Electric Heaters for Outdoor Spaces: Patio Heater vs. Fire Pit

Listen, I get it. You’ve painstakingly created an outdoor paradise worthy of Garden and Home magazine, but Mother Nature just refuses to cooperate. So what do you do? You could pack up and move somewhere warmer. Or, and hear me out on this one, you could invest in an electric heater and bring the warmth to you. Novel, I know.

patio heater for outdoor

Let’s look at some of the top electric heaters for your outdoor spaces. Because why should a little thing like the weather stop you from enjoying your outdoor haven?

I) The Elegance of Patio Heaters

Patio heaters, my dear friend, are the royalty of the outdoor heating world. These are the heaters that laugh in the face of frost and deliver a toasty warmth right to your fingertips. They’re like a little personal sun, if the sun were made of metal and stood at roughly human height.

1) Free-Standing Patio Heaters

I bet you’re picturing one of these in your mind right now. They’re the tall, often pyramid-shaped units you see at cafes or your posh friend’s patio – the one who insists on hosting garden parties in December. They are great at heating a large area and easy to move around. And the best part? You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to use one.

2) Mounted Patio Heaters

For the folks with a little less space, or those who simply love to wall-mount everything (yes, I’m looking at you, tech geeks), we’ve got the mounted patio heaters. These bad boys can be attached to your walls or ceiling, and voilà, you’ve got an instant heat source without sacrificing any ground space. A word to the wise: remember to measure your space before buying. No one wants a heater that’s comically oversized for their tiny balcony.

II) The Coziness of Fire Pit Heaters

Some people would consider a fire pit a humble cousin of the patio heater, often overlooked but full of potential. Why? Even in their world, presentation is key. They might not have the grandeur of a patio heater, but they make up for it with ambiance. Plus, there’s something uniquely satisfying about gathering around a fire, even if it is powered by electricity.

1) Fire Pit Tables

Fire pit tables are like a Transformer’s cousin who decided not to fight intergalactic wars but focus on heating and aesthetics. During the day, it’s an innocent table. Come nightfall, the center can be ignited to provide warmth. I’m not saying it’s the best thing since sliced bread, but it’s pretty close.

2) Portable Fire Pits

When you’re someone who loves to rearrange the furniture every couple of weeks, a portable fire pit will be your new best friend. Lightweight and easy to move, they’re perfect for a spontaneous nightcap under the stars or a sudden shift in wind direction.

III) The Future is Here: Infrared Heaters

For those of us who’ve watched a little too much Star Trek, the promise of infrared heaters is a dream come true. They might not teleport you to different locations, but they will keep you nice and warm with minimal energy usage.

Infrared heaters work by heating objects rather than the air, which is great if you’re an object, slightly less impressive if you’re just a big bag of hot air.

1) Free-Standing Infrared Heaters

Picture your patio heater, but make it futuristic. That’s your free-standing infrared heater. These can provide warmth to a large area without taking up too much space. And the best part? The heat is almost instantaneous, so no more waiting around while your teeth chatter.

2) Mounted Infrared Heaters

When floor space is at a premium, mounted infrared heaters are here to save the day (or night, as it were). They offer the same benefits as their free-standing siblings but can be mounted to your walls or ceilings.

The Bottom Line

Well, that’s all she wrote. So, whether you’re a traditionalist who prefers a patio heater, an ambiance lover who fancies a fire pit, or a sci-fi fan who dreams of infrared, there’s an electric heater out there for you.

And people, remember, outdoor spaces are meant to be enjoyed year-round. Don’t let a bit of cold weather put you off. After all, the cold never bothered you anyway, right?