Comparison of gas and electric patio heaters

Guide written on 6 February 2024 by:

Sebastian, self-taught DIY-er, Exeter

3 min read

When choosing patio heaters you need to think about power rating, gas versus electric, and your desired location (patio, marquee, veranda…) This product comparison is based on numbers of sales along with customer feedback.

Important features

Consumption
Duration of use
Power
Heating area
Brand and type
Price

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A word about patio heaters

Patio heaters have become a permanent fixture on café and restaurant terraces in the colder months. Simple and elegant in design, this form of outside heating has always been popular with professional designers and is becoming more accessible to individual homeowners. Ideal placed next to an outdoor dining area or coffee table, they warm the air within a set area. To choose the right patio heater, you need to decide on:

energy source - gas or electric
power rating (in kW)
heating area (in m²)
effective range in metres
heat emission
material quality
stability and bulkiness
duration of use (gas models)

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Patio heaters

Gas or electric?

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Electric patio heater	Cheaper to buy than gas models Light Odourless Lower risk level Usable indoors Less bulky	More expensive to run Requires electrical power supply Electric cable can be inconvenient Lower heating power overall
Gas patio heater	Autonomous Lower energy consumption Better heating performance Heavy (so more stable) Highly reliable	Only recommended for outdoor use Heavy (more difficult to manoeuvre) Bulkier than electric models Requires licensed gas bottles Poses a fire risk

5 top models of gas patio heater

Type	Power rating	Consumption	Autonomy	Heating area	Brand and type	Price
Gas patio heaterButane–propane	13 kW	250 to 945 g/h	17 to 28 h	20m²	Alice’s Garden - Artic grey	≤ £200
9.3 kW	762 g/h avg.	20 h avg.	25m²	Happy Garden - Stockholm	≤ £170
13 Kw	945 g/h avg.	15 to 34 h	30m²	Happy Garden - Oslo	≤ £90
12.5 kW	364 to 909 g/h	15 to 35 h	30m²	Alice’s Garden - Finland	≤ £90

5 top models of electric patio heater

Type of patio heater	Power rating	Heating area	Brand	Price
Electric directional patio heater	2 kW	8m²	Favex Verone	≤ £70
Post-mounted electric patio heater	2 kW	6m²	Favex Bari	≤ £90
Aluminium electric patio heater	2.1 kW	9m²	Einhell	≤ £110
Top-mounted electric patio heater	1.5 kW	5m²	Deuba	≤ £45
Top-mounted electric patio heater	1.5 kW	14m²	Eurom Partytent Heater Sail	≤ £85

Learn more about garden design...

To find out more about garden design, follow our editors' advice and check out their other guides:

How to choose your rainwater collector?How to choose your garden furniture?How to choose your patio heater?How to choose your screwdriver?How to choose your bell saw?How to choose your spirit level?How to choose your pencils and chalk?How to choose your files?How to choose your sandpaper?How to choose your drill?How to design and decorate your garden?How to choose your decking boards?How to clean your decking?How to choose your outdoor lighting?

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How to choose your pencils and chalk?

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Guide written by:

Sebastian, self-taught DIY-er, Exeter

Redo a roof with wooden beams? Check. Advise everybody in the DIY shop? Check. Redo bathroom plumbing? Check. If it doesn't work, try again! I'll do my best to advise you in your projects.