Best Overall
SereneLife Infrared Outdoor Electric Space Heater
- Heating Performance4.8/5
- Safety4/5
- Value4/5
Why You Should Get It: The round design provides heat to every side of the unit.
Keep in Mind: It was difficult to assemble and was missing parts.
After testing over 25 heaters, were very impressed by this electric patio heater from SereneLife. With a round, 360° design, we liked that it can heat a group of people without them having to crowd to one side of the unit. It also offered a wider heat range—up to 15 feet—than other models we tested. It took about a minute to feel any heat after turning it on, but once we did, it was noticeably warm. There are only two heat settings, and we felt a significant difference between the two.
When we tested the patio heater at home in our backyard, we noted its quiet operation and simple controls. We liked that even on chilly and windy November nights, it provided us with strong heat. However, if you live in a warmer climate, you may not need this strong of a patio heater as the heat was almost too strong for us at one point.
This unit is 57 inches tall, and we appreciated that the height allowed us to both stand up and sit down without feeling like any part of our bodies were cold. However, the height did add some concern when we tested the heater’s stability. The base was wide, and we weren’t able to knock it over easily by bumping into it—but it did wobble more than others we tested. Thankfully, this patio heater does boast tip over shut-off protection, so if a fall does occur, it should turn off.
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.
How It Performed After Two Months
After two months of use, we were still impressed with the heater's performance. It kept us warm for several hours on windy days and chilly nights, and we'd still recommend it after continued use.
Product Details: Dimensions: 12.5 x 57 x 9 inches | Certifications: ETL | IP Rating: IP24 | Heat Range: 15 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Key Terms to Know
- IP (Ingress Protection) Rating: A rating of how well-protected an item is from water and debris, which is especially important when purchasing electric outdoor products. The higher the number rating, the better the protection.
Best Tabletop
Star Patio Electric Patio Heater
- Heating Performance3.5/5
- Safety4/5
- Value4/5
Why You Should Get It: With a straightforward design, it’s extremely easy to operate.
Keep in Mind: It wasn’t the strongest model we tested and works best in enclosed areas.
Of all the options we tested, this model from Star Patio surpassed our expectations for patio heaters that work well in small spaces. It’s a tabletop model that resembles a table lamp, but at 27 inches tall, we think it’s a bit large to sit on a dining table. When testing it over a period of two months, we preferred setting it on a side table close to where we sat. We tested it both outside and inside, and we think it works best for a smaller enclosed patio or three-season porch. It didn’t heat us well outdoors, especially in windy conditions.
The design is very straightforward; just pull the string to turn it on. Assembly was just as simple and took us less than three minutes. However, the simple design does have some drawbacks: It didn’t come with a remote, and there’s only one heat setting, which was only strong enough for one or two people sitting closeby.
When it comes to safety, we were glad that it never felt too hot to the touch. The heater felt sturdy overall, but since it could be knocked down by a big bump to the table, we do wish it had an auto-off protection for added safety. Overall, however, we think this is still a solid choice for a small, enclosed area.
How It Performed After Two Months
Like in our earlier tests, our long-term use highlighted that this heater is best used in smaller, enclosed patios or garages. We had a hard time feeling the heat outdoors and from further distances. That being said, the heater continued to operate without any distracting noises or quality concerns, and we still recommend it for the right spaces.
Product Details: Dimensions: 16.9 x 26.5 x 16.9 inches | Certifications: UL SGS | IP Rating: IP44 | Heat Range: 12 square feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Table
EnerG+ Electric Tabletop Patio Heater
- Heating Performance5/5
- Safety4/5
- Value3/5
Why You Should Get It: It serves as a spot to rest your drinks and warm your legs.
Keep in Mind: There’s only one heat setting, which is strong when seated at the table.
If you have a small patio, a multifunctional patio heater like this model from EnerG+ is a great solution. Doubling as an electric patio heater and a bistro table, we often found ourselves hanging around the heater with friends throughout the testing period. In both our lab test and at-home testing, the tabletop itself stayed cool and we could keep cold drinks on it without melting the ice.
When sitting at the table, the heating component (which doubles as the table’s leg) was strong. In fact, the single heat setting was almost too strong for us and it wasn’t comfortable to sit directly at the table. Instead, we found ourselves setting our drinks down and backing up a bit. The tabletop also blocked the heat from reaching our upper bodies, so we still needed to wear coats. And once we were about three feet away from the unit, we couldn’t feel any heat. Because of this, we think this would be best on a small, apartment patio rather than a larger patio on a single-family home.
Assembly was easy, as long as you have a second person to help. When we first set it up, did note a faint smell like burning plastic, but that went away after a couple of hours. Operating the unit is easy—just turn the switch and you’re ready to go. Keep in mind, we found the power cable to be shorter than we'd like and placed at an awkward height, so we had to adhere it to the floor to ensure it wasn't a tripping hazard.
How It Performed After Two Months
After regular use, we didn't notice any change in the table's quality. The top stayed cool to the touch, and the heat output was consistent. However, our long-term test highlighted that this table is best for standing at rather than sitting and enjoying a full meal. We found the heat too strong and tabletop too small to comfortably sit near the table, as our knees were too close to the heating element.
Product Details: Dimensions: 23.7 x 29.5 x 23.7 inches | Certifications: ETL | IP Rating: IP24 | Heat Range: 10 feet
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK