Planika Faro vs Lighthouse: Which Outdoor Gas Fireplace Should You Buy? (2026)
Updated October 21, 2026 · By the Chic Home Deco team, authorized The Outdoor Plus dealer
Quick answer: Choose the Planika Faro ($469) if the flame and the look matter most: it is slimmer (14.2-inch footprint), lighter (44 lb), uses less propane and costs $280 less. Choose the Planika Lighthouse ($749) if you want more warmth: up to 34,120 BTU vs 27,300, with heat felt about 3 to 6 feet away instead of 2 to 4. Both are freestanding propane fireplaces with a 360° flame, a hidden 20 lb tank and no installation.
Key takeaways
- Lighthouse = about 25% more heat and a wider warm zone.
- Faro = $280 less, lighter, slimmer and longer burn time per tank.
- A pair of Faros ($938) is a popular entrance setup; one Lighthouse is $749.
- For one unit serving a whole lounge group on cool nights, pick the Lighthouse.
Side by side
| Planika Faro | Planika Lighthouse | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Oct 2026) | $469 | $749 |
| Heat output | 17,100 to 27,300 BTU/h | 23,890 to 34,120 BTU/h |
| Warm zone | About 2 to 4 ft | About 3 to 6 ft |
| Height | 58.9 in | 62 in |
| Footprint | 14.2 x 14.2 in | 15.7 x 15.7 in |
| Weight | 44 lb | 61 lb |
| Moves on | Four casters | Castors with locking brake |
| Ignition | Piezo push-button | Electronic control panel (AAA) |
| Gas use | 0.88 to 1.10 lb/h | 1.10 to 1.43 lb/h |
| 20 lb tank at full flame | About 18 to 23 h | About 14 to 18 h |
| Tank | Hidden in the base | Hidden in the base |
| Made in / warranty | Poland / 2-year limited | Poland / 2-year limited |
From our product listings and Planika documentation. Burn time worked out from the listed gas use.
Heat: how much warmer is the Lighthouse?
At full flame the Lighthouse puts out 34,120 BTU/h vs 27,300 for the Faro, about 25% more. In practice that changes who feels the warmth:
- Faro: the two or three people sitting closest, within about 2 to 4 feet. Think a pair of lounge chairs or one end of a sofa.
- Lighthouse: a lounge or dining group, within about 3 to 6 feet.
Neither is designed to heat a whole open patio on a cold night. For that, plan one tower per seating group, or see how they compare with a classic heater in our glass tube patio heater vs flame tower guide.
The Lighthouse: the warmest Planika tower, for a whole seating group.
Size, weight and moving it
The Faro is the easier one to live with on a small patio: a 14.2-inch square base and 44 lb. The Lighthouse is a little taller (62 inches), wider (15.7 inches) and heavier (61 lb), but its castors have a locking brake so it stays put once placed. Both roll easily on smooth paving; on grass or gravel, carry or lift with two people.
At 44 lb, the Faro is easy to roll to a new spot.
Burn time and running cost
Both take a standard 20 lb propane tank inside the base, the same tank as a gas grill (not included). Because the Lighthouse burns more gas, the tank goes faster:
| At full flame | Faro | Lighthouse |
|---|---|---|
| Propane per hour | 0.88 to 1.10 lb | 1.10 to 1.43 lb |
| 20 lb tank lasts | About 18 to 23 hours | About 14 to 18 hours |
| Rough cost per hour* | About $1 to $2 | About $1.50 to $2.50 |
*Depends on local propane prices; refilling a tank is usually cheaper per pound than exchanging it. Lower flame settings use less.
Look and flame
Both are black, square towers with four tempered glass panels and a real flame you can see from every side. The Faro has a slimmer, lighter-looking frame; the Lighthouse has a heavier base and burns over black glass gravel for a more architectural feel. On a terrace you usually see the difference in presence more than in style: a Lighthouse reads like a column, a Faro like a lantern.
The Lighthouse at a restaurant entrance in Sweden.
Decided on the Faro?
The Faro ships from our New Jersey warehouse with the US regulator and hose, stones and a cover in the box.
Shop the Planika FaroOr see the LighthouseWhich one for your space?
| Your space | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Front entrance (a pair) | Faro | Slim, lantern-like; two cost $938 |
| Lounge set or sectional | Lighthouse | Wider warm zone for the group |
| Small balcony or rooftop corner | Faro | Smallest footprint of the two |
| Dining table on cool nights | Lighthouse | More heat at the table |
| Restaurant or hotel terrace | Both | Faros along walkways, Lighthouses by tables |
| Tightest budget | Faro (or the Bino at $379) | See our full Planika review |
Want more heat?
The Lighthouse is Planika's strongest tower, with a single knob to set the flame and a locking brake on the castors.
Shop the Planika LighthouseOr compare all five Planika modelsFrequently asked questions
Is the Planika Lighthouse warmer than the Faro?
Yes. The Lighthouse reaches 34,120 BTU/h with warmth felt about 3 to 6 feet away; the Faro reaches 27,300 BTU/h with warmth felt about 2 to 4 feet away.
What is the difference in size between the Faro and the Lighthouse?
The Faro is 58.9 inches tall on a 14.2 x 14.2-inch base and weighs 44 lb. The Lighthouse is 62 inches tall on a 15.7 x 15.7-inch base and weighs 61 lb.
Which one uses less propane?
The Faro, at 0.88 to 1.10 lb per hour at full flame, about 18 to 23 hours per 20 lb tank. The Lighthouse uses 1.10 to 1.43 lb per hour, about 14 to 18 hours per tank.
Do the Faro and Lighthouse include the propane tank?
No. Both use a standard 20 lb propane tank that hides in the base; the US-spec regulator and hose are included.
Can I use the Faro or Lighthouse on a covered porch?
Only in a partially covered outdoor space with good airflow, following the manual's clearances. Never indoors.
