Home Improvement Ideas Patio Design Ideas and Makeovers Patio Designs The 7 Best Electric Patio Heaters for Outdoor Living, According to Customer Reviews Extremely versatile and easy to use, the Wall-Mounted Patio Heater from Dr. Infrared Heater earned the highest ratings. By Amina Lake Abdelrahman Amina Lake Abdelrahman Instagram Website Amina is a commerce editor for Real Simple and Better Homes & Gardens, where she writes and edits stories that help readers decide what to buy. Previously, she wrote for multiple brands at Dotdash Meredith, with an emphasis on home, kitchen, and travel products. Amina has four years of experience in the industry, and her work has appeared in over a dozen publications.Amina is a former product reviews writer for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, and more Dotdash Meredith brands. Her work has also appeared in Good Housekeeping's print and digital publications, where she researched and wrote about everything from eco-friendly home products to children's toys. She has a B.A. in communications and journalism from Montclair State University.Amina got her start in the industry immediately after college as a fellow for Good Housekeeping at Hearst magazines. Her six-month fellowship eventually led to a full-time job with the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she learned the ins and outs of product testing and reviews. There, Amina worked with in-house experts to write in-depth stories for the print magazine and website.In early 2020, Amina started writing for Dotdash Meredith, focusing on product reviews and buying guides. She researched and wrote about a wide variety of home, kitchen, and travel products for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Travel + Leisure, and Food & Wine. She also contributed to brands like InStyle, PEOPLE, Martha Stewart, and Health.Amina is currently a commerce editor for Real Simple and Better Homes & Gardens, where she uses her experience researching and testing products to write and edit stories that help readers decide what's actually worth buying. Amina serves on the ASME NEXT Board of Directors. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on December 21, 2022 Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Fact checked by Marcus Reeves Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. BHG / Amelia Manley The backyard is a great place to spend a warm day, but that often changes when the sun sets and temperatures drop. To keep the fun going while evening approaches, electric patio heaters are a handy tool. Needing only an outlet, electric patio heaters can warm your outdoor space easily and quickly. And with a wide variety of products on the market—from hanging lanterns to under-table lamps—you can find the type of heater that fits your needs. We researched to find the best electric patio heaters. We took into account important factors like maneuverability, ease of use, and of course, heat output. As you shop, remember to consider your own patio space and preferences to select the heater that's best for you—you won't want a tabletop lantern if you plan on playing card games with friends! Read on for the seven best electric patio heaters that will keep you comfortable outside when the weather cools. Our Top Picks Best Rated: Dr. Infrared Carbon Infrared Patio Heater with Tripod at Amazon Jump to Review Best Tabletop: Star Patio Electric Patio Heater at Amazon Jump to Review Best Weatherproof: Heat Storm Tripod Electric Patio Heater at Amazon Jump to Review Best Hanging: EnerG+ Hanging Infrared Electric Patio Heater at Wayfair Jump to Review Most Versatile: Briza Infrared Patio Heater at Amazon Jump to Review Best Freestanding: Fire Sense Electric Patio Heater at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Under Tables: EnerG+ Infrared Electric Portable Outdoor Heater at Walmart Jump to Review Best Rated Dr. Infrared Carbon Infrared Patio Heater with Tripod Amazon View On Amazon View On Lowe's View On Home Depot This electric patio heater from Dr. Infared Heater is well-loved for a reason. It is highly versatile with three different heat settings ranging from 900 to 1,500 watts. It can be used both indoors and outdoors by being mounted to ceilings or walls, plus there is a version that comes with a tripod stand if you wish to use it freestanding. This heater is also extremely easy to use. It comes with a remote control, so there's no need to reach for buttons or switches on the unit. Additionally, a convenient timer function allows you to run the heater without worrying about turning it off when you are finished. Price at time of publish: $239 Best Tabletop Star Patio Electric Tabletop Patio Heater 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair This tabletop patio heater is compact enough to fit on small patios (it's about 17x30 inches), and it heats up to 12 square feet to keep you and a few guests warm. It also has a dome-shaped design that resembles a lamp (it even gives off some light!), so it won't look out of place on a table. For safety purposes, the electric patio heater has an anti-skid base and will automatically turn off if it accidentally gets tipped over. Customers love that it helps extend the season in which they can comfortably sit outside. "We use this on our lanai when the evenings get cool and it is perfect," one shopper wrote. "Throws off a lot of heat and lets us use the outdoor area no matter the temperature." Price at time of publish: $170 Best Weatherproof Heat Storm Tripod Infrared 1500 Watt Electric Patio Heater Wayfair View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's There's no need to panic if a little bit of rain gets on Heat Storm's electric patio heater. It has an IPX4 weatherproof rating, which means it can withstand rain and dust. Reviewers appreciate that it's easy to move around their patios as needed, and some people mention using it on their decks and balconies, too. Plus, it has a heavy-duty stand that features an adjustable base and rubber feet to keep it securely on the ground. "I didn't want a bulky propane heater but wanted to be able to use my outside area into the fall," said a shopper. "[I] tried this heater out the other night and it is perfect for warming up the area around our conversation set." Price at time of publish: $200 Best Hanging EnerG+ Hanging Infrared Electric Patio Heater EnerG+ View On Wayfair View On Home Depot If you're looking for something more decorative, opt for EnerG+'s hanging patio heater. In addition to covered patios, the water-resistant heater can also be installed on the roof of your outdoor gazebo or balcony. The lamp has a 5,000-hour lifetime (the equivalent of running nonstop for nearly seven months), and it operates at three different heat settings. It has a 6-foot power cord and hangs from a 24-inch chain. Customers love that it gives off a "warm ambient light" and say it heats better than expected. "This heat lamp has been the perfect addition to our 'bistro,'" one wrote. "We enjoyed many fall nights and look forward to the warmth during the spring." Another added: "It creates a nice, warm glow and light for sitting outside when it's 40-60 degrees." Price at time of publish: $160 Most Versatile Briza Infrared Patio Heater 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart This electric patio heater from Briza is one of the most versatile options. In addition to being safe for both outdoor and indoor use, the infrared heater can either be mounted on the wall to save floor space or attached to the included tripod. It has helpful features like tip-over protection and a remote control with a timer function. Overall, the electric patio heater works so well that shoppers are going back and ordering more for other outdoor areas. "This was easy to assemble and throws off good heat," one person wrote. "We are using it outdoors on our patio and are happier with it than the propane model it replaced." Another customer even said they were able to prevent "frozen water pipes" by running the heater in their garage during a winter storm. Price at time of publish: $250 Best Freestanding Fire Sense Telescoping 1500 Watt Electric Patio Heater Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Unlike many of the options on this list that have a tripod stand, Fire Sense's electric patio heater has a pedestal base that's much less bulky. It even comes with wheels that make it easy to move around and a protective cover to throw on when not in use. Customers like the telescoping feature, which allows them to adjust the heater's height with tension knobs. A few reviewers mentioned having some trouble with assembly; others suggest enlisting a second person and taking your time. "We were pleasantly surprised at how sturdy it is and how much warmth it projects," one shopper wrote. "We do have an open deck (not a covered area) so our expectation was not to keep us completely warm, but just to take the chill off." Price at time of publish: $435 Best for Under Tables EnerG+ Infrared Electric Portable Outdoor Heater 4.6 Amazon View On Walmart View On Target View On Wayfair Thanks to its compact size (just over 2 feet tall), this electric patio heater from EnerG+ can fit discreetly under most tables to keep your feet warm while dining outdoors. The heater has a simple on/off switch that's intuitive to use. You don't have to worry about bringing it inside every time it rains since the design is waterproof, though the convenient handle on top makes it easy to move around if you choose to. One customer bought the under-table patio heater for their dad who drinks coffee outside in the mornings, and he described it as the "best heater he has ever had." Another reviewer wrote, "The size is great and it really works well. Gives off just the right amount of heat and helps keep the space cozy." Price at time of publish: $150 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit