Our top picks at a glance
Best overall propane heater
Fire Sense Stainless Steel Pro Series Patio HeaterSee itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500A permanent patio spot where you want the most heat from a freestanding unit.Best lighter propane tower
Fire Sense Commercial Series Patio Heater (Onyx and Stainless)See itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Budget-minded buyers who want a tall propane heater they can roll around the patio.Best for looks
Fire Sense Stainless Steel Pyramid Flame Patio HeaterSee itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Patios where the look of the heater matters as much as the warmth.Best electric for a covered patio
Fire Sense Wall Mounted Infrared Patio Heater (1500W)See itPrice tier 1 of 4:Under $150Covered porches, screened rooms and pergolas with a nearby outlet.Best movable electric heater
Fire Sense Telescoping Pole Mounted Infrared Patio Heater (1500W)See itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500Covered patios where you want to move a heater between seating areas.Best simple plug-in
AZ Patio Heaters Indoor/Outdoor Standing Electric Heater (HIL-SEH-BLK)See itPrice tier 2 of 4:$150–$500A low-effort way to warm a small covered seating area from an outlet.
When the temperature drops, a patio heater is the difference between a backyard you use in October and one you abandon. The right heater depends on whether you have an open patio or a covered one, how much heat you need and whether you'd rather refill a propane tank or plug into an outlet.
The short answer
- Open patio, most people: Fire Sense Pro Series, a sturdy 50,000 BTU propane tower.
- Lighter propane tower: Fire Sense Commercial Series.
- Covered patio or porch: Fire Sense wall-mount infrared or the pole-mount version.
- A flame you can see: Pyramid Flame.
How we picked
We read the makers' product pages for output, fuel, size, weight, power requirements, safety features and warranty, and we only quote numbers we confirmed there. We did not test these heaters ourselves. A caveat: this guide is dominated by one maker, Fire Sense, because its pages were the ones we could read in full. Other well-known brands exist, but we couldn't confirm their specs from their own pages, so we haven't ranked them. We'll add more makers as we can verify them. Price tiers rather than exact prices appear on each card because prices change often. See our methodology.
Our top picks
Best overall propane heater
Fire Sense Stainless Steel Pro Series Patio Heater
A tall, heavy-duty propane heater with a replacement-parts warranty.
Fire Sense's Pro Series is a 50,000 BTU tower in heavy-gauge #304 stainless steel with a one-piece pole, tip-over protection, wheels and a base that hides a 20- or 30-lb tank. The maker covers defective parts for the life of the unit. It stands about 89 inches tall, weighs about 55 lbs, and runs roughly 10 hours on a 20-lb tank, so expect to refill. It's for outdoor use only.
What we like
- 50,000 BTU adjustable-flame burner in heavy-gauge #304 stainless steel, per the maker
- One-piece pole, tip-over protection and wheels; the base hides a 20- or 30-lb tank
- Lifetime replacement of defective parts under the maker's 'Never Down' warranty
Trade-offs
- Stands about 89 inches tall and weighs about 55 lbs, so it's not a grab-and-go heater
- About 10 hours on a 20-lb tank at full output, so you'll refill regularly
- Outdoor use only, and the maker advises securing it against wind
- Best for
- A permanent patio spot where you want the most heat from a freestanding unit.
- Skip it if
- Your patio is covered or enclosed — check the manual's clearance and ventilation rules before using any propane heater under a roof.
- Output: 50,000 BTU
- Height: 89"
- Weight: 55 lbs
- Run time (20-lb tank): About 10 hours
- Certification: CSA approved
Best lighter propane tower
Fire Sense Commercial Series Patio Heater (Onyx and Stainless)
A lighter, lower-cost tall propane heater for everyday use.
A 48,000 BTU tower with a piezo ignition, tip-over protection and wheels. At about 39 lbs it's easier to roll around than the Pro Series. It's a hammered powder-coated steel build with stainless accents rather than full stainless, and the listing we read doesn't mention a replacement-parts warranty.
What we like
- 48,000 BTU output with a piezo ignition and tip-over protection, per the maker
- Weighs about 39 lbs assembled, so it's easier to move than the Pro Series
- Wheels and a wide base for stability; uses a standard 20-lb tank
Trade-offs
- Hammered powder-coated steel with stainless accents, rather than the Pro Series' full #304 stainless build
- About 10 hours per 20-lb tank, and the tank isn't included
- The listing we read doesn't mention a replacement-parts warranty like the Pro Series carries
- Best for
- Budget-minded buyers who want a tall propane heater they can roll around the patio.
- Skip it if
- You want the sturdiest build and the strongest warranty.
- Output: 48,000 BTU
- Height: 86"
- Weight: 39 lbs
- Run time (20-lb tank): About 10 hours
Best for looks
Fire Sense Stainless Steel Pyramid Flame Patio Heater
A glass-tube heater where you can see the flame.
A 40,000 BTU heater with the flame visible in a glass tube, electronic ignition and an auto-shutoff tilt system. It looks great at night. It puts out less than the taller towers, it's about 65 lbs, and it heats in every direction rather than toward your seats.
What we like
- A visible flame in a glass tube, so it doubles as ambiance
- 40,000 BTU output with electronic ignition and an auto-shutoff tilt system, per the maker
- Stainless burner and heating grid, with wheels for moving it
Trade-offs
- Lower output than the 48,000–50,000 BTU tall models
- About 65 lbs and 88 inches tall, so it's a heavy unit to move
- Heats in every direction rather than aiming warmth at a seating area, per the maker
- Best for
- Patios where the look of the heater matters as much as the warmth.
- Skip it if
- Maximum heat per dollar is your top priority.
- Output: 40,000 BTU
- Height: 88"
- Weight: 65 lbs
- Run time (20-lb tank): About 10 hours
- Certification: ETL safety certified
Best electric for a covered patio
Fire Sense Wall Mounted Infrared Patio Heater (1500W)
A plug-in electric infrared heater for sheltered patios.
A 1,500-watt infrared heater that plugs into standard 110V household power, with a mounting bracket and a roughly 9-foot zone of warmth per the maker. No propane and no open flame. The maker recommends it primarily for sheltered use and says it needs its own dedicated circuit, and you need an outlet nearby.
What we like
- 1,500-watt electric infrared that runs on standard 110V household current
- No propane to buy, no open flame and no combustion emissions, per the maker
- Compact head unit (about 22 in. long, 9 lbs) with a mounting bracket included
Trade-offs
- The maker recommends it primarily for sheltered exterior use and says it needs its own dedicated circuit
- Heats a focused area; the maker cites a roughly 9-foot zone of warmth
- Needs a nearby outlet; the cord is about 6 feet
- Best for
- Covered porches, screened rooms and pergolas with a nearby outlet.
- Skip it if
- You need to warm a big open patio or have no outlet nearby.
- Power: 1,500W, 110V
- Head unit: 22" × 8" × 5"
- Weight: 9 lbs
- Cord: 6 ft
Best movable electric heater
Fire Sense Telescoping Pole Mounted Infrared Patio Heater (1500W)
A movable electric infrared heater on an adjustable pole.
The same 1,500 watts on a wheeled, telescoping pole that adjusts from about 72 to 93 inches, with a tip-over protection system and a cover included. It's about 52 lbs and has a short 6-foot cord, so plan where the outlet is.
What we like
- 1,500-watt electric infrared with an adjustable height of about 72 to 93 inches
- On wheels with a tip-over protection system and a cover included
- No propane to refill or store
Trade-offs
- Needs an electrical outlet and a short, non-retractable cord (about 6 feet)
- About 52 lbs, so moving it up steps takes effort
- Heats a focused zone, which the maker describes as about 9 feet
- Best for
- Covered patios where you want to move a heater between seating areas.
- Skip it if
- You don't have an outlet near where you sit, or you want to heat a large uncovered area.
- Power: 1,500W
- Height: 72"–93" adjustable
- Weight: 52 lbs
- Cord: 6 ft
Best simple plug-in
AZ Patio Heaters Indoor/Outdoor Standing Electric Heater (HIL-SEH-BLK)
A freestanding electric heater with two power settings and an IPX4 rating.
A freestanding electric heater with two carbon fiber elements that run from 750W to 1,500W, an IPX4 rating for indoor or outdoor use and an anti-tilt safety switch. At about 36 lbs it's easy to move, but the 5-foot cord keeps it near an outlet, and we couldn't confirm a coverage area or warranty terms.
What we like
- Two carbon fiber heating elements that run from 750W up to 1,500W
- Rated IPX4 for indoor and outdoor use, with an anti-tilt safety switch
- About 36 lbs, so it's easy to move between spots
Trade-offs
- A 5-foot power cord means it needs a nearby outlet
- Electric heaters warm a focused zone, not a whole open patio
- The listing doesn't give a coverage area or warranty terms we could confirm
- Best for
- A low-effort way to warm a small covered seating area from an outlet.
- Skip it if
- You need to warm a large, open patio or you have no outlet nearby.
- Power: 750W–1,500W
- Rating: IPX4, indoor/outdoor
- Weight: 36 lbs
- Cord: 5 ft
How to choose
Propane or electric
Propane towers have the highest output and work anywhere you can stand a 20-lb tank. Electric infrared heaters need an outlet (Fire Sense says its wall-mount model needs a dedicated circuit) and warm a smaller zone, but they don't burn fuel, don't produce combustion emissions and are generally the better choice for sheltered spots.
Output
Propane towers are rated in BTU: the models here run from 40,000 to 50,000 BTU. Electric heaters are rated in watts, and the ones here top out at 1,500W. A higher number doesn't mean it warms a wider area, because wind and open space take most of the heat. Think of a heater as warming the circle of chairs around it.
Open or covered space
Propane patio heaters are meant for outdoor use only. Don't use one in an enclosed area, and follow the manufacturer's clearances before putting one under a pergola, awning or roof. Wind is the other risk: Fire Sense advises storing or securing its heaters when not in use, and tip-over protection is a feature worth having.
Size, weight and mobility
Tall towers stand 86 to 89 inches high and weigh from about 39 to 65 lbs. Check that you can wheel one across your patio surface, and where you'll store it in the off-season.
Running costs
Propane costs add up if you run a heater every night, and a 20-lb tank lasts about 10 hours on the models here, per the maker. Electric running costs depend on your local rates and how often you use the heater.
Safety
Keep any heater away from furniture, umbrellas, string lights and plants. Don't leave a heater running unattended, store propane tanks upright and outdoors, and check for leaks after changing a tank. Follow the manufacturer's manual and local rules. If you smell gas, shut it off and move away.
Related guides
Pair a heater with a propane fire pit table for ambiance, light the space with the best outdoor string lights, and keep the sun off in the daytime with a good patio umbrella. If you're weighing wood against gas for your fire, read wood vs. propane fire pits.
Frequently asked questions
How much space does a patio heater warm?
Less than most people expect. A heater warms the people closest to it, and wind steals a lot of the heat. Makers rate propane towers by BTU and electric infrared units by watts, but neither rating tells you how far warmth will reach on a breezy night. Place the heater close to where people sit and out of the wind.
Propane or electric patio heater?
Propane towers put out the most heat and don't need an outlet, but you have to buy and refill tanks. Electric infrared heaters are cleaner and simpler, and are often better for covered or sheltered spots, but they need a nearby outlet and heat a smaller zone. Many people buy a propane tower for the open patio and an electric heater for the porch.
Can I use a propane patio heater under a covered patio or in a garage?
Generally no. Propane heaters produce carbon monoxide, and manufacturers specify outdoor use. Never use one in an enclosed space, and read the manual for clearances to roofs, walls and overhead structures before using it under any cover. If you want heat under a roof, an electric infrared heater rated for the space is the safer fit.
How long does a tank last in a propane patio heater?
It depends on the model. Fire Sense states about 10 hours of run time on a 20-lb tank for the models in this guide, and your run time will vary with how high you set the heater. Keep a spare tank on hand.
