Enjoy your garden all year round with our guide to the best patio table heaters. Outdoor lamps from Napoleon, Fire Sense, Hiland and more.
Want to keep the grill going late into the night and when the temperature dips? Don’t just enjoy your terrace in the summer sun. Getting a patio table heater can be a great way to keep a crowd warm when the air gets cold.
Patio heaters are an excellent alternative to fireplaces in every respect. They are easier to control, much safer and guarantee direct heat. This makes them reliable and cost-effective, especially after months of use.
In this guide we take a look at the best patio table heaters the world has to offer and tell you the key things to consider when choosing your new heater.
Let’s get into that.
Napoleon 11,000 BTU Propane Patio Heater
The Napoleon Propane Patio Heater is a great option if you have a lot of space to heat. With a heat output of 11,000 BTU, this patio table heater is one of the most powerful devices you can find. In terms of space, you can expect that portion of heat in a radius of up to 7 feet.
This patio oxygen table heater also has some useful safety features: an anti-tip switch + shortage sensor. The oxygen deficiency sensor isn’t that useful outdoors, but we’re not going to say no.
We also like the construction of the Napoleon Propane Patio Heater. It’s stainless steel, so rust shouldn’t be a problem. Not only that, this table heater also has an attractive industrial vibe that will blend in well with some patio designs.
One thing YOU should note about this propane heater, it works standard with non-refillable 1 lb cylinders. If you use your propane heater more or less frequently, you should consider purchasing a separate propane tank and fuel gauge . This will probably save you money for the cylinder exchange.
Advantage:
- A lot of heat is produced.
- ROPS along with an oxygen deficiency sensor.
- Provides warmth in a radius of up to 7 feet.
- Quality construction with an industrial flair.
Disadvantages:
- Works with non-refillable 1lb propane cylinders(although you can connect it to a separate propane tank)
- Up to 11,000 BTUs
- 304 stainless steel construction
- 7 foot heat radius
Fire Sense 10,000 BTU Propane Patio Heater
The Fire Sense propane patio heater is a slightly weaker alternative to the Napoleon heater we just tested. With an output of around 10,000 BTU it will most likely heat up to a 6 foot radius, maybe a little more.
Other than that, the Fire Sense heater is very similar to the Napoleon heater. First of all, the Fire Sense table heater has safety features such as anti-tilt protection and an oxygen deficiency sensor.
In terms of overall feel and design, the Fire Sense patio table heater is virtually identical to the Napoleon patio heater. It features an attractive stainless steel construction with an industrial flair and is durable enough to withstand heavy use and corrosion.
Fire Sense offers expert assembly for this propane patio heater, although you can also assemble it yourself to save money.
Because of its similarities to Napoleon’s propane table heater, the Fire Sense heater retains its main disadvantages: disposable 1-pound cylinders. Again, consider hooking this thing up to a standard propane tank to save money.
Advantage:
- Anti-tipping switch + oxygen deficiency sensor.
- Quality stainless steel construction.
- Good thermal performance.
- Professional assembly possible.
Disadvantages:
- Works standard with disposable propane cylinders.
- This outdoor patio heater is made of durable stainless steel.
- This small patio heater can easily be brought indoors due to its light weight.
- The portable heater uses a standard 1 lb LPG propane tank.
Hiland HLDS032-GTTHG 9,500 BTU Propane Patio Heater
The three table heaters above certainly look unique, but they don’t work with every patio. If you care about aesthetics, the heaters tested so far don’t work very well for patios whose ambiance doesn’t suit your style. And chances are, most people don’t have industrial-style patios.
If you don’t think our selection above is right for your patio, take a look at this Hiland Propane Gas Heater. It has a more understated design and while also very attractive, it suits a wider range of patio designs.
Interestingly, the Hiland heater comes in two finishes: bronze and stainless steel. Both work well outdoors as they are corrosion resistant, but we prefer the look of the brass heater.
In terms of heating, the Hiland has an output of 9500 BTUs, which is also slightly weaker than the Fire Sense Heater. Safety should be comparable, though: this heater has anti-tilt protection, although it doesn’t appear to have an oxygen deficiency sensor. No big deal outdoors.
ALSO PLEASE THAT THIS HEATER USES disposable propane cylinders.
Advantage:
- Attractive design that works with most patios.
- Good thermal performance.
- Available in bronze and stainless steel.
- 1 year warranty.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive.
- Fragile glass tube.
- Works with 1lb disposable bottles.
- 39 inch tall portable glass tube patio heater
- Finished in hammered bronze. quartz glass tube
- Heat output: 9500 BTUs. Electronic start
Geek Heat 1200W Portable Tower Infrared Heater
The Geek Heat table heater is unique in that it is based on infrared heating technology.
Basically, infrared heaters heat objects directly, allowing for quick, instant heat. In addition, traditional heaters first heat the air around them and then the heat is transferred from the air to the objects that come into contact with it.
With this the Geek Heat heater does not heat the air directly so YOU have a clear line of sight to the heater & to receive heat.
Aside from the technology, the Geek Heat infrared heater also offers anti-tip protection and of course does not require propane or gas. Getting started is also easier than our previous recommendations.
Interestingly, the Geek Heat heater also has a 120-degree oscillation, giving you a little more ground coverage than you’d expect. It also has two heat settings.
The good thing about this portable heater is that it is more compact than previous patio heaters. However, the Geek Heat radiant heater is correspondingly weaker – it does not heat large terraces as well.
Advantage:
- rollover protection.
- Requires no propane or gas.
- Provides almost instant infrared heat.
- Pretty compact.
Disadvantages:
- Relatively weak heat output.
Hiland HIL-1821 1500W Electric Patio Heater
The Hiland HIL-1821 electric patio heater is also an infrared model, but it’s 300 watts more than the Geek Heat heater we just tested. According to Hiland, that should cover more area, up to 50 square feet.
Apart from the heat output, this radiant heater also differs in design. Similar to our top two heaters, it features sturdy stainless steel construction with an industrial flair.
The HIL-1821 Infrared Heater is also heavier due to the stainless steel construction, but should serve you much better than the Geek Heat heater. It’s also backed by a 1-year warranty, which is pretty good.
Advantages:
- Requires no propane or gas.
- Provides instant infrared heat.
- Construction made of stainless steel.
- rollover protection.
- 1 year warranty.
Disadvantages:
- Pretty hard.
- 38 Inch Tall Electric Tabletop Patio Heater. Instant heat ratio.
- Indoor and outdoor use. 96 inch power cord
- 1500W Made of stainless steel
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!