Top 10 Patio Heaters for 2025: Stay Warm and Cozy Outdoors

Patio heaters are the perfect finishing touch to any outdoor area but you’re going to want to think about power sources and efficiency, style and size when picking the best option for your garden setup. Some patio heaters are fuelled by gas, but there’s a significant shift towards using electric heaters these days, as they’re convenient and more efficient, heating up quicker. If attractive patio heaters are very much your priority, there’s a range of styles on the market, from floor-standing units and those designed to sit on tables, to wall-mounted and cantilever options.

Top 10 Patio Heaters for 2025

Here are our top recommendations for patio heaters in 2025, based on extensive testing and research across various sources, ensuring you can enjoy your outdoor space year-round.

1. AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-SSxxx

The AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-SSxxx packs 48,000 BTUs of heating power for cool-weather outdoor socializing. With 48,000 BTUs of heating power, it delivers the best bang for your buck, and it has enough safety features to make sure that nothing goes bang! It features a table with an adjustable height for added usability and a wheeled base for maneuverability on paved surfaces. The heater has a clearly marked ignition mechanism that allows for safely starting it, and its flame is easy to control so you can create the ideal amount of warmth. Overall, we found this heater to be convenient and efficient.

• Pros: High heat output, sturdy construction, adjustable table, safety features like auto shut-off.
• Cons: Assembly can be complex, requires regular maintenance to prevent carbon buildup.

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2. Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Outdoor Propane Patio Heater

The Amazon Basics propane patio heater is one of the best-selling heaters online, with a simple design that’s easy to use and throws a ton of heat. It can be assembled with just simple hand tools in less than an hour, uses standard 20-pound propane tanks (like your grill), and has a shutoff safety feature valve for if it tilts too far in any direction. Reviewers were particularly impressed with how sturdy the unit was, given its reasonable price. It’s mostly made of metal, so you won’t want to toss it around, but it has small wheels to help you move it into place and can toss heat for about 8 to 10 feet in any direction.

• Pros: Affordable, easy to assemble, reliable heat output, sturdy build.
• Cons: Limited color options, propane tank not included.

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3. Hiland FS-1212-T-10 Aluminum Scroll Propane Pit

If you’re going to invest in one of the best patio heaters, you may want to consider one that doubles as furniture. The Hiland Fire Pit is much more expensive than most patio heaters, but there’s something to be said for the elegance of a bronze fireplace-island. With a powerful 42,000 BTU, it stands at 23.4 inches tall. It also has an easy access propane tank door, lid for burner area and a safe fire glass. The hammered bronze will look good in just about any backyard, and is perfect for year-round use. Alongside its premium price tag, it is large in size overall. So you’ll need to ensure you have adequate space, or else you won’t have much leg room to move around it safely.

• Pros: Elegant design, doubles as furniture, high heat output.
• Cons: Expensive, large footprint, heavy to move.

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4. Fire Sense Stainless Steel Table Top Patio Heater

If your space-heating needs are modest, this is one of the best patio heaters you can get. At just 38 inches high, it’s easy to move this tabletop heater from one surface to another. It’s also available in two color options ¡ª a neat bonus. This propane heater uses a 1lb LP gas cylinder (not included), and produces an adjustable output of 10,000 BTU. This is sufficient enough to quickly heat up a space, and it features a one step Piezo ignition system that will instantly turn on the heater. The Fire Sense Stainless Steel Table Top Patio Heater is ideal for small groups of three to four people; the propane lasts for about three hours at a time. There’s a weight plate in the base for added stability, and the burner screen guard adds some extra peace of mind for errant fingers.

• Pros: Compact, easy to move, quick ignition, affordable.
• Cons: Limited heat range, small propane tank capacity.

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5. EnerG+ HEA-21288LED Canopy-Style Electric Heater

We’ve reviewed this guide and still stand by all of our advice, though we now recommend the EnerG+ HEA-21288LED as our canopy-style electric heater pick. During our testing, we used this model on its lowest setting and observed an impressive rise in surface body temperature from 65.7 to 92.7 degrees. Although it may not warm up a large crowd, it gets the job done for those sitting within a few feet of it. It includes a convenient remote control shelf.

• Pros: Efficient electric heating, remote control, compact design.
• Cons: Limited heat range, requires power outlet proximity.

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6. Solo Stove Tower Patio Heater

Although the Solo Stove patio heater is pricier than the others we tested, operating it is competitively cost-effective. We paid under $16 for two 40-pound bags of wood stove pellets, which is enough for about 10 hours of burn time. In comparison, a standard propane tank providing about 10 hours of burn time for a 48,000-BTU propane tower heater will cost between $18 to $25, or up to about 30 percent more than the price of heating with wood pellets. The warmth could also be felt up to 8 feet away, making this one of the most powerful options I tested. The unit would be nearly impossible to tip over, which is a good thing considering it doesn’t have any safety features like its propane counterparts.

• Pros: Cost-effective fuel, powerful heat, sturdy design.
• Cons: Expensive, lacks safety shut-off, heavy.

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7. Mr. Heater Buddy Patio Heater

The Mr. Heater Buddy Patio Heater is a compact, portable heater perfect for personal use and heating up small outdoor spaces. Its rugged design also makes it suitable for camping. It’s only 14 inches wide, making it suitable for tabletop use, too. On mild winter days, I place it under my patio table as a supplemental heating device to my AmazonBasics unit. It heats the surrounding area fairly quickly and runs for up to three hours ¡ª the single control knob allows you to choose between low and high heat. You’ll benefit most if you’re sitting in front of the heater.

• Pros: Lightweight, portable, ideal for camping, quick heating.
• Cons: Limited heat range, small fuel capacity.

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8. Blumfeldt Heat Guru 360 Patio Heater

Even better, the Blumfeldt Heat Guru 360 Patio Heater comes ready assembled, so there’s no DIY to do before you can use it, and it’s very easy to operate. The icing on the cake is that it’s also a very affordable purchase in relation to comparable products. The only real downsides worth noting are that unless you prefer your heat source low to the ground, you will also need an outdoor table or mid-height surface to place this heater on if you want it to keep torsos and faces warm. And, as an electric heater rather than gas, you are somewhat restricted to where you can use it outdoors as you’ll need access to a power socket.

• Pros: No assembly required, affordable, efficient infrared heating.
• Cons: Requires power outlet, limited placement options.

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9. Pamapic Pyramid Patio Heater

For those looking for a budget option, we were incredibly impressed with the performance of the Pamapic Pyramid Patio Heater despite its low cost. It emits heat 360 degrees around the unit, and we were able to feel substantial, comfortable heat within 10 minutes¡ªand even quicker when we sat closer to the heater. The heat is adjustable through a dial, and we found it easy to operate. When it comes to design, the heater is attractive. We chose the hammered-bronze finish, but it’s also available in stainless steel, black, and hammered gray. But our favorite feature this heater offers is a clear glass tube that makes the flame visible, which created the same relaxing vibe of a fire pit.

• Pros: Budget-friendly, attractive design, visible flame, easy to use.
• Cons: Glass tube can be fragile, less portable due to weight.

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10. Arlmont & Co. Triplett Propane Patio Heater

The Arlmont & Co. Triplett Propane Patio Heater is our top pick because it checks so many boxes. This tower heater has a BTU of 42,000, so it can generate quite a bit of heat. It’s nearly 60 pounds without a propane tank inside, making it extremely sturdy and unlikely to tip over in strong winds. When testing this heater, we were most impressed by how quickly it heats up. You can see the flames through the clear tube, so you always know whether it’s on or not. We also loved that the outside of the tube doesn’t get hot, so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself.

• Pros: Quick heating, sturdy, safe design, visible flame.
• Cons: Tall setup may require a step ladder, heavy to move.

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Comparison Table of Top Patio Heaters

Model	Power Source	BTU/Wattage	Heat Range	Weight	Price Range
AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-SSxxx	Propane	48,000 BTU	10-12 ft	~50 lbs	$150-$250
Amazon Basics Patio Heater	Propane	46,000 BTU	8-10 ft	~30 lbs	$80-$150
Hiland FS-1212-T-10	Propane	42,000 BTU	10-12 ft	~60 lbs	$300-$400
Fire Sense Table Top	Propane	10,000 BTU	3-4 ft	~15 lbs	$50-$100
EnerG+ HEA-21288LED	Electric	5,100 BTU	10 ft	~20 lbs	$100-$200
Solo Stove Tower	Wood Pellets	N/A	8 ft	~100 lbs	$400-$600
Mr. Heater Buddy	Propane	9,500 BTU	3 ft	~10.6 lbs	$50-$100
Blumfeldt Heat Guru 360	Electric	2000W	10 m2	~10 lbs	$50-$100
Pamapic Pyramid	Propane	48,000 BTU	10 ft	~61 lbs	$100-$200
Arlmont & Co. Triplett	Propane	42,000 BTU	15 ft	~57.2 lbs	$200-$300

Testing Scenarios and Performance

To gauge its effectiveness, we put this patio heater through its paces on a cold day of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (that felt like 35 degrees) with winds of 10 miles per hour. We were quite impressed with how well it heated our immediate area. Despite the manufacturer’s promise that the heat can reach up to 12 feet away, on the highest setting, the furthest distance we could feel the heat was 7 feet. On the lowest setting, the heat was noticeable from as far as 3 feet away. Even though the heat didn’t extend as far as the manufacturer had indicated, we liked that we could feel the heat being dispersed evenly from all sides when standing nearby.
In testing, the Big Timber had very even heat distribution across all heights with a 10.13 average differential from 1 foot and a drop to 3.48 at 4 feet. Temperature measurements were set at four elevations relative to the heater’s cap and 11 equal distances from the heater for 44 measurement points. Because a patio heater isn’t necessarily made to warm at a distance, the useful range for most of them is about 4 feet.

Buying Guide for Patio Heaters

• Power Source: Patio heaters use electricity, propane, or natural gas. Propane heaters are more portable, and oftentimes come with a wheeled base so you to easily move around your deck or patio depending on the wind or seating situation. Electric patio heaters are more energy-efficient. You can also discreetly mount them on your walls or ceilings for a subtle heating solution.
• Heating Power: When you’re shopping, you may see labels listing a range of BTU power, which is how much thermal energy a heat source produces. A more practical figure that some manufacturers list is how many square feet the unit will heat. For larger areas, a standing heater is usually the best option. These heaters provide consistent and reliable heat, and they are typically more powerful than tabletop models.
• Safety Features: Look for heaters that have been approved for safety; UL- and CSA-tested are common safety approvals. These products have been evaluated to ensure all safety requirements have been met. Features like tip-over auto shutoff and burner screen guards are crucial.
• Maintenance: There is little maintenance required with outdoor heaters, which is one of their biggest advantages. Other than the occasional wipe down, the only real maintenance you’ll need to worry about is replacing gas tanks (for propane heaters). To clean an outdoor heater, simply wipe surfaces down with water and mild soap or a damp cloth.
• Design and Aesthetics: The heat they give off is important, but so is the design elegant fits into the overall picture of modern gardens. Advance with their slim lines and the use of first-class materials Design patio heater to an eye-catcher.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best type of patio heater for a small patio?

Tabletop heaters like the Fire Sense Stainless Steel Table Top Patio Heater or Mr. Heater Buddy are ideal for small patios. They provide targeted heat for small groups and are easy to move, making them perfect for compact spaces.

2. Are electric patio heaters more efficient than propane?

Yes, electric heaters are generally more efficient as they heat up faster and don’t lose heat to the air. They’re also easier to maintain, requiring no fuel refills, but you’ll need access to a power outlet.

3. How long does a propane tank last in a patio heater?

A standard 20-pound propane tank typically lasts 6-10 hours for a 40,000-48,000 BTU heater, depending on the heat setting. Smaller 1-pound tanks, used in tabletop heaters, last about 2-3 hours.

4. Can patio heaters be used under a covered patio?

Yes, but ensure proper ventilation. Propane heaters should never be used in fully enclosed spaces due to carbon monoxide risks. Electric heaters are safer for covered areas but still need airflow.

5. How do I maintain my patio heater?

Clean the heater annually with mild soap and water to remove debris. For propane heaters, check the burner and pilot for blockages and replace parts like the emitter screen if worn out. Store the heater in a dry place when not in use.

Conclusion

Investing in a patio heater will help you make the most of your garden and outdoor space after dark. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or looking to eek out your evenings spent outdoors, these top 10 patio heaters for 2025 offer a range of options to suit different needs and budgets. From the powerful AZ Patio Heaters HLDS01-SSxxx to the budget-friendly Pamapic Pyramid, there’s a heater for every outdoor space. For more insights on outdoor heating, check out Consumer Reports or This Old House.