Heated cushions vs gas heater: which suits your terrace best? Both keep guests outside for longer, but they work very differently. A heater warms the air, a heated seat cushion warms the guest. Below you can see what that means for comfort, costs, convenience and the rules.
Heated cushions vs gas heater: air or body
A gas heater radiates heat into the air above and around the table. Warm air rises, and in the wind it blows away. The further a guest sits from the heater, the less they notice. A heated seat cushion works the other way round: the heating element is in the seat and back, so the warmth goes directly to the body. As a result, the guest feels the warmth even on a chilly, windy evening.
Comfort for every guest
Under a heater everyone is equally warm, whether they feel cold or not. One guest is too hot, the other keeps their coat on. With a cushion, each guest chooses their own setting, up to 45 degrees. Anyone who feels less cold turns it down. That makes it more comfortable and ensures guests do not leave early because they are too hot or too cold.
Convenience for your team
Gas bottles have to be bought, swapped and stored safely. That takes time and space. With heated seat cushions, your team takes out the batteries after closing time and puts them in the charging station. One station charges ten batteries at the same time, and by the next morning they are full again. There are no cables across the terrace and you need no power connection outside.
Safety and appearance
A heater is a large object on the terrace that takes up space and gets hot. Gas bottles require extra attention to safety. A cushion hardly stands out: it looks like an ordinary seat cushion, in the colour that suits your terrace. There are models for stacking chairs, bistro chairs and lounge seating.
Rules
More and more municipalities restrict gas heaters on the terrace. In Eindhoven they are banned. Heated seat cushions run on a battery and do not fall under those rules. Read more in Gas patio heater rules: what is still allowed?
Costs
With a gas heater you pay for the heater and then for gas on an ongoing basis. HeatUup heated seat cushions cost € 5 per cushion per month, plus a deposit of € 50 (Olefin and Paris) or € 60 (Sheepskin). Battery, service and warranty are included. A charging station of € 200 comes with every ten cushions. View the prices or read what patio heating costs.
At a glance
| Heated seat cushion | Gas heater | |
|---|---|---|
| What is heated | The guest | The air |
| Gas or installation | No, wireless battery | Gas bottle or connection |
| In the wind | Warmth stays with the body | Heat blows away |
| Adjustable per guest | Yes, up to 45 degrees | No |
| Work for the team | Charging batteries overnight | Swapping and storing bottles |
| Municipal rules | No gas rules | Increasingly restricted |
What do business owners say?
Business owners who switched mainly mention the convenience and the guests. "No more hassle with gas bottles. In the dock in the evening, fully charged in the morning," says an F&B manager from Arnhem. An owner from Utrecht: "Guests now ask for them specifically. On cold evenings the terrace is still full."
Combine and compare
You do not have to choose straight away. Place a trial set of cushions next to your heaters and ask guests what they prefer. Try up to 10 cushions free for one month and decide afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Is a heated cushion warmer than a gas heater?
The guest feels the warmth of a cushion directly in the seat and back, even in the wind. A heater warms the air, and the air blows away.
Do I need power on the terrace for heated seat cushions?
No. Each cushion runs on a wireless battery. You charge it indoors in the charging station.
Can I combine cushions and heaters?
Yes. Many business owners first test cushions next to their existing heaters and then phase out the heaters.
Jemtec is the official partner of HeatUup in the Netherlands and the company behind Heated terraces (verwarmdeterrassen.nl/en) and Terrace in the sun (terrasindezon.nl/en).