Fire Pit Table vs. Patio Heater: Which Heats Better
If you've spent a chilly October evening shivering on the patio wondering whether to swap your fire pit table for a mushroom heater, you're not alone. Both heat your outdoor space, but they do it in completely different ways, and the wrong choice for your setup can leave you cold, literally.
Fire pit tables spread warmth outward and low, which works great when people are seated around them. Patio heaters push heat downward and outward from above, covering more square footage but delivering less of that gathered-around-the-fire feeling. Neither one is objectively better. It depends on your patio size, how you entertain, and what you want the space to feel like.
This comparison walks through three solid fire pit tables and three freestanding patio heaters, with real BTU numbers and honest notes on where each one shines and where it falls short.
Best Overall Fire Pit Table: Endless Summer GAD1401G
The Endless Summer GAD1401G puts out 50,000 BTUs and runs on a standard 20-lb propane tank, which gives you 8 to 10 hours of burn time on medium. On a 12x14 patio, that's enough heat to keep four to six people comfortable down into the low 40s. The steel construction feels solid, and the powder-coated finish has held up well for people who leave it outside through fall.
The lava rock fill and rectangular shape make it look more like a piece of furniture than a fire feature, which is the point. You can set drinks on the edge, pull chairs right up to it, and it becomes the natural center of the patio. At around $329, it's the kind of purchase that pays for itself in a single fall of actually using your outdoor space instead of going inside.
Endless Summer GAD1401G 50,000 BTU LP Gas Outdoor Fire Pit
$329
6,800+ reviews
A 50,000 BTU rectangular fire table with solid steel construction that works as both a heat source and a centerpiece for gatherings of 4-6 people.
Shop on Amazon →Best Premium Fire Pit Table: Real Flame Riverside 48-Inch LP Gas Fire Table
If you want a fire pit table that looks like it belongs in a hotel courtyard, the Real Flame Riverside is the one. The 48-inch concrete fiber top has a texture that reads as genuinely expensive, and the base comes in a handful of finishes that pair well with most outdoor furniture. The burner runs at 65,000 BTUs, which is noticeably hotter than most residential fire tables.
At around $579, this is the table you buy when you're done upgrading and want one thing that lasts. The wind guard glass panels are included, which matters on a covered porch where cross-drafts can make lower-BTU tables flicker and underperform. A 10x12 covered patio with this table running on medium feels genuinely warm at 38 degrees.
Real Flame Riverside 48-Inch LP Gas Fire Table
$579
1,200+ reviews
A 65,000 BTU fire table with a concrete fiber top and included glass wind guard panels, built for covered patios and serious fall entertaining.
Shop on Amazon →Best Compact Fire Pit Table: Cosiest 28-Inch Outdoor Propane Fire Pit Table
Not every patio has room for a 48-inch table, and the Cosiest 28-inch fire table is the honest answer for apartment balconies, small side patios, or situations where you just need heat for two people. It puts out 40,000 BTUs and accepts a 1-lb propane canister or a standard adapter hose to run off a 20-lb tank. The CSA certification matters here because a lot of small propane fire tables skip that entirely.
The square shape fits flush against a wall or railing, which makes it practical for tight spaces. At $189, it's also the lowest-cost way to get a real fire table with a proper burner, not the 10,000 BTU decorative versions that barely warm your hands. Ideal for a 6x8 balcony or a small courtyard where you want ambiance and actual heat in one compact piece.
Cosiest 28-inch Outdoor Propane Fire Pit Table
$189
2,400+ reviews
A CSA-certified 40,000 BTU compact fire table that works on either 1-lb canisters or a standard 20-lb tank, built for small patios and balconies.
Shop on Amazon →Best Overall Patio Heater: AZ Patio Heaters Hiland 87.5-Inch Hammered Bronze Glass Tube
The Hiland glass tube heater from AZ Patio Heaters has been one of the most copied designs in the outdoor heater market, and the original is still better than the knockoffs. The glass tube running up the center creates a visible flame effect so you're not just standing near an invisible heat source. Output runs up to 46,000 BTUs and the coverage radius is around 10 feet, which means it can handle a 12x12 patio on its own.
At around $149, this is the best value in the standalone patio heater category. It runs on a standard 20-lb propane tank stored in the base, and the tilt safety shutoff cuts the gas if the unit tips over. On a flat concrete or paver surface it's very stable, but on uneven ground you'll want the wheels locked before anyone brushes past it.
AZ Patio Heaters Hiland 87.5" Hammered Bronze Glass Tube Patio Heater
$149
9,200+ reviews
A 46,000 BTU glass tube patio heater with a visible flame column and 10-foot coverage radius, at a price that beats most of the competition.
Shop on Amazon →Best Premium Patio Heater: Napoleon PATIOFLAME 46,000 BTU Propane Heater
Napoleon makes grills and heaters with a build quality that's noticeably above the standard outdoor heater. The PATIOFLAME runs at 46,000 BTUs and has a wider umbrella head than most competitors, which pushes heat outward at a slightly broader angle. The stainless steel finish holds up in wet climates better than powder-coated alternatives.
The variable heat control is more precise than the typical low/medium/high dial, and it has an integrated igniter that actually works in cold weather without needing to reach for a lighter. At around $329, it's nearly double the Hiland, but for a patio where the heater is visible and you want it to look intentional, the Napoleon holds its own next to premium outdoor furniture.
Napoleon PATIOFLAME 46,000 BTU Propane Patio Heater
$329
1,800+ reviews
A stainless steel 46,000 BTU heater with a wide umbrella head and precise heat control, the choice when build quality and aesthetics both matter.
Shop on Amazon →Best Budget Patio Heater: Dyna-Glo DGPH101BR 46,000 BTU Premium Bronze
The Dyna-Glo DGPH101BR delivers 46,000 BTUs in a hammered bronze finish that looks better than its $179 price suggests. The anti-tip safety device and auto shut-off are both included, and assembly takes about 20 minutes with no special tools. On a mid-size patio of 10x12 feet, this heater running on medium keeps six people comfortable when outdoor temps drop into the upper 30s.
What separates it from the cheaper heaters is heat distribution. The reflector is wider than the standard mushroom head design, so the heat doesn't all funnel straight down in one narrow column. If you're looking at two or three heaters to cover a longer rectangular space, this price point makes buying two feasible without committing to a $600 purchase.
Dyna-Glo DGPH101BR 46,000 BTU Premium Bronze Patio Heater
$179
3,600+ reviews
A 46,000 BTU bronze patio heater with a wide-angle reflector and full safety shutoffs, reliable performance at a price that makes buying two practical.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Choosing Between a Fire Pit Table and a Patio Heater
- Match the heat source to how you sit. Fire pit tables heat from the center out, so they work best when people are gathered around them. Patio heaters heat from above, making them better for rows of seating or longer rectangular spaces.
- Check your coverage math before you buy. A single 46,000 BTU patio heater covers roughly a 10-foot radius. A 50,000 BTU fire table warms people within about 5-7 feet of the flame. Measure your patio before committing to either.
- Budget for propane over the whole season. Both types burn about the same propane per BTU. A fire table running at 50,000 BTUs for four hours uses roughly half a 20-lb tank, so plan on a refill every two or three uses.
- Wind hits fire tables harder than heaters. An open fire table flame can blow out or become uneven in wind above 10 mph. A patio heater with a glass tube or enclosed burner handles wind better, which matters if your space is exposed.
- Fire tables add ambiance that heaters cannot replicate. If the point is atmosphere as much as warmth, drinks around a fire, s'mores, something that looks intentional, a fire table wins that conversation. Patio heaters are purely functional.
- Both work better under a covered patio. Heat collects under a pergola or covered patio in a way that an open sky does not allow. On a fully exposed patio on a windy night, you will burn through propane faster and feel it less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fire pit table put out more heat than a patio heater?
Not necessarily. Many fire tables and patio heaters both max out at 46,000 to 50,000 BTUs. The difference is direction. Fire tables radiate heat outward and low, while heaters push it down from 7-8 feet up. Fire tables feel warmer if you're close and seated. Heaters feel warmer if you're standing or spread out across a larger area.
Can you cook on a propane fire pit table?
Most propane fire tables are not designed for cooking. The burner is decorative, and putting a grill grate over one can damage the burner or create safety issues. If you want to cook over fire outdoors, a dedicated fire pit with a proper cooking grate is the right tool.
How far should a patio heater be from a covered ceiling?
Most manufacturers recommend at least 24 to 36 inches of clearance between the heater reflector and any overhead surface. For covered patios with 8-foot ceilings, a standard 87-inch mushroom heater often clears that requirement, but always check the specific product manual before positioning it.
Are fire pit tables safe on a covered patio or pergola?
Gas fire tables can be used under a pergola or covered patio with adequate ventilation. Avoid enclosed spaces or ceilings under 10 feet. The main concern is carbon monoxide buildup, so never run any gas fire feature in an enclosed or poorly ventilated area.
Which lasts longer, a fire pit table or a patio heater?
Both types typically last 5 to 10 years with proper care. Fire tables often fare better in wet climates because the burner is lower and the frame is usually heavier steel. Patio heaters with powder-coated poles can rust at the base if left uncovered all winter. A quality cover extends the life of either significantly.