Best Infrared Patio Heaters for 2026
A propane heater does the job, but an electric infrared heater does it better on a covered patio. No fuel tank to swap out, no carbon monoxide risk, and the heat starts the moment you flip the switch.
Infrared heat works by warming objects and people directly, not the air around them. Wind cannot steal your warmth the way it does with a forced-air heater, which makes infrared ideal for breezy spring evenings when it is just a little too cold to sit outside comfortably.
There are three main styles to choose from: wall-mounted units that angle down toward your seating area, ceiling-mounted units that radiate heat evenly across a zone, and freestanding units you can move wherever you need them. Here are six of the best across all three categories.
Best Overall Wall-Mount for a Covered Porch
The Dr. Infrared DR-238 is the heater I would put on my own porch. It runs on a standard 120V outlet, which means no electrician required. Mount it to the wall or ceiling, angle it toward your seating area, and you are warming a 10x12 foot space within seconds of flipping it on.
It outputs 1500W of carbon infrared heat, which is a meaningful step up from basic quartz bulb heaters in efficiency and feel. The warmth is closer to standing in a patch of direct sunlight than sitting next to a space heater. For a covered porch with 8-foot ceilings, this is exactly the right output without going overkill.
Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 Carbon Infrared Heater
$165
6,200+ reviews
1500W carbon infrared heater with 120V plug-in convenience, wall or ceiling mounting, and instant heat with no warm-up time.
Shop on Amazon →Best Budget Pick for a Small Deck or Balcony
If you are working with a small covered balcony or a 6x8 patio and do not want to spend more than $120, the Patiogem 1500W infrared wall heater delivers solid performance for the price. It mounts in about 20 minutes with basic hardware and tilts to aim the heat right at your seating zone.
It is not the most powerful unit on this list, but for a solo chair or a two-person bistro setup, it does exactly what you need. The quartz element heats up fast, and the housing stays cool to the touch, which matters if you are mounting it in a tight covered space.
Patiogem 1500W Electric Infrared Outdoor Patio Heater
$110
3,100+ reviews
A compact wall-mount infrared heater for small covered spaces, with a tiltable head and plug-in 120V operation.
Shop on Amazon →Best High-End Ceiling Mount for Serious Outdoor Rooms
The Bromic Heating Tungsten Smart-Heat Electric is what restaurants and hotels use to keep patrons comfortable on covered rooftop terraces. It is a 4000W unit that requires a 240V circuit, so factor in an electrician if you do not already have one. That is the one real barrier to entry.
What you get in return is coverage for a 15x15 foot outdoor room, a sleek stainless design that looks like it belongs there, and radiant heat that blankets the entire zone evenly. If you have a finished outdoor living space with a pergola or solid roof structure, this heater turns it into a year-round room.
Bromic Heating Tungsten Smart-Heat Electric 4000W Patio Heater
$720
1,800+ reviews
A 240V commercial-grade infrared ceiling heater with even zone coverage and the cleanest design of any unit in this category.
Shop on Amazon →Best Freestanding for Decks Without an Overhang
Not every patio has a covered overhang to mount from, and that is where a freestanding infrared heater earns its place. The EnerG+ HEA-21523 is a 1500W freestanding unit with a weighted base and a directional head you can angle toward your seating. It plugs into a standard 120V outlet and takes about five minutes to assemble.
You can wheel it to the deck, position it near the fire pit, or roll it into the garage when you are done. For a dinner party of six on an open patio, a pair of these positioned on opposite sides of the table gives you solid coverage without running any new wiring. They also work well in an unheated carport or workshop that gets cold in late fall.
EnerG+ HEA-21523 Infrared Electric Outdoor Patio Heater
$175
4,500+ reviews
A freestanding 1500W infrared heater with a portable design and angled head for targeted heat wherever you need it.
Shop on Amazon →Best High-Wattage Wall Mount for Larger Covered Areas
A standard 1500W heater covers roughly 100 square feet of covered space. If you have a 200-plus square foot screened porch or a large covered deck, you need more output. The Infratech W-2524 is a 2400W wall-mounted infrared heater that covers a zone up to 14x18 feet and runs on 240V.
Infratech is a commercial brand that sells through Amazon and HVAC distributors. The build quality is noticeably better than most consumer-grade units. It runs silently with no fan noise, and the housing stays relatively cool to the touch. For a large screened porch where you host 10 or 12 people regularly, one of these mounted at the peak does the heavy lifting.
Infratech W-2524 Single Element 2400W Electric Patio Heater
$360
2,300+ reviews
A 2400W commercial-grade wall-mount infrared heater built for larger covered patios and screened porches that need serious output.
Shop on Amazon →Best for Adding a Second Zone to an Existing Setup
The AZ Patio Heaters HLB-1500 is a wall-mounted electric infrared heater that stands out for its simple installation and consistent performance. It uses a quartz heating element, mounts flush to the wall or ceiling, and outputs 1500W from a 120V outlet. The black powder-coated steel housing holds up well in covered outdoor environments through multiple seasons.
This one works especially well if you want to add a second heater to supplement a more powerful unit, or cover a separate zone like an outdoor dining area. Mount one near the main seating area and a second near the dining table and you can cover a 14x16 foot porch without running a 240V circuit. The price makes pairing two easy without a second thought.
AZ Patio Heaters HLB-1500 Electric Infrared Patio Heater
$140
5,800+ reviews
A reliable 1500W wall-mount infrared heater with simple installation and a sturdy build at a price that makes running two in the same space practical.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Buying and Using Infrared Patio Heaters
- Check your voltage before you buy. Most 1500W models run on standard 120V outlets. Anything over 2000W will require a 240V circuit, which means a dedicated breaker and possibly a licensed electrician.
- Ceiling height changes your coverage. A 1500W heater mounted at 8 feet covers roughly 100 square feet. Mounted higher, the heat disperses more. Match your wattage to your ceiling height, not just your floor square footage.
- Covered patios get the full benefit. A solid overhead structure reflects infrared heat back down instead of letting it escape into the open sky. Even a pergola with polycarbonate roof panels makes a real difference in how well these heaters perform.
- Angle the head, do not point it straight down. Most wall-mount units have a tilt adjustment bracket. Angling the heater about 30 degrees toward your seating zone gives noticeably better coverage than aiming it straight at the floor below.
- Look for an IPX4 rating or higher. Even a covered patio gets rain blown in from the sides. IPX4 means the unit handles splashed water and humidity without issue, which matters for anything permanently mounted outdoors.
- Pair a 120V heater with a smart plug. Any plug-in infrared heater can be controlled with a smart plug. Schedule it to warm up 10 minutes before you head outside, or switch it off from your phone without getting up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do infrared patio heaters work in the wind?
Much better than propane heaters do. Infrared heat warms objects and people directly rather than heating the surrounding air, so a breeze does not strip the warmth away. A covered patio still performs better than a fully open deck, but wind is far less of a factor than with other heater types.
Can you leave an infrared patio heater mounted outside year-round?
Most outdoor-rated infrared heaters with an IPX4 or higher rating can stay mounted year-round in covered locations. Bringing them inside during a hard freeze or major storm extends the life of the electronics and heating element.
How much does it cost to run an infrared patio heater?
A 1500W heater running for two hours costs roughly $0.30 to $0.45 depending on your local electricity rate. Running it three nights a week through a three-month shoulder season adds up to around $15 to $20 total.
What is the difference between quartz and carbon infrared heaters?
Carbon fiber elements like those in the Dr. Infrared DR-238 run at a lower surface temperature, feel more comfortable at close range, and last longer than quartz bulbs. Quartz heaters heat up slightly faster but the bulbs are more fragile. For a permanent outdoor install, carbon is worth the extra cost.
Do you need an electrician to install an infrared patio heater?
For 120V models that plug into a standard outlet, no. For 240V models like the Bromic Tungsten or the Infratech W-2524, you will need a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician if you do not already have one at your patio.