Quartz vs Infrared Patio Heater: Which One Should You Buy?

Quartz vs infrared patio heater: side by side

Example figures are manufacturer rated, collected 22 October 2026. “Not stated” means the listing does not give the figure.

Heat source: propane flame vs electric elements

The quartz side burns propane. Both Pamapic listings describe a pyramid patio heater running on a standard 20 lb propane tank (not included) with pulse ignition, no matches and no electricity. The flame shows through a quartz glass tube. The infrared side uses electricity. The Bromic listing describes a 6000W electric heater with dual quartz heating elements, operating at 220-240V and about 25A, with no flame and no fuel tank.

This is the fundamental choice. Propane means a tank to buy, carry and swap; electric means a 240V circuit to wire. The Pamapic listings state no electrical need at all, while the Bromic listing states 220-240V explicitly. Check what your patio already has before you pick a side.

Coverage and output

The Pamapic listings state 42000 heat output with coverage for up to 15 feet diameter and 175 square feet. The Bromic listing states 6000 watts with coverage of 160 sq. ft. The figures use different units, so the listings do not invite a direct comparison; treat each as the maker’s own rating for its fuel type. Both cover a similar area on paper: 175 square feet against 160 sq. ft.

The listings also state maximum temperature settings, but they measure different things: the Pamapic spec table states 1300 °F, the temperature around the quartz glass flame tube, while the Bromic spec table states 100 °F as its maximum temperature setting. Do not read those two figures against each other; one describes a propane flame column and the other an electric heater setting.

Installation and placement

The quartz pyramid heaters are freestanding floor units at 89.4 inches tall, with wheels for moving between patio and poolside and a weighted base for stability. The infrared Bromic is a wall- or ceiling-mounted unit at 3.5 inches deep by 56 inches wide, with minimum clearances of 72 inches for wall mounting and 96 inches for ceiling mounting. One rolls where you need it; the other is fixed where you mount it.

Fuel logistics and upkeep

The quartz side runs on logistics you already know from a grill: a standard 20 lb propane tank that is not included, swapped through a side-access door the listing describes as quick and clean. The tower itself is 61.7 pounds on a 21 by 21 inch footprint, with smooth-rolling wheels and a weighted base, so it moves between patio and poolside but is not something you carry. Assembly is stated at about 1 hour, and a custom-fit, fade-resistant cover comes in the box to protect it between uses.

The infrared side has no fuel to buy or swap. The Bromic is 22 pounds of stainless steel with a corrosion-resistant finish, and the listing includes an instruction manual but no mounting hardware beyond the adjustable directional bracket. Its upkeep is the wiring and the mount: once it is on the wall or ceiling at the stated clearances, there is nothing to refill and no cover to put on.

Safety features

Both sides state safety features. The Pamapic listings describe triple safety protection: a tip-over auto shutoff valve, flame-failure protection and an overheat guard. The Bromic listing describes an IPX4 water ingress rating for weatherproof reliability. Neither listing claims the other side’s features, so compare them as stated: tip-over and flame protection on the propane side, water ingress protection on the electric side.

Two examples

How we scored them

Each heater is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. The Bromic is the only listing with a stated warranty term and an ingress rating. The Pamapic listings state the most detailed safety features but no warranty term. The weights are on our How We Pick page.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a quartz patio heater the same as an infrared heater?

Not as the listings use the terms. Here, “quartz” means a propane flame tower with a quartz glass tube around the flame, while the infrared listing is an electric heater with quartz elements and no flame. Both radiate heat, but the fuel and the form are different.

Do propane patio heaters need electricity?

The Pamapic listings say no: they run on a 20 lb propane tank with pulse ignition, no matches and no electricity. The electric Bromic is the one that needs wiring, at 220-240V.

Can I mount the infrared heater on a ceiling?

The Bromic listing states wall or ceiling mounting, or recessed mounting with an optional kit, with 72 inches minimum clearance for wall mounting and 96 inches for ceiling mounting, plus an adjustable directional bracket. Follow those clearances exactly.

What is the difference between the two Pamapic models?

The listings state identical specs: 42000 heat output, 175 square feet, 20 lb propane tank, 61.7 pounds and the same safety features. The only stated difference is the finish: hammered gray against stainless steel.

How long does each one take to set up?

The Pamapic listings state assembly in about 1 hour with pre-fitted parts and illustrated instructions. The Bromic listing states no assembly time; it is a wall- or ceiling-mounted unit, so the work is the mounting at the stated 72 inch and 96 inch clearances, with an optional kit if you recess it.

Does the Bromic heater work in rain?

The listing states an IPX4 water ingress rating for weatherproof reliability. That is the maker’s rating; mount it per the stated clearances and the manual.

Related guides

Also see our infrared patio heater for a deck. Also see our halogen vs infrared outdoor heater. Also see our patio heater for windy areas. Also see our electric patio heater for a screened porch.