Best Table Top Patio Heater! Reviews and Information

Tabletop patio heaters can be a great solution for localized outdoor heating. They are designed to be placed on a table and to radiate heat out to those seated at the table. These heaters are available in a variety of designs and fuel sources, and many supply some illumination as well. After examining several different Table Top Patio Heater models on the market, we have determined that the AZ Patio Heaters Tabletop Electric Heater is the best patio heater on the market.

We were not expecting to rank an electric heater so high, but this unit makes sense! It hits a nice price point, provides 1,500 watts of heat (5,100 BTU), plugs into a standard 120v outlet, and there’s no need to fuss with propane tanks. Heat output is acceptable, will warm those within 2’-3’ of the unit, and it works both indoors and outdoors. For a complete review of this unit, see our product reviews section below. If you’re looking for inspiration on patio heating, be sure to check out our guide to outdoor heating here!

For those who want a little more power, but are willing to deal with the hassle of propane tanks, the AZ Patio Heaters Classic Propane Tabletop Heater is an excellent option for small-scale heat. It comes in a variety of colors, has 11,000BTU of heat output, and hits a great price point. The Classic will heat those in a 3’-4’ radius around the heater, and is covered under a 1 Year Warranty! This unit is a great unit, and users could consider attaching to a larger propane tank for less hassle, though at that point it may make more sense to purchase a full-sized gas patio heater.

For a complete review, see our Product Reviews section below.

Table Top Patio Heater Reviews

In this section we will look at four top patio heaters, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each, and give our verdict.

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AZ Patio Heaters HLDS032-GTTSS Portable Table Top Stainless Steel Glass Tube Patio Heater

AZ Patio Heaters Portable Table Top Stainless Steel Glass Tube Patio QuarHeater

Pyramid style quartz glass tube patio heaters look really cool. The shape of the heater, and the visible flame firing through the glass tube is much more compelling, visually, than the standard propane and infrared electric patio heaters. These provide some light, some heat, and a whole lot of ambiance. Unfortunately, Pyramid heaters simply do not put out the heat as well as standard pillar-style propane patio heaters. The design is different, more heat goes out the top, and the amount of heat radiating out is not as significant. However, this unit still puts out a reasonable amount of heat, and certainly does have style – though these can be a big presence on a bistro table, as shown here!

Key Points at a Glance

• 10,000 BTU Propane Heater
• Fits standard quart-sized160z/1lb propane tanks
• Easy-ignition electric pilot
• 1 Year AZ Patio Heaters Warranty
• Burn Time: 2-3 hours, depending on heat settings

Dimensions

Dimensions 39" x 12" x 12"

Weight14lbs

Clearance3'

In terms of heating area, the AZ Patio Heaters Pyramid Heater puts out heat in a 3-4 foot radius. Not huge, but enough for a few people around a table. The heater puts out some decent heat, but the base does not get ho. Users can place this heater on virtually any type of table: glass, metal, wood, etc. The AZ Patio Heaters Table Top Heater gives off some light, but not a huge amount. It’s probably not enough to read or eat, but enough for conversation well into the evening. One tank will last around 2-3 hours, depending on how hot you set the dial. Should users wish to, there is an adapter available to connect up to a 20 gallon propane tank . In order to get the AZ Patio Heaters Tabletop Pyramid Heater to ignite, be sure to press down the knob for 20 seconds or so before lighting, to enable propane to flow completely through the unit. From there, you can adjust the knob to the appropriate amount of heat output. By turning down to medium, you will go through fuel more slowly, and still get decent warmth. Some users struggle to get the unit lit, and if you’re having trouble, consider contacting AZ Patio Heaters, as they may be able to troubleshoot your issues. Generally, by holding down the igniter prior to ignition, users will have better luck.

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AZ Patio Heaters HLDS032-BSS Portable Table Top Stainless Steel Patio Heater

Available in five attractive finishes, the AZ Patio Heaters Highland 38“ table top patio heater is a nice choice for many applications. These units offer better heat output than the quartz glass tube patio heaters, though they are not anywhere near as cool looking. Still, they fit more the general sense of a table lamp, and are a bit less distracting than a pyramid heater. These heaters are a great choice for many looking for primarily heat output as opposed to aesthetics.

Key Points at a Glance

• 11,000 BTU of Heat
• Fits Standard 1lb propane tank
• Electric pilot light
• Available in 5 finishes
• 1 Year AZ Patio Heaters Warranty
• Burn Time: 2-3 hours

Dimensions

Dimensions38" x 23" x 23"

Weight17.5lbs

The AZ Patio Heaters has done a nice job with their classic series table top propane patio heaters. With 5 colors to choose from, and a great price point, these heaters supply decent heat to those seated nearby without being obtrusive.

While they don’t look as cool as a pyramid heater, they supply better heat output, and will warm those within 3-4’ of the heater. These heaters use a standard 1lb propane tank, which sits on the base. The base is weighted for additional stability, which is a nice feature as well. To ignite the heater, push in the knob for about 20 seconds to enable the propane to travel through the heater, before triggering the ignition. Once ignited, users can turn the dial to wherever they are comfortable. Some users struggle with the ignition, especially after changing a propane tank. If you’re having difficulty, we suggest contact AZ Patio Heaters for help. The top of the unit will become red hot and give off some light, but not enough to read or eat by, and barely enough for conversation. Windy environments will cause problems for these units. The wind will blow the warm air away, and there’s not much that can be done to mitigate that, unless you can block the wind.

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AZ Patio Heaters HIL-1821 Tabletop Electric Patio Heater

AZ Patio Heaters delivers once again with the HIL-1821 electric tabletop patio heater. This unit is compact and somewhat resembles the propane patio heater mentioned above. With 1,500 watts of power, and a standard 120v plug, these units are hassle free, and put out reasonable heat for a small tabletop environment.

Key Points at a Glance

• 1,500 watts of power
• Approximately 5,100 BTU of heat
• Works with a standard 120v outlet
• Can be used both indoors and outdoors
• IP Certified Waterproof
• Covered under 1 Year Warranty (note: filament not covered under warranty)

Dimensions

Dimensions38" x 22" x 22"

Weight21.3lbs

The AZ Patio Heaters electric tabletop heater works quite well, and we are fond of the design here. Many of the full size electric patio heaters and wall mounted electric patio heaters seem like they should put out more heat than they do, but this small scale unit puts out the same amount of heat as the larger scale infrared heaters do. By placing this unit on a table, and having chairs within a couple of feet surrounding the heater, this electric patio heater will take the chill off those seated nearby, in a 2-3’ radius of the heater. Also, there’s no need to fuss with replacing propane tanks, screwing around with ignition switches, etc. With an electric patio heater, just plug it in and go! Though we should mention that if you plan to use an extension cord, be sure you get a heavy duty cord designed to handle at least 15 amps . And best of all, you won’t need to pay to continually purchase new propane tanks, which adds up! Aesthetically, we can’t say we love these heaters, but they are adequate in their looks, and generally look like a table lamp. These do put out some light, a bright red light that may be unpleasant to those going for an aesthetic environment, so be warned. You may want to place it on the floor so that it’s not at eye level, but this changes the impact of the heat distribution somewhat. Though this unit is certified waterproof, we encourage users not to leave it outside in the elements when not in use. It will get damaged over time, and the filament will blow out. The cost of replacing the filament is almost the same as replacing the whole unit, so it’s best to protect this unit as much as possible when not in use. Take it inside and use it indoors. This heater doubles as an indoor heater as well!

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Fire Sense Table Top Propane Heater

The Fire Sense tabletop propane heater follows a similar design to several of the other propane heaters on our list and is functional, attractive, and reasonably powerful. It clocks in at 10,000 BTU of heat output and will warm those sitting at the table around it.

Key Points at a Glance

• 10,000 BTU of Heat Output
• Piezo Electric Igniter for easy starting
• Stainless Steel construction
• Features tilt auto shut off, and oxygen depletion sensors for safety
• Fits standard 1lb propane tanks
• 1 Year Warranty

Dimensions

Dimensions35" x 21" x 13"

Weight14.3lbs

Clearance3'

The Fire Sense table top patio heater very much resembles the AZ Patio Heaters tabletop propane heater. It is slightly lower power, clocking in at 10,000 BTU of heat. However, the heat output is fine on this unit. A small propane tank will last 2-3 hours on this unit, depending on the settings used. To ignite the unit, simply push in the valve, and wait for 20-30 seconds. Then push the red ignition switch, which will engage the pilot light and light the flame. Once lit, wait a few seconds, and turn down to the desired heat output amount. Keep the dimensions of this unit in mind, as it can be a bit big for a small bistro table or small patio table. Some users have reported poorly-filed edges on this unit, and have been cut while running their fingers over the unit. Beware, and if necessary, file any sharp spots. We should note that windy environments can significantly impact the effectiveness of these style propane heaters. The wind will blow the warm air way, and there’s not much you can do about it, unless you can block the wind.

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