Best Outdoor Heater for Covered Patio: Top Picks for Porches and Pergolas
Quick answer
For most covered patios, porches and pergolas, the best choice is a heater that mounts on the ceiling or wall and runs on electricity. It has no flame or fumes, stays out of the way, and warms the people sitting under it. Our top pick is Infratech. If your space is big, high and open to the wind, a mounted natural gas heater from Sunpak or SunStar gives off much more heat.
A roof over your patio changes which heater makes sense. The tall propane towers you see at big box stores need open sky above the flame, and heaters on the floor take up room you would rather give to furniture. Under a roof, the heaters that work best are the ones that hang overhead and aim heat down at your seats, the same way the sun warms your skin on a cool day.
We picked these six from what our customers actually buy for covered spaces, what owners say after living with them, and how well each one handles real problems like low ceilings and wind. Each pick below starts with what the heater is in plain terms, then who it suits.
In this guide
Our top picks at a glance
From $606See why →
From $1,527See why →
From $2,766See why →
From $585See why →
From $2,585See why →
From $2,193See why →
How we chose these picks
- What customers buy. Infratech and Bromic are the two brands our customers choose most for covered spaces, and the two most searched names in mounted heating.
- What owners report. In homeowner and electrician forums, Infratech gets praise for running for years without trouble. The most common complaint about electric models is that a breeze can blow its heat away, which is why two gas picks and a wind section are included here.
- Safe under a roof. Every pick is made to hang on a wall or ceiling, with clear install heights from the maker.
- Support down the road. Each brand stocks replacement heating elements, burners and controls.
How these heaters work, in one minute
Every heater in this guide gives off infrared heat. That is the same kind of heat you feel from the sun or a campfire: it travels in a straight line and heats whatever it hits, like your skin, your chair and the table. It does not try to heat the air, which is why it works outdoors where air is always moving.
That has two practical results. First, you feel the heat within seconds of switching on, with no waiting for the space to heat up. Second, placement matters more than size. A heater aimed straight at the seats from the right height feels stronger than a bigger one mounted too high or pointed at an empty corner.
Covered Patio Heater Comparison
The photos in this table are shown to scale, so you can see how long each heater is next to the others.
| Heater | Best for | Power | Heats about | Lowest install | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Infratech
|
A built-in look in a finished ceiling | Electric | A small table up to a large lounge, by size | 7 ft | $606 |
 Platinum
|
Modern homes where the heater should blend in | Electric | A bistro set up to a table for 8 | 8 ft | $1,527 |
 Eclipse
|
Hanging over a dining table, with a built-in light | Electric | One table for 8 | 8 ft under the heater | $2,766 |
 Cobalt
|
Getting quality heat on a budget | Electric | A table for 6 to 8 | 6 ft on a wall | $585 |
 Sunpak
|
High ceilings, cold winters and a gas line | Gas | A table for 6 to 8 | 8 ft 5 in. ceiling | $2,585 |
 SunStar
|
Open sides and windy spots | Gas | A table for 8 | 7 ft | $2,193 |
Shown to scale: Infratech 61 in. dual element, Platinum 53 in., Sunpak and SunStar 48 in., Cobalt 44 in., Eclipse 28 in. across. Heated areas are rough seating estimates based on each maker's coverage figures.
The 6 Best Covered Patio Heaters, Reviewed
Infratech: Best Overall
In plain terms: Infratech makes slim stainless steel electric patio heaters that mount on your patio ceiling or wall, or tuck up into the ceiling so they look like a built-in light fixture.
PowerElectric, hardwired by an electrician
HeatsA small table up to a large lounge, depending on the size you choose
Lowest install7 ft for the 39 in. model, 9 ft for the largest
Warranty3 years
Cost$606 to $1,064
Why we like it
- Quiet, with no smell, flame or fumes
- Can be set flush into the ceiling for a clean, built-in look
- Dual element models run at half or full power
- Made in the USA and listed for indoor and outdoor use
Good to know
- Needs its own electrical circuit
- The heating element wears out after about 5,000 hours of use and is replaced, not the whole heater
- Bigger sizes need higher ceilings
Sizes to know
- W-Series and C-Series: one heating element. The 39 in. size heats about an 8 x 8 ft area, right for a small table or a pair of chairs.
- WD-Series and CD-Series: two elements, so you can run half or full heat. The 61 in. size heats about an 11 x 11 ft area, enough for a big table or a sectional.
- SL-Series slimline: the thinnest profile, for ceilings where you want the heater to almost vanish.
- Motif Collection: adds a decorative trim face.
Best for: homeowners who want the heater to disappear into a finished ceiling, patios with glass or screen walls, and anyone heating several areas from one set of controls. If you are building a new patio ceiling, plan the flush mount frames before the ceiling goes up. Our Infratech wiring and controls guide walks through switches and zones.
Bromic Platinum: Best Design
In plain terms: the Platinum is a thin heater with a smooth black or white glass front. It hides the glowing element, so it looks more like a sleek panel than a heater, and it can be set into the ceiling.
PowerElectric, hardwired by an electrician
HeatsA bistro set up to a table for 8, in three sizes
Lowest install8 ft
LookBlack or white glass front
Cost$1,527 to $2,936
Why we like it
- Glass front gives off very little glare
- Kits let it sit flush in the ceiling or hang lower from a high ceiling
- Can be dimmed and run from a phone app with Bromic controls
- Marine Grade version for homes near salt water
Good to know
- Costs more than Cobalt for the same heat
- Needs at least 8 ft below it
- Ceiling kits and controls are extra
Sizes to know
- Small (33 in.): a bistro table or reading nook.
- Medium (50 in.): a dining table for 6.
- Large (53 in.): a table for 8 or a sofa group.
- Marine Grade: the same three sizes, built for salt air near the coast.
Best for: new builds and remodels with a finished ceiling, modern homes where the heater should match the lighting, and owners who want to run it from their phone. Browse Bromic heater accessories for ceiling kits and Bromic heater controls for dimmers.
Bromic Eclipse: Best Heat and Light
In plain terms: the Eclipse is a round heater that hangs over your table like a pendant lamp. It has a dimmable light built into the rim, so one fixture lights and heats your dining area.
PowerElectric, 240V
HeatsOne dining table for 8
Heat levelsFour, from low to full
Lowest install8 ft under the heater, so plan about a 10 ft ceiling with the included pole
Cost$2,766 to $2,988
Why we like it
- Heat and light in one fixture
- Our best-selling heater for covered spaces
- Glass screen softens the glow
- Twin pole included, with other mounts available
Good to know
- Hangs straight down and cannot be tilted
- Controls are sold separately
- 1-year maker warranty
Best for: dining tables under a pergola or patio roof, and anyone who would hang a pendant light over the table anyway. Center it over the table rather than at the edge of the roof. See every mount and control in our Eclipse collection.
Bromic Cobalt: Best Value
In plain terms: the Cobalt is a no-frills stainless steel electric heater on an adjustable bracket. You tilt it toward your seats, and it costs a fraction of the designer models.
PowerElectric, hardwired by an electrician
HeatsA table for 6 to 8
Lowest install6 ft on a wall, 8 ft on a ceiling
Warranty1 year, plus 7 years on the heating elements
Cost$585 to $756
Why we like it
- Lowest cost of any pick here
- 7-year warranty on the heating elements
- Tilting bracket aims heat at the seats
- Works with the same controls as Platinum
Good to know
- Plain silver look
- Only two sizes
- Uses more power than the Platinum for its size
Sizes to know
- 44 in.: a table for 6, or a 10 x 12 ft seating area.
- 56 in.: a table for 8, a higher mount or a breezier spot.
Best for: first-time buyers, long patios that need several heaters, and garages or workshop patios. If you are not sure electric heat will be enough, a Cobalt is a low-cost way to find out.
Sunpak: Best Natural Gas
In plain terms: Sunpak makes a long, slim gas heater that mounts flat to the ceiling. A glowing ceramic panel gives off heat with no open flame, and it puts out far more heat than any electric pick here.
PowerNatural gas or propane, plus a power line for the igniter
HeatsA table for 6 to 8
Lowest installA ceiling of 8 ft 5 in. to 9 ft, by size
SettingsTwo-stage models switch between low and high
Cost$2,585 to $3,465
Why we like it
- Much more heat than electric
- Shuts the gas off by itself if the flame goes out
- TSR model includes a wireless remote
- Trusted on resort and restaurant patios since 1961
Good to know
- Needs a gas line run to the heater
- Needs a taller ceiling than most electric picks
- 1-year warranty
Sizes to know
- Smaller (25,000 BTU): a table for 6, with at least an 8 ft 5 in. ceiling.
- Larger (34,000 BTU): a table for 8, with at least a 9 ft ceiling.
- TSR: two heat levels plus a wireless remote, the best pick for most homes.
- TSH: two heat levels wired to a wall panel, made for restaurants running several heaters.
Best for: large covered spaces with high ceilings, colder climates where electric heat is not enough, and homes that already have natural gas at the patio. The Sunpak TSR is the best fit for most homes.
SunStar: Best for Wind
In plain terms: SunStar puts a glass face over a gas heater, which keeps it burning steadily in wind. An optional heat shield lets it sit closer to the ceiling than other gas heaters.
PowerNatural gas or propane
HeatsA table for 8
Lowest install7 ft
WindHolds up to winds of 40 mph
Cost$2,193 to $3,488
Why we like it
- Best wind resistance of any pick
- Heat shield lets it sit as close as 10 in. below the ceiling
- High and low settings on every model
- Marine Grade model for pool decks and coastal homes
Good to know
- Needs a gas line
- The heat shield version cannot be tilted
- 3-year burner warranty, 1 year on controls
Sizes to know
- 35,000 BTU: the right size for most homes.
- 50,000 BTU: more heat for higher ceilings and windier spots.
- Marine Grade 35,000 BTU: stainless steel that stands up to salt air and pool decks.
- Heat shield or adjustable mount: pick the shield for low ceilings, or the tilting mount to aim heat at seats.
Best for: pergolas and porches with open sides, coastal or windy spots, and gas installs where the ceiling is too low for other gas heaters. See the full lineup in our SunStar collection.
Also consider: Twin Eagles for low porch ceilings
If your porch ceiling is only about 8 ft, Twin Eagles electric patio heaters can hang as low as 6 ft and come with a wall dial to turn the heat up or down. They also match Twin Eagles grills.
Which pick fits your space?
- A finished ceiling where the heater should disappear: Infratech with a flush mount frame, or Platinum set into the ceiling.
- A dining table under a pergola or roof: the Eclipse, hanging over the table.
- Several heaters across a long patio on a budget: Cobalt, spaced along the wall.
- A high ceiling, a gas line and cold winters: Sunpak TSR.
- Open sides, ocean air or regular wind: SunStar.
- An 8 ft porch ceiling: Cobalt on the wall, a 39 in. Infratech or Twin Eagles.
How Wind Affects a Covered Patio Heater
Wind is the number one complaint we hear from owners. A heater that feels great on a still night can feel weak on a breezy one, because moving air pulls heat off your skin and carries it away. One homeowner who put an electric model on a pergola said even a light breeze canceled it out, and that he would choose gas if he did it again.
Sheltered space
Walls, screens or glass on two or more sides
Any electric pick works well here.
Exposed space
Open on three sides or facing the wind
Choose gas, or add more electric patio heaters mounted closer to the seats.
Three things help most on a windy patio:
- Pick gas for open spaces. Gas heaters give off far more heat, and SunStar's glass face is built for wind.
- Mount lower and closer. Hang heaters at the low end of their install height, on the side the wind comes from, so heat reaches the seats before the breeze takes it.
- Block one side. A roll-down screen, curtain or glass panel on the windward side often does more than buying a bigger heater.
Electric Patio Heaters vs Gas Under a Roof
Both can work well under a roof. It comes down to how open the space is, how high the ceiling is and what you already have at the patio.
Choose electric when
- The space is screened, has glass walls or is partly closed in
- The ceiling is around 8 or 9 ft
- There is no gas line where you need heat
- You want no flame, smell or noise
Choose gas when
- The patio is large and open on two or more sides
- The ceiling is 9 ft or higher
- A natural gas line already runs to the patio
- You live where winters get cold
What each one feels like
Electric heat is gentle and even. It turns on instantly, makes no sound and leaves no smell, so it suits dining tables and lounges where people sit for hours. Gas heat is stronger and reaches farther, which you notice most on a cold night or at the edge of a big patio. The trade-off is the need for a gas line and a yearly service visit.
Many larger homes use both: quiet electric heaters over the dining area and a gas heater over the open, windy end of the patio.
Browse all electric patio heaters or gas patio heaters to compare every size we carry.
How to Choose an Outdoor Heater for a Covered Space
Four questions narrow it down fast: how high is your ceiling, how big is the seating area, what power or gas do you have, and how do you want to turn it on.
Check your ceiling height
Every heater has a lowest height it can be installed at, shown in the chart above. Going much higher than recommended spreads the heat too thin, so aim for the low end of the range.
Size it to your seats
Heat the area where people sit, not the whole patio. One heater usually covers one dining table or one sofa group. A long table or an L-shaped sectional often needs one heater at each end.
Check power and gas
- Electric: most need a 240V circuit added by an electrician.
- Natural gas: needs a gas line to the heater and a power line for the igniter.
- Propane: works with a fixed propane supply, not small swap tanks.
Plan how you turn it on
A wall switch is fine for one heater. For several, a dimmer or zone control lets you heat the table without heating the lounge. Many owners add a timer so nothing runs all night, and Infratech and Bromic offer phone and voice control.
Mistakes to avoid
- Installing too high. Heat fades with distance, so a heater mounted far above its range feels weak even on full.
- Aiming at the floor. Point heaters at the seats. Tilting brackets help when the mount point is off to one side.
- One big heater for a long space. Two or three smaller heaters spread along the seating cover more evenly.
- Skipping the electrical plan. Most heaters need their own circuit, and ceiling framing can block a flush install. Plan both before the ceiling is finished.
- Using gas in a space that closes up. If your patio has drop screens, glass panels or curtains, choose electric.
What to have ready before you order
- The length and width of the seating area
- Your ceiling height and whether it is flat, sloped or open beams
- What the ceiling is made of: drywall, wood, metal or aluminum louvers
- Which sides are open, screened or walled, and where the wind usually comes from
- Whether you have 240V power, natural gas or propane near the patio
What a Covered Patio Heater Costs to Run
Here is the simple version, using typical utility rates. Check your own bills for your local rates.
Electric: about 68 cents an hour
A typical 4,000W heater on full, at 17 cents per kWh. Three hours a night, four nights a week, comes to about $33 a month. Turning it down on mild nights roughly halves that.
Natural gas: about 51 cents an hour
A 34,000 BTU gas heater at $1.50 per therm. Propane costs about twice as much for the same heat, roughly $1.11 an hour at $3 a gallon.
Over the years, electric models need a new heating element every few thousand hours, which is a quick swap. Gas heaters need a yearly checkup of the igniter, connections and burner. Where electricity is expensive, gas usually wins on running cost.
Heating Porches, Pergolas and Gazebos
Every covered space holds heat a little differently. Here is how we approach the ones we see most.
Covered porches
Porches often have 8 ft ceilings and painted wood overhead. Electric patio heaters on the wall or ceiling are the safest, simplest fit. On a long, narrow porch, two smaller heaters spread heat better than one big one.
Screened and enclosed porches
Stick with electric. Infratech is listed for indoor and outdoor use. Never use a gas or propane heater in a space that can be closed up. Walls and screens also block wind, so you usually need less heat.
Pergolas
Open slat pergolas let heat rise out and let wind in, so plan on more heat, a lower mount or gas. A pergola with a solid or louvered roof acts like a covered patio. The Eclipse looks great over a pergola dining table.
Gazebos
Most gazebos have one seating area under a peaked roof. One or two electric patio heaters on opposite beams usually cover it. Run the wiring up through a post for a clean look.
If your patio already has an outdoor fireplace, overhead heaters fill in the seats the fire cannot reach, like the dining table or the far end of the sofa.
Clearance basics
Every heater needs a minimum distance from the floor, ceiling, walls and anything that can burn. Those numbers are in each manual and change by model, so follow the manual exactly, use a licensed electrician or gas fitter, and check local codes. For hardware, browse patio heater mounting brackets and patio heater accessories.
Want help choosing a heater for your patio?
Send us your patio size, ceiling height, which sides are open and whether you have gas or 240V power. We'll recommend the heaters, sizes and controls for your space.
Get expert helpShop mounted patio heatersCovered Patio Heater FAQs
What is the best way to heat a covered patio?
A heater mounted on the wall or ceiling that aims heat down at your seats. Electric is the simplest choice for most homes. Gas suits large, high or windy patios that already have a gas line.
Can you put a patio heater on a covered porch?
Yes, as long as it is made to hang on a wall or ceiling and installed at the height the maker lists. Mounted electric models are the best fit for most porches. Tall freestanding propane towers usually need more room above them than a porch ceiling allows.
What type of patio heater gives off the most heat?
Gas heaters give off the most heat. A large SunStar gas heater puts out about two and a half times the heat of the biggest electric models we picked.
Do electric heaters work on a windy patio?
They work best in sheltered spaces. A steady breeze carries heat away faster than an electric model can replace it. For open, windy spaces choose gas, add more heaters closer to the seats, or close in the windward side.
What is the best heater to put in a patio ceiling?
For most patios with a roof, an Infratech set flush into the ceiling. For a modern look, the Bromic Platinum with a ceiling kit. Over a dining table, the Bromic Eclipse adds a dimmable light.
How many heaters do I need for a covered patio?
Plan on one heater for each seating group, such as one over the dining table and one over the sofa. Long tables and open, windy spaces often need one at each end.
Can I mount a heater on a wood patio ceiling?
Yes. Many patio roofs have wood ceilings. Follow the distance to the ceiling listed in the manual and use the maker's approved hardware. Electric models generally need less space above them than gas heaters.
What is the best value mounted heater for a covered patio?
The Bromic Cobalt. It starts at $585, mounts on a wall or ceiling, and has a 7-year warranty on its heating elements.
Matthew Jackson
At the heart of our business is Matthew Jackson, the founder and owner of BBQ Kitchen Pros. With an impressive 20 years in design, construction, and implementation of outdoor kitchen spaces, Matthew brings a wealth of knowledge, skill, and a deep-seated passion to the table. It's not just about selling products; it's about crafting a lifestyle. Outdoor cooking isn't just our business; it's our way of life, ingrained in every recommendation we make and every product we offer.