The Best Electric Fireplace - 2021
We looked at the top 15 Electric Fireplaces and dug through the reviews from 71 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Electric Fireplaces.
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Our Picks For The Top Electric Fireplaces
- The Best Electric Fireplace
- 1. PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert
- 2. Touchstone Sideline Wall Recessed Electric Fireplace
- 3. Valuxhome Remote Control Electric Fireplace
- 4. Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove
- 5. e-Flame USA Jasper Portable Electric Fireplace
- 6. Homedex Recessed Electric Touchscreen Fireplace Insert
- 7. e-Flame USA Regal Portable Electric Fireplace
- 8. PuraFlame 30-In Western Electric Fireplace
- 9. Ameriwood Home Chicago Electric Fireplace
- 10. Lifesmart Large Room Infrared Quartz Fireplace
- 11. Touchstone Onyx Electric Fireplace
- 12. Southern Enterprises Calvert Carved Electric Fireplace
- 13. Dimplex Holbrook Traditional Electric Fireplace
- 14. Ameriwood Home Lamont Mantel & Electric Fireplace
- 15. AKDY 27-In Electric Fireplace
Life-Like Resin LogsCreated with life-like resin logs, this electric fireplace provides a cozy atmosphere on a cold winter evening.
Modern DesignAll the instructions you need to create a recessed area for your electric fireplace are included with your purchase.
Remote Control IncludedSafety is of the utmost importance, which is why this electric fireplace comes with overheating protection.
Heats Large SpacesIf you're looking for an electric fireplace that can be placed in a living room in the day and a bedroom at night, this model is your best bet.
Why we recommend these electric fireplaces?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 15 Electric Fireplaces and also dug through the reviews from 71 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Electric Fireplaces.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert
Our Take
If you already own a fireplace, this electric fireplace insert is an excellent buy. Not only are the logs life-like, but they also make realistic crackling sounds. The handy remote allows you to operate the fireplace while remaining warm and comfortable on the sofa.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove
Our Take
This 5,200 BTU electric fireplace is able to supplement the heat in a room as big as 1,000 square feet. It utilizes an infrared quartz heat that keeps humidity levels regulated, so the air in the room doesn't dry out. The unit comes with five adjustable color, brightness, and speed settings to create the exact atmosphere that you're looking for.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Our Electric Fireplace Findings
PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert
What We Liked: If you already own a fireplace, this electric fireplace insert is an excellent buy. Not only are the logs life-like, but they also make realistic crackling sounds. The handy remote allows you to operate the fireplace while remaining warm and comfortable on the sofa.
Touchstone Sideline Wall Recessed Electric Fireplace
What We Liked: This electric fireplace is made for recessed mounting and can be hard-wired or plugged. It comes with two heat settings and three color changing options. In fact, homeowners can even adjust the brightness of the fire’s flames to match their preferences.
Valuxhome Remote Control Electric Fireplace
What We Liked: There’s nothing more relaxing than curling up by the fireplace with a good book and a hot cup of tea. This electric fireplace may not have real logs, but it does come with life-like resin logs and multiple flame modes. The unit even makes fire cracking sounds like a real fireplace would.
Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove
What We Liked: This 5,200 BTU electric fireplace is able to supplement the heat in a room as big as 1,000 square feet. It utilizes an infrared quartz heat that keeps humidity levels regulated, so the air in the room doesn’t dry out. The unit comes with five adjustable color, brightness, and speed settings to create the exact atmosphere that you’re looking for.
Homedex Recessed Electric Touchscreen Fireplace Insert
What We Liked: Providing both ambiance and warmth, this electric fireplace insert is an excellent buy. The touch screen control panel is easy to use and there’s even a countdown timer that will automatically shut the unit off for you. Users will also appreciate the five different flame intensities and the nine different color options.
Our Electric Fireplace Buying Guide
A crackling fire can add cozy warmth to even the chilliest of winter nights. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, you can toss some logs in and snuggle up for hours.
However, with great fireplace comes great responsibility. You’ve got to maintain your chimney and the flue, clean up burnt logs and keep pets and kids at a safe distance. Electric fireplaces are a modern option that requires tiring upkeep and cleaning out of the equation.
There are two ways to add an electric fireplace to your home. You can buy and assemble an electric fireplace and put it anywhere in your home. If you already have a fireplace but you’re tired of the maintenance, you can buy an electric fireplace insert instead.
Full electric fireplaces are shipped directly to your home. The parts usually come in two boxes: one to hold the fireplace and mantel and another to hold the electrical components. You can easily put it together on your own, then place it in any room that needs a little extra warmth.
Electric fireplaces create heat through metal coils. They heat up when the fireplace is plugged in and turned on, then a blower fan pushes the heat into the room. The fireplace is cool to the touch, so it’s safe for curious pets and rambunctious kids. It also doesn’t waste or lose any heat, since the fan pushes all of the warmth out into the room.
The electric fireplace’s realistic-looking flames are created by refracting the light from a normal light bulb. This creates a three-dimensional pattern for realistic-looking flames. You can also customize the look of your fireplace with imitation logs or pebbles.
Electric fireplaces come in a variety of styles. Some of them come as a single complete unit that you can move around to any room in your home. Others have an old-school style with a mantle that you can use to display photos and knick-knacks.
Electric fireplace inserts are a great way to turn your current fireplace into a cleaner, more energy-efficient operation. The inserts use the same technology as standard electric fireplaces, but they fit neatly into your home’s current fireplace. You can close up your flue, pop in the insert and enjoy remote-controlled “fires” after an easy installation.
A wall-mounted electric fireplace is ideal for anyone who’s after a more modern look. Some electric fireplaces are even designed to be installed inside your wall for a recessed look.
Whether you’re craving a classic look or searching for a futuristic electric fireplace, you’ll have to think about a few things before you commit to your fireplace. Our Tips & Advice can help you choose the electric fireplace of your dreams.
DWYM Fun Fact
Electric fireplaces are safer and cleaner than a standard fireplace with a chimney — but if you block off your fireplace with an electric insert, you might miss out on holiday cheer.
The legend of Santa coming down the chimney has been a Christmas staple since the 19th century. But long before that, chimneys were viewed as a connection between the spiritual world and the natural world. European folklore is filled with tales about supernatural creatures entering homes through the chimney.
Some creatures were welcome additions who helped with cleaning and upkeep during the night, and some left small gifts. Other supernatural forces weren’t so friendly. According to Celtic legends, a dangerous spirit called the bodach would sneak down chimneys to kidnap children from their nurseries.
So what does this mean for you if you buy an electric fireplace? You could be missing out on visits from Santa. We recommend stringing Christmas lights that point towards the front door every holiday season. Santa will still get to warm up with the realistic flames from your electric fireplace, and he’ll probably appreciate going through the front door instead of struggling to fit through a chimney.
The Electric Fireplace Tips and Advice
- Once you’ve decided that you want an electric fireplace in your home, you’ll need to figure out which room it belongs in. Electric fireplaces offer you a lot of freedom in terms of where you can put them. They stay cool to the touch when they heat up, and the way they produce heat is relatively safe, so you don’t have to worry too much about kids or pets. However, you will want to check the maximum voltage on your wall outlets before you buy a fireplace and plug it in. If your fireplace exceeds the outlet’s maximum voltage, you could wind up with a busted fireplace and a hefty bill from the electrician.
- If you plan on moving your fireplace from room to room, check out the fireplace’s weight before you buy it. Some units are more lightweight at 28 pounds, while other models come in at a hefty 107 pounds.
- Double-check on how far away from your wall outlets are from where you intend to plug in your fireplace. Some models have a generous six-foot cord, while wall-mounted designs need to be right next to an outlet.
- If you already have a fireplace, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy by installing an electric fireplace insert. You won’t have to worry about ashes, extensive chimney maintenance or cleanup anymore.
- Electric fireplaces also double as space heaters for small areas. All of our top picks provide supplemental heat for up to 400 square feet.
- How precise do you need your temperature range to be? Some models have a range of 62 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit at 4-degree intervals, while others only come with high and low heat options.
- If you plan on dozing off to the crackling of your electric fireplace, you’ll want one with an auto-shutoff safety timer. All four of our top picks feature these timers.
About The Author
Abby Stassen has a bachelor's degree in English language & literature from the University of Michigan. She's been writing professionally for over a decade. Home is where the heart is, and it's also where Abby spends time hunting for the perfect appliances, decor and more. She also has a lush Floridian backyard that doubles as a test lab for garden products. Abby recommends home and garden products based on her rigorous online research and personal experiences with the products.