Buying guide
Choosing outdoor infrared heaters for your terrace
Compare premium and compact models, power, mounting options and running costs.
With outdoor infrared heaters, you receive direct warmth where you sit. Start with your seating area and decide whether you need a fixed installation or a heater you can move. This guide compares the premium S70R, PRO V70R and PRO V70 with the compact S50R and V50R. You will also find guidance on power, safety clearances and electricity costs.
Power requirements
How much power do outdoor infrared heaters need?
As a planning guide, allow 150-200 W per square metre of seating area on a sheltered patio, and up to around 300 W per square metre in a more exposed position. For a 10 m² seating area, this gives an estimated requirement of 1,500-2,000 W in a sheltered location, or up to 3,000 W in the more exposed example.
A 2,300 W infrared heater equates to approximately 11.5 m² at 200 W/m². This is a calculation, not a guaranteed heated area. Wind, air temperature, mounting height and distance all affect your comfort.
On a larger terrace, several heaters directed towards the seating area from different angles can distribute warmth more evenly. Plan the number of heaters and the electrical supply alongside their positioning.
Heating technology
Direct warmth from IR-X Carbon Black
Opranic’s current outdoor infrared heaters use IR-X Carbon Black. The carbon element reaches full power in approximately three to five seconds and emits radiant heat at a wavelength of around 2.2 µm. The reflector directs the warmth towards your seating area.
According to the product documentation, up to 96% of the energy supplied is converted into radiant heat. Your comfort also depends on how that heat reaches you, so maximum power is only part of choosing the right model.
How it works
Why outdoor infrared heaters work on your patio
Infrared radiation transfers energy directly to the people and surfaces it reaches. You feel the warmth without having to heat the surrounding air first. Position your infrared heater so that its radiant heat reaches the seats you use.
Wind still affects how warm you feel. Shelter from the wind and careful heater positioning help you make effective use of the heat. A gas patio heater delivers both radiant heat and heat to the air, with different fuel consumption and handling requirements.
Installation
Which infrared heater suits a covered patio?
Opranic PRO V70R is the premium wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted option if you want remote control and adjustable power. Opranic PRO V70 delivers a fixed 1,800 W with external on/off control. Opranic V50R is the compact option for fixed mounting.
The instructions for the current V models specify a mounting height of 1.8-2.5 metres, measured to the heater’s lower edge when angled. A 45-degree angle is recommended when mounting close to the ceiling. Direct the heat towards your seating area.
The V-model manual specifies minimum clearances of 100 cm in front, 70 cm on either side of the radiant heating zone and below the heater, 30 cm to a side wall, 10 cm behind and 10 cm to the ceiling. Always check the instructions for your chosen model and mounting arrangement.
Comparison
Outdoor infrared heaters for your patio and balcony
The premium models focus on construction, reflector design and a five-year warranty. The compact models offer lower weight or fixed mounting for a smaller patio. All five are IP65-rated. S50R and S70R are freestanding; the three V models mount on a wall or ceiling.
| Feature | S70R · Premium | PRO V70R · Premium | PRO V70 · Premium | S50R · Compact | V50R · Compact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Freestanding | Wall/ceiling | Wall/ceiling | Freestanding | Wall/ceiling |
| Maximum power | 2,300 W | 2,300 W | 1,800 W | 1,800 / 2,300 W | 2,300 W |
| Control | Five power levels, remote control | Five power levels, remote control | Fixed output, external on/off control | Five power levels, remote control | Five power levels, remote control |
| Timer | 1–9 hours | 1–9 hours | External timer if required | 1–9 hours | 1–9 hours |
| Central on/off switching | Use local control | Auto-restart mode | Designed for external control | Use local control | Use local control |
| Element lifetime | Up to 12,000 h | Up to 12,000 h | Up to 12,000 h | Up to 8,000 h | Up to 8,000 h |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Heating tube warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Electricity cost at full output | 0.87 EUR/h | 0.87 EUR/h | 0.68 EUR/h | 0.68 / 0.87 EUR/h | 0.87 EUR/h |
Premium · Freestanding
S70R: A robustly built heater for your main seating area
Opranic S70R is built with a premium aluminium Unibody, a premium reflector and a cast-iron base, and delivers 2,300 W with five power settings, remote control and a timer. It was named Best in Test by Sweden’s Aftonbladet and received Inspekto awards between 2022 and 2025.
Taller and more robustly built than S50R, it can be moved once you have switched it off, unplugged it and allowed it to cool. You get a five-year warranty and a heating element rated for up to 12,000 hours of use.
Premium · Fixed mounting
PRO V70R and PRO V70: choose controls to suit your installation
Opranic PRO V70R delivers 2,300 W with five power levels, remote control, a timer and Auto-restart mode. Opranic PRO V70 delivers a fixed 1,800 W and draws 8 A. It has no remote control or power adjustment and is switched on and off through an external control.
Both models feature a premium reflector, a brushed stainless steel grille, IP65 protection and a five-year warranty. For your restaurant or hotel, plan the number of heaters, their grouping and controls with a qualified electrician.
Compact · Fixed mounting
V50R frees up floor space on smaller patios
Opranic V50R is a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted infrared heater with 2,300 W of power, five power levels, a remote control and a timer adjustable from one to nine hours. It suits layouts where a fixed heater can deliver direct warmth to your seating area.
V50R has an IP65 rating, a two-year warranty and a rated element lifetime of up to 8,000 hours. Check the mounting height and safety clearances before choosing its position.
Compact · Freestanding
S50R makes warmth easier to move
Opranic S50R is lower and lighter than S70R, making it easier to carry between seating areas once switched off, unplugged and cooled down. Available in 1,800 W or 2,300 W versions, it has a standard aluminium unibody construction, a standard reflector and a cast iron base.
Both versions offer five power levels, a remote control, a timer from one to nine hours and an IP65 rating. The warranty is two years, with a rated element lifetime of up to 8,000 hours. A lower price is a further advantage.
Opranic
Experience in infrared heating since 2009
Opranic is a Swedish brand based in Stockholm. Since 2009, Opranic has drawn on its experience in infrared heating to choose the heating element, reflector, construction and controls for each application.
Choose a model to suit how you use your seating area. S70R and PRO V70R suit regular use at home and in professional settings. PRO V70 is designed for centralised on/off control. S50R and V50R offer compact options for your balcony or smaller patio.
Read about the S70R test results and the current model range
Use
IP65 and safe placement
Place your freestanding S50R or S70R on a firm, level surface. Leave at least 100 cm clear in front of the heater, 70 cm on each side, 50 cm behind and 50 cm above. Switch it off, unplug it and allow it to cool before moving it. Always follow the instructions for your model and route the cable so it does not create a trip hazard.
IP65 provides protection against dust and water. You must still follow the instructions for installation, safety clearances and storage. Overheat protection and tip-over protection do not replace correct placement or supervision.
Infrared heating in conservatories and enclosed spaces
According to their product documentation, S50R and S70R meet the requirements for portable radiant heaters under the EU Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2024/1103. Both are suitable options for direct heat at your seating area in your conservatory or on your glazed balcony. Maintain the specified safety clearances in these spaces too. For models mounted in a fixed position, follow the instructions on operating the heater and controlling the temperature in enclosed rooms.
Running costs for outdoor infrared heaters
The table above uses an assumed electricity price of 0.38 EUR/kWh, including network charges and tax. At continuous full output, 1,800 W costs 0.68 EUR/h and 2,300 W costs 0.87 EUR/h. Three hours of use costs 2.05 EUR and 2.62 EUR respectively. Your running cost depends on the power used and how long the heater operates.
A separate gas comparison assumes a fuel price of 2.55 EUR/kg and consumption of 0.94 kg/h. For this comparison, the cost per gas patio heater is rounded to 2.40 EUR/h. Five PRO V70R heaters cost 4.37 EUR/h to run, compared with 9.60 EUR/h for four gas patio heaters. Over 720 hours, the difference is approximately 3,766 EUR. These calculations use selected heater quantities and consumption figures; they do not guarantee equivalent comfort on every patio.
Read the full comparison of gas patio heaters and electric infrared heating
Warranty and heating element lifetime
S70R, PRO V70R and PRO V70 come with a five-year warranty. S50R and V50R come with a two-year warranty. The heating tube is covered by a two-year warranty. The rated heating element lifetime is up to 12,000 hours for the premium models and up to 8,000 hours for the compact models. Lifetime in operating hours is distinct from the warranty period. You can find the full terms in the user manual for each model.
Frequently asked questions about outdoor infrared heaters
Which model suits a covered terrace?
PRO V70R and PRO V70 are suitable for fixed mounting at the clearances and heights specified in the V-series manual. S70R is the premium freestanding option. Choose according to your seating layout and control requirements.
Can you use an infrared heater on a glazed balcony?
S50R and S70R are suitable freestanding options, as described in their product documentation. For fixed-mounted models, you need to follow the instructions for temperature control in enclosed spaces.
Does higher power always heat a larger area?
Higher power increases the available heat output, but even comfort depends on the correct distance and orientation. Several carefully positioned heaters can distribute warmth more evenly than a single unit.
Choosing a model for an open balconyHeating a glazed balconyInfrared heaters for outdoor and enclosed spaces: an overview
Choose outdoor infrared heaters to suit your space and control requirements
S70R delivers premium warmth in a freestanding design. For fixed mounting, PRO V70R offers remote control and adjustable power, while PRO V70 provides fixed output with external control. S50R is easier to move, and V50R keeps the floor clear on your smaller patio.