Choosing a patio heater is about more than a wattage number or a stainless-steel label. Compare the exact model, installation requirements, construction, controls and component warranty against the way you use your outdoor space.
This guide is written by Kelray Heating Canada, not an independent testing organization. Specifications were checked against the manufacturer sources linked below on September 9, 2026. We have not conducted a controlled head-to-head performance or lifespan test.
Kelray vs Bromic · Kelray vs Infratech · Kelray vs Eurofase · Electric vs gas · Premium vs plug-in heaters
Start with a model-level comparison
| Model | Rated power | Published construction |
|---|---|---|
| Kelray ID-50 | 5,000 W | 316 stainless-steel body; polished aluminium rear reflector |
| Bromic Platinum Electric Marine | 4,500 W model | 316 stainless steel; ceramic-glass face |
| Infratech WD-5224 | 5,200 W | 304 stainless steel; 316 Marine UpGrade available |
| Eurofase EF50 | 5,000 W | 304 stainless steel |
These are not identical products. Advertised coverage figures are not standardized test results: mounting height, exposure, enclosure and comfort expectations can differ. More watts means more electrical input, not automatically better efficiency or proportionally greater coverage.
Kelray vs Bromic: what matters?
Compare the specific Bromic range. Its Platinum Electric Marine uses 316 stainless steel, so Kelray is not the only 316 option. The Marine model has a ceramic-glass face and an IPX5 rating; the Kelray ID-50 uses dual quartz elements and has an IPX4 rating.
Consider Bromic when its low-light glass-fronted appearance is central to the project. Consider Kelray when you value a 316 stainless-steel body, replaceable elements and direct product-selection support from our team in British Columbia. Compare the complete installed package, including controls and recess accessories.
Sources: Bromic Platinum Electric Marine specifications; Kelray ID-50.
Kelray vs Infratech: compare the configuration
Infratech's current W/WD page lists the dual-element WD-5224 at 5,200 W and 48 inches long. It offers recessed mounting, a broad choice of finishes and optional smart-home controls. Standard construction is 304 stainless steel, with a 316 Marine UpGrade available.
Kelray's ID-50 is a 5,000 W dual-element heater with 316 construction as standard. If home automation is a priority, compare the exact compatible control packages and installed cost. If materials are your priority, compare Kelray with the Infratech Marine UpGrade—not only the standard version.
Source: Infratech W/WD specifications, materials and controls.
Kelray vs Eurofase: similar power, different details
The Eurofase EF50 is a useful 5,000 W comparison. Its specification sheet lists dual quartz elements, medium-wave infrared heat, IPX4 protection, 304 stainless-steel construction and multiple supply-voltage options. It also offers decorative plates, with restrictions for flush mounting.
Kelray ID-50 also provides 5,000 W through two quartz elements and carries an IPX4 rating, with a 316 stainless-steel body. Consider the finish and accessory combination you want, the electrical supply available, and the warranty for the body versus the elements. Equal rated power does not prove identical heat distribution.
Source: Eurofase EF50 specification sheet (PDF).
Read the component warranty—not just the headline
- Kelray: limited five-year heater-body warranty; rear reflector two years excluding wear and tear; elements one year against material defects. Physical damage is excluded and cleaning requirements apply.
- Bromic: its published table lists Platinum Electric Marine at five years for land-based applications and three years on marine vessels. Tungsten Electric is listed at two years for the heater and seven years for heating elements.
- Infratech: its product brochure states a three-year warranty.
- Eurofase EF50: its specification sheet states a three-year warranty.
These summaries are not equivalent coverage promises. Read each manufacturer's current exclusions, claim procedure, labour and shipping terms before purchasing. Kelray does not claim the industry's longest warranty.
Sources: Kelray installation and warranty guide (PDF); Bromic warranty terms; Infratech brochure (PDF); Eurofase EF50 sheet (PDF).
Electric infrared vs gas patio heaters
Both electric and gas patio heaters can provide radiant heat. It would be misleading to say that gas heaters only warm the air. Gas can be attractive where substantial heat output or an existing fuel supply is important; portable propane models can suit changing layouts.
Electric heaters avoid fuel storage and combustion at the heater, but a fixed high-output installation needs suitable electrical capacity. Gas models require the ventilation and clearances specified in their installation manuals. Neither type makes installation requirements optional, and wind still affects how comfortable people feel.
Compare operating costs using your actual tariffs. A 5,000 W electric heater running continuously at full power uses 5 kWh in one hour. At an illustrative energy rate of $0.15/kWh, that is $0.75 per hour, excluding fixed charges and taxes. For gas, use the selected model's rated fuel consumption and your local fuel price. There is no universal cheapest option.
Sources: Example of a gas radiant heater; Bromic gas-heater ventilation guidance.
Is a premium heater worth more than a 1,500 W plug-in model?
A plug-in heater can be a sensible choice for occasional, close-range use where easy installation and a lower initial budget matter. For example, the Dr. Infrared DR-238 uses a standard 120 V outlet, has an aluminium body and offers settings up to 1,500 W. That is a different class of installation from a hardwired 5,000 W Kelray ID-50.
The ID-50 has about 3.3 times the rated electrical input—not a proven 3.3 times the coverage. Its case is higher-output fixed-zone heating, a 316 stainless-steel body and replaceable elements. Compare the exact model's safety documentation, mounting limits, spare-part availability and component warranty. A low price alone does not prove poor quality or a short lifespan.
Source: Dr. Infrared DR-238 manufacturer specifications.
Durability matters on everyday patios, too
You do not need an oceanfront home to care about long-term ownership. Kelray combines 316 stainless-steel construction, replaceable elements and local support for outdoor spaces ranging from backyard dining areas to restaurant terraces.
The molybdenum in 316 stainless steel improves corrosion resistance compared with 304, especially in chloride exposure. It does not make a heater corrosion-proof or guarantee it will outlast every alternative in every environment. Design, finish, installation, cleaning and component maintenance also matter.
Source: Outokumpu's 316 stainless-steel material guidance.
Which heater fits your space?
Send us your seating-area dimensions, ceiling height, number of open sides, location and available electrical supply. We can help select and position an appropriate Kelray model before you order.
Ask Kelray for help choosing · Installation resources
Designed and manufactured in New Zealand, with final assembly, sales and support for North America from Kelray Heating Canada in British Columbia.