Best patio heaters

The best patio heaters are pricey to run and don't kick out as much heat as you might expect, according to our research.

But if you're still set on buying one, we've tested a selection of electric patio heaters, with a couple of gas ones thrown in for comparison.

We focused on electric patio heaters as they're considered more energy efficient than gas equivalents.

Gas patio heaters waste a lot of energy heating up air rather than people, and also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when in use. 

Our test results show the most energy-guzzling patio heaters warm best, and that even the most efficient use a lot of energy. 

You'll save money — and stay warmer — if you put on extra layers rather than using an outdoor heater.

That said, there was one patio heater we tested that gave the most impressive balance of warming, convenience and energy efficiency.

The best electric patio heaters from our tests

Compare results and prices at a glance in our table below, or read on for our full reviews.

We've separated the two gas patio heaters from the electric patio heaters below because they're much more expensive to run and even worse for the environment. 

To see how the gas patio heaters fared, scroll down to the end of our electric patio heater reviews. 

Editor's Choice: Heatlab Electric Infrared Slimline Patio Heater

Available from Primrose (£194.99) (Out of stock)

Pros

• Long cable
• Good heating up to two metres away from it – and a bit up to three metres away on the highest setting
• Minimal assembly required
• Cheaper to run than others

Cons

• Stability could be better

Our verdict Good balance between heating and running costs

Cable length (from base) 170cm

Cost per hour (max setting) 68p

Max power output 1.8kW

Size (H x W x D) 160 x 58 x 16cm

Need to know 12kg weight, two heat settings, IP55 rated, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped

This electric patio heater stood out as having a good balance between running costs and heating capability. 

When using it on the highest setting, our testers felt nicely warmed two metres away from the heater, and a little bit up to three metres away.

The only other electric heater that kept us warm at a further distance was the Burda Tower Heater, but it is more expensive per hour to run on its highest setting.

The lowest setting kept us warm up to a metre away and costs 35p per hour to run.

You only need four screws to attach the heater body on to the weighted stand. We'd recommend having two people to tackle this task, as the base is quite heavy. 

Despite the weight of the base, it was easier to tip over than others we tested, so it's worth positioning it in a sheltered area or away in high winds.

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Blumfeldt Hot Roddy Electric Patio Heater

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Good heating from up to two metres away

Cons

• Short cable from base is a pain
• Poor heating on low setting

Our verdict Good heating on the highest setting 

Cable length (from base) 30cm

Cost per hour (max setting) 84p

Max power output 2kW

Size (H x W x D) 211 x 52 x 52cm

Need to know 8.2kg weight, three heat settings, adjustable height and head angle, IP34 rated, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped

The Blumfeldt is very similar in design to the patio heaters from Aldi, Argos and Heatsure, but we found the build quality to be slightly better.

It heats well from up to two metres away on the highest setting.

We weren't impressed with the lowest setting — we felt a rapid drop-off in warmth when we moved more than a metre away from the heater.

The actual cable length is 180cm, but because it attaches to the heating head instead of the base, the useful amount of cable from the base is only 30cm.

This makes plugging it in more of a faff compared with electric heaters we tested.

Heatlab Streamline Rotating Electric Patio Heater

Available from Primrose (£64.99) (Out of stock), Heatlab (£69.99) 

Pros

• No assembly required
• Cheapest electric heater to run
• Good heating from up to two metres away on highest setting

Cons

• Short height means you might need to place it on a table
• You can feel a strong warming and cooling cycle when the heater head is rotating

Our verdict Elevate the heater for maximum benefit

Cable length (from base) 150cm

Cost per hour (max setting) 46p

Max power output 1.2kW

Size (H x W x D) 82 x 27 x 27cm

Need to know 4kg weight, two heat settings, IPX4 rated, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped, rotating header head (can oscillate through 60 degrees)

This is the cheapest electric patio heater we've tested to run and it heats well from up to two metres away on the top setting.

Its lower setting is noticeably weaker, though, and while the rotation means it can heat a larger area, you'll feel cold when the heater isn't pointing at you.

Its short height means you'll have to elevate it if you want to feel the heat on on your upper body and face, rather than just your legs.

La Hacienda Standing Electric Patio Heater

Pros

• Decent heating from up to two metres away on highest setting

Cons

• Short cable from base makes plugging it in tricky
• Low setting doesn't heat much
• Some misaligned screw holes made assembly more difficult than it should be

Our verdict OK

Cable length (from base) 40cm

Cost per hour (max setting) 80p

Max power output 2kW

Size (H x W x D) 202 x 50 x 50cm

Need to know 9.5kg weight, two heat settings, IP24 rated, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped

The highest setting was OK up to two metres, but our testers couldn't feel it warming them past that.

The lowest setting on this heater only just kept us warm at a one-metre distance.

The usable length of cable from the base on this heater was short, but a little longer than that on the heaters from Argos, Blumfeldt and Heatsure. 

Heatsure Standing Patio Heater

Pros

• Will keep you warm from up to two metres away on the highest setting

Cons

• Assembly could be easier – misaligned screw holes
• Poor on the lowest setting
• Cable from base is short, making it tricky to plug in

Our verdict Middle of the road

Cable length (from base) 30cm

Cost per hour (max setting) 79p

Max power output 2kW

Size (H x W x D) 130 x 60 x 60cm

Need to know 8.45kg weight, three heat settings, adjustable height and head angle, IPX4 rated, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped

While this electric patio heater is very similar in design to the Blumfeldt, we found a few misaligned screw holes when joining the pole sections together.

Like most electric patio heaters we tested, it's OK on the highest setting, warming us from up to two metres away, but dropping off past this. 

Only 30cm of the cable protrudes from the base once you've run the cable down the pole, which isn't very convenient when trying to plug it in.

Kettler Kalos Copper Lantern Large Electric Patio Heater

Pros

• No assembly required
• Good cable length
• Heats in a 360-degree circle – which is rare to find with electric patio heaters

Cons

• Stability could be better and it's easier to tip over than others
• Didn't heat much past a metre away from it

Our verdict Glorified hand warmer

Cable length (from base) 180cm

Cost per hour (max setting) 73p

Max power output 2kW

Size (H x W x D) 98 x 29 x 23cm

Need to know 5.15kg weight, one heat setting, IP55 rated, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped, also available in small (73cm tall, 1.5kW) and medium (84cm tall, 1.8kW) sizes

It's useful that this electric patio heater can heat in every direction at at the same time, as you'll need to huddle in close to get any warmth from it at all.

It made our testers feel warm from up to a metre away, but nothing much further away.

This is the same as most of the electric patio heaters we tested on their lowest settings, but the Kettler costs more to run for this equivalent amount of heating.

Argos Home Electric Patio Heater

Pros

• OK heating from up to two metres away on the highest setting

Cons

• Short cable from base makes plugging in trickier
• Feeble heating on lowest setting
• Poor build quality – sharp metal edges on inner hole of the base

Our verdict Lower build quality than other, similar, heaters we tested

Cable length (from base) 30cm

Cost per hour (max setting) 74p

Max power output 2kW

Size (H x W x D) 210 x 50 x 50cm

Need to know Three heat settings, adjustable height and head angle, IP34 rated, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped

Similar to the Aldi, Blumfeldt and Heatsure models, but the Argos heater we tested had poorer build quality than the others.

There were sharp metal protrusions in the hole of the base where the pole fits in. 

The lowest setting barely warmed our testers from a metre away, while the highest setting kept us warm from well up to two metres away before the heat started dropping off. 

Groundlevel Electric Patio Heater with Bluetooth and LED Lights

Also available from Groundlevel (£125)

Pros

• Cheaper than others to run
• Heats 360 degrees – which is rare to see on electric patio heaters

Cons

• Poor stability - easier to tip over than others
• Heat drops off by two metres away on the highest setting

Our verdict Doesn't heat as well as the other electric patio heaters

Cable length (from base) 175cm

Cost per hour (max setting) 65p

Max power output 1.5kW

Size (H x W x D) 140 x 20 x 30cm

Need to know 7.7kg weight, two heat settings, IP44 rated, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped, includes remote control to choose colour of LED light, built-in Bluetooth speaker

It doesn't need much assembly, the extra features built into this patio heater work, but it doesn't do its main job as well as the other electric patio heaters we tested. 

Our testers couldn't really feel this heater from a metre away on the lowest setting.

On the highest setting they could feel it from one metre away but not from two metres, which most other electric patio heaters we tested could reach. 

The gas patio heaters from our tests

Compare results and prices at a glance in our table below, or read on for our full reviews.

Outsunny Outdoor Gas Patio Heater

Pros

• Toasty heating from up to three metres away on its highest setting
• Decent heating on lowest setting

Cons

• Flat packed – fiddly assembly required
• Poor finish on some metal edges
• Expensive to run
• Releases more CO2 at point of use than electric patio heaters

Our verdict A pain to assemble, but toasty once running

Cable length (from base) No cable needed

Cost per hour (max setting) £6.04

Max power output 11.2kW

Size (H x W x D) 190 x 50 x 50cm

Need to know 13kg weight, continuous dial for heat setting, comes with dust cover, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped, also available in black and/or 225cm tall model

This gas patio heater keeps you warm from up to two metres away on the lowest setting.

Once cranked to its highest it kept us toasty from all the way up to three metres away, and even a little bit further.

However, it was a pain to build: it required a lot of screws, and some of the metal panels had sharp metal edges that could be dangerous. We recommend wearing gloves when handling. 

It's also expensive to run, costing £6.04 per hour and using 1.5kg of patio gas per hour on its highest setting.

This is dramatically more than even the most expensive electric patio heater we tested (which cost 94p per hour to run).

Amazon Basics Gas Patio Outdoor Heater

Pros

• Very warm on highest setting
• Clear instructions for assembly
• No cable needed – giving more freedom in where you can place the heater

Cons

• Needs more assembly than all electric patio heaters we tested
• Much more expensive to run than others
• Releases more CO2 at point of use than electric patio heaters

Our verdict Warm, but expensive

Cable length (from base) No cable needed

Cost per hour (max setting) £8.05

Max power output 46,000 BTU (approximately 13.5kW)

Size (H x W x D) 226cm x 45cm x 45cm

Need to know Weighs 18.1kg, continuous dial for heat setting, inbuilt safety switch that turns heater off if tipped, available in a range of colours

Of the two gas patio heaters we tested, this one was much easier to assemble, with clear instructions and a good finish on the metal parts.

It took longer to heat up, but once going it was OK on the lowest setting, and kept our testers warm up to three metres away on the highest setting. 

However, it was the most expensive heater we tested to run – costing around £8 per hour on the top setting and using 2kg of patio gas per hour.

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How we test patio heaters

Heating

• We run each patio heater on its lowest and highest settings, with a panel of testers measuring the distance at which they no longer feel warmed by the patio heater.
• An infrared camera is used to measure how hot the heating head gets on each setting, and whether it has cooled by 10 minutes after being switched off

Some models don't heat further than a metre. The best patio heaters provide some warmth up to 3 metres away.

All heaters we've tested so far cool down completely after 10 minutes.

Energy use

• We measure the kilowatt hours of energy used on the lowest and highest settings. For gas patio heaters, we weigh the gas canister before and after use to measure the kilograms used.
• We use these figures to calculate the running cost per hour to run each heater.
• Energy use makes up a significant proportion of our final ratings because it's a key factor if you're considering buying a patio heater.

Gas models have significantly higher running costs than electric patio heaters, which is partially why we recommend steering clear of them.

We use the RS PRO energy meter, £27, from RS Components. If you're interested in measuring your patio heater or other appliances around your home, you can buy similar meters starting from around £18 from popular retailers such as Amazon and Screwfix.

Stability

We use a force gauge to measure how difficult it is to tip over each patio heater.

Our test finds gas patio heaters are more stable than electric ones, mostly because the gas canister adds extra weight to the heater's base.

Ease of use

We score each patio heater on how easy it is to assemble, the quality of instructions and the length of the cable from the base.

Some electric patio heaters have ridiculously short cables from the base, making plugging them in difficult.

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Five things we've learnt testing patio heaters

1. Overall, we're not that that impressed Most patio heaters only make us feel warm from up to two metres away on their top settings. Gas is better for further distances, but comparatively expensive to run.
2. Lower heat settings aren't much use We f that ingthe lowest settings on all patio heaters only warm us up if we were sitting right next to them.
3. Electric patio heaters are much cheaper to run than gas equivalents They're also more environmentally friendly.
4. There are big differences in how easy patio heaters are to assemble Some arrive fully assembled, while some are shipped flat packed. Finish and build quality also varied dramatically.
5. Useful cable length varied dramatically Some cables attach at the base, whereas some attach to the heater head. For the latter, this means only 30-40cm of usable cable length directly from the base, making it more difficult to plug them in.

Types of patio heater

Gas patio heaters

Gas heaters are the type of outdoor heater you normally find in a pub garden or restaurant terrace. They rely on propane gas cylinders or a fixed gas pipe supply.

Pros

• Sometimes cheaper to buy upfront
• Some have an attractive open-flame design
• Produce more heat than most types of heater
• Will start warming up an area as soon as they're turned on 

Cons

• Significantly more expensive to run than electric heaters
• They heat by convection (meaning they heat the air around them), so more energy is wasted to the atmosphere
• They release more CO2 into the atmosphere than electric heaters - this makes them less eco-friendly and more attractive to bugs

Electric patio heaters

Electric patio heaters can be freestanding, attached to walls or hung from awnings or ceilings, and they all need to be plugged into the mains. 

This type of heater works predominantly by infrared radiation, which means they warm objects directly rather than the air around them.

Pros

• Consume far less energy than gas heaters, so will be much cheaper to run
• Heat is radiated in a certain direction, so less is wasted into the atmosphere
• Infrared electric heaters have the most minimal heat wastage of all types of patio heater
• More eco-friendly as they don't directly emit CO2 

Cons

• Can sometimes take a while to heat up
• Run on electricity, so you'll need a mains socket nearby
• Will stop working in a power outage
• The electrical cord can be a trip hazard

Solid-fuel patio heaters

Fire pits and chimineas are both types of solid-fuel heater. They rely on the burning of wood, charcoal, pellets or other materials to emit warmth. 

Pros

• Can be decorative and aesthetic - good for creating ambiance
• Some models have multiple functions including a grill feature and table top
• Usually less expensive than other types of heater, plus you can build your own cheaper version

Cons

• Most models will emit smoke, which can be an irritant and leave clothes smelling smoky
• They release more CO2 into the atmosphere at point of use than electric heaters
• Will require a constant supply of burning materials, as well as a regular clean
• Can be difficult to extinguish quickly or control the size of the flame

Patio heater designs

Freestanding heaters often resemble lamps, steel pyramids or towers. Gas heaters are freestanding and some electric heaters are also designed this way.

Wall-mounted heaters are electric heaters that can be fixed to a wall. They're unobtrusive and don't take up floor space, but they still need to be placed somewhere they can plug into the mains.

Parasol heaters are electric heaters built to fit on the inside of a garden umbrella. Here, they're protected from any wind and they can be a close yet safe distance from people sitting at a table below.

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Patio heaters: key questions answered

Can you buy an environmentally friendly patio heater?

No. Although some patio heaters are advertised as 'environmentally friendly', sadly a truly eco heater doesn't yet exist.

Gas heaters are one of the worst in terms of energy efficiency. They produce significantly more CO2 when in use than electric heaters.

The European Parliament MEPs voted to endorse banning them in 2008 (this vote didn't create a law, but it was a show of support for the concept of banning gas patio heaters).   

Electric patio heaters that heat by infrared radiation reduce the environmental impact significantly and are, from this angle, the better option.

Of course, electricity drawn from the grid stems from a mix of carbon-free and carbon sources, and wasted electricity will still have an environmental impact, depending on your tariff.

How much will it cost to run a patio heater?

• Electric patio heaters we tested cost 46p to 84p per hour to run on their maximum settings. This is based on an electricity unit price of 24.5p/kWh.
• Gas patio heaters we tested cost £6.04 to £8.05 per hour to run on their maximum settings. The running cost of gas, of course, depends on the price you pay for a patio gas canister. Our running costs are based on the average price of 10 propane patio gas canisters (10-19kg) sold at popular retailers.

Can an indoor heater be used outside?

Technically yes, but you'll be disappointed.

Most indoor heaters work by convection, which means they heat the air around them. This works well inside in an insulated environment, but when you're outdoors, you'll waste a lot of energy and not feel much benefit.

Electric patio heaters specialise in radiant heating, which means they warm objects directly rather than the air around them.

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Do patio heaters attract bugs?

The simple answer is yes, but for a few different reasons.

Certain bugs, including most flying insects, chase light stimuli and will flock to a bright patio heater. Other insects that are instinctively repelled by light, such as earthworms, will flee them.

The carbon dioxide produced by gas patio heaters also attracts some insects — most unpleasantly, mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide emissions. Electric heaters, on the other hand, don't emit CO2, so they don't attract mosquitoes.

You can invest in pest control, such as a fly zapper, to attract and eliminate insects if necessary, so this isn't an insurmountable problem.

What size patio heater do I need?

British Thermal Units (BTU) are essentially a measurement of how much energy it takes to heat up something. Knowing this, or the heater's power in kilowatts, is a good first step to help you work out if it's suitable to heat your space. 

You should be able to find one of these numbers on the packaging, the product itself or in the instruction manual. 

Once you know your heater's BTU, you'll then need to work out the square footage of the area you want to heat. By multiplying the square footage by 20, you'll get the rough number of BTU you'll need to adequately heat it.

How well heat is dispersed around the space will be affected by the shape of your garden and the weather, such as wind. Additionally, in our tests we found most of the electric patio heaters only kept us warm from up to few meters away.

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Best patio heater features to look for 

• Safety additions Grates, covers, emitter screens and a sturdy base are great if you've got pets or small children. 
• Automatic turn-off feature This switches off the heater if it topples over. All patio heaters we've tested have this feature and they all worked.
• Wireless or Bluetooth control Enables you to control the heater through a phone or smart hub. 
• Durable materials This is most important for heaters that will be kept outside all year round. Look for materials such as stainless steel or aluminium. 
• Rotating heaters These distribute the heat around a larger space, although you might find yourself feeling cold when it's rotated away.