Bromic vs. Infratech: Which Electric Patio Heater Brand Is Better?

Bromic and Infratech are the two electric patio heater brands we install more than any other, and for good reason: both are hardwired, both are built for permanent outdoor use, and both have real mounting and control ecosystems behind them. They solve the same problem in two different ways.

Bromic is an Australian company that treats the heater as a design object: a slim enclosed body, a tinted glass face on the Platinum line, and a pendant (the Eclipse) that doubles as a light. Infratech is a California manufacturer that builds heaters in Gardena, offers eight standard colors and unlimited custom colors, and has the deepest control lineup in the category, from a simple wall switch to a Wi-Fi panel that talks to Alexa.

We sell, design around, and install both across NYC, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida. Here is how we help customers pick between them.

Bromic vs. Infratech at a glance

Electric Patio HeatersBromic HeatingInfratech

How do the two lineups map to each other?

Bromic splits its electric heaters into a few distinct designs. Platinum Electric is the flagship: a fully enclosed 304 stainless body with a tinted ceramic glass face, in 2,300, 3,400 and 4,500 watt versions, black or white. Tungsten Electric is the workhorse: a matte stainless box with an exposed quartz element, in 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 and 6,000 watts. The Eclipse is a round pendant that combines a 2,900 watt heater with a 497 lumen dimmable light. Platinum Marine is the Platinum design rebuilt in 316 stainless for salt air.

Infratech organizes by body shape instead. The C Series (single element) and CD Series (dual element) have a 2.5 inch deep C-shaped body meant for wall or ceiling surface mounting. The W Series and WD Series have a 3 inch deep W-shaped body that accepts the optional flush mount frame, so the heater sits inside the ceiling instead of under it. The SL Slimline is a narrower single-element heater in anodized aluminum for lower ceilings. Every series shares the same quartz element technology and the same 304 stainless construction (aluminum on SL), and all of them take the same family of controls.

Practically, a Bromic Platinum 4500 and an Infratech CD-5224 or WD-6024 are the units that compete most often on a dining terrace. A Bromic Tungsten 2000 or 3000 competes with an Infratech W-2024 or W-3024 over a smaller seating area.

Which produces more heat per unit?

Electric heaters are rated in watts, and the physics is simple: one watt is about 3.4 BTU per hour, so a 2,300 watt Platinum is roughly 7,900 BTU and a 6,000 watt heater is roughly 20,500 BTU. What differs between brands is how that heat is spread, which is why both publish coverage areas instead of just wattage.

Bromic rates Platinum Electric at about 65 square feet (2,300 W), 108 square feet (3,400 W) and 143 square feet (4,500 W). Tungsten Electric is rated at 65, 100, 130 and 160 square feet for the 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 and 6,000 watt models. The Eclipse pendant is rated at 121 square feet.

Infratech publishes coverage as a footprint tied to mounting height. A 1,500 watt W-1512 covers about 5 by 5 feet from 6 to 7 feet up. A 3,000 watt single-element W-3024 or C-3024 covers about 8 by 8 feet. The 4,000 watt dual-element WD-4024 covers about 8 by 10 feet from 8 to 10 feet, the 5,200 watt WD-5224 about 10 by 10 feet, and the 6,000 watt CD-6024 or WD-6024 about 11 by 11 feet from 8 to 12 feet. Infratech notes that sheltered spaces usually beat those numbers and cold, windy ones fall short of them.

The honest comparison: at the top end the two brands are close (160 square feet for Tungsten 6000 versus roughly 121 square feet for WD-6024 by Infratech's more conservative chart). Infratech's advantage is granularity. Nine lengths and nine wattages let us match a long, narrow terrace with a 48 inch 2,600 watt unit, or put a 120 volt 1,500 watt W-1512 over a small balcony where a 240 volt circuit is impractical. Bromic's advantage is that its biggest Platinum does a dining table from one fixture while looking like a piece of architecture.

Which has less glare and visible light?

This is the single biggest reason customers pick Bromic Platinum. Its element sits behind a tinted Schott ceramic glass screen that Bromic describes as producing very little light emission. In use you see a soft, dim red face, not an orange bar. Over a dining table or in a sight line from a living room, that matters more than people expect.

Bromic Tungsten and every Infratech series use quartz elements behind a protective grille. A quartz element glows a visible orange when it is running, and brighter at full power. That glow is not a flaw; many customers like the visual warmth, and it also tells you at a glance that the heater is on. But if you want heat you cannot see, Platinum is the answer, and nothing in the Infratech line matches it on that one point.

Two mitigations on the Infratech side: a dimming control (solid-state or the Universal panel) lowers both the heat and the glow, and recessing a W or WD Series heater with the flush mount frame moves the element up out of your direct line of sight. Infratech's Motif decorative fascias cover the fixture in a Contemporary, Craftsman, Mediterranean or Traditional pattern, which breaks up the glow and dresses up the heater in a traditional porch.

Which holds up better to salt air and weather?

Both brands build in 304 stainless as standard and both offer 316 for corrosive sites. Infratech's Marine UpGrade swaps the housing (and the flush mount frame, on request) to 316 stainless on the C, CD, W and WD Series. Bromic's Platinum Marine is a separate product line in 316 stainless with an IPX5 rating against low pressure water jets, and Bromic says it is the first outdoor heater series approved by Lloyd's Register. Tungsten carries an IPX4 rating and Bromic describes standard Platinum as IP certified for outdoor use; Infratech heaters are UL listed for outdoor use and the manual calls for IPX4 rated components on outdoor installations.

Both manufacturers say the same thing about placement: mount under cover whenever possible. Bromic specifically recommends keeping the heater out of direct rain, snow and salt mist. Infratech recommends a protective roof or weather cover and notes that indoor or well-protected spaces exceed its coverage figures.

On the South Shore of Long Island, in the Rockaways and in our Jupiter and Stuart installs, we spec 316 on anything within sight of the water. On an inland Westchester patio or a covered Manhattan terrace, standard 304 on either brand has held up well in our experience.

Bromic PlatinumBromic TungstenInfratech Heaters

Which has better mounting and recess options?

Bromic Platinum and Tungsten mount three ways: on a wall with the included brackets, from a ceiling on a pole (Platinum ships with an 8 inch stainless pole; longer poles are sold for tall ceilings), or recessed into the ceiling with a model-specific kit such as the Platinum 4500W recess kit or the Tungsten 2000W/4000W recess kit. Bromic also sells low-clearance recess kits for Platinum, which is the answer when a pergola or awning frame leaves little depth. The Eclipse pendant hangs from a 24 inch twin pole as standard, with 8, 24 and 48 inch straight poles, a curved pole and a wall mount available.

Infratech's W and WD Series are the recess specialists. The optional flush mount frame (sized for 33, 39, 48 and 61.25 inch heaters) lets the fixture sit inside a flat, non-sloped ceiling, and Infratech notes you do not need a powder coat color when flush mounting because the body is hidden. The C and CD Series use two inset brackets for a floating surface-mount look, and all series can go on a wall, a ceiling or a pole. Infratech also offers a drop pole for high ceilings.

Minimum heights are comparable. Bromic calls for 72 inches of floor clearance on a wall mount and 96 inches on a ceiling mount for Platinum and Tungsten, and 96 inches for Eclipse. Infratech rates its heaters for 7 to 12 foot mounting heights (SL up to 10 feet), with the manual stating a 6 foot minimum for UL listed units. Infratech also publishes clearances we take seriously on tight terraces: 18 inches from sides and ends, 36 inches in front, 6 inches behind, and 12 inches to the ceiling on a wall mount.

For a ceiling under 8 feet, the Infratech SL-2424 is our usual answer: 42.5 inches long, 2,400 watts, a narrow 3 inch deep body, and a mount that tolerates lower heights than the full-size fixtures.

Which has the better controls?

Infratech, by a wide margin, if you want options. The value tier is a simple on/off switch or the INF input regulator, which works with any single-element heater up to 3,000 watts (15 amps) and needs one regulator per heater. Know what it is: the INF is not a dimmer. It cycles the heater on and off at intervals to reduce output, which is fine for a porch and a little coarse for a formal dining terrace. Dual-element CD and WD heaters use duplex/stack switches so you can run one element or both.

Above that, Infratech builds control panels to order: solid-state packages for smooth dimming, Home Management panels that tie into a Crestron or Lutron type system, and the Universal Control Panel, which adds Wi-Fi app control, a 120 volt slide dimmer and timer, multiple zones, and voice control through Alexa, Siri or Google. The panels are UL 508 listed and NEMA 4 rated, and they carry the same 3 year warranty as the heaters.

Bromic keeps it simpler. Every Platinum and Tungsten model works with the Affinity Smart-Heat On/Off controller, the Affinity Dimmer, or a manual wall switch; an Affinity expansion board adds heaters to one controller. Tungsten 4000 and 6000 have two elements that can be switched separately. The Eclipse uses its own Eclipse pendant control and remote with four heat steps (off, 33, 66 and 100 percent) and light dimming from 50 to 100 percent by preset or in 1 percent steps from the remote.

If the heaters need to live on a home automation system or be controlled from a phone, Infratech is the easier path. If you want a wall dimmer and a clean look, either works. Browse remotes and controls for both brands.

What does installation require in New York?

Almost every heater in this guide runs on 240 volts (Infratech also sells 120 volt models up to 1,500 watts, and both brands sell 208 and 277 volt versions for commercial service). A 4,500 watt Platinum draws about 18.8 amps at 240 volts; a 6,000 watt Infratech WD-6024 draws 25 amps. Each heater needs its own properly sized circuit, and Infratech's manual requires that the heater be permanently installed and hardwired by a licensed electrician. In New York City, electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician, and a DOB electrical permit may be required; your electrician will know. Plan the circuits before the ceiling is closed.

Electric is also the practical choice where gas is not. On a Manhattan terrace or a Brooklyn rooftop, running a gas line is often impossible, and FDNY rules restrict propane cylinders in the city, so a gas patio heater is rarely an option above the ground floor. A hardwired electric heater has no fuel, no flame and no clearance-to-combustibles problem of the kind a gas unit brings, though both brands still publish clearances you must respect.

Co-op and condo boards usually want to see the spec sheet, the electrician's license and the mounting method. Flush-mounted Infratech units and the enclosed Bromic Platinum both tend to pass review easily because they do not read as "heaters" from the street.

Which has the better warranty?

Infratech is consistent: a 3 year warranty on every heater and on its control panels, which it describes as the most extensive in the industry. Bromic varies by line: 3 years on Platinum Electric and Eclipse, 2 years on Tungsten Electric with 7 years on the heating elements, and 5 years on Platinum Marine for land-based installations (3 years on vessels). Neither covers labor in the way an appliance warranty might, so read the terms. Specifications and warranty periods change, so confirm the current terms on the manufacturer's site before you buy.

In service terms, both brands have replaceable elements. Infratech sells replacement quartz elements by model and voltage, such as the E2024 element for its 2,000 and 4,000 watt heaters, so a heater is a long-term fixture rather than a disposable one.

Which looks better in a finished space?

Taste is yours, but here is what we see in the showroom. Bromic Platinum is the heater architects ask for by name: a slim 2 1/8 inch deep face, no visible element, black or white, and a glass front that reads as a light fixture. Eclipse is a genuine design piece, a matte black disc that gives you dimmable 3000K light and heat from one point in the ceiling. Tungsten is plainer, a matte stainless box that looks right on a modern pergola or a commercial patio.

Infratech wins on blending in. Eight standard colors (brushed stainless, white, biscuit, almond, beige, bronze, black, gray and copper) and unlimited custom colors mean the fixture can match a bronze pergola or a white soffit. The Motif fascias turn it into a decorative panel. And a flush-mounted WD-4024 in a tongue and groove porch ceiling practically vanishes when it is off.

On price positioning, both brands sit in the premium tier. In general, Infratech delivers more watts for the money, especially in the C and W Series, while Bromic Platinum and Eclipse carry a design premium. Tungsten is Bromic's value play and lands close to Infratech on a per-watt basis.

Our recommended models

These are the heaters we specify most often, chosen for the jobs where each one clearly beats the other brand. All are 240 volt hardwired unless noted.

Best Bromic OverallBromicPlatinum Electric 4500W, Black (BH3622000)About 143 sq ft of low-glare heat from one 53 inch fixture; the dining terrace heater.View details →Best Bromic ValueBromicTungsten Electric 4000W, BlackTwo separately switchable elements, about 130 sq ft, 7 year element warranty, at a Tungsten price.View details →Best for Small TerracesBromicPlatinum Electric 2300W, Black33 inches, 9.6 amps, about 65 sq ft: the Platinum look for a city balcony or a bistro table.View details →Best Infratech OverallInfratechCD-6024 61 1/4 inch 6000W, BlackThe most heat in the category: about 11 by 11 feet of coverage from 8 to 12 feet up, two switchable elements.View details →Best for Low CeilingsInfratechSlimline SL-2424 Black Shadow, 2400WA 3 inch deep all-black heater for pergolas and porches under 10 feet.View details →Best Flush MountInfratechWD-4024 39 inch 4000W, BronzeDual element, about 8 by 10 feet of coverage, and it recesses into a flat ceiling with the W flush mount frame.View details →Best Marine / CoastalBromicPlatinum Marine 3400W, White (BH0320018)316 stainless, IPX5 and a 5 year land-based warranty for the South Shore, the Rockaways and Jupiter.View details →Best PendantBromicEclipse Electric Pendant 2900W with Twin PoleHeat plus a 497 lumen dimmable 3000K light over a dining table; about 121 sq ft.View details →

Bromic EclipseAll Patio HeatersRemotes & Controls

Which should you choose?

Our recommendation for most New York homes: a Bromic Platinum Electric over the dining area where you sit and look at it, and Infratech wherever the heater should be felt and not seen, such as a flush-mounted WD Series in a porch ceiling or a color-matched C Series under a pergola beam. If the whole terrace is one open seating zone and budget matters, go all Infratech. If it is a formal outdoor room with a view, go Platinum or Eclipse. Mixing the brands on one project is common and works fine, as long as each brand's heaters run on its own control.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bromic or Infratech better?

Neither is better across the board. Bromic Platinum has the lowest glare and the most refined look, and the Eclipse pendant adds light. Infratech offers more sizes and wattages, flush mounting, custom colors and the deepest control lineup, usually at a lower cost per watt. Pick by what matters in your space.

Do electric patio heaters need 240 volts?

Most do. Bromic Platinum, Tungsten and Eclipse are 208 to 240 volt units (some Tungsten models are offered in 277 volt for commercial service). Infratech sells 120 volt heaters up to 1,500 watts (W-1512, C-1512, SL-1612) and 240, 208 and 277 volt models above that. A 4,500 to 6,000 watt heater draws 19 to 25 amps and needs its own circuit.

Can I install an electric patio heater myself in NYC?

No. These are hardwired fixed appliances. Infratech's manual requires installation by a licensed electrician, and in New York City electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, with a DOB electrical permit where required. We coordinate the electrician, the mounting and the controls as part of an installation.

How many heaters do I need for a 10 by 20 foot patio?

Usually two or three. Infratech rates a 4,000 watt WD-4024 at about 8 by 10 feet and a 6,000 watt WD-6024 at about 11 by 11 feet; Bromic rates a Platinum 4500 at about 143 square feet. Those figures assume a sheltered space. For an exposed rooftop or a windy Long Island yard, plan on more and aim each unit at where people sit rather than at the center of the floor.

Do Infratech heaters glow or give off light?

Yes. Infratech uses quartz elements that glow orange when running, as does Bromic's Tungsten line. Dimming controls reduce the glow, and flush mounting moves it out of your sight line. Bromic Platinum's tinted ceramic glass face is the only option here that gives off very little visible light.

Can Bromic Platinum be recessed into a ceiling?

Yes. Bromic sells ceiling recess kits for each Platinum and Tungsten wattage, plus low-clearance recess kits for Platinum where the ceiling cavity is shallow. The kit is model specific, so order it with the heater.

Which heater is better near the ocean?

Specify 316 stainless on either brand. Bromic Platinum Marine is 316 stainless, IPX5 rated and carries a 5 year land-based warranty. Infratech's Marine UpGrade builds the C, CD, W and WD Series in 316 stainless. Both manufacturers still want the heater mounted under cover, out of direct rain and salt mist.

Can I dim an electric patio heater?

Yes, with the right control. Bromic's Affinity Dimmer dims Platinum and Tungsten; the Eclipse control steps the heat through 33, 66 and 100 percent. Infratech's solid-state and Universal control panels dim smoothly. Infratech's lower-cost INF input regulator is not a dimmer: it cycles the heater on and off to reduce output.

Related guides

Browse all buying guides and expert advice →

Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.

Sources:Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric, Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Electric, Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Electric, Bromic Platinum Electric Marine, Infratech W/WD Series, Infratech C/CD Series, Infratech SL Series, Infratech coverage chart, Infratech W Series installation guide, Infratech INF input regulators, Infratech Universal Control Packages. Specifications change; always confirm with the manufacturer's current installation manual.