Best Overall
Arlmont and Co. Triplett Propane Patio Heater
- Setup4.8/5
- Heating Performance4.5/5
- Ease of Use4.5/5
- Safety5/5
- Value5/5
- It heats up quickly and features wheels that make it easy to move it.
It heats up quickly and features wheels that make it easy to move it.
- You’ll likely need some of your own tools to complete the setup.
You’ll likely need some of your own tools to complete the setup.
Overall, the best propane patio heater is Arlmont and Co’s Triplett Propane Patio Heater. The model has a sleek design that will add a bit of style to your patio. It comes in several different colors (brown, black, silver, and stainless steel) so you can choose the one that best complements your outdoor furniture and decor.
Overall, we found this patio heater simple to use—just push the ignition button to start it warming up. This patio heater warms up quickly—you’ll see the flames inside as proof—and its tower design allows you to feel the heat from all sides. You’ll want to sit at least a couple of feet back from this heater so you won’t get too overheated.
There are wheels on the back of the heater that make it easy to move this heater into position wherever you want it on your patio. Just make sure you strap the propane tank in securely so that it stays put while doing so.
The instructions were easy enough to follow, but we did experience some hiccups during assembly. The screw holes that connected the poles were a bit off-center, so a drill was needed to expand them for the screws to fit. Though it does come with a two-sided (Phillips and flathead) screwdriver, we found it was easier to use our own tools. Keep a step stool handy for when it’s time to install the top elements—this heater is rather tall.
We found the CSA-rated heater to be very stable—it didn’t budge when bumped during testing—and it didn’t seem fazed by the wind, either. Still, we’re glad to see there’s a safety shut-off feature that activates should this heater ever get tipped over.
We also found the metal gate surrounding the flames in the middle doesn’t get hot to the touch, so you can operate it without fear of burning yourself. Overall, we found the Arlmont to be well made—we feel good that this will be around season after season. We liked that it also came with a custom-fitting cover to protect it from the elements.
Product Details: Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 89 inches | Heating Area: 20 feet | BTUs: 42,000 | Weight: 57.2 pounds
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY
Key Terms to Know
- BTUs: Short for British Thermal Units, this is a measurement that effectively measures the heat strength of a patio heater.
Best Budget
Sunjoy Avanti Outdoor Heater
- Setup3.5/5
- Heating Performance4.5/5
- Ease of Use4.5/5
- Safety4/5
- Value4/5
- It features an automatic safety tip-over valve that ensures it’ll turn off if the unit gets knocked over.
It features an automatic safety tip-over valve that ensures it’ll turn off if the unit gets knocked over.
- Set up is a bit complicated.
Set up is a bit complicated.
If you’ve written off propane patio heaters as being out of reach for your budget, you’ll be happily surprised by the Sunjoy Avanti. This model is a stylish-looking heater with 47,000 BTUs that can keep your patio warm on a chilly evening.
The heater starts warming up first on a low setting, but when we kicked up the heat, we found it quite effective in heating an 8-foot area. Wheels make it easy to move from spot to spot without much trouble, though don’t do this unless it’s off and cooled.
The instructions were clear enough, but we found that even if you’re an experienced DIYer, this might take some time to put together. Keep a screwdriver at the ready because the included tool wasn’t as effective. Also, be sure to mount the heat reflector last—not first as the instructions recommend—because we found it bend rather easily during assembly.
Despite a tricky setup, we found the heater to be effective and well-priced, so it’s a good value for the money. It’s also attractive as it is useful, so you’ll like adding it to your patio setup. We had peace of mind using it, thanks to the auto-off safety feature in case it gets tipped over. Just keep in mind that the reflector shield gets very hot, so don’t use it on a covered patio or near patio umbrellas.
Product Details: Dimensions: 32.7 x 32.7 x 90.6 inches | Heating Area: Not listed |BTUs: 47,000 | Weight: 30.9 pounds
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CASSIE AULIE
Best Heat Range
Amazon Basics Outdoor Patio Heater
- Setup3/5
- Heating Performance5/5
- Ease of Use4/5
- Safety4/5
- Value4/5
- It has an auto shut-off feature for added safety.
It has an auto shut-off feature for added safety.
- It’s not the most sturdy option, even when the base was stabilized.
It’s not the most sturdy option, even when the base was stabilized.
As the name suggests, this Amazon Basics propane patio heater is indeed a basic model, but it does exactly what it promises to do. We were impressed by the heat output and liked how easily it could be incorporated into an outdoor patio design.
As for safety, you can rest assured that this ETL-certified heater has an auto-shutoff feature for if it gets bumped into. It’s a necessary feature, too, because we found during testing that just a gentle nudge makes it wobble, even when we followed the instructions carefully to stabilize the base.
Unfortunately, there was a piece that arrived damaged and it couldn't fit in properly without the use of a hammer to bang it in. The result was a crooked-looking unit, but it still worked. (You might also want to grab your own wrench, as the one that came with it wasn’t as effective.) The testers soldiered through and found that it worked as soon as it turned on.
Despite that bumpy setup during testing, we were very impressed with how well this heater worked. If you're new to propane patio heaters, you might have a little bit of a learning curve with this, but there are on/off instructions that are printed directly on the heater to make things easier.
Product Details: Dimensions: 32.12 x 32.12 x 91.3 inches | Heating Area: 9 feet | BTUs: 46,000 | Weight: 38 pounds
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RACHEL CHRISTENSEN
Best with Table
AZ Patio Heaters Patio Heater With Table
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance3/5
- Ease of Use5/5
- Safety5/5
- Value5/5
- The hammered bronze base lends a cool aesthetic to your outdoor space.
The hammered bronze base lends a cool aesthetic to your outdoor space.
- We found that the heating range was not as far as the brand had noted.
We found that the heating range was not as far as the brand had noted.
This AZ Patio Heater pick is one of the best heaters we tested to consider thanks to its easy assembly, effectiveness, and stylish look. It only took us an hour to set this heater, however it was very fairly easy to do thanks to clear, precise instructions and accurate labeling.
Once assembled, it heated up rather quickly. Despite it saying that it has a 10 to 12-foot diameter heat range, we found it to be more like seven feet because of the windy weather at the time of testing.
It's very user-friendly, and it’s easy to adjust the heat settings. Though the heater is tall, the flames are kept safely contained for safety. The table seemed stable even when knocked into during testing. The wheels are a good feature, as this 55-pound table heater would be a hassle to lug otherwise.
The AZ Patio Heater offers great value for its heating capability, plus it creates a nice aesthetic thanks to its bronze finish. If you're trying to set up a little outdoor oasis that you can enjoy year-round, this would be a nice fit, especially if you plan on hosting gatherings although it's certainly something to enjoy on your own, too.
Product Details: Dimensions: 87 x 17 x 17 inches | Heating Area: 10-12 feet | BTUs: 48,000 | Weight: 55 pounds
Best with Safety Features
Arlmont and Co. Hammered Standing Patio Heater
- Setup3.5/5
- Heating Performance4.5/5
- Ease of Use5/5
- Safety4.5/5
- Value5/5
- It’s got two auto-shutoff safety features.
It’s got two auto-shutoff safety features.
- It doesn’t come with a protective cover.
It doesn’t come with a protective cover.
For a model that’ll offer peace of mind, we recommend the Arlmont and Co Crosky model. We liked how quickly this heater warmed up as it fired up at the touch of a button and in just ten minutes, there was an enjoyable bubble of heat surrounding it.
The umbrella-like reflectors were effective in containing the heat for even better warmth, which was felt evenly on all sides, though this might differ on a windy day. During testing, we tried it out on a chilly evening when the temperature dipped into the 20s; between this and the barbecue grill, the patio was still quite toasty.
We were impressed by two safety features on this heater: an automatic shutoff and a tip-over shutoff. We found the heater to be quite sturdy so tipping over is unlikely, but we were nonetheless reassured by having the safety features in place.
Despite there being a little bit of confusion with one part of the directions, the assembly is rather smooth. We found it helpful to have a second pair of hands help out with reattaching the reflector panels to the heating element. It took less than a minute to connect to the propane tank. The wheels make it super easy to move around. It’s a great value for the price, though you’ll want to make sure to buy a cover to protect your investment.
Product Details: Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 88 inches | Heating Area: 10 feet | BTUs: 47,000 | Weight: 31 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MELISSA INMAN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MELISSA INMAN
Best with Wheels
Frontgate Commercial Patio Heater
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance4.5/5
- Ease of Use5/5
- Safety4/5
- Value5/5
- It’s easy to move around your outdoor space.
It’s easy to move around your outdoor space.
- There’s no auto shut-off feature.
There’s no auto shut-off feature.
The Frontgate Commercial Patio Heater is a great option to consider if you want to move the heater around your space or store it between uses. Overall, we found that this Frontgate heater only took a couple of minutes to warm up before it started producing a nice amount of heat; a two-foot radius seems to be a good spot for feeling the most warmth.
The instructions do say that when the temperature drops below 40°F, the heater won't be able to run as efficiently, so keep that in mind when planning your outdoor gatherings. We tried this out when it did indeed reach below 40°, however, and found that standing underneath it was quite cozy.
The wheels make it simple enough for just one person to move this heater around, which is why it made our list. When it’s in place, though, we liked the safety feature that allows you to pile in sand at the bottom for extra stability. Still, it’s more bottom- than top-heavy, so you might be able to skip this step. Though it is ETL certified, we noticed there wasn't an auto-shutoff feature, but there is a chain to secure the propane tank when you need to roll this from place to place.
Overall, we liked its simple design that can go with any patio design; however, you will have to purchase a protective cover separately. There are various adjustable heat levels, but on a frigid night during the testing period, we kept it cranked up.
Using this heater is very intuitive, so if you're new to using a patio heater, you should get it up and running very quickly because everything is labeled right on the heater.
Product Details: Dimensions: 33 x 18 x 89 inches | Heating Area: Not listed | BTUs: 46,000 | Weight: 42 pounds
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JODI ESPINOSA
Best Pyramid
Thermo Tiki Outdoor Propane Patio Heater
- Setup3/5
- Heating Performance5/5
- Ease of Use4/5
- Safety4/5
- Value5/5
- It’s got a chic design and is offered in three different finishes.
It’s got a chic design and is offered in three different finishes.
- It’s very tall, so you’ll need the proper space for it.
It’s very tall, so you’ll need the proper space for it.
For a pyramid style, we recommend this pick from Thermo Tiki. We liked the slender silhouette of this tower and were impressed to see how sturdy and stable it was despite the design—it stayed upright even after several bumps. There is no safety sensor to alert you if the propane hose is leaking, but there is a strap that fastens securely around the propane tank for safety.
We found that when the heat setting was on high, it created about a 6-foot radius of warmth though the brand noted it should create a 15-foot diameter of warmth. Outside of that area, you might still feel a chill. That’s because the heating element is higher because of the pyramid shape—you'll feel more of the heat on the top half of your body, especially your face, if you're sitting down. The dial goes from high to low, so keep that in mind when firing this up and adjusting the temperature.
Make some time to put this tall propane patio heater together. Not only does it come completely disassembled (except for the heater element), but the instructions are pictorial with very few written explanations.
Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 90 inches | Heating Area: 15 feet | BTUs: 38,000 (tested up to 45,000) | Weight: 56 pounds
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / CECILIA DELAPAZ
Best Small
Bali Outdoors Portable Patio Heater
- Setup5/5
- Heating Performance4/5
- Ease of Use3/5
- Safety4.3/5
- Value4/5
- It’s user-friendly and has easily adjustable heat settings.
It’s user-friendly and has easily adjustable heat settings.
- It’s a bit top-heavy, so you’ll need to ensure you have a steady surface to put it on.
It’s a bit top-heavy, so you’ll need to ensure you have a steady surface to put it on.
During testing, we found the Bali easy to use and its heat settings were simple to adjust. This portable heater was simple to assemble, thanks to easy-to-follow instructions. This compact heater is meant to be placed on a table, so it won’t warm up an entire patio—in fact, you'll need to position yourself within a couple of feet to experience the warmth.
Don't worry about putting this on a table; there is an auto-shutoff feature if it gets knocked over. It is a bit top-heavy so take this risk seriously and place yours on a stable tabletop and keep the area around it clear in case it does topple over in a strong wind.
You won't get a ton of heat emanating from this unit, but we found it to be fine to take the chill out of a crisp fall or early spring night. If you're looking for something that warms the entire patio, though, you'll need to get a bigger unit.
Product Details: Dimensions: 34.1 x 20 x 20 inches |Heating Area: Not listed | BTUs: Adjustable to 10,000 | Weight: 14 pounds
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA TENBORG