The 10 Best Patio Heaters of 2024, Tested in Our Own Backyards

The Arlmont & Co. Triplett Propane Patio Heater is our top pick because it checks so many boxes. This tower heater has a BTU of 42,000, so it can generate quite a bit of heat. It’s nearly 60 pounds without a propane tank inside, making it extremely sturdy and unlikely to tip over in strong winds.

When testing this heater, we were most impressed by how quickly it heats up. You can see the flames through the clear tube, so you always know whether it’s on or not. We also loved that the outside of the tube doesn’t get hot, so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself. On top of that, the propane tank door made it easy to add fuel and get started — although, due to the height, you may need a step ladder for the initial setup.

Dimensions: 89 x 23 x 23 inches | Weight: 57.2 pounds | BTU: 42,000 | Heat Range: 15 feet

Tower propane heaters typically cost well over $200, but after testing the Sunjoy Propane Heater, we can tell you good budget-friendly options are out there. This tower-style heater can effectively warm an 8-foot radius, and the simple on/off function makes it a breeze to operate.

Assembly was a bit complicated, but once it was all put together, we found it super easy to use. The wheeled base makes moving it around a cinch, and it comes with flanges to secure it to the ground in a grassy area. Overall, the Sunjoy Avanti provides outstanding heat and is an excellent option for those who may be buying a propane heater for the first time.

Dimensions: 32.7 x 32.7 x 90.6 inches | Weight: 30.9 pounds | BTU: 47,000 | Heat Range: 8 feet

Interested in an electric unit? The Sun-Ray Patio Heater plugs into a standard outlet and uses electricity from your home instead of propane to generate heat. You can turn it on and off easily with the on-unit switch to use the included remote control.

We like that the adjustable height and tiltable head allow you to position the heater exactly where you need extra warmth. But the power cord is only 8 feet long, and the base doesn’t have wheels, so keep that in mind when figuring out where to put it.

This heater also boasts a weatherproof design, so you should be able to use it year-round. Considering the adjustable, user-friendly design, we think the price is reasonable, plus it’s backed by a one-year warranty.

Dimensions: 73.25 x 26.75 x 3 inches | Weight: 25.5 pounds | BTU: 49,000 | Heat Range: 10 feet

Infrared heaters can save energy by generating radiant heat from electricity. If you’re interested in this type of patio heater, we suggest the Westinghouse Electric Outdoor Heater. After turning it on, it instantly emits heat while the oscillating face evenly warms the surrounding area.

Other standout features include a programmable timer, auto shutoff tip-over protection, and a handy remote control. This infrared heater has an IP55 rating, which tells you it stands up to moisture damage and dust particles — but it’s not entirely waterproof.

The 6-foot power cord is somewhat short, but you can use an outdoor extension cord. We think the price is more than fair, especially considering the bulb is supposed to last 5,000 hours (which comes out to many years of use).

Dimensions: 33 x 6 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds | BTU: 51,000 | Heat Range: 8 feet

If you’re looking for a propane patio heater with excellent heat range, we recommend the Amazon Basics Patio Heater. It kept us nice and warm on chilly days, thanks to its 9-foot heat radius. After testing it for several weeks, we were most impressed by how easy it is to turn it on and off and adjust the heat using the temperature knob.

We liked how this heater’s wheeled base allowed us to move it around as needed. It also stood out for its safety-first design — specifically how the instructions call for a test run with dishwashing detergent to ensure the gas connections are secure before actually using it. Assembly was also pretty standard for a tower patio heater. However, the included tools didn’t fit the screws very well, so we had to use our own screwdriver to put the pieces together.

Dimensions: 32.12 x 32.12 x 91.3 inches | Weight: 38 pounds | BTU: 46,000 | Heat Range: 9 feet

Pyramid heaters add stunning ambiance to any backyard space and give off that luxe feel of alfresco restaurant dining. If you’re interested in a more elevated option, we recommend the Thermo Tiki Patio Heater.

It has a 6-foot heating radius (pretty generous for this type of patio heater) and features a top that’s similar to a tower heater, which supports its heating efforts. It’s also super sturdy with an anti-tip base, so you don’t have to worry about it knocking over. Setup was a bit tricky since the illustration-heavy instructions aren’t very specific.

Although it’s easy to use, the temperature dial isn’t intuitive because the high setting is immediately to the left, so you have to dial it down a lot if you don’t want the heat on full blast at first.

Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 90 inches | Weight: 61.8 pounds | BTU: 45,000 | Heat Range: 6 feet

The Bali Outdoors Portable Patio Heater is like a classic tower heater but miniature. Perfect for tabletops or small outdoor areas, it takes up minimal space and works just as well as the larger options we tested.

This outdoor heater was easy to assemble — the clear instructions and parts neatly packaged together made for a smooth process. Since it’s lightweight and slightly top-heavy, we worried it might tip over if you’re not careful. However, it has an auto-shutoff feature, so safety won’t be a concern.

Due to the small size, the heating radius is only 2 feet. It’s not ideal for providing warmth to a group of people but makes a stellar personal heater. Save this one for when you’re reading outside in your Adirondack chair or cooking on the grill.

Dimensions: 34 x 20 inches | Weight: 14 pounds | BTU: 10,000 | Heat Range: 2 feet

A propane patio heater with an integrated table can help you stay warm while saving space with your outdoor furniture layout. We like how this one provides a sturdy surface to place multiple drinks. It was also among the simplest to set up of those we tested.

After moving it across concrete, grass, and a wooden deck (and even lugging it up a small set of stairs), we’re happy to report it was really easy to transport on account of the wheeled base. The temperature knob is also super smooth and straightforward to use.

Heat-wise, this patio heater did an amazing job of warming us up, though the heating radius is closer to 7 feet — not the 10- to 12-foot range the brand suggests. Overall, we believe it’s a great bang for your buck, considering the design features and heating capabilities.

Dimensions: 87 x 17 x 17 inches | Weight: 55 pounds | BTU: 48,000 | Heat Range: 7 feet

Propane patio heaters can be a pain to set up, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with outdoor appliances. If assembly is your biggest concern, the East Oak Patio Heater is our top recommendation. We found it incredibly straightforward to put together, and the instructions were unexpectedly easy to follow.

Beyond easy assembly, we liked how the lightweight, wheeled design made this heater easy to move around. That said, the lower weight makes it not feel as sturdy as others we tested and potentially prone to tipping over. If you want something that likely won’t knock over, we suggest the AZ Patio Heater, which has a lot more weight to it.

Dimensions: 33 x 18 x 89 inches | Weight: 39.6 pounds | BTU: 50,000 | Heat Range: 10 feet

Safety is essential with an outdoor heater. While all options on our list met our safety standards, the Arlmont & Co. Croskey Patio Heater stood out in this category. It has a reliable automatic shutoff and tip-over safety switch — and is durable enough that it doesn’t knock over easily for those features to even work their magic.

Though it’s a two-person job, assembly was a simple task due to the easy-to-follow instructions and clearly labeled parts. We did find that the heating range was closer to 8 feet (not the listed 10 feet), but we thought it did a fantastic job of providing warmth, even when used in 20-degree weather. For under $200, this heater and your outdoor lights can transform your outdoor entertaining area into a cozy gathering space.

Dimensions: 88 x 30 x 30 inches | Weight: 31 pounds | BTU: 47,000 | Heat Range: 8 feet