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Quick verdict
Choose the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater if you want ceiling mount uses zero floor space, ideal for a furnished covered porch. Choose the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater if you'd rather have small enough for a two-top bistro table without dominating the space. Overall we rank the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches list.
Winner overall: Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater
Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater vs Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
Keep researching
- Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches
- Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater review
- Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater review
- All patio heaters
Bottom line
Choose the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater if you want ceiling mount uses zero floor space, ideal for a furnished covered porch. Choose the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater if you'd rather have small enough for a two-top bistro table without dominating the space. Overall we rank the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches list.
Best overallSolaira
Ceiling mount uses zero floor space, ideal for a furnished covered porch
- 1500W / 120V quartz infrared element
- 10 by 10 foot coverage area
- Ceiling or wall mount, 4-inch slim housing
- No combustion, no carbon monoxide risk
✓ Pros
- Small enough for a two-top bistro table without dominating the space
- Auto-shutoff tilt valve is a real safety feature on a table shared with drinks and elbows
- 10,000 BTU is genuinely enough for the people sitting closest to it
✕ Cons
- Heat drops off sharply past 3 to 4 feet
- Runs on small 1lb cylinders that need more frequent swapping than a 20lb tank
- Not rated for covered spaces with low ceilings, since it still vents an open flame
Fire Sense
Lower flame height than a full-size standing heater, easier to keep with in overhead clearance limits
- 10,000 BTU propane burner
- Stainless steel tabletop design
- Auto-shutoff tilt valve
- CSA approved
✓ Pros
- Lower flame height than a full-size standing heater, easier to keep with in overhead clearance limits
- Auto-shutoff tilt valve adds a marg in of safety under a roof
- Inexpensive way to add heat to a covered porch that already has good airflow on two sides
✕ Cons
- Still an open flame, unsuitable for a fully enclosed or low-airflow porch regardless of height
- Requires verifying overhead clearance against the manufacturer's spec before using indoors-adjacent
- Smaller heat radius than the electric mounted options
FAQ
Common questions
Which is better, the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater or the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater?
Choose the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater if you want ceiling mount uses zero floor space, ideal for a furnished covered porch. Choose the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater if you'd rather have small enough for a two-top bistro table without dominating the space. Overall we rank the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Patio Heaters for Covered Porches list.
What is the difference between the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater and the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater?
The Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater stands out because ceiling mount uses zero floor space, ideal for a furnished covered porch, while the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater stands out because small enough for a two-top bistro table without dominating the space. The trade-offs differ too: the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater's ma in caveat is that requires a dedicated circuit for permanent installation, and the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater's is that heat drops off sharply past 3 to 4 feet.
Is the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater worth it over the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater instead if requires a dedicated circuit for permanent installation is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater instead of the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater?
The Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater suits small patios, while the Solaira Cosy Infrared Heater is best for covered porches.
Keep researching
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