The 6 Best Electric Patio Heaters to Keep You Warm All Year
If you’ve put a lot of time, effort, and money creating a beautiful backyard, you want to enjoy it as much as possible. Unfortunately, when the weather turns cold, it can sometimes be too chilly to spend time outdoors and have it be enjoyable.
That’s where electric patio heaters come in. These appliances help ensure you are still warm while enjoying your backyard, patio, or deck throughout the entire year. They’re also great to have on hand during the summer months when the nights can get cool.
With just a little know-how and some help from this guide, you can find the best electric patio heater for your backyard.
Top Picks
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Best Overall Electric Patio Heater: Briza Infrared Patio HeaterIdeal for homeowners who are unsure if they want a wall-mounted or freestanding electric patio heater.
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Best Wall-Mounted Electric Patio Heater: Dr. Infrared Heater Wall-Mounted Patio HeaterKeeps enclosed or roofed patios extra toasty during chilly nights.
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Best Hanging Electric Patio Heater: DONYER POWER Ceiling Mounted Electrical Patio HeaterProvides a chandelier-type heating element to patios and decks.
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Best Freestanding Electric Patio Heater: Fire Sense Stainless Steel Telescoping Offset Pole MountedKeeps patios and other outdoor areas warm throughout the fall and winter.
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Best Tabletop Electric Patio Heater: Star Patio Tabletop Electric Patio HeaterAdds warmth and ambiance to any outdoor table setting.
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Best Electric Patio Heater Table: EnerG+ Infrared Electric Outdoor Heater Bistro TableGreat for homeowners who love to entertain outdoors and could always use more table space.
How to Buy an Electric Patio Heater
When deciding on the best electric patio heater for you, there are a few questions to ask yourself:
1. Do You Want Wall-Mounted or Freestanding?
Electric patio heaters come as either wall-mounted or standing appliances. Wall-mounted heaters are a great option if you do not plan on moving the heater around. Meanwhile, you can easily move a freestanding electric patio heater to wherever you need it. There are also tabletop electric patio heaters, which are an excellent choice for smaller spaces.
2. How Much Power Do You Need?
Depending on the size of the space where you plan to use the electric patio heater, you'll need to figure out how powerful of a heater you'll need to keep the space warm.
The heat produced by an electric patio heater is normally measured in wattage. Some heaters even offer more than one heat setting. Smaller spaces (about 150 square feet) can get away with 1500W or less, while larger areas may require more wattage or more than one electric patio heater.
3. What Safety Options Do You Need?
As electric patio heaters provide heat, they must be used safely and plugged in properly to ensure no one gets burned. Because freestanding heaters can potentially tip over, some have a built-in sensor that will automatically turn the heater off if it senses it’s being tipped over. Other heaters will turn off if they sense they are overheating.
Take a look at what you need — especially if you have kids and pets — and keep that in mind when making your decision.
Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Electric Patio Heater
Here’s a look at the test factors we developed for selecting the best electric patio heaters:
- Price: Does this electric patio heater fit into your household budget?
- Type: Is the patio heater wall-mounted or standing?
- Heating Power: How much wattage does the electric patio heater use to produce heat?
- Control: How is the electric patio heater controlled — does it have a dial or switch on the unit or is it turned on and off by remote control?
- Ratings: Does this electric patio heater have any specific IP ratings for outdoor use? IP ratings signify a device or object's ability to withstand elements like water and dust. This is important for space heaters since they operate outdoors where they're subject to weather changes.
- Safety Options: What types of safety options does the heater come with? For example, will it automatically turn off if it’s accidentally tipped over? Does it have a shut-off timer?
- Warranty: Does the manufacturer claim the product will last for a few seasons?
Take a look at our list of the best electric patio heaters on the market.
Best Overall Electric Patio Heater: Briza Infrared Patio Heater
Not sure whether you want a wall-mounted or freestanding electric patio heater? You don't have to make up your mind with the Briza Infrared Patio Heater.
This electric heater can be mounted on the wall or ceiling with its included hardware, or used as a freestanding heater by its included tripod.
This heater offers three heat settings — 900W, 1200W, and 1500W — that are switched by the included remote control.
Safety features on this heater include an automatic shut-off in case the heater is accidentally tipped over, as well as a built-in timer that can be set for one to nine hours.
And the Briza Infrared Patio Heater is also IP55-rated, meaning it can withstand dust, sand, rain, and snow.
Pros
- Can be used as either a wall-mounted or freestanding heater
- Offers three heating levels
- IP55-rated protection against dust, sand, rain, and snow
Cons
- None that we can see!
Best Wall-Mounted Electric Patio Heater: Dr. Infrared Heater Wall-Mounted Patio Heater
With over 2,000 ratings and 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, there's no guessing why the Dr. Infrared Heater Wall-Mounted Patio Heater is our top pick for the best wall-mounted electric patio heater. The heater offers easy installation thanks to the included wall and ceiling mount bracket.
Made from durable aluminum, the electric heater offers three heating options — 900W, 1200W, and 1500W — that you can select through the included remote control. Feel confident and safe using this electric patio heater thanks to built-in overheat protection and a timer.
And the Dr. Infrared Heater Wall-Mounted Patio Heater is IPX4-rated so light water splashes will not harm it. However, keep in mind that it is not completely waterproof so it should not be used in exposed outdoor areas.
Pros
- Easily wall-mounted with included bracket
- Made from durable aluminum
- Offers three heating options
Cons
- Not waterproof — only for use in sheltered external areas
Best Hanging Electric Patio Heater: DONYER POWER Ceiling Mounted Electrical Patio Heater
If you like the idea of your electric patio heater hanging more like a chandelier than mounted to the side of a wall, then the DONYER POWER Ceiling Mounted Electrical Patio Heater is for you.
This ceiling fixture's round shape allows it to provide heat in a 360-degree pattern above where it’s placed. The heater's adjustable-height pull-down chain allows you to turn the heater on and off and switch between its two heating options: 600W and 1500W.
And the DONYER POWER Ceiling Mounted Electrical Patio Heater is IP24-rated so it can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Pros
- Ceiling-mounted heater looks like a chandelier
- Provides 360-degree heating thanks to its round design
- Two heating options available
Cons
- No warranty offered that we could find
- No remote control
Best Freestanding Electric Patio Heater: Fire Sense Stainless Steel Telescoping Offset Pole Mounted
Easily keep your patio pleasantly warm during chilly nights with the Fire Sense Stainless Steel Telescoping Offset Pole Mounted Infrared Patio Heater.
Available in either stainless steel or black, this freestanding electric patio heater provides 1500W of heat. The heater is quickly turned on and off through a switch on the unit and its 12-foot retractable power cord and wheels on its base make it easy to move around and place wherever you need it.
Lastly, the Fire Sense Stainless Steel Telescoping Offset Pole Mounted Infrared Patio Heater will automatically turn off if it ever tips over.
Pros
- Provides 1500W of heat
- Has 12-foot retractable power cord and wheels on its base for easy moving
- Automatically shuts off if it ever tips over
Cons
- Not waterproof
- No remote control
Best Tabletop Electric Patio Heater: Star Patio Tabletop Electric Patio Heater
If you like the idea of having a freestanding electric patio heater you can place on a table, then the Star Patio Tabletop Electric Patio Heater is for you.
This tabletop electric patio heater looks like a table lamp thanks to its design, and can even be used as an outdoor lamp as it emits some light when turned on. Weighing less than 12 pounds, this heater's 1500W of power is the perfect amount for keeping family and friends warm around a table.
The heater is easily turned on and off through the included pull switch and it is IP44-rated, making it resistant to dust and weather for outdoor use. Feel safe using the Star Patio Tabletop Electric Patio Heater thanks to its tip-over automatic shut-off and anti-skid base.
Pros
- Tabletop heater designed to look like a table lamp
- Provides 1500W of heat
- IP44-rated for outdoor use
Cons
- No remote control
- Only one heat setting
Best Electric Patio Heater Table: EnerG+ Infrared Electric Outdoor Heater Bistro Table
Why have just an electric patio heater when you can have one that doubles as a bistro table as well?
The EnerG+ Infrared Electric Outdoor Heater Bistro Table's design features a heating tower emitting 1400W of heat and a tempered glass tabletop perfect for resting drinks and plates on. There are also built-in white LED lights in the middle of the tabletop for illumination and atmosphere.
The heater will automatically turn off if it senses it's overheating or has been accidentally tipped over. And the EnerG+ Infrared Electric Outdoor Heater Bistro Table is IP24-rated for outdoor use, so it’s safe to use even when it's raining.
Pros
- Electric patio heater designed to be a bistro table
- Features a tempered glass tabletop with built-in LED lights
- IP24-rated for outdoor use, even when it’s raining
Cons
- No remote control
- Only one heat setting
Electric patio heaters are a convenient and efficient way to keep outdoor spaces warm and comfortable, even during chilly evenings. With a range of options available in terms of design, size, and features, it's easy to find one that meets your specific needs and preferences.
Do you have an electric patio heater that keeps you toasty warm on cold nights? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Frequently asked questions
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