7 Best Outdoor Patio Heaters of 2024, Tested by Experts

Oct 14, 2024

Stay warm and cozy in chillier temps with these outdoor electric and gas heaters.

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Even if you're bundled up in warm clothing, that crisp fall air may send you running inside — unless you have one of the best outdoor heaters on your patio. Whether you have a mushroom, pyramid or wall-mounted heater, these gadgets help keep exposed skin warm and even eliminate the need for a blanket. They may also be a safer option than alternatives like fire pits if you have children and pets.

Every year the Good Housekeeping Institute tests hundreds of items for your home, including outdoor heaters. To find the best patio heaters, our pros spent 12 weeks assembling and testing a variety of gas and electric models of various sizes. Below you’ll find the best outdoor patio heaters from top-performing brands that impressed both our experts and consumer testers.

This propane patio heater clinched the top spot in our tests for its great heat output and quality construction. It produces 48,000 BTU, and according to the manufacturer, heats up to 200 square feet. It also has a control valve to adjust the temperature and wheels for increased portability. We found the instructions easy to follow and assembly was simple, however, it did take about 45 minutes to put together, though this is common in many larger outdoor patio heaters.

Electric or gas: Gas | Size: 32.25 x 32.25 x 87.25 inches | Claimed heating coverage: 200 square feet

It may not be the least expensive patio heater on our list, but this full-size gas-powered model is a steal for what it is. Our experts found this Amazon Basics outdoor heater easy to assemble with solid construction, and the manufacturer claims it can warm up to 324 square feet — significantly more than our top overall pick. In tests, it didn't quite produce as much heat as our best overall pick, but still throws a good amount of heat (about a 9-foot radius) to keep you cozy in the cold outdoors, especially for the price. We like that it comes in two different finishes, too: bronze and slate gray.

Electric or gas: Gas | Size: 32.12 x 32.12 x 91.3 inches | Claimed heating coverage: 324 square feet

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If you prefer an electric heater over gas and don't mind the fact that you might see an uptick in your electricity charges, this is one of the most popular patio heaters on Amazon. Our pros appreciate it can either be mounted to the wall or has the option to come with a tripod. Setup is minimal: just plug it in and it’s ready to heat up to an 85-foot diameter. It comes with a convenient remote control to adjust the heat. Users say it's a true Goldilocks option — it cuts the chill but doesn't get overly hot. We appreciate that it's made with weatherproof aluminum, but it's important to note that exposure to rain or moisture is not recommended by the manufacturer.

Electric or gas: Electric | Size: 35 x 8 x 4 inches | Claimed heating coverage: Not listed

Many outdoor heaters you'd likely want to bury in a corner, but this one takes the spot for the best design with its aesthetically pleasing look that you’ll want to show off in front of guests. According to the manufacturer, the propane-powered pick heats up to 500 square feet, however, in our tests, it wasn’t the most powerful heater out of the bunch, but it kept those closely surrounding it warm. We also liked the fact that you can adjust the heat to your liking — a feature that can be surprisingly hard to come by in patio heaters. It also has wheels so it’s easy to move around your space.

Electric or gas: Gas | Size: 24.5 x 20.5 x 87 inches | Claimed heating coverage: 500 square feet

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It may not be the most stylish option, but users praise this infrared patio heater for its convenience, easy setup and portability. You can use it on a patio or balcony, a covered porch or even indoors — say, in a garage that's not temperature-controlled. According to the manufacturer, heat coverage varies based on whether your outdoors or indoors. It heats up to 100 square feet outdoors or 1,000 square feet indoors. Consumers were satisfied that it kept them warm, however many noted that it will not keep you as warm as a propane heater. The height is adjustable up to seven feet, so you can direct the heater exactly where you want the warmth.

Electric or gas: Electric | Size: 36'' x 32'' x 44-84'' (adjustable height tripod) | Claimed heating coverage: 100 sq. ft. outdoors or 1,000 sq. ft. indoors

For those times when you don't really want a big, bulky patio heater that's hard to move but you do want warmth, users say this heater fits the bill. Many gravitate towards this smaller, more portable option for garages or covered porches to heat themselves. With its small size, it's likely not going to heat a large group of people, but is suitable for targeting one or two people. Users say, for this purpose, it throws a good amount of heat. The compact size makes it easy to tote around, too, adding to its versatility. It also has a fan-only option and extra-long eight-foot cord.

Gas or electric: Electric | Size: 8.7 x 7.1 x 6.3 inches | Claimed heating coverage: Not listed

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Our pros appreciate the small size of this outdoor heater — it's small enough to put on a table and warm up those nearby, which is ideal for a dinner party. Importantly, it's built with safety in mind. The propane-powered heater has a weighted ring in the base to help keep it from tipping over. It also has a burner screen guard around the heating element so nothing accidentally touches the hot grate.

Users say assembly is straightforward, plus appreciate that it's easy to use. Simply insert a 20-pound propane tank into an access door in the body of the heater, then crank it to a heat setting to suit your needs and comfort. Just be wary: Some users say the pilot light is rather finicky — especially as propane wanes.

Gas or electric: Gas | Size: 20.87 x 37.8 x 20.87 inches | Claimed heating coverage: 97.43 square feet

When we test outdoor heaters, our engineers assess the ease of use by reviewing the clarity of the instruction manual, as well as setting up the outdoor heater or factoring in what it would take to set it up. We also test any claims the brand makes — like heating coverage — and additional features. We also solicit feedback from consumers who use outdoor heaters on their patios, porches and even inside their garages to glean real world feedback about ease of use and efficiency.

✔️ Electric vs. gas. When choosing between an electric or propane outdoor patio heater, both have their pros and cons:

✔️ Usage: Some patio heaters can safely be used on a covered porch and some cannot. It's always best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations on whether you can use the patio heater under a covered porch and how much clearance you need to use it safely.

✔️ Size: Consider the size of the unit when shopping for outdoor patio heaters. Some heaters are tall and need proper clearance for safety, so they may not be able to go under a covering. If you're going to be moving your patio heater around, you may want something smaller that can be easily carried or has wheels. Lastly, if you are only going to be heating yourself and not a group, a small portable heater may do the trick.

✔️ BTUs/power: You’ll often see BTU when shopping for patio heaters and it stands for British Thermal Unit, which is essentially how powerful the heating unit is, so the higher the BTU the more heat you’ll likely get. Look at the manufacturer’s BTU recommendations for your size space. Also, keep in mind it may be worth it to invest in multiple smaller patio heaters for targeted areas of heat instead of one big heater.

✔️ Heat range: This is the measure of how large of an area will be warmed by a heater. It is usually expressed in square feet, though with round heaters, you might also see it as a radius or diameter.

The type of patio heater you need depends on your patio space and personal preference. Standing propane patio heaters are good for outdoor settings and can be moved to the desired location without having to worry about being limited by an electric cord. These heaters also tend to be more efficient than their electric counterparts. However, if you are using a heater in a partially enclosed space, electric heaters tend to be safer. Tabletop units are a good choice if you are heating a small area, like an outdoor dining table, and want to be able to tuck it away when finished. Some also prefer the look of propane heaters, while others prefer the electric heater designs.

This article was written by Jamie Kim, a consumer product expert with almost two decades of experience, including a full-time stint across multiple GH Institute Labs including Media and Tech. She regularly contributes her product expertise to Good Housekeeping, as well as other major publications. She holds a degree in mechanical engineering.

Rachel Rothman, a former Chief Technologist & Head Engineer for the GH Institute, also tested some of these outdoor heaters. She has over 15 years of testing experience in the home and outdoor space and a B.S.E. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.

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