depot

If you're concerned about the safety of your children or pets, consider a wall-mounted heater like this one from Dr. Infrared. Using the wall anchors that came with the heater, we drilled holes in the masonry and set it up on our outdoor patio. You may rest easy knowing that the Dr. Infrared wall-mounted heater will not fall over, thanks to its sturdy screw installation.

However, just because it's mounted to the wall does not mean it will not heat up. The ETL-certified heater has nine different settings and offers sun-like infrared heating, so you'll start to feel the warmth it offers in minutes. Even on the lowest heat setting, we could feel the heater's heat rising almost immediately when we held our hands close to it. When we turned it up to its highest level, the heat reached a range of 5 to 10 feet, which is plenty for the patio where we have our parties.

The heating is controlled via a button that allows you to toggle between low and high levels from the comfort of your seat. And just in case the heater ever falls off the wall—which is quite improbable given how securely it's attached—the device comes with a 360-degree tip-over safety switch. In addition, the heater is built to endure severe outdoor weather thanks to its waterproof design and aluminum frame. 

Although it is technically mounted on the wall, the included swivel brackets allow you to adjust the unit to move up and down. For a more portable option, you can purchase a tripod to place it on the ground, like our best design pick, which lets you aim the heat where you want it.

Keep in mind it could be difficult to put on certain types of walls, such as stone or brick. While it's not impossible, you'll need a hammer drill to make holes in your brick wall. Overall, we strongly recommend mounting this heater on your patio wall near your outdoor seating area, where you can enjoy the warmth and comfort it offers.

_{Dimensions: 8 x 4 x 4 inches | Material: Aluminum frame | Btu: 5,200 | Heat Range Diameter: Not listed}

Best with Table

EnerG+ Electric Tabletop Patio Heater

$256 at Amazon $255 at Walmart $264 at Wayfair

One unique feature that sets this patio heater apart from others we tested is that it doubles as a table for your drinks while providing warmth for your surroundings. Although our overall best recommendation pick comes with a built-in table on the heater, that's more for holding small items. This heater actually provides a seating area for up to four people (perfect for a compact patio or deck).

You need to get very close to the device before you can feel the heat, but this heater really is meant to keep a few people warm while they chat or enjoy some hot cocoa. We found that sitting 3 to 5 feet away from the heater was insufficient to maintain a comfortable body temperature. However, once our legs were closer to the heat source when we sat at the table, it felt much warmer.

As for the table, we found it to be very stable. It did not budge when we knocked into it or sat on it, so you can easily place drinks or plates without fear of it tipping over. We noticed that the heater is wrapped with a velvet-like material instead of a metal screen. Since the heating unit goes all the way around the pedestal of the table, we think this is possibly a safety feature to keep the screen cool to the touch.

_{Dimensions: 29 x 23 x 23 inches | Material: Aluminum | Btu: 5,100 | Heat Range Diameter: 10 feet}

Best Hanging

EnerG+ Hanging Electric Outdoor Heater

$162 at Walmart $147 at Wayfair $165 at Home Depot

This hanging patio heater by EnerG+ is perfect for those chilly evenings spent in a covered patio, gazebo, or wooden pergola. We hung this heater under our gazebo at home using the chain and hook provided within five minutes with a ladder and an extension cord. We were pretty impressed by how well the heater heated the space beneath us after we switched it on.

Thanks to the remote control, we could easily toggle between the low and high heat settings without getting up from our seats. It took two minutes to reach the desired temperature, and we could feel the heat from a distance of 5 to 10 feet. 

Besides heating up our space, this heater's unique feature is that it has LED lights at the base. We loved that we could use the lights and the heater simultaneously or individually when we just wanted to add some ambiance lighting. We found that the lighting was pretty vibrant and strong, although we wish we could change the setting and intensity of the light.

While we installed the heater in a covered gazebo, its steel frame and IP24-certified weatherproof rating make it safe to use outdoors, even in damp or rainy environments. We didn't experience any issues with the heater on windy days.

The heater's spherical form evenly distributes heat 360 degrees, making it ideal for heating any outdoor space where friends and family gather. If you have an exterior wall available and no overhang, our best wall-mounted pick is a good alternative.

_{Dimensions: 3.9 x 17.8 x 17.8 inches | Material: Steel | Btu: 5,100 | Heat Range Diameter: 10 feet}

Best Heavy-Duty

Frontgate Commercial Patio Heater

$425 at Frontgate

If you’re willing to spend a little extra for a versatile and stylish patio heater that can be used beyond just a patio setting, look no further than this one from Frontgate. Despite its height of nearly 7.5 feet, thanks to its wheels and sturdy construction, we found it easy to move around from spot to spot.

In fact, only one person was needed to move the heater from the back patio to the driveway. Additionally, since most of the weight is on the bottom, it would take a lot to tip it over, so we are confident that a wind gust won't be a problem.

Although it was cold when we tested the heater, it kept us warm quickly. Even when the temperature dropped to 31 degrees, we had no problems with its performance, despite the manual's warning that its efficiency decreased below 40 degrees.

After heating up for a few minutes, it produced a considerable amount of heat in all directions. We found that the "sweet spot" appeared to be about 2 feet from the heater, with 4 feet, 3 inches being the farthest we felt the heat. But again, this was on a night when the temperature was well below the recommended low range.

The Frontgate is an elegant product with controls and a solid feel. There was nothing flimsy about this unit. It doesn't have a table like our overall best recommendation, but it feels much more solidly built. The assembly was easy and took less than an hour. The most time-consuming part was removing the plastic seal from the metal shield. We didn't have to go digging around for tools because they were all included in the box.

While most of the patio heaters we tested had safety features like an automatic shutoff built in, this one did not. It also lacks a cover, which is recommended to protect it from the elements but will add to the already expensive cost (cover sold separately).

_{Dimensions: 89 x 33 x 18 inches | Material: Not. listed | Btu: 46,000 | Heat Range Diameter: Not listed}