6 Best Electric Fireplaces (2023 Review)

The inviting aura of an electric fireplace can make any house feel like a home. While traditional fireplaces require maintenance and constant attention, an electric fireplace takes the chill out of the air without the work or smell.

To help you find a fireplace that fits your home, we’ve researched online models and created this guide to the six best electric fireplaces.

Top 6 Electric Fireplaces

• Best Overall: R.W.FLAME Recessed and Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace
• Best Insert: PuraFlame Klaus Electric Fireplace Insert
• Best Large Fireplace: Touchstone Onyx Electric Fireplace
• Best Console: Ameriwood Home Chicago Electric Fireplace TV Console
• Best Electric Stove: Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove
• Best Open Fireplace: TURBRO Eternal Flame Electric Fireplace Logs

Best Electric Fireplace Overall: R.W.FLAME Recessed and Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace

Pros and Cons

✔ Contains an automatic heat kill switch to avoid overheating
✔ Heats rooms that are up to 400 square feet
✔ Offers several settings, including five flame speeds and 12 flame colors

✘ Makes a dull grinding noise during operation, according to some customers
✘ Doesn’t offer a realistic crackling sound setting

What Customers Are Saying

We found that customers who were happy with this product said that it was easy to install and operate and had an elegant design. However, some unhappy customers claimed that it arrived damaged from the manufacturer. Others said that it had a lower heat output than they expected.

Best Electric Fireplace Insert: PuraFlame Klaus Electric Fireplace Insert

Pros and Cons

✔ Has lifelike resin logs
✔ Comes with a glass door and mesh screen to keep you protected from direct heat
✔ Compatible with its included remote control

✘ Takes longer to install with its inserted design
✘ Can’t be moved from room to room

What Customers Are Saying

We saw that customers who liked this fireplace said that it was bright, easy to control, and simple to install. However, we also some unsatisfied customers claimed that the heater stopped working after minimal use and that the thermostat was inconsistent.

Best Large Electric Fireplace: Touchstone Onyx Electric Fireplace

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a glass door that stays cool to the touch
✔ Has flames that sit in your choice of included faux logs or crystals
✔ Has vents along the top to allow heat to escape

✘ Doesn’t produce realistic flames
✘ May be too large for smaller living rooms

What Customers Are Saying

When checking reviews for this product, we found that those who left positive reviews often liked that it had an easy assembly process, a sleek design, and a realistic-looking flame. However, customers who gave negative reviews said that it stopped working after a short period of time because of its poor design.

Best Electric Fireplace Console: Ameriwood Home Chicago Fireplace TV Console

Pros and Cons

✔ Supports televisions that are up to 50 inches
✔ Contains a divided top shelf and two side cabinets
✔ Can support over 100 pounds

✘ Has customer complaints about difficult installation
✘ Takes up floor space

What Customers Are Saying

We saw that several customers said that this fireplace was made from durable material, had an elegant, modern design, and featured an effective heating element. However, we also noticed that some customers complained about the involved installation process and the lack of a remote.

Best Electric Stove: Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove

Pros and Cons

✔ Can open the door to roast marshmallows or cook other food
✔ Has an adjustable digital thermostat
✔ Produces 5,200 British Thermal Units of heat to warm spaces that are up to 1,000 square feet

✘ Has comments from users about little heat production
✘ Doesn’t give your cooked food a smoky flavor

What Customers Are Saying

We saw that several customers said that this electric fireplace was durable, had realistic flames, and heated large rooms. However, we also saw that some dissatisfied customers said that it died quickly and created a harsh burning smell.

Best Open Electric Fireplace: TURBRO Electric Fireplace Logs

Pros and Cons

✔ The flames have three adjustable brightness levels
✔ Comes with an adjustable thermostat and simplified control panel
✔ Includes built-in overheating protection

✘ Has a relatively short six-foot power cord
✘ The remote control won’t work if you’re more than 13 feet away from the fireplace

What Customers Are Saying

Our team found that customers who left positive reviews of this openly-designed electric log fireplace found it to be a handy addition to their existing TV stand or entertainment center. They also liked that the fireplace could be used right out of the box and stated that the heat output was satisfactory. On the other hand, we also noticed some users complained that the wood logs and flame effects didn’t look realistic.

Buying Guide to Electric Fireplaces

When selecting our top picks for electric fireplaces, we looked into five features—installation, flame settings, heat control, ease of use, and safety.

Installation

While setting up electric fireplaces doesn’t typically require professional help, their ease of installation will depend on their type. For example, we saw that filling an existing fireplace area with an electric insert should be straightforward, but carving out space for a recessed mount might take some extra planning.

Flame Settings

Electric fireplace settings include everything from flicker speed to flame brightness. Our team found that electric fireplaces typically have buttons on the base or a separate remote to control these settings. Some even offer both.

Heat Control

A benefit of electric fireplaces is the ability to control the temperature and amount of heat that’s produced. Some electric fireplaces that we found on the market offer two or three heat settings, while others provide an adjustable thermostat.

Ease of Use

Another major benefit of using an electric fireplace is convenience. Rather than purchasing firewood and going to the trouble of building a fire, you should be able to flick a switch or press a button to turn your electric fireplace on or off. If ease of use is a priority to you, look for an electric fireplace model that can be plugged in directly out of the box with little to no setup.

Safety

The nice part about owning an electric fireplace is that there’s no need to worry about dozing off in front of its flame. While this already makes it safer than wood- and gas-burning fireplaces, we found that some models even have a timer that shuts off the unit after a certain amount of time.

Types of Electric Fireplaces

Our research indicates that you can separate electric fireplaces into five distinct categories.

Stove

Freestanding or stove electric fireplaces are heaters with an old, rustic look. This type of fireplace is portable, so you can move it from room to room as needed. Plus, we like that you can open its doors and use its roomy interior to warm food.

Mantel

When you think of a fireplace, what typically comes to mind is likely a mantel model that’s fueled by wood or propane. However, we found that many electric fireplaces mimic this style.

Corner

These electric fireplaces fit snugly into a corner to maximize space while still producing heat. Many corner fireplaces double as television stands.

Wall-Mounted

Wall-mounted fireplaces add a modern decoration to your home. In our experience, this type of fireplace resembles a high-definition TV.

Insert

You install an insert electric fireplace within an existing recessed space, such as a TV stand. It starts working as soon as you plug it in.

Fire Safety Tips

Here are a few safety tips to consider when you’re operating an electric fireplace:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions during installation.
• Don’t use an extension cord or power strip to power your electric fireplace.
• Keep objects away from the intake fans and heaters.
• Keep children and pets away from an electric fireplace that’s hot to the touch.
• Keep electric fireplaces dry and indoors at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Fireplaces

How do electric fireplaces work?

There are two kinds of electric fireplaces: infrared and forced-fan. Infrared fireplaces send a beam of light that warms the surrounding area, while forced-fan fireplaces take in cool air, heat it with a coil, and push it back into the room. While we find the latter type to be more effective, it’s also louder.

Are electric fireplaces safe?

Our research shows that electric fireplaces are significantly safer than traditional fireplaces because you don’t have to worry about burning yourself on real flames or breathing in ashes or fumes.

What are the disadvantages of an electric fireplace?

We found that the disadvantages of using an electric fireplace to heat your home include the unit’s potential limited heat output, lack of a real firewood smell, energy consumption, and lack of charm or fulfillment compared to using a real-wood fireplace. However, the inherent safety features, as well as the convenience of heating your home with the flick of a switch, outweigh the disadvantages of using an electric fireplace.

Are electric fireplaces expensive to use?

In our experience, electric fireplaces are much more cost- and energy-efficient than gas-powered or wood-burning fireplaces. On average, they cost about 18 cents per hour to run. Many models have adjustable brightness and heat settings as well as a no-heat option to conserve even more energy.

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