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Electric Patio Heaters Compared: Portable or Standing?
Compare two electric patio heaters for local warmth beside seating on dry, calm evenings. Both need a suitable nearby outdoor socket with RCD protection and weather protection while the plug is connected. The Daewoo manual prohibits extension cables, so check that its supplied 1.8m lead reaches your intended position before buying.
October 2026
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Our Top Picks
Shadow Sidekick 901850: Best for compact warmth beside one or two close seats, with remote adjustment.
DAEWOO HEA2048GE: Best for adjustable-height warmth beside a table, with a higher maximum output.
Which One Suits You?
DAEWOO Patio Heater - Black — HEA2048GE
Adjustable-height warmth beside a table
Who It Suits
Someone wanting more maximum power than the Sidekick and an adjustable heating-head position beside a small seating area. Plan around two close seats facing the heater rather than assuming coverage for four.
Who Should Not Buy
Anyone wanting to use it in rain or strong winds, or lacks the non-flammable standing surface required by its manual. It is also unsuitable if guaranteed warmth for four spread-out seats is essential.
Pros
Higher maximum power than the Sidekick.
Adjustable height and tilting head for directing warmth.
Three stated wattages make running costs straightforward to estimate.
Cons
Its 1.8m cable and ban on extension cables restrict placement.
Rain and strong-wind restrictions limit when it can be used outdoors.
What Owners Say
Currys' product feedback, collected through Feefo, includes one substantive account describing warmth and a sturdy base at an outdoor gathering. That buyer used two heaters, so it does not establish the coverage of one. The other two entries contain no detailed written account, leaving limited evidence about drawbacks and long-term use.
Shadow Sidekick 1.2kW Portable Infrared Heater - Black — 901850
Compact warmth beside seating
Who It Suits
Someone prioritising a compact heater and remote adjustment beside one or two close seats, with suitable socket access and enough clearance from furniture.
Who Should Not Buy
Anyone expecting one heater to warm four widely spaced seats, or whose intended position cannot meet the manual's clearances. Choose the Daewoo if higher maximum power and an adjustable heating-head height matter more.
Pros
Compact format for placing beside seating.
Remote adjustment across six heat levels.
Lower maximum electricity consumption than the Daewoo.
Cons
Its lower maximum power makes it a cautious choice for larger seating groups.
Four intermediate wattages are undisclosed, preventing individual running-cost estimates for those settings.
What Owners Say
One customer on Robert Dyas describes useful warmth for its size and outdoor gatherings, while noting that its textured areas collect dust and pet hair. The other written entry is brief. A separate Sidekick customer account on Trustpilot describes an initial lower-setting fault that was resolved with a replacement. Feedback is too limited to establish typical reliability or coverage.
Compare Them Side By Side
Shadow Sidekick 901850 | DAEWOO HEA2048GE | |
Maximum power | 1.2kw | 2kw |
Heat settings | Six; stated range 550–1200W | 650W, 1300W, 2000W |
Estimated cost per hour | Lowest 14.5p; maximum 31.6p; four intermediate costs unconfirmed | Low 17.1p; medium 34.2p; high 52.6p |
Format and controls | Compact floor heater; remote | Adjustable standing heater; pull cord |
Supplied cable | 1.8m | 1.8m; no extension cable |
What To Look For
Check the socket and placement first. Both supplied leads are 1.8m long, so the heater must reach a suitable socket without stretching its cable across a walkway. Outdoor equipment needs RCD protection, and the socket must remain protected from weather with the plug connected. Daewoo expressly prohibits extension cables; Electrical Safety First also advises against using extension leads with patio heaters.
Match the heater to the seats. As a cautious planning estimate, treat the Sidekick as local warmth for one or two people sitting close to it. The Daewoo is the stronger candidate for two nearby seats facing its heating head. These are estimates, not measured coverage claims. Neither is a dependable choice for warming four people spread around a table.
Understand the power difference. At maximum, the Daewoo uses 2kW against the Sidekick's 1.2kW: 800W more, or about 67% more power. That gives it greater potential to deliver warmth, but does not mean it warms 67% more people. Distance, positioning, wind and outdoor temperature affect comfort. The Daewoo's 1300W middle setting is much closer to the Sidekick's maximum.
Estimated running costs use Ofgem's average Direct Debit electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for 1 October–31 December 2026. They assume one full hour at the selected setting and exclude the daily standing charge, which is payable regardless of heater use. Use your own electricity unit rate for a personal estimate.
Shadow Sidekick lowest setting, stated as 550W: approximately 14.5p an hour. Shadow Sidekick four intermediate settings: wattages and individual running costs not published. Shadow Sidekick maximum setting, 1200W: approximately 31.6p an hour.
Daewoo low setting, 650W: approximately 17.1p an hour. Daewoo medium setting, 1300W: approximately 34.2p an hour. Daewoo high setting, 2000W: approximately 52.6p an hour.
Follow the instruction manual rather than broad weatherproof claims. Daewoo prohibits use in rain, snow, hail, thunder or strong winds and requires a solid, level, non-flammable standing surface. Keep combustible materials at least 1m from its outlet. The Sidekick requires at least 0.9m clearance from combustible materials in front; do not assume every under-table position is suitable. Both become hot: supervise use, keep children and pets clear, unplug afterwards and allow cooling before moving.
How We Chose
We compared selected products from trusted retailers and official brand stores, using manufacturer specifications, instruction manuals and exact-product customer feedback. Both picks rely on owner evidence; we did not establish independent hands-on testing for either, and the available feedback is limited. We research products rather than test them, explain evidence gaps and choose independently of commission. No brand can pay to be featured or ranked.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people will one patio heater warm?
Plan conservatively for local warmth beside one or two close seats. The Daewoo has more maximum power, but neither model has verified coverage showing that one heater comfortably warms four people around a table.
Is 2kW noticeably different from 1.2kW?
A 2kW heater has about 67% more maximum power than a 1.2kW heater. That can help deliver stronger local warmth, although heater position and conditions determine how useful it feels. It also uses more electricity when both run continuously at maximum.
How much do these heaters cost to run?
At the electricity rate used here, the Daewoo costs approximately 17.1p, 34.2p or 52.6p an hour across its three settings. The Sidekick costs approximately 14.5p at its stated lowest setting and 31.6p at maximum; the four intermediate wattages are undisclosed.
Can I use an extension cable?
The Daewoo manual says no. For this comparison, choose a position where the supplied cable reaches a suitable outdoor socket directly; Electrical Safety First also advises against extension leads for patio heaters.
Can the Daewoo be used in rain?
No: its manual prohibits use in rain and several other adverse weather conditions. Its splash-resistance rating does not override that restriction.