The Senelux 2000W Infrared Heater with Tripod is the best patio heater for most UK gardens. It combines targeted electric heat, an IP65-rated heater body, nine power levels and a movable stand without the fuel storage and running costs of gas. Choose the HARRIER if price matters most, the Pro Breeze for a permanent wall position, the Outsunny for a gazebo, the REALGLOW for a larger open patio, or the Kettler when table-level heat suits the seating layout.
Quick answer: the best patio heaters in the UK
- Best overall: Senelux 2000W Infrared Heater with Tripod — adjustable, portable and weather-resistant.
- Best budget: HARRIER 2000W Patio Heater — a low-cost freestanding or wall-mounted option.
- Best wall-mounted: Pro Breeze 2000W Infrared Heater — compact IP65 unit with remote control.
- Best hanging: Outsunny 2000W Hanging Heater — heat and light for a suitable gazebo or covered area.
- Best gas: REALGLOW 13kW Pyramid Heater — high output and visible flame for larger open patios.
- Best tabletop: Kettler Kalos Universal — a compact electric heater for dining and lounge tables.
In This Guide
- How we chose
- Comparison at a glance
- The six best patio heaters
- Head-to-head recommendation
- Electric versus gas
- Placement, costs and safety
- Frequently asked questions
How we chose
We compared the details that change how a patio heater works in a real garden: heat source, output, mounting position, weather-resistance rating, controls, cable or fuel requirements and the space it occupies. We also gave each model a distinct role. A wall heater for a compact terrace and a 13kW gas pyramid are not interchangeable, even if both are sold under the same category.
This is a specification-led guide. We have not claimed long-term ownership or laboratory testing. Product capabilities and weather ratings are based on the named manufacturers’ information for these exact UK models, while prices can move. Before installation, check the supplied manual for clearance, mounting, socket and fuel requirements; those instructions override general buying advice.
Comparison at a glance
| Heater | Best for | Type | Output | Weather rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senelux 2000W Infrared Heater with Tripod | Best overall | Electric infrared | 2000W | IP65 |
| HARRIER 2000W Patio Heater | Best budget | Electric quartz | 2000W | IPX4 |
| Pro Breeze 2000W Infrared Heater | Best wall-mounted | Electric infrared | 2000W | IP65 |
| Outsunny 2000W Hanging Heater | Best hanging | Electric carbon fibre | 2000W | IP65 |
| REALGLOW 13kW Pyramid Heater | Best gas | Propane gas | 13kW | Outdoor use |
| Kettler Kalos Universal Table Top Heater | Best tabletop | Electric halogen | 2000W | Check manual |
Output figures do not translate directly into equal comfort. Electric infrared heaters direct energy towards people and nearby surfaces, while a gas pyramid spreads heat around a wider open area. Wind, mounting height, distance and seating direction all matter. Treat the table as a shortlist, then use the reviews to match the heater to the patio.
The six best patio heaters
1. Senelux 2000W Infrared Heater with Tripod: best overall
The Senelux is the strongest all-round choice because it combines the targeted warmth of an electric infrared bar with the flexibility of an adjustable tripod. The heater is rated IP65, while the stand adjusts from roughly 130cm to 170cm. Nine power levels give finer control than the usual low/high switch, and the supplied remote and 1–24 hour timer are useful when the heater sits beyond arm’s reach.
Its movable design suits renters, changing furniture layouts and households that want to store the heater between seasons. The manufacturer describes coverage up to 20m², but outdoor comfort depends heavily on wind and distance; position the bar towards the occupied seats rather than expecting it to warm an entire garden. The tripod needs a level, stable surface and takes more floor space than a wall-mounted unit.
- Buy it if: you want one flexible electric heater that can move between seating areas.
- Skip it if: the patio is cramped or exposed to frequent knocks and strong wind.
- Main compromise: excellent positioning flexibility, but the tripod occupies valuable floor space.
2. HARRIER 2000W Patio Heater: best budget
The HARRIER covers the basics for about a third of the Senelux price. It offers three output settings, an adjustable head and height, and can be assembled as a freestanding heater or mounted on a wall. Its weighted 9kg base is more reassuring than a very light stand, although the unit still needs sensible placement away from busy paths.
The IPX4 rating indicates protection against splashing water rather than the stronger dust-and-water protection of the IP65 models. That makes sheltered positioning and dry storage a wiser plan. The 1.8m lead can also dictate where it goes; avoid running an ordinary extension lead across a patio. This is a practical occasional-use heater, not a premium permanent installation.
- Buy it if: you want inexpensive close-range heat for a small seating area.
- Skip it if: the heater will remain in a very exposed position throughout the year.
- Main compromise: versatile for the money, but with more basic weather protection and controls.
3. Pro Breeze 2000W Infrared Heater: best wall-mounted
The Pro Breeze is the neatest choice where a wall or suitable overhead structure faces the seating area. It has 1000W and 2000W settings, remote control and an IP65 rating. Fixing the heater removes a stand from the patio and reduces the temptation to keep moving it to a poor angle. The included brackets and fittings make its intended setup clear.
Position matters more than the headline power. A fixed heater should point towards torsos and legs without being mounted too high or too far away. Follow the manual’s clearances and use a suitable outdoor electrical supply. If a new socket or fixed wiring is required, use a competent electrician rather than improvising with indoor leads through a window.
- Buy it if: you have a permanent seating zone and want to keep the floor clear.
- Skip it if: you regularly rearrange the patio or cannot mount it at the specified height.
- Main compromise: tidy and targeted once installed, but far less flexible than a freestanding heater.
4. Outsunny 2000W Hanging Heater: best for gazebos
The Outsunny combines two carbon-fibre heating elements with a 3.2W LED light, making it useful above a dining table in a suitable gazebo or covered seating area. It offers 1000W and 2000W settings, remote and touch controls, and a timer of up to 24 hours. The heater carries an IP65 rating and arrives with hanging chains, a ceiling hook and a 1.8m cable.
Do not choose it merely because there is a roof overhead. The structure must safely support the heater, the mounting point and nearby materials must meet the stated clearances, and the plug still needs a suitable outdoor supply. It is less useful on a fully open patio, where there may be nowhere safe to hang it. For planning the wider structure, compare pergolas and gazebos before committing to an overhead heater.
- Buy it if: you have a suitable covered dining area and want heat without using floor space.
- Skip it if: the structure is lightweight, temporary or unable to meet the mounting instructions.
- Main compromise: tidy overhead warmth and useful light, but installation options are limited.
5. REALGLOW 13kW Pyramid Heater: best gas
The REALGLOW is the large-patio option. Its 13kW burner produces much more nominal output than the electric models, radiates around the unit and displays the flame through a central glass tube. It accepts up to a 13kg propane cylinder and includes the hose and regulator. Wheels make repositioning possible when the cylinder is installed, although this remains a tall, heavy appliance rather than something to move casually during use.
Gas suits open entertaining areas where several people sit around the heater and a socket is inconvenient. The downsides are fuel storage, higher running costs, bulk and stricter ventilation requirements. It must be used outdoors as instructed, kept stable and allowed to cool before moving or covering. A flame also changes where it can sensibly sit around children, pets, furniture and traffic routes.
- Buy it if: you need broad heat around a larger open patio and accept propane handling.
- Skip it if: you want low running costs, compact storage or use beneath a poorly ventilated cover.
- Main compromise: powerful and sociable, but bulky, fuel-dependent and costlier to run.
6. Kettler Kalos Universal Table Top Heater: best tabletop
The Kettler Kalos places its 2000W halogen element at table height, which can make more sense than a tall stand beside compact dining furniture. Its dark grey body has a cleaner domestic look than a workshop-style heater, and remote control means it need not be reached across hot drinks or serving dishes. It is also easier to relocate than a fixed wall unit.
A tabletop heater uses surface area that could otherwise hold food, and every cable must be routed so nobody catches it when sitting down or leaving the table. Check the manual for the permitted surface, clearances and outdoor storage guidance rather than assuming every patio table is suitable. If furniture space is already tight, our guide to choosing the right patio dining-set size is worth reading first.
- Buy it if: you want focused heat around a compact dining or lounge table.
- Skip it if: table space is limited or a trailing cable would cross a walkway.
- Main compromise: convenient heat at seated height, but it occupies the most useful surface on the patio.
Head-to-head: which patio heater should you buy?
Buy the Senelux for most patios. It gives the best balance of weather resistance, positioning freedom and control without requiring gas. The Pro Breeze is better where the seating layout never changes, because a correctly positioned wall heater keeps the floor clear. The HARRIER wins only when budget is the deciding factor; its simpler weather rating and controls explain the lower price.
For a covered dining zone, the choice is between the hanging Outsunny and tabletop Kettler. The Outsunny preserves table space but requires a safe overhead fixing. The Kettler is easier to relocate but takes up surface space and still needs careful cable routing. The REALGLOW is the outlier: choose it for a larger, open social area where broad heat and flame ambience outweigh fuel cost and storage.
The biggest buying mistake is choosing by maximum wattage alone. A well-aimed 2kW infrared heater close to two or four seats can feel more useful than a much larger appliance placed badly. Start with seating position, safe clearances and power or fuel access, then choose the heater type.
Electric infrared versus gas patio heaters
Choose electric for targeted everyday use
Electric infrared is the sensible default for most small and medium UK patios. It starts quickly, needs no cylinder and can direct heat towards a fixed group. A 2kW heater uses 2kWh when run at full power for an hour. Multiply that by the current unit rate on the electricity tariff to estimate the hourly cost. Lower settings reduce consumption where the heater switches to a lower input.
The trade-off is dependence on a suitable outdoor electrical supply and a relatively local heat zone. Do not assume “weather-resistant” means the plug, socket and every connection can sit in standing water. Plan the cable before buying, particularly on a small patio where routes are narrow.
Choose gas for larger open groups
A gas pyramid can warm people positioned around it and does not need a mains lead. It is useful for larger open seating layouts or occasional gatherings, but propane costs more per hour than a 2kW electric heater in many circumstances. Exact cost depends on cylinder price, refill arrangement and burner setting, so fixed annual-cost claims age quickly.
Gas appliances need open-air ventilation and careful cylinder storage. They are a poor choice for an enclosed conservatory, tent or tightly screened structure. If flame ambience is the main attraction rather than raw output, compare the alternatives in our guide to the best chimineas, bearing in mind that solid-fuel fires introduce their own smoke, spark and clearance considerations.
Placement, running costs and safety
Aim heat at people, not empty paving
Map the occupied chairs before deciding where the heater goes. Infrared models work best with a clear line towards seated bodies, while gas pyramids need safe space around the appliance. Keep controls reachable without leaning across a hot element. Avoid unstable slabs, door swings, parasols and the main route between the house and table.
A heater should complement the seating plan rather than rescue a poor one. If the patio is being redesigned, begin with an appropriately sized outdoor dining set and allow room for chairs to move before reserving a heater position.
Calculate cost from the appliance input
For electric models, multiply input in kW by the tariff price per kWh. At 2kW, one hour at full power consumes 2kWh. The Ofgem energy price cap is useful context, but the rate on the household bill is the figure to use. Timers and lower settings help only when they reduce actual operating time or input.
For gas, divide the usable cylinder cost by the approximate hours delivered at the chosen burner setting. Compare like with like: a 13kW pyramid serves a different area from a targeted 2kW bar. Buying a gas model for two people at one small table usually means paying for output that is poorly matched to the job.
Treat clearances and ventilation as fixed requirements
Read the exact manual before mounting, fuelling or covering any heater. Keep combustible furniture, parasols, cushions and planting outside the stated clearances. The Health and Safety Executive LPG guidance explains core precautions around cylinders and liquefied petroleum gas. Never use a gas patio heater in an enclosed space.
- Electric: use a suitable outdoor socket and protect connections from damage and water.
- Gas: check the hose, regulator and cylinder connection as instructed and keep the appliance upright.
- All heaters: supervise around children and pets, allow cooling before moving, and do not drape covers over a warm unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best patio heater for most UK gardens?
The Senelux 2000W Infrared Heater with Tripod is the best all-round option here because it combines flexible positioning, nine power levels and an IP65-rated heater body.
Are electric patio heaters cheaper to run than gas?
A targeted 2kW electric heater will often cost less per hour than a full-size propane pyramid, but compare your electricity rate with the local cylinder price and consider the different area each heater serves.
Can a patio heater be left outside all year?
Only follow the storage and exposure guidance for the exact model. An IP rating does not remove the need to protect plugs, connections and the appliance from avoidable weathering.
Do patio heaters work in windy gardens?
Infrared electric heaters can still direct energy towards people, but wind, distance and poor positioning reduce comfort. A sheltered, correctly aimed heater normally performs better than one exposed in the middle of a patio.
Can a gas patio heater be used under a gazebo?
Do not assume it can. Gas heaters require outdoor ventilation and model-specific clearances. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions; if the structure cannot meet them, choose a suitable electric alternative.
How powerful should an electric patio heater be?
Around 2kW is common for close-range seating, but mounting height, distance and direction matter as much as wattage. Choose the layout first and then follow the model’s stated positioning guidance.
The bottom line
The Senelux 2000W Infrared Heater with Tripod is the best patio heater for most buyers because it is easy to position, offers useful control and avoids propane storage. Pick the Pro Breeze for a permanent wall position, the HARRIER for a tighter budget, the Outsunny for a suitable covered structure, the REALGLOW for a large open gathering area, or the Kettler for a compact table-centred setup.