Best outdoor heater 2021: for comfort and style

For evenings in the garden, you'll need one of the best outdoor heaters to keep your hands and feet toasty. Heating aside, an outdoor heater or patio heater will bring some style to your garden when you're sitting outdoors entertaining friends or getting some fresh air.

Including chimineas, fire pits, and electric or gas patio heaters, this roundup of our top six best outdoor heaters will bring you all the information you need when shopping. When making your decision, you should take into account the size of your garden or patio space. Our top picks include a tabletop electric patio heater, which is very compact for easy storage, and a gas-fired fire bowl that won't need to be plugged in to keep you warm. 

Much like the best barbecue, our outdoor heater picks are designed to be used all year round. Even though it may not be the best time of year to sit out in the garden when the sun goes down, a patio heater can transform an unused outdoor space into a haven to sit in the warmth and enjoy the stars. Because a lot of the best outdoor heaters give off warmth, they will also keep your outdoor space well-lit when it gets dark out. 

The best outdoor heaters

The Swan Al Fresco SH16310N Column Patio Heater is an electric patio heater with 2000 watts of power. Simply plug it in for the choice of two warmth levels: 1000 watts or 2000 watts, and it is 80cm tall. 

Easy to use

Use the Swan Al Fresco SH16310N Column Patio Heater on patio for a more stable base. It does have a 360 degree tip-over switch for safety purposes, so if it does get knocked over, it will automatically shut itself off. 

Smart heating

Electric patio heaters are some of the best outdoor heaters you can buy. The infrared will heat directly, instead of simply heating the air around you, making them more energy-efficient than gas or fire heaters. 

The MADE Ivy Line Outdoor Iron Fireplace has so many things going for it. For a start, the chimney will funnel smoke and fumes up and out of your garden, and there is in-built storage for firewood and fuel.

You new BBQ

The grill and fuel tray both pull out, meaning you can use the MADE Ivy Line Outdoor Iron Fireplace as a BBQ for cooking hot dogs or toasting marshmallows. 

Smart design

We're keen on the dimensions, which are tall but narrow. Suitable for use in large and small gardens, you can even prop it against a wall. 

Because the front opens up on one side, it won't be suited for large gatherings where you want to sit in a circle. 

Powered by propane, this gas patio heater has the charm and warmth of an open flame, but with easy ignition with the touch of a button.

Weather-resistant

This Love Island-style firepit design doesn't require the same dry climate. It's weather resistant, and comes with a cover to keep it out of the rain. 

Great for gatherings

The Kristian Bowl Concrete Propane Fire Pit Table has a great wide edge that can be used to rest a cup of hot chocolate, or an evening glass of wine. The propane tank is easy to replace, and has a 26-hour burn time. 

Gather with your friends and family, pub garden style. We've all sat next to a gas patio heater at a local restaurant, but the Dellonda Propane Gas Pyramid Patio Heater is surprisingly affordable to bring into your own garden. 

Freestanding style

No need to plug this Dellonda Propane Gas Pyramid Patio Heater into a power source, you can place it even at the foot of the garden thanks to the freestanding design. It has a sturdy metal gate that keeps you safe from the bright flame, and straightforward ignition at the press of a button. 

Variable heat

The Dellonda Propane Gas Pyramid Patio Heater has a temperature dial that adjusts the level of gas released into the flame. At 2 metres tall, it's suitable for parties where you'll be mingling. 

Pure style, the All Things Brighton Beautiful Round Fire Pit is constructed of heavy carbon steel that rusts over time.

Love the look

The circular design allows you to drop wood into the top of the pit, and then sit around it and enjoy the glow from every angle. 

Stand included

The tripod legs keep the fire bowl supported as it burns, but the All Things Brighton Beautiful Round Fire Pit will need to have a slab placed underneath it to catch ash if you want to protect your lawn or patio. 

One of the most popular patio heaters on the market, the Swan Al Fresco SH16330N Portable Patio Heater, is perfect for slotting under tables or storing away when not in use. 

Mini design

Because it's under 70cm, the Swan Al Fresco SH16330N Portable Patio Heater will sit under your patio furniture to keep your feet and legs warm in the evenings. If it's your hands you're worried about, it can also sit on the tabletop. 

Easy controls

The switch at the top of the patio heater sits underneath the handle, but it only has one heating mode. At 1600 watts, it's perfectly capable of keeping a small gathering warm, but it may struggle with larger crowds. 

What is the best outdoor heater? 

If you want a simple and easygoing outdoor heater for your garden, we suggest the Swan Al Fresco SH16310N Column Patio Heater. It's simply a case of plugging it in and choosing between its two heat modes for a warm and toasty evening. 

For more flair and a classic wood-burning heater, we love the Ivy Line Outdoor Iron Fireplace, which can also act as a grill. 

What type of outdoor heater is best? 

Outdoor heaters come in all shapes and sizes, from chimineas to gas patio heaters. The right one for you will depend on how you intend to use it.

Like the best gas barbecues, any gas-powered outdoor heater will require that you replace the fuel tank over time. Gas heaters heat the air around them, so while you can hold your hands near the flame for some warmth, they won't heat you directly in the same way an electric patio heater will. 

Wood-fired heaters offer so much charm, with the smokey smell and crackling firewood of a childhood campfire. Some are very stylish though, and come with smart storage for firewood when not in use.