Fire Sense 60262 Tabletop Patio Heater Review — Cozy Up Close, Best Out of the Wind

A small patio heater that works best when you use it the “right” way

There’s a specific kind of outdoor cold that’s extra annoying — not freezing, just cold enough that you start doing math like, “Do I really need to sit out here?” That’s where tabletop propane heaters shine. They’re not trying to heat your whole backyard. They’re trying to make a small hangout spot feel comfortable again.

This review is based on customer experiences, and the story is pretty consistent: this heater can be a genuinely cozy upgrade for compact patios and porches, as long as you go in with realistic expectations about range and wind.

The quick verdict

If your goal is to keep a small patio dinner or porch chat comfortable on cool evenings, it can do the job. The happiest owners treat it like a close-range comfort bubble — not a “blast heat across the yard” machine.

If you’re used to the big, tall patio heaters that crank out 40,000+ BTU and feel like an outdoor furnace, this will feel lighter. Some buyers are totally fine with that. Others expected more and didn’t love the difference.

What the warmth feels like (according to real owners)

Most positive reviews describe the heat as “enough” — the kind of warmth that makes sitting outside feel pleasant again. But almost everyone agrees on one thing: distance matters.

Owners who are sitting a few feet away (around a small table, on a loveseat, in a screened porch) are far more likely to love it. People hoping for wide coverage often describe it as underpowered for bigger areas.

A simple way to think about it: it’s great for gathering close, not for warming everything you can see.

Wind is the real boss here

Wind shows up as one of the most repeated complaints. Even people who like the heater say a breeze can wipe out the benefit fast. That’s why many of the “five-star” type reviews come from sheltered patios, screened porches, or corners where the house blocks airflow.

So if your outdoor space is exposed and breezy most nights, you’ll want to factor that in before you expect miracles.

“Tabletop” in name, not always in vibe

A surprising number of customers mention size expectations. The heater is short, but it isn’t tiny. Some buyers call it bulky and say they wouldn’t want it sitting in the middle of a dining table because the top reflector feels large.

Others do place it on a sturdy side table (metal, wrought iron) and like that it keeps the heat up around seated people. The main takeaway: it can work on a table, but it may feel more “statement piece” than “small accessory.”

Setup and first light: usually fine, sometimes frustrating

Many owners say assembly is straightforward and takes around half an hour. But the negative reviews cluster around two themes:

• Quality control surprises — dents, missing hardware, holes that don’t line up, parts that arrive bent.
• Lighting quirks — confusing instructions, needing a few tries, or learning that you have to hold the pilot longer than expected.

Some people get it running with a little patience and then have no issues. Others report units that become inconsistent over time — especially around ignition or staying lit.

Fuel reality: convenient, but not cheap if you use it a lot

Customers like the simplicity of the small 1 lb propane cylinders — you can buy them almost anywhere, and the tank hides inside the body which looks cleaner on a patio.

The downside is cost and runtime. A lot of owners say the small bottles can drain faster than they’d like, especially if you run it higher or you’re trying to fight colder temps.

That’s why one of the most common “owner tips” is adding a hose adapter so you can run a standard 20 lb tank. People mainly do this for longer sessions without swapping bottles, not because it suddenly becomes twice as hot.

A safety note people keep repeating: watch your hands

This is worth calling out because it shows up so often. Multiple customers report sharp metal edges around the tank door/opening, sometimes sharp enough to cause cuts while changing bottles. Several reviewers say they now use gloves every time.

It’s not a “small annoyance” kind of complaint. It’s a “be careful” complaint.

Who this heater is for

Buy it if you want:

• Close-range warmth for a small patio, porch, or compact deck setup
• Something portable you can move and store easily
• A “cozy add-on” for cool evenings, not a full outdoor heating system

Skip it if you need:

• Wide heat coverage in an open, windy area
• A set-it-and-forget-it heater with zero ignition drama
• Full-size patio heater performance in a smaller package