Best Patio Heaters UK 2026 — Gas, Electric & Pellet Compared

Choosing the best patio heater UK gardens and hospitality venues need in 2026 comes down to four key variables: fuel type, mounting style, heat output, and running cost. A gas pyramid heater suits an open terrace beautifully but is useless under a low pergola. An electric infrared strip heater mounted to a ceiling beats everything else for a covered patio or restaurant canopy. A pellet heater makes a dramatic visual statement and runs independently of any gas or electricity supply. This guide compares every active outdoor heater UK 2026 model we stock — with real prices, honest running costs, and a clear recommendation for each setting. Call our team on 0330 133 6617 for personalised advice.

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The Four Types of Outdoor Patio Heater

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Full Comparison Table — All Active Models

All prices include VAT. Electric models shown heater-only; mounting kits available from £30 extra.

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Each Type Explained

Electric Infrared Heaters — Heatstrip Elegance

The Heatstrip Elegance 3200W and 2400W are ceiling or wall-mounted ceramic-glass infrared heaters that operate on a standard 13-amp socket (2400W) or 16-amp circuit (3200W). Unlike gas heaters, they produce zero fumes, no flame, and no moisture — essential for any enclosed or semi-enclosed space. They heat people and surfaces directly rather than the air, so heat is felt immediately and isn’t lost when a door opens. Both models include a remote control, are IP55 rated for outdoor use, and are available in multiple mounting configurations including hanging poles for pergola ceilings.

Running cost: At the Ofgem April 2026 price cap of ~28p/kWh, the 2400W model costs ~67p/hour and the 3200W costs ~90p/hour. These units use short-wave infrared that concentrates heat precisely where you need it, so in practice many users run them at 50–70% power, bringing real-world costs down to 35–65p/hour.

Gas Pyramid Heaters — Lifestyle Tahiti II & Enders NOVA

The Lifestyle Tahiti II (£480) is a 13 kW propane pyramid heater with a visible flame column — the classic silhouette seen at pub beer gardens across the UK. It runs on a standard 13 kg propane patio gas bottle and provides a wide, 360-degree radiant heat radius of approximately 3–4 metres. The Enders NOVA LED Flame (£268 in black or grey) is a more compact option with a distinctive LED flame effect at its base, making it as much a garden feature as a heat source. Both include protective covers. These heaters should only be used in open or well-ventilated spaces — never under a low roof or inside an enclosed pergola.

Running cost: A 13 kg propane bottle (typically £25–35) provides approximately 13–15 hours of full-power use on a 13 kW heater, putting the cost at £1.70–2.70/hour at full output. In mild weather at reduced output, real-world costs are typically £1.00–1.50/hour.

Retractable Gas Heater — Lifestyle Santorini

The Lifestyle Santorini 11kW (£655) is a freestanding propane heater with a retractable top section that collapses down when not in use — significantly reducing its footprint and making storage and transportation much easier. At 11 kW it’s slightly less powerful than the Tahiti II but still capable of heating a generous outdoor seating area. Its lower, sleeker retracted profile makes it particularly popular in restaurant and hospitality settings where aesthetics matter and heaters need to be moved in and out of storage daily.

Running cost: Similar to other propane heaters: approximately £1.50–2.20/hour at full output on a standard gas bottle.

Pellet Heater — Qube Corten Steel

The Qube Corten Steel Pellet Heater (£1,250) is in a category of its own. It burns compressed wood pellets via an automated auger and combustion chamber, with a 360-degree glass viewing window that shows a real, dancing flame. No gas bottle. No electrical supply for heat (a small fan requires a power socket for ignition and airflow). The weathering-steel Corten exterior develops a distinctive rust-orange patina over time that many owners consider a design feature. Heat output is 8–10 kW, making it genuinely effective in open outdoor spaces.

Running cost: Premium wood pellets cost approximately £350–£450 per tonne in the UK. The Qube uses roughly 1–1.5 kg/hour at full output, giving a running cost of 35–68p/hour — significantly cheaper than gas and roughly comparable to electric, with the added benefit of a real flame.

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Running Cost Comparison Per Hour

*Based on the Ofgem April 2026 price cap of ~28p/kWh electricity, £30/13kg propane bottle, £400/tonne wood pellets. Actual costs vary.

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Which Patio Heater for Which Setup?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best patio heater for a UK garden in 2026?

The best patio heater depends on your space. For an enclosed or covered area (pergola, canopy, restaurant), an electric infrared heater like the Heatstrip Elegance (from £919) is the safest and most efficient choice — no fumes, ceiling-mounted, and around 35–65p/hour to run. For an open terrace, a gas pyramid heater like the Lifestyle Tahiti II (£480) provides maximum heat output and the classic flame effect, or for budget value the Enders NOVA LED Flame (£268) is the best entry point. The Qube Corten Pellet Heater (£1,250) is the premium choice for those wanting a real-flame, off-grid option with lower running costs than gas.

Are electric patio heaters cheaper to run than gas?

Yes, significantly. Our Heatstrip electric infrared heaters typically cost 35–65p per hour in real-world use at the current ~28p/kWh price cap, compared to £1.00–2.70 per hour for propane gas heaters. Gas heaters also require ongoing gas bottle purchases (£25–35 per 13 kg bottle). However, electric heaters require a power socket, so they’re not suitable for off-grid locations. For covered spaces and high-use commercial settings, electric infrared is almost always the more economical long-term choice.

Can you use a gas patio heater under a pergola or gazebo?

Not safely in an enclosed or low-ceiling structure. Gas patio heaters produce carbon monoxide, which is dangerous in enclosed spaces. They also present a fire hazard near fabric, timber, or polycarbonate roofing. For covered pergolas and gazebos, always use an electric infrared heater — our Heatstrip Elegance range is specifically designed for mounting to pergola and canopy ceilings, is IP55 weatherproof, and produces zero emissions.

How does a pellet patio heater work?

A pellet patio heater like the Qube Corten burns compressed wood pellets fed from a hopper via an automated auger into a combustion chamber. A small fan (requiring a power socket) manages airflow, but the heat is produced by burning the pellets — not electricity. The result is a real, visible flame with 8–10 kW of heat output, at a running cost of approximately 35–68p/hour using quality wood pellets (£350–£450/tonne). The Corten steel exterior weathers to a warm orange-brown patina. Suitable for open outdoor settings only.

What is the difference between the Heatstrip 2400W and 3200W?

The main differences are wattage and socket requirements. The Heatstrip 2400W (from £949) runs on a standard 13-amp socket and is ideal for smaller covered areas up to about 12–14 m². The Heatstrip 3200W (from £919) needs a 16-amp circuit and covers larger areas up to 18–20 m² — better for restaurant canopies or large pergolas. Both include remote controls and are available with a range of wall-mount and ceiling-pole configurations. The 3200W is actually cheaper to buy heater-only despite being more powerful.

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