John Crouch, the director of public affairs for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, sums up the benefit of this home appliance this way: “Electric fireplaces are primarily decorative, with some having a heating option. Most of the heating-option units will be designed to warm a single room and generally with 5,000 BTUs.” He adds that electric fireplaces are generally considered safe for home use, “as long as you have them installed to the specifications of their owner’s manual.” We researched and tested dozens of models, judging them on style and display quality, safety features, heat output, and ease of setup and use. The Duraflame DFI-5010-01 Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove is the best overall option, based on its compact size, overheat protection, and adjustable heat and flame display settings. Here are the best electric fireplaces. The fireplace stands a little over two feet tall and weighs 28.6 pounds, and it’s relatively easy to move around. We also like that there’s no reason to store it during the warmer months (especially if you don’t have room). The heat and flame functions are independent of one another, so you can enjoy the ambiance from the five flame settings when you don’t need the heat. This product also earned our in-home tester’s approval in the face of chilly Colorado climate conditions, thanks to the infrared heater that transmits warmth directly to people and objects. “While the Duraflame unit shouldn’t be used as a primary heating method in a home,” they noted, “it did a remarkable job warming up smaller cold rooms in our Rocky Mountain home and added a nice ambiance for visitors in our guest room.” We also appreciate all of the safety features this UL-tested unit offers, including overheating protection on the plug, and a programmable automatic shutoff timer. The timer allows the electric fireplace to operate for a 30-minute session or up to nine hours before turning the unit off. While testing the heat settings, we noticed that the top and sides of the heater did not get hot. However, the front grille is under the firebox and exposed, and does get hot, so keep that in mind when considering placement. Price at time of publish: $300 This basic electric fireplace comes in widths ranging from 30 to 60 inches while beating the cost of similar units by a significant margin. This linear electric fireplace doesn’t include a stand for tabletop display, like some other models, but for anyone planning to hang or install the fireplace, that shouldn’t matter. You can pick from 12 LED colors for the flames and ember bed while also adjusting flame speed and brightness levels. The heating element operates at 750 watts or 1,500 watts of power, but there is no built-in thermostat to regulate the temperature automatically. Price at time of publish: $360 While testing the heating function, we found that this heater kept us feeling warmer than our readings showed. We could feel the heat strongly from three feet, and even up to 7 feet away. (The manufacturer claims that it heats up to 400 square feet—about the size of a two-car garage.) The firebox has two settings: an on/off switch for the heat, and a similar switch for the multicolored flames. This is a great feature in summer, when you may want the cozy ambiance of the fireplace but do not need the heat. We do wish this unit came with a remote control so you could relax by the “fire” without having to get up to change the settings. It took two of us around 2.5 hours to assemble this in our lab! The instruction manual included illustrations and minimal text instructions, which we found a little tricky at first, but we found the 25 steps well worth our time. Price at time of publish: $529 To give this electric fireplace insert a realistic look, the three-sided interior has a brick-like finish treatment and a resin log that sits on a grate above the faux ember bed. A top grille grate above the glass front of the unit conceals the manual controls but easily pops open to reveal pushbuttons for flame and heat settings. The flames have three settings that vary in brightness and intensity. Heat is optional and offers 750 or 1,500 watts of power. A remote control allows you to make adjustments from across the room. Keep in mind that you may need to prepare your existing fireplace before use. As John Crouch, the director of public affairs for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association notes, “If it’s going to be used as an insert into an old wood-burning fireplace, it would be wise to have the fireplace thoroughly cleaned by a chimney sweep, and then seal the unit to the fireplace to prevent any drafts.” Price at time of publish: $360 We also found it easy to assemble; in fact, it took two of us in our lab less than an hour to put it together. The instructions were easy to follow, even though they were illustrations only. The only issue we noted was getting the top of the cabinet to fit into the base, but we loosened the screws a bit and easily squeezed it in. Aside from a mantel, the classic feature of a fireplace is, of course, the fire. The Real Flame uses LED technology to give the flames and embers a life-like glow, and dynamic movements that mimic a real fire that dances and dims. You can choose from five brightness settings and also customize the flame color. The unit can be operated by using the touchscreen panel or by a remote that can function up to 25 feet away. (We found both methods easy to use.) You also can operate the flame feature without the heat, so you can enjoy the ambiance year-round. The 1,500-watt heater can be adjusted to six different temperature settings, ranging from 72 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. A blower propels the warm air into the surrounding space, and our lab tester found it extremely quiet. However, we preferred that the heater provided more than one blower speed. The manufacturer claims that it can provide supplemental heat for rooms up to 1,000 square feet—more than two and a half two-car garages. (Many electric fireplaces are only recommended for heating spaces up to 400 square feet.) We noted that the cabinet doesn’t seem that it would knock over easily, especially if placed against the wall. During testing, the back of the CSA-certified firebox did not get hot, and there is a two-inch gap between the firebox and the cabinet to provide additional airflow when placed against a wall. Price at time of publish $1,077 The biggest draw of a wall-mounted electric fireplace is its display, and it’s tough to beat the options of the Dimplex Sierra. Upon installation (or down the road), you can choose among traditional logs, glass media, or smooth stones for the fireplace’s ember bed. LED lighting effects offer even more variety for the appearance of the flames and embers; in total, there are eight variants of display lighting. You can also illuminate the flames and embers separately. Whether you mount this linear electric fireplace or opt to use it with the included display stand, you can benefit from its built-in electric heater function. While it’s not the most robust heater (it tops out at 82 degrees Fahrenheit), it offers warm, supplementary heat, with or without flame operation. Price at time of publish: $552 This model is the first two-sided see-through electric fireplace (according to the manufacturer), and it also has the distinct advantage of incorporating adjustable privacy glass. You can take the visibility from one room to the other, from fully transparent to partially see-through or fully opaque. It’s a popular pick for walls between common entertaining areas, such as the dining room and living room. However, with the option to adjust the privacy of the glass instantly, you also can use it in more private living spaces. The flame- and ember-lighting options enhance the ambiance of this see-through electric fireplace. Pair blue, orange, or combination flames with 15 ember color options for a look that fits the mood, occasion, and decor. For warmth you can feel, you can also count on the heater to produce supplementary heat for a medium-to-large room. It’s equipped to supply 5,000 BTUs of heat for 120V installations, or 10,000 BTUs in the case of 240V installations. Price at time of publish: $2,349 The main attraction of an outdoor electric fireplace is the ambiance it creates. This model offers various colors and intensity settings to customize the flame show. However, note that the Touchstone Sideline Outdoor Fireplace has no heating element. The advantage is that it only requires 120V installation and can be hardwired or plugged into an outlet. Price at time of publish: $1,049 Once connected to your home’s Wi-Fi network, you can turn the fireplace on or off using voice commands. Other options to control the fireplace’s settings or operations are available using the included remote control or an adjustable timer. As expected of a premium electric fireplace, the Touchstone Sideline Elite fireplace has a slew of flame colors (six) and media bed settings (10), plus five intensity settings and three flame-speed settings. This splurge-worthy electric fireplace is equipped with two heat settings—750W or 1,500W. You can dial in the temperature using the adjustable thermostat, picking a comfort level from 68 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind, however, that it’s only designed to heat areas up to 400 square feet, about the size of a two-car garage. Price at time of publish: $989
Placement
Some models are made to sit on the floor, while others can be wall-mounted, like the Dimplex Sierra Linear Electric Fireplace. Certain models, including the PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert, can convert traditional wood-burning fireplaces into electric versions. Consider the room where you’re going to put it, as well as where electrical outlets are located. “Safety Note: Be sure to place where the cord will reach an electrical outlet without the use of an extension or plug strip,” says Larry Campbell, a licensed electrical contractor and member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board. “Always plug any electric heating device directly into a wall socket and not a plug strip outlet.”
Style
Since a fireplace often serves as a focal point in any room, make sure you select one that matches your taste and surrounding décor. From the look of the frame to the interior components, such as faux logs or crystals, there are various details to consider when choosing the best electric fireplace for your home. For example, the Real Flame Silverton 48 in. Electric Fireplace can give you the look of a traditional, custom-made fireplace and is perfect for displaying decor. The Walker Edison Fireplace TV Stand can function as an entertainment center and support a TV.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Erica Puisis, a freelance writer with expertise in researching and testing home appliances. She relies on a fireplace stove-style electric heater for supplementary warmth during Northeastern winters. To find the best options based on aesthetics, features, and heating ability, she considered a variety of electric heater models, including freestanding, wall-mounted, and insert options. In her research, she compared the options for flame appearance and intensity, heat output, and functions, along with firsthand insights from product testers. Erica also interviewed John Crouch, the director of public affairs for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. He spoke about the purpose of an electric fireplace, its versatility for most home environments, and what you should consider when installing an electric fireplace insert into a wood-burning fireplace. Jenica Currie, associate commerce editor for outdoor, gardening, and home improvement at The Spruce, updated this list using additional results and insights from top electric fireplace heaters and space heaters tested in our lab.
