If you're comparing "gas vs. electric vs. infrared" patio heaters, here's the secret most buying guides miss: that's not actually a three-way choice. Infrared is how the best modern heaters deliver warmth — and both gas and electric models can be infrared. The real decision is fuel type, and it comes down to your space, your installation constraints, and how you'll use it. Here's how to choose correctly the first time.
First, Understand Infrared — It Changes the Whole Comparison
Traditional convection heaters warm the air, and outdoors the air simply leaves. Infrared (radiant) heaters warm people and surfaces directly, like sunlight — which is why they work in open, breezy spaces where convection fails. Premium brands like Bromic build both their gas and electric lines around radiant delivery. We've covered the physics in depth in our guide to how infrared heating works — the short version: don't choose "infrared vs. gas," choose the fuel that suits your setup and make sure the unit is radiant.
Gas Patio Heaters: Maximum Heat, Maximum Coverage
Gas delivers the highest output per unit — typically 34,000–75,000 BTU — making it the choice for large, open, or windy areas. Natural gas models plumb in permanently for the lowest running cost; propane gives you portability with no installation at all. The trade-offs: gas needs clearance from combustibles, isn't suited to fully enclosed spaces, and portable propane means swapping tanks. Browse our gas patio heater collection for both plumbed and portable options.
Electric Patio Heaters: Clean Install, Enclosed-Space Safe
Electric radiant heaters produce no emissions and no open flame, which makes them the only correct answer for covered patios, pergolas with low clearance, balconies, and semi-enclosed rooms. They're silent, switch on instantly, and mount to walls or ceilings to keep floor space clear. The constraint is electrical: higher-output models need dedicated 240V circuits, so factor an electrician into the budget. See the range in our electric patio heater collection.
Gas vs. Electric at a Glance
- Heat output: Gas — 34,000–75,000 BTU, strongest raw coverage | Electric — typically 2,000–6,000W (up to ~20,500 BTU equivalent)
- Best locations: Gas — open patios, large areas, windy sites | Electric — covered, low-clearance, and semi-enclosed spaces
- Installation: Gas — plumbed line or none (propane) | Electric — outlet for small units, dedicated 240V circuit for serious output
- Running cost: Natural gas — lowest per BTU | Propane — highest | Electric — middle, varies with local rates
- Clearances: Gas — needs generous clearance | Electric — the tightest-clearance option
- Maintenance: Gas — burner checks, tank swaps if propane | Electric — essentially none
The Deciding Questions
Is your space enclosed or low-ceilinged? Electric — full stop. Is it large, open, or windy? Gas wins on raw coverage. No gas line and no 240V circuit? Portable propane gets you heating today with zero installation. Renting? Portable propane or a plug-in electric unit moves out when you do. And whichever fuel you land on, sizing matters as much as type — a right-sized heater in the wrong fuel still beats an undersized one in the right fuel. Bromic's Tungsten and Platinum lines span both fuels in matching designs, so you can even mix fuels across zones without a style clash — see the full Bromic collection, or compare radiant models across brands in our infrared patio heater collection.
Every patio heater at Wood Fire Home ships free within the US. Bromic models carry a 1-year parts warranty — with a 7-year element warranty on Tungsten Electric heaters — and all other brands are backed by their manufacturer's warranty; check the specific model's terms on its product page.
By Matthew Murphy
