Choose Warmth and Style With the Best Electric Fireplaces and Infrared Heater Options
Updated: Mar. 18, 2024
Create the snuggly vibe of a roaring fire without the hassle and expense of a conventional hearth, thanks to the best electric fireplaces.
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There’s nothing that lends that hygge-style coziness to a room like a glowing fire, but installing a gas or wood-burning fireplace in your home isn’t always feasible. However, you can still create the relaxing atmosphere of flickering flames by opting for the best electric fireplace.
Electric fireplaces are smart for several reasons. They’re portable, so you can easily change its location or take it with you when you move, and they provide supplemental heat. Although not designed to be the main heating source for your space, electric fireplaces can take the chill off a single room. Many models also offer the option of turning off the heating element for the inviting look of a roaring fire in the summer without the heat.
Perhaps the most alluring benefit of electric fireplaces is that they’re extra-safe, as they don’t emit harmful toxic fumes or smoke that can irritate family members with asthma or other respiratory problems. Plus, there aren’t open flames, shooting embers or rolling logs to possibly spark house fires.
Best Overall Electric Fireplace
Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove
Compact enough to fit into an apartment, the Duraflame 3D infrared electric fireplace stove is ideal for small spaces and can be packed up when you move. Despite its limited size, it pumps out enough supplemental heat to take the chill off up to 1,000 square feet. Plus, the retro “woodstove” design and realistic flame effects add a cozy vibe to the room. It comes with a remote control so you can adjust the flames and heat from across the room. What else could you need?
Pros
- Warms up to 1,000 square feet
- Available in five finishes
- Flames work with and without heat
- Includes an adjustable thermostat and remote control
Cons
- Front grill can get hot
Best Budget Electric Fireplace
Kismile 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove
Don’t be fooled by the low price and compact size of the Kismile electric fireplace stove. With infrared heat and 1,000-watt and 1,500-watt settings, this budget-friendly option will warm up to 400 square feet in just minutes. Its light weight allows the heater to be easily moved from room to room, and you can admire the 3D flame effect through the freestanding stove’s tempered glass front and side panels.
There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles—no remote control, for example—but you can adjust the intensity of the heat and flames to match your mood.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Flame can be dimmed
- Has front and side glass for viewing
- Flames work with and without heat
Cons
- Not best for heating large spaces
Best Customizable Electric Fireplace
R.W.Flame Electric Fireplace
Measuring less than 4 inches thick, the R.W.Flame electric fireplace can be mounted high enough on the wall to stay well away from curious little hands and paws while still providing the homey warmth of flickering flames. Available sizes range from 30 inches to 68 inches to fit your space.
The color, speed and brightness of the flames are adjustable via touchscreen or by remote control. This panel-style fireplace can provide extra heat for up to 400 square feet, and you can toggle between the 750-watt and 1,500-watt modes to save energy.
Pros
- Adjustable color, speed and brightness
- Features a thin design
- Has an auto-heat kill safety feature
- Has a touchscreen and remote control
Cons
- Only available in one finish
Best Traditional Electric Fireplace
Real Flame Ashley Electric Fireplace
The Ashley electric fireplace is made to look like a traditional fireplace with carved pillars and crown molding along the mantel. The flame feature looks like a real fire, but you don’t need a chimney or vent for this fireplace—just an outlet.
This fireplace pick is ideal for those wanting the classic look of a fireplace in a room that doesn’t have one. Think beyond the living room and consider adding it to the home office or dining room to spread the cozy vibes. It has sleek touch controls and multiple flame colors. Plus, the fireplace mantel supports up to 30 pounds, so you can decorate it for everyday and holidays.
Pros
- Features carved pillars and mantel
- Adjustable flame color and brightness
- Flames work with or without heat
- Adjustable thermostat with a remote control
Cons
- Expensive
Best TV Console Electric Fireplace
Walker Edison Glenwood Fireplace TV Stand
Save space by combining your TV console and electric fireplace with the Walker Edison rustic electric fireplace. Stylish and functional, the console stands out for its neutral, slightly rustic design that’ll fit in seamlessly with most modern interiors without looking like an afterthought.
The electric fireplace flickers with realistic LED effects over glowing logs. It’s also super-sturdy and supports up to a 65-inch TV. The firebox does only have two settings (on and off), but there are separate switches for turning on the flames and the heat. You’ll be able to keep your 400-square-foot room toasty on winter nights or turn off the heating coil for summer use.
Pros
- Doubles as a TV console and storage unit
- Available in eight finishes and two sizes
- Flames work with or without heat
- Matching coffee table available
Cons
- Assembly required
- Only has on and off settings
Best Electric Fireplace Insert
PuraFlame Klaus Electric Fireplace Insert
If you have a recessed space or current fireplace you want to jazz up, then a fireplace insert could be the way to go. This PuraFlame insert can heat up to 400 square feet, but can be used without the heating feature, too. It has three flame settings with variable intensity and brightness to nail the look you’re going for.
We love this pick because of how sleek it looks and how easy it is to streamline into existing decor. It’s available in five sizes, and comes with instructions to simplify the process, Dress this fireplace insert up with a floating driftwood mantel, bookshelves and more for a personalized finish.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Has a traditional antique design
- Features three flame settings
- Includes a remote control
Cons
- Doesn’t include a trim kit
What to Consider When Buying an Electric Fireplace
Here are some key considerations when choosing the right electric fireplace for you:
- Flexible installation: Setting up an electric fireplace is often as simple as plugging it in. The faux fireplaces on this list can be installed anywhere you have an outlet.
- Cost: Electric fireplaces prices range from inexpensive standalone stoves (starting at around $60) to elaborate full mantelpieces (exceeding $1,000). However, you save on installation costs.
- Little or no maintenance: Aside from changing the light bulb every few years, electric fireplaces are maintenance-free. There’s no hearth cleaning, chimney sweeping or wood-lugging required.
How We Found the Best Electric Fireplaces
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity?
Electric fireplaces use about the same amount of electricity as your average space heater and operate on a standard household outlet. They tend to use about 1,500 watts of electricity to power the heater function. When the heating function is not in uses, electric fireplaces use around 300 watts to power the flames.
Are electric fireplaces a good idea?
Electric fireplaces can heat up a room in your home faster and more efficiently than a traditional wood-burning fireplace. They’re also safe to use. Most electric fireplaces are comparable in price to space heaters, but give the look of real flames while reducing energy costs by providing cost-effective heat.
Is it okay to sleep with an electric fireplace on?
No. Just as you should never sleep with a space heater on, you should never leave your electric fireplace unattended while the heater is on. If left on throughout the night while you’re sleeping, your electric fireplace could potentially overheat and start a fire.
Originally Published: January 20, 2021
