Best Electric Patio Heaters
A budget buy that won't increase your electric bills. It has various heat settings and overheat protection. It is also easy to move about the garden.
Gas patio heaters can push out lots of warmth over a bigger area, but will require regular refills of natural gas or propane. This is a great choice for large gardens that are equipped with many outdoor sofas and seating.
1. Infrared heaters
Most of the electric freestanding patio heaters that we test were infra red models. They are less expensive than gas-powered versions and, in the event you pick wisely they will have lower operating costs too. There's also little assembly required and you won't need to refill your propane tank.
The best ones feature the remote control for effortless operation, as well as a built-in LED light to provide ambience. One of our top picks comes from German company Herschel. It makes use of circular filaments to emit infrared heat across an area that is the size of a table. It has easy-to-use heating settings as well as 360deg rotation. The Westinghouse 1500 Watt Infrared Heater is another excellent alternative. It uses an aluminum reflector to focus heat beams over your favorite spot.
Both models are energy efficient and emit a warm and clean glow. However, the Herschel is sleeker, making it more suitable for modern garden rooms, or if you're looking to incorporate it into your outdoor furniture. It can be integrated into home automation systems, allowing you to select the desired brightness and temperature. This can help save energy over time.
You must be aware that infrared heaters are efficient but they only heat objects and people who are in direct contact with the heater. They lose their effect when you move away. Additionally, it won't heat your garden or patio when the winds blow the heater around.
On the other side, gas heaters can provide warmth to a greater space if they're not moved and can be fitted with a wind shield to keep them in place. They are often found in pub gardens and offer a warm burning log effect that looks good in all decors.
Propane-powered patio heaters are typically less efficient and can produce a lot of smoke and noise when the flame burns. Electric heaters are more eco-friendly than propane, and requires refilling when it is empty. Gas heaters are more expensive and produce more heat.
2. Gas heaters
As Summer winds down and evenings turn colder it's a good time to invest in a patio heater to keep you warm and comfortable. No matter if you choose electric or gas, there's plenty on offer including small tabletop models to larger floor-standing models that are designed to heat large outdoor spaces like a decked garden.
Gas heaters are more expensive to purchase, but they can also be more expensive to operate. According to Heat Outdoors "they are amongst the most inefficient, both in terms of energy they use and the heat they produce". A typical 13kg cylinder costs PS90 or PS50 for refilling, and will last approximately 13 hours.
Unlike gas, however, electric heaters use radiant heat to warm people and objects instead of air. Therefore, they are much less expensive to run and leave less carbon footprint than gas heaters. They are also much simpler to use. Simply plug them in and they will begin to heat up.
Electric heaters that are suitable for outdoor use can be utilized in a variety of settings such as bars, restaurants, and private gardens. modern electric patio heater can be used in both closed and open areas, and some come with built-in dimmer switches to allow you to adjust the brightness of the light. They're also more compact than gas models and can be easily moved around which is ideal if you have to move the heater from one part of your garden to another.
The drawback of these heaters is that they require to be plugged into to the power source, which means you'll need to have an electrical outlet nearby and an extension cable that's rated to be used with outdoor equipment. To meet safety standards the majority of electric heaters cannot be supplied with an attached lead that exceeds 1.8m and you'll have to be cautious not to block any nearby outdoor sockets or leave the cable trailing in a place where it could become an injury risk.
3. Freestanding heaters
If you're a fan of the design of the gas heater but don't want to be limited in the way it can be positioned or you want to cut costs and save money, these freestanding electric patio heaters are a great alternative. These heaters for patios are powered by electricity and can heat up quickly. They can be operated with a remote or switch. They're also less expensive to run than gas-powered counterparts.
This model from Kettler is a elegant and stylish piece that won't appear out of place with your rattan furniture and is weatherproof for use all year round. Its IP55 rating means that it's protected against windblown rain and dust (although we wouldn't recommend aiming an hose with high pressure at it). The model comes with three heating levels that can be adjusted to suit your needs, as well as an automatic timer ranging from 1-9 hours.
Another alternative for those who don't want to be restricted by the positioning of a gas patio heater is this electric model made by Blumfeldt. It comes in two sizes, and includes many options, including a timer, remote control and 360-degree oscillation. It's also splash-proof to ensure your safety. However, click through the next document don't recommend letting it get wet too often as this can affect the performance and life of the heater.
The portable patio heater is popular with those who like to manage their heating. With a remote, two heat settings and the ability to switch the light on or off from a distance, it's very easy to operate. It also has an integrated safety feature that turns off the unit when it's tipped over.
Unlike a gas patio heater electric models don't release any carbon monoxide, which is why they're a great choice for families with pets or children who are not yet old enough to understand the dangers of staying close to flames. These models are also great for gazebos and large outdoor areas because they can quickly warm up an area of 15m2. They're lightweight and easy to move about, and many come with an remote control so that you can adjust settings from your chair.
4. Wall-mounted heaters
After the summer is over and your kids have returned to school, it's time for you to consider adding some warmth to your outdoor space. Electric heaters come in a variety of styles that include freestanding models as well as wall-mounted models.
This popular choice combines the functionality of a gas heater with low operating costs. It can be wall-mounted or placed on an elevated base which makes it suitable for covered porches and gazebos, as well as small gardens where a freestanding model could appear too large. It has an adjustable remote control to regulate the temperature. The majority of users describe it as an Goldilocks choice, as it's warm enough to ease the chill but not too hot.
Electric patio heaters are ideal for confined spaces like covered porches or garages, because they don't release harmful gases such as carbon monoxide. Gas heaters, on contrary, must be installed in an open area with sufficient ventilation to ensure that they don't pollute your home.
Electric models are more expensive than those powered by gas. They're also less mobile, requiring access to an electrical outlet. This is especially important if you reside in a region that has high energy costs.
Electric heaters aren't as powerful as gas heaters, but you can find plenty of options in the PS50 to PS200 price range. Some are suitable for hanging from awnings or parasols, and you can also find heaters that operate off a rechargeable battery.
This is a good option when you're looking for an infrared heating system that's cost-effective to operate. It comes in two sizes, and has a variety of features including 360deg rotation as well as easy-to-use heating settings. It's also classified as IP44 which means it's resistant to splashes of water as well as light rain.