Guide · Freestanding patio heater
Freestanding patio heater: warmth wherever you sit
Freestanding infrared heaters for your patio, balcony and garden. Place it, plug it in and enjoy radiant warmth almost at once.
S70R and S50R in stock · Fast delivery
Flexible positioning
Why choose a freestanding patio heater?
How you arrange your patio seating changes with the season and with who is sitting there. A fixed heater can only ever warm one area. A freestanding patio heater lets you place it exactly where you are sitting and turn its front towards you and your guests.
Placed alongside you, the heater radiates warmth sideways at body height, reaching your legs and feet too. On a cool evening, it can decide whether you stay outside or go indoors.
There is no drilling or mounting required. That makes it practical for the balcony of a rented flat, a patio without a suitable wall, or anywhere you would rather put the heater away for the off-season.
Infrared warmth
How a freestanding patio heater delivers warmth
Infrared radiation warms the people and surfaces it reaches, without having to heat the air first. This makes an infrared heater effective outdoors, where warm air would quickly drift away.
Both Opranic freestanding models use IR-X Carbon Black, a carbon heating element with a peak wavelength of approximately 2.2 µm in the medium-wave range. The element reaches full power in three to five seconds, so no preheating is needed. The reflector focuses the radiation towards your seating area.
There is no gas, no cylinder to replace and no exhaust fumes. All you need is a power socket.
Where to use it
Where a freestanding patio heater fits
Patio and lounge
Beside your sofa or dining table, or wherever you spend the evening. When guests arrive, move the heater to suit the larger group.
Balcony
Every centimetre matters on a small balcony. A slim freestanding heater takes up little space, with no wall fixings needed.
Garden and gazebo
By your garden seating, in a gazebo or outside your summerhouse. Wherever an outdoor socket is within reach, you have warmth on tap.
Cafés and restaurants
When you rearrange tables to suit the weather or your bookings, the heater moves with them. There is no need to reinstall it.
Switch on. A few seconds. Warmth.
Infrared warmth you feel directly, with no gas and no waiting.
Buying guide
What to look for in a freestanding patio heater
01
Power and heat settings
Higher maximum power gives you capacity for cooler evenings. Multiple heat settings let you adjust the warmth to the weather and reduce electricity use.
02
Height and weight
A heavier heater offers stability; a lighter model is easier to move. Consider how often you will want to reposition yours.
03
IP rating
For outdoor use, look for an IP65 rating. This protects the heater against rain showers.
04
Tip-over protection
Electronic tip-over protection switches the heater off if it falls over. On a busy patio, this is an important safety feature.
05
Remote control and timer
Adjust the warmth without leaving your seat. A timer switches the heater off automatically, even if you forget.
06
Build quality and warranty
A metal housing and cast-iron base are suited to outdoor use. The warranty period reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in its heater.
Our models
Two sizes, one design philosophy: S70R and S50R
Both models use IR-X Carbon Black heating and offer five heat settings, remote control, a timer, IP65 protection and electronic tip-over protection. They differ in size, weight and specification. Our patio heater buying guide compares every Opranic freestanding, wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted model.
Premium · Aftonbladet test winner
Opranic S70R
Built for frequent use and long evenings on your patio. Its wide cast-iron base and 8.2 kg weight keep it steady.
- Aftonbladet’s test winner among freestanding patio heaters
- Premium reflector and aluminium Unibody construction
- Five settings from 920 to 2,300 W, IP65 protection
- Available in Jet Black and Cloud White
- Five-year warranty
Compact · 83.5 or 92 cm · 1,800 or 2,300 W
Opranic S50R
A patio heater you can move wherever the evening takes you. At under 5 kg, it is also lighter and shorter than the S70R. Choose 1,800 W to cover approximately 9 m², or 2,300 W for approximately 11 m².
- All-metal Unibody construction with a cast-iron base
- Five settings up to 1,800 or 2,300 W, IP65 protection
- Light enough to carry between your balcony and garden.
- The ideal way into the Opranic freestanding range, at a lower price
Technical specifications compared
| Specification | S70R | S50R |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum power | 2,300 W | 1,800 W or 2,300 W |
| Power settings | 920 / 1,265 / 1,610 / 1,955 / 2,300 W | 720 to 1,800 W or 920 to 2,300 W, each with 5 settings |
| Indicative seating area | Approx. 11 m² | Approx. 9 m² (1,800 W), 11 m² (2,300 W) |
| Height | 106 cm | 83.5 cm (1,800 W), 92 cm (2,300 W) |
| Weight | 8.2 kg | Under 5 kg |
| Base | Cast iron, 39 × 26 cm | Cast iron, 22 × 30 cm |
| Reflector | Premium | Standard |
| Controls | Remote control, 1-9 h timer | Remote control, 1-9 h timer |
| IP rating and safety | IP65, electronic tip-over protection | IP65, electronic tip-over protection |
| Colours | Jet Black, Cloud White | Jet Black |
| Warranty | 5 years | 2 years |
| Availability | In stock, fast delivery | In stock, fast delivery |
The S70R heating tube has a two-year warranty. Seating area figures are indicative at full power, based on 200 W/m² in a sheltered outdoor space with little wind. You can find warranty terms and operating instructions under Documents.
Controls
Adjust the warmth from your seat
Use the remote control to switch on your patio heater, select one of five heat settings or go straight to full power. A lower setting is often enough in the early evening; you can increase the power as the temperature drops.
Set the timer to switch the heater off after one to nine hours. This keeps it from running all night if your evening lasts longer than planned.
Safe positioning
How to position your freestanding patio heater
- Place the heater on a firm, level surface with the front facing your seating area.
- Maintain the required safety clearances from furniture, fabrics, plants and parasols. Check your model’s instruction manual for the specified distances.
- Position the heater beside the table, not underneath it, so radiant heat can reach you unobstructed.
- Keep the cable clear of walkways and use an RCD-protected socket outdoors.
- Before moving the heater, switch it off, unplug it and allow it to cool.
Running costs
What does an hour of warmth cost?
Multiply power in kilowatts by hours of use and your electricity price. At an illustrative electricity price of €0.38/kWh, the hourly costs are:
Illustrative calculation. Your actual electricity price, chosen power setting and running time determine the cost.
Gas or electric patio heater?
Freestanding patio heaters run on propane or electricity. Using illustrative prices of €0.38/kWh for electricity and €2.55/kg for propane, a 2.3 kW electric model costs around €0.87 per hour to run. A gas patio heater rated at approximately 12 kW consumes around 0.94 kg of propane per hour, costing approximately €2.40.
Electric heating also has practical advantages: no gas bottle to replace or store, and full heat within seconds.
This example compares running costs only. It does not establish whether both heaters warm the same area equally effectively.
Questions and answers
Freestanding patio heater: frequently asked questions
Can I leave a freestanding patio heater outside in the rain?
Yes. Opranic freestanding models are rated IP65, so rain will not damage them. Keep the plug and socket protected from water. When you are not using your heater for longer periods, use the matching S-Line protective cover or store it somewhere dry.
Is a portable patio heater suitable for a balcony?
Yes. The S50R weighs under 5 kg, takes up little floor space and plugs into a socket. No wall mounting is needed.
How much space can one heater warm?
As a guide, the 1,800 W S50R warms around 9 m² of seating area, while the 2,300 W version covers around 11 m². Wind and an exposed position reduce coverage. For a large patio, plan for several heaters. The patio heating calculator gives you an initial estimate.
Do I need an electrician to connect it?
No. Both models come with a mains cable and plug, ready to connect to a socket. Outdoors, use a socket on an RCD-protected circuit. The S70R draws up to 10 A, so do not run it alongside other high-power appliances on the same circuit.
What is a freestanding electric heater for the patio called?
Patio heater, tower heater and electric standing heater are common names for the same freestanding device. The Opranic S70R and S50R are electric patio heaters: they plug into a socket and need no gas cylinder.
When is a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted patio heater a better choice?
If your seating area stays in one place, for example under a canopy, a fixed heater is a practical choice. The Opranic PRO V70R is designed for wall or ceiling mounting.
In stock · Fast delivery
Warmth that moves with you
Choose the S70R for the patio you use every evening, or the S50R for warmth you can move between spaces. Both are in stock with fast delivery.
Opranic · Infrared heating since 2009 · Product data and availability checked on 5 November 2026