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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
An electric fireplace heater provides extra heat without the hassle or expense of installing and maintaining a traditional fireplace.
We researched and tested dozens of electric fireplaces, evaluating ease of assembly and use, heat output, and durability. Our best overall pick, the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove, has a simple setup process, impressive heat output, and an attractive design.
Here are the best electric fireplace heaters.
Best Overall: Duraflame DFI-5010-01 Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove
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Simple setup
Attractive design
Small form factor
Impressive heat that doesn’t dry out skin
Top is too warm to display items
Somewhat expensive
Who else recommends it? Bob Vila also picked the Duraflame Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove.
What do buyers say? 90% of 10,400+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
The Duraflame 24-In. Electric Stove earns accolades for its realistic flame simulation and attractive design. Measuring 13.1 x 24 x 23.4 inches, this freestanding unit can be placed almost anywhere in your home (within proximity to an outlet). In addition to adjustable controls for temperature, time, and brightness, it includes a remote control for added convenience. You can choose from four different finishes: black, cream, French gray, or cinnamon.
Equipped with a 5,200 BTU infrared quartz heater, this powerful unit radiates plenty of heat without sapping the room of its humidity. For that reason, it’s a great choice for allergy sufferers. The plug has a built-in thermometer, so the unit will shut off automatically if it gets too hot—a great safety feature.
Best Wall-Mounted: R.W.FLAME 50-Inch Electric Fireplace
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Courtesy of Amazon
Easy to install
Sleek design
Highly customizable
Lacks a thermostat
Mediocre heat distribution
This electric fireplace from R.W. Flame can either be hung on a wall or recessed for a more streamlined look. Measuring 50 x 18 x 3.98 inches, this is one of the thinnest electric fireplaces on the market. It comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 30 to 60 inches. The heater features a touch screen on the front panel and a remote control. Perhaps the unit’s biggest selling point is that it’s highly customizable. You can choose from 12 different flame colors, five flame speeds, and five flame brightness levels. The LED flame bed has 12 different color options, allowing to mix and match the flames and rock colors for a unique look.
The heater doesn’t have a thermostat, but you can switch between two power modes—750 watts and 1500 watts. It’s intended for rooms up to 400 square feet in size and comes equipped with a top-mounted blower fan. While the heater can sufficiently warm up a room, it is not possible to direct the airflow.
Best Modern: Zipcode Design Lauderhill Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace
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Courtesy of Wayfair
Sleek and modern design
Powerful heater
Great safety features
Cool-touch exterior
Doesn’t produce multicolor flames
This wall-mounted electric fireplace has a sleek look and space-saving functionality. Its adjustable, flickering LED flames create a more realistic look. This heater is equipped with a powerful 5,118 BTU heater and is best suited for rooms up to 400 square feet in size. It offers some great safety features including a timer, safety stop, and thermal overload protection. For added convenience, it also includes a remote control.
The general consensus is that this electric fireplace is easy to install and looks great. You can activate the flames without turning the heater on. The one major drawback is that it doesn’t produce multicolor flames.
Best Budget: Twin Star Home Chimney Free Infrared Quartz Electric Stove Heater
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Courtesy of Walmart
Easy setup
Small footprint
Powerful heater
Affordably priced
Doesn’t come with a remote control
This freestanding electric heater uses infrared quartz to warm rooms up to 1000 square feet. Infrared technology is an excellent choice for allergy sufferers—it emits a gentle heat while maintaining a room’s natural humidity. This heater is styled after a traditional wood stove and the faux logs create a fairly realistic effect. It can be used with or without heat, providing a cozy ambiance all year round. Equipped with a 5,200 BTU heater and an adjustable thermostat, this unit can warm up to 1,000 square feet.
The Twin Star Home Stove Heater retails for $100, but you can often find it on sale for $70. It lacks some features that you’d find on more expensive models, such as a remote control and adjustable flames. Despite its fairly low price tag, this heater gets high marks for its easy assembly and attractive design. It measures 10 x 17 x 23 inches and is available in black, bronze, cinnamon, and cream.
Best Splurge: Real Flame Callaway Grand Electric Fireplace
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Courtesy of Wayfair
Classic and clean design
Multicolor flames
Adjustable thermostat
Expensive
No safety features
This electric fireplace will add some style and sophistication to your home. Measuring 47.95 x 63 x 17.24 inches, this grand electric fireplace offers exceptional realism and clarity. It’s available in two classic finishes: white and chestnut oak. The mantel is perfect for displaying picture frames, candles, and keepsakes. Assembly is required and all tools are provided.
Equipped with a 1500-watt heater, this unit is designed for rooms up to 1,000 square feet. The adjustable thermostat ranges from 72 to 99 degrees F. Other convenient features include a remote and multicolor flame. You can run the flames with or without heat. The only downside is the lack of safety features; this heater doesn’t shut off automatically.
Best with TV Stand: Ameriwood Home Carver Electric Fireplace TV Stand
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Courtesy of Amazon
Multi-functional
Conceals cords
Realistic flame effect
Time-consuming assembly
For optimal functionality, you can buy an electric fireplace that doubles as a TV stand. This 23-inch fireplace insert has a remote control, four touch panel settings, and built-in reflectors for a realistic flame effect. Equipped with both flame and temperature adjustability, this fireplace heater can be used all year long. It can warm rooms up to 400 square feet in size. The unit is available in three colors—white, grey, and black.
With four storage shelves and cutout backing to conceal cords, this stand will keep your items looking neat and organized. The top shelf can accommodate most 60-inch flat panel TVs. The assembly is fairly easy, but it can be time-consuming. However, the final aesthetic seems well worth the effort.
Best Portable: Comfort Zone CZFP1 Portable Fireplace Heater
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Courtesy of Amazon
Incredibly lightweight
Compact size
Great safety features
Small coverage area
Weighing just over 5 pounds, this portable electric fireplace can easily be carried from room to room. Measuring 10.75 x 7.88 x 14.13 inches, it can be placed on the floor or on a tabletop. Equipped with 1,200 watts of power and two heat settings, this heater is best suited for small rooms (up to 175 square feet). The 3D flame effect and bed of glowing embers provide a realistic aesthetic.
The Comfortable Zone Portable Fireplace Heater has some great safety features, including a tip-over switch, an automatic shutoff in the event of overheating, and a cool-to-the-touch design. The fan-forced heating element quickly disperses warmth throughout a room. This unit is available in two colors: red and black.
Best Faux Wood: Laurel Foundry Terrence Charcoal Terrence 47.38'' W Electric Fireplace
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Courtesy of Wayfair
Easy to assemble
Includes fire glass beads or traditional log
Simple to adjust for different seasons
Lacks flame adjustability and thermostat settings
For a faux wood electric fireplace that has a rustic feel, check out this model. To customize the look of the flames, you can opt for the fire glass beads or the traditional log and ember set (both are included). The Terrence electric fireplace comes in four finishes: sergeant oak, charcoal, gray, and chico oak. Thanks to a cool-touch exterior, it is safe for use around children and pets.
This unit has a 4,600 BTU heater and can warm rooms up to 400 square feet in size. The 23-inch fireplace insert features a top-mounted blower for optimal airflow. Since the flame effect can be used with or without heat, the unit is operable in all seasons. It lacks some user-friendly features like an adjustable flame and thermostat.
The best overall electric fireplace is the Duraflame 24-In. Electric Stove. This freestanding model is easy to set up and effectively warms small- to medium-sized rooms. If you’re hoping to achieve a more modern look, we recommend the R.W. 50" Electric Fireplace (view at Amazon). This wall-mounted unit offers 12 different flame and fire bed colors so you can adjust the ambiance to your liking.
What to Look for in an Electric Fireplace Heater
Heating Capacity
While electric fireplace heaters shouldn’t be your primary source of heat, they can provide an impressive amount of supplementary heat in your home. If you want to use your fireplace heater to warm part of your house, consider its recommended heating capacity. Most units clearly state what size room they’re designed to be placed in.
Style
Fireplace heaters come in a wide variety of styles, from sleek, modern, wall-mounted units to rustic, wood stove-inspired models. You’ll want to consider your decor and how the heater will fit into the room as you shop.
Safety Features
Electric heaters are a common cause of house fires, which is why it’s important to find a product that has built-in safety features. Look for a model that automatically shuts off if it overheats, and if you have young children or pets, you may want a product that stays cool to the touch.
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How much electricity do electric fireplace heaters use?
Electric fireplace heaters generally use 1,000 to 1,500 watts of energy per hour, but some models might also be equipped with a low 750-watt setting. If you know how many watts the heater draws per hour, you can determine how much it will cost you to run it. Multiply the wattage per hour by how many hours each day you plan to operate your electric fireplace heater. Then, multiply this number by 30, then by 1,000. This gives you the total kilowatt-hours of energy the heater will use in a month. On your utility bill, check the cost per kilowatt-hour to estimate the cost of using the electric fireplace heater.
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Do electric fireplaces need a vent?
No, electric fireplace heaters do not require a vent. These heaters are not burning any type of fuel, so there is no exhaust that needs to be vented.
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How big of a room will an electric fireplace heat?
Most electric fireplace heaters with a 1,000-watt heater can warm rooms up to about 400 square feet. Electric fireplaces with a more powerful 1,500-watt heater may be able to warm rooms up to 1,000 square feet in size.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written, researched, and updated by Erica Puisis, who has been covering the latest gadgets and products that enhance your home for The Spruce since 2017. She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.