Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat 4000W Review: Electric Patio Heater

Permanent, silent heat for a covered patio, pergola with a solid roof or outdoor room. An infrared heater warms people and surfaces directly rather than heating the air, so you feel it almost as soon as it switches on, and a breeze does not blow the heat away the way it does with air heating. Bromic describes the heat as focused on people and objects, even in breezy conditions.

Compared with a propane mushroom heater, there is no tank to swap, no flame, no combustion products and no footprint on the patio floor. Mounted on a wall or ceiling, it frees floor space and puts heat where the seating is. At 4,000 W it produces about 13,650 BTU per hour of heat energy, and the dual elements plus smart-control dimming let you run it at lower output on mild evenings.

The build suits permanent outdoor installation: stainless steel with a high-temperature, corrosion-resistant finish and an IPX4 rating against splashing water from any direction.

Installation. This is a 220-240V heater drawing about 16.6 amps, so it does not plug into a standard outdoor outlet. Most homes need a licensed electrician to run a dedicated 240V circuit, sized per Bromic's installation manual and your local electrical code, with any outdoor protection the code requires. That work can cost as much as the heater, and a permit may be required.

The controller is also extra. Bromic says it is compatible with smart control systems for on/off and dimming, but the controls are not included, so budget for them if you want more than a switch.

Coverage is the third limit. A 130 sq ft rating is roughly an 11 by 12-foot seating zone. A typical 12 by 16-foot covered patio of 192 sq ft needs two units, and open sides exposed to wind reduce the felt effect. If you want heat without wiring, the Fire Sense 1500 W pole heater plugs into a household circuit for $210.00.

Praise themes in verified owner reviews of Bromic Tungsten electric heaters:

• Quick, noticeable warmth at seating height once mounted correctly.
• Clean, architectural look that suits finished outdoor rooms.
• Silent operation with no fuel to manage.
• Solid stainless construction for year-round outdoor mounting.

Complaint themes:

• The cost of electrical installation on top of the heater price.
• Controllers and recess kits sold separately.
• Coverage feels smaller on open, windy patios.
• Glow from the elements, which some find bright at night.

Buy it if

• You have a covered patio or outdoor room you use in cool weather.
• You are planning electrical work, or already have a 240V circuit available.
• You want permanent, silent heat with no propane tanks.
• You want dimming through a smart control system.

Skip it if

• You cannot add a 240V circuit; see the plug-in Fire Sense 02117.
• You want a lower-cost 240V heater; the Dr. Infrared DR-239 is 3000 W with a remote and ETL listing for $293.20.
• Your patio is uncovered and windy; a propane heater like the Hiland 48,000 BTU may suit better.
• You want the look of flames; a fire table or pyramid heater fits that.

Electric heater running cost is simple: kilowatts times hours times your electricity rate. At full power the Bromic uses 4 kWh per hour.

• At 12 cents per kWh: about 48 cents per hour.
• At 17 cents per kWh: about 68 cents per hour.
• At 30 cents per kWh: about $1.20 per hour.
• Dimmed to half output through a compatible controller: roughly half those figures.

A 46,000 to 48,000 BTU propane mushroom heater burns roughly half a gallon of propane per hour at full output, so compare with your local propane price. The propane heater makes more total heat but loses much of it to the air on an open patio, while infrared suits covered spaces. Work through your own space and rates with the patio heater BTU calculator and read electric vs propane patio heater.

The listing mentions a manufacturer's warranty but not its length or terms, so get Bromic's published warranty before buying and confirm whether installation by a licensed electrician is a warranty condition. Look for a safety listing mark such as UL, ETL or CSA on the heater's rating label, since the Amazon listing does not state one, and confirm the IPX4 rating suits where you mount it.

Check the CPSC recall database at cpsc.gov/Recalls for this model before buying, and before buying used. Keep the listed 72-inch wall and 96-inch ceiling mounting clearances, plus the manual's distances from curtains, umbrellas, cushions and ceilings.