A great outdoor kitchen shouldn’t shut down when the temperature drops. In North Texas, some of the best patio weather comes in the cooler months, as long as you can stay comfortable. The right outdoor heater is what turns a patio that’s “too cold after sunset” into a space you’ll use from October through March.
But the options can be confusing. Gas or electric? Wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, or freestanding? How much heat do you actually need? Below, we break down what we tell our own customers at the NTX BBQ Supply showroom when they’re planning to extend their outdoor living space this winter, including side-by-side comparisons of the heaters we carry.
How Outdoor Heaters Work: Why Infrared Matters
Most quality patio heaters use infrared (radiant) heat. Instead of trying to warm the air, which just blows away outdoors, they warm the people and surfaces in front of them. That’s why infrared heaters keep working on a cold, breezy evening when a space heater would be useless. Both gas and electric heaters can be infrared, so the real decision comes down to your space, your utilities, and how you use the area.
Gas vs. Electric Outdoor Heaters at a Glance
| Gas (propane or natural gas) | Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat output | Highest. Best for large, open, or windy spaces | Lower per unit, but instant and consistent |
| Best location | Open or well-ventilated patios | Covered patios, pergolas, and low-ceiling porches |
| Ventilation | Required. Outdoor use only | No flame or emissions |
| Installation | Licensed plumber/technician for the gas line (or propane tank swaps) | Most mounted models need a 240V circuit from an electrician |
| Power needed | A small 120V source for ignition on most models | 240V for most mounted models; some plug into 120V |
| Controls | On/off, remote, or Bromic app control | Simple on/off switch or wireless control; dimmable and app-controlled on Bromic models |
Browse both options side by side on NTX BBQ Supply: gas heaters and electric heaters.
Gas Patio Heaters: Side-by-Side Comparison
If you want maximum warmth for a big, open space, gas is hard to beat. Here’s how the four gas heater lines we carry compare.
| Bromic Tungsten | Bromic Platinum | Twin Eagles TEGH48 | Sunpak S-Series | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price from* | $1,828 | $2,367 | $2,899 | $2,688 |
| Heat output | 26,000 / 43,000 BTU (portable: 38,500) | 23,600 / 39,800 BTU | 37,000 high / 25,000 low (two-stage) | 25,000 BTU or 34,000 BTU two-stage |
| Fuel | Natural gas or propane (portable: propane) | Natural gas or propane | Propane or natural gas (separate models) | Propane or natural gas |
| Coverage | Up to ~215 sq ft (500 Series) | ~160 sq ft (300) to ~215 sq ft (500) | ~100 sq ft | ~100 sq ft (S25) to ~144 sq ft (S34) |
| Mounting / wind | Wall, ceiling, pole, or portable; ~8 mph | Wall, ceiling, or pole; over ~11 mph | Wall or ceiling; 15 mph with grill | Wall or ceiling; 10 mph (S34) |
| App control | Yes | Yes | RF remote included (no app) | Wall switch |
| Alexa & Google Home | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years (1 year labor) | 1 yr residential / 90 days commercial |
A few ways to read that table:
- Big, open patio: the high-BTU Bromic Tungsten 500 or Bromic Platinum 500 handle open air best. Tungsten has an industrial look, while Platinum is sleek and stainless.
- Windy spots: the Platinum and Twin Eagles 48″ are rated for stronger breezes.
- Covered patio or pergola: mounted heaters over the seating zone, wired to a switch or app.
- Flexible entertaining: the Bromic Tungsten Portable rolls wherever the party goes. Sunpak models are made in the USA and work well for residential and commercial spaces.
What to expect from gas: you get big, fast, directional heat and no 240V wiring for the heat itself. Natural gas never runs out, and propane keeps portable options open. On the flip side, natural gas needs a licensed plumber and a gas line, propane needs tank swaps, gas heaters are for outdoor use only (never indoors), they must meet clearance, height, and ventilation specs, and most models need a small 120V source for ignition. The Twin Eagles uses a battery remote.
Spotlight: Bromic Tungsten Portable Gas Heater
No gas line, no ceiling to mount to, no problem. The Bromic Tungsten Portable 500 is a propane-fueled infrared heater on its own stand, so it can warm an open patio, a pool deck, or a backyard gathering, then move wherever the party goes. It’s the easiest way to add serious heat to a space that wasn’t planned for it.
- Output: 38,500 BTU of directional infrared heat, covering roughly 215 square feet
- Fuel: propane
- Included: portable stand and a quick-connect hose kit
- Controls: works with the Bromic Affinity app controller for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control, schedules, Alexa, and Google Home
- Good to know: it’s a heavy, commercial-style unit (about 100 lbs), and like all gas heaters it’s for outdoor use only with proper clearances
- Price: from $2,431 at NTX BBQ Supply (October 2026 pricing; prices change and are subject to change without notice)
Want a mounted version of the same heater? The fixed Bromic Tungsten gas heaters use the same technology for walls, ceilings, and poles.
Electric Patio Heaters: Side-by-Side Comparison
Electric infrared heaters have no fuel to buy, store, or refill, and no flame or emissions. They’re instant, quiet, and very low maintenance, which is why they’re the go-to for covered patios and outdoor kitchens. Electric heaters can be run from a simple on/off switch or upgraded to wireless control. Here’s how our six electric lines compare.
| Bromic Tungsten | Bromic Platinum | Bromic Eclipse | Infratech WD-Series | Twin Eagles Electric | Napoleon Phantom | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price from* | $798 | $1,527 | $2,849 | $966 | $889 | $859 |
| Output / power | 2,000–6,000W, 240V | 2,300–4,500W, 240V | 2,900W, 208V or 240V | 6,000W, 240V | 2,500 or 3,500W, 240V | 1,500W, 120V plug-in |
| Mounting | Wall or ceiling | Wall, ceiling, or recessed | Pendant, pole, or portable | Wall or ceiling | Wall or ceiling, low clearance | Freestanding |
| Dimmable | Yes | Yes | Yes, plus LED | No | No | No |
| Controls | On/off switch or wireless app control | On/off switch or wireless app control | On/off switch or wireless app control | On/off switch, or add-on wireless smart control | On/off switch or wireless control | Knob control |
| Alexa & Google Home | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, with add-on smart control | No | No |
| Best for | Covered patios, pergolas | Premium dining, low glare | Lounge ambiance | Covered or semi-covered | Low ceilings, porches | Renters, garages, flexible |
- Bromic Tungsten Electric is the value pick for covered patios and pergolas, in 2,000W to 6,000W. Bromic rates the line to heat up to roughly 160 square feet.
- Bromic Platinum Electric is slim and low-glare, with wall, ceiling, or recessed mounting. It’s a strong fit for premium dining areas and low-clearance spaces.
- Bromic Eclipse adds a dimmable LED lighting rail, so one fixture gives you both light and heat for lounge areas.
- Infratech WD-Series is a 6,000W option for covered or semi-covered spaces.
- Twin Eagles Electric offers low-clearance mounting for low ceilings and porches.
- Napoleon Phantom is a freestanding 1,500W heater that plugs into any 120V outlet, which makes it handy for renters, garages, and flexible spaces.
What to expect from electric: most mounted models need a dedicated 240V circuit, so plan on an electrician and bring them in early. The heat is directional and works best in covered, low-wind spaces, and coverage is smaller than high-BTU gas on a big open patio. Mounted heaters also need the correct height, angle, and clearances. Bromic electric models dim in 1% steps and add schedules through the app.
Mounted vs. Freestanding Heaters
- Ceiling or wall-mounted: frees up floor space and looks built-in. This is the best choice for covered patios and outdoor kitchens. There are mounting poles, brackets, recess kits, and low-clearance heat deflectors for tighter ceilings. See heater mounts and accessories.
- Freestanding / portable: ideal for open spaces with no ceiling or wall to mount to, and for moving heat between areas. Options include the Bromic Tungsten Portable (gas) and the Napoleon Phantom (electric).
Smart Controls: Wi-Fi, Schedules, and Voice
Bromic heaters, gas and electric, can be upgraded with wireless control for less than you might expect. Adding the Bromic Affinity controller (starting around $370 in October 2026; pricing is subject to change) gives you Wi-Fi and Bluetooth app control, timers and schedules, plus Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice commands. Apple Home isn’t supported. Bromic’s dimmer controls work with electric models only, so plan your heater controls when you pick the heater. Infratech heaters can be voice-controlled too: Infratech’s Smart by Bond Wi-Fi control adds app, Alexa, and Google Assistant control to compatible Infratech electric heaters (confirm compatibility with your heater’s control package). The Twin Eagles 48″ gas heater includes an RF remote but has no app or voice control.
How Much Heat Do You Need?
A common rule of thumb from outdoor-living retailers is about 20 BTUs per square foot of space, so a 500-square-foot patio would call for roughly 10,000 BTUs of output. Treat this as a starting point rather than a guarantee, because exposure, wind, ceiling height, and how many walls surround the space all change the answer. The coverage figures in the tables above are the manufacturers’ estimates.
For larger or more exposed areas, you’ll often do better with two or three heaters spread out than one big unit. You can even mix gas and electric in the same design if one area has a gas line and another only has power. Bromic’s gas and electric collections are styled to match.
Cover, Clearances, and Maintenance
- Mount under cover when you can. Quality heaters are weather-resistant, but not waterproof, and a covered install extends their life.
- Keep them clean. Bromic recommends cleaning weekly during regular use and at least monthly when the heater isn’t in use.
- Follow clearances and local codes. Always follow the manufacturer’s clearance, height, and ventilation requirements, and use a licensed pro for gas and electrical work.
Outdoor Heater Planning Checklist
- Measure the space you want to heat and note how many sides are open or covered.
- Check your utilities: is there a gas line, propane access, a spot to run a 240V circuit, or just a 120V outlet?
- Decide on mounting: ceiling, wall, recessed, or freestanding.
- Estimate coverage and decide whether you need one heater or several zones.
- Pick controls (switch, remote, or app) and any mounts, poles, or deflectors.
- Plan installation with a licensed gas technician or electrician before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Heaters
Are gas or electric outdoor heaters better?
It depends on the space. Gas puts out more heat and suits large, open, or windy patios. Electric is the better pick for covered patios, pergolas, and low-ceiling porches because it has no flame or emissions and runs quietly with very little maintenance.
Can I use an outdoor gas heater under a covered patio?
Often yes, if the space is well ventilated and the heater is installed to the manufacturer’s clearance, height, and code requirements. Gas heaters are for outdoor use only and should never be used indoors or in a fully enclosed area. When in doubt, ask a licensed pro or talk to our team.
How many outdoor heaters do I need?
Small patios may only need one or two. Larger or more exposed spaces usually work better with several heaters placed to cover different zones, such as dining, lounging, and the cooking area.
Do outdoor electric heaters need special wiring?
Most mounted electric models do. They typically need a dedicated 240V circuit installed by a licensed electrician. The exception is a plug-in model like the Napoleon Phantom, which runs from a standard 120V outlet.
Can outdoor heaters handle wind?
Infrared heaters handle breezes far better than traditional heaters because they warm people directly. Wind ratings do vary by model, from about 8 mph on the Bromic Tungsten up to 15 mph on the Twin Eagles with its grill. In very exposed spots, a covered or partially walled space will always perform better.
Can I control my outdoor heater with my phone or Alexa?
Yes, with Bromic or Infratech. Infratech’s Smart by Bond add-on brings app and voice control to compatible Infratech electric heaters, and the Bromic Affinity controller adds Wi-Fi and Bluetooth app control, schedules, and Alexa and Google Home voice commands to Bromic gas and electric heaters. Apple Home isn’t supported.
Where can I see outdoor heaters in North Texas?
NTX BBQ Supply carries Bromic, Twin Eagles, Sunpak, Infratech, and Napoleon heaters, plus the controls and mounts to go with them. Browse the full lineup of outdoor heaters online.
Plan Your Heaters Into Your Outdoor Kitchen
The easiest time to add heat is while the outdoor kitchen is being designed, when gas lines, electrical circuits, and ceiling or wall mounts can be planned in from the start. Majestic Outdoor Kitchens designs and builds modular outdoor kitchens across North Texas, and we’re the retail division of NTX BBQ Supply, which is where you’ll find the heaters themselves. Explore the full outdoor kitchen section at NTX BBQ Supply.
- See finished spaces in our project gallery, including our luxury modular and traditional galleries
- Learn our story
- Planning help from the manufacturer: Bromic’s outdoor heating planning guide
- Request a consultation and we’ll help you plan the layout, heat, and power
Upgrade your outdoor space! Contact the Majestic team to start planning your winter-ready patio.
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