Electric vs Gas Patio Heater: Which Is Right for You
The right patio heater can add two to three months of usable outdoor time to your year. The wrong one sits in your garage after the first cold weekend because it was too loud, too expensive to run, or just not powerful enough for your space.
Electric infrared and propane gas heaters both work well, but they work differently. Electric heaters heat objects and people directly using radiant heat, like sunlight. Gas heaters warm the air around them, which feels great in calm weather but loses efficiency in wind.
The choice usually comes down to three things: whether your patio is covered or open, how often you plan to use it, and whether you want to plug it in or swap propane tanks. This guide covers both types with specific picks that actually match real patio situations.
Best Electric Infrared for Covered Patios
If you have a covered patio, screened porch, or pergola with a roof, the Briza Infrared Electric Patio Heater is one of the smartest buys you can make. It mounts to the ceiling or wall, stays completely out of the way, and throws focused radiant heat directly downward onto whoever is sitting underneath it. On a 10x12 covered patio, one unit covers the whole space comfortably.
The carbon fiber heating element warms up in about 30 seconds, which is the part propane heaters can't match. You flip a switch and it's working. There's no igniter to click, no tank to check, no smell. Mounted units like this one also pair naturally with a dimmer switch or smart plug if you want to dial back the intensity on warmer evenings. For year-round covered patio use, electric is genuinely the better category, and Briza sits near the top of it.
Running it costs roughly 18 to 20 cents per hour at average electricity rates, which is competitive with propane once you factor in tank refill costs. It won't work well on a fully open patio where there's no ceiling to mount it to, but for any covered structure it's a standout choice.
Briza Infrared Electric Patio Heater 2000W
$89
6,400+ reviews
Ceiling or wall mount infrared heater that warms up in 30 seconds and covers a 10x12 covered patio with focused radiant heat.
Shop on Amazon →Best Wall-Mount Electric for Pergolas and Garages
The Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI takes a different approach than most infrared heaters. It's a wall-mounted unit with WiFi built in, which means you can turn it on from your phone before you even walk outside. For anyone who uses a pergola or converted garage space for entertaining, this feature alone is worth the price difference.
It runs on a standard 120V outlet and puts out 1,500 watts, which is enough for a 10x10 space in mild to moderate cold. It's not the right pick for a wide open 20-foot deck in January, but for a semi-enclosed pergola or four-season porch it keeps things comfortable down to about 35 degrees without straining. The build quality feels solid, the mounting hardware is included, and the WiFi integration works with both Alexa and Google Home.
This one appeals to people who like everything connected and controllable. If you entertain regularly and want the heater ready when guests arrive without someone having to go outside early to switch it on, the smart home angle here is genuinely useful rather than a gimmick.
Heat Storm HS-1500-PHX-WIFI Infrared Heater
$109
14,200+ reviews
Wall-mount infrared heater with WiFi and voice control, ideal for pergolas and semi-enclosed spaces up to 10x10.
Shop on Amazon →Best Freestanding Electric Option
Not everyone wants to drill into their pergola or run wiring up a wall. The Trustech 1500W Infrared Patio Heater gives you the same electric infrared technology in a freestanding tower you can move around. It has a weighted base, a pole-mounted heating head you can tilt and adjust, and a remote control. Set it where you need it, plug it in, and point it at your seating area.
It works best on a porch or patio where you're within 10 to 12 feet of the heater. The heat is directional, so placement matters. Put it at the end of your table aimed toward the chairs and four to six people will feel it clearly. Move it to the corner of a wide open deck and the effect drops off fast. That's not a flaw specific to Trustech, it's just how freestanding electric infrared works.
At $79, this is the entry point for electric infrared without buying something flimsy. It's a good starting point if you're new to patio heaters and want to try electric before committing to a mounted setup.
Trustech 1500W Infrared Patio Space Heater
$79
3,800+ reviews
Freestanding electric infrared tower with remote and adjustable tilt head, great for porches and patios up to 10x12.
Shop on Amazon →Best Propane Heater for Large Open Patios
On an open deck or backyard patio with no overhead coverage, propane wins. The Napoleon GPPH-16 Portable Propane Patio Heater puts out 40,000 BTU and heats a real outdoor space, not just the few feet directly beneath it. The heat radiates outward from the top mushroom head, warming the air in roughly a 20-foot diameter around it. Six to eight people sitting around a fire pit table at your deck center will all feel it.
Napoleon builds this one with stainless steel hardware and a quality auto-ignition system that actually works on the first click. That sounds like a basic expectation but it's where a lot of cheaper propane heaters let people down after a season or two. The tank sits inside the base and connects cleanly. It's stable, and the CSA certification means it's been tested for outdoor safety.
Gas heaters like this one cost more per hour to run than electric. A standard 20-pound propane tank runs roughly 8 to 10 hours of continuous use at full output. But for an open patio where you can't mount anything overhead and need heat that reaches across a wide space, there's no electric alternative that comes close.
Napoleon GPPH-16 Portable Propane Patio Heater
$299
2,100+ reviews
40,000 BTU stainless propane tower with CSA certification and reliable auto-ignition that heats a 20-foot diameter on open patios.
Shop on Amazon →Best Propane Heater for Portability and Value
The Hanover 48,000 BTU Portable Propane Patio Heater hits a sweet spot for people who host in different spots. Backyard one weekend, the driveway the next, out front for a holiday gathering after that. It has wheels built into the base, a standard 20-pound propane connection, and enough output to warm an area up to about 25 feet wide at full blast. At this BTU level it moves serious amounts of heat.
The hammertone bronze finish holds up better than shiny stainless does over time outdoors. Chrome and polished stainless start showing water spots, rust rings, and scratches after a couple of seasons. Bronze coatings tend to look better longer with minimal care, which matters if this heater is living outside from September through April.
One thing to understand about high-BTU propane heaters: the heat output drops noticeably when wind picks up. On a calm evening this thing is excellent. When it's gusty, the warmth gets pushed sideways and you're burning through propane faster for less effect. If your patio is exposed and gets regular wind, consider positioning the heater strategically or pairing it with a windbreak panel.
Hanover 48,000 BTU Portable Propane Patio Heater
$199
5,300+ reviews
High-output 48,000 BTU propane heater with wheeled base and hammertone finish, built for moving between different outdoor spaces.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Choosing a Patio Heater
- Covered patio, go electric. Infrared electric heaters are more efficient under a roof because the heat bounces back down rather than floating away. They're also safer in enclosed spaces since they produce no combustion gases.
- Open patio, go gas. Propane heaters push enough BTU output to warm the air around a wide open space. Electric infrared is too directional to heat a large uncovered area effectively.
- Match BTU to square footage. A rough rule: 5,000 BTU per 100 square feet in mild climates, 10,000 BTU per 100 square feet in colder regions. Buying more than you need is rarely a problem, buying too little always is.
- Factor in propane tank costs over a season. A 20-pound tank runs about 8 to 10 hours at full output and costs $20 to $25 to refill. If you use your heater 3 nights a week from October through December, that adds up to $120 to $200 in fuel.
- Check your electrical circuit before buying electric. A 1,500-watt heater draws about 12.5 amps on a 120V circuit. Most outdoor outlets are on 15-amp circuits, which is fine, but avoid running other high-draw appliances on the same circuit at the same time.
- Tip-over safety matters more than you think. Look for heaters with auto shutoff when tipped. This is standard on most quality units now, but worth confirming before buying, especially if you have kids or dogs around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electric or propane patio heater cheaper to run?
Electric infrared heaters typically cost 15 to 20 cents per hour to run at average electricity rates. Propane heaters running a 20-pound tank for 8 to 10 hours cost about $2.00 to $3.00 per hour. Over a full season, electric is considerably cheaper to operate.
Can I use a propane patio heater under a covered porch?
You can use propane under a covered porch if there is adequate ventilation and the ceiling is at least 8 feet high. Never use propane in a fully enclosed space. For fully covered areas, electric infrared is the safer and more practical choice.
How many BTUs do I need for a patio heater?
For a small covered patio up to 100 square feet, 1,500 watts of electric or 10,000 BTU of propane is usually enough. For an open patio or larger space up to 200 square feet, look for 40,000 to 48,000 BTU from a propane unit.
Do electric patio heaters work in the wind?
Electric infrared heaters work reasonably well in light wind because they heat objects and people directly rather than warming the air. However, strong wind will still reduce their effectiveness. For very windy locations, a windbreak or covered structure helps significantly.
How long does a propane tank last on a patio heater?
A standard 20-pound propane tank lasts roughly 8 to 10 hours on a 40,000 to 48,000 BTU heater running at full output. Running at lower settings extends that to 12 to 14 hours. Most people get two to three weekends of regular use from a single tank.