The Winners of Our Best Propane Patio Heater Tests

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Enjoy your outdoor space year-round with these reliable picks.

In This Article

Better Homes & Gardens / Kathy Barnes

Unless you live in a region that sees fair weather all year long, there comes a time when you’ll have to close up your patio for the winter. But if you make room for a patio heater in your outdoor space, you’ll keep the garden party going even when the temperature plummets.

To find the best propane patio heaters, we put a variety of heaters to the test right at home. In addition, we spoke to Jim Schimmenti, owner of The Grounds Guys of Garden City, and Dor Wand, a home care specialist at Hippo, for insight.

One of the most important things to look for in a patio heater is its Btus, which will tell you how powerful the heater is. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the square footage of your patio space by 20, and that will be the minimum Btus you need to adequately heat the space. However, you may need more in cooler climates or uncovered areas.

For three weeks, testers used their given heater in their backyards, keeping in mind ease of setup and use, safety features, number of Btus, and overall performance. Testers were located in the Northeast, Midwest, South, and on the West Coast.To learn more about how we tested propane patio heaters, check out our testing process below.

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.

Overall, the best propane patio heater is this CSA-rated Arlmont & Co option. 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.

We found the patio heater simple to use—just push the ignition button to start. It 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 so you won’t get too overheated.

There are wheels on the back that make it easy to move the heater into position wherever you want it—just make sure you strap in the propane tank securely first. 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—the heater is rather tall.

We found the 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 a safety shut-off feature that activates should the heater get tipped over. 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 & Gardens / Jennifer May

This heater warmed up a 10-foot outdoor space in only 10 minutes.

Despite the wheels, the 61-pound weight made it difficult to move around.

Not only is this heater affordable, but the cool pyramid design makes it a hip decor accent in addition to a heat source for your patio. Similar to our best overall pick, the heater features a glass flame tube, which is mesmerizing to watch and functional at the same time.

While the heater was easy for us to install and use, we needed a step stool to assemble the upper sections due to the height. You can turn the heat up or down as needed using a dial. The heater also has a safety valve that shuts the heat off if it tilts or falls over.

During testing, it only took 10 minutes to warm our 10-foot space. The only thing missing, in our opinion, was the ability to control the heat’s direction for more customization. But if you’re on a budget and prefer relaxing fire pit vibes, we highly recommend this model.

Just be aware that, despite having wheels, you can’t roll it around easily because it’s a hefty 61 pounds. It is available in 10 finishes, including bronze, hammered bronze, and stainless steel.

Product Details: Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 89 inches | Heating Areas: 15 feet | Btus: 48,000 | Weight: 61 pounds

The wicker base conceals the propane tank and doubles as a table for snacks or beverages.

Heat distribution tends to be uneven on windy days.

For those who want a no-frills heater that keeps you cozy plus matches your patio furniture, this wicker pick is a great option to consider. We were able to feel full heat from 4 feet away within five minutes, which impressed us.

The heater includes an ignition button and a knob to move between high and low heat settings. We felt a clear difference in heat between the settings, which we loved because it makes the experience more customizable and you can find the temperature that feels most comfortable.

It took us about an hour to assemble, which is expected for a heater this size. The pieces were securely wrapped and placed inside labeled boxes, which was quite helpful. There were also instructions stuck to the pole, so we could clearly follow along with them when setting it up.

The wicker base conceals the propane tank and keeps it out of sight. It doubles as a small table for drinks and snacks, and features two wheels for easy transportation. This option is relatively safe to have around kids, as only the upper parts that are out of their reach get hot.

Although the wicker is synthetic and weatherproof, you might want to bring it inside during bad weather to avoid damage. We do think that the wind affected the heat, as the heat was not evenly distributed around our space when a breeze kicked up.

Product Details: Dimensions: 86.4 x 32.08 x 32.08 inches | Heating Areas: 12.5 feet | Btus: 48,000 | Weight: 33 pounds

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.

During testing, we found the Bali heater easy to use, with heat settings that were simple to adjust. The portable 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—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 & Gardens / Andrea Tenborg

It’s a weather-resistant and rustproof heater that can be used outside year-round.

Be prepared for an extremely long setup process.

This is a powerful heater, making it one of the best propane heaters to keep a large patio warm. But the safety features really made it stand out during testing. Auto shutoff ensures peace of mind, and the materials are weather-resistant and rustproof so you can keep it outside all year.

Another positive aspect of the design is that the heater’s bulkiness makes it feel stable and almost impossible to tip over. The heater puts out 48,000 Btus of heat and there’s a knob to control the flow. It didn’t take long to heat up our space—we felt the effects within minutes of turning it on.

The setup process was extremely tedious since the heater is large and comes with many parts that have been individually shrink-wrapped in plastic. It took us over four hours to unwrap the parts and assemble the heater—way longer than we anticipated. However, the instructions were clear and easy to follow.

And although it was bulky, we could easily wheel it around. However, it is likely more suited for an outdoor patio, campground, or gazebo, as it may not fit well on the average-sized deck. It is available in two finishes: black and stainless steel.

Product Details: Dimensions: 32 x 32 x 86.6 inches | Heating Areas: 200 square feet | Btus: 48,000 | Weight: 32.01 pounds

It’s equipped with reflectors to direct heat in a specific direction for more efficient heating.

It might be too tall for shorter people to comfortably reach the reflectors

The addition of reflectors on the hood makes this Hampton Bay heater more efficient compared to other options on our list. They focus heat in specific areas so you can direct it where you need it the most. We liked that we could direct heat only to the areas where people were sitting.

Its reach extends up to 120 square feet, which is adequate for standard to small decks or patios. Getting it started is simple, requiring only a push of its electric ignition button and then fiddling with its knob to control how much propane gas you use.

There was a slight learning curve when figuring out how to light it, but once it was up and running, we found that it warmed our back deck quickly with a noticeable temperature difference. Additionally, we had no issues with the setup instructions, which were clear and easy to understand.

Its base is sand-filled, so it’s heavy and unlikely to tip over. That said, in the event it does happen, it features an anti-tilt design that automatically shuts off the heater. At 74 pounds, it’s the heaviest heater on our list, and we found it quite tall for a shorter individual to adjust the reflectors.

Product Details: Dimensions: 86.6 x 34 x 34 inches | Heating Areas: 120 square feet | Btus: 38,200 | Weight: 74 pounds

The Arlmont & Co. Triplett Propane Patio Heater was our pick for best overall because of its effective performance even on chilly days. Its sturdy construction and sleek design make it a safe and stylish addition to any outdoor patio.

To find the best propane heaters, we put a variety of options to the test right at home. For three weeks, we used the heaters in our own backyards and evaluated each based on a predetermined methodology. Testing was conducted in the Northeast, Midwest, South, and on the West Coast.

We assembled each one out of the box, noting how long it took. Once in place, we tested each for safety and stability by giving each one a bump to see if it budged or remained in place. Then, we fired up each one to see how quickly it warmed up and how much of the outdoor area it heated.

We selected the best heaters of the group based on ease of setup and use, heating performance, safety, and overall value.

Better Homes & Gardens / Kathy Barnes

Propane patio heaters aren’t nearly as compact as the space heaters you might use inside your home or office. Some are more stylish than others, so you won’t mind making room for them on your patio. Other models are actually quite tall, averaging around 7 feet.

Before buying, you want to ensure you have enough clearance for your space heater, especially if you’re using it under a covered patio or near other large patio furniture and decor, like patio umbrellas. (Be sure to read all manufacturer’s guidelines on safety clearances.)

If you have a large patio, you should be fine with just about any propane patio heater on our list, but if you have a more compact space, you’ll want to pay attention to the dimensions of these so that they don’t overwhelm your patio.

Height aside, many models on our list are roughly 2 feet in length and width. However, there are smaller options like the Bali Outdoors Portable Patio Heater, which is about 1 foot tall and just over 1 foot in both width and length.

The warmth of some propane heaters is measured in square feet, while some are in diameter or radius. Either way, consider the size of your patio in terms of the heat output of the propane heater so you’re not left out in the cold (literally).

The patio heater on our list with the best heating range is the Mainstays heater, which can warm areas up to 200 square feet. For directional heating, the best propane patio heater is the Hampton Bay pick. Although it doesn’t warm as much surface area as the Mainstays option, it has reflectors that direct heat.

Btu is the unit of measurement defining the level of heat needed to increase the temperature of one pound of water by a single degree Fahrenheit. Typically, the more Btus a heating unit has, the more powerful it is.

The average patio heater clocks in at around 40,000 Btus, but you’ll want to calculate your patio’s area and square footage, Schimmenti says, to ensure that you’ve got an adequate unit. If it were indoors, you’d multiply the square footage of the space by 20 to get the right amount of Btus.

Keep in mind, though, that the outdoors are different—you’re dealing with much lower temperatures as well as wind that will diminish the warmth coming out of the heater—so the Btus even for a small patio heater will be much higher.

Propane patio heaters can be rather hefty. The Bali Outdoors Portable Patio Heater is the smallest on our list at 10 pounds, and it’s meant to fit on a table. Our heaviest pick is the Hampton Bay at 74 pounds. If you go for a heavier heater, look for one that has wheels so you can easily and safely move it around.

Better Homes & Gardens / Robert Dencklau

We tested the East Oak Outdoor Patio Heater, which was easy to assemble and heated up fairly quickly. However, we ultimately felt it was too tall to distribute the heat as effectively as we would have liked.

The AZ Patio Heaters Quartz Glass Tube Hammered Bronze Propane Patio Heater has a nice aesthetic and is fairly simple to use. It took us about three hours to assemble, however, and it’s also more expensive than other options.

Setting up the Living Accents Freestanding Propane Patio Heater was fairly straightforward thanks to clear instructions. We felt that the design made it lose too much heat out of the sides, however.

Purchasing propane to operate a heater adds an additional cost. However, “propane space heaters are extremely efficient,” Schimmenti says. “A 20-pound propane tank can last up to 10 hours.” That’s two pounds of propane per hour of use, so consider that calculation when determining your propane patio heater usage.

When setting up your propane heater, the location is a key consideration. “Propane heaters can be used under a covered patio if the mechanism is rated for indoor use,” Wand says. It’s important to leave enough clearance between the heating element and the cover.

Be sure to read and follow all manufacturer’s guidelines. Wand says that you don’t have to disclose a propane patio heater as a heat source; on a homeowner’s insurance policy, it would be covered as personal property (Coverage C). Still, you are “encouraged to take appropriate precautions when using one of these heaters,” he says.

“The same recommendation [for covered patios] applies for garages and indoor workshops,” he says. “It’s critical to use a propane heater designed specifically for indoor use.” Regardless of where you are able to safely use your heater, Wand strongly recommends not leaving it unattended while on. For the utmost safety, have it inspected annually.

Better Homes & Gardens / Kathy Barnes

The article was written by Barbara Bellesi Zito, a freelance writer from Staten Island, New York, covering all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. It was updated by Nor’Adila Hepburn, a freelance contributor for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list of the best propane patio heaters, Zito analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa. She also consulted Jim Schimmenti, owner of The Grounds Guys of Garden City, a Neighborly company, and Dor Wand, home care specialist at Hippo.

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.