A portable electric patio heater plugs into a standard outdoor socket and provides immediate warmth without installation. Move it to wherever you are sitting in the garden, point it at the seating area, and enjoy the heat. No gas bottles, no permanent wall fixing, and no electrician.
What to Look For
Wattage: Higher wattage = more heat. For a covered patio with a few people, 1,500-2,000W is adequate. For an open garden, wind disperses heat quickly and you need 2,000W+ to feel the effect.
IP rating: Outdoor use requires at least IP44. IP65 is better for areas exposed to rain.
Safety: A tip-over switch that turns the heater off if it falls is essential for a freestanding unit. Also look for overheat protection.
Infrared vs fan heater: Infrared heaters warm people and objects directly – effective in open spaces where air quickly dissipates. Fan heaters warm the air – better in enclosed or covered spaces but inefficient in wind.
Top Picks
1. VonHaus Electric Patio Heater (Floor-Standing, 2kW)
VonHaus make one of the most popular portable patio heaters in the US. 2,000W, three heat settings, floor-standing on a weighted base. Safety tip-over switch. IP34 rated for covered outdoor use.
Available from Amazon US and VonHaus directly.
Best for: Covered patios, portable use, budget-friendly
2. La Hacienda Electric Freestanding Heater
La Hacienda is a garden brand available from garden centres and B&Q. Their freestanding electric patio heater is IPX4 rated, 2,100W, with a carbon heating element that heats quickly and produces a warmer light than halogen.
Best for: Garden centre purchase, carbon element heating
3. Kettler Kalos Freestanding Heater
Kettler make garden furniture and accessories with a focus on quality. Their freestanding electric patio heater is rated IP45, 2,000W, and comes on a stable weighted base with a protective cover.
Best for: Quality build, stable base, protective cover included
4. TROTEC IRS 2000 Infrared Heater (Portable)
TROTEC is a German brand making professional-grade heating equipment. The IRS 2000 is a portable infrared heater with a tripod stand. 2,000W, IP20 (covered areas only). More expensive than consumer brands but genuinely more effective infrared output.
Best for: Maximum heat effectiveness, professional quality, serious outdoor entertaining
5. Blumfeldt Cronos Garden Heater
Blumfeldt make a garden heater with a pyramid glass flame tube design – gives a fire-like visual with electric infrared heat. More aesthetic than functional, but for a garden that values the ambience as much as the warmth, it is a distinctive option.
Best for: Ambience as well as heat, decorative fire-style design
Tips for Portable Patio Heaters
- Use a windbreak: Even a 2kW heater loses effectiveness quickly in wind. A garden parasol, fence, or windbreak screen retains the heat where you need it
- Combine with a heated throw: For individual use, a heated blanket plus a lower-wattage heater is more efficient than a high-powered heater alone
- Store indoors when not in use: Even IP-rated heaters last longer when stored dry
Final Thoughts
The VonHaus 2kW is the practical starting point for most US gardens – affordable, functional, and widely available. For better heat output and quality, Kettler or TROTEC are worth the premium. Use in a sheltered spot with a windbreak to get the most from any patio heater.