Opranic THOR S70, PRO V70 and NOVA V50 are complete redesigns of the award-winning product ranges that have received recognition from, among others, Aftonbladet, The Independent, The Telegraph, Inspekto, Testson, Testat.nu and Hantverksproffset, as well as hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon in Europe.
Which patio heater is best in test 2026? The range is extensive, and it can be difficult to navigate all the models. However, the fundamental question is actually simple.
An infrared heater has one job: to deliver heat to people. Not to the air, not to the surroundings, but to the person sitting on the patio, balcony or outdoor seating area. The patio heater that converts the most of each input watt into infrared heat that the body actually absorbs simply does a better job than one that does not.
In this overview, we explain what determines heating performance, how Opranic works to maximise it, and what THOR S70 and PRO V70 mean in practice for you as a user.
For those comparing best infrared heater test 2026, it becomes clear that the differences between models often come down to how efficiently the heat is converted and directed towards the body.
Best infrared heater test 2026: why Opranic delivers the highest heating performance per watt
Most brands on the Swedish market purchase ready-made infrared heaters from a manufacturer, add their brand name, and market the product through their own channels. This is a common business model that delivers functional products, but it means the brand has no control over how the heater performs internally. They cannot choose the wavelength, optimise the reflector, or test and fine-tune the components until the highest possible heating performance is achieved. They get what they get.
Opranic works differently. The company designs and engineers its infrared heaters from the ground up. This means that every component is selected to deliver a specific result: the highest possible heating performance per watt consumed, combined with a long service life in Scandinavian outdoor conditions.
The heating element is a Japanese carbon element with documented high performance. The reflector is designed to spread the radiation broadly and direct it towards the seating area. The body is made of all-metal aluminium with a stainless-steel grille to withstand years of outdoor use without material degradation. The electronics manage five power levels, remote control, and a 9-hour timer that switches the heater off automatically.
It is not a single component that makes Opranic unique. It is how every part works together. A high-performance carbon element combined with an optimised reflector, a robust housing and well-designed electronics results in a heater that delivers more usable heat per kilowatt-hour consumed than a product whose components are not matched to one another.
Behind this are more than 20 years of experience in outdoor heating in the Scandinavian market. It is a long development curve built on direct contact with both professional users and consumers. Opranic understands the demands placed on a product that is to be used outdoors in a Nordic climate, season after season, without performance or durability deteriorating.
In addition, there is the Scandinavian design philosophy. Opranic is a Swedish company, and the products are designed to suit Scandinavian homes and outdoor environments. An infrared heater from Opranic is not just an appliance. It is an aesthetic object that adds visual value to the outdoor space.
The heating technology: why it feels like sunshine
What ultimately determines how efficient an infrared heater is comes down to physics. When the sun warms you on a cold winter day, it is not because the air is warm. The air can be below freezing. However, the sun’s infrared rays hit your skin directly, and your body absorbs the radiation and converts it into heat. That is why you feel warmth on your face even though it is cold all around.
An infrared heater uses the same principle. However, how effectively it works depends on the wavelength of the radiation. The human body consists of approximately 80% water, and water absorbs infrared radiation most efficiently at a wavelength of around 2.4 micrometres. That is precisely the wavelength that Opranic’s IR-X Carbon Black technology is designed to emit.
When comparing best infrared heater test 2026, it quickly becomes clear that the difference between models lies in how efficiently the heat is directed towards the body and how much usable heat you get per watt.
The result is that 96% of the supplied electrical energy is converted into radiant heat. The small portion that becomes light is a soft, pleasant glow. The heat is felt immediately. Start-up time is 3 to 5 seconds.
For those who want a more in-depth understanding of wavelengths and absorption physics, there are two detailed guides:
Infrared heater: how does infrared heat work?
Short-wave, medium-wave, or long-wave: which provides the best heat?
Awards and recognition
Over the years, Opranic has received several awards for its products and customer service, both in Sweden and internationally. Among the tests and awards in which Opranic has been recognised are Aftonbladet, Inspekto.se, Testson.se, Testat.nu, Hantverksproffset.se, The Independent and The Telegraph. In addition, the products have hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon in Europe. Taken together, this is clear proof that the heating performance, build quality and user experience meet the level Opranic aims for.
A German customer with a 45 m² conservatory had previously tried both an infrared heater without visible light (often called a “Dark Infrared Heater”) and a halogen heater before choosing the PRO V70R. After a thorough evaluation, he chose Opranic. He particularly highlights that the heat feels like direct sunlight on the skin, that Carbon infrared technology provides immediate heat with no warm-up time, and that both design and build quality are clearly at a higher level than competitors.
“I am currently sitting on the patio writing this review. The right choice—I can recommend Opranic 100%.”
★★★★★
Verified purchase – Amazon.de, April 2026
Read the original review on Amazon →
The new THOR S70, PRO V70 and NOVA V50 are complete redesigns of the product ranges behind these awards. New tooling, new body and new technology. Everything that made the test winners remains, but with improvements across the board: higher output, more power levels, longer service life, higher IP rating, timer and a three-year warranty.
Opranic THOR S70: portable infrared heater for patio, balcony and conservatory
THOR S70 is the freestanding model. An all-metal construction in powder-coated aluminium with a brushed stainless-steel grille. The height is 106 cm and the weight is 8.1 kg. Place it by the dining table on the patio, move it to the balcony the next day, and bring it into the conservatory when autumn arrives. Infrared heat on the balcony, deck or patio—where you need it, when you need it.
The IP65 rating means the heater is completely dust-tight and can withstand heavy rain. You can leave it outdoors all year round. The remote control manages both the power level and the built-in 9-hour timer. Safety is handled by overheat protection and an electronic tip-over switch that shuts the heater off immediately if it should topple.
- Power
- 2,300 W (5 power levels)
- Heating area
- 7–25 m² depending on the environment
- IP rating
- IP65
- Lifespan
- Up to 12,000 hours
- Timer
- 9 hours
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Height / weight
- 106 cm / 8.1 kg
- Colors
- Jet Black, Cloud White
Opranic PRO V70: permanently mounted for wall, ceiling and outdoor seating
PRO V70 uses the same technology and has the same performance as THOR S70, but is designed for permanent installation on a wall, in the ceiling or under an awning. The body is made of anodised aluminium with carbon-fibre-reinforced side panels and a brushed stainless-steel grille. The design is slim and elongated, blending into the environment as part of the décor.
For restaurants and outdoor seating areas, PRO V70 is the obvious choice. Five units installed every three metres cover a 60 m² outdoor seating area. For home use, PRO V70 works excellently under the awning, on the patio wall or in the ceiling above the outdoor table.
- Power
- 2,300 W (5 power levels)
- Mounting
- Wall, ceiling, awning
- IP rating
- IP65
- Lifespan
- Up to 12,000 hours
- Timer
- 9 hours
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Material
- Anodized aluminum + carbon fiber panels
- Remote control
- Included
Operating cost
With Swedish electricity prices around SEK 2 to SEK 2.50 per kilowatt-hour, including grid fees and tax, it costs SEK 5.75 per hour to run THOR S70 or PRO V70 at full power. At level 3, which is sufficient for most evenings, the cost is approximately SEK 4 per hour.
A full season from April to September with 300 hours of outdoor evenings on the patio, balcony or in the conservatory costs approximately SEK 1,200. That is around SEK 200 per month.
Operating cost – Electricity compared with LPG
1× PRO V70R electricity (2.3 kW)
1× patio gas heater (~12 kW)
A 60 m² outdoor seating area needs 5× PRO V70R installed every 3 metres, totalling approx. SEK 14/h in Sweden. A patio gas heater covers 10–15 m² at SEK 9.75/h. You need 4 of them.
LPG heats the air—the wind blows it away immediately. Infrared heat warms people directly, like sunlight. Each watt does more useful work, so fewer units are needed for the same comfort.
Based on Eurostat household electricity prices H1 2025 (DE €0.383/kWh, SE ~SEK 2.40/kWh incl. grid fees and tax). LPG: SE approx. SEK 47/kg. Calculated at 12 kW average output, 0.94 kg/h consumption. Actual costs vary with local prices and selected power level.
Infrared heater or LPG? Complete comparison 2026
Conclusion
Opranic THOR S70 and PRO V70 are the result of more than 20 years of experience in outdoor heating in the Scandinavian market. Every component, from the Japanese carbon element to the reflector, body and electronics, is selected and tested to work together to deliver the highest possible heating performance per watt consumed.
IR-X Carbon Black technology emits infrared radiation at 2.4 micrometres, the wavelength the human body absorbs best, and converts 96% of electrical energy into radiant heat. The products are built for Nordic climates with an IP65 rating, all-metal construction and a service life of up to 12,000 hours.
If you are looking for the best infrared heater in 2026—portable or permanently mounted—for the patio, balcony or outdoor seating area, Opranic is the choice that delivers the most heat per krona invested, season after season. For those comparing best infrared heater test 2026, THOR S70 and PRO V70 are models that deliver a great deal of heat per watt.
Buying guide: Outdoor infrared heaters – how to choose the right one for your patio, balcony and conservatory
Infrared heat on the balcony – complete guide to choosing the right option
