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AZ Patio Heaters and Hiland are two of the most recognizable names in outdoor propane heating, and the real question shoppers are usually asking is about format rather than raw brand loyalty. A patio heater is the outdoor extension of your indoor climate: the same comfort you manage inside, carried out to the deck or patio. The honest bottom line comes down to the design you want. The AZ Patio Heaters commercial tower wins for warming a table where people actually sit around it, while the Hiland pyramid wins on ambiance, trading a little even spread for a dramatic glass-tube flame. Pick the tower for coverage, the pyramid for the look.
| Product | Best for | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| AZ Patio Heaters Commercial Patio Heater | Best for warming a table | Check Price (paid link) |
| Hiland Quartz Glass Tube Pyramid Patio Heater | Best for ambiance | Check Price (paid link) |
Tower or pyramid — which patio heater delivers more radiant heat?
A mushroom-top tower spreads radiant heat outward in a wide circle. That suits a table where people sit around it. A pyramid pushes a taller, directional column of warmth. It prioritizes the visible flame over even spread. For pure coverage over a seating group, the tower usually wins.
This is the core decision. The tower-versus-pyramid split shows up across the whole outdoor heater category, not just these two brands. A tower's reflector cap bounces heat down and out over a wide radius. That is why it is the default for restaurants and dining sets. The pyramid trades some of that even spread for a dramatic glass-tube flame. Choose the tower for a table. Choose the pyramid for a deck corner where ambiance matters as much as heat. Our patio heaters hub covers how BTU and format affect real-world reach.
Propane vs electric patio heater: which fuel type wins outdoors?
Both the AZ Patio Heaters tower and the Hiland pyramid run on propane, the standard fuel for freestanding outdoor heaters. An electric patio heater is the main alternative, and it trades portability for a permanent hookup near an outlet.
Propane wins on freedom of placement — no cord, no outlet needed, just a full propane tank and a spot on the deck. Electric infrared heaters, often wall-mounted, skip the fuel cost and flame entirely, running instead on a steady electric draw. For a portable, moveable heater like either of these two, propane is the practical choice. Save electric for a fixed installation under a covered patio.
Propane tank size and gas setup
Both units run on a standard 20lb propane gas tank, sold at most hardware stores and gas stations. A full tank typically lasts several evenings of moderate use. Budget real time for the initial setup — connecting the tank and lighting the pilot is not always instant on the first try.
Electric and infrared patio heaters as an alternative
An electric infrared patio heater warms people directly rather than heating the surrounding air, similar to how the Hiland pyramid's flame throws radiant heat. The tradeoff is a fixed power cord instead of a refillable propane tank, which is why most freestanding decks still favor propane.
Freestanding, tabletop, or wall-mounted: which format fits your deck?
Both the AZ tower and the Hiland pyramid are freestanding, the most common format for an open deck or patio. A tabletop model suits a small bistro table, while a wall-mounted heater fits a covered porch with limited floor space.
A freestanding patio heater like either of these two is the right call whenever you can dedicate floor space to it and want to reposition it around the deck. A tabletop unit runs on a smaller propane canister and heats a much tighter radius, best for one small table. A wall-mounted heater, usually electric and infrared, works well where floor space is tight and the unit can be fixed in one spot.
BTU output: how much area does each outdoor heater cover?
The Hiland pyramid is rated at 40,000 BTU, and the AZ commercial tower puts out comparable commercial-grade heat. That is enough to warm a typical seating group within a rough 9-to-12-foot circle. Wind and open sides cut that fast.
BTU is the honest comparison point for any outdoor heater, and these two formats land close together on paper. What changes the felt result is the environment. An exposed patio on a breezy night will feel far cooler than a sheltered corner at the same output. Owners consistently report that positioning matters more than a few thousand extra BTU either way. Do not assume a bigger number automatically means a warmer table.
Weatherproof and stainless steel: which build quality lasts outdoors?
The AZ Patio Heaters tower uses a commercial-grade stainless steel body, built for repeated outdoor exposure. The Hiland pyramid pairs a weatherproof steel base with its glass flame tube, the one part that needs a cover in wet weather.
Brands like Bromic and Fire Sense build to similar outdoor standards, and stainless steel is the material to look for on any patio heater left outside season after season. A weatherproof cover, even on a stainless build, extends the life of the burner and controls. Look for CSA-listed models, since that certification confirms the unit meets recognized outdoor gas-appliance safety standards.
Zone heating and running cost: is a patio heater expensive to run?
A propane patio heater is a form of zone heating — warming only the people on the deck, not an entire indoor space. Running cost depends on propane prices in your area, but a 40,000 BTU heater typically burns through a 20lb tank over several evenings of moderate use.
Compared with running indoor central heat with the door open, a dedicated patio heater is nearly always the cheaper way to keep an outdoor gathering warm. Shelter and positioning affect running cost as much as the heater itself — a heater fighting open wind burns fuel faster for less felt warmth.
Tip-over safety: what protects a patio heater in wind?
Both formats include a tip-over safety valve that shuts off the propane gas flow if the heater is knocked over. That single feature is standard across nearly every propane patio heater sold today, from budget models to commercial-grade towers.
A tip-over valve is a legal requirement on propane patio heaters in most jurisdictions, not an optional extra. What is not standardized is base stability — a wider, sand- or water-fillable base resists tipping in the first place, which matters more on a windy deck than the shutoff valve alone.
Which is easier to move and store?
Both come with wheels, so mobility is roughly even. The tower's lower center of gravity makes it a bit easier to roll across an uneven patio. The taller pyramid needs a bit more care not to tip when moving it over a threshold or step.
Storage is where the format matters more than the wheels. A tower's simpler shape tucks into a shed or garage corner without much fuss. The pyramid's glass tube is the one part owners are careful with. It is the component most often replaced after an accidental knock. If you are storing the heater seasonally, factor in a bit more caution moving the pyramid than the tower.
What do owners complain about with these patio heaters?
The most common complaints across both formats are wind sensitivity, the flame blowing out on gusty nights, and assembly. Stability is the other theme — taller units want a filled base or a sheltered spot so they do not tip.
None of these are brand-specific; they are inherent to standing propane heaters of any make. A wider footprint and a sand- or water-fillable base address the tipping concern. A sheltered spot near a wall helps with flame-out on windy nights. Assembly frustration is near-universal for both AZ Patio Heaters and Hiland units, so budget real time for it rather than expecting a five-minute setup. Match the format to your space and shelter it well, and owners of either style report years of reliable seasonal use.
Assembly and long-term upkeep: what differs between these two patio heaters?
Setup effort is similar for both — some assembly out of the box, then connecting the propane tank and lighting the pilot before first use. Ongoing upkeep is where the two formats diverge slightly.
The AZ tower's simpler mushroom-top design has fewer parts to maintain. The Hiland pyramid's glass tube is the one component owners treat with more care, since it is the part most likely to need eventual replacement if it is bumped or the heater is knocked over. Neither is a meaningful maintenance burden for typical seasonal use. Both are designed to be refilled, restarted, and largely ignored between uses.
Best for wide, even warmth over a dining set or seating group
- Classic mushroom-top tower design
- Reflector cap spreads heat in a wide circle
- Wheels for easy repositioning
- Commercial-grade stainless steel build
Why buy it: This is the traditional mushroom-top tower the outdoor-heating category was built on, and the format restaurants default to. Owners consistently report it throws wide, even warmth over a table and rolls easily on its wheels between the deck and storage.
Best for a deck where the heater doubles as a centerpiece
- 40,000 BTU pyramid flame design
- Quartz glass tube with a visible dancing flame
- Variable heat control and wheels
- Tall profile for a striking silhouette
Why buy it: Owners who want the heater to be part of the setting favor the Hiland pyramid style — a common note is that the glass-tube flame looks far more premium than a standard tower while still putting out real warmth for a seating group.
The verdict
Because AZ Patio Heaters and Hiland compete closely on hardware and price, this is less a brand rivalry than a format choice. For warming a table where people gather, the AZ Patio Heaters commercial tower is the more practical pick and the format owners recommend most. For a deck where the heater doubles as a centerpiece, the Hiland glass-tube pyramid is the one to choose. Either way, plan on a sheltered spot and a stabilized base regardless of which format you pick — that single decision affects real-world performance more than the brand printed on the heater. See the patio heaters hub, our best patio heaters roundup, and How We Rank for the method behind these picks.