The best electric fireplace will save you money and is better for the environment. They deliver the warmth and reliability you’d expect from a traditional crackling fire, but with less mess and less effort each day.
Perfect for apartment living, modern homes and even traditional houses, an electric fireplace heater ( some people also call it fake fireplace) can add character and convenience, often in all seasons.
If you’re in a hurry and want to know the best before the electric fireplace reviews, it’s the PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert.
Our Picks for Best Electric Fireplaces
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Reviews of Best Electric Fireplaces
1. PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace insert—Best Overall
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If you already have space for a fireplace but are sick of the ashes and smell of burning, you might consider an insert. This 33-inch insert may be the one you’re looking for as it features tons of variety and an adequate temperature range.
The PuraFlame Western electric fireplace can be used with decorative mantels to brick fireplaces and will look as real as the old one. It features false logs and crystals to give you that authentic look, but without the equally authentic danger and hassle.
For more realism, you have three flame options and six crackling sounds to choose from against a stunning brick backdrop.
Heat-wise, you have a range of 60–84 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s nowhere near as extreme as a real fire, so you’re not smothered every time you walk by.
You can control this heat and the look of the flames with a remote control. It’s a simple and efficient tool with five buttons, letting you customize your heating experience in a room up to 400 square feet.
Pros
- Chic brick background giving it a high end electric fireplace look.
- Highly variable flames can be used with or without heat.
- Comfortable temperature range.
- Energy-saving LED technology.
Cons
- Temperature range could be wider.
2. Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace—Best Portable Electric Fireplace
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Stepping away from the chic brick, Duraflame brings a more rustic look to the home and resembles a wood stove. It’s a freestanding unit you can place anywhere, though, unlike a real stove.
The sides and door are glass, so you can see from various angles. The visuals include a flickering flame pattern made to resemble real fire, and glowing logs for more luxurious realism.
The LED technology inside lets you have a realistic-looking fire all year long—you can turn the visuals on without heat, to keep the ambiance alive in hotter months.
But with heat, you can target 1,000 square feet—much higher than the average electric fireplace.
With and without heat, you have tons of variability with five different colors of flame and adjustable brightness settings. Finally, you have several blower speeds to choose from, too.
Keeping in line with customization options, you can select whatever heat you want. However, the unit stops itself from overheating, so you never need to worry about mishaps.
Pros
- Highly customizable fireplace.
- Use without heat.
- Ability to heat an enormous amount of space.
- Portable if you can handle the weight.
Cons
- Some customers had issues with the remote control not working.
3. Touchstone 80011 Sideline—Most Unique Looking Fireplace
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This is one of the best looking electric fireplace heaters if you like non-typical things. It’s slim and trim and modern, so it won’t take up too much space. But that’s not too special—the flame color is, though.
With LED lights, you can choose from three different flame colors, and the orange/blue/purple mix is an incredibly different experience.
The ambiance also produces heat, of course, but the flames function with and without providing warmth. You can also alter the brightness, for even more control over your heating and ambiance.
When it is heating the room, you can program a thermostat, so it works at the temperature you want. There’s also a countdown timer, so you can have it turn off automatically when you wish.
If you forget to set the timer, you won’t have to get out of your seat. There’s a remote control to help you with anything you require.
Pros
- Unique color options, with realistic ones included too.
- Sleek, modern look for the non-traditional home.
- Countdown timer function.
Cons
- Users found it to be a little loud.
4. PuraFlame Alice—Good Recessed Electric Fireplace
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Keeping in line with modern electric fireplaces, the PuraFlame Alice is a more realistic one. It’s designed to be mounted in a wall seamlessly.
More customization comes with the wiring, as it can be hardwired or simply plugged into an outlet.
Be sure to keep it in rooms of 400 square feet or less, that’s the largest space it can heat at its highest setting. The heat settings range from 61–82 degrees Fahrenheit.
When it’s on, you can turn it on and off manually or set a timer from 30 minutes up to 9 hours for it to flicker. And, you don’t have to have the heat on to enjoy the visuals.
You can play with the visuals—choose from logs or crystals on the display. You can also change the color and style of the flames.
Pros
- Two different flame-source visuals available.
- Countdown timer for shut-off, with a large range.
Cons
- Some users complained that it’s loud.
- Can be difficult to install.
5. Touchstone 80001 Onyx—Best Wall Mounted Fireplace
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Although the last two fireplaces were also wall-mounted, this one is the best for the purpose. The last two were designed to be placed into the wall when mounted, but the Touchstone Onyx is made to be placed on it like a television. It will only protrude a few inches into the room.
As well as being incredibly convenient, it’s also got stunning visuals with your choice of logs or crystals, and realistic flames.
You can turn these visuals on and off with a button. Or, you can set the 30-minute to 7.5-hour timer to take care of shutdown.
When it’s on, the glass screen’s exterior stays cool, while it heats rooms up to 400 square feet. It can heat the space on high and low settings, or you can turn the heat function off and watch the flames flickering gently.
Pros
- Easily wall-mounted.
- Deep, rich and realistic visuals.
- Cool to the touch.
Cons
- Users found it to be a little louder than desirable.
6. Ameriwood Home Chicago Electric Fireplace TV Console—Best Practical Fireplace
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If you want a fireplace that has more than one purpose, this is the one for you. The Ameriwood Home Chicago electric fireplace is also a TV unit. It can handle a TV of up to 50 inches and 70 pounds.
There are also two side cabinets and shelving for more storage—you could make this your entire entertainment unit!
The fire aspect is classic, with a log burning effect. The actual fire area is 18 inches long and plugs easily into any outlet.
Ensure the room is no larger than 400 square feet for the best heating properties.
It doesn’t have any super-special features other than its practicality. But, it knows how to keep your room warm.
Pros
- Highly practical.
- Doesn’t require hot wiring.
- Heat won’t damage your electronics.
Cons
- Difficult to assemble.
Electric Fireplaces: What to Consider
There’s a lot more to electric fireplaces than meets the eye, so be sure to look out for the following when choosing one.
Visuals
If you didn’t care about visuals, you could easily just buy some good electric heaters for house. But, you chose an electric fireplace, so make sure you get something you like.
Most modern electric fireplaces use an LED display, often with several flame and color options. If you don’t want the same look day after day, make sure you get one with some variety.
Some also have 3D crystals and logs inside the unit, so if you want a more realistic fireplace, that’s one to go for. It’s an element that our top pick, the PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace features.
Remote Control
Electric fireplaces are efficient and almost effortless alone, but a remote control makes it so much better. If you want to change the heat or look of your fire without getting up, you’ll want to consider one with a remote.
Protection Against Overheating
Overheating is highly dangerous, so if you’re going to be using your unit for hours at a time, consider one that protects itself against this disaster. This is something the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace features.
No Heat
There’s just something about a fire. It’s relaxing, it’s romantic, it can make anything feel cozier. But it’s impossible to stand one when it’s summer, and you’re already melting.
If you’re someone who wants ambiance all year round, consider an electric fireplace that can give you the display without the heat. Several of the models featured today do this wonderfully.
Cool Screen
Most LED display electric fireplaces will be cool to the touch, but just double-check. Many electric units can get a little heated even if they’re not heat-producing appliances.
If you worry that a little warmth will be dangerous in your household, try to keep your fireplace out of reach of children and animals.
Wall Mounted
One of the downsides of an open fire is the danger element. Electric fireplaces reduce this considerably, but they don’t always remove it.
If you want to keep little hands away from the fire display, look into wall-mounted units. Some, like the Touchstone 80001 Onyx, will mount to the wall like a television.
However, others are designed to sit into the wall rather than being mounted onto it. Watch out, because many angry customers think something is designed to go into the wall, then leave terrible reviews about a fireplace designed to go on it.
Types of Electric Fireplaces
We’ve already covered the benefits of a wall-mounted electric fireplace. But what are the other types?
Inserts
Electric fireplace inserts are designed to go into your pre-existing fireplace area, which once housed a real fire. The PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace falls into this category and takes on a traditional design, but rustic and stove-like ones are also available.
Freestanding
Freestanding covers its own category and the sub-category of mantel or shelf units. Today we’ll focus on the former because that’s what the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace is.
A freestanding electric fireplace can be placed anywhere in the room, whether there’s a wall or old fireplace nearby or not. They’ll often have legs and can be very practical. There are some you can even place televisions on top of, and others that are right in the middle of full-on entertainment units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the Electric Fireplaces Really Heat a Room?
Electric fires won’t always have the power of traditional fires, but the majority of electric fireplaces can heat a room 400 square feet large sufficiently.
They have adjustable heat settings depending on your needs and the size of the space in question.
Can You Plug an Electric Fireplace Into a Regular Outlet?
The majority of electric fireplaces can plug into regular outlets. Some can only be hardwired, while others have both as an option.
Can I Leave My Electric Fireplace on All Night?
Really, you should turn off most electric appliances at night as they’re a fire risk. But, unless it overheats, it’s OK to leave an electric fireplace on all night. Make sure it has a mechanism to prevent overheating first.
Turning your electric fireplace off at night will save energy, though. This saves on your power bill and is much better for the environment.
The Flaming Best
The best electric fireplace overall is the PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert. It’s chic and traditional, but can also work in modern homes, and it slots right into pre-existing fireplaces. This makes it the easiest to install while taking up a minimal amount of space.
For another easy-install fireplace, the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace does the job and keeps even the largest rooms toasty and warm. It has the highest heat-to-room ratio of all the electric fireplaces on this list, making it an excellent contender for one to consider. If you want to compare more products, please check our reviews of the gas fireplaces.
