Now is the perfect time to pick up the best patio heaters for your outdoor space. With a mixture of both gas and electric outdoor heaters, our guide has our top eight wall-mounted, freestanding, and tabletop options for your home.
While many people have retired from the patio for the autumn, it is one of the best times of the year to sit out and enjoy a crisp evening with a hot drink. Buying the best patio heater will ensure that once the seasons change and the sun goes down, you will still be able to stay warm in the garden.
Not only do patio heaters help in creating a cosy space in your patio or garden, but they also give off light to illuminate your evening. While gas patio heaters are preferred by many because they do not need to be plugged in, electric patio heaters are often cheaper and work using infrared light to warm you directly.
You can also take a look at the best fire pits for some wood-fired warmth and plenty of atmosphere. For the best patio heaters in 2021, keep reading.
Should you buy a gas or electric patio heater?
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Many prefer electric patio heaters because they're more energy efficient and run cleaner than gas alternatives, but they do need to be plugged in.
If you want a patio heater that can be carried out into the garden, away from any plug points, a gas patio heater is a good option because it doesn't need to be plugged in to heat the surrounding area.
Electric patio heaters tend to use infrared to heat up specific objects. These heaters will heat you directly, and can often give off a red glow as they do so.
Gas patio heaters are convective and will heat the air around them. They don't give off the same bright light but they will take longer to warm you up because they warm the air around you, as opposed to heating you up directly.
The best patio heaters 2022
The Donyer Power Portable Patio Electric Heater has a discreet overhead design that will easily pack away for storage in the warmer months. It's made of steel with aluminium casing and the hardy design has variable height, perfect for large or small groups.
Simple design
If you are looking for a patio heater that isn't going to totally take over your outdoor space, this is a great option. The overhead option is really subtle and there are two size options so you can pick the best one for your space.
Easy operation
Plug in and turn on at the base of the heater head – how easy is that! Due to it being on the small size you can also pick up the heater using the handle at the top and move it around with you. The heater has three heat settings which makes it easy to amp up on those extra chilly nights, or turn down if it's done its job but you're enjoying the light.
Infrared technology
This heater is designed to heat bodies, rather than just the air around it so no energy is wasted and everyone will feel nice and toasty. Plus no noise or fumes are given off either.
A reliable and waterproof patio heater, this corded electric option from Swan is perfectly suited to most gardens.
Two heat settings
Choose between 1000W and 2000W of heat intensity depending on how cold it is. Combining carbon fibre heating and an aluminium reflector, it's energy-efficient and offers direct heat.
Safety features
The Swan Al Fresco SH16310N Column Patio Heater has a 360-degree tip over safety switch. This means it will automatically switch off if it tips.
Simple and effective
The 80cm heater doesn't cover the entire column, but it's durable and corrosion-resistant. Swan claims it can be used come 'rain or shine'.
A tabletop patio heater can be a convenient solution to outdoor heating as it’s not bulky, and this design is stylish to boot.
Stylish design
As far as portable patio heaters go we think this might just be the most stylish model we have ever seen. So chic and contemporary, it would bring something to your garden other than just a cosy feel to an autumn evening.
Totally portable
This patio heater is powered by gas, so you don't have to worry about being anywhere near a plug. Simply pick it up by the handle and move to wherever needed in the garden. It's super lightweight too, using just a 190 gram gas canister (which do bear in mind is not included).
Designed for balconies and terraces, this wall mounted patio heater can stay outside all year long thanks to its waterproof design. It's discreet but has 1800W of power.
Remote controlled
There's no need to stand up and turn this patio heater off once you're all warm and cosy, and if you've been sitting out as it gets dark you can simply use the remote control to kick up some heat and extend your evening.
Install how you like
You can install this patio heater horizontally or vertically, which means it will work well on just about any wall, no matter how narrow.
Efficient
With an electric design and carbon fibre mesh, the Swan Al Fresco SH16340N is energy efficient, making it good for the planet and your pocket, too.
Buy the best patio heater for your seated guests with the Luxeva Carbon Infrared Patio Heater. At just shy of 100cm tall, it's a little on the short site for use in standing soirees, but for those who want something to sit beside them on the patio it fits the bill perfectly.
Two heat settings
The maximum power is 2000W, but you can choose from two heat intensities with the Luxeva Carbon Infrared Patio Heater.
Efficiency is everything
Infrared technology is as efficient as it gets. The Luxeva Carbon Infrared Patio Heater has infrared filaments that heat objects and people directly, instead of the air around it. All that leads to energy efficiency of up to 98%, which keeps bills slow and garden dwellers happy.
Storage is easy
The Luxeva Carbon Infrared Patio Heater has a dust cover, meaning it won't be as prone to knocking about when you're moving it or storing. It's also only 6kg, so plenty lightweight enough for moving around.
Getting the heat from a pendant is a space-efficient solution to cool evenings, leaving the patio and the tabletop free of extras.
Small but powerful
Powered by a 1500W heater, this overhead patio heater is durable and high powered given its smaller frame.
Overhead light
As it’s fitted with an LED light this design will provide atmospheric lighting for a table or seating group as well as heat. It's a better option if you like that outdoor living room type feel in your garden.
Easy to operate
Much like a normal overhead light all you do is pull the cord and voila, a nice toasty atmosphere is instantly created.
If you don’t mind using gas cylinders as a fuel source, this design is really simple and stylish – ideal if you want your patio heater to almost go unnoticed in your garden.
Flexible positioning
On wheels, this patio heater can be moved to where you need it and you won’t have to worry about a cable reaching the location of your table and chairs.
Simple operation
The heater can be lit at the push of a button, and there’s a choice of different heating settings too.
For stability
There’s a base reservoir system with this design. Fill it with sand or water to create weight low down. Bear in mind, though, that if the wind is high, it is possible for the heater to tip over. For safety, there’s a shut-off tilt valve that turns it off should this happen.
This contemporary design will make a statement and complement a modern garden design.
Great lines
With a hood that’s 100 x 50cm and an attractively curvaceous stand, this design’s definitely attention grabbing as well as functional.
Don’t get up
It comes with a remote control to allow you to adjust the heat and light, which can be operated independently. You can control it from the central unit as an alternative, though.
Start the party
You can even have waterproof Bluetooth speakers in the base of this design – although they don’t come as standard.
How to buy the best patio heater
What do you need to consider to select the best patio heater for your outside space? Here’s the lowdown so you can make the right choice for your outdoor heating ideas.
Size and space requirements
If space is at a premium, a tabletop or pendant design will probably suit best, leaving more of the floor area free for furniture. After that, think table size: do you have room for a heater on the tabletop without cramping the place settings? A pendant design won’t even require this, but you will need to be able to suspend it from something, meaning it can be a good option when teamed with stylish pergola ideas.
Floorstanding designs, while larger, can be fabulous outdoor features in their own right, and are ideal for outdoor living rooms and sizeable dining areas.
If you plan on entertaining this season, you should also take a look at the best BBQ for your garden with our roundup. For more outdoor essentials, take a look at the best garden furniture.
Fuel
Electric patio heaters are fuss-free. There’s no need to deal with weighty gas cylinders and they’re clean and quiet. On the downside is the need to plug them in. Check the cable length is sufficient for you to put the heater where you want it. Gas designs aren’t tethered in this way, so win out in the flexibility stakes.
Safety
Be aware that high winds and tall patio heaters aren’t a good mix. Position with this in mind and look for anchoring features or safety cutouts.
