Best patio heater 2023: Our favourite outdoor heaters (plus Amazon Spring Sale deals)
Our pick of the best outdoor patio heaters available to buy in the UK to keep you warm when the weather gets cold
The best outdoor or patio heaters can help you to get the most out of your garden all year round. British weather isn’t exactly known for its consistency but investing in a quality patio heater can allow you to conjure up a cosy, comfortable outdoor atmosphere, no matter the temperature.
From large traditional gas patio heaters to portable and wall-mounted electric units and even fire pits, you’ll find an extensive range of patio heaters on the market today. There are models designed to suit gardens of all sizes and at price points to fit within just about every budget.
To help you find the perfect patio heater for your garden we've put together a short buyer's guide that covers the most common heater types and highlights the key features you’ll want to look out for. Below that, you’ll find our complete roundup of the best patio heaters available to buy today. Alternatively, if you already know what you're after you can use our at a glance list below to skip straight to our top recommendations.
Best patio heater: At a glance
- Best gas patio heater: GardenCo Outdoor Heater - Buy now
- Best electric patio heater: GardenCo 2KW Infrared Heater - Buy now
- Best fire pit: Harbour Housewares Cast Iron Fire Pit - Buy now
- Best small patio heater: Blumfeldt Portable Heater - Buy now
- Best wall-mounted patio heater: Pro Breeze Halogen Heater - Buy now
How to choose the best outdoor patio heater for you
Patio heaters are available in several distinct styles. The simplest options are typical electric models, these heat up quickly and don’t usually require professional installation. Gas heaters, meanwhile, are generally capable of throwing out more heat, allowing them to warm a larger area but they can be more finicky as they require you to deal with fuel canisters and can have higher running costs.
Then there are solid fuel burners, which are generally more aesthetically pleasing and atmospheric but aren’t always as family-friendly from a safety perspective as you have to deal with open flames. They can also produce large quantities of smoke, which can be irritating.
There’s a good spread of different designs to choose from too. The most popular types are:
Freestanding heaters: Often seen in the outdoor areas of pubs and restaurants, this type of heater is usually tall and heavy, with a compartment in the base for a gas canister. Some have wheels to make them more manoeuvrable; you can also get more lightweight electric models, though these don’t give off as much heat, and of course, require a nearby electric socket (or extension cable).
Tabletop heater: Small, transportable heaters of this type can be either electric or gas-fuelled, with the latter having a compartment to hold the tank. They’re convenient, but they won’t give you as much heat as a free-standing unit – and again, if you go for an electric model, you’ll need a nearby electricity supply.
Mounted heater: A mounted heater usually attaches to a wall (inside or out), so it’s a sturdy long-term solution, though obviously once it’s installed you can’t move it around. You can also get heaters that attach to a parasol pole, so everyone around the table stays warm.
Hanging heater: If you don’t have a suitable wall to attach a heater to, a hanging design could be the solution. Most are electric and are intended to be suspended from the roofing over a deck or a conservatory.
Freestanding fire pits and chimineas: Simple fuel-burning heaters that come in a variety of traditional and modern designs. Some are portable, so you can easily store them away while not in use. Extra safety precautions do, however, need to be taken with fire pits and chimineas, however, due to the naked flames and hot casings – something to bear in mind, especially if you have young children.
READ NEXT: The best hammock to buy
The best outdoor patio heaters to buy in 2023
1. GardenCo Outdoor Gas Patio Heater: The best gas patio heater
Price: £99 | Buy now from Amazon 
If you're looking to get the most out of your garden all year round then a quality gas heater makes for an excellent investment. Right now our favourite has to be GardenCo's Outdoor Gas Patio Heater. With up to a 13.5kW output and a wide 81cm reflector it can throw out plenty of heat, and you have the option of running it on propane, butane or LGP gas. There's space within the base to keep your gas tank out of the way and an anti-tilt switch automatically turns the heater off should it ever start to tip. The heater is made from powder-coated steel and comes in both black and silver finishes.
It doesn't ship preassembled, but it's fairly straightforward to put together. At just shy of 20kg it can take some manoeuvring, although there are wheels built into the base to help. A handy adjustable drinks table is included and it also ships with an all-weather cover to help protect it from the elements while not in use.
Key specs – Dimensions: 38cm x 38cm x 228cm; Type of heater: Freestanding; Power: 13.5KW; Type of fuel: Propane, butane or LPG
2. GardenCo Electric Patio Heater: The best electric patio heater
Price: £40 | Buy now from Amazon 
GardenCo's 2KW Infrared Electric Outdoor Patio Heater is practical, adjustable and affordable. The heater uses infrared light to radiate heat, ensuring none of the warmth gets inefficiently carried away by the wind. The head features a long-lasting, energy-efficient bulb that can be angled to suit, while the stand is adjustable from 1.2m right the way up to 2.1m. A sturdy, weighted base keeps everything stable and an IPX4 water resistance rating ensures it's safe to use both indoors and out. The heater plugs directly into the mains and you have three power levels to choose from, ranging from 650W right the way up to 2KW.
The Heatlab 2KW Infrared Electric Patio Heater is available in black, as shown, as well as in grey.
Key specs – Dimensions: 47cm x 50cm x 120-210cm (Adjustable height); Type of heater: Freestanding or wall mounted; Power: 2KW; Type of fuel: Electric
3. Blumfeldt Portable Electric Heater: The best patio heater for smaller spaces
Price: £90 | Buy now from Amazon
Blumfeldt's Portable Electric Heater is ideal for balconies, small decks, gazebos and conservatories. As an infrared heater, it's able to start delivering heat almost immediately and it heats objects, rather than the air, so the warmth won't get lost should the wind picks up. It has two heating modes, 600W or 1200W, and can either deliver heat in either a 120 or full 360-degree arc, depending on how you plan to use it.
It can be used both indoors and out and, at 6kg it can be moved without too much fuss. It carries an IPX4 rating, protecting it against splashes but it's not fully water-resistant so it will need to be brought indoors should the weather turn.
Key specs – Dimensions: 22cm x 22cm x 56cm; Type of heater: Freestanding; Power: 1.2KW; Type of fuel: Electric
4. Harbour Housewares Cast Iron Fire Pit: The best fire pit
Price: £60 | Buy now from Amazon 
If you're after something a little more rustic then Harbour Housewares' Cast Iron Fire Pit offers a true stripped-back open-fire experience. It can be loaded up with either firewood or charcoal and, thanks to its large-diameter cast iron bowl, it's capable of radiating a good amount of heat.
Some basic assembly is required; you need to screw on the legs and handles, but you should be up and running in no time. At 15kg it's nice and stable, although a little hefty. Fortunately, the strong handles make it a little easier to transport, as well as tip for removing the ashes. While the pit feels built to last, we'd recommend picking up a cover to help protect it from the elements and avoid it from filling up with rainwater.
See also: Our pick of the best fire pits
Key specs – Dimensions: 75cm x 85cm x 39cm; Type of heater: Fire pit; Type of fuel: Wood or charcoal
5. Pro Breeze Halogen Infrared Patio Heater: The best wall-mounted patio heater
Price: £75 | Buy now from Amazon 
This wall-mounted halogen infrared patio heater from Pro Breeze can be installed onto an exterior wall or ceiling, allowing you to keep warm with minimal clutter. It features two power settings, 1000W and 2000W and can be controlled at a distance via the included remote control. As an infrared heater, it heats up objects and people rather than the air, which stops the heat from getting carried away by the breeze.
It carries an IP65 rating, ensuring it's protected against the elements - simply hook it up to a suitable IP65 rated outdoor plug. It also comes with all necessary fixtures and fittings to get it set up.
Key specs – Dimensions: 63cm x 11cm x 7cm; Type of heater: Wall-mounted; Power: 2KW; Type of fuel: Electricity
