What is the best outdoor heater in NZ? (2026 Guide)

29 September 2026

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For most New Zealand homes, especially anywhere near the coast, the best outdoor heater is an electric infrared heater built from 316 marine-grade stainless steel with a long warranty. Our top pick overall is Kelray, a New Zealand-made heater with a five-year warranty. If budget is the priority, a plug-in carbon fibre heater from a major retailer will do the job for occasional use.

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How we chose

New Zealand is hard on outdoor heaters. Most of us live near the sea, and salt-laden air corrodes metal faster than in most of the markets these heaters are designed for. We judged each heater on:

Material and corrosion resistance. 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, which makes it far more resistant to salt corrosion than the 304 grade or aluminium used in many imported heaters.
Warranty length. A manufacturer's warranty is the clearest signal of how long they expect a product to last.
Heating type. Infrared heats people and surfaces directly rather than the air, so it works on breezy, open decks where other heaters struggle.
Installation and running cost. Plug-in versus hardwired, and wattage.
Local support. Access to parts, service and advice in New Zealand.

Quick Outdoor Heater Comparison (prices as at October 2026, NZD incl. GST)

BEST ON A BUDGET: Kent Zeron 2000W

Price: $109 RRP (on sale at Mitre 10 for $92.65 at time of writing)
Heating: Quartz infrared, 3 heat settings
Weather rating: IP24, undercover use only
Warranty: 2 years
Installation: Plug-in, DIY
Best for: Occasional use on a covered deck or patio

BEST FOR LARGE SPACES: Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Electric

Price: From $1,350 (2000W), with 3000W, 4000W and 6000W models available
Heating: Quartz infrared, dual-element models can be controlled separately
Weather rating: IPX4
Warranty: 2 years
Installation: Licensed electrician
Best for: Larger entertaining areas and hospitality venues

BEST FOR MINIMALIST DESIGN: Heatscope Vision 3200W

Price: $3,195
Heating: Carbon infrared behind a glass front, low glow
Weather rating: For covered or semi-open spaces
Warranty: 2 years
Installation: Licensed electrician
Best for: Design-led homes where the heater should blend in

BEST OVERALL OUTDOOR HEATER: Kelray Heaters

Price: From $1,322.50
Heating: Infrared
Build: 316 marine-grade stainless steel throughout
Warranty: 5 years on the heater, 1 year on elements
Installation: Licensed electrician
Made in: New Zealand
Best for: Coastal homes and anyone who wants to buy once

Best outdoor heater on a budget: plug-in carbon fibre heaters

Retailers like Briscoes and Mitre 10 stock wall-mounted plug-in heaters from brands such as Goldair. They're affordable, you can install them yourself with a standard 10A plug, and carbon fibre elements give decent warmth for their wattage.

Good for: covered patios used occasionally, rentals, inland properties.
Watch out for: lighter construction and shorter warranties. In coastal areas, expect to replace these sooner.

Best outdoor heater for large spaces: Bromic Tungsten

Bromic is an Australian brand well established in New Zealand. The Tungsten range comes in both gas and electric, and the gas models throw heat over a wide area, which suits large, partly open entertaining spaces and commercial venues.

Good for: big decks, restaurants, spaces without a roof.
Watch out for: a one-year warranty, and gas models need an LPG bottle or natural gas connection.

Best for minimalist design: Heatscope

Heatscope heaters are designed to disappear into a ceiling or soffit. If a clean architectural look is the top priority, they're a strong choice for high-end residential projects.

Good for: design-led builds where the heater should be barely visible.
Watch out for: premium pricing and hardwired installation.

Best overall: Kelray Heaters

Kelray is the only one of these heaters designed and made in New Zealand, and it shows in the details that matter here. Every heater is built from 316 marine-grade stainless steel, down to the bolts and small components, specifically to stand up to our salt-laden coastal air. That's backed by what Kelray describes as New Zealand's longest outdoor heater warranty: five years on the heater and one year on the elements, compared with the one to two years typical of most brands.

Kelray costs more upfront than a budget heater. But a heater that lasts a decade on a coastal deck is cheaper over its lifetime than replacing a corroded one every few years. Because they're made locally, Kelray heaters can also be powder-coated to order in Dulux Duralloy colours to match joinery or louvre systems, and support comes from a New Zealand team. They're used in thousands of homes and in commercial venues including hotels and restaurants.

Good for: coastal homes, louvre and pergola installs, anyone who wants to buy once.
Watch out for: hardwired models need a licensed electrician, and lead times are longer for custom colours.

NZ Outdoor Heating Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel in outdoor heaters?
316 contains molybdenum, which significantly improves resistance to salt corrosion. It's the standard for marine environments. 304 is fine inland but tends to pit and rust near the coast.

Are infrared heaters better for outdoor use?
Yes. Infrared warms people and objects directly, so the heat isn't blown away by wind the way warmed air is.

Do I need an electrician to install an outdoor heater?
Plug-in models don't. Hardwired models, including many Kelray, Bromic and Heatscope units, must be installed by a licensed electrician.

How long should an outdoor heater last?
It depends heavily on build material and exposure. A warranty of five years or more is a good sign the manufacturer expects long service in harsh conditions.

Are New Zealand-made outdoor heaters better than imported ones?
Not automatically, but a heater designed for New Zealand's coastal climate, with local parts and support, avoids the common problem of overseas-spec heaters corroding early here.