10 Best Propane Heaters for Outdoor Patios (October 2026) Honest Reviews

Outdoor dining does not have to end the moment the temperature drops into the low fifties. If you are shopping for the best propane heaters for outdoor patios, the decision comes down to two questions: is your patio open to the sky, and where exactly do people sit? A 50000 BTU tower is the wrong answer to both if your guests are clustered around one bistro table on a fourth-floor balcony.

We spent weeks reading specifications, warranty terms and owner reviews across 10 of the highest-reviewed propane patio heaters on the market, then grouped them by format, output and placement. What came out of that is a shortlist that ignores brand loyalty entirely. Every pick below is outdoor-rated, carries an automatic tilt shut-off, and is specced for propane. Our research is spec-and-review based rather than hands-on lab tested, and we say so plainly wherever a number is ours rather than a manufacturer’s.

One rule matters more than any other, and it is the one that turns up most often in patio heater forums: propane is an outdoor fuel. Never run any unit in this roundup under a permanent roof, an awning or a screened porch. A Bogleheads thread on patio heaters is blunt about it, warning members not to use propane heaters under normal covered patios without special precautions and very high ceilings. The flame is the hazard, and the fix is space above and around the unit, not a higher setting.

If you want a shortcut, our outdoor patio heater picks for cold nights covers the shorter list, and our radiant heater guide for patios explains the physics behind why these units work on your body rather than on the air.

Top 3 Propane Patio Heaters in 2026

Our three front-runners cover the three genuinely different use cases: a full-size freestanding tower for an uncovered dining space, a glass-flame pyramid when atmosphere counts as much as warmth, and a commercial column for buyers who want published compliance specs and a documented build.

All 10 Picks at a Glance in 2026

Below is every heater in the roundup with its headline specification. Output, rated coverage and form factor are the three numbers that decide most purchases, and the Safety column names the automatic gas cutoff each model uses.

1. Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Patio Heater – Best Overall Freestanding Tower

With more than 11k owner reviews behind it, the Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU tower is the safest bet in the category and the one we keep coming back to. Output is rated to cover 324 square feet across an 18-foot diameter, which maps almost exactly onto a typical uncovered dining patio with a table at the center.

The hardware is deliberately ordinary: a 40 lb steel tower on wheels, a one-touch igniter with an adjustable temperature knob, and a base you can fill with water or sand. The tilt safety auto-shutoff valve closes the gas supply if the unit is knocked past its angle, and a chain keeps the propane bottle from being pulled loose.

The recurring criticism across those reviews is documentation rather than hardware. Owners routinely report spending 90 minutes to two and a half hours putting it together because the printed instructions are unclear or effectively absent, and nearly everyone dials with removing the shrink wrap and blue protective film from the reflector.

Two more practical notes from the review record. The reflector is on the small side, which caps how far the warmth actually reaches, and the tank cover has to be lifted every time you want to reach the propane valve. Neither matters if you plan your evenings around a single long session rather than constant refilling.

What the 46000 BTU rating actually gets you

BTU stands for British thermal units, a measure of thermal energy, and a 46000 BTU burner is a serious radiant source rather than a comfort blanket for the whole yard. It warms people within its cone and does almost nothing to the air between you and the burner, which is why an uncovered patio warms up in minutes while a closed space does not warm at all.

Owner reports are consistent on the usable range: comfortable warmth roughly 8 feet from the unit, adequate further out for a light layer, and a noticeable drop at the edges of the rated 18-foot diameter. Plan seating inside about 10 feet and treat the rest of the number as manufacturer optimism.

Where this one is the wrong choice

Skip it if your patio sits under any kind of roof, and skip it if your guests are mostly seated with their legs away from the unit. Radiant tower designs deliver the heat at torso and head height, so cold feet are a recurring theme in reviews for this style of heater.

It is also the wrong pick if assembly is going to be a one-person job on a Saturday afternoon with no help. Budget real time for the build, and check the base fill hole before you buy sand, because reviewers describe the port as small and slow to fill.

2. Pamapic 48,000 BTU Pyramid Patio Heater – Best Value Flame Column

The Pamapic 89-inch pyramid is the one to buy when the patio is as much an evening venue as a warm zone. Instead of a solid mushroom reflector, it runs a quartz glass tube as a visible flame column, which becomes the visual centerpiece of a dining area after dark.

Output is rated at 48000 BTU across a 15-foot diameter, and the tall body throws warmth down over a standing group better than it does for people bent over a table. Wheels and a fitted cover are in the box, so moving it for winter storage and protecting it through the off-season need no extra purchases.

The tradeoff is weight and heat distribution. At 61.7 pounds this is a genuinely heavy tower, and the wheels help more with rolling across a patio than with lifting onto a raised deck. Reviewers also note repeatedly that the heat concentrates at the top of the column, which is fine for a standing cocktail hour and mediocre for a seated dinner.

Finishes include Hammered Bronze, Black and Stainless Steel, so it can be matched to existing furniture. If the flame display is the main event, this is the strongest atmosphere-per-dollar option in the roundup.

Pyramid flame versus mushroom reflector

A pyramid unit shows you the flame through a glass tube, and a conventional tower hides it under a solid reflector hood. Visually that is the entire difference. Thermally, the reflector hood tends to direct a wider, flatter pool of infrared energy downward, which is why many owners of tower heaters report better leg-level warmth at the same BTU figure.

So the honest ranking is this: pick the pyramid for a lounge or bar area where people stand and the visual matters, and pick a conventional tower for a dining table where warmth on shins is the priority.

What you give up compared with a full tower

Expect less usable warmth at seated height and more difficulty moving the unit. If your deck is at ground level, the weight is manageable with two people. If it is elevated or you plan to reposition it weekly, the lighter freestanding options later in this list handle that better.

Also confirm your clearance ceiling before ordering. At 89 inches tall, the top of the unit is the first thing to measure against an awning, a pergola beam or a low overhang, and the manufacturer clearance figures have to clear that point with room to spare.

3. Thermo Tiki 45,000 BTU Tower Heater – Best for Ambiance

Where the Pamapic pyramid sells the flame, the Thermo Tiki column sells the build. This is a 7 foot 6 inch commercial-style tower in steel and aluminum, listed as ANSI, CE and CSA compliant, and it publishes its compliance marks and construction materials in the listing rather than leaving buyers to infer them.

Output is stated as a true rated 45000 BTU with a listed range of 38000 to 45000, and the heating method is a ceramic glass radiant column behind protective mesh. Push-button ignition, a temperature knob and a pilot light handle startup and control, and a tilt shutoff valve handles the safety side.

Assembly is the quiet strength here. Owners with far less experience report finishing in 30 to 90 minutes because the documentation is clear and photo-led, and the regulator, hose and ceramic glass element all arrive in the box rather than as add-ons.

Reviewers do flag narrower-than-expected heat spread despite the rating, sharp edges on the machined sheet metal panels, and a handful of reports of the burner failing to ignite after a winter in storage. The 90 day limited manufacturer warranty is the shortest in this group, which is worth weighing against the 1-year policies common elsewhere.

Why published compliance specs matter

CSA certification is the screening criterion we used across all ten products, because it is the mark that says a third party has checked the burner, the shutoff valve and the electrical ignition path. Only two of the picks in this roundup state it plainly on the listing, and this is one of them.

That matters outdoors specifically. A patio heater runs a gas flame next to a wood deck, dry leaves and fabric cushions, often in wind. Published compliance and a real tilt shutoff are not paperwork niceties at that point, they are the difference between a heater and a liability.

Who should pass on this one

Pass if you are on a tight budget or buying for a small balcony. At 57 pounds and 90 inches tall, this is a full-size commercial column and it needs floor space and a real ceiling height to do its job well.

Also pass if you want the cheapest long-term ownership story. The 90 day warranty and the storage-related ignition reports point in the same direction, and for most residential buyers the longer warranty picks later in this list are the calmer choice.

4. Hiland 48,000 BTU Patio Heater with Table – Premium Finish

Hiland is a familiar name in patio heater forums and retailer catalogs, and this model is the reason: a two-tone hammered bronze and stainless steel body that looks like furniture rather than a burner. Output is 48000 BTU across a rated 10 to 15 foot diameter.

The functional draw is the adjustable table. It gives guests somewhere to set a glass at standing height, which turns a heater into a small serving station and removes most of the awkwardness of holding a drink while you warm up. Wheels are included for repositioning.

The warranty structure is a real differentiator in this category: 1 year plus a 30-day replacement parts policy, backed by a US-based service and repair center. That matters far more for a heater you will own for three to five seasons than the finish does on day one.

On the other side, owners report a 1-star rate near 9 percent, which is high next to budget models in this list, and the recurring physical complaint is that radiant tower design keeps heat above seated height. The manufacturer weight listing is also wrong, so plan on it being heavier than the spec sheet implies.

What the adjustable table actually changes

A 15-inch-class shelf at standing height does something no patio heater without one can. It moves drinks and plates out of your hands, which means people stay standing near the unit instead of drifting away to a table edge, and it is the cheapest way to add surface area to a patio that has none.

It does not solve cold feet. Every seated-height complaint in the review record for this style comes from the same place, which is a reflector concentrating energy at torso and head level rather than down at shin height.

Where the premium is justified and where it is not

The premium buys finish, the table and the parts support. If your patio is visible from inside the house and the heater is part of the entertaining, that combination is worth paying up for. If you just need warmth in a side yard, the same BTU figure is available for less.

Skip it for very windy sites. The table and body add height and surface area, and there is no fillable base mentioned in the specification, so in exposed locations a weighted-base design is the safer bet.

5. Hykolity 50,000 BTU Patio Heater – Top Rated Heat Distribution

The Hykolity posts the highest rating in this group at 4.5 stars, and its 511 reviews carry the strongest distribution rather than a rating propped up by a small sample. If you sort a category by star rating alone, this is what comes out on top.

Output is 50000 BTU rated across 200 square feet, delivered through an umbrella-style top that spreads heat more evenly than the flat reflectors used on most towers. Ignition is battery-free piezoelectric, so there is no igniter battery to replace and nothing to power before a party.

Safety is layered: piezo ignition, a waterproof and rainproof body, and an insulated ignition switch, plus wheels and a built-in table that make it usable as a side surface. Owners report heat arriving within a few minutes of lighting.

The drawbacks are honest but small. Multi-speed temperature adjustment is basic rather than finely stepped, the reflector-style top still leaves seated users cooler at the legs than standing users, and several buyers wish the table surface were larger.

Why the umbrella top is worth paying attention to

A flat reflector sends most of its infrared energy out in a shallow band, which produces a hot spot at one height and cold air below it. The umbrella top bends that energy outward and down more evenly, and owners of this model describe a broader, more uniform warm zone for the same 50000 BTU input.

That is a useful physical difference, and it is part of why this model rates 4.5 stars on a smaller review base than towers carrying 11000 reviews at 4.4.

Best fit and best skip

This suits an uncovered patio, garden or deck where the group is mixed, some standing and some seated, and where you want heat spread evenly rather than concentrated. The waterproof design also makes it the more comfortable choice for a spot that gets occasional drizzle.

Skip it if you are buying primarily for ambience. There is no visible glass flame here, and if the visual centerpiece of the evening is the fire itself, a pyramid unit is the better buy for the same money.

6. FOOWIN 48,000 BTU Pyramid Patio Heater – Best Modern Styling

The FOOWIN pyramid is a modern take on the glass-flame format, pairing a visible glass flame column with a slim silhouette that reads as contemporary outdoor furniture. It ranks in the top ten of the Outdoor Heaters category despite being a newer model.

Output is 48000 BTU across 130 square feet with a 10-foot radius, and the unit reaches temperature in about 5 minutes. The body is aluminum and stainless steel, which is the material pairing that holds up best through a wet off-season.

Safety here is a triple protection system: automatic shutoff if tilted past 45 degrees, an explosion-proof gas pipe, and protective mesh around the flame column. A one-touch ignition with a built-in control valve handles startup, and a waterproof cover plus gloves ship in the box.

The most common complaints are shipping related, with several owners reporting bent structural parts and soft aluminum screws that strip easily, plus a small printed manual. A minority also find the tall 81-inch body keeps the heat above seated height. Buyers report responsive replacement-part support, and each unit is stated as tested through 10000 flame-out cycles before shipping.

Rated coverage versus real coverage

The 130 square foot figure is smaller than what most 48000 BTU towers claim, and that is a point in this product’s favor. Tighter stated coverage usually means the manufacturer tested in real conditions rather than multiplying the BTU number by an optimistic radius.

Still plan on roughly a 10-foot comfortable zone and treat the rest as edge coverage. As a r/phoenix discussion of backyard heaters puts it, wind is the limiting factor for all of them, and a narrower claim is the one least likely to let you down.

Who should skip it

Skip it if shipping damage is a dealbreaker for you and you cannot inspect the box on arrival, because the review record shows more bent panels here than with the brands that pack in heavier gauge steel. Inspect before you assemble and photograph everything.

Also skip it for a dining table. At 81 inches tall with heat concentrated overhead, it is built for a standing group around a fire feature, and one heater will not comfortably cover a large patio on its own.

7. Cuisinart 11,000 BTU Tabletop Patio Heater – Best for Balconies

Everything above this line assumes floor space you may not have. The Cuisinart tabletop is 8.5 pounds, 25.2 inches tall and 12 by 16 inches at the base, which means it lives on a bistro table on a balcony instead of ruling one out of bounds.

Output is 11000 BTU across up to 30 square feet, delivered through a reflector top plate. Anti-tilt auto shutoff and a burner screen guard are the two safety features that matter most on a table, since a tabletop unit is the easiest one to knock over with a sleeve or a glass.

It runs on a 1 lb propane cylinder out of the box, or on a 20 lb tank through an optional regulator, and a dial knob gives you low and high settings with a top temperature setting of 120 degrees. Four color options including Red, Dark Gray, Bone and Sage let it blend with outdoor furniture.

The fuel math is the catch. Owners report 1 lb cylinders delivering 10 to 14 minutes on high, and some cylinders stop burning before they look empty, which is the most common complaint by a wide margin. A 20 lb tank with an adapter hose is the fix for anything longer than a brief drink.

What 11000 BTU actually covers

This is a personal heater, not a zone heater. Two to three people seated close to the unit will feel it clearly, and it takes the edge off a 55-degree evening. It will not raise the temperature of a six-foot table with guests spread along both benches.

A forum thread on winter camping makes the related point about small units in a different context: buddy heaters handle small spaces well but run dangerously hot at the bottom, which is exactly why the burner screen guard and anti-tilt switch are worth confirming on any tabletop model.

Who should skip a tabletop heater

Skip it if your evening is a three-hour dinner. The cylinder math simply does not support that without a regulator hose, and several owners in the review record recommend adding one immediately.

Skip it for an open patio with any real breeze, because a small radiant unit with a short radius loses heat quickly to moving air. If your seating is fixed and small, buy the regulator hose. If your seating moves around, you need a full tower instead.

8. Pamapic 50,000 BTU Round Table Patio Heater – Best for Entertaining

This is the pick for a patio that hosts people rather than a patio that warms a corner. The defining feature is a functional round tabletop built into the pedestal, and a magnetic locking door that swings open for propane tank changes instead of making you lift a housing over a bottle.

Output is rated 50000 BTU across 314 square feet and a 20-foot diameter, the widest rated reach in this roundup. Heat arrives in about a minute and ignition takes roughly five seconds.

Two details separate it from the competition. The burner is 304 stainless steel with an aluminum top cover rather than a conventional mesh burner, and the conical body profile improves both stability and wind resistance. It is also CSA certified for residential and commercial use.

The heat-failure protection is a triple system: a 45-degree tip-over cutoff, flame-failure shutoff, and the magnetic tank door that keeps fuel secured. A minority of reviews question whether the real-world output matches the 50000 BTU figure, and a few note uneven flame height causing one side to run hotter.

Two-heater zone heating for a large deck

A single tower is a point source, and radiant heat falls off quickly with distance. If your deck is large enough that guests cluster at both ends, two cheaper heaters placed at the two seating zones will outperform one expensive heater in the middle, and they cost less in fuel to run the same number of hours.

Think of each unit as serving a 10-foot comfortable radius. Measure your deck, identify the two or three places people actually sit, and place one heater per zone with the burner pointed at that group. Keep every unit clear of the deck edges and railings.

What to check before ordering

Confirm the delivery arrangement. This unit arrives in two boxes, and owners report the second box arriving after the first, which means assembly may not start the same day the delivery does.

Also check headroom and clearance against the tabletop, since an integrated table at roughly standing height narrows your placement options near a railing. If your hosting spot is tight, the smaller adjustable table on the Hiland later in this list is easier to fit.

9. Hampton Bay 11,000 BTU Tabletop Heater – Most Versatile

The Hampton Bay tabletop is a straightforward starter unit, and it fills the same role as the Cuisinart for anyone who wants a basic metal tabletop. It is stainless steel under a bronze powder coating, rated 11000 BTU, and it has an auto shutoff tilt valve and adjustable output.

It lights quickly and puts out usable heat for a table-height spot, and the review record includes long-time owners who bought it again after cheaper alternatives failed, which is a decent signal for a basic metal unit.

The problems are real though. It carries the joint-lowest rating in the group at 4.1 stars with a 10 percent one-star rate, and the recurring technical complaint is premature shutoff traced to a thermocouple quality-control issue. Assembly is also described as not easy for a unit of this size.

Heat output is modest and best described as taking the edge off a cool day rather than warming a space. A 1 lb cylinder runs dry in about an hour, and the included 4-foot hose is short and hard to source in longer lengths, so plan an adapter hose for a 20 lb tank if you want a longer session.

Is a budget tabletop heater worth it

It is worth it for occasional use on a small balcony or a picnic table where you want a personal glow for a drink, and it is not worth it as your main source of warmth. The thermocouple complaints are the deciding factor, because a unit that shuts itself off at random is worse than no unit at all.

If you want the same format with a better track record on ignition reliability and an anti-tilt switch, the Cuisinart a few sections up costs more and holds a 4.4 rating with 196 reviews.

How to shop the budget end of this category

Check that the listing states an auto shutoff tilt valve, and check whether the brand publishes replacement parts. A metal tabletop heater is simple enough that a failed knob or switch should not end its life, and a brand with a parts policy will keep it running for seasons.

Be skeptical of coverage claims. This unit lists 175 square feet for an 11000 BTU burner, which is far more generous than the 30 square feet listed for the Cuisinart at the same output. Wide claims like that are marketing, not measurement, so plan seating close to the unit.

10. Hiland 48,000 BTU Open-Door Tower Patio Heater – Easiest Tank Changes

The open-door design is the whole idea here. Instead of sliding a tank cover or lifting a housing, you swing a door open and swap the cylinder, which is the difference between a 20 lb exchange taking five minutes and taking a coffee break. For anyone who runs a heater several times a week, that is the feature that actually saves time.

Output is 48000 BTU with a listed coverage range of 78 to 176 square feet, and the 15.7-inch height-adjustable table gives guests a surface. A built-in weight bladder improves stability over lighter base designs, and the specification lists wheels, a tilt switch and an integral thermocouple for flameout gas cutoff.

Variable temperature control and a regulator and hose are included, and the warranty is 1 year with a 30-day replacement parts policy, which matches the other Hiland model in this roundup. The hammered silver finish suits a wider range of outdoor decor than the bronze options.

On the other side, it carries an 11 percent one-star rate, tied for the highest in the group, and the review record notes heat concentrating above seated height on this single-pole design. The manufacturer weight listing is also inaccurate, and some buyers report needing patience during assembly.

Why tank access time adds up

Propane cylinders run out in the middle of evenings, and the fix is a simple exchange. Heaters with a fixed housing turn a two-minute swap into a ten-minute job involving panels, bolts and a heavy bottle held at an angle, and that friction is what makes people keep a spare tank on hand.

An open door with a magnetic or hinged access point removes the friction entirely. On a heater you expect to run every weekend from September through April, that is worth more than any finish option.

Who should pass

Pass if you are buying for a seated dinner table, because the single-pole layout concentrates heat high and owners with guests at a table report the same cool legs pattern as the other tower designs here. The adjustable table helps with drinks, not with warmth.

Also weigh the 11 percent one-star rate. This unit shares the parts support of the bronze Hiland but carries a heavier one-star share, so it is not the safest buy in a very windy location.

How to Choose a Propane Patio Heater in 2026

Choosing well takes six decisions, in this order. Doing them out of order is how people end up with a 50000 BTU commercial column on a sixth-floor balcony or a tabletop unit under a pergola.

1. Check the roof before anything else

Propane heaters are outdoor-use only. That is not a preference, it is the certification condition. A gas flame in an enclosed space produces carbon monoxide, and a heater under a low awning has nowhere for heat and combustion gases to go. If your patio is under a permanent roof, the correct answer is an electric infrared heater, not a propane unit. If you want electric options, our radiant heater guide covers that decision properly.

2. Size the output to the seating, not the patio

BTU means British thermal units, and a common rule of thumb is 10000 BTU for every 100 square feet of open-air seating space. A 12 by 12 patio is 144 square feet, so roughly 15000 BTU would cover the open area, but since heat is lost at the edges, most buyers end up one step higher.

• Small balcony or one table, under 40 square feet of seating: 11000 BTU tabletop.
• Typical uncovered dining patio, 100 to 150 square feet of seating: 30000 to 40000 BTU.
• Large deck or lounge circle, 150 to 250 square feet: 45000 to 50000 BTU.
• Commercial patio or an uncovered space above 250 square feet: two heaters beat one larger unit.

Add 20 to 30 percent above these figures if your patio is open on two or more sides or sits near water, and subtract if it is a sheltered corner with a wall behind the seating.

3. Pick the format that matches where people sit

Freestanding tower suits dining tables and mixed seating. Pyramid units with a visible glass flame suit standing groups and bar areas. Tabletop units suit one table, a balcony or tailgating. Tank-top attachment formats are a separate category again, and they are the cheapest and most storage-friendly option because they clamp to a 20 lb cylinder with nothing to assemble. Whatever the format, place the unit so the reflector points at people, not at a wall.

Then read the spec sheet for the safety items that matter outdoors: a tilt or tip-over shutoff valve, a flame-failure thermocouple, a burner screen guard on tabletop models, and a stated wind limit. Check the manual for published clearances to combustibles, commonly 3 feet at the sides and overhead, and treat the manufacturer figure as the rule rather than a starting point.

4. Count the fuel before you buy

Here is the arithmetic that marketing claims leave out. A 20 lb propane cylinder holds about 4.6 gallons, and propane delivers roughly 91000 BTU per gallon, so a full tank carries about 420000 BTU of energy in total. Divide that by the heater rating for an honest high-setting runtime.

• 50000 BTU heater: about 8.4 hours on high.
• 48000 BTU heater: about 8.7 hours on high.
• 46000 BTU heater: about 9.1 hours on high.
• 45000 BTU heater: about 9.3 hours on high.
• 11000 BTU heater: roughly 38 hours on high, though real runtime is limited by cylinder size.

Every real-world figure we found is shorter than the marketing burn time because regulators and wind both work against you. Plan on a tank lasting most of one evening on high, and use the low setting to stretch it. Our budget propane patio heater picks cover the cheaper end of this math.

5. Weigh the base for your wind exposure

Wind blowing the flame out mid-evening is the most repeated complaint in patio heater forums, and tipping is the top injury concern. A fillable base is the single most effective fix: sand or water adds weight low and wide, lowers the center of gravity, and stops a gust from moving the unit. Sand is heavier for its volume and does not freeze, which is why windier sites generally favor it. Weigh the tradeoff against filling time, because most fill ports are small and owners report the job taking longer than expected.

6. Plan for the off-season

Owners report three to five years of service from a well-made outdoor heater, and the single biggest factor is whether it stays covered. A fitted cover costs less than a tenth of the heater and prevents the powder-coat and burner corrosion that ends units early. Look for a model with a matching cover in the box or readily available, confirm the warranty length before you buy, and prefer a brand with a parts policy so a failed knob or switch is a repair rather than a replacement.

Owners also report two complaints worth anticipating: fuel burning faster than expected, which the runtime math above explains, and fiddly assembly. If two people are available for an hour, either pick a model with well-documented instructions or budget the time properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Best Propane Heaters for Outdoor Patios in 2026

Start with placement, not brand. If your patio is open to the sky and guests sit around a dining table, the Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU tower is the pick: the largest review base of any unit we covered, a water box base for wind, and a rated 18-foot diameter that covers real furniture layouts. If atmosphere is the priority, the Pamapic 48,000 BTU pyramid gives you a visible quartz flame column and a cover in the box.

Buyers who want a documented build and published compliance marks should look at the Thermo Tiki 45,000 BTU column, while anyone hosting a group will get more from the Pamapic 50,000 BTU round table with its magnetic tank door. For a balcony or one table, the Cuisinart 11,000 BTU tabletop works, provided you add a regulator hose before the first long evening.

Whichever one you pick, respect the roof rule, fill the base, and keep a cover on it through the winter. Our propane heater picks for garages cover a different use case, but the same carbon monoxide rules apply to any enclosed space.