Top 4 The Best Outdoor Patio Heater Reviews: Reviews & Recommendations

Any time of the year, purchasing the best outdoor patio heater is a terrific way to extend the outdoor gathering season. Patio heaters are made to provide enough heat to make spending time outside comfortable, regardless of the weather. In order to keep everyone warm and toasty, fire up the grill, light a few tiki torches, and turn on the patio heater.

After comparing  heat output, utility, and design, we have evaluated the best heaters. On chilly days or nights, the best patio heater improves outdoor enjoyment and delivers heat where you need it. Each of the top choices listed below was chosen following a careful examination of the market and careful product verification.

Before you go shopping, review the key characteristics of outdoor heaters and discover why the following items passed muster in our tests.

1. Best overall: AZ Patio Heaters Hiland Freestanding Patio Heater

2. Runner-up overall: Pamapic Patio Heater 42,000 BTU Pyramid Flame

3. Best value: Mr. Heater MH4B Portable LP Heater

4. Best purchased product: Hampton Bay 48000 Btu Stainless Steel Patio Heater

• Zone Size

The largest area that a patio heater can comfortably warm relies on a number of factors. Many substantial patio heaters are radiant, which means that they disperse heat without the use of a fan by reflecting heat waves. Because it warms the items in front of it rather than just the air, radiant heat is more efficient. A fan-based heater (convection) won't keep people warm on a windy day if the wind pushes the heated air outside.

A patio heater can radiate heat 4 to 12 feet or even farther, depending on the strength of the heating element. Many include the option to change the heat output, so you can turn the heater down if you only need a little warmth or turn it up to heat a larger space.

• Aesthetic

While a patio heater's primary purpose is to maintain a pleasant outside temperature, many go above and beyond to add to a homey or romantic atmosphere. Some tabletop designs use glass rocks that reflect different colors of light, while others use flickering flames to give a dreamlike atmosphere.

Most propane patio heaters, with the exception of the smallest space heaters, include a cabinet that hides the propane tank to give them a neater appearance. Choose a material that complements the design of the patio and your home for the finest looks. A cast-iron fire pit would be more appropriate for a rustic cabin retreat while a sleek stainless steel patio heater will enhance the appearance of a modern home.

• Safety

Any source of heat powerful enough to warm a patio poses some safety risks. Patio heaters are covered in materials that are cool to the touch, or the heating element is elevated above where people may access it, by the manufacturer, to lessen the risk of burns (in the case of tower-style heaters).

1. AZ Patio Heaters Hiland Freestanding Patio Heater

Best features

• With wheels for simple mobility on paved surfaces

• Includes a tabletop that can be adjusted in height.

• Base-mounted hinged door for accessing the gas cylinder

• Flexible flame, simple to manage

This patio heater in the shape of a mushroom is the way to go if you're searching for a heater that produces a lot of heat. The steel-built heater provides warmth in a circle that is between 10 and 12 feet in circumference. Additionally, it has a mobile base for mobility on paved areas and an adjustable table for the convenience of visitors. You can simply and safely start the heater thanks to its clearly defined ignition mechanism.

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Overall, we thought this heater was practical and effective. With the exception of the cylinder access door for the propane tank at the base, its construction was generally sound. To assist keep it clean when not in use, we wish this item had a rain cover.

2. Pamapic Patio Heater 42,000 BTU Pyramid Flame

Best features

• With adjustable heat setting and a pilot light

• Pyramid decoration and a decorative visible flame

• Consists of a rain cover

• Movable platform with wheels for paved surfaces

The Pamapic Pyramid Flame Patio Heater's central clear glass tube is surrounded by dancing flames. With a variable heat output setting, this propane heater has a height of 89.4 inches. A sturdy cupboard at the pyramid's base is there to hide a 20-pound gas tank.

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This pyramid heater has a safety shutdown in case it tips over, a weight of 19.8 pounds (without the tank), and a base that is wider to aid in preventing tipping. It features wheels for convenient transportation and generates a hefty 42,000 BTUs of heat. The quartz glass tube is shielded by a metal cage, and the top reflector shield emits warmth. When not in use, the heater's zip cover will shield it from the elements and dust.

3. Mr. Heater MH4B Portable LP Heater

Best feature

• Inexpensive \sPortable

• Easy and quick assembly

The Mr. Heater Portable LP Heater is the ideal size for heating small spaces, such as  underneath a patio table, and is less than 11 inches tall. It may generate up to 3,800 BTUs of cozy heat when connected to a 1-pound propane cylinder. The heater weighs only 5.85 pounds and features an easy push-and-hold sparking starting button (without the propane cylinder).

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If Mr. Heater tips over, an automatic shutoff is built in. The heater is also equipped with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS), which will shut it down if the oxygen level falls below 18.5 percent. Because of the ODS sensor, using the space heater in covered patios or tents is possible without worrying about low oxygen levels.

4. Hampton Bay 48000 Btu Stainless Steel Patio Heater

Best features

• Tank access is made simple with a lift-up casing.

• Flexible flame, simple to manage

• Structure made of sturdy stainless steel

The Hampton Bay variant of the Hiland mushroom-style heater produces heat at a rate of 48,000 BTU. With a few minor exceptions, its construction is nearly identical to that of the Hiland heater. There are no wheels or an adjustable table on this heater. If you don't mind the loss of those accessories, the Hampton Bay version is more affordable than Hiland's heater.

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We discovered that the wheelless base of this heater made it challenging to move and that it did not come with a rain cover. The biggest annoyance, though, was trying to remove the protective film from the stainless steel base. If you don't intend to relocate the heater frequently, it's a nice heater overall.

1. How many BTUs will my patio heater require?

One size does not fit all when it comes to patio heaters. Patio heaters powered by natural gas and propane typically range from 5,000 to 40,000 BTUs or more. Select the option that best matches the required heat output level.

2. How far away from the house should the patio heater be?

Place a standalone electric heater and a gas heater at least three feet away from the walls and other objects, such as furniture. It depends on the type because certain electric heaters are made to be secure even when mounted on a wall or ceiling.

3. Under a covered patio, is it possible to have a patio heater?

The majority of electric patio heaters are made to be used in protected patio settings, like those that are enclosed or covered. Under a covered patio, a small gas patio heater, like a tabletop model, can typically be used safely, but a standard tower-style unit may be too high (within 5 feet of the ceiling) for that.

After putting each of these heaters to the test, we discovered that the Hampton Bay 48000 Btu Stainless Steel Patio Heater and AZ Patio Heaters Hiland Freestanding Patio Heater had the best outdoor patio heater, best tank concealment, and most fashionable design. These top two options will keep your family and visitors cozy on the patio while blending in with the majority of outdoor decor.