Best outdoor heater

Add an outdoor heater to your garden, and you can stay outside in comfort long into the evenings. One of these will also make using your outdoor living and dining space for more months of the year possible. There are choices to suit every size of garden and every situation, including floor-standing, wall-mounted, and even tabletop versions. You can pick from gas and electric-fuelled designs, too. Find the outdoor heater to suit your plot in our selection.

You can position an outdoor heater near the dining table and another in a garden living space if you opt for the first of our selections as there are two in the set, making them a great value choice. Using electricity, they plugin so you won’t have to buy fuel, although you should take care that the wires are laid, so they’re not a trip hazard. I like the fact that they offer a choice of three heat settings, and you can turn them up for guests who feel the chill more. Their height can also be adjusted so you can keep standing party-goers comfortable or lower them for get-togethers when everyone’s seated. They’re also slim enough to fit compact patios. 

If you like the idea of not being restricted by an outdoor heater that requires plugging into a socket, check out this version. It uses propane gas, and you can opt for a 6 or 13-kilogram gas bottle. It has wheels, making it easy to reposition, as needed, although it’s easiest to move across flat paving stones rather than shingle. It’s a design I’d suggest for larger gardens because of its dimensions of 82 by 82 by 220 centimetres. Bear in mind that its height can’t be adjusted to bring the heat source closer to those seated, either. It’s a good looker in a hammered steel finish.

For a small garden, check out this wall-mounted outdoor heater, which will keep you warm without any intrusion into the area you need for your furniture. Three heat settings are on offer to suit the conditions, and it has a 45-degree adjustable element to allow the heat to be directed for maximum comfort. In black steel, I think it’s a great choice for contemporary-style gardens, and it has over-heat protection for safety as well. Be aware that use in rainy conditions isn’t recommended, though.

If you’re searching for an outdoor heater that looks modern in style, check out this design. The floor-standing model has contemporary credentials, plus it’s slender enough for smaller patios. However, it’s functional as well, with the base sized and weighted to prevent its toppling. Other height-adjustable heaters in our selection can keep everyone warm seated or standing, and it promises to heat an area of up to 15 square metres. Some reviewers have found the cord too short at 1.8 metres, but it can be used with a fully unwound outdoor extension lead if you need to locate it further from a socket.  

Placing a tabletop outdoor heater like this one on your outdoor dining table will extend the number of days you can eat in the garden each year. Centrally positioned, it also has the advantage of providing even heat for diners at a circular table, and it can heat an area of up to 9 square metres. If your garden furniture’s made from rattan, like mine, this design with its black woven base will co-ordinate beautifully, and a brushed stainless-steel pole gives it modern credentials. Be aware, however, that the base has a diameter of 60 centimetres, so you will need a sufficiently sizeable dining table to accommodate it.  A 3-metre cable means it doesn’t have to be located too near to a socket, though.

This outdoor heater comes with stand and wall fittings, giving you a choice over the location. On its stand, it can be adjusted between 1.2 and 2.1 metres, which is convenient for exterior get-togethers both when everyone’s going to be seated or when they’ll be standing. The angle of the head can also be changed for control over the direction of the heat. You can pick from three different heat settings as well. It does have to be plugged in, but with a cable that’s 4.8 metres in length, it has plenty of range. The bulbs can be replaced as required for longer life.

Our verdict

The outdoor heaters in our selection will suit gardens large and small and those who prefer the convenience of electricity or the opportunity to go cordless offered by gas-powered designs. Our top pick is the Heatlab freestanding patio heater, which actually comes as a set of two plug-in models.

The Firefly tabletop outdoor heater is a great solution for outdoor dining, introducing heat at just the right level for everyone gathered around the table. It makes a handsome centrepiece as well.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to have to worry about plugging in and where the cord runs, take a look at the Palm Springs gas hammered steel patio heater. With its fuel on board, you can locate it where you like.

Why trust us

At Gardeningetc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously – testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

As a gardening writer and gardener, I love spending as much time as possible outside, and I’m delighted to recommend the outdoor heaters that will help us all spend longer enjoying our plots.