If you're researching a Bromic outdoor patio heater, you've likely noticed that Bromic operates at a different price point than most brands on the market. The Australian-designed Bromic Smart-Heat range is built for permanent installation in high-demand commercial and residential settings, including restaurants, hotel terraces, residential pool decks, and covered outdoor kitchens. This guide covers the full lineup, compares the Tungsten and Platinum series, and explains which model fits which type of space.
Standard patio heaters work by convection, warming the surrounding air. The problem with convective heat outdoors is that wind disperses it almost immediately, and effective range drops sharply as ambient temperature falls. Bromic's Smart-Heat line uses infrared radiant heating instead, which warms objects and people directly rather than the air. The practical result is more consistent warmth in exposed or partially exposed settings, and useful output in wind conditions that would neutralize a convective heater.
Every wall and ceiling-mounted Bromic model is compatible with the Affinity wireless control system. Affinity lets you adjust heat output, set schedules, and group multiple units into zones from a single controller. For a restaurant managing a dozen heaters across a covered terrace, this makes a real operational difference. For a residential installation, it eliminates wall switches in awkward locations and allows dimming from a single remote.
Bromic offers two main product families, Tungsten and Platinum, each available in gas and electric configurations. Here's how they differ on the specs that matter:
Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas (Wall/Ceiling): Available in 300 series (26,000 BTU) and 500 series (43,000 BTU). Wind resistance rated to 8 mph. Angular aluminum housing and visible burner element, built for durability and high-output coverage. Starting at $1,775 for the 300 series. Shop the Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas Heater.
Tungsten Smart-Heat Portable Gas: The 500 series Tungsten in a freestanding propane format. Same 43,000 BTU output, no permanent installation required. Priced at $2,360. Shop the Bromic Tungsten Portable Gas Heater.
Platinum Smart-Heat Gas (Wall/Ceiling): Available in 300 series (23,600 BTU) and 500 series (39,800 BTU). Wind resistance rated to 12 mph, making it a meaningful upgrade for exposed or coastal spaces. Ceramic-glass fascia gives it a more refined, architectural appearance. Starting at $2,298. Shop the Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas Heater.
Platinum Smart-Heat Electric (208V): Infrared heating behind the same ceramic-glass front as the gas Platinum. Available in 2300W ($1,483) or 3400W ($2,130). No gas line required. The 208V specification is a commercial wiring configuration, so installation requires a licensed electrician. Shop the Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric.
Eclipse Smart-Heat Portable Electric: A 3300W freestanding electric heater with a built-in dimmer. Designed for spaces where wall or ceiling mounting is not possible. Priced at $4,999. Shop the Bromic Eclipse Smart-Heat Portable Electric.
The Tungsten vs Platinum choice comes down to two factors: wind exposure and aesthetic priority. If your space is exposed or coastal, the Platinum's 12 mph wind resistance justifies the price premium. If the setting is more utilitarian and the heater will be mounted high out of focus, the Tungsten delivers strong output at a lower entry cost. Both are Affinity-compatible and can be zoned together across a larger installation.
The Commercial Standard: Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas Heater
Bromic's product skews toward commercial applications: the Affinity zoning system, 208V electrical requirement for the Platinum Electric, and the price points all reflect a product built for venue-level builds. That said, residential buyers regularly choose Bromic for high-end outdoor kitchens, infinity pool decks, and covered loggias where the surrounding investment justifies the equipment cost.
Commercial patios and restaurant terraces: This is Bromic's core market. The Tungsten 500 Gas and Platinum 500 Gas are the most common choices for hospitality applications, often deployed in multiples and controlled via Affinity zone switches. The Platinum's cleaner aesthetic integrates better with designed exterior spaces; the Tungsten suits industrial-modern environments where exposed hardware is intentional.
Residential covered patios and pool decks: For permanent residential installations under a solid pergola or roof structure, the Tungsten 300 Gas is often the entry point. At 26,000 BTU, it covers a moderate patio, and the wall/ceiling mount keeps the unit out of traffic paths. Buyers installing in exposed positions (open pergolas, rooftop terraces) should consider the Platinum for its higher wind tolerance.
Flexible or seasonal spaces: The portable models, Tungsten Portable Gas and Eclipse Portable Electric, address spaces where permanent installation is restricted or the configuration changes seasonally. The Tungsten Portable runs on propane so there's no gas line dependency. The Eclipse runs on a 208V electrical supply, appropriate for commercial contexts where that service is already available.
Built for Exposed Spaces: Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas Heater
The most common alternative to a mounted Bromic heater is a freestanding mushroom or pyramid patio heater. These are widely available and require no installation. The tradeoff is efficiency: mushroom heaters radiate heat in all directions, losing a large portion of their output to the sky. In wind above 5 mph, they're largely ineffective. For occasional residential use, a mushroom heater may be adequate. For a commercial setting where warmth is expected to be reliable, it isn't.
Fire pits and fire tables are another common alternative for residential outdoor spaces. They create ambiance and some radiant warmth, but heat output is directional and limited. Smoke management rules out most fire features in covered patio settings. For buyers who want both a fire feature and overhead supplemental heating, a gas fire table combined with one or two mounted infrared units is a workable combination.
Against direct competitors in the commercial infrared category, including brands like Schwank, Infratech, and Calcana, Bromic differentiates on industrial design and the Affinity control ecosystem. Schwank and Calcana produce robust commercial units with high BTU output; Bromic's premium is partly in the aesthetics and partly in the integrated zoning system.
A Hospitality Staple: Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas Heater
The Fireplace USA currently carries five active Bromic models. Here's a quick reference across the range:
| Model | Type | Output | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas | Wall/Ceiling, Gas | 26,000 / 43,000 BTU | $1,775 |
| Tungsten Portable Gas | Freestanding, LPG | 43,000 BTU | $2,360 |
| Platinum Smart-Heat Gas | Wall/Ceiling, Gas | 23,600 / 39,800 BTU | $2,298 |
| Platinum Smart-Heat Electric (208V) | Wall/Ceiling, Electric | 2300W / 3400W | $1,483 |
| Eclipse Smart-Heat Portable Electric | Freestanding, Electric | 3300W | $4,999 |
Browse the full Bromic Heating collection at The Fireplace USA to compare all available configurations and current pricing.
Bromic rates the Tungsten 500 Gas at approximately 225 sq ft under optimal conditions. Real-world coverage varies with ceiling height, ambient temperature, and wind exposure. For partially exposed or high-ceiling spaces, plan for 150 to 175 sq ft per unit and install supplemental heaters if your coverage target is larger.
Yes. The Platinum Smart-Heat Electric operates at 208V, which is a commercial voltage configuration not compatible with standard 120V or 240V residential circuits. Installation requires a licensed electrician. If your space doesn't already have 208V service, factor in the electrical upgrade cost when budgeting for this model.
No. All Bromic gas heaters require adequate ventilation and are rated for covered but open-sided or partially open outdoor settings. Do not install any gas heater in an enclosed space without verifying local code requirements for minimum ventilation. The electric models have more flexible placement options but still require adequate clearances.
The Bromic Affinity wireless control system is Bromic's proprietary platform. Native integration with HomeKit, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa is not natively supported. Some installers use smart relay controllers to bridge Affinity to third-party platforms, but this is not an officially supported or warranted configuration.
Bromic typically provides a 2-year limited warranty on Smart-Heat heaters. Warranty terms can vary by model and region. Contact The Fireplace USA at time of purchase to confirm the specific coverage applicable to your unit and configuration.
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