An electric fireplace is a great option for many homes, especially for those who do not want to use natural gas or propane as a fuel source. While some models function as inserts that are designed for placing inside a traditional fireplace, others can simply be placed on the floor or mounted on your wall. This allows you to pick the placement of your fireplace, which in turn lets you design your whole room around it. And regardless of whether you pick a simple or a more stylish design, you’ll get a nice dose of heat to warm you and your family up.
In order to help you select the right model for your needs, we thoroughly researched and compared 65 different electric fireplaces to create this list of the top six units, buying guide and comparison chart.
Best Overall: Duraflame DFI-5010-01 Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace
The Duraflame DFI-5010-01 is, in our opinion, the best free standing electric fireplace on the market. This unit not only looks beautiful, it’s also an efficient space heater that generates infrared heat via its quartz heating element, which helps keep a room’s humidity levels stable and won’t dry out the air like a non-infrared heater can.
The Duraflame DFI-5010-01 also has a realistic design that recreates the look of a real fireplace with wood logs and all. By using a 3D imaging technology, it creates the appearance of real wood logs inside the fireplace with flames flickering around. In addition, you can easily adjust the brightness setting to one of five different levels to enjoy more or less brightness based on the effect or mood you want to create, and also have the option of turning the 3D flame effect on with or without heat.
Made entirely from a durable metal that won’t bend or break, the Duraflame DFI-5010-01 has a beveled piece of glass on the front as well as other pieces of glass along the sides, which act like windows to let you view the fire inside from any angle. And to further replicate the look and feel of an authentic wood burning fireplace, they designed this unit so that the door on the front of it can be opened and closed. Read reviews on Amazon >
Best TV Console Electric Fireplace: Altra Ameriwood Chicago
If you’re looking for an electric fireplace that can be the centerpiece of your family or living room, then the Altra Ameriwood Chicago is a great choice. This is a “2-in-1” model that is not only an electric fireplace/heater, but is also a TV and gaming/media console that you can place a large 50″ flat screen television on top of.
The unit is a also a great place to store your books and movies, as it features a number of storage compartments, including two built-in cabinets as well as two open shelves. In total, this fireplace/console can support up to 200 pounds of whatever you wish to put on top or in it.
In addition, the Altra Ameriwood Chicago has a 1400-watt heater built into it which can produce up to 4,600 BTU’s of heat, which is enough to heat up an approximately 400 sq. ft. room.
A couple minor drawbacks of this fireplace, though, that we feel should be mentioned is that it does not come with a remote, nor does it have an adjustable thermostat built into it like the Duraflame DFI-5010-01 above. Read reviews on Amazon >
Best Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace: Touchstone 80001 Onyx
The Touchstone 80001 Onyx is a wall-mounted electric fireplace that’s ideal for those who are looking for a model that they can set up and use with minimal fuss or muss. This unit can be mounted to virtually any wall and to the exact height that you desire.
One of the best aspects of the Touchstone 80001 Onyx is that it’s very easy to install. As it only weighs about 46 pounds, almost anyone can pick it up and hang/mount it on the wall by themselves. The unit also comes with an easy to read and follow set of instructions that show you step-by-step on how to mount it. The instructions will also show you how to pick the best to ensure that your fireplace doesn’t come crashing down after you hang it.
The Touchstone Onyx, overall, has a very sleek and modern look to it with a solid black frame around the edges of it, and features beautiful replica logs that look similar to the driftwood that you might see on a beach. When you turn the fireplace on, LED lights create a flickering effect that makes it look like the logs are on fire. Read reviews on Amazon >
4 Best Electric Fireplace Insert: PuraFlame Western 33-Inch
The PuraFlame Western 33-Inch is a great choice for those who may have an old fireplace in their home and no longer want to burn gas or deal with the hassle of acquiring firewood. With this embedded electric fireplace, you can simply insert it right inside the space where your old fireplace is and it will look just like the real thing.
This model incorporates LED lights that work with the faux wood logs to make it appear as though the logs are actually burning. This same technology applies to the flickering flames that you’ll see against the back and along the sides. While the LED lights help give the flames a realistic look, they also use very little energy, helping you save on your electric bills. In addition to logs made from a resin material, this set comes with a replica ember bed that looks like embers burning beneath the logs.
In addition, the PuraFlame Western has electronic temperature controls and a built-in thermostat to give you more precise control over the temperature, as well as ensuring that the room stays at the temperature you want it to be. Read reviews on Amazon >
5 Best Value: Lifesmart LS-IF1500-DOFP Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Heater
Offering excellent value for money spent, the Lifesmart LS-IF1500-DOFP features realistic looking wood logs as well as a wood surround that gives it a classy look. With this model, you can heat and decorate your home without having to spend a fortune.
One of the best features of the Lifesmart LS-IF1500-DOFP is that it uses infrared heat, which preserves the moisture in the air. Infrared heaters like this one are also very efficient, and can help to reduce your heating bills.
Designed with a more traditional style in mind, this fireplace is shaped like a wood cabinet with a Quaker design that incorporates decorative button accents, as well as a mantel that slightly hangs over the sides of the fireplace. This mantel makes the ideal space for you to display your favorite piece of art or anything else that you want to show off.
In addition, the Lifesmart LS-IF1500-DOFP is fairly compact, making it suitable for use in smaller homes as well as apartments. You also get a remote control that lets you adjust the timer or turn the flames up or down from anywhere in the room without having to touch the fireplace. Read reviews on Amazon >
6 Best Budget Model: Duraflame DFS-500-0 Thomas Electric Fireplace Heater
The Duraflame DFS-500-0 Thomas is one of the cheapest models on the market, but it isn’t cheap looking by any means, nor is it cheaply made. It’s actually fairly solidly constructed with a simple, traditional design that features faux logs and, at 16 pounds, has a bit of weight to it.
For those of you who are worried about safety, one thing that you’ll like about the Duraflame DFS-500-0 is that it has a built-in auto shut-off mechanism that will cause it to automatically turn itself off should it ever reach a dangerously high temperature, which means you’ll pretty much never have to worry about it causing a fire. And to make it even safer, especially for those who have pets or children in the home, they designed the unit to always remain cool to the touch. It even sits on four legs to keep the base off the floor to prevent any potential burning or scorch marks.
In addition, the Duraflame DFS-500-0 has great aesthetics, and we like that it just looks like a real wood fireplace with a fully functional glass door and all that actually opens to let you feel like you’re really tending the fire. And like a real fireplace, it produces a good amount of heat (about 4,600 BTU’s worth), enough to warm up a 400 sq. ft. area. Read reviews on Amazon >
Electric Fireplace Buying Guide
Heating even a small home with natural gas can cost hundreds of dollars a month, and some homes see heating bills rise into the thousands during the winter months. Using an electric fireplace with a heater inside can reduce your bills by a significant amount or even cut those bills in half. It can cost as little as 13 cents per hour to use one.
When it comes to safety, these models are much safer than traditional fireplaces. A traditional model that burns wood is a safety hazard. It can release flaming embers that catch floors and furniture on fire. You also risk injuring yourself when stoking the fire or adding more wood. Electric models look like the real thing but stay cool and do not release any burning embers or flames.
Another benefit is the fact that you can use one at the exact time that you need more heat. With a traditional fireplace, you must wait for the wood to burn down and for the flames to extinguish. An electric model lets you hit a switch to turn the heat on and press the same button to turn off the heat. Though it may take a few minutes for the heat to completely stop, you’ll notice your home cooling down right away.
Buying an electric fireplace is a great alternative to using a standard heater in your home. Most models look just like traditional fireplaces, but other models have a more modern design. You’ll find insets too that you can place inside an old fireplace that no longer works. Before buying one just because you like the way it looks, you need to consider a number of important factors.
Type: Standing vs. Mounted
You also need to decide between a standing or mounted fireplace. A standing model is one that stands all on its own. These usually look like traditional fireplaces that burn logs. Those that sit too close to the floor may block the flow and spread of heat, and these models can actually scorch wood floors or melt carpets. You can use one of these models in a room where you have more space and place one in a central location to allow the heat to reach more areas of the room. Mounted fireplaces are those that you mount onto a wall. When picking one of these, look for one that comes with mounting hardware to make installation easier.
Other Types
While standing and mounted units are the two most common types of electric fireplaces, there are some other designs and models out there that you can take a look at to see if one would work better in your home.
You may want to consider a corner fireplace, which are designed to fit in the corner of a room. These models come with a frame that features two sides put together at an angle. This allows the angled edge to fit into the corner and puts both sides of the frame along the two walls leading to that corner. A triangular mantel on the top fills in the gap between the back of the fireplace and the walls.
If you want to make the fireplace the center of the room, you may want to go with a console electric fireplace. Designed to look like TV/media console, these models have a fireplace inside the base. The top and sides feature spaces for your television and all your audio and video components.
Fan vs. Quartz
One decision to make is whether a forced fan or an infrared quartz model is a better choice for your home. Forced fan models feature some type of heating element inside, which manufacturers usually make from a ceramic material. This heating source slowly comes up to temperature, and the fan then blows over the element to push out the heat. Infrared fireplaces use infrared heat that comes up to temperature even faster. The heat slowly moves from the fireplace to other parts of the room. Most allow the heat to come out from the top, sides and front, which allows for a more even level of heat.
Square Footage
As long as you have a measuring tape, you can determine the square feet of a room. You simply measure the two walls of different lengths and multiple these figures. If you have a room with multiple walls or unusual angles, you may need to estimate the square footage. Fireplace manufacturers tell you how much heat one can produce in terms of square footage. With forced fan models and mounted options, you’ll usually get heat for rooms and spaces of 400 square feet. Infrared fireplaces can produce enough heat for a room of 1,000 square feet or more. You typically cannot get a fireplace capable of heating a room of more than 1,500 square feet. For rooms of that size, you’ll need to install more than one fireplace.
Plugs
You may want to take a look at the plug that comes with the fireplace or find out more about that plug. A standard wall outlet is a 120V outlet, which can provide the power needed to run one of these models. Those that produce more heat may need a 240V outlet. Most come with a grounded plug that has three prongs and will only work with matching outlets. You may need to upgrade your circuit breaker or your fuse box to accommodate that plug.
Safety Features
You should also consider safety features, including:
These are the four most important safety features to look for in an electric fireplace. A timer setting lets you tell the fireplace how long you want it to run. When it reaches the end of this cycle, it shuts down. This prevents the fireplace from using too much power and potentially overheating. A stay cool surface is a must have for anyone with kids as well as homes with pets. If the surface becomes too hot, you risk your kids and pets burning themselves when they touch it. A stay cool surface is one that stays completely cool to the touch, even when the fireplace runs on its highest setting.
Tip over protection and an automatic shut off usually go hand in hand. The tip over protection shuts the fireplace off if it tips over or shifts. A shut off feature tells the fireplace to shut down when the temperature climbs too high. This can prevent common burns and keep the internal heater from overheating.
Remote Control
It’s helpful to look for a fireplace that comes with a remote control because you won’t always be in touching distance of the buttons and controls. Most come with push buttons on the top or side that let you adjust the heat produced and make other changes. With a remote control, you can make those same changes while sitting on the couch or in your favorite chair. Remotes may require one or two batteries.
Look and Style
The best electric fireplace for your home is one that has a style that fits with the design and look of your home or a specific room where you want more heat. Certain features determine both the way it looks and how you will use it.
Brightness
When you use a traditional fireplace that burns wood, you’ll notice that the brightness changes based on the amount of wood available and how quickly those logs burn. Electric fireplaces have different brightness settings too. Many allow you to adjust the brightness level to create a more realistic look.
Logs
To make these fireplaces look as realistic as possible, manufacturers add logs to the inside. Some use smaller an thinner logs that look like driftwood, but others use logs that are thicker and larger in size, which creates a more dramatic look. Top models use different colored lights inside that let you see shades of red, orange and white. You’ll also find those that come with an ember bed designed to look like the logs give off burning embers.
Comparison Chart
Our Top Pick
$$$
Infrared Quartz
1500 Watts (5100 BTU)
Yes (Digital)
Yes
24″ x 13″ x 23″
29 lbs.
Best Value
$$
Infrared Quartz
1500 Watts (5100 BTU)
Yes (Digital)
Yes
24″ x 11″ x 20″
40 lbs.
Best Budget Model
$
Fan-Forced Convection
1500 Watts (4600 BTU)
Yes (Analog)
No
22″ x 20″ x 23″
16 lbs.
Best TV Console Fireplace
$$$$
Fan-Forced Convection
1400 Watts (4600 BTU)
No, On/Off Only
No
47″ x 16″ x 32″
95 lbs.
Best Wall Mounted
$$$$$
Fan-Forced Convection
1500 Watts (5100 BTU)
No, Hi/Low Settings Only
Yes
50″ x 6″ x 22″
46 lbs.
Best Embedded Model
$$$$$
Fan-Forced Convection
1500 Watts (5100 BTU)
Yes (Analog)
Yes
35″ x 9″ x 27″
48 lbs.
Best Luxury Model
$$$$$
Fan-Forced Convection
1500 Watts (5100 BTU)
Yes (Digital)
Yes
45″ x 15″ x 40″
104 lbs.
Good
$
Fan-Forced Convection
1200 Watts (4000 BTU)
No, Hi/Low Settings Only
No
12″ x 8″ x 15″
6 lbs.
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