Having an outdoor heater allows you to make use of your yard, deck or patio even during chilly evenings and colder times of the year. Spring and fall are beautiful seasons, but they can also get too cold for sitting comfortably outside. A patio heater lets you enjoy your hammock, porch swing or patio furniture year-round, no matter the weather.

With the convenience of an infrared patio heater, you can enjoy dinner on the deck, throw a barbecue in October or host an outdoor movie night on an outdoor TV or movie projector. You might even expand your outdoor living options with an outdoor kitchen for cooking in the fresh air.

If you’re designing your outdoor space for evening use, don’t forget about the importance of outdoor lighting, like string lights, fairy lights, path lighting and security lighting. Depending on your climate, you may also want an insect-repellent device to keep everyone comfortable.

If you want a freestanding outside heater, you will probably enjoy the benefits of a propane patio heater. With its own fuel source stored inside, it doesn’t need to be wired or attached to anything. So, you have a lot of flexibility in terms of where you place the heater.

An electric outdoor heater, on the other hand, will need to be hardwired into a reliable electrical system that can provide the energy required. Electric wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted outdoor heaters are the most popular choice for deck heaters and porch heater because, without the need for a propane canister, they take up less space.

All in all, the best outdoor heater for you will accommodate the space you have. For small space living, you may only need a tabletop patio heater. Alternatively, if your outdoor area needs a cozy centerpiece, you might enjoy the ambiance of a fire pit, which can provide both light and heat.