Head-to-head · Best Patio Heaters

AZ Patio Heaters HLDS032-B 11,000 BTU Tabletop Patio Heater vs Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 1500W Carbon Infrared Wall/Ceiling Mount

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 1500W Carbon Infrared Wall/Ceiling Mount comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.0 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Covered patios, garages, workshops, deck seating areas with overhead structure, and propane-averse renters who need spot heating from a standard wall outlet — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best Patio Heaters

AZ Patio Heaters HLDS032-B 11,000 BTU Tabletop Patio Heater

4.0

1 sourceall derived$112.68as of Aug 1

Want propane warmth without committing to a 7-foot tower? The AZ Patio Heaters HLDS032-B 11,000 BTU is the tabletop answer. It runs off a 1 lb disposable cylinder out of the box (or a 20 lb tank with an adapter), stands 38 inches tall on any patio table, and bakes the closest two people in warmth. Don't buy it expecting to heat a patio; buy it to keep your hands and shoulders warm at close range.

Strengths

— Compact 38-inch height sits right on a patio table for close-range two-person warmth
— Works with a 1 lb disposable propane cylinder out of the box — no separate tank required
— Adapter hose lets you connect to a standard 20 lb tank for longer runtimes

Watch-outs

— 11,000 BTU comfort zone is only about a 5-6 ft diameter — useless past close conversation distance
— Ignition can take patience; owners report holding 'Pilot' for a full minute on cold starts
— Build quality is value-tier; reviewers flag thin metal, sharp edges, and occasional missing hardware

$112.68 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Patio Heaters

Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 1500W Carbon Infrared Wall/Ceiling Mount

4.5

1 sourceall derived$139as of Aug 1

Bob Vila and Family Handyman both select the Dr. Infrared DR-238 for good reason: it runs silent and fume-free, carries an IP55 rating for outdoor use, and plugs into a standard 120V outlet. The catch is fundamental to the technology, since infrared heats what it hits, leaving an effective comfort zone of a 4-6 ft cone directly in front of or below the heater. For a covered patio, garage or workshop, it's the cleanest install in this guide.

Strengths

— Carbon infrared element delivers instant, fume-free warmth as soon as it powers on
— Three power levels (900W / 1200W / 1500W) and a remote let you tune from 6+ feet away
— IP55-rated weatherproof anodized aluminum housing handles covered outdoor exposure

Watch-outs

— Coverage drops sharply outside a 4-6 ft cone — not a whole-patio heater
— Wind makes the heat output meaningless; for sheltered/covered use only
— Included wall/ceiling mounting bracket is widely described as flimsy

$139 · Buy at drheaterusa.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

AZ Patio Heaters HLDS032-B 11,000 BTU Tabletop Patio Heater

The HLDS032-B is the smallest heater in this guide by an order of magnitude — its 11,000 BTU output is roughly a quarter of what the Hampton Bay stainless and Fire Sense Performance Series towers deliver, and a fraction of the Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat 500 Series gas output. Versus the Dr. Infrared DR-238 wall-mount electric, it offers similar personal-zone warmth but with the open-flame ambiance that infrared can't deliver — and with no need for an outlet.

Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 1500W Carbon Infrared Wall/Ceiling Mount

Unlike the Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat 500 Series, the DR-238 is a personal-zone heater rather than a whole-patio solution — its 1,500W maxes out at roughly an eighth of the Bromic's gas output. It also has no overlap with the Hampton Bay stainless or Fire Sense Performance Series freestanding propane towers; this is the heater you choose when a gas appliance is impractical. The AZ Patio Heaters tabletop is its closest functional cousin for two-person warmth, but the DR-238 wins on noise, fumes, and ignition reliability.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	AZ Patio Heaters HLDS032-B 11,000 BTU Tabletop Patio Heater	Dr. Infrared Heater DR-238 1500W Carbon Infrared Wall/Ceiling Mount
BTU Output	11,000 BTU/hr (adjustable)	—
Fuel Type	1 lb propane (standard); 20 lb with adapter	120V electric
Material	Stainless steel	Anodized aluminum housing
Weight	35 lbs	8 lbs
Height	38 in	35 x 8 x 4 in
Safety Features	Piezo (push-button)	IP55 (outdoor approved)
Coverage	~5-6 ft diameter comfort bubble	4-6 ft directional cone (single zone)

← See the full ranking of best patio heaters