10 Best Patio Heaters of 2021

Sitting out on the porch, taking in the last hours of sunlight, and welcoming the stillness of the night time is therapeutic. The only problem is that doing so isn’t the most pleasant experience when there are cold winter winds merrily dancing around you. How does one continue to enjoy their daily evening out on the deck despite the cold? The answer lies in patio heaters. We know what you’re thinking, “patio heaters sounds rather expensive. How much will getting one cost me?” You’re in for a pleasant surprise because as indulgent as this heating equipment sounds, you can get one for anywhere between 100 to 900 dollars.

Here are our picks of the best patio heaters:

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1. Mr. Heater MH9BX Portable Heater

Wouldn’t it be nice to catch up with friends and family, out on your deck, trees swaying to the blowing of crisp evening air while you and your mates are all cozy and warm? This Mr. heater MH9BX portable heater delivers some ‘serious heat,’ so your evening fun isn’t interrupted by people’s discomfort. Other than on the patio, this heater comes in handy even in the garage or when you’re out in Rvs or cabins. 

With this heater, you get up to three hours of usage with a single pound canister. It lasts longer at a lower setting. This heater can easily keep an intimate circle of about four or five people warm. Its compact size and handle make it possible to take it along with you wherever you go conveniently. Proving it is ‘smart’ equipment, this heater automatically shuts off if it detects low oxygen levels. 

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Pros:

• Ideal for creating a warm haven in small spaces.
• Handle added for convenient portability.
• Long hours of usage.

2. Air Choice Patio Heater

There’s nothing more frustrating than waiting for a heater to warm while you sit there all cold and angsty. You don’t have to worry about that with this Air Choice patio heater. It has three halogen tubes that facilitate quick heating. How it works is it directs infrared heat directly to the objects or people it detects instead of spreading it out in all directions. This is why you can expect to enjoy the warm embrace of this heater a few seconds after turning it on. 

Temperature changes are constant. To accommodate your heating needs, this equipment features three heating modes so you can achieve a level of warmth that’s comfortable for you. For safety reasons, it comes with a round base that ensures that the heater stays firmly in place when in use. In case it falls accidentally, the power automatically shuts off. Its tough aluminum body also deserves mention because of its ability to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. 

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Pros:

• Does not emit any harmful chemicals or unpleasant odor.
• Conveniently change heat settings by tugging at the pull switch.
• Energy-saving.
• Can be positioned at any angle.

Cons:

• May not be ideal for large outdoor spaces.

3. Electric Patio Parasol Umbrella Heater

If you’re looking for an umbrella heater that’s worth your money, this electric patio parasol heater is it. Because it is electric powered, there’s no worry about it emitting any kind of odor or chemicals when in use. Being that it is meant for outdoor use, its infrared heating system is made to not be affected by winds or other challenging weather conditions. 

You’ll also appreciate that it operates quietly and does not succumb to damage because of exposure to dust or rainwater. This parasol heater is also easy to set up and can be folded in case you need to pack it for travel. Adjust the heater to a temperature that’s agreeable with you – three heating modes.

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Pros:

• Foldable design.
• Heats instantly.
• Three heat options.
• Easy to set up.
• Aluminum body is sturdy and durable.

Cons:

• More expensive than an average heater.

4. Hiland Pyramid Patio Propane Heater

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This Hiland Pyramid patio heater is the result of numerous quality tests to ensure its reliability. Each of its features is incorporated to allow a hassle-free use. It stands at a proud 89-inch height and is enclosed in a striking two-piece quartz glass tube. With this heater, you not only get patio equipment that proves useful during cold evenings but also a handsome showpiece for your outdoor area.

To access the heater’s propane tank, simply take it out from the equipment’s door – there’s no hassle or mess involved. Once filled, the heater does what it has to do (uninterrupted) for up to eight hours. Another thing we love about this heater is its wheels, a feature that allows easy mobility. 

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Pros:

• Easy-to-access propane tank.
• Long-lasting usage.
• Wheels added for convenient mobility.
• CSA approved.

Cons:

• May not be the best heater for extremely cold places. 

5. Rollmoss Natural Gas Patio Heater

Patio heaters find use only for a fixed number of months in most places. With that in mind, it helps if they are easy to remove and store during the other half of the year when they aren’t needed. This Rollmoss natural gas patio heater checks these criteria with its reflector being lightweight, compact, and foldable. Its reflector also works to protect the heater from natural elements and can even be used to control the level of heat up to a certain range.

Its electroplated iron body is of premium quality and can withstand the pressures of outdoor use. Have guests over? Adjust this heater’s position at any angle, so all your visitors are warm. You can also set the heating mode to a level of your choosing. Get your money’s worth; extend this heater’s use to the indoors too if you like. 

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Pros:

• Reflector protects it from natural elements.
• Made of high-grade materials.
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Energy-saving and environmentally safe.

Cons:

• May not be ideal in case of strong winds.

6. JIYU Hanging Electric Patio Heater

If there’s a patio heater that’s tailor-made for modern homes, it’s this sleek JIYU hanging electric patio heater. How it works is it features two heating tubes that produce up to 1500 watts of power each to bathe people in warm light in a matter of seconds. The infrared light emitted by this heater is completely safe for human skin. Feature-wise, we love the heater’s suave touchscreen button. Choose from five different heat settings using the remote control. Pretty convenient, isn’t it?

This heater’s auto shut off feature is godsent – it automatically turns off the heater after a 24-hour time frame (if you wish it to). You can now cozy up under blankets and doze off without the nagging worry about walking up to the heater to switch it off. We also love that this heater is completely pre-assembled, so we don’t have to set it up ourselves.

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Pros:

• Fully assembled.
• Operates quietly.
• Auto shut off at a 24-hour time frame.
• Remote control function.

Cons:

• Pricey. 

7. Tectake Tower Patio Heater

Kids and electrical equipment do not make a good team. As a parent, you’re always worried about them hurting themselves by accidentally hurting themselves because they came in contact with a hot, charged electrical equipment. To put your mind at ease, this Tectake tower heater comes with safety features such as overheating protection, tip-over protection, and automatic shut off. The heater is suitable for use in small spaces.

This portable patio heater has a built-in oscillating fan that effectively distributes warm air and does not allow heat wastage. You can place this heater in your kid’s room as he/she sleeps – it operates at a 45 dB noise level. The equipment also packs an anti-dust filter and is flame retardant. 

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Pros:

• Safe for homes with kids.
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
• Customizable heat settings.
• Handy remote control operation.

Cons:

• Not suitable for large spaces.

8. WGYHI Mini Patio Heater

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Weighing just 3 kgs, this mini patio heater doubles as a handy equipment you can take with you wherever you go. It’s perfect for cool evenings when you want to sit out in the yard but still want a little something to keep you warm. Given its size, you can’t expect this heater to provide as much warmth as the other heaters on this list. Nonetheless, it offers enough heat for a mini heater. 

Working through the night? Place this compact heater on your desk, so you’re set up in a snug space. This mini patio heater is also suitable for kids. It does not have any exposed heating elements and comes with safety features that make the equipment safe for children to handle. 

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Pros:

• Free of unpleasant odor or harmful chemical emission.
• Safe to use for kids.
• Use it at home or on the go.

Cons:

• Limited heat range.

9. Dr. Infrared Portable Heater

Looks-wise, the Dr.Infrared portable electric heater exudes old-school charm, and that’s one of the first aspects that make it unique. Other than its appearance, this heater steals the show with its capability to heat large spaces without any difficulty. Want to adjust its settings? There’s no need to get up from your seat. Use the remote to make adjustments from a distance. 

If you like going to bed with a heater on, you’ll appreciate the Dr. Infrared heater’s programmable timer and quiet operation features. Set a timer (up to 12 hours) before you jump into bed. Once the set time reaches, this heater will shut off on its own. Thanks to its 7-inch blower, this heater operates with minimal noise, so you aren’t nagged by constant humming sounds. 

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Pros:

• Programmable timer up to 12 hours. 
• Remote control.
• Heat that feels natural.
• Built-in humidifiers add moisture to the room/patio.

Cons:

• Can seem bulkier and more expensive than other heaters.

10. Costway Wall-mounted Patio Heater

Not a fan of cluttering your patio’s floor space with a free-standing heater? Check out this wall-mountable patio heater from Costway. It produces enough heat to warm large spaces – place it in the garden, patio, or balcony area. The heater features a 45-degree mounting angle that you have to preset before mounting it on the wall.

Five heat setting options are cool, but this heater’s nine heat settings are impressive, to say the least. A combination of gold-coated tubes and a superior infrared heating system facilitates quick and efficient heating at energy-efficient levels. Changing heat settings is convenient because of the heater’s neat LCD display and remote control operation. The heater also comes with a 24-hour timer and quiet operation features for your convenience.

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Pros:

• Nine heat settings.
• LCD display and remote control.
• 24-hour time feature.
• Resistant to rust and water.

Cons:

• Unit is rather small.

Patio Heaters Buyer’s Guide

Listed below are some factors to consider when buying patio heaters:

Power Source

Propane patio heaters are inarguably the most popular. However, if you don’t want to bother with handling propane tanks, electric patio heaters may be more suited for you. They can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet. Other choices are heaters powered by gasoline or natural gas.

Heat Output

The heat output of a patio heater is measured in BTUs. A higher BTUs indicates more heating capacity.

Range

A low range heater should suffice for a small space. For larger areas, you’ll want heaters with more range. 

Conclusion

Most patio heaters can be put to use indoors too. You bought a heater; you might as well put it to good use whenever and wherever you can do so. Wall-mountable patio heaters may not offer you this liberty. However, with portable heaters, don’t be afraid to spend a little more money on a superior-quality one because you can take full advantage of it throughout the winter, in any part of the house. A few extra bucks is a small price to pay for a warm home.