Best patio heaters – tried and tested electric, infrared, and gas outdoor heaters
The best patio heaters for outdoor warmth. We've tried and tested bestselling gas, electric, infrared, and tabletop heaters to bring you our top recommendations
Quick Menu
The quick list
1. Best infrared
2. Best electric
3. Best gas
4. Best tabletop
5. Budget buy
6. Wall-mounted
7. Wood-burning
How to choose
The best patio heaters can help you to maximise time spent al fresco and extend your enjoyment of your outdoor space.
Adding the warmth of a tabletop outdoor heater to your garden table and chairs, or installing a freestanding or wall-hung patio heater next to an outdoor seating area will allow you and friends or family to linger outside for longer – despite any chill in the air or the unpredictability of British weather.
If your outdoor living space is near a convenient power point then you can opt for an electric or infrared patio heater. Alternatively, you can plump for a gas patio heater or wood-burning fire pit if you’d prefer to be liberated from reliance on your nearest plug socket. Either way, if you've invested in some of the best garden furniture on the market, an outdoor heat source will ensure you can enjoy using it almost all year round.
To help you choose the best outdoor heater for your garden, we’ve tried and tested bestselling patio heaters from multiple leading brand names, including Swan, Kettler, and more. Our review process assesses set-up and ease of assembly, ease of use, portability, design features, and, of course, heating performance. Read on for our top recommendations.
The quick list
Short on time? This quick list is an overview of the very best patio heaters. You'll find more information on each outdoor heater and why our testers recommend it if you keep on scrolling.
Best infrared
Best infrared patio heater
Affordable and versatile, this infrared patio heater offers good functionality for a reasonable price and benefits from low running costs. There are two size options, both with easy-to-use heat settings, 360° oscillation, and compact designs that can be used indoors or out.
Best electric
Best electric patio heater
Perfect for garden parties, this freestanding column electric patio heater emits heat both front and back to keep guests warm whilst they're mingling. It also offers two heat settings and impressive build quality.
Best gas
Best gas patio heater
A large, stylish and powerful gas patio heater that offers the freedom to place it wherever you want – without needing access to an outdoor power socket. If only it didn't cost so much to run...
Best tabletop
Best tabletop patio heater
Kettler's patio heater collection offers plenty of stylish designs if you want an outdoor heater that looks good as well as offering warmth. The Kalos Lantern patio heater is available in three sizes and creates the perfect alfresco ambiance.
Budget buy
Most affordable patio heater
A budget buy, this freestanding electric patio heater is height-adjustable with a tilting head and three heat settings. We found its functionality somewhat lacking, but, for the price, you might be willing to overlook its basic design.
Best wall-mounted
Best wall mounted patio heater
If you're short on floorspace, or want to keep an outdoor heater well out of reach of children and pets, then this wall mounted electric patio heater is a good option. It can also be ceiling mounted, and just requires a suitable fixing point.
Best patio heaters – tried and tested
Why you can trust Ideal Home
Best infrared patio heater
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Blumfeldt Heat Guru 360 Patio Heater does lots of things well and for a very reasonable price. Available in two sizes, either the 44cm tall Mini Heat Guru, or the taller 56cm model we tested, the Heat Guru is lightweight, compact, and, as such, very portable. Its compact build also makes for easy storage and means that the heater can be used indoors over winter, adding extra versatility to your investment.
It offers two heat settings – either 600W or 1200W in the larger model – and comes equipped with an oscillation mode that enables the heater to rotate through 360° or 120° to warm multiple users in turn. Plus, there's a handy built-in automatic switch-off function should the patio heater tip over.
Its infrared electric functionality is designed to heat objects rather than air, and it did a great job of warming up our reviewer, who was also impressed by its economical running costs. Even better, the Blumfeldt Heat Guru 360 Patio Heater comes ready assembled, so there's no DIY to do before you can use it, and it's very easy to operate. The icing on the cake is that it's also a very affordable purchase in relation to comparable products.
The only real downsides worth noting are that unless you prefer your heat source low to the ground, you will also need an outdoor table or mid-height surface to place this heater on if you want it to keep torsos and faces warm, and, as an electric heater rather than gas, you are somewhat restricted to where you can use it outdoors as you'll need access to a power socket. Beyond that, this versatile, compact, and affordable patio heater is very hard to fault, which is why it's our top recommendation for the best patio heater you can buy.
Our full Blumfeldt Heat Guru 360 Infrared patio heater review has more detail.
Best electric patio heater
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you don't want a tabletop patio heater cluttering your dining surface then the Swan Column Patio Heater is a great freestanding option that can heat faces and torsos when users are seated but is also tall enough to warm a group who are standing up. Heat is distributed through both the front and back of the heater, so it's perfect for placing in the centre of the patio during an outdoor gathering when guests are mingling.
The column design also lifts the heating element up higher, meaning it's harder for children or pets to reach, and, as added peace of mind, it's fitted with a tip-over safety switch which means it will automatically turn off should it topple. However, based on our testing, this sturdy patio heater seems unlikely to get easily knocked over. Our reviewer noted its robust build, heavy base, and good quality design – as well as its 12.8kg weight – which means once it's in place it's staying put.
The flip side to that sturdy construction is that this isn't the most portable outdoor heater, and you will need a decent amount of storage space to store the 140cm high column design when it's not in use. You can dismantle it, but – although straightforward – self-assembly took our reviewer around 20 minutes, so that may not be a task you want to do often.
On the plus side, like the Blumfeldt Heat Guru 360 Patio Heater at the top of our list, the Swan Column Patio Heater is ideal if you’re keen to keep a check on running costs. Its two heat settings allow you to toggle between 1000W and 2000W of power, and provide a degree of flexibility – and economy – that few outdoor heaters have.
Learn more in our Swan Column patio heater review.
Best gas patio heater
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The biggest plus point of a gas patio heater is that you have the freedom to position it anywhere you want in the garden. Unlike an electric patio heater, you're not limited in placement by access to an outdoor power socket, so this fuel type can be a useful option for large gardens or any outdoor spaces where a socialising area is a long way from the house.
Compared to other gas patio heaters we've tested, the Outsunny 11.2kw Pyramid Gas Patio Heater is noticeably more stylish, offers good build quality, and is relatively affordable. You also get the option of two heat settings, and it comes with an anti-tilt switch built in, so it’ll shut off automatically if knocked over.
It offered good heat distribution in our tests, and its generous size and tall design made it a great option for keeping standing guests warm at an outdoor gathering. Plus, it looks good, with its high borosilicate glass tube and visible gas flame creating a real focal point as dusk draws in, and needing less active maintenance than a wood-burning fire pit.
The downsides are that you'll need to assemble this patio heater yourself, and it's a bit of a faff to do. For reference, it took our tester 2.5 hours to assemble it from scratch! Plus, once assembled it's large, heavy, and – despite its built in castor wheels – it's bulky to move and to store (although an outdoor cover is included). Burning through gas also raises environmental concerns and means higher running costs compared to electric, so this fuel type won't be for everyone.
Find more detail in our Outsunny 11.2kw Pyramid Gas Patio Heater review.
Best tabletop patio heater
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you want a patio heater that will create a stylish focal point on your patio or outdoor tabletop, then the Kettler Kalos Copper Lantern Patio Heater certainly fits the bill. Designed to look like a traditional lantern, its shiny copper finish reflects the sunshine to deliver statement style even when it’s not turned on. And, at night time our reviewer loved the warm light from the rose-gold halogen tube at its centre.
Lightweight and equipped with a large carry handle, this patio heater is also easy to move around the patio – although as it's electric, you will still be restricted to placement within access of a power socket.
The downside is that whichever of the three available sizes you opt for (73cm, 84cm, or 98cm tall) they're a significant investment. And for their price, it's a shame you only get one heat setting – a rather uneconomical 2000W – with no option to tone the heat down to save energy and expense. The Swan Column Patio Heater and Blumfeldt Heat Guru 360 Infrared Patio Heater each offer two heat settings for less cash. There's also no oscillation mode with the Kettler Kalos, which the Blumfeldt Heat Guru offers for a far cheaper price.
That said, we like the fact that the Kettler Kalos Copper Lantern Patio Heater is lightweight, easy to move around, heats up fast, requires no assembly, and provides a stylish ambiance to alfresco dining – whether it's turned on or not.
Our Kettler Kalos Copper Lantern patio heater review has the full lowdown.
Most affordable patio heater
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you're looking for a cheap patio heater, then the Devola Core 2kW Freestanding Patio Heater is a budget option that does the job.
As well as its affordable price tag, you get three heat settings – that's two more than many patio heaters over 3 times its price – a height-adjustable stand, the ability to tilt its head to direct the heat where you want it, and a remote control.
But, there are some downsides. It's not the most stylish patio heater to look at and its budget design impacts its performance, with the heater only offering a very short cable that means you'll likely need to invest in an additional outdoor extension lead if you don't already have one.
Our reviewer also found the heater only offered a narrow projection of heat, and although the tilting head is a good feature, in practice this was difficult to adjust when the heater was turned on as the head got very hot to the touch. We also missed the peace of mind of an automatic tip-over safety switch, which most other patio heaters on our list have, and the Devola does not. Lastly, the remote control’s usefulness soon fades a little due to its limited range.
All that said, if you’re on a tight budget and want an outdoor heater that doesn't require you to splash too much cash upfront, the Devola Core 2kW Freestanding Patio Heater still offers evening warmth, and won't break the bank in doing so.
Find out more in our Devola Core 2kW Freestanding Patio Heater review.
Wall-mounted
6. Swan Wall Mounted Patio Heater
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you have a compact outdoor space that's short on floorspace, you don't like the idea of a tabletop heater cluttering your outdoor dining table, or you want a patio heater that will remain well out of reach of young children and pets, then a wall mounted patio heater could be a great option.
The affordable Swan Wall Mounted Patio Heater can be mounted either vertically or horizontally on a suitable outdoor wall for year-round use, or attached to the ceiling if you have a suitable covered outdoor area. It's IP44 rated which means it's waterproof enough to be left outside all year round – obviously an essential feature as once mounted with the included fixing kit, this patio heater isn't portable. However, that does mean that once it's in place you don't have the hassle of dragging a freestanding patio heater in and out of storage if rain clouds loom.
There’s also a useful remote control included, as well as an on/off button on the side of the heater itself, and a total of 1800W of power which combined with an aluminium reflector makes for a very effective heat source.
We would have liked a couple of different heat settings to be able to tailor the amount of heat it emits, and due to its nature this patio heater won't suit all gardens, as it needs to be mounted on a suitable wall or ceiling within 1.8 metres of an outdoor power source. But, if you have a sheltered patio or outbuilding you want to warm up, this static outdoor heater could be a great buy.
Wood-burning
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
If you want to opt for a more traditional heat source, then a fire pit can create a great focal point in the garden and provide warmth for late-night gatherings. It's also a great option for a larger outside space, as, unlike an electrical patio heater, you're not restricted to positioning it near an outdoor power socket. You can position this outdoor heat source wherever you can carry it to.
The usual downside of a fire pit is the smoke that they produce, with wood-fired flames tending to mean that guests can end up with a face full of smelly smoke whenever the wind changes direction. However, Solo Stove aims to eliminate this problem thanks to its innovative 'smokeless' fire pit range.
The smokeless designs work via a secondary burn, made possible thanks to the fire pit's double-skin steel construction with vent holes at the top and bottom. Cool air is pulled through the bottom, heats up within the double cavity, and rises to the top, which invokes secondary combustion as the hot air exits the top vents. This continuous supply of air makes both for a brilliant rolling flame effect, and results in more thorough combustion and a hotter fire with less smoke. The rim at the top of the bonfire is also angled to help control smoke flow.
We tested the smokeless claims in our Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 firepit review and were pleasantly surprised by the results. This medium-sized fire pit can warm up to eight guests seated around its 49.5cm diameter, but there are also the smaller Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 Fire Pit and larger Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 Fire Pit to consider, aswell as the super-cute table-top Solo Stove Mesa Fire Pit.
See how it performed in our Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Fire Pit review.
How to choose the best patio heater
You're likely looking to invest in one of the best patio heaters on the market because you want to add some extra warmth to alfresco get-togethers. But, one size doesn't always fit all when it comes to getting this purchase right. As such, we've rounded up a few top tips on how to choose the best patio heater for your outside space.
Where to position a patio heater
It may sound obvious, but considering where and how you want to use a patio heater before you shop is the key to getting this purchase right.
If you're looking to add some warmth to your outdoor dining set up, then a table top patio heater can be a versatile addition, especially if you have a smaller patio.
However, if your outdoor dining table is short on space then a table top design might mean too much surface clutter, in which case a freestanding or wall-hung patio heater can be a better bet.
A tall, freestanding patio heater is also best for heating a larger outdoor area or keeping multiple people warm, and generally works best for warming standing guests at an outdoor gathering.
You'll also need to consider a power source. Which leads us on to decisions on the best type of fuel for your patio heater.
Patio heater fuel type
Patio heaters are usually either electric or gas, unless you're considering using one of the best fire pits on the market to add some warmth.
Of the two fuel types, gas gives the most choice over where the patio heater is located. As bottles of gas are portable, they’ll go wherever your patio heater does, meaning you can have heat at the end of the garden or by an outbuilding, far away from any electrical sockets.
Electric patio heaters need to be plugged in to a power source, ideally via a dedicated outdoor socket. To comply with current UK/EU safety standards electric heaters can’t be supplied with an attached lead longer than 1.8m, which limits how far away from the socket you can use the patio heater. You'll also need to be mindful of power cables, which could cause a trip hazard.
This makes gas patio heaters the most versatile in terms of placement in the garden. However, gas patio heaters come with both environmental concerns and increased running costs compared to an electric heater. Read more in our electric vs gas patio heater debate.
Other functionality
A basic patio heater might suit your needs fine, but if you want a little more finesse from your outdoor warmth then it's worth considering what other features might make alfresco living more enjoyable.
An oscillating patio heater, or one that dishes out multi-directional heat, can be a good bet if you have multiple people sharing one heat source.
An outdoor heater that offers multiple heat settings can also be well worth finding. This allows you to knock the heat up or down a notch as necessary, without the need to move the heater closer or further away from your seating space, and it can reduce running costs as you're only using the heat you need on any given occasion.
If you opt for a freestanding or wall hung patio heater then a remote control can also come in useful so you don't have to get up and down from your seat to adjust the heat.
And, looking for a model that includes a built-in tip-over safety switch, that will automatically turn the heater off should it topple, could add some welcome peace of mind.
FAQs
Got a burning question about patio heaters? The answer may well be in our Frequently Asked Questions section.
What is the most efficient type of patio heater?
Wondering which is the most efficient type of patio heater or the cheapest to run? Well, generally speaking, an electric patio heater will be more energy efficient than a gas patio heater.
Exact efficiency varies between models because how expensive a patio heater is to run will be dependent on how much wattage the specific electric heater requires, and whether the patio heater is equipped with different heat settings that allow you to tailor the exact level of warmth you require, rather than blasting out one constant level of heat that can waste energy.
Of the different varieties of electric patio heater, an infrared patio heater will likely be the most efficient type of all. That's because an infrared heater warms objects – like people – rather than wasting energy heating up the air.
What outdoor heaters put out the most heat?
A gas patio heater will generally dish out the most heat of all the different outdoor heater types, making them a great option for warming larger spaces.
However, they can also be inefficent, with much of the heat from the fuel you're burning rising straight into the air. And, with gas currently a lot more expensive than electricity, running costs are usually far higher than when using an electric heater.
How we test
You'll find full details of the Ideal Home review process on our how we test page.
Our team of reviewers tested a host of bestselling patio heaters to compile this guide. We compared assembly and set-up, design, ease of use, performance, energy efficiency, and price point to find the best patio heaters for various needs and budgets.
If there are any products included in this guide that we haven't managed to test in person, or the product didn't achieve at least 4 out of 5 stars, then they won't have an Ideal Home Approved badge. However, you can rest assured we've done thorough research on their technical specifications and read multiple happy – and not-so-happy! – customer reviews to narrow down our suggestions to only the best-in-class.
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After studying Print Design at Winchester School of Art, Amy spent multiple years working in the interior industry, including styling and visual merchandising for many well-known brands. She’s now Ecommerce Editor at Ideal Home, offering expert advice on the best products for decorating your home and ensuring it functions smoothly. That includes sourcing stylish yet affordable furniture – from the best sofa beds for combining style, comfort, and function, to the best artificial Christmas trees for a stress-free festive season – helping our readers to find the best mattress for their sleep style, and testing top-rated dehumidifiers and air purifiers to narrow down the best-in-class.
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