5 Best Infrared Patio Heaters – Expert Advice

If you are looking for a patio heater, in this article, we bring you an overview of the top five patio heaters with infrared technology. Although patio heaters have always been popular and available, their sales have increased dramatically since last winter.

The fact that people have been forced to distance themselves from each other has made this patio heater very popular these days. A quality patio heater allows you to enjoy the company of friends and family regardless of the weather conditions on the patios and without violating social distancing.

When I decided to get a patio heater, my first choice was a classic propane heater. But after thinking about it, I realized that I wouldn’t care to go shopping for propane tanks. This prompted me to think about the infrared patio heater. I researched which model to choose and I spent almost five days on it! I took into account 30 models, five of which proved to be the best. Here is the list.

For those who want to know more about space heaters, be sure to read 6 Types Of Space Heaters (Pros and Cons).

5 Best Infrared Patio Heaters

Below is an overview of my top 5 infrared patio heaters. My final choice was Dr. Infrared that I bought because it has the largest capacity of efficient heating and the fact that it is the safest. I’ll also explain the handy buyer’s guide in the sections below so that your choice for purchase would be much easier.

Best Infrared Patio Heaters	Heating Power:	Max Power:	Heating Element:
1. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238	9/10	1500 W	21 inches
2. Briza Infrared Patio Heater	8/10	1500 W	19 inches
3. Heat Storm HS-1500-TT Infrared	7/10	1500 W	~18 inches
4. Trustech Space Heater Infrared Heater	7/10	1500 W	N/A
5. Surjuny Electric Patio Heater	8/10	1500 W	~18 inches

1. Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238

Features of DR-238:

• Heating Power: Score 9/10
• Safety: Score 10/10
• Portability: Score 10/10
• Weather Resistance: Score 10/10
• Final Rating: 10/10

Technical Specifications of DR-238:

• Max Power: 1500 W, with minimum settings of 900 W or 1200 W
• Heating Element: 21 inches
• Height of Tripod: 46 to 75 inches
• Length of Cord: 12.5 ft
• Length of Heater Cable: 3 ft

Bottom Line:

Dr. Infrared is much better than all other infrared patio heaters and it is far the best due to the superior safety of the device, high-quality main heater, the ability to adjust the height in a wide range, and easy mobility.

Pros of Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238:

• Have IP55 rated, for all weather conditions
• 12.5 inches long cord
• Extended heater (21 inches)
• Adjustability of Height (46 to 75 inches)
• Dual tip-over protection (on the heater and in stand)
• Can be controled by remote, easy to use
• Three modes of operation

Cons of Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238:

• In order for the remote control to work effectively, it must be operated at a very short distance from the device.

Details

• Weatherproof: Since the patio heater must withstand all possible weather conditions such as rain, strong wind and snow, it also needs to withstand dust deposits, it is important that it is a powerful device. The evaluation of IP55 means that this patio heater has protection against dust, and that it can withstand rain without difficulty. 
• Adjustment of Tripod: Unlike propane heaters, infrared heaters heat the space or person directly in front of the heater, not the air itself. So the range of the heater is not large. In cases where this heater heats only one person, it is important to place yourself as close as possible to the heater. When the heater is trying to provide a heat source for more people, its recommended to place it above the group so it covers everyone. The height setting of the device is from 46 to 75 inches, which allows you to easily adjust the heating source.
• Cord Length: Most patio heaters don’t have a power outlet. When deciding to buy a heater it is very important to answer the question of how long is the power cord. With this device the cord length is 12.5 inches. It was enough for me to plug the heater into an electrical outlet in the house without having to buy an extension cord. 
• Heating: One of the reasons why homeowners don’t like infrared heaters is that they don’t have a large heating range. But that is not the case with Dr. Infrared that can easily heat approximately 150 ft2 of indoor space. This is possible to large 21-inch main heater and an aluminum-coated carbon lamp housing.
• Heat Settings: There are days when you don’t need your patio heater to run at full power. Therefore, the great feature of Dr. Infrared heaters is that the power in operation can be adjusted to three volumes: 900, 1.200 and 1.500 watts. Also, there is the option of using a timer from one to nine hours. The device comes with a remote control that can adjust the heating power. The downside is that it only works over a very short distance. 
• Safety: Heaters have always been known as unsafe devices, especially if there are small children in the household. However, Dr. Infrared is great as it has rollover protection for the heater and rack. A special addition are the sandbags that secure the device stand to make it more stable. The device meets all North American safety standards, has ETL approval.

2. Briza Infrared Patio Heater

Features of Briza:

• Heating Power: Score 8/10
• Safety: Score 8/10
• Portability: Score 9/10
• Weather Resistance: Score 10/10
• Final Rating: 9/10

Technical Specifications of Briza:

• Max Power:  1500 W, with three option of settings: L1, L2, and L3
• Heating Element: 19 inches
• Height of Tripod: 44 to 84 inches
• Length of Cord: 10 ft
• Length of Heater Cable: N/A

Bottom Line:

Briza patio heater has great height adjustability and is one of the best heating elements.

Pros of Briza Infrared Patio Heater:

• Have IP55 rated, for all weather conditions
• Adjustability of Height
• Adjustable legs of tripod for small spaces.
• Large heating element
• Three modes of operation by remote control

Cons of Briza Infrared Patio Heater:

• Very pricy.
• Tripod has no pan adjustment or tilt.
• Low heating range, just 4 to 6 ft. large area can be heated.

Details

• Weatherproof: Briza’s heater is IP55 rated, which means that it is protected from dust and can withstand rain without difficulty. 
• Height Adjustment: This device has the best height adjustment options compared to all others. The height can be adjusted between 44 and 84 inches, literally in the inch that suits you best. But there is no pan adjustment of the stand or tilt. I didn’t like that. Because when you have to manually adjust the inclination slope from a height of 84 inches, the hassle is too great. 
• Cord Length: The device comes with a cord length of 10 inches. Although it comes with good length, a large number of users of the device claim that they had to use an extension cord to connect the device to a power source in the house.
• Heating: This patio heater heats well within 4 to 6 feet. The size of the main heater is 19 inches and the carbon lamp housing is coated with aluminum. It is a good choice when it comes to energy efficiency, as it distributes heat very well due to its special design, up to approximately 93 percent. However, the total heat range is slightly lower compared to Dr. Infrared. 
• Heat Settings: The device can be set to three volumes in terms of heater power: Level-1-2-3. When the heater is set to Level 3 it operates at 1.500 watts. 
• Safety: The heater has rollover protection. The appliance switches off automatically if it overturns. Additional stability to the heater is provided by a wide tripod base. 
• Ease of Use: There is a possibility to use the timer from 1 to 9 hours. The device comes with a remote control that can adjust the heating power from the comfort of your patio chair.

3. Heat Storm HS-1500-TT Infrared

Features of HS-1500-TT:

• Heating Power: Score 7/10
• Safety: Score 8/10
• Portability: Score 10/10
• Weather Resistance: Score 8/10
• Final Rating: 8/10

Technical Specifications of HS-1500-TT:

• Max Power: 1500 W. Without heat modulation.
• Heating Element: 18 inches (smaller in compare to Briza and Dr. Infrared).
• Height of Tripod: 36 to 80 inches.
• Length of Cord: 13 ft.
• Length of Heater Cable: N/A.

Bottom Line:

This is a device of reasonable price and high quality. Recommended for those who don’t care about accessories such as tiltable heater head and remote control.

Pros of HS-1500-TT:

• Great value for money.
• IPX4 rated, for all weather conditions.
• Great Adjustability of Height
• Tripod has adjustable legs.

Cons of HS-1500-TT:

• Tripod has no pan adjustment or tilt.
• Low heating range. Around 4 to 6 ft. large area can be heated.

Details

• Weatherproof: Patio heater Heat Storm HS-1500-TT is IPX4 rated. This means that it is not protected from the effects of dust, but that it can withstand a little rain without difficulty. 
• Height Adjustment: Height can be adjusted between 3 and 6.5 feet. However, as this heater does not have the possibility of adjusting the slope, it is not recommended to set it very high. Also this heater cannot be installed on the ceiling. 
• Cord Length: The device comes with a 13-ft cord. That’s long enough that you can plug the heater into an electrical outlet in the house without having to buy an extension cord. 
• Heating: The main heater is slightly smaller compared to Briza and Dr. Infrared. But regardless, it can effectively heat a space of 60 to 100 ft2.
• Heat Settings: There is no option to adjust the heating volume. The device cannot be operated with the remote control. 
• Safety: The heater comes with the tip-over protection. The appliance switches off automatically if it overturns. As with Briz heaters, the wide tripod base provides additional stability to the device. 
• Price: This heater is significantly cheaper compared to other devices in this review who use a tripod as a base.

4. Trustech Space Heater Infrared Heater

Features of Trustech Space Heater:

• Power of Heating: Score 7/10
• Safety: Score 8/10
• Portability: Score 7/10
• Weather Resistance: Score 6/10
• Final Rating: 7/10

Technical Specifications of Trustech Space Heater:

• Max Power: 1,500 W. With three option of settings: 500W, 1,000W or 1,500 W
• Heating Element: N/A
• Height of Tripod: 31.7 inches
• Length of Cord: 6.5 ft
• Length of Heater Cable: N/A

Bottom Line

Trustech space heater is a cheap model for a small space and is able to heat only one or two people at the same time.

Pros of Trustech Space Heater:

• Cheap.
• For all weather conditions, but without provided rating
• Three modes of operation
• Great safety: switch sleeve protection, tip-over protection, and an automatic shutoff.
• Has a timer and remote control.

Cons of Trustech Space Heater:

• No tripod, only low height.
• Not very high total heating.
• Extremely short cord.

Details

• Weatherproof: The manufacturer claims that the device is waterproof, but I would not recommend to expose it to external conditions because it does not have an official IP rating. But as it is a small heater it is easy to bring it into the house after using it on the patio. 
• Height Adjustment: This device does not have a tripod. It is fixed at a height of 31.5 inches.
• Cord Length: The cord is 6 ft. long, which means that you will need an additional extended cord to use it on a terrace that does not have its own socket. 
• Heating: This device is small and has a small height. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it on a large patio. It is good for direct heating of 1-2 people. 
• Heat Settings: The device has three modes of operation: on 500W, 1,000W and 1,500 W. There is also a remote control and a 24h timer. 
• Safety: The heater has tip-over protection. It also has protection for the power button which makes it safe when it comes to children and pets. 
• Price: The price of this device is affordable compared to the advanced features it has. This is a good opportunity to buy if you are buying a heater for a small space.

5. Surjuny Electric Patio Heater

Features of Surjuny Heater:

• Max Power: Score 8/10
• Safety: Score 8/10
• Portability: Score 5/10
• Weather Resistance: Score 8/10
• Final Rating: 7/10

Technical Specifications of Surjuny Heater:

• Max Power: 1.500 W. With three options of heat settings: 500W, 1,000W and 1,500 W.
• Heating Element: around 18 inches
• Height of Tripod: N/A (wall fix)
• Length of Cord: 6 ft
• Length of Heater Cable: N/A

Bottom Line

This wall-mounted heater is a good and affordable option for indoor patios.

Pros of Surjuny Heater:

• Cheap.
• IP34 ratio (for all weather conditions).
• Three modes of operation.
• Timer and remote control.

Cons of Surjuny Heater:

• It is mounted on the wall; it cannot be moved afterwards.
• Extremely short cord.

Details

• Weatherproof: Has an official IP34 rating. The base of the device, connectors and cables are to some extent water resistant. 
• Height Adjustment: It is mounted on the wall. It is installed indoors approximately half an inch from the ceiling so that it can heat up the best. 
• Cord Length: Cord is 6 ft. An extension cord is required for installation. 
• Heating: This patio heater is a good choice if you are installing it in an enclosed space, or a space that is enclosed from at least two or three sides. When it comes to patios that are not closed from the side this model is not a good solution. 
• Heat Settings: The device has three modes of operation: on 500W, 1.000W and 1.500 W. There is also a remote control and a 24h timer. 
• Price: This is the most affordable product in this review. It is a good choice for indoor patios, and has quality features.

Final Thoughts

Infrared Patio Heaters are very useful devices during winter and cold days, so choosing the right model is very important. As we could see in this article, there are many types and models of patio heaters, therefore it is necessary to pay attention to their features when choosing. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. We have made an effort in this article to present to you the five best models of patio heaters that we think could be useful to you. I hope we have helped you at least a little with your choice.