I tried a £40 patio heater from Gtech - and was shocked by the results

My holds a special place in my heart. It may not be the picture-perfect, paradise that floods social media at this time of year, but it's my personal sanctuary. There's something incredibly calming about sitting on a bench on a balmy summer evening, taking in the results of your hard work, and there has been an abundance of that in recent years.

After much toil, my garden is blossoming into a charming space for my family to relish. However, like many others, we grapple with a common problem that curtails our wish to linger outside as the sun dips below the horizon - the evening chill.

A few years back, I invested in a fire pit. While it did offer some warmth, the overpowering scent of smoke was a turn-off, and I was constantly worried about bothering the neighbours or ruining their washing.

So, when the chance to test the came up, I was intrigued. At £39.99, down from £149.99, I wasn't anticipating wonders. But from the moment I turned it on, I was pleasantly taken aback.

In my naivety, I pointed it straight at myself, only to be immediately engulfed by the powerful light and heat.

My father had a similar response. The device isn't particularly large, and when it's switched off, you could easily underestimate its power. However, he was equally surprised and impressed when I switched it on, noting how swiftly it reached full power in mere seconds. The handy gadget isn't particularly large or heavy, tipping the scales at just 1.5kg, so it won't occupy much room if space is a concern.

doesn't come with a stand and is intended to be mounted on the wall, but due to the L-shape of my corner patio seating area, finding a suitable spot for wall installation proved challenging. As a result, I ended up creating my own stand to allow for flexibility, depending on where guests are seated.

The bracket features a tilting function, making it quite easy to adjust, while assembly is straightforward for anyone with basic DIY skills. The outdoor electric heater employs infrared technology to provide a sensation of warmth similar to that of the sun, which genuinely works - it gives you that feeling of the sun emerging from behind the clouds and brightening your day when you first switch it on.

When I tested the heater during cooler weather with a bit of wind, it provided warmth nearby, but beyond two to three metres, its effectiveness waned. Despite its price making it hard to criticise, if we set cost aside and focus solely on the product, my main issue is with the cable's length.

The diminutive size of this heater could make positioning challenging unless a power source is within arm's reach. It shines when warming nearby spaces, but for vast expanses, more potent, pricier models might steal the show.

Take, for example, fetching £400 on the market. Its alluring features include flame control, a generous three-metre hose, a sleek glass screen, a protective cover, and the all-important lava rocks.

Two customer reviews average four stars, suggesting high satisfaction. A purchaser said: "Great for the summer nights."

Another reported mixed feelings, noting: "We have only used the fire pit a couple of times, but it seems exactly what we wanted. The only thing is the ignition button doesn't really work. You can hear it ticking, but by the time there is enough gas to ignite, it goes off like a bomb. It's better to use a candle lighter, but other than that, it's great."

Amazon has the , which allows you to tweak settings via a smartphone app and comes with a handy remote.

Gtech's model endeavours to emit warmth as far as 6m. However, when I tested it, no discernible heat was sensed at such a stretch, intimating its suitability for areas more intimately spaced.

If apprehensions about energy expenditure niggle at you, Gtech reassures with their claim: "Infrared heaters are the way. They use a lower wattage than traditional patio heaters, and are much more efficient as less heat is lost. Silently and discreetly, they convert almost 100% of the electricity they use into usable heat."

Customers who have purchased the heater are singing its praises, awarding it a stellar 4.6 out of five stars rating from 521 reviews. Buyers are extolling its virtues; one delighted customer noted: "Exactly the type of garden heater I've been looking for small/compact and does the job it's intended for and a great price. Easy to setup and to mount."

Another thrilled user recommended the product, saying: "Very impressed, it chucks some heat out, would definitely recommend."

Similarly, a third buyer expressed their satisfaction, stating: "Great heater and bargain price. Would definitely recommend and I think I will buy another one for my patio. Delivery was excellent."

However, not all feedback was without criticism. One consumer experienced a drawback and commented: "Tried it briefly and threw out a lot of heat instantly. Trouble is the ridiculous shortness of the cable. Only good if you have an electric point close by your ideal spot. Otherwise it would be a higher rating."

Echoing this sentiment, another spoke of a similar issue: "Works really well but the lead is nowhere near long enough to mount the heater above the patio doors and reach the external plug, so we need to find a way to extend it."

In summary, the consensus suggests that the heater is a worthy purchase for its price tag. For budget-conscious individuals looking for value, the product seems like an attractive proposition, ensuring warm, enjoyable evenings outside even when it's cold. The heater demonstrates exceptional value, adding much-needed warmth to outdoor areas for those who buy it.

Nevertheless, those with larger spaces or complicated electric configurations might need to look at more powerful alternatives.

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