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Extend patio season and stay warm with a no-fuss electric patio heater.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
When the weather gets chilly, you may be tempted to pack up all yourpatio furnitureand stay inside.
However, finding the right patio heater for your space can be tricky.
While gas-powered heaters typically provide the most heat, electric patio heaters offer more convenience.
Credit: Amazon
Each patio heater was evaluated based on itsheatingperformance,safety features,ease of use, andsetup.
To learn more about how we tested patio heaters, check outour testing processbelow.
It was difficult to assemble and was missing parts.
The SereneLife Infrared Outdoor Electric Space Heater has a wider heat range than others we tested.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
After testing 30 electric patio heaters, were very impressed by this model from SereneLife.
It also offered a wider heat rangeup to 15 feetthan other models we tested.
There are only two heat prefs, and we felt a significant difference between the two.
We liked that even on chilly and windy November nights, it provided us with strong heat.
However, the height added some concern about the heaters stability.
Thankfully, the heater offers tip-over shut-off protection.
The biggest downside to this patio heater was the assembly.
The instructions were not easy to understand, especially for beginners.
We also had to provide our own batteries and screwdriver, and the unit was missing two screws.
Overall, especially for the price point, we think the assembly should have gone smoother.
Product Details: Dimensions:12.5 x 57 x 9 in.
The higher the number rating, the better the protection.
It doesn’t offer 360-degree heat like other options we tested.
The gear offers three heat tweaks: low, medium, and max.
After turning the unit off, it cooled quickly.
It was also quiet during operation.
After testing this patio heater on our own patio for two months, theres not much wed change.
Overall, we think this unit is well worth the price, especially if youll use it often.
Product Details: Dimensions:11 x 51.2 x 11 in.
Our unit did not come with assembly instructions.
The heater has three distinct heat options.
The infrared heat provided immediate warmth.
When we were close to the unit the heat was pleasant and easily noticeable.
At 10 feet away, we still felt warmth, but it took longer to notice.
Credit: Wayfair
Still, the heat was comfortable.
The unit does include tip-over protection that will automatically shut the heater off if a fall were to occur.
In addition to standing mode, the heater can also be mounted on the wall.
The EnerG+ Electric Patio Heater has three settings—we typically used the medium and sat 2-3 ft. away.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
It also comes with a remote control, which we found easy to use.
Product Details: Dimensions:18.11 x 55.1274.8 x 3.15 in.
|Certifications:ETL, UL |IP Rating:IP65 |Heat Range:96.86 sq.
We only recommend installing it as a wall-mounted unit.
If youre looking for a wall-mounted heater, we recommend this pick from Dr. Infrared.
The lowest temperature setting was moderate and comfortable enough to use for several hours.
We could feel the warmth on the highest setting up to 15 feet away.
The machine includes a remote control, which was easy to use.
Just keep in mind that youll need to supply your own batteries.
Product Details: Size:35 x 8 x 4 in.
We appreciated the easy-to-use remote control and consistent heating.
We found its best for keeping a group of four toasty without taking up too much space.
We rated each patio heater for setup, heating performance, ease of use, safety, and value.
We’ve continued to test new models of patio heaters, bringing our total up to 30.
For patio heaters with multiple heat configs, we cycled through each setting and recorded the results.
We also purposely bumped into the heater to determine if it knocked over easily.
This refers to the strength of heat output over a period of time, typically an hour.
Most electric patio heaters range around 5,000 Btus, which should be suitable for a small patio.
If you want a stronger heat output, youll need to pick a gas-powered model.
Heat range refers to how far you might feel the heat from the unit.
Most electric patio heaters we tested listed their heat range from five to 15 feet.
We felt heat the furthest from theEast Oak patio heater.
Because of this, you wont find any patio heater effective in very cold conditions.
We found the electric patio heaters best to use in 50 to 60 degree weather.
Credit: Amazon
Certification
When shopping for patio heaters, youll notice that the devices typically include third-party safety certifications.
Each of our top picks was either ETL- or UL-certified.
IP ratings include two numbers.
East Oak Infrared Electric Heater has a heat range over 90 ft.—impressive for an electric model.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The first digit refers to the level of protection against solids like dust, dirt, or tools.
The second digit refers to protection against moisture.
An IP rating ending in 4 is the minimum recommended protection for keeping a patio heater outdoors.
Each of our top picks were certified and provided IP ratings.
If a patio heater has tip-over auto shut-off, that means the unit will shut off if it falls.
While this adds extra protection, you should still stay nearby during operation in case of a fall.
Electric patio heaters do not cool off immediately and can be a fire hazard if they fall.
Many electric patio heaters also offer overheating protection and turn off when the unit gets too hot.
Adjustable Temperature
Some patio heaters, like theStar Patio Electric Tabletop Patio Heater, only offer one heat output.
Remote Control
Remote controls arent a necessary feature in a patio heater, but theyre useful nonetheless.
Always check that to stay near the patio heater while its turned on.
If there are pets or children in your home, be sure to monitor them around any patio heater.
The biggest flaw we found was the three-legged stand, which we found could be knocked over fairly easily.
The tabletop also blocked some of the heat from reaching our upper bodies.
However, if you’re looking for a multi-functional pick, we think it’s a solid option.
Your Questions, Answered
How many Btu should a patio heater have?
What size patio heater is best?
If you have a small patio, wall-mounted units might be something to consider to save floor space.
Are patio heaters safe to use in an enclosed area?
Propane and natural gas patio heaters require ventilation and should not be used in enclosed patios or garages.
On the other hand, electric patio heaters are safe to use in an enclosed area.
Always check the products instruction manual to ensure its approved for covered use.
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
Looking for more products that have earned ourBHG Recommends seal of approval?
Check out our picks for everything from bed sheets to humidifiers.
Credit: Amazon
The Dr. Infrared Heater made a significant difference in our comfort while we worked in the garage.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
