Many people heat their homes with pellet stoves because they find them more convenient and efficient than wood stoves and fireplaces. A pellet stove has the same cozy and attractive look as a traditional wood-burning stove, but offers cleaner burning with less air pollution.
Overall, investing in a pellet stove can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $5,000. Professional installation is generally recommended to ensure that ventilation and carpentry work are handled correctly.
In order to help you bring this efficient and cozy option to your home, we researched top-rated pellet stoves. Our top choice among the best pellet stoves is the ComfortBilt HP50S Small Wood Pellet Stove. With a sleek design and vent-free operation, this option delivers an easy way to enjoy up to 20 hours of continuous burning. Take a look at our guide below for more of our picks.
Best Pellet Stoves: Our Top 4 Picks
- Comfortbilt HP50S Small Wood Pellet Stove: Best Overall
- Comfortbilt HP22-N Pellet Stove: Best Heavy-Duty
- Mr. Heater Cleveland Iron Works Bayfront Pellet Stove: Best Smart Features
- US Stove Non-Electric Pellet Stove: Best Non-Electric
Compare Top Pellet Stoves
| Product | Hopper Capacity | Heating Output | Heating Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
Comfortbilt HP50S Small Wood Pellet StoveCheck Price | 20 lbs | 42,000 BTUs | 2,200 sq. ft. |
Comfortbilt HP22-N Pellet StoveCheck Price | 80 lbs | 50,000 BTUs | 2,800 sq. ft. |
Mr. Heater Cleveland Iron Works Bayfront Pellet StoveCheck Price | 66 lbs | Not listed | 1,800-2,500 sq. ft. |
US Stove Non-Electric Pellet StoveCheck Price | 60 lbs | 40,000 BTUs | 2,000 sq. ft. |
Terms To Know for Pellet Stoves
- Hopper Capacity: The amount of pellets a hopper can hold in pounds.
- Heating Output: British Thermal Units (BTUs) are a measure of heat generation. Generally, 20 BTUs are required to heat one square foot.
- Heating Capacity: How large an area the pellet stove can heat, measured in square feet.
Best Overall
Comfortbilt HP50S Small Wood Pellet Stove
Good for: Someone looking for a quiet and efficient way to heat an entire home.
With a heating capacity covering up to 2,200 square feet in a milder climate, this ComfortBilt freestanding wood stove can easily keep a small to mid-sized home toasty. You can keep the heat going for up to 20 continuous hours on the lowest of this unit’s five settings. In addition to liking the sleek, streamlined exterior that’s easy to clean, we also appreciate how completely the pellets burn.
Pros and Cons of Comfortbilt HP50S Small Wood Pellet Stove
- Programmable thermostat makes maintaining a constant temperature easy
- Ashes trickle automatically into a removable ash pan
- Meets all EPA and CSA federal emissions mandates
- Eco mode generates more smoke than expected due to constant reigniting
- Requires top-grade hardwood to perform at its potential
What People Are Saying About The Comfortbilt HP50S Small Wood Pellet Stove
Overall, we found that most customers are very happy with this pellet stove’s performance. Many were surprised by just how much heat such a compact unit can put out. However, a few shared that this stove eats more pellets than expected, and others had difficulty with getting it to maintain a consistent output.
Best Heavy-Duty
Comfortbilt HP22-N Pellet Stove
Good for: People who like to “set and forget” with help from a large hopper.
Capable of warming up to 2,800 sq ft, this pellet stove has an 80-pound pellet-hopper capacity that offers a maximum output of 50,000 BTUs. The lowest heat setting can burn for 36 hours without needing a pellet refill. Since it burns the pellets so completely, it’s only necessary to empty the ash drawer once every two weeks to keep this unit tidy.
Pros and Cons of Comfortbilt HP22-N Pellet Stove
- Meets all EPA and CSA federal emissions mandates
- Qualifies for a 30% IRS Stove Tax Credit
- Programmable thermostat makes maximizing pellet efficiency easy
- Hopper window is tight
- Design can seem bulky
What People Are Saying About The Comfortbilt HP22-N Pellet Stove
In our research, we saw that most customers were impressed by the quality of this stove. The stove also earns accolades for its powerful heat output and easy-to-clean design. Despite the stove’s large capacity, some homeowners were frustrated by how often they needed to refill the hopper.
Best Smart Features
Mr. Heater Cleveland Iron Works Bayfront Pellet Stove
Good for: Someone who likes to manage indoor temperatures carefully.
This EPA-approved, Wi-Fi-enabled pellet stove can heat spaces between 1,800 and 2,500 square feet using a pellet hopper with a 66-pound capacity. It offers whisper-quiet performance that won’t compete with television shows or family conversations. The app makes management easy, allowing you to set thermostat schedules. A face with three viewing windows offers cozy views by a crackling fire.
Pros and Cons of Mr. Heater Cleveland Iron Works Bayfront Pellet Stove
- Digital control panel and remote control make adjusting temperatures easy
- Qualifies for a 30% IRS Biomass Stove Tax Credit
- Works with iOS and Android platforms
- The front glass attracts cloudy soot
- Can feel “over-designed” for someone seeking simple operation
What People Are Saying About The Mr. Heater Cleveland Iron Works Bayfront Pellet Stove
While most people praise the tech on this pellet stove, some reviewers wished for a simpler interface. Several shared that this stove was great for hitting a temperature “sweet spot” quickly before leveling off to help cut energy costs. On the other hand, a few felt that this stove didn’t quite live up to its promises of heating more than 2,000 square feet.
Best Non-Electric
US Stove Non-Electric Pellet Stove
This EPA-certified, non-electric pellet stove utilizes a natural gravity-fed system to reduce the maintenance of your home’s heating system. Since there are no mechanical parts, it is also less likely to break down. Its freestanding, steel body offers silent operation with 40,000 BTUs capable of heating up to 2,000 square feet.
Pros and Cons of US Stove Non-Electric Pellet Stove
- Takes up minimal floor space
- Non-electric design is ideal for blackout zones or off-grid spaces
- Can be used in mobile homes
- Doesn’t have a fan to blow warm air
- Stability can be an issue
What People Are Saying About The US Stove Non-Electric Pellet Stove
We found that while customers generally appreciate the consistent heat and hassle-free design, a few had difficulties with controlling smoke. One tip that has been shared by reviewers is to use softwood pellets instead of hardwood pellets to get a hotter burn.
What Do You Need to Know Before Buying a Pellet Stove?
In order to find a stove that meets your needs, you need to understand how a stove would work in the specific space you’re trying to heat. This guide to the essential factors for finding the best pellet stoves is a good starting place.
Efficiency
Pellet stoves are already more efficient than standard wood-burning stoves. That’s because the low moisture in pellets allows them to burn more efficiently than wood logs. Pellet stoves also hold a distinct advantage over propane heating appliances as an energy-efficient and eco-friendly home heating solution due to their use of renewable fuel. Look for EPA-approved models that qualify your home for tax credits. All EPA-certified pellet stoves usually fall into the 70% to 83% efficiency range.
Heat Output
Heat output describes the amount of heat converted from the pellets you put into your hopper. Most manufacturers of pellet stoves list their heat output in BTUs. A higher BTU number means a higher heat output. With modern pellet stoves, BTUs can range from 8,000 to 80,000. If you’re looking to make heating your home as economical as possible, look for pellet stoves with eco modes that trigger the unit to shut off once a desired temperature has been reached. While in eco mode, a stove will also turn back on once the room cools to a set temperature.
Size
Always look at the dimensions of any pellet stove you’re considering before bringing it into your home. While newer compact models are making it possible to use pellet stoves in tight areas that never could have accommodated stoves in the past, you still can’t just “squeeze” a stove in anywhere it will fit. Always measure a space with the clearance needed in mind. Generally, pellet stoves need to be placed at least 3 feet away from any surfaces or objects to avoid combustion risks. Larger pellet stoves tend to have larger hoppers that can accommodate more pellets. Hopper capacity on standard pellet stoves can range from 18 pounds to 80 pounds. The advantage of choosing a larger hopper is that you won’t have to refill your pellets as frequently.
Maintenance
All pellet stoves require roughly the same maintenance protocols. The main issues you’re battling are soot and sawdust. To remove buildup, do a weekly brushing or vacuuming of the main burn chamber areas. One factor that does cause deviations for maintenance protocols among pellet stoves is the size of a design’s ash drawer. Stoves with larger ash drawers can go longer between cleanings. However, you should still clean an ash drawer thoroughly at least once every two weeks. Finally, pellet stoves with larger windows tend to require more maintenance because soot can fog up the glass pretty quickly.
Design
For many people, a new pellet stove is intended to be a focal point of a room. Most people look for a classic stove look that is indistinguishable from a wood-burning stove. For those looking for a modern design, gravity-fed pellet stoves have a vertical design that only shows off a small peek of the flames inside.
One design element to pay attention to is the pellet feed system. In a top-feeding pellet stove, pellets are placed into the auger from the top of the unit. Some people like this option because it reduces the risk of fire getting up into the hopper. It also generally creates better efficiency because pellets get burned fully. However, a top-feeding design does pose a higher risk for ash clogs. If you opt for a top-feeding pellet stove, commit to high-grade pellets with low ash levels. With a bottom-fed hopper, pellets are fed into the stove horizontally from the back of the fire. There’s more freedom to use standard pellets with this design because ash naturally moves away from the burn zone.
Types of Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves can be freestanding or fireplace inserts. If you’re starting from scratch with heating your home with a pellet stove, a freestanding option offers easy installation with an exhaust pipe. If you have an existing fireplace that you’d like to convert, an insert-style pellet stove can fit into the firebox to vent up to your chimney.
Freestanding Pellet Stoves
A freestanding pellet stove consists of a cast-iron box unit that is either mounted on a pedestal or four furniture-like legs. As the name implies, it is designed to stand in a corner against a wall without being vented through a chimney. Generally, a freestanding pellet stove can be installed anywhere you have the room, clearance, and ability to connect an exhaust pipe. One of the biggest benefits of a freestanding pellet stove is that it’s easy to reach every corner for cleaning.
Wall-Mounted Pellet Stoves
Just like freestanding and insert pellet stoves, wall-mounted pellet stoves offer another versatile option for homeowners. As the name suggests, these units are mounted directly onto the wall, providing a space-saving solution for home heating. One of the significant advantages of a wall-mounted pellet stove is space efficiency. They don’t take up any floor space, making them ideal for smaller rooms or tight spaces. However, cleaning can be more of a challenge, and the installation cost is often higher.
Insert Pellet Stove
Insert pellet stoves can save space in your home if you already have an existing fireplace. However, one downside to an insert is that reaching different parts of the stove for cleaning can be challenging. Installation can also be more expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pellet Stoves
How do you vent a pellet stove?
There are two main ways to vent a pellet stove. When installing a freestanding pellet stove without a chimney, a flue or exhaust pipe that is connected to an external wall of the home is used to send gas waste vertically up the side of the home to the outside. Insert pellet stoves vent through the chimney.
How much electricity do pellet stoves use?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, pellet stoves consume about 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month. This works out to about $9 worth of electricity.
What does hopper capacity refer to?
Hopper capacity describes the amount of pellets in pounds a pellet stove’s hopper can hold. Generally, hopper capacity ranges from 18 pounds to 80 pounds. A higher capacity means that a stove can burn for a longer time without the need to refill pellets
Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of pellet stoves with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.