A Buyer’s Guide to Patio Heaters

Whilst some people might shiver at the thought of sitting in the garden during the cooler months, we believe that with the right products and preparation, we can enjoy our outside space in any season, come rain or shine.

Of course, one problem we face during the darker months is the chillier weather, which brings us to the topic of our brand-new product range. Introducing our fabulous new patio heaters, which come in all shapes, sizes and price points, and will mean you can keep the party going all year round.

Whether you’re hosting an alfresco dinner in summer, watching fireworks in autumn, roasting marshmallows in winter or enjoying a jug of Pimms in spring, a patio heater can be the finishing touch necessary to create an enjoyable evening in the open air.

How do Patio Heaters work?

All outdoor patio heaters, from fuel heaters to fire pits, electric heaters and even gas heaters use infrared radiant heat to produce warmth. A patio heater is a great outdoor heating option if you want to keep entertaining into the colder months and enjoy your garden for longer. If you carefully consider how you'd like to use your heater, as well as fuel source, style and safety features, you'll be able to find the perfect match that keeps you stargazing and partying on those cooler nights.

Best Patio Heater Types

There are many different looks to choose from and something for every type of space, be it a balcony, garden, or a small patio, so enjoy a browse through our latest collection to find the best fit for you.

From freestanding to wall-mounted to parasol heaters, we have a type that will do the job. Our patio heaters equate to ease of use, classy design and functionality, allowing you to modify the settings and get the temperature just right.

Advantages & Disadvantages of a Patio Heater

Not sure if a patio heater is really for you? We've listed a few pros and cons of electric and gas patio heaters:

Gas Heater

Pros: Strong heat output, Various placement options, 

Cons: Requires professional installation, A fixed heating source, 

Electric Heater

Pros: Affordable, Easy to use, Safe for smaller areas, Better for the environment

Cons: Limited placement areas, Can be slow to heat up, Can use high electric voltage 

Patio Heater Designs

Our free-standing patio heaters are ideal for those who are looking for versatile and sleek designs.

Our Bordeaux 1200w Electric Patio Tower Heater is simple, stylish and easy to use and benefits from a lightweight and durable design, which can be easily transported around the garden.

Capable of generating heat of 1200 watts, the Bordeaux features a low glare rose golden tube light, offering a warm and cosy ambience for you and your guests.

The design is robust and features cool touch technology, which prevents the user from getting burnt. It also features a tip-over switch that will turn the heater off if it inclines past a certain angle.

If you’re looking for something a bit more powerful, you might want to consider our Florina 2000w Tall Electric Patio Heater. The Florina features an adjustable height setting, so you can choose between 160cm and 205cm, depending on your particular requirements.

This sleek design also offers two heat settings - either 1000 or 2000 watts, which makes it the perfect heater for the changing seasons. Created with a double heating lamp for optimum warmth, the Florina also features a tip-over switch which will turn the heater off if it inclines past a certain angle, making it a great choice for families with kids.

If you’re feeling particularly fancy, take a look at our Verona 2100w Tall Electric Patio Heater, which is one of our most sophisticated designs. This design is our most powerful free-standing heater, which offers three adjustable heat settings - 900w, 1200w or 2100w. It also features an adjustable height of 160cm-205cm and a tip-over turn-off switch to prevent any accidents.

Wall-Mounted Patio Heaters

Our wall-mounted patio heaters are perfect for those who have a compact outdoor space.

Our Turin wall-mounted heater offers a heat setting of 1500w, whilst our Sion offers 2200w and our most powerful heater of the entire collection is the Zurich Deluxe, which offers 2400w. Zurich is also available with a lower heat setting of 1500w.

Our wall-mounted styles all come with a mounting kit for easy installation, so you can start enjoying the benefits of your heater right away. The designs come with a convenient remote control, allowing you to easily control the heat from the comfort of your seat.

Our top of the range Zurich Deluxe design features an infrared sensor, allowing for an even distribution of heat across a wide area, making it a great option for when you host large garden parties.

Suspended Patio Heaters

Another option is our suspended patio heaters - the Lyon and the Moderna.

The Lyon, which can be mounted to ceilings, such as the roof of a pergola, provides heating at 1500w as well as light, thanks to its powerful 4w LED lamp. The Lyon offers two heat settings and includes a 0.5 stainless steel chain. We especially love the lantern-inspired design of the Lyon, proving that functionality and style can go together.

The Moderna offers three adjustable heat settings, with a maximum setting of 2000w. It has been designed with foldable arms, which means it can be easily mounted to certain parasols, including our Bali Parasol, creating a beautiful focal point. It also features a floss safety mesh to prevent users from getting burnt.

Both of our suspended designs come with a handy remote control, so you can sit back and relax without moving from your chair.

Patio Heater Features

There are countless, amazing features that we have with our range of patio heaters with various features including, low glare rose golden tube light generators, an anti-tip over switch, cool touch technology, adjustable heat and height settings, plus lightweight and durable designs and so much more!

Check out the entire collection of outdoor patio heaters from Out & Out here

What size patio heater do I need?

There are many different types of patio heater that vary in size and design for specific functions

The Bordeaux Tower Heater, for example, is smaller, lightweight (3.8kg) and easy to transport. It has a sleek black modern design and with a height of 65cm, it’s a good size for a balcony or smaller patio, and the 1.8 metre cable and plug makes it a practical option. We love that is has a ‘Cool touch technology’, which prevents the user from getting burnt.

We have a wide selection of wall or parasol mounted, contemporary design patio heaters. The stainless steel Sion, gives a subtle but powerful glow thanks to its double low glare rose golden heat lamps. Or the Zurich, with a remote to control your heat setting and an infrared sensor allowing an even distribution of heat across a wide area. If you are looking for something slightly smaller, or as an additional side heater, the 58cm and 1500W Turin heater is ideal to create ambience in a discreet fashion.

Our latest range includes freestanding heaters, such as the sleek and sturdy Florina 2000W Tall Patio Heater, just the item you need for your garden this spring/summer! It has two electric heating lamps to adjust with the changing of the seasons, a handy on/off pull cord, and is made from durable iron and stainless steel with an aluminium casing.

Have a browse of our bundles, such as this Chesterton Lounge Set featuring the bestselling Chesterton Corner Rattan Lounge Set, Seville Parasol and Verona 2100w Tall Electric Patio Heater, which looks great all year round.

The high specs Verona patio heater is a powerful carbon halogen heater that comes with three adjustable heat settings, meaning you can choose just the right amount of desired heat, 900, 1200 or 2100 watts. The adjustable height from 160-205cm allows you adapt it to suit your space. It’s waterproof, assembly-free and, more importantly, safe for use in family homes thanks to the anti-tipping safeguard when the heater inclines.

Can an Outdoor heater be used inside?

Technically they can but would this be a better use of the heater? This is one for you to decide on. but the research indicates outside would be its best use.

Please refer to the individual product page for full details!

How much will it cost to run a patio heater?

Many patio heaters are electric because they are considered more environmentally friendly and are cheaper to run. They also don't require installation – so you can just plug them in, switch them on and off you go!

Aside from finding an outlet to plug it into, there isn't much else to be done. Electric heaters can also be used safely in enclosed spaces, (unlike gas). They take longer to heat up, so you may need to plug it in earlier in the evening before the chill properly sets in but running costs should generally be lower and more efficient than gas.

Patio Heater Safety & Care Tips

Of course, it’s all about safety first. So, here’s a short helpful guide of important factors you need to know regarding the safety of an outdoor patio heater.

1. Never leave your patio heater unattended

The heater should never be left unattended. In other words, if you and your guests leave the table and move the party indoors, it’s important you turn the heater off. If you are storing the heater away for the evening, you should always turn the flame off before moving it.

2. Keep the patio heater on a level surface

Be diligent to ensure that your patio heater is on a flat, non-flammable, level surface in order to stop it tipping over in the wind, along with helping it function better to keep you cosy and warm. Secure it firmly with the brackets and applicable screws provided to prevent a potential fire hazard from happening.

3. Keep it nice and clean

Clean your heater with a tightly wrung, damp cloth and make sure you store it in a dust-free place after use and out of season. It’s especially important not to use any cleaning fluids or detergents, as this may damage the internal components of the heater. Do keep your patio heater leaf free and use an air hose to remove excess dirt and dust. It is of the utmost importance that you do not wrap the electrical cord around the heater (with electrical versions) or insert any objects into the ventilation opening of the heater.

4. Ensure your patio heater is protected when it comes to extreme weather

Patio heaters shouldn't be left out in the rain, a short-lived light fine drizzle is one thing but anything more than that would not be considered safe. When the weatherman says it’s raining, it’s not the day to use your patio heater.

5. Install the heater in a safe location away from any obstacles and remove anything that could obstruct the patio heater when in use.

Avoid any low-hanging trees, ornaments, or obstacles, that could get in the way of live flames, or red-hot components and cause a fire. You should ensure that there is nothing immediately touching your patio heater, e.g., if it is situated too close to certain awnings, parasols, or your table.

Patio Heater Bundles

You might also want to consider our bundles which consist of a stylish lounge set, sturdy parasol and powerful patio heater - these range from £499 to £999 and can be found here.

How to choose the right Patio Heater?

All of our heaters come with a 1.8m cable and plug, offering complete versatility and are purpose-designed for outdoor use, regardless of the weather conditions. All of our patio heaters have been made with hard-wearing and durable materials, specifically aluminium.

To maintain the appearance and durability of your heaters we encourage you to take note of the Care and Cleaning tab on each product page.

We hope this article has provided you with all there is to know about our new patio heaters - here’s to a cosy autumn/winter in the garden!

All of Out and Out’s products are covered by a One Year Structural Guarantee. Therefore, if any of our products develop faults during this time, please contact us and we can issue you with a replacement.

Exceptions to this guarantee are:

Domestic products used in commercial environments

General Wear and Tear

Faults due to misuse or inappropriate due care