Stay Toasty This Winter With the Best Electric Fireplaces
With temperatures dropping, having a fire crackling and warming up a room sounds heavenly. A fireplace is often the focal point of a home, especially during colder months. Get the effect of a real fire combined with an electric heater’s practicality with these excellent electric fireplace heater options. It’s the best of both worlds with realistic logs, the soothing sound of wood crackling, and the warm atmosphere without the dangers and cleanup that comes with real wood-burning fireplaces. Take a look at our favorite electric fireplaces in 2023 below.
Comparing the Best Electric Fireplaces
Duraflame 3D Electric Fireplace
– Best Overall
This freestanding heater saves on your electric bill by providing supplemental zone heating. The real-looking flame is adjustable in color, brightness, and speed to create the perfect ambiance. The Duraflame electric fireplace heater uses infrared quartz heat to maintain the room’s natural humidity, resulting in a comfortable atmosphere without drying out the air. Its unique features and sleek look earn it the best overall spot on our list of the top electric fireplaces.
- Available in 7 color options
- Safety shut-off feature for safety
- Louder than other options
Ameriwood Home Electric Fireplace
– Best Energy Saver
This fireplace insert is perfect to complete the look of an existing fireplace in any home. It has 4 size options to easily and securely slide into your space, creating hassle-free warmth. The electric fireplace heater uses LED technology to create realistic flames. This heater has several flame settings, two heat options, and a timer feature for safety.
- Available in 4 size options
- Easy to install
- Not a freestanding electric heater
ROVSUN Electric Fireplace
– Easiest-To-Use Control Panel
This freestanding heater provides supplemental zone heating for up to 400 square feet and won’t affect the room’s humidity. The lifelike flames operate with or without heat. This ROVSUN electric fireplace heater is approved by the CSA for safety.
- Realistic opening door
- Overheating protection feature
- Legs may be challenging to install
R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace
– Quietest Electric Fireplace
This freestanding heater has gorgeous realistic flames you can see from 180 degrees, giving off the effect of a true fire. The imitation flame turns on independently from the heat source. The R.W.FLAME electric fireplace heater has two heating modes and an easy-to-use operating panel.
- Available in 2 size options
- Panoramic 3-sided view design
- Not as warm as other options
TURBRO Compact Electric Fireplace
– Most Compact
This freestanding heater uses 1,400W of power and has a noise level of less than 37dBA. The heater is cool to the touch due to the bottom’s vents, and the thermostat has adjustable settings. This TURBRO electric fireplace heater is approved by the CSA, making it safe for home use. It is also easy to install and use, making it extremely user-friendly.
- Available in 4 size options
- Overheat protection feature
- Flames aren’t as realistic as other options
R.W.FLAME Recessed Electric Fireplace
– Most Convenient
There’s no need to get up. All you have to do is press a button or two on the remote to control flame design and more. It’s powerful enough to heat up 400 square feet and is built with safety in mind. Have this electric fireplace installed today! You’ll be able to enjoy the variety of flames and choice of energy modes: 750W & 1500W.
- Quiet and thin unit comes with multiple operating modes
- Provides a considerable amount of energy savings
- Some don’t like the visual effects
Touchstone Sideline Electric Fireplace
– Most Entertaining
Why not enjoy the reality show of dancing flames all year round? That’s right. This electric fireplace lets you enjoy it all year because you can run it without the heater. This vent-free electric fireplace measures 50.4 x 5.5 x 21.5 inches. By running at 1500W, the heater will warm up a room as big as 400 square feet. The unit is black and weighs 59 pounds.
- Five brightness settings, a timer, and two heat settings
- Included remote
- Some revievers reported a consistent and loud noise
PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace
– Most Realistic
If you’re looking for that real-life firewood feel, this fireplace insert is an excellent choice. This fireplace insert comes in five standard sizes so it’s designed to fit perfectly in any pre-existing space. The protected grate makes this a great electric fireplace insert for homes with kids or pets by safely separating the heat source from curious hands and paws.
- Remote-controlled insert with three varying flame effects
- Six crackling sounds
- Two different heat settings
- No temperature gauge to measure setting
VIVOHOME 110V Electric Fireplace
– Most Unique-Looking
This electric fireplace insert can be toggled with a remote for quick, adjustable heat from anywhere in the room. This remote-controlled electric fireplace insert will keep you cozy all year long and can be set up within minutes. The fireplace insert has a safe timer design, allowing you to heat your home safely and efficiently.
- Choose between different flame brightness levels
- Enjoy the silent yet cozy feel of this fireplace
- Be careful where you plug this in, as the cord does get hot
Valuxhome Electric Fireplace
– Most Versatile
This sizable electric fireplace includes realistic looking faux-wood and brick. It has a sleek, modern, and dark design that goes well with any decor. The fireplace comes with a front air vent for optimum ventilation. It’s designed for installation into a wall and can provide heat for a room measuring up to 400 square feet. It makes use of LED technology instead of requiring combustibles. It also includes a remote control and panel for easy use. It provides enough warmth to heat a large room, but might be too large for smaller rooms.
- Variable brightness
- Log speaker with life-like logs
- Must be plugged in directly to an outlet
Buying Guide to the Top Electric Fireplaces
Fireplaces provide the necessary warmth your family needs during the cold winter months and double as great aesthetic focal point pieces in any home. However, if you do not have a chimney and cannot afford the renovation needed to install a traditional fuel-powered fireplace, this could become a difficult thing to do. At this point, you might want to consider getting yourself an electric fireplace.
The basic function of an electric fireplace is to provide warmth, and it does this without all the mess, pollution, and cost that comes with a traditional unit, such as a gas fireplace. Electric fireplaces make use of electricity to produce heat, making them much more eco-friendly and easier to set up, and they offer vastly varied styles for just about any decor. They are also a better bet for people who live in smaller houses and have tighter budgets.
In this article, we’ll be providing reasons to get an electric fireplace and discussing considerations you want to make to help you make the right choice when it comes to purchasing your own electric fireplace.
Advantages of Electric Fireplaces Over Other Heating Systems
If you have any doubts about electric fireplaces, the following points should convince you:
Safety
The number one thing that prevents a lot of people from installing fireplaces in their houses is the fear of how dangerous it can get, especially with kids around. However, with electric fireplaces, you don’t have to worry about any of these as they are far safer than traditional fireplaces.
Efficient
Electric fireplaces are much more efficient in warming up the house than the good ole traditional fireplaces. Rather than have the bulk of the heat escape through a chimney or some other escape outlet, the heat is distributed into the room.
Cost-effective
Electric fireplaces are much more cost-effective than traditional fireplaces. The latter typically cost thousands of dollars to install and maintain.
No fumes
Unlike traditional fireplaces that burn wood, coal, or gas and release toxic fumes that may leak into your home, electric fireplaces do not produce any fumes or gas. This way, you get real heat without worrying about gas leaks or inhaling toxic fumes.
Easy installation
Electric fireplaces are much easier to install in the home than traditional fireplaces that require lots of planning, building, and time. With electric fireplaces, you don’t have to break down any walls or do any heavy renovations. Electric fireplaces can even hang on the wall, so all you have to do is purchase one and install it.
Low maintenance
The maintenance demands for traditional fireplaces are high, seeing that you have to constantly purchase wood, clean out ash, and clean the chimneys. With electric fireplaces, you do not have to worry about any of those issues – just plug in and warm up.
Durable
Because of their designs, electric fireplaces are pretty durable and more likely to last longer than other heating systems. They are not prone to rust and can last years without looking or acting old.
Easy to control
With a traditional fireplace, you can’t control the temperature to exactly what you want – many electric fireplaces come with precise temperature controls to achieve this, allowing you to warm up despite chilly weather.
Types of Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplace mantel
This comes with the fireplace box and a mantel that houses it. This mantel offers the look of the traditional fireplace, adds to the beauty of your home, and could double as a shelf, or a stand for your TV.
Electric fireplace insert
This is an electric fireplace that is designed to fit into an existing fireplace in the form of a brick or steel-lined hearth. They come in different shapes and sizes and all you have to do is ensure you get the right one and insert it.
The sky is the limit when it comes to how you style the area around your fireplace insert. For a sophisticated look, check out HealthyGroceryGirl’s DIY electric fireplace mantel tutorial.
Wall-mount electric fireplace
As the name implies, this electric fireplace comes with accessories that enable you to hang it on a wall in any part of the house of your choice. The process is pretty easy and quick, and you can begin to enjoy your fireplace in no time.
Built-in electric fireplace
These electric fireplaces are perfect to install during construction or remodeling and they give a smooth integration into your home.
Freestanding electrical fireplace
These come like cabinets and can be placed anywhere, as long as it is safe. Some of them are also portable and can be moved from one part of the house to another.
What To Look Out for When Buying an Electric Fireplace
Controllable heat
Make sure that the heat levels of the electric fireplace aren’t static, but can be controlled to suit your needs, depending on the weather.
Remote control
This allows for easy control of the temperatures without necessarily having to walk over to the fireplace. Many modern electric fireplaces come with a remote control for convenience.
Built-in thermostat
Be sure to check that whatever electric fireplace you are purchasing had a built-in thermostat to regulate the heat levels and prevent overheating.
Touch-screen panel
A touch-screen panel on your electric fireplace gives it a somewhat sci-fi look and improves its control.
Sleep timer
Getting an electric fireplace with a sleep timer means that you can set your preferred heat levels to particular periods in the day – for example, at night when it’s coldest.
Multi-colored flame
This is simply to enhance the aesthetics of your home.
Price Ranges for Electric Fireplaces
Least expensive
$300-1,000. These are the prices for the least expensive electric fireplaces you should be expecting to get. The wall mounted electric fireplace and the insert fireplace are the usual fireplaces found in this price range.
Mid-range
$1,000-1,500. This is the average cost you should be prepared to pay for purchasing and installing an electric fireplace. You should get a high-quality electric fireplace within this price range.
Most expensive
$1,500-3,000. The most expensive electrical fireplaces you could get come within this price range, and they are usually built-in. They are this expensive because of the added cost of construction.
People Also Asked
A: Yes, the firebox, which is where the heat comes from, usually gets hot when it is in use. However, the external surface of the fireplace is cool to the touch and safe to be around – same as the mantel, if it comes with one.
A: Yes, it is totally safe to put your television or other stuff like pictures, keys, vases, over your electric fireplace. If you purchase an electric fireplace mantel, you definitely can place your TV console over it.
A: No. The flames that you see on the surface of your electric fireplace are not real. They are simply created by LED lights, like the images on your television. Therefore, it is perfectly safe to touch.
