Best Outdoor Patio Heaters in Australia (2026): 6 Picks That Actually Warm a Cold Alfresco

Which outdoor patio heater is best for an Australian backyard?

For most Australian homes the best outdoor patio heater is an electric infrared strip mounted under a covered alfresco, because it warms people and surfaces directly, runs silently, shrugs off a southerly breeze and costs only cents an hour to run. Our top pick overall is the Maxkon 2000W Carbon Fibre Strip Heater, a 4.6-star wall or ceiling unit with an IP55 weather rating. If you want something you can wheel around the deck, the Devanti 2000W Freestanding Infrared Heater is the best value, and the Devanti 1500W Strip Heater from $69.95 is the budget choice for a small balcony.

The trap most first-home buyers fall into is buying the cheapest mushroom gas heater they see at a big-box store, then discovering it eats a 9kg gas bottle every few weekends and blows useless in any wind. We went the other way. We studied what actually keeps people warm on a cold Melbourne or Hobart evening, cross-checked every pick against real Amazon Australia ratings, and built this guide around how Aussies actually use their outdoor spaces: covered patios, open decks, tiny apartment balconies and the occasional big backyard party.

This is not a list of heaters we were paid to like. It is a researched shortlist of six units that are in stock on Amazon Australia, carry genuine customer ratings, and suit different budgets and outdoor layouts. Below you will find a use-case for each, the flaws worth knowing about, running-cost maths in plain dollars, and a buyer's checklist so you never overpay again.

The quick answer: our top outdoor heater picks for 2026

Short on time? Here is the TL;DR. For a covered patio, buy a radiant electric strip. For a portable warm spot you can move, buy a freestanding infrared. For a big open garden party where there is no power point, buy gas. Last updated June 2026.

• Best overall: Maxkon 2000W Carbon Fibre Strip Heater, $189.99, 4.6 stars. IP55, wall or ceiling mount, carbon-fibre instant heat.
• Best value: Devanti 2000W Freestanding Infrared Heater, around $99.99, 4.3 stars from 35 ratings. Portable, three heat settings, adjustable height.
• Best budget: Devanti 1500W Strip Heater, from $69.95, 4.3 stars. Slim wall-mount bar with remote and timer, cheapest pick here.
• Also great (360 degrees): Maxkon 360 Tower Heater, $179.98, 4.6 stars. Heats in every direction, good for a table of guests.
• Best gas option: Giantex Propane Tabletop Heater, around $177.32, 4.2 stars. No power point needed, runs on a propane cylinder.
• Best simple cheap electric: Goldair 2400W 3-Bar Radiant Heater, from $77, 4.1 stars, two-year warranty.

Every price here is what we saw on Amazon Australia at the time of research. Prices on outdoor heaters move with the seasons, so they spike in May and June and soften by spring. If a model is at the top of its range, it is worth waiting a few weeks.

How do these patio heaters compare at a glance?

The fastest way to choose is to match the heater type to your space. Electric strips and panels are for covered, undercover or partly enclosed areas where wind is not whipping through. Freestanding infrared units are for flexibility, so you can drag the warmth to wherever everyone is sitting. Gas is for open, large or power-less spaces. Below, each pick is sorted into the job it does best, with the real rating and price so you can weigh value honestly. Read the running-cost section before you spend, because the sticker price is rarely the real cost.

How did we choose the best outdoor heaters?

We are an Australian first-home-buyer site, not a US review mill, so our shortlist is built for Aussie homes, Aussie power prices and the Amazon Australia catalogue you can actually buy from. Here is exactly how we researched this guide.

• We start from real availability. Every pick was verified as in stock on Amazon Australia with a genuine star rating and at least several customer reviews. We dropped any heater that looked good on paper but had a single review or no rating, because one review tells you nothing.
• We read the listings line by line. Wattage, IP weather rating, heating method, coverage area and mounting type were all copied from the manufacturer's own specification, never guessed.
• We cross-checked ratings and review counts across every pick before making any claim about which is highest rated or most reviewed, so the superlatives here are literally true within this list.
• We studied what ranks and what experts say. We looked at how Australian retailers, Bunnings buying guides and Reddit threads describe real-world performance, then weighted picks toward the heater types Aussies actually keep and use.
• We calculated running costs using a typical Australian electricity rate so you can compare the true cost of ownership, not just the shelf price.

We research and study products using public data, retailer listings and customer reviews. We do not run a physical lab, and we will never claim to have bench-tested a heater we have not. Where a pick has a known weakness, we say so plainly in its "Flaws but not dealbreakers" note.

Best overall outdoor heater for a covered patio: Maxkon 2000W Carbon Fibre Strip Heater

If you have a roofed alfresco, pergola or carport and you want one heater to get right, this is it. The Maxkon 2000W Carbon Fibre Strip Heater is a slim radiant bar that bolts to a wall or ceiling, delivers heat in five to ten seconds and carries an IP55 weather rating, so a bit of wind-blown rain will not kill it. At 4.6 stars it is the highest-rated electric pick in this guide, tied with the Maxkon tower further down.

What makes a strip heater the smart choice for a covered patio is the physics. Infrared radiant heat warms the people and objects under it directly, the way the sun does, rather than trying to heat the open air that simply drifts away outdoors. Maxkon quotes an outdoor heating area of roughly 16 to 32 square metres and uses a carbon-fibre heating lamp rated for around 10,000 hours of life. The aluminium housing reflects heat downward instead of losing it out the back, which is part of why radiant strips feel efficient.

It has four power levels and a 24-hour timer, so you can dial it to a gentle background warmth or crank it for a cold July night, and the swivel bracket lets you aim the heat at the seating area. Because it mounts overhead, it frees up your floor and stays out of the way of kids and pets, a genuine advantage over a freestanding unit on a small deck. At $189.99 it is the priciest of our three headline picks, but for a permanent patio fixture you will use every winter for years, the cost per season is small.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This is a mounted heater, so you need a wall or ceiling and a nearby power point, and installation is on you. The listing notes the remote needs two AAA batteries that are not included, and one reviewer reported their remote stopping after a few weeks, though the heater itself kept working fine. It is a spot heater, not a whole-yard solution, so aim it where people sit rather than expecting it to warm an open lawn.

Best value outdoor heater you can move anywhere: Devanti 2000W Freestanding Infrared Heater

The Devanti 2000W Freestanding Infrared Heater is the pick for people who want warmth they can wheel to wherever the action is, and it is the most-reviewed heater in this guide at 4.3 stars from 35 ratings. That review count matters: it means dozens of real Australians have lived with this heater and, on balance, kept it. Around $99.99, it hits a sweet spot of price, portability and proven feedback.

It is a tall pedestal-style unit on a weighted base with an adjustable-height pole, so you can raise it to throw heat over a standing crowd or lower it for a seated group. Three halogen heat settings let you match the output to the night, and Devanti quotes up to roughly 95 to 99 per cent of energy converting to useful radiant heat. Assembly is minimal, the base is heavy enough to stay put, and at 8.65kg it is still light enough to shift between the deck and the garage.

Reviewers consistently describe it as quick to warm up and effective close in, with one noting it "warms the room fast without breaking the bank" when used indoors over winter. That portability is the whole point: a freestanding infrared heater is the flexible all-rounder for renters and first-home owners who do not want to drill into a wall, or who move it between a covered patio in winter and a garage workshop in the shoulder season.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Radiant heat is directional and short-range, so as a couple of honest reviewers point out, it heats well "as long as you are near it" and will not warm a whole open area. The IP rating here is lower than our top pick, so keep it under cover and bring it in during heavy weather. And one reviewer grumbled that the marketing language flips between "infrared" and "radiant"; they are describing the same halogen radiant technology, so do not read too much into the wording.

Best budget outdoor heater for a balcony: Devanti 1500W Strip Heater

If you are heating a small balcony, a tiny courtyard or a single seating nook and you want to spend the least, the Devanti 1500W Strip Heater from $69.95 is the cheapest pick in this guide and still carries a solid 4.3 stars from 29 ratings. It is a slim, wall-mounted radiant bar with a remote and a 24-hour timer, and it punches well above its price for a focused warm spot.

At 1500W it draws less power than the bigger units, which keeps running costs down, and the three heat settings let you trim it to just-warm for a mild evening. Devanti quotes up to 99 per cent of energy converted to heat thanks to the aluminium reflector, and the swivel brackets let you angle the warmth toward where you sit. Weighing only 2.75kg, it is genuinely easy to mount, and several reviewers bought a pair for an alfresco and praised how fast they warm up.

This is the heater to buy if you rent a unit with a small balcony, or you want cheap, reliable spot heating without committing to a premium strip. One reviewer summed it up well: "very ideal for small spaces" and quick to warm a couple of metres in front of it. For a first-home buyer watching every dollar after a deposit, $69.95 for a heater you will use all winter is hard to argue with.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It carries an IP34 water-resistance rating rather than the higher IP55 of our top pick, so this one really wants to live under cover and be brought in for storms. At 1500W it is a small-space heater; reviewers are clear it warms about two metres in front and is "less efficient in spaces larger than" a small enclosed nook. It needs a wall and a power point, and the remote battery is not included.

Best 360-degree heater for a table of guests: Maxkon 360 Tower Heater

When everyone is seated around an outdoor table, a directional strip can leave half the group cold. The Maxkon 360 Tower Heater solves that with a pyramid design that radiates carbon-fibre infrared heat in every direction across a 1.8 metre radius, so each person at the table gets warmth. It is rated 4.6 stars and carries an IP44 weather rating, with anti-tilt and overheating cut-offs built in.

At 2000W it delivers heat in five to ten seconds and runs silently, which matters when you are trying to talk over dinner. The freestanding tower stands 80cm tall with a handle, so you can carry it to the centre of a gathering, and Maxkon claims the infrared design saves roughly 40 to 60 per cent on running cost versus a traditional fan-blow heater because it warms people directly rather than heating air. One Australian reviewer simply noted the value of the design: "the heat goes in several directions."

This is the pick for entertainers. If your winter evenings revolve around a table of friends on the deck, a 360-degree tower spreads warmth far more evenly than aiming a single strip at one side of the group. It sits between our budget and premium picks on price at $179.98, and the omnidirectional pattern is its standout feature.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Its review count is modest, so it has fewer ratings behind it than our value Devanti pick; treat the 4.6 stars as encouraging rather than battle-tested. The IP44 rating is fine for splashes but not heavy rain, so keep it covered. And because it spreads heat in all directions, it is less efficient than a directional strip if you only ever sit on one side of it.

Best gas heater for an open garden or party: Giantex Propane Tabletop Heater

Sometimes there is simply no power point where you need heat, like the far end of a big garden, a campsite or a large open deck. That is where gas wins, and the Giantex Propane Tabletop Heater is our pick: an 11,000 BTU stainless-steel tabletop unit, rated 4.2 stars from 18 ratings, that runs on a propane cylinder and needs no electricity at all.

It uses a weighted ring base for stability, a heat-focusing reflector to spread warmth across roughly a 4.5 foot radius, and both tip over and flame out safety cut offs. The piezo ignition makes it simple to light, and at around 6kg it is light enough to carry to wherever the crowd is. Because gas burns hotter and is unaffected by the lack of a power outlet, it is the natural choice for open spaces and big backyard parties where electric simply cannot reach.

Gas does come with trade offs that electric does not: you buy and refill cylinders, you should only run it in well ventilated open air, and it produces combustion by products, so it is strictly an outdoor, open air heater. For a covered patio you will be better served by one of the electric picks above. But for an open garden gathering with no power nearby, this Giantex is an affordable, genuinely portable way to keep guests warm.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The propane cylinder is not included, and ongoing gas refills are a real running cost that electric heaters avoid. As a tabletop unit it heats a focused circle rather than a large area, so it suits a small group around a table rather than a sprawling crowd. And like all gas heaters, it must be used outdoors in open air, never under a low or enclosed roof.

Best simple cheap electric heater with a long warranty: Goldair 2400W 3-Bar Radiant Heater

If you want no-fuss radiant warmth from a trusted Australian brand and a generous warranty, the Goldair 2400W 3-Bar Radiant Heater is a smart, simple buy from $77. It is rated 4.1 stars, comes with a two-year warranty, the longest of any pick here, and uses quartz-style radiant bars to throw instant heat much like the sun.

At 2400W across three heat settings it is the highest-wattage pick in this guide, with integrated carry handles so you can move it between a covered patio, a garage or a draughty room. A safety tilt switch cuts power if it tips, and Goldair points out that radiant heaters like this are "particularly effective in draughty environments" because they heat objects and people rather than the moving air. For a first-home buyer who wants a cheap, reliable, brand-backed heater without overthinking it, it is hard to beat.

The honest framing is that this is a portable radiant bar heater that happens to work well in semi-sheltered outdoor spots, rather than a purpose-built weatherproof patio unit. It does not carry a high IP weather rating, so it belongs under cover. But the two year warranty, the low price and the strong 2400W output make it a sensible all rounder for the patio and garage double duty most homes need.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It is primarily an indoor and semi-sheltered heater, so keep it well under cover and out of the weather. Its 4.1-star rating is the lowest of our picks, though still solid, and the review count is modest. There is no fancy remote or app here; this is a plug-in, turn-the-dial heater, which is exactly the point for buyers who want simplicity.

What should you look for when buying an outdoor patio heater?

The single most important decision is electric versus gas, and it comes down to your space. Get that right and the rest is detail.

Electric or gas: which is right for my patio?

Choose electric for any covered, undercover or partly enclosed area. Electric radiant heaters run silently, never need refills, are barely affected by light wind and cost only cents an hour. Choose gas for open gardens, large decks or anywhere without a power point, because gas burns hotter and needs no electricity, but it must be used in open, well-ventilated air and you will buy cylinders to refill it.

What wattage or output do I need?

For electric, a 2000 to 2400W unit suits most patios and small alfrescos, while 1500W is fine for a balcony or single seating nook. As a rough guide, a radiant electric heater warms the people within a few metres of it rather than a whole room, so match the number of heaters to the number of seating zones, not the total floor area.

Does the IP weather rating matter?

Yes, if the heater will face any weather. The IP rating tells you how well it resists dust and water: IP44 handles splashes, while IP55 stands up to wind-driven rain and dust far better. For a heater mounted in an exposed spot, pay up for the higher rating. For one that lives fully under cover, a lower rating is fine.

Mounted or freestanding?

Wall and ceiling-mounted strips free up floor space, stay clear of kids and pets, and look tidy in a permanent alfresco, but they need installation and a fixed power point. Freestanding units are flexible and renter friendly, you can move them to follow the warmth, but they take up floor space and can tip, so look for an anti tilt cut off.

What safety features should I insist on?

For any freestanding heater, an anti-tilt or tip-over switch that cuts power if it falls is essential, especially around children and pets. Overheating protection is a bonus. For gas, look for a flame failure device and tip over cut off, and only ever run it outdoors in open air.

How much does it cost to run an outdoor heater in Australia?

This is the number that actually decides value, and it is simple to work out. A 2000W (2kW) electric heater run for one hour uses 2 kilowatt-hours of electricity. At a typical Australian rate of around 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, that is roughly 60 cents an hour. A 2400W unit costs closer to 72 cents an hour, and a 1500W heater around 45 cents an hour. So an evening of three hours on a 2000W heater costs you somewhere near $1.80.

Run that 2000W heater for a full 24 hours and you are looking at about $14 to $15 at 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, but almost nobody runs a patio heater around the clock; you switch it on for the hours you are outside. This is exactly why radiant infrared is the efficient choice outdoors: it warms you instantly the moment it is on, so you only pay for the heat you actually use, rather than waiting for it to warm the open air. Gas running costs depend on cylinder prices and how hard you run the burner, and a 9kg bottle on a big gas heater can empty over a handful of long evenings, which is why electric usually wins on cost for covered spaces.

How should you care for and store your patio heater?

A patio heater that is looked after will last many winters; one left out in the weather will rust and fail. Answer-first: cover it or store it when not in use, and keep the heating elements and reflectors clean.

• Use a weatherproof cover. Even an IP55 heater benefits from a fitted cover during storms and over summer when it is not in use. A cover keeps dust off the reflector and water out of the controls.
• Store electric units under cover. Lower-IP heaters like our budget and Goldair picks should come inside or into a garage during heavy rain and over the off-season.
• Keep reflectors and elements clean. Wipe the aluminium reflector gently when cool, because a clean reflector throws more heat. Never spray water on a hot or powered heater.
• For gas heaters, check connections. Inspect the hose, regulator and seals for leaks before each season, store the cylinder upright and disconnected, and never store gas indoors.
• Mind the clearances. Keep flammable items, furniture and fabric well clear of the heat output, and never drape anything over a heater to dry it.

What accessories will you also want for your outdoor heating setup?

A heater is one piece of a comfortable winter alfresco. These extras make the space genuinely usable on cold nights, and they pair naturally with any pick above.

• A weatherproof heater cover to protect your investment over storms and summer. Browse covers on Amazon Australia.
• An outdoor-rated extension lead so you can position a freestanding heater away from the wall safely. See options on Amazon Australia.
• A fitted propane cylinder and regulator if you go gas, sized to your heater. Check Amazon Australia.
• Outdoor cushions and a throw rug to trap the warmth where you sit. Find them on Amazon Australia.
• Outdoor string or solar lights to set the mood once the heater is on. Shop Amazon Australia.
• A weatherproof outdoor rug to make a cold deck feel like a room. See Amazon Australia.
• A patio heater wheel kit for moving heavier freestanding units between zones. Browse Amazon Australia.

What about the heaters we did not pick?

A few popular names came up in our research that we chose to leave off, and it is worth knowing why. Premium Australian brands like HEATSTRIP, Bromic and Bonaire make genuinely excellent radiant strip heaters, and you will see them recommended across retailer guides. We considered the HEATSTRIP Nano, which is a fine unit, but at the time of research it had too few Amazon Australia ratings to recommend with confidence over our verified picks, and the high-end Bromic and Bonaire units run from several hundred to well over a thousand dollars, which is hard to justify for a first-home buyer when a $189 Maxkon strip does the core job.

We also passed on the classic mushroom-style and pyramid gas heaters that dominate the big-box stores. They look the part and throw a lot of heat, but they guzzle gas, struggle in wind and are overkill for the covered patios most Australians actually heat. The cheapest no-brand tabletop electric heaters were tempting on price, but many had a single review or no rating at all, which fails our basic trust test. Our six picks are the ones that balance real ratings, sensible prices and the right heater type for genuine Aussie outdoor spaces.

Frequently asked questions about outdoor patio heaters

What is the best heater for an outdoor patio?

For a covered or undercover patio, an electric radiant infrared strip heater is generally best, because it warms people directly, runs silently and is barely affected by wind. Our top pick is the Maxkon 2000W Carbon Fibre Strip Heater. For an open garden with no power point, a gas heater like the Giantex propane tabletop is the better fit.

Which patio heater gives off the most heat?

Gas patio heaters typically produce more raw heat output than electric units, which is why they suit large open areas. Among our picks the gas Giantex puts out 11,000 BTU, while the highest-wattage electric is the Goldair at 2400W. For covered spaces, though, a focused electric radiant heater often feels warmer where you sit because it heats you directly rather than the open air.

How much does it cost to run a 2000 watt heater for 24 hours?

A 2000W heater uses 2 kilowatt-hours per hour, so over 24 hours it uses about 48 kilowatt-hours. At a typical Australian rate of around 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, that is roughly $14 to $15 for a full day. In practice you only run a patio heater for the hours you are outside, so a three-hour evening costs closer to $1.80.

Are outdoor patio heaters worth it?

For most Australian households, yes. A patio heater extends the use of your outdoor space across autumn and winter, turning a cold deck into usable living area for the price of cents an hour to run. The key is matching the heater type to your space: electric for covered areas, gas for open ones. Buy the wrong type and it will feel like wasted money.

Is infrared or a gas heater more efficient outdoors?

For covered spaces, electric infrared is usually more efficient because it converts almost all its energy into radiant heat that warms people directly, with no fuel waste and no warm-up period. Gas loses efficiency outdoors as heat escapes into the open air, but it wins where there is no power supply or where you need to heat a large open area quickly.

Can you use an outdoor heater under a covered patio?

Electric radiant heaters are designed for exactly this and are ideal under a covered patio or pergola. Gas heaters, however, should only be used in open, well-ventilated air and never under a low or enclosed roof, because they produce combustion by-products that need to disperse. Always check the manufacturer's clearance and ventilation requirements.

Complete your outdoor setup

A heater is the centrepiece of a winter-ready backyard, but it works best as part of a complete outdoor space. If you are building out your alfresco or deck, these NestPath guides pair naturally with your new heater.

• Best fire pits in Australia for an open-flame focal point on a cold night.
• Best BBQs in Australia to keep the cooking outdoors all year.
• Best outdoor furniture in Australia to build a comfortable seating zone around your heater.
• Best pizza ovens in Australia for entertaining on the patio.
• Best outdoor storage boxes in Australia to stow cushions, covers and gas bottles.
• Best electric blankets in Australia for staying warm once you head back inside.
• Best heaters in Australia for warming your indoor rooms efficiently.

About the author

Anish Puri founded NestPath in 2026 after going through the Australian first-home-buyer process himself. NestPath focuses on Australian first-home buyers because the existing review sites are American, generic, or both. Anish handles editorial selection across the homeowner hub. Reach out: hello@nestpath.com.au