Best Outdoor Propane Heater: 9 Top Picks of 2026

A propane patio heater gives you heat without a gas line, which is why it is the go-to choice for homes without natural gas, pool decks, gardens and event spaces. The catch is that most heaters sold online are light mushroom or pyramid models built for occasional use.

Below are the 9 we recommend for patios you will use for years: two freestanding models you can move, and seven mounted picks that run on a larger tank. Every spec comes from the maker listing, and every heater here is one we stock and support.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

Short on time? Here is each heater and who it suits best. Tap a card to jump to the full review.

Best Overall1. Bromic Tungsten PortableMost coverage of any portable pickOutput38,500 BTUCoversUp to 215 sq. ft.From$2,431

Best With No Power Needed2. Sunglo A270Tank hides in the base, no outlet neededOutput40,000 BTUCovers12 to 15 ft. circleFrom$2,470

Best Mounted3. Bromic Tungsten 500Most coverage of any mounted pickOutput43,000 BTUCoversUp to 215 sq. ft.From$2,087

Best for Wind4. SunStar SGL35Glass face rated for 40 mph windOutput35,000 / 24,000 BTUCoversAbout 144 sq. ft.From$2,193

Best With a Remote5. Sunpak S34 TSRHandheld remote and wireless switchOutput34,000 / 25,000 BTUCoversAbout 144 sq. ft.From$3,080

Best Low-Glare Design6. Bromic Platinum 500Tinted glass face with a soft glowOutput39,800 BTUCoversUp to 215 sq. ft.From$2,657

Most Heat7. SunStar SGL5050,000 BTU for high ceilingsOutput50,000 / 35,000 BTUCovers144+ sq. ft.From$2,673

Best Without Wiring8. Twin Eagles 48 in.Runs on batteries, no wiringOutput37,000 / 25,000 BTUCoversAbout 10 x 10 ft.From$2,899

Best for Small Spaces9. Bromic Tungsten 300Lowest price and lowest fuel useOutput26,000 BTUCoversUp to 160 sq. ft.From$1,828

Our 9 Picks, Reviewed in Detail

1. Bromic Tungsten Portable: Best Overall Propane Patio Heater

The Tungsten Portable puts a Bromic ceramic burner head on a tall freestanding stand, so you get mounted heater quality in a unit you can roll where you need it. It covers up to 215 sq. ft., the most of any freestanding pick here, with adjustable heat and a battery push-button ignition, so no outlet is needed.

Output38,500 BTU

CoversUp to 215 sq. ft.

FuelPropane or natural gas

IgnitionBattery push-button, no outlet needed

Size85 in. tall, 123 lbs.

PriceFrom $2,431

What we like

• Widest coverage of any portable pick
• Variable heat control
• Flame safety shutoff
• Also comes in a natural gas version

Keep in mind

At 123 lbs. it is heavy to move by hand, and it costs far more than a big-box mushroom heater.

See the Bromic Tungsten Portable

2. Sunglo A270: Best With No Power Needed

The A270 is a self-contained propane patio heater with a standard 20 lb. tank hidden in its base. A manual pilot lights it, so it needs no outlet, and the deep dish reflector spreads infrared heat in a 12 to 15 ft. circle. Sunglo has built heaters in the USA since 1961 and keeps parts for every model it has made.

Output40,000 BTU

Covers12 to 15 ft. circle

TankStandard 20 lb., hidden in the base

Run timeAbout 6 hours per tank, per Sunglo

IgnitionManual pilot, no power needed

Wind ratingUp to 10 mph

PriceFrom $2,470

What we like

• Easy setup, even far from an outlet
• Tank is out of sight
• Pilot and thermocouple shutoff
• Lifetime parts availability

Keep in mind

About 6 hours per tank means frequent swaps if you heat most nights. The stainless version costs more, from $3,255.

See the Sunglo A270

3. Bromic Tungsten 500: Best Mounted Propane Heater

If your home runs on a tank instead of a gas line, the Tungsten 500 is the mounted heater we would pick. Order the propane version and it covers up to 215 sq. ft., and a pivot arm turns it 25 degrees to aim at a table or lounge.

Output43,000 BTU

CoversUp to 215 sq. ft.

Mount height8 ft. minimum

IgnitionDirect electronic ignition, no pilot light

Wind ratingUp to 8 mph

PriceFrom $2,087

What we like

• Widest coverage of any mounted pick
• Pivot arm aims it where you sit
• Flame failure shutoff
• Ceiling, wall or optional pole mount

Keep in mind

Its 8 mph wind rating is the lowest here, so it works best on a sheltered or covered patio. It needs 120V power for the ignition.

See the Bromic Tungsten 500

4. SunStar SGL35: Best for Windy Patios

The SGL35 puts a tinted glass shield over its burner, rated for winds up to 40 mph, the best wind rating on this list. Two settings let you start on high and turn it down once everyone is warm, which also stretches a tank.

Output35,000 / 24,000 BTU (two stages)

CoversAbout 12 x 12 ft.

Mount height7 to 10 ft.

Ignition120V electronic ignition

Wind ratingUp to 40 mph

PriceFrom $2,193

What we like

• Stays warm on open, breezy patios
• Second setting saves fuel
• Switch and adjustable mount included
• No transformer needed

Keep in mind

It needs 120V power at the mount. Coverage is smaller than the Bromic 500.

See the SunStar SGL35

5. Sunpak S34 TSR: Best With a Remote

Every Sunpak heater comes factory set for natural gas or propane, and the TSR adds a handheld remote and a wireless switch. You can change the heat level from your seat, and an optional add-on ties it into home automation.

Output34,000 / 25,000 BTU (two stages)

CoversAbout 12 x 12 ft.

Mount height9 ft. minimum

IgnitionElectronic, with plug-in power adapter

ControlsRemote (about 25 ft. range) and switch

PriceFrom $3,080

What we like

• Easiest heater to control from your seat
• Two-stage heat
• Slim 48 in. profile
• Works with home automation through an add-on

Keep in mind

It has the highest starting price here and needs a 9 ft. minimum mounting height.

See the Sunpak S34 TSR

6. Bromic Platinum 500: Best Low-Glare Design

The Platinum 500 hides its burners behind a tinted glass-ceramic face, so you get a soft red glow instead of an open screen. Each fuel has its own model number, so pick yours at checkout.

Output39,800 BTU

CoversUp to 215 sq. ft.

Mount height8 ft. minimum

IgnitionDirect electronic ignition, no pilot light

Wind ratingUp to 12 mph

PriceFrom $2,657

What we like

• Sleek glass-ceramic front
• Better wind rating than the Tungsten
• Pivot arm bracket included
• Optional wireless and home automation controls

Keep in mind

It costs more than the Tungsten 500 for a little less output. Ceiling brackets are sold separately.

See the Bromic Platinum 500

7. SunStar SGL50: Most Heat Output

The SGL50 has 43% more power than the SGL35 in the same glass-face design. It suits large spaces, high porch ceilings and cold climates, but at full output it also uses fuel the fastest of any pick.

Output50,000 / 35,000 BTU (two stages)

Covers144+ sq. ft.

Mount height8 to 11 ft.

Ignition120V electronic ignition

Wind ratingUp to 40 mph

PriceFrom $2,673

What we like

• Highest BTU of any pick
• Same 40 mph glass face
• Two-stage heat
• Switch and adjustable mount included

Keep in mind

Below 8 ft. it is too strong. Plan a larger tank, since it burns through a 20 lb. cylinder quickly.

See the SunStar SGL50

8. Twin Eagles 48 in.: Best Without Wiring

Twin Eagles runs this 304 stainless heater on four AA batteries, so you do not need to run power to the mount. That makes it a natural match for propane, where the point is often heat without a gas line or new wiring. An LP model is sold, and conversion kits are available.

Output37,000 / 25,000 BTU (two stages)

CoversAbout 10 x 10 ft.

MountingWall or ceiling, 0 to 30 degree brackets

IgnitionSpark ignition with standing pilot

Power4 AA batteries, optional 120V adapter

PriceFrom $2,899

What we like

• No electrical circuit needed
• 304 stainless steel body
• Wireless remote with two levels
• Flexible gas hose included

Keep in mind

Coverage is the smallest of the mounted picks, so it suits one table or a small seating area.

See the Twin Eagles 48 in.

9. Bromic Tungsten 300: Best for Small Spaces

For a small patio, balcony or dining nook, the Tungsten 300 gives you Bromic build quality for the least money here. At 26,000 BTU it also uses the least fuel per hour, so a tank lasts the longest.

Output26,000 BTU

CoversUp to 160 sq. ft.

Mount height8 ft. minimum

IgnitionDirect electronic ignition, no pilot light

MountingWall, ceiling or optional pole

PriceFrom $1,828

What we like

• Lowest starting price of our picks
• Longest run time per tank
• Pivot arm turns 25 degrees
• Same flame shutoff as the 500

Keep in mind

One heater warms a single table, not a large patio.

See the Bromic Tungsten 300

Want to see every option? Browse all propane patio heaters we carry, including the Sunpak S25, the stainless Sunglo A270 and SunStar marine grade models for coastal homes.

How to Choose the Right Propane Heater

Before you compare, check these six things in order. They decide whether a heater feels warm or weak, and how often you will swap tanks.

Not sure what size you need? Use our patio heater size calculator.

Freestanding, Mounted or Tabletop Propane Heaters

• Freestanding propane heaters: roll to any spot and run on a standard 20 lb. tank, best for decks, pool areas and rentals
• Mounted heaters: fixed to a wall or ceiling and plumbed to a larger tank, best for a patio you use most nights
• Tabletop units: small units that warm a few feet around one table, usually on a 1 lb. cylinder

How Long Does a Propane Tank Last?

A full 20 lb. tank holds about 430,000 BTU of fuel, and a 100 lb. tank about 2,160,000 BTU. Divide by the heater BTU to get the most hours you can expect on high. Real run time is shorter in cold weather, and makers often rate it lower. Sunglo, for example, rates the 40,000 BTU A270 at about 6 hours per 20 lb. tank.

Two-stage and variable settings stretch these numbers. Running the SunStar SGL35 on its 24,000 BTU setting adds about 45% more time per tank than running it on high.

Setup and Installation

How you set it up depends on the type:

• Freestanding: connect a 20 lb. tank, check the hose and regulator for leaks with soapy water, and set it on flat ground away from anything that can burn
• Mounted: order the propane version, then have a licensed gas fitter run a line from a 100 lb. cylinder or a larger home tank, with a shutoff valve
• Power: the Bromic Tungsten 500, Platinum 500 and SunStar models need 120V for ignition. The Sunglo A270 and Twin Eagles do not
• Clearances: follow the manual for distances to the ceiling, walls and anything that can burn, and only use a heater listed for covered spaces under a roof

For a roof or pergola, read our guide to a patio heater under a covered patio. Comparing running costs? See gas vs electric patio heaters.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Most complaints come down to the buy or the setup, not the fuel:

• Buying the cheapest heater on Amazon. Budget pyramid and mushroom heaters from brands like AZ Patio Heaters and Hiland are fine for occasional use. For a patio you use often, check the warranty before you order
• Buying by BTU alone. A big heater in strong wind can feel weaker than a smaller one placed well
• Running a mounted heater off a 20 lb. tank. It empties fast. Plan a 100 lb. cylinder or a larger home tank
• Ordering the wrong fuel. Most mounted heaters are built for one fuel at the factory, so choose propane at checkout
• Using it indoors. Propane heaters make carbon monoxide. Never run one in a garage, tent or closed porch
• Storing tanks inside. Keep spare tanks outdoors, upright and away from heat

Propane or Natural Gas: Which Fuel Should You Use?

Every mounted pick here also comes in a natural gas version. If you have gas service at the house, see our natural gas patio heater picks.

Our Final Verdict

For most homes, the Bromic Tungsten Portable is the propane heater to buy: the widest coverage of any portable, variable heat control and a build that lasts. Choose the Sunglo A270 if you want no power at all, and the Bromic Tungsten 500 if you want a mounted heater on a tank. Whatever you pick, size the tank to the BTU so you are not swapping it mid-dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions