Best Outdoor Electric Heaters for 2024

What is an Outdoor Electric Heater?

Outdoor electric heaters are mains powered heat lamps that quickly warm up outdoor spaces, usually with directional heat. While they consume more energy than gas burners or wood burners, they are more efficient in that they heat areas more directly, and use cleaner energy to run.

Pubs, beach bars, and even modern outdoor kitchens are typically fitted with electric heaters as safer alternatives to gas patio heaters. 

How Do Infrared Heaters Work?

Electric patio heaters heat lamps or elements using electricity. That electricity is then radiated through the air by electromagnetic waves until it hits an object or is cooled. 

Radiation of heat in this way is more efficient over shorter areas as it pumps heat further than convection and conduction heaters which slowly heat objects, and warm the air around them more slowly.

This is why, when you stand near an electric heater it can feel intensely warm while the back of the heating appliance may just be slightly warm to touch.

What to Look For When Buying Infrared Heaters

When buying outdoor electric heaters they are almost all infrared, which means they all use the same technology, and are roughly as efficient as each other.

That means there’s really not much to separate the different models of patio heaters and it’s hard to give a definitive “best outdoor electric heater” in that respect.

Really, what you’re looking for is how they work, and what they look like because outdoor heaters are as much a fashion statement as they are a practical tool to keep warm.

Choosing an electric outdoor heater by size

There are so many different types of patio heaters out there so, to know which is the best infrared heater for your garden, you need to consider how many people you’re likely to entertain, and the size of your space. 

For larger spaces, you’ll naturally need a larger heater, but for intimate gardens, you can consider cosier patio lighting with infrared heating as a bonus rather than the main feature, or even a cosy electric blanket that works just as well to keep you warm in the upcoming winter nights as any radiation heater.

Choosing an outdoor electric heater by power

While most electric patio heaters are roughly the same power, there are one or two considerations. Our table below gives a guide to heat vs space, but first, it’s important to explain that most outdoor heaters are sold under BTU* (British Thermal Unit) ratings.

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*1 kW is equal to 3412 BTU/h

How to Install an Outdoor Electric Heater

Infrared heaters are much safer than gas heaters as knocks won’t cause gas spillages, or spread fires as easily. With that said, it’s still important to install your outdoor electric heaters properly, whether that means attaching them to permanent wall fixings or making sure they are on level ground.

There are many different styles of electric heaters available from parasol heaters, to hanging lamps, but all have one thing in common – a wire! Make sure any cables for your electric heater are safely covered. 

This prevents trips from knocking over your heat lamp, but also any accidents with garden tools that might cut through the wire and cause shocks, or just break the appliance.

All electric heaters come with installation instructions, and they should be followed to the letter.

Outdoor Electric Heaters Safety Guide

Most outdoor electric heaters can be used outdoors all year round, provided they are used under a canopy, but some models should only be used in dry weather, or under cover.

Remember that the heating unit is essentially electricity passing through a heated element, so water can blow fuses pretty quickly, unlike gas heaters. In terms of ongoing maintenance for your electric outdoor heaters, the best indicator is energy efficiency. 

If they start using higher power consumption (check your smart metre for live kW/h data) then they probably need their bulb replaced. The same goes for any indication of lower temperatures, or dimmer lights.

1. Lenoxx Free-Standing Outdoor Electric Heater

Lenoxx specialise in budget electricals but don’t skimp on quality. Their infrared heater is one of the best outdoor electric heaters you can buy if you’re on a budget, with a rotating head that tilts to suit different patio set ups, and a weighted base to help prevent tipping.

When I saw the price of the Lenoxx heater I expected it to lack the safety features of most other brands, but this heater comes with a tip-over switch on top of its simple design, which is a great bonus if you’re worried about kids and pets knocking over your appliances.

Because the head of this free-standing lamp can be removed, you also have the option to install it as a wall-mounted heater under a veranda, or as part of an outdoor kitchen in winter, making it one of our most versatile heaters on review here.

2. Maxkon 360° Outdoor Infrared Heater 

Infrared tower heaters are actually pretty hard to come by, because the main advantage of infrared is usually that it’s directional, and can be reflected back out of the lamp to avoid wasted heat. With that in mind, it’s actually pretty unusual to find a heater like this by Maxkon, but I’m glad we’ve found it.

For more casual evenings, these 360 infrared heaters give off a much more ambient heat, without forcing their energy out in a single direction, which can create a much more comfortable environment.

The Maxkon tower heater reminds me of a fire pit in many ways too. Its soft heat works for everyone and anyone sitting around it, so feels much more informal than stand lamps, or wall-mounted heating, making it perfect for casual evenings with friends.

3. Dreamaker Faux Fur Electric Heated Coral Fleece

You know we love a curveball at Aussie Green thumb, so for those of you who don’t like the idea of stand lamps, infrared, and permanently fixing heaters to walls, then this is the ideal snuggly choice for you.

Dreamaker’s heated blanket is fully machine washable, remote-controlled, and folds away surprisingly well so barely takes up any space at all, but most of all, it’s the perfect outdoor heater for anyone just wanting to cuddle up on a cool autumn night on the patio, watching the garden go to sleep.

4. Devanti Outdoor Radiant Heater Strips

For anyone wanting to heat up an outdoor kitchen as crisply as possible, the trick is to keep things simple. Don’t go all-in for hanging lamps and stand lamps, and avoid anything rounded (it’s a simple but effective design trick). Just follow the existing lines of your space, and use parallels.

These simple strip lamps are really easy to install and can be used outdoors, or in covered spaces, but are most effective as part of an outdoor kitchen, producing 3000W of heat, which is more than enough to heat an entire outdoor kitchen, and even the patio beyond it.

For the average gardener, an outdoor heater is just a tool – a way to stay warm. Heaters don’t need to be beautiful, and while it’s always better if they are, sometimes, warmth is enough in itself.

If you’re happy with an average looking heater, this powerful freestanding heater is a versatile infrared heater that will keep you warmer than most other models. It might not look like much, but it gets the job done!

Outdoor Electric Heater FAQs

Do outdoor electric heaters work well?

Outdoor electric heaters, unlike gas, used radiant heat to warm their surroundings. That means that all of their heat is directed to the right place, without wasting energy heating up walls, and shrubs behind them.

Do outdoor electric heaters use a lot of electricity?

Halogen and ceramic heaters can be incredibly high power consumers but are typically only sold as greenhouse and garage heaters today. Most infrared heaters use up to 40% less energy than their old fashioned counterparts so are much more energy efficient.

How warm are outdoor electric heaters?

Outdoor electric heaters typically increase the surrounding ambient temperature by around 5 degrees. If you sit directly in front of them, they can be pretty uncomfortable but by raising the ambient temperature of an outdoor space, it creates a more comfortable environment to be in.

Can outdoor electric heaters be left out in the rain?

Outdoor electric heaters and infrared heaters are electrical appliances and should be protected from rain, snow, and high humidity, but most modern models are designed to be kept under a canopy, either in outdoor kitchens or under parasols, so are safe to use after a light rain. Ideally, they should be stored indoors when not in use.

If you are curious and would like to look into gas heaters, see our product review and buying guide on the best gas outdoor heaters for 2024.