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If you have a great patio or deck, but live in a cooler climate, it’s a shame to only have access to that outdoor space for a few seasons of the year.Patio heaters can be a great solution to ward off the cold so you can enjoy more time outdoors.The more BTUs, the better – but you still have to dress appropriately if you want to spend some time outdoors in the winter.
During his long tenure as Senior Test Editor at Popular Mechanics, Roy Berendsohn has tested many space heaters, including patio heaters, and provided expert advice on propane versus electric heaters.”Both types emit infrared energy,” he explained.”Unlike space heaters, which blow air through thermoelectric coils to heat the air, patio heaters project an infrared beam that travels through the air without heating it. When infrared energy hits solid objects such as people or furniture , the beam is converted into heat.”
While electric heaters have the advantage of not requiring refueling and requiring little maintenance, propane gas patio heaters are more portable (especially models with wheels) and less expensive to run.Most 20-pound tanks should last at least 10 hours, depending on your heating settings.Keep in mind that wind will blow away most of the burners of these heaters, so choose a semi-protected spot or stay inside on gusty nights.
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In addition to relying on Roy Berendsohn’s expert advice and testing of some patio heaters, we recommend the following nine gas patio heaters based on research from five other expert sources, including Good Housekeeping, Tom’s Guide, and Wirecutter.For each model, we compared its BTU power, heating area, overall price, construction and finish, durability and portability.We also checked consumer reviews from retail sites like Amazon and The Home Depot to confirm that these heaters are also easy to assemble, beautiful and reliable for your deck or patio area.
This patio heater from Fire Sense provides 46,000 BTU of commercial-grade power and runs on a 20-pound propane tank for up to 10 hours of use.Heavy-duty wheels make it easy to position anywhere outside, and the piezo ignition will get it up and running in no time.
The classic design of most patio heaters spreads the heat widely in a radius around the center of the heater, which can be an inefficient method depending on where you place it.This Bromic patio heater is a great option if you want to heat yourself and your team directly, rather than wasting energy heating the space beyond your patio furniture.Although its BTU is lower than some other models, it’s designed to channel that power more efficiently.We love that you can adjust the output to combat fall chills or freezing nights.
In our testing, we were pleasantly surprised by the AmazonBasics patio heater, an affordable option that’s easy to assemble, sturdy, and available in many attractive colors and finishes.For extra durability in high winds, you can fill its hollow base with sand, although we love how easy it is to move it around with the wheeled base.Like the Fire Sense, it has a piezoelectric ignition system for push-button start, requires a 20-pound propane tank, and has a safety auto shut-off.
While this outdoor heater isn’t the most stylish, if you care more about portability and efficiency than looks when working outdoors, the Mr. Heater MH30TS is a simple and practical model.Propane cylinders are not included, but once connected, the MH30T can heat 8,000 to 30,000 BTU with the simple push of a button.Unlike larger patio heat lights, you can take it almost anywhere.
Fire Sense also offers a more portable and compact heater that is actually quite attractive and can be placed in the center of the tabletop for an outdoor dinner party.Instead of a larger 20-pound tank, this model requires a 1-pound propane tank that will last about three hours.Some users recommend buying an adapter for the 20 lb tank if you want to run it longer.Fire Sense claims 10,000 BTU of adjustable power can heat a space to 25 degrees.A weighted base and an automatic shut-off safety system ensure the heater doesn’t tip over on your desk.
Pyramid patio heaters already provide a great ambience for your patio, and this Thermo Tiki heater goes a step further with its dancing flames inside glass columns that will also provide some light at night.Artificial flames are also good news for anyone living in an area with fire restrictions.While it’s not the most powerful option here, the Thermo Tiki can run for up to 10 hours on a 20-pound tank and has a heated area up to 15 feet in diameter.
Like the Thermo Tiki, this Hiland patio heater features a sleek pyramid design and faux flame that can run for 8 to 10 hours in high heat.It doesn’t have a huge heating area, but if you want your heater to emit a little light to create an ambience, this model is a great option.We also like the many finish options, including Hammered Bronze, Black and Silver.
Another option with a high heat output of 48,000 BTU, this Hiland patio heater stands out with its bronze finish and built-in matching adjustable table.Its wheels ensure maximum portability to place it where you need the heat most.Like similar outdoor heaters, a 20-pound propane tank can last up to 10 hours.
If you’ve enjoyed al fresco dining during the pandemic, you’ll probably recognize this Hampton Bays heater.Its classic stainless steel design and affordable price make it a popular choice for home and restaurant owners.In our tests, it was fairly easy to assemble in under 15 minutes, although the instructions and hardware labels could have been clearer.Unfortunately, the base doesn’t have wheels, but at 33 pounds, it’s not too heavy to move.