The Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater isn’t the most powerful model by any stretch, but it’s the perfect solution for micro patios and couples looking to stay cozy during al fresco relaxing on colder evenings. It also offers a range of features at a price that won't break the bank.
Unlike some of the products in our best patio heaters (opens in new tab) list, this Westington Outdoor Heater is built for portability and – despite its name – can be used both outdoors and inside your home. Since it's powered by electricity and not gas, it's also better for the environment than some of its rivals.
In our Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater review, we look at the spec, design and features, and dig into the user reviews to see what existing customers have to say about it too. To further build-out your patio space, take a look at our guide to the best solar lights (opens in new tab).
Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater review: Overview
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Westinghouse manufactures a wide range of home and garden products. The Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater (serial number WES31-1200) is one of 12 outdoor heaters the company makes, with the range comprising freestanding, hanging, table-top and wall-mounted variants.
In terms of price, Westinghouse's heaters start at $129.99 and range up to $299.99. This places the WES31-1200, with an MSRP of $199.99, smack bang in the middle of the range. As mentioned above in our review, it’s also designed to be used indoors, if you have a cold spot in your house that needs warming up during the colder months.
MSRP: $199.99
Heat source: Electricity
Heat output: 5100 BTU
Heating range: 6 feet
Size: 33 x 6 x 5.5 inches
Weight: 6lbs
The Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater is also designed with tip-over and overheating protection, and has four timer settings so you don’t have to worry about switching it off.
Before we really dig into our review, here’s a fun fact about Westinghouse: not only did it make the USA's first commercial radio broadcast in 1920, it also produced the cameras that captured the very first Moon walk in 1969.
Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater review: Design
As the name indicates, this Westinghouse model is a freestanding heater. However, unlike those tall commercial patio heaters that stand imperiously over your patio like a Victorian lamppost, it measures just 33 inches in height. While that means it's much less likely to keep your face warm if you're standing up, it does make this a good option for keeping you toasty while you're sitting on garden furniture (the model's rotating design is intended to distribute heat evenly around a six-foot area).
The heater's diminutive size and light weight also make it supremely portable, meaning you can easily move it from one part of the garden to another, and also indoors if you wish (if you're less able, a set of wheels on the bottom will help you transport it). Be aware, though, that the heater is not wireless, so unless you're using it within close proximity of the house, you'll need an extension cable. For another portable option, check out our Fire Sense Table Top Patio Heater review (opens in new tab).
If you are planning to use it outside, you'll be reassured to know that the heater is constructed of durable steel and has received a weatherproof rating of IP54. This means it'll be protected from dust particles and water splashes. Leaving it outside in heavy rain is not recommended.
Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater review: Features
With any kind of heater, there's always a concern that they could start a fire or cause an injury to children or pets. Happily, this model is fitted with tip-over and overheating protection, while the front grille is designed in such a way that it won't get too hot, preventing nasty burns.
Being electrically powered, this heater won't provide anything like the same amount of warmth as one that runs on propane gas. Whereas Westinghouse's product has a BTU (British thermal unit) rating of 5100, some propane gas models offer nine or ten times that. However, as previously mentioned, electric heaters are kinder to the environment and can also operate continuously, whereas propane gas variants need to have their tanks changed after a certain number of hours.
The Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Heater comes with two different heat settings (low and high), so you can adjust it according to how warm it is outside. As mentioned earlier in our review, there's also a timer feature, which comes in handy if you're the kind of person who forgets to switch things off once they've finished with them.
You won't even have to get out of your seat to activate these functions, since the heater comes with a remote control. If this type of ease and functionality is important to you, read our Dr Infrared Heater DR-338 Carbon Infrared Heater review (opens in new tab), as that can be remote controlled too.
Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater review: How could it benefit you?
Patio heaters in general can make a real difference to your outdoor living, enabling you to spend time in the garden even when the temperature dips. But this particular model has its own additional set of benefits…
● A range of safety features offer peace of mind for anyone who has children or pets.
● It’s designed to not be easily tipped over, which is important if you plan on leaving it outside when it’s windy.
● The comparatively low power has an upside – if you have a smaller family or want a heater for your own personal use, it doesn't really make sense to buy a commercial model that radiates swathes of unnecessary heat at high cost.
Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater review: User reviews
This heater isn’t available on Amazon at present, however there are plenty of user reviews to look at from other retailers. At Wayfair, the Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater has been reviewed 95 times by customers, earning an overall score of 4.5 out of five stars. Of those 95 reviewers, 62 have awarded it five stars.
One five-star reviewer hailed the speed at which the product begins to generate warmth, explaining: “Heats very quickly and is very quiet. My husband and I enjoy early-morning tea on cool mornings on our porch due to this heater.”
Another user was generally positive about Westinghouse's model, but had reservations. Giving it four stars, they commented: “I like it but you have to be standing directly in front of it to get any kind of heat.”
More critical reviews mentioned it produces little heat and that it’s lightweight, though that should have been obvious from the spec. Amazon now makes a good range of cheap outdoor heaters that are generally well-rated among customers, as we explain in our AmazonBasics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater review (opens in new tab).
Should you buy the Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Patio Heater?
If you're planning on getting a load of people together for a garden party and want to ensure that people will stick around long after the sun goes down, the Westinghouse Infrared Outdoor 5100 Electric Standing Heater is not the ideal solution – it's simply not powerful enough to keep large groups of people toasty when the temperature drops.
But if you're an individual, a couple or a small family and you want something that'll maintain a comfortable heat while you enjoy some al fresco dining or stargazing, then Westinghouse's eco-friendly and feature-packed outdoor heater is a solid option that should see you through many a chilly evening.
