Fire Pit vs Patio Heater: Which Gives More Comfort?
Quick answer
Patio heaters keep people warmer. Fire pits create a better place to gather. A heater aims warmth down at your seats, works under a covered roof and keeps a whole table comfortable. A fire pit sends most of its heat up and out, so you feel it only when you sit close, but nothing beats real flame for atmosphere. Many backyards use both.
When chilly nights roll in, most homeowners narrow their patio heating options down to two choices: a heater or a fire pit. Both push back the cold and both cost about the same to buy, but they do very different jobs. Picking the wrong one is a common reason people stop using their outdoor space once fall arrives.
We sell outdoor heating every day, and the right pick usually comes down to three questions. Do you need to keep a group warm for hours? Is your space covered? And how much does the look of real flame matter to you? This guide answers each one.
Fire Pits and Patio Heaters at a Glance
Here is how fire pits and heaters compare on what our customers ask about most. Costs and prices are for the models we carry.
Patio heater
Best for keeping people warm
Aims warmth down at your seats, so a whole table stays comfortable for hours.
Heat goesDown onto your seats
Keeps warmA full table or seating area
Covered spaceYes, electric or units listed for covered use
FumesNone from electric models
FuelNatural gas, propane or electric
Cost to runAbout $0.27 to $1.30 an hour
Price we carryFrom $606
Fire pit
Best for a gathering spot
Real flame draws people together, but you feel the warmth only when you sit close.
Heat goesUp and out in a circle
Keeps warmPeople within a few feet
Covered spaceUsually no, open sky is safest
FumesNone from propane, plenty from wood
FuelWood, propane or natural gas
Cost to runAbout $1.30 to $3.50 an hour on propane
Price we carryFrom $1,299
Directional vs 360-Degree Heat: How Heaters and Flames Warm You
The biggest difference is where the heat goes. That decides who stays warm, and it matters more than the BTU number on the box.
- Aims warmth down from 8 to 11 ft. onto your seats
- Warms a full dining table evenly
- Our models run about 25,000 to 43,000 BTU
- Best for dining and long evenings
- Spreads warmth to everyone facing the flame
- Most heat rises, so sit within a few feet
- Our tables and bowls run 45,000 to 120,000 BTU
- Best for lounge circles and ambiance
That is why a fire table can have a bigger BTU number and still feel cooler. Its heat rises into the sky, while patio heaters use reflected heat to efficiently heat the people below. Infrared heaters work like the sun, warming you instead of the air, as our infrared guide explains.
Which Gives More Warmth and Comfort?
Picture your space from above. Here is who stays warm with each one.
Patio heater
Warmth comes from above, so shoulders, laps and the whole table keep warm, even when people get up and move.
Fire pit
Warmth is strongest right at the flame. Faces and hands get warm while backs and legs stay cool.
Our ratingsPatio heaterFire pit
Warmth for a group
Even heat at every seat
Holds up in wind
Ambiance and real flame
Gathering spot
If you want to stay warm while you eat, read or work outside, a heater is the best option. If you want a cozy spot to gather after dinner, choose a fire pit. On a breezy night, a glass wind screen helps a table or bowl, but a mounted heater still holds its warmth better over a large space.
Running Cost: Gas vs Electric per Hour
A gallon of propane holds about 91,500 BTU, and a 20 lb. tank holds about 430,000 BTU. Homes paid about $2.69 a gallon for propane in mid-October 2026, per EIA data, and EIA expects electricity to average about 18 cents per kWh in 2026. Tank exchange usually costs more per gallon, so treat these as a floor.
1,500W electric$0.27an hour, on high
ExampleInfratech W-Series
3,000W electric$0.54an hour, on high
ExampleSmall electric model
43,000 BTU propane$1.26an hour, on high
ExampleBromic Tungsten 500
45,000 BTU propane$1.32an hour, on high
ExampleElementi fire table
60,000 BTU propane$1.76an hour, on high
ExampleElementi Plus fire table
120,000 BTU propane$3.53an hour, on high
ExampleBlaze 38 in. fire bowl
On a 20 lb. tank, a 45,000 BTU fire table runs about 9.5 hours and a 120,000 BTU bowl only about 3.5 hours. A gas patio heater on your home natural gas line usually costs less per hour and never runs out mid-evening. Our gas vs electric guide covers running costs in more detail.
Wood vs Gas vs Electric: Each Option Compared
The fuel you pick changes the experience as much as the shape. Like any outdoor appliances, each one has tradeoffs. Here is what each does best and what to plan for.
Wood
Wood Fire Pits
Best features
The crackle and glow of a real campfire
Low fuel cost if you have firewood
Roast marshmallows over the flame
Things to consider
Smoke, sparks and ash to clean up
Slow to light and to fully put out
Many towns and HOAs limit wood burning
Propane or natural gas
Fire Tables and Fire Bowls
Best features
Push-button convenience, instant on and off
No ash, sparks or fumes to fight
A wide ledge that doubles as furniture
Things to consider
Made for ambiance, it warms people sitting close
A 20 lb. tank lasts about 3.5 to 9.5 hours
Needs open sky, not a covered roof
Shop Elementi fire tables, Blaze fire pits and accessories like wind screens and tank covers
Propane or natural gas
Gas Heaters
Best features
The most warmth for open, windy spaces
A natural gas line from your home means no tank swaps
Portable propane models roll where you need them
Things to consider
A gas heater needs a fuel line or tank
Must keep its clearance from ceilings and walls
Many mounted models need 120V for ignition
Electric
Electric Heaters
Best features
No flame, fumes or tank, like heat lamps on restaurant terraces
The best fit under a roof or pergola
Lowest cost per hour of any option
Things to consider
Most mounted models need a 240V circuit
Best in sheltered spaces, weaker in open wind
Check your panel has room for the circuit
Safety and Covered Patio Rules for Gas, Wood and Electric
Before you buy, check where it can go and what it needs to run safely. Always follow the manual and your local code, which have the final say.
Gas-Fired Heaters
FumesNone you will notice outdoors
Under a roofOnly models listed for covered use
ClearanceFollow the manual for ceilings, walls and anything that can burn
Must doCheck hoses and fittings each season, and anchor portable units
Electric Models
FumesNone
Under a roofYes, the best choice
ClearanceMount at the height in the manual, often 8 to 11 ft.
Must doHave a licensed electrician run the circuit
Fire Tables and Bowls
FumesNone you will notice outdoors
Under a roofNo, keep them under open sky
ClearanceAway from walls, overhangs, trees and umbrellas
Must doShut off at the valve and supervise kids and pets
Wood Fire Pits
FumesHeavy, and they drift toward seats and neighbors
Under a roofNever
ClearanceLocal code sets the distance from your house and trees
Must doBurn dry wood, keep water close and check for burn bans
Blaze rates the bowls we carry as safe for wood decks. Planning a heater under a roof? Read our covered space clearance guide.
Which One Should You Choose?
Match the pick to how you use your outdoor space. Fire pits also anchor a backyard design, while heaters tuck into a ceiling or wall and let the furniture lead the design.
Heater
Choose Patio Heaters If
- You want a dining table warm for hours
- Your space is covered or under a pergola
- You want warmth with no flame at knee height
- You entertain on cold nights
Flame
Choose a Fire Pit If
- You want a gathering spot with real flames
- Your seating is a tight circle of lounge chairs
- You use it for an hour or two at a time
- You want a piece that works as furniture and decor
On a large backyard, fire pits and heaters work best together, and it is a great way to cover every zone. Hang a heater like the Bromic Tungsten 500 or Infratech WD-Series over the dining table, then move to an Elementi Plus Cannes table for drinks after dinner. Patio heaters are built for steady warmth, while the flame brings the atmosphere. Need help planning? Call us at 888-678-3530.
What About Heater and Flame Combo Units?
A newer type of product tries to do both jobs. The Ninja Fireside360, launched in 2025, pairs a propane flame on top with a 360-degree heater ring below. Ninja rates it at 80,000 BTU, with up to 28 hours of flame only, 11 hours of heat only or 8.5 hours of both per standard tank, and it launched at $449.99. Reviews note the heat sits high, so legs can stay cool in low chairs. We do not carry it, but it is a fun pick for a small space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a fire pit keep you warm outside?
Yes, if you sit within a few feet of it. Most of its heat rises, so it warms the side of you facing the flame. For a dining table or a larger group, a heater gives more even warmth.
Is a fire pit or a heater cheaper to run?
A heater usually is. A 43,000 BTU propane heater costs about $1.26 an hour at mid-October 2026 prices, while a 120,000 BTU fire bowl costs about $3.53 an hour on high. Small electric models cost about $0.27 to $0.54 an hour.
How much does a 2000W heater cost to run?
About 36 cents an hour at the U.S. average of about 18 cents per kWh. Multiply 2 kWh by your home electric rate for an exact number.
What are the downsides of a propane heater?
You have to buy and swap tanks, a 20 lb. tank lasts about 10 hours on a 43,000 BTU model, and it needs clearance from ceilings and walls. Natural gas or electric models avoid tank swaps.
Can fire pits go under a covered roof?
Generally no. They are made for open sky. Under a roof or pergola, choose an electric heater or one listed for covered use, and follow its clearances.
