How to choose a patio heater for your home in the UK

By Tim McGregor · Updated April 2026

A practical checklist to choose the right patio heater by room size, noise, running cost and daily use.

This guide is part of our patio heater cluster. Use it alongside our main comparison page to shortlist faster and avoid mismatched purchases.

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• Back to the main patio heater comparison page
• Choosing guide · Running-cost guide · Troubleshooting guide

How to choose patio heaters with practical checks

Specific product context

Wind and distance strongly affect perceived heat.

Practical numbers and examples

• Electric often 1.5–2.5kW.
• Gas often 5–13kW.
• Comfort radius often ~1–2.5m.

Actionable outcomes

• If usage is occasional, choose smaller/lower-cost classes first.
• If usage is daily, prioritize reliability and easier maintenance.
• If space/noise limits apply, prioritize compact and quieter models.