The 12 Best Electric Fireplaces (2024 Guide)

By Glenda Taylor, Tiffany Lewis

Updated on Feb 10, 2025

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

If you long for the glowing warmth of a fire but could do without the usual maintenance, consider an electric fireplace. Unlike gas and wood fireplaces, an electric fireplace (or fake fireplace heater) can go in virtually any room, with no HVAC ventilation needed.

Our favorite electric fireplace is the PuraFlame Klaus 33″ Electric Fireplace Insert. It offers the look of a real fire with a resin log and features an adjustable thermostat and remote control. Thanks to its flat bottom, it’s easy to install and plugs into any 120-volt outlet for quick operation.

After hours of research and careful consideration, we also chose a number of other electric fireplaces to suit different needs. Keep reading to learn the most important shopping considerations, what our testers had to say about select models, and our top picks among the best electric fireplaces on the market.

These top models include products we curated across categories to suit a variety of needs. Read on to discover some of the best electric fireplaces on the market today for producing heat and a relaxing atmosphere.

The Klaus electric fireplace insert from PuraFlame adds a classic look to any home. It features logs that glow, flames that dance, and a fire that snaps. A three-sided interior brick wall adds to the realistic look and feel. The remote control offers easy operation and includes flame settings with variable intensity and brightness, plus the choice to go heatless for a crackling fire all year long.

With enough power to provide additional warmth in a 400-square-foot room, PuraFlame’s electric fireplace measures 26.99 inches high by 35.04 inches wide by 8.78 inches deep. A 7.5-inch resin log sits on the grate above an ember bed. We like that the flat bottom of the electric fireplace allows for installation directly on the floor for hearthless fireplaces. PuraFlame’s Klaus comes in three different sizes.

Get the PuraFlame electric fireplace at Amazon, Walmart, or The Home Depot.

This affordable electric fireplace from Maxhonor includes three installation options. It can be recessed into a wall, wall-mounted, or used as a freestanding heater, thanks to its inclusion of two installable legs. It plugs into a wall outlet, making for quick and easy operation.

The temperature settings range from 62°F to 82°F and can be adjusted via the included remote or from the touch panel on the bottom front of the fireplace. The fireplace features 12 flame color combinations and an alternating flame color setting. Users can also turn the flames off and simply enjoy the heat output. It is available in three widths: 30, 50, and 60 inches.

What our tester says: Glenda Taylor, a Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, notes in the Best Energy Efficient Space Heaters that “The glass screen remains cool to the touch, and heat exits through a panel near the top, making this space heater suitable for a home with small children—as long as the upper heat vent is above their reach.”

Get the Maxhonor electric fireplace at Amazon or Walmart (50-inch).

Feast your eyes on this beautiful piece of furniture and electric fireplace from Real Flame. This electric fireplace comes with a traditional fireplace mantel (in either white or chestnut oak), a firebox, an adjustable thermostat, and a remote control for a complete upgrade to a hearth.

This luxury pick can support up to 30 pounds of decor and fixtures, is easy to set up, creates heatless flames if desired, and has six operating settings ranging from 72 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit for ample adjustability. This model also has CSA certification (read more about this under the Safety section below), a wall anchor kit, and a timer for added ease of use and convenience.

Get the Real Flame electric fireplace at Wayfair, The Home Depot, Amazon, or Lowes.

For the traditional style of a wood-burning stove without any of the work, the Duraflame 3D infrared electric fireplace stove fits the bill. The 3D flames with five intensities mimic a real wood fire. And this little powerhouse can heat rooms up to 1,000 square feet.

This electric fireplace stove comes with an adjustable thermostat and remote control. There are nine color options available to suit most decor. This electric fireplace stove measures 23.4 inches high by 24 inches wide by 13.07 inches deep.

What our tester says: Michelle Larson, a Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, notes in the Best Electric Heaters, “I love that the stove’s digital control panel is hidden inside the door and that the fireplace comes with a remote control for easy operation…I chose this stove in a navy color that complements my space, but you can also get this faux wood burner in black, cinnamon, bronze, cream, or French gray.”

Get the Duraflame electric fireplace at Amazon, Wayfair, Target, or Walmart.

For supplemental heat and a sleek look, it’s hard to beat the Valuxhome electric fireplace. A fan-type electric fireplace, it features high and low heat settings, a timer, and a remote control to heat rooms up to 400 square feet. The panel, which recesses into the wall to sit almost flush with the wall surface, measures 21.65 inches high by 60 inches wide by 5.5 inches deep.

Users can choose from three flame colors, three fuel bed colors, and five flame intensities to suit their preferences. Decorative logs and crystals create the look of burning embers. The metal and tempered-glass electric fireplace comes in 10 different sizes to suit many different spaces.

Get the Valuxhome electric fireplace at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Bring a classic look and feel to any room with this electric fireplace mantel from Jamfly. Its intricate details and craftsmanship add charm and character without the hassle of chimneys, firewood, and flames. It will supplement the heat in 400-square-foot apartments, condos, or rooms.

A realistic LED flame with three adjustable brightness modes produces a glowing ember bed with a 3D effect. Plus, this freestanding electric fireplace runs with or without heat.

This freestanding wood mantel can support a TV up to 48 inches. It measures 41.33 inches high by 34.3 inches wide by 13.6 inches deep.

Get the Jamfly electric fireplace at Amazon.

Designed with metal and tempered glass, this black vent-free electric fireplace insert by PuraFlame can fit into many traditional fireplaces and recreate the look of a roaring fire without the worry about flame and ash. The fireplace offers 750 or 1,500 watts of heating power.

The remote allows for a quick-and-easy mood, including three flame effects and six unique crackling sounds for a more realistic experience. We appreciate that the LED technology provides vivid colors for the realistic log and grate. The fireplace can heat up to 400 square feet but is not designed to be a primary heat source.

Get the PuraFlame electric fireplace at Amazon or Walmart.

Many electric fireplaces use a standard heating element plus a barely audible fan to gently push warm air into the room. However, the ClassicFlame fireplace insert uses infrared technology, which doesn’t heat the air; instead, it heats the people within the space.

This infrared heater makes for very low energy consumption, and the sensation that the room heats up more quickly. The manufacturer rates this model to heat up to 1,000 square feet.

A digital thermostat offers precise control over output. The 3D flame and log effect can be set for color, brightness, and speed, with 125 total variations. Safer Plug technology switches off the ClassicFlame fireplace if it detects overheating.

Get the ClassicFlame electric fireplace at Amazon, Target, or The Home Depot.

Binge-watch by the fire with Walker Edison’s electric fireplace TV stand. It accommodates TVs weighing up to 150 pounds and 80 inches wide. Two adjustable shelves on either side of the fireplace support up to 30 pounds of books, picture frames, and decorative objects.

The fireplace display and heat operate separately. The heat provides supplemental warmth to rooms up to 400 square feet. This fireplace TV stand measures 25 inches high by 70 inches wide by 15.75 inches deep. It comes in 16 different colors and several styles.

Get the Walker Edison electric fireplace at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Add the elegant look of a stone surround fireplace to any room with this model from Winston Porter. Available in two colors (white and whiskey maple), this 60.25-inch wide fireplace has a sturdy mantel that can support up to 85 pounds, ideal for adding picture frames or even a TV.

The fireplace features see-through glass and adjustable flickering flames to help warm spaces up to 400 square feet. The included remote control allows you to adjust the thermostat and flames from anywhere in the room. Anti-tipping hardware is included.

Get the Winston Porter electric fireplace at Wayfair.

An electric fireplace can easily add ambience and warmth to a room or a household without the associated fireplace installation costs of a real wood or gas-burning fireplace. When gathering our top picks for this list, we included models with realistic flames and sounds so you can feel like you’re sitting by a real fire, allowing you to relax and soak up the heat. The many stunning fireplace options we looked at accommodate most size and style needs and preferences for heat, realism, and other extra features.

Aware of the many types of electric fireplaces available, we included multiple options for each style to appeal to a wide range of shopper preferences. Our recommendations offer choices for recessed inserts, mantels, stoves, TV stands, and wall-mounted fireplaces in various styles, from traditional to contemporary.

Various factors go into choosing the best electric fireplace for a given space and situation. You might simply be looking for aesthetics and something that feels homey, or you might prefer the look of a fireplace and the warmth of an electric heater.

How an electric fireplace will be used and where it will go will help narrow the selection to the style best suited to an individual user’s needs. For instance, will it go in the living room under a wall-mounted TV, or will it add ambience in the dining room? The buyer’s skill level for installation or assembly is also important, along with any extra features and how realistic it needs to look.

The following considerations will help guide your decision on what makes the best electric fireplace for your particular home.

Easy installation is a big selling point when it comes to electric fireplaces. Most simply plug into a wall outlet. The caveat, however, is that electric fireplaces that produce heat require a dedicated outlet. Due to power strip safety precautions, electric fireplaces can’t plug into an extension cord or surge protector. But many of the best electric fireplace models require very little else in the way of installation.

You’ll likely know where you’d like to place an electric fireplace, and it’s important to note that not every model fits every room. Sleek wall-mounted ones, for example, look better in bedrooms and dining rooms.

The planned location and type of fireplace will help determine the right size. It’s vital to get the exact measurements of the space where the electric fireplace will sit or hang, along with the size of the room. For instance, converting a conventional fireplace into an electric fireplace requires the precise measurements of the existing fireplace in order to find the best electric fireplace insert for the job.

The size of the room also makes a difference if the fireplace is meant to heat the room. In this case, it’s essential to ensure that the electric fireplace isn’t too small or too large for the room. Something big enough to heat a 1,200-square-foot room for a space that’s only 450 square feet might be overkill.

A handful of today’s electric fireplaces are purely for looks; they produce a visual fire effect but no heat. Most models, though, generate warmth in much the same way a space heater does. Some come with thermostats to maintain a steady temperature in the room, while others feature basic heat-level settings.

All the best electric fireplace heater options offer the illusion of flickering flames, but heat options come in three basic types:

Keep in mind that electric fireplaces shouldn’t be the room’s only heat source. They cannot replace central heating or an electric wall heater, for example.

Advances in LED light technology in combination with small rolling mirrors create the illusion of genuine flames in modern electric fireplaces. Some models include molded fake logs and embers that glow to enhance the effect. The most realistic electric fireplaces and realistic-looking features tend to be more expensive, but not always.

However, not everyone prioritizes realism in an electric fireplace. Some units offer color selection for the flames, such as gold to match holiday decor, green for a spring look, or even purple or pink flames to match the room’s decor or set a certain mood.

Electric fireplaces don’t burn wood, create smoke, or have actual flames, all of which make them safer than the real thing. Moreover, the glass on most electric fireplaces doesn’t even get hot to the touch, making them safe for children and pets. Unlike their conventional counterparts, electric fireplaces can sit safely on carpet or against a wall. They also pose no risk of carbon monoxide exposure.

In addition, electric fireplaces go through tests and inspections during production and come with safety features like automatic shutoffs set to a predetermined time or heat level. Additional safety features may include a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) seal. This certification ensures that the fireplace meets specific safety standards and regulations, giving users peace of mind knowing that the product has undergone rigorous testing and evaluation.

A few tips to avoid electric fireplace mistakes that could affect safey: Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions, don’t use extension cords or power strips, don’t place objects on the intake fans or heaters, keep them dry, and keep small children and pets away.

While electric fireplaces are pretty straightforward, some include a few fun bells and whistles, such as:

The difficulty of the installation depends on the type of electric fireplace, but it should be relatively easy for a person with the right skill set. Cutting into the wall and installing a recessed or see-through fireplace requires the user to have some framing skills. A wall-hanging unit will require hand tools, like a drill and a lever, and enough know-how to anchor the wall bracket securely.

Some mantels require assembly while others don’t, and the same goes for TV stands. No matter what type of fireplace it is, make sure to follow the installation instructions carefully and ask for help if something is unclear.

Many people love the idea of a fireplace in the living room, dining room, or bedroom. They provide a warm place to cuddle up with a good book or the latest movie. Not everyone is keen on the mess, work, and upkeep that come along with all that charm, though. Cleaning up ashes, stocking firewood, and maintaining the chimney are chores. Electric fireplaces relieve those burdens.

Some other benefits of electric fireplaces include:

For more information about the best electric fireplaces, check out these answers to some of the most common questions. If additional concerns arise, contact the manufacturer.

Yes, some give off supplemental heat. They are not intended to be a room’s only heat source, though.

Yes. An average electric fireplace uses about 1,500 watts of power. When used strictly for ambience, the cost can range from $0.003 to $0.03 per hour. When you add heat, the cost can range from $0.09 per hour for medium heat and $0.18 an hour for maximum heat.

Yes, you can plug one into a dedicated wall outlet. Do not plug one into an extension cord or power strip.

Yes, you can.

Electric fireplaces don’t produce real fire. There are no flames, only LED lights. They don’t produce toxic byproducts either. If you follow the instructions, an electric fireplace should not cause a fire. However, ignoring instructions, such as using an extension cord, can cause fires.

Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.

Today’s energy-efficient space heaters warm individual rooms, so users needn’t heat unoccupied areas of the house. We tested the most popular space heaters on the market to find out which ones performed the best.

Staff Writer

Glenda Taylor is a BobVila.com staff writer with a background in the residential remodeling, home building, and home improvement industries. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2016 and covers a range of topics, including construction methods, code compliance, tool use, and the latest news in the housing and real estate industries.

Learn more about BobVila.com Editorial Standards

We’re committed to testing and reviewing products so you can make an informed decision. Advertising does not influence our product reviews and it never will. We always focus our coverage on standout products and never hesitate to mention their flaws and quirks. By using our affiliate links, you’re supporting our work and helping us continue to provide expert analysis. Find out more about our product evaluation process.