What are the best electric patio heaters 2023?

If you live in the UK, you’ll be no stranger to unpredictable changes in weather. One minute, the sun will be shining and the thought of an impromptu garden party sounds appealing. Next minute, the biting chill has set in, and you quickly realise that an outdoor gathering just won’t do. The solution, however, is a simple one – invest in an effective electric patio heater that combats the cold. Providing robust radiant warmth, these heaters are a sure-fired way to keep your domestic or commercial exterior toasty, whatever the weather. We’ll be taking a look at the best patio heaters of 2023, to help you find an appliance that best suits your patio area.

The benefits of electric patio heaters

Stratus

Ecostrad Solaglo

Ecostrad Thermaglo

Ecostrad Apex

Herschel California

Wall, ceiling or freestanding installation means your patio heater will adapt to the needs of your outdoor space effortlessly.

Essential when dealing with the infiniteness of the outdoors, electric patio heaters supply their warmth solely through radiation. Radiant heat travels directionally to provide heat to people and objects without getting lost to air movement.

Dust-tight and able to withstand low pressure jets of water, all electric patio heaters come weatherproof rated. Check the IP rating to determine a product’s level of protection.

Without internal liquid, combustible elements or moving parts, electric patio heaters don’t require mandatory maintenance.

Electric patio heaters allow you to enjoy your evenings for longer without emitting polluting gases like other outdoor heaters. In fact, pairing them with a renewable energy source or tariff means clean electricity year-round.

Unlike fire pits or gas heaters, electric patio heaters don’t rely on sourcing or storing fuel, cutting costs and adding to their efficiency.

New to the world of infrared heating? Not to worry. Check out our deep dive for everything you need to know about how it works, its benefits, and how much it costs to run.

• Price – £99.99
• Wattage – 2000w
• IP rating – IP65
• Infrared type – Mediumwave
• Outdoor heat area – 10-12m²
• Installation – Wall & Ceiling mounted fitting
• Programming – Manual control | Remote control

• Colour Coded Touchscreen Display
• Convenient Timer Function
• 9 Heat Levels
• Remote Control Included
• DIY Friendly

Stylish, intuitive and efficient – meet the Stratus electric patio heater. Delivering gentle mediumwave radiant heat, the Stratus provides comfortable warmth that heats people and objects, rather than the surrounding air. This way, there’s less chance of heat being blown away by winds – perfect for offsetting colder temperatures in sheltered outdoor areas.

Offering effortless navigation, the Stratus comes with an intuitive touch-sensitive control panel that lets you manually adjust your outdoor warmth with ease. Colour coded for readability, the display shows a red symbol when a setting is on and a blue symbol when a setting is off, for ultimate convenience. This feature modernises outdoor heat management, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a simple yet sophisticated method of heat management. If you’re using the Stratus in your commercial beer garden or garden pergola, for example, it will be easy for you to adjust temperatures to maintain a warm environment for customers or guests. Besides its state-of-the-art control panel, the Stratus also comes with a handy remote control. This external controller allows you to switch between two different output levels to help save energy on warmer days, all from the comfort of your garden chair.

Sophisticated and efficient, the Stratus is our favourite electric patio heater for sheltered domestic and standard-sized commercial exteriors and seating areas, as well as hard-to-heat garden rooms.

• Price – £69.99
• Wattage – 2000w
• IP rating – IP55
• Infrared type – Shortwave
• Outdoor heat area – 5-9m²
• Installation – Freestanding | Wall & Ceiling mounted fitting
• Programming – Manual control

• Low Glare Bulb
• Simple On/Off Switch
• Contemporary Silver Housing
• Responsive Tungsten Filament Bulb
• Special Gold-Coated Reflectors

The Ecostrad Solaglo is the ultimate affordable choice, providing fast-acting warmth without a heavy upfront cost. Ideal for smaller patio areas, as well as interiors like workshops and sheds, this heater is as versatile as it is pocket friendly. Excelling in simplicity, its easy-to-use on/off switch marks this heating solution as a user-friendly option.

This electric patio heater gets to work right away, producing 2000w of invigorating near infrared warmth. Supplying robust heat in a matter of seconds, the Solaglo is fitted with a tungsten filament bulb, so you can rest assured that your exterior will be toasty in no time at all. Better yet, the Solaglo is built with special gold-coated reflectors on the inside of the housing that project heat out to where it’s needed most. When it comes to design, the Solaglo’s scene-stealing glossy finish and chic straight grill are sure to make a statement in any space. Complete with an unobtrusive low glare bulb, the Solaglo also emits a soothing light, helping cultivate ambience in your favourite garden retreat.

Stylish and fast-acting, the Ecostrad Solaglo is our favourite electric patio heater for smaller domestic gardens and commercial settings, such as compact beer gardens and back garden patio areas.

• Price – £99.99
• Wattage – 2000w
• IP rating – IP55
• Infrared type – Mediumwave
• Outdoor heat area – 5-9m²
• Installation – Freestanding | Wall & Ceiling mounted fitting
• Programming – Remote control

• Freestanding Fitting Option
• Innovative Carbon Fibre Technology
• Weatherproof IP55 Rating
• 4-Stage Power Output
• Integrated Timer Function

A great all-rounder, the versatile Ecostrad Thermaglo allows for freestanding installation as well as permanent fitting. It comes with everything you need for straightforward wall/ceiling mounting – excellent for sheltered outdoor spaces that require warmth all year round. You also have the option of purchasing a compatible stand, so you can move the heater from your patio area to your gazebo with minimal effort.

Ideal for use over longer periods of time, the Thermaglo is equipped with a cutting-edge carbon fibre heating element that produces comfortable yet durable warmth. Supplying a calming ruby glow, the Thermaglo keeps domestic and commercial settings snug with its comforting warmth and mellow lighting. Its handy timer function lets you schedule outdoor heating so warmth perfectly matches your routine. So, if your guests are set to arrive at your backyard BBQ at a specific time, simply use the timer function to ensure your patio is snug upon their arrival. You can also select between 4 different power outputs, letting you easily achieve your ideal heat level to accommodate weather conditions.

Versatile and responsive, the Ecostrad Thermaglo is our favourite electric patio heater for sheltered outdoor spaces and draught-prone interiors, like renovated sheds and pergolas.

• Price– From £64.99
• Wattage – 1800w
• IP rating – IP65
• Infrared type – Mediumwave
• Outdoor heat area – 8-10m²
• Installation – Wall & Ceiling mounted fitting
• Programming – Manual control | Remote control

• Long-Life Carbon Fibre Bulb
• Comfortable Mediumwave Heat
• Fast-Acting Warmth
• Choice of Manual or Remote Control
• Ultra-Low Glare

The Ecostrad Apex electric patio heater is as affordable as it is versatile – suitable for both domestic and commercial applications. With the option of wall and ceiling mounting, the Apex is perfect for use as both an indoor and outdoor heater. Fit it in a hard-to-heat interior like a warehouse, or mount it in a sheltered outdoor area for convenient, all-day heating. With max temperatures reached within 10 seconds, you’re guaranteed responsive, on-demand heating for your space.

Fitted with a sophisticated carbon-filament bulb, the Apex gives off a soft low glare and mellow warmth, ideal for use over long periods. With the option of a manual version or remote control, the Apex adapts to your needs effortlessly. The basic model is perfect for occasional use or paired with an external controller, timer or dimmer. The remote-controlled model allows for simple on/off operation with a click of a button, so you can control your heater without getting out of your chair.

For fuss-free heat management and comfortable all-day warmth, the Ecostrad Apex is our favourite electric patio heater for a range of domestic and commercial applications. With the choice between manual and remote control, the Apex is designed with comfort in mind.

• Price – £339.99
• Wattage – 2000w
• IP rating – IP65
• Colour(s) – Black | Silver | Gold
• Infrared type – Mediumwave
• Outdoor heat area – 5-9m²
• Installation – Wall mounted | Freestanding
• Programming – Manual control | Remote control

• Stylish Commercial Heating
• Suitable for Indoor & Outdoor Use
• Ultra-Low Glare Carbon Heating Element
• 2 Heat Levels & Timer
• Remote Control Included

The Herschel California is a potent heater wrapped in a discreet package. Its striking honeycomb grill houses a heater powerful enough to reach prime levels in under 10 seconds – for instant, long-lasting comfort. Specifically designed with commercial settings in mind, the California is best suited in sheltered outdoor and unenclosed indoor spaces, versatile enough for freestanding installation or mounted to the wall or ceiling.

Providing over 10,000 hours of use, the California’s low-glare carbon element delivers a mellow warmth and ruby glow – the perfect recipe for ambient all-day heating. Completely silent while in operation, the California can be controlled from afar using remote control. Select half or full power and set the 1-9 hour timer for ideal temperatures for guests no matter the season. With a discreet LED panel located on the side of the heater, current settings can be viewed with ease – and since the remote works with multiple heaters, you’re guaranteed full control with the mere click of a button.

Chic and powerful, the Herschel California is our favourite patio heater for commercial spaces looking for stylish and responsive heating. Perfect for open-air dining areas, terraces, and a range of interiors, this is the heater you need to make a statement.

If you're looking for some insight on everything you need to know about purchasing an electric patio heater, our Buying Guide has you covered.