Patio heaters would get our vote for the eighth wonder of the world. These small, relatively affordable machines can help you enjoy your patio or porch for several cool temperature months. One of the rising trends we’re seeing in backyards across America is the concept of a tabletop patio heater. Therefore, we set out to test some of the most popular models and figure out which one is best.
Best Tabletop Patio Heater: EAST OAK 11000 BTU Tabletop Heater
If you want the best overall tabletop heating experience, the East Oak heater is the best. When we say “best”, we’re judging purely on function. The East Oak model is the most impressive patio heater for tabletops assuming that price and heat source is flexible.
- 𝟭𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗕𝗧𝗨 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁: With excellent heat output and fast…
- 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶, 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 & 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: The dimension of the patio heater is 20.87”L x…
- 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝘀𝗲: The burner of the heater is made of 304…
What To Look For In Tabletop Patio Heaters
Heat Source: Some homeowners prefer propane while others enjoy electric. Fortunately, tabletop patio heaters come in both heat sources. However, make no mistake that the majority of tabletop options are propane. For propane tabletop heaters, seek a BTU of at least 10,000. If you opt for electric, seek a heater with 1,500 or more watts.
Weight: This may sound counterintuitive, but you should seek a heavier tabletop heater. Consider the application of a tabletop heater. It may be near a dining set or could be on a smaller table without much room. Either way, you don’t want a light heater blowing over and causing a fire hazard or disturbance.
Heat Output: This can be a matter of preference, but we believe there are better propane options than electric currently on the market. This is only true if you’re certain that you want a tabletop heater. If you’re interested in exploring non-tabletop heaters, we actually believe the Briza electric infrared heater is the best overall. However, we did include our favorite electric patio heater for tabletops should you be set on electric.
Best Tabletop Patio Heaters








Tabletop Patio Heater FAQs
The placement of a tabletop heater can worry some homeowners. After all, you are correct to be cautious when dealing with a heat source. Here are some of the most common questions we see when it comes to tabletop patio heaters.
How To Light A Tabletop Patio Heater?
Lighting a tabletop patio heater is actually quite simple. Assuming you have already hooked up the propane tank, it’s a matter of pressing a control knob and turning the dial to the “on” position. Connecting a propane tank is no different than on a grill. However, the propane tank will be smaller. Most of these tabletop patio heaters require a 1lb tank. Here are the simple instructions for the EAST OAK tabletop heater.

How Long Does A Tabletop Patio Heater Last?
Nearly every tabletop patio heater will come with 1 year warranty. However, don’t let that fool you. A good tabletop heater for your patio will last 5 – 8 years if you maintain it properly. Of course, if you overuse the heater or don’t utilize a tabletop heater cover, this could be compromised.
Tabletop Patio Heaters Summary
Tabletop patio heaters are safe and a great choice if you spend a lot of your backyard time near a table. We prefer propane tabletop heaters over electric models. Unfortunately, there are just many more reliable propane options. Look for a higher weight and heat output when choosing a heater. Your heater will likely last more than 5 years if you keep it covered when not in use.