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Many people enjoy spending time outdoors during the evening, but when it starts to get cold outside, they often find themselves retreating indoors.
If you are one of these people and want to make your evenings more enjoyable by staying out for a while longer, then you should consider investing in a patio heater. Outdoor heaters come in many shapes and sizes – some can be mounted on your wall or ceiling for safety reasons, while others will have wheels so that they can be easily moved from around.
We have compiled this list of the best patio heaters that we could find based on customer reviews and product specifications! Everything to make your patio as enjoyable as possible.
What is a Patio Heater?
First of all, let’s look at what a patio heater actually is. A patio or outdoor heater is an outdoor heating appliance used to maintain a comfortable temperature in cool or cold weather. Patio heaters are often installed outside on the ground, mounted onto walls, hung from ceilings of porches and balconies, or suspended over pools.
They come with many different options; you can get them fixed into place or they may have wheels so that they can be easily moved around (depending on your needs). Some patio heaters provide warmth only but others also offer light for nighttime visibility while still others double as fire pits.
Things to Consider When Buying a Patio Heater
If you’re in the market for a patio heater, there are a few important things to consider before purchasing.
Finding the right patio heater depends on a few factors such as the size of your outdoor area, whether you’re looking for warmth only or light and heat together (or just one), what type of fuel works best with the patio heater, how much time it will take to install a new system onto a wall or other surface.
Types of Patio Heaters
The three main types are electric-powered, propane-powered and natural gas heated which all have their own pros and cons.
Electric Patio Heaters: These come in two varieties; corded and battery operated so if power is an issue then this won’t be your best option. The cords can get tangled quickly making them frustrating to use but they don’t need any additional pieces that may bother you while enjoying some fresh air outside on the couch or your lounge.
Propane Patio Heaters: Other patio heaters are propane-powered. These can be more expensive to purchase than electric-powered heaters, but they produce a cleaner and safer flame. Some people may prefer propane because of the safety features that come along with it.
Natural Gas Patio Heaters: The final option is natural gas patio heaters, which need to be hooked up to your gas line and usually require hiring professional installers.
All three have their own pros and cons with some being slightly better than others depending on what’s most important when looking at different types of patio heaters.
Design of Patio Heaters
Patio heaters are available in different designs. The most popular patio heaters are fixed units on some sort of mount. These can be placed wherever you need them to keep you warm. Other patio heaters can be mounted on the wall or ceiling of your patio, or have wheels to easily move them around.
The functionality of Patio Heaters
If you’re just looking for a small patio heater to keep you comfortable after a chilly day outside, then there are many options that will suit your needs. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more intense to stand up against colder temperatures and winds, or want something that also lights up your outdoor space, then you may need to invest in a more powerful model.
The Power Output
Patio heaters come with different BTUs (British Thermal Unit), so it’s important that you know what you’re looking for before purchasing one.
The formula for calculating BTUs needed to heat any space is relatively simple. First, you need to know how big your patio is, multiplying length x width to calculate square footage.
20 BTU x Area (= Length x Width)
So if you have, for example, a patio of 50 x 50 feet (250 sq. feet), you would need: 20 BTU x 250 = 5000 BTU
Here is another interesting overview:
| Area In Sq. Feet | Recommended BTUs |
|---|---|
| 100-150 sq. ft. | 5,000 |
| 150-250 sq. ft. | 6,000 |
| 250-300 sq. ft. | 7,000 |
| 300-350 sq. ft. | 8,000 |
| 350-400 sq. ft. | 9,000 |
| 400-450 sq. ft. | 10,000 |
| 450-550 sq. ft. | 12,000 |
| 550-700 sq. ft. | 14,000 |
| 700-1,000 sq. ft. | 18,000 |
| 1,000-1,200 sq. ft. | 21,000 |
| 1,200-1,400 sq. ft. | 23,000 |
| 1,400-1,500 sq. ft. | 24,000 |
| 1,500-2,000 sq. ft. | 30,000 |
| 2,000-2,500 sq. ft. | 34,000 |
Source: Patioliving.com
The Best Propane Patio Heaters
#1. Amazon Basics Patio Heater with Wheels, Propane, 46 000 BTU
#2. Patio Heater with Cover and Wheels, Propane, 48 000 BTU
#3. Outdoor Patio Heater, Propane, 48 000 BTU
#4. Avenlur Pyramid Outdoor Patio Heater with Cover, Propane, 42 000 BTU
#5. PAMAPIC Pyramid Patio Heater, Propane, 42 000 BTU
This 89.4-inch patio heater features a glass flame tube and 42,000 BTU’s of heat output. A side door gives you easy access to the 20 lb. propane tank (not included), making it easy to change it out as needed.
The attached wheels make it easy to move the heater to your preferred spot, and the variable heat setting allows you to adjust the temperature to your liking!
The Best Electric Patio Heaters
#1. Briza Infrared Patio Heater, 1500W
#2. KEY TEK Wall-Mounted Electric Patio Heater, 1500W
#3. Colliford Electric Hanging Patio Heater, 1500W
The Best Natural Gas Patio Heaters
#1. Fire Sense Natural Gas Patio Heater, 45 000 BTU
#2. Fire Sense Natural Gas Patio Heater, 45 000 BTU
#3. VQQ Adjustable Natural Gas Patio Heater, 47 000 BTU
How to Maintain Your Patio Heater?
- To prevent fire hazards, place patio heaters away from flammable materials like fabrics and foliage.
- Make sure to disconnect all gas valves while cleaning your heating unit.
- Protect your patio heater from outdoor elements with a furniture cover or move it into a protected area to maintain its value.
- Use a patio cover to protect your heating unit from critters and dust in the burner while it’s not in use.
- When storing your heating unit, be sure to remove the reflector because it is likely to get damaged if left on. To avoid damaging your heater and aid in storage, simply unscrew the nut that holds the reflectors in place.
- Stainless steel heaters can be cleaned with stainless steel cleaner and a brush to remove stains.
- Cleaning powder-coated heaters with mild soap to maintain the protective coating. Rinsed well in water afterward.
Conclusion
If you want to enjoy the outdoors after dark for a little while longer, investing in an outdoor heater is one way that might make your evenings more enjoyable.
When looking for a patio heater, it’s important to consider the size of your outdoor space, how often you want to use it, what kind of power source you prefer, and how much you are willing to spend on it.
Tip: Have you considered buying a backyard hammock to spruce up your patio and relax in?
