Patio Heaters

A patio heater lets you stay outside longer on cool spring and autumn evenings. On this page you compare patio heaters from Sunred, Eurom and Heatstrip: electric infrared heaters and gas models that stand on the ground, hang from above, mount on a wall or sit on a table. For each model you see the specifications and the current price at the shop. Use the filters to choose by power source, mounting, wattage and IP rating. Prefer real flames at the table? Then compare the fire tables from Cosi and Happy Cocooning.

Electric (infrared) or gas?

An electric patio heater uses infrared radiation. The heat lands on the people and objects the heater points at, not on the air around them, so you feel it almost as soon as you switch it on. You do need an outdoor power socket. The electric models in this comparison range from 1,200 to 3,000 watts. Some give off an orange or red glow, others have a black radiant panel that gives off hardly any light, such as the Heatstrip and the Sunred Nero.

A gas patio heater runs on a gas bottle and needs no electricity, so you can place it wherever you like. The gas models here, such as the Sunred Sargas, Propus and Bogo and the Eurom THG and Flameheater, range from 10,000 to 14,000 watts and heat a larger area around them. On the other hand, you have to change bottles and combustion releases gases. A gas heater is only meant for outdoor use or an open, well-ventilated spot: never indoors or in an enclosed space.

Power and heating area

The wattage tells you how much heat a heater gives off. Manufacturers often state a heating area in square metres. For the electric models in this comparison it is usually between 10 and 25 m², for gas between 40 and 100 m². Treat it as a guide: wind, outdoor temperature and mounting height decide how much warmth you actually feel. Two smaller heaters on either side of the table often work better than one large heater in the corner, because everyone gets warmth from the front.

Freestanding, hanging, wall-mounted or tabletop

• Freestanding: on a base or tripod and easy to move. Handy when there is no wall or ceiling nearby. Gas heaters are freestanding, often on wheels.
• Hanging: under a canopy, pergola or roof. The heat comes from above and there is no base in the way. The manual gives the minimum mounting height and distance from the ceiling.
• Wall-mounted: long, slim heaters such as the Sunred Dark line and the Heatstrip mount on a wall or under an overhang, angled downwards. For Heatstrip there are also recessed mounting frames to build the heater into a ceiling.
• Tabletop: compact models from 1,200 to 2,500 watts for a small seating area or a balcony.

IP rating: can it handle rain?

The IP rating shows how well a device is protected against dust and water. The second digit is about water: 4 means protection against splashing water from any direction, 5 against water jets and 6 against powerful water jets. In this comparison you will find models from IP24 to IP65. If the heater is exposed to the weather, choose a higher IP rating. Even then it is wise to cover it with a protective cover in bad weather and over winter, or store it indoors.

Electricity use

An electric patio heater uses roughly its own wattage per hour: a 2,000 watt heater running for an hour on its highest setting uses about 2 kWh. What that costs depends on your energy tariff. You use less by choosing a lower setting when that is enough, only switching it on when you are outside (a timer or remote control helps) and aiming it at the seats. Make sure the outdoor socket is protected by a residual current device and that the circuit can handle the load. If in doubt, ask an electrician.

Safe use

• Keep a safe distance from parasols, cushions, throws, plants and ceilings. The minimum distances are in the manual.
• For a freestanding model, look for tip-over protection, especially with children or pets around. The filters show which models have it according to the specifications.
• Outdoors, only use extension cables made for outdoor use and fully unwind a cable reel.
• With a gas heater, check the hose and regulator regularly and close the bottle after use.

Stay warmer with a canopy and windbreak

Infrared heat does not blow away, but wind does cool you down. A patio heater therefore works best out of the wind: against a wall, under a canopy or veranda (read covering a veranda) or behind a windbreak. Combine the heater with a lounge set with thick cushions, an outdoor rug underfoot and a throw, and you will still sit comfortably outside in October. Find more ideas in the tips for a cosy autumn garden and in the guide buying a patio heater.