Choose the best outdoor patio heater to suit you needs.
Choosing the best outdoor patio heater for your needs can be quite tricky. Let’s face it – with so many options to choose from, how do you make that decision? This buyer guide will help you make the best decision for your lifestyle and those that you love the most who share your outdoor space.
Imagine cozying up under a warm heater with your book and hot drink and getting to enjoy outdoor living for just a few more months. When winter comes along snuggle under a blanket and enjoy the heat from your outdoor space heater and take the icy feel out of the air and enjoy the ambience. There is nothing more exhilarating.
Best Outdoor Patio Heater
The Amazon Basics propane gas heater is a commercial grade heater for outdoor use. It is fairly easy to assemble, has a 9 ft heating range and is portable. It is sturdy and has an emergency automatic gas shut off valve should the gas heater be knocked over.
LAUSAINT HOME 48000BTU Patio Heater with Wheels,Stainless Steel Propane Gast Product Name Here
The Lausaint heater is 48000BTU and although it is tall, it blasts out a lot of heat. The assembly was fairly easy and takes about an hour. The door to the propane tank closes and latches and does not open when moved. There is a tray above the propane base where you can stand your drinks or eats.
Infrared Outdoor Electric Space Heater
This is a 1500 Watt Portable Fast Infrared Heating Outdoor Tower perfect for smaller spaces. It oscillates, does not use gas or butane and runs on electric power. It has an automatic safety valve that will switch off if it is tilted. It is remote control operated and offers instant heat.
Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Outdoor Propane Patio Heater with Wheels
Pros
- Quiet consistent heat
- Safety valve shutoff
- Tank at the bottom of the stand for sand or water to keep it sturdy
- Easy to fire up
Cons
- Very tall – some people cut the stand off by 9 inches to feel the heat better
- Paint does flake off
- Parts are not Amazons specialty and it was near impossible to buy parts only
LAUSAINT HOME 48000BTU Patio Heater with Wheels,Stainless Steel Propane Gas
Pros
- 48000BTU propelled a large amount of heat
- The base of the stand has a tray space to put your coffee or drink down on
- Has a tilt auto switch off valve
- The propane tank could run for about 8 hours on medium to low heat before needing to change out
Cons
- Damaged packaging and dented product
- The plastic on the reflector tips are difficult to peal off (Personal tip – take them indoors and heat with a hair dryer and they peal off easily 🙂 )
- The stand is very tall and some people may struggle to reach the controls
Hiland HLDSO1-GTSS 91-Inch Tall Quartz Glass Tube Heater
Pros
- 40,000 BTU Propane (LP) Pyramid Heater with Quartz Glass tube
- Stainless Steel finish
- Access door to change out propane gas
- The protection grills on the side of the flame do not heat up so it is safe
Cons
- The heat is not as good as others because there is no satellite style cap at the top to spread the heat.
- The height of the room should extend well above the 6ft height of the Pyramid Heater
- Pilot fails (some in less than a year) – buy the extended warranty from Amazon. It’s worth it.
Infrared Outdoor Electric Space Heater
Pros
- Instant Heat
- Remote control operated
- Has an auto switch-off valve in the event it tilts or falls over
- Overheat Protection and Quiet
- Waterproof
Cons
- May not give off as much heat as a propane heater.
- Keep the packaging for returns
Buyer Guide For Best Outdoor Patio Heater
How to choose the position to place your heater
When you are choosing the best place to put your outdoor heater to make sure it heats the outdoor space quickly and easily, there are a few things to think about
- Check the clearance height for the patio heater so that it is safe to use without causing damage.
- Never place anything above the heater
- Keep the heater away from gas grills or flammable materials
- Make sure that there is proper ventilation
- Your outdoor heater needs to be on a stable surface where it will not tip. Lawn and uneven paving is not a perfect spot to place it
- Your patio heater needs to be protected from wind. Wind can be the cause of lots of accidents and fire being a big one.
- Keep your spare gas canister away from the heater so as not to cause an accident
- Dismantle the heater and pack away when you are not going to be using it through the summer months
Should You Cover the Heater When Not In Use?
- It is a good idea to cover your patio heater when not in use.
- Please remember that after a long summer and no regular use of the heater, you may find some uninvited bugs, insects or critters hiding in the cover – be aware of this.
- When you unpack the heater for the winter season, check the valves, hoses and connectors and clean it gently
- Double check your connections for safety and be ready for a warm outdoor entertaining area that your loved ones will remember.
Conclusion
The best outdoor patio heater is the one that you feel most comfortable using, the one that fits in with your loved ones needs. If you have smaller children or big dogs you may choose a wall mounted patio heater. A table top heater is also a good idea for safety. Whichever you choose – make sure it has anti tilt switch off valve, CSA safety rating and no exposed flames. That will make any choice a good safety choice.