Best Electric Fireplace Reviews 2018

When it comes to electric fireplaces, there are many types and designs to choose from – and a wide variety of price ranges. For the purpose of this review, we took a look at five of the best brands out there, highlighting one product from each of them to give you a sampling of the different kinds. Check out these beautiful electric fireplaces and choose the one you think it will look best in your living room!

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Heat Output

Size

Material

Remote

Extras

Our Top Choice

The Onyx™ Touchstone Electric Fireplace – Wall Mounted

Sleek looking wall-mounted fireplace that can be used with or without actual heat. #1 Amazon's Best Seller in Electric Fireplaces

Realistic flames. Two-heat settings. Can heat a 400 sq. area. Has heat disable switch. Onxy Black 50” display but also available in different size and color options.

No touchscreen feature.

5100 BTUs

50"

Glass and metal

Included for easy control

2 heating settings

Best Value

Duraflame Carleton Electric Stove with 4,600 BTU Heater.

A great compact electric stove heater that's budget friendly. Beautiful décor option for people who want supplemental heat source.

1500W/4,600 BTU Heats Up to 400sq ft. Operates with or without heat; realistic flame; safe as the unit remains cool to the touch

Only one heat setting. No remote control

4,600 BTUs

19.7 x 16.2 x 11.6 inches

Metal

No, but has mechanical controls

Hidden operable door

Dimplex 33-Inch Electric Firebox - Fireplace Insert

A great-looking and truly "green" and energy efficient alternative to traditional fireplaces.

Realistic looking flames and “burning” wood; uses 11 percent less energy; remains cool to the touch; operates with or without heat

Some reports of a loud fan/motor

5118 BTUs

33"

Metal

Multi-function remote

1 year warranty

Southern Enterprises Claremont Convertible Media Electric Fireplace

An attractive and multipurpose electric fireplace that truly maximizes every inch of a room.

Adjustable thermostat and flame intensity; with or without heat options; remains cool to the touch

needs to be assembled

1500W

15.8 x 48 x 32.2 inches

Metal, tempered glass

Multi-function remote

Energy efficient LED bulbs

Pleasant Hearth Electric Log Insert

A realistic looking fireplace log insert that provides heat at a reasonable price (or use without for ambience in the summer).

Fits in most pre-fabricated fireplace; realist-looking flame; operates with or without heat; easy installation

Only runs on 120V outlet/supply; the unit is hot when in use

4, 600 BTUs

23 x 9 x 13 inches

Cast Iron

Multi-Function remote

Energy efficient LED bulbs

(Updated July 5, 2017)

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Watch Our Electric Fireplace Review

How Do I Choose the Best Electric Fireplace?

People who live in cold regions are familiar with the warmth that fireplaces can provide. From traditional wood fireplaces, vented gas fireplaces, vent free gas fireplaces and the more modern electric fireplaces - options are really endless for people who would like to have the benefits of a fireplace. Even individuals who do not experience chilly winters can choose to install a fireplace for added beauty and the "romantic feel" it lends. You might be pleased to find out that there are also “pseudo fireplaces” which can simulate the feeling of having a fireplace without the heat!

As the name suggests, an electric fireplace is a type of hearth that requires the use of electricity in order to generate flames for an inviting visual appeal without the hassle of a traditional wood-burning fireplace. It may or may not generate actual heat depending on the model you choose. For example, there are some that are simply portable electric heaters made to look like a fireplace or wood stove, adding a touch of beauty any room. There also ones that use a combination of gas for real flames, along with electricity to get the fire started.

The first step in choosing which is the best electric fireplace for you is to ask yourself, what do I want an electric fireplace for? Is it mainly for aesthetics? Is it because you need the extra heat it can provide in a chilly weather? Or maybe both?

The wide-spread availability of electric fireplaces reduces the cost associated with installing a traditional one, a chimney, and the tedious maintenance and environmental impacts of traditional wood-burning fireplaces. This surely provides homeowners a more cost-efficient option. If you are considering buying an electric fireplace, we've got your covered. Since our aim at TopProducts is more than just giving you recommendations about great products, we also want to provide you information on the various options you have out there. That’s why for this review, we chose to focus on the varying style options of electric fireplaces so you can find one that'll suit your home and lifestyle.

Before we get to our recommendations, let’s take a closer look at the factors that you need to consider when making your selection.

Price

There is a wide range of prices when it comes to electric fireplaces; and the price tag really depends on the features that the fireplace has to offer, how elaborate its design is. You can find affordable electric fireplaces that are of good quality and can really warm any room of the home. On the other end of the spectrum are electric fireplaces that cost thousands of dollars that literally replicate having a full scale fireplace complete with hearth and mantle – perfect for hanging stockings and snuggling by the fire with a cup of cocoa.

We understand that many homeowners will be looking at good quality electric fireplaces at reasonable prices. And for this reason, our top five recommendations consist of good quality fireplaces at varying price points. The range for the products on our list is from around $100 to $1300. While there are definitely electric fireplaces that cost less than the ones you see on our list, our research showed that not all electric fireplaces are created equal especially in terms of design and features – with many cheap electric fireplaces not having what we consider optimal safety standards, something that is extremely important.

Features

When it comes to the features that come beyond the ones we have already discussed, there are others that are important to consider. The most important, in our opinion is are electric fireplace's safety features. For portable ones, tip over and overheating protection are just some of the basic safety elements you need to look for. For ones that use gas to generate flames, it is essential that you determine whether you are getting a ventless or vented electric fireplace – and of course you need to make sure that you install it correctly. If you are not an experienced DIY handyman (or should we say handy-person), then we recommend consulting a professional.

With regards to the look of the flames, advances in technology have made it possible for LED LCD which produces an animation of real-looking fire without the hassle of cleaning up wood ashes. Also, the most popular electric fireplaces come with a remote control so you can easily adjust settings to your liking without ever having to get out of your seat to stoke the fire. Instant start is another nice touch.

Construction and Design

When it comes to construction and design, there are various factors to consider from the style of your home to your floor space. Is it for a home that doesn’t have an actual chimney or fireplace built-in or are you actually looking for one to fill in the spot of your built-in fireplace because you don't want the work that goes with burning real wood?

There are basically five types of electric fireplaces in terms of design:

Electric Fireplace Inserts - A fireplace insert can either be one that completely covers and seals an existing chimney or it can be a gas fireplace (with electric start) that utilizes it as a vent. They are designed for homeowners who want the heat and ambience of a fire, but don’t want to burn wood.
Built-In Electric Fireplaces – Also called, an electric firebox, this style of electric fireplace requires construction into a home’s interior walls, “building” a fireplace without the necessity of a chimney. In some instances, fireplace insert models that are designed to go into an existing fireplace can also be built in to the wall. Some of these require venting, but many people choose the ones that are ventless, for the sake of convenience.
Free Standing Electric Fireplaces – This a very broad category and includes hearth style electric fireplaces that look just like a traditional fireplace as well as electric fireplace stoves (that look just like wood burning stoves), portable electric fireplaces, electric fireplaces with mantels that include storage space along the sides and TV stand/media console electric fireplaces. For homes with limited space, the smaller, portable ones come are great options.
Wall Mounted Electric Fireplaces – In many ways this style of resembles the look of a flat screen television, and some can be mounted flat on the wall just like a TV, while others do require a small amount of “deconstruction” so that the back sits inside the wall (but much less than a full scale built in electric fireplace). There are no actual “flames” but rather they play a high quality video of a fire, much like the annual Yule Log show that plays on TV around holiday season. Operated by remote control, they are available with or without heat. Wall mounted fireplaces are great space savers, perfect for modern homes.
Electric Fireplace Logs – This is the most affordable option for people who have an existing fireplace, but don’t want to burn wood (either all the time, or ever). They are simply units that look like real logs that you place inside the fireplace. Available with or without heat, electric fireplace log kits are a great way to fill the space in your hearth for year round enjoyment.

The ideal style for your home's electric fireplace is really a matter of personal preference, and in order to help you choose, we are featuring one of each type in this review. Keep in mind that all the brands we are recommending make many different styles of electric fireplaces with great design quality and features so you are sure to find something you like.

Performance and Ease of Use

One of the main reasons that homeowners choose to have an electric fireplace over a traditional wood-burning one is the convenience of not having to have and burn chopped wood and the maintenance that comes with it. Another, of course, is because they want a fireplace without actually building one into the home. So when purchasing an electric fireplace, it is important that you consider how easy it is to install (ease of fitting), how simple it is use, and of course, what it takes to maintain it.

Heat output is another electric fireplace performance consideration. Do you want an electric fireplace to simply adds a certain ambience to your home? Or do you want one that produces actual heat? It's nice to have that warm flame-effect in any home even without providing actual heat. But for people living in colder areas, it's good to have a unit that can actually keep the home warm when the weather gets chilly. If your goal is to have the fireplace as a primary source of heat, it is important to get one that generates a significant amount, rather than one that puts off a little bit of warmth – as well as how much energy it takes to operate it. This decision is very similar to the one you would make when choosing a portable heater. The last thing you want, if you are choosing an electric fire place to save on energy costs is one that actually ends up costing more.

Finally, in terms of performance, you will want to consider how realistic the “fire” is – and whether this is a primary concern for you. For example, if you choose to go with an electric stove style unit, some don’t offer the look of flames but are portable heaters made to look like the outside of a wood burning stove. If you are choosing something to insert into your existing fireplace, and don’t care about whether there are real flames or not (and don’t want to spend a lot of money), a fireplace log kit that runs on electric might be the perfect choice.

What is the Best Electric Fireplace?

Choosing the best electric fireplace for you and your home shouldn’t be a difficult task and it will be mainly based on two factors: your needs and personal taste. Let’s take a look at 5 of the most sought after fireplace brands and what they have to offer.

Our Top Choice

The Wall Mounted Fireplace by Touchstone features realistic-looking, adjustable flames that'll look great against any wall. We have chosen to spotlight the Onyx™ line which comes in a sharp and modern looking black color, but you can get them in other colors such as white and a mirrored finish. Touchstone also makes great, high quality recessed electric fireplaces and fire place inserts, such as the Sideline50.

Touchstone Electric Wall Mounted Fireplace – Available in Onyx, White & Mirrored, in Variety of Sizes.

Touchstone Electric Stove Fireplace 80001 - 50” Black

Features

The Touchstone Onyx Electric Wall Mounted Fireplace is a very versatile electric fireplace that can work in practically any home. Here's a rundown of its features for your convenience:

2-heat options and can heat up to a 400sq. area
Real-looking flames that are adjustable - up to 5 levels brightness
Simple and hassle-free installation
Operates with or without heat
Built-in timer for auto-shut off

While this unit is usually used mounted flat against a wall, it has a heat disable switch in cases where you only want the fireplace "effect" without the actual heat so that it can be it placed into your wall as a recessed electric fireplace. Remember though, the heat comes out of the top on this unit – so you can’t have it both ways!

Construction and Design

The Onyx Touchstone Electric Fireplace looks great when fitted into recessed wall or hung on the wall like a framed image. It has this sleek and very modern look and includes natural-looking flames and log inserts. The LED lit flames really creates the look of real wood-burning flames. And for the perfect ambiance you want for your home, you can adjust the flame levels from soft to a bright fire.

The model fireplace that we are featuring measures 21.65 inches tall and 50.4 in width but Touchstone offers both smaller and larger sizes, as well as other colors besides Onyx black. If you're using the actual heat feature of the fireplace, it's good to know that heat comes out of the top part. So if you're mounting any other appliance or décor on top of this fireplace, make sure that you leave at least 24 inches or 2 ft gap - for safety and so heat can disperse efficiently.

Performance and Ease of Use

The Touchstone Electric Wall Mounted Fireplace has all the elements of a truly convenient, yet stylish smokeless fireplace. You can adjust the fireplace options using a control panel on the side of the unit or the remote control. Flame animation can be adjusted into 5 different levels and has two heat settings - low and high. Or if you don’t want the heat, you can turn it off and still enjoy the ambience of a crackling fire.

Wall mounting brackets are included with the purchase for your added convenience. It also has a timer option which you can set anywhere between 30 minutes and up to 7.5 hours - a great safety feature and perfect if you don't want the unit running for too long.

For the warmth and enjoyment of a fire, without taking up the space, get your own Touchstone Wall Mounted Fireplace today.

Best Value

All of Duraflame’s Electric Stoves feature an attractive design and they will surely add warmth and charm to any room. The model we are featuring costs less than a hundred bucks, but those of you looking for a great higher end alternative, we recommend the Duraflame 950 Bronze Electric Fireplace Stove with Remote Control.

Duraflame Carleton Electric Stove with Heater – 1500W/4,600 BTU Heats Up to 400sq ft. Cool Touch. Realistic Flames Operate With or Without Heat

Duraflame Electric Heater DFS-450-2 - Black

Features

For a truly affordable and nice looking portable heater, check out the Duraflame Electric Stove with Heater. Who knows? This may just be the compact portable fireplace you've been looking for. Here are some of its charming features:

Vent-free and no hookup required
Operates with or without heat
Mechanical control
Real-looking flame effect with dimmer and thermostat
Shuts off for safety instantly before overheating and remains cool to the touch

Construction and Design

If you are looking for a portable heater to provide supplemental heat to your home, but don’t want a standard and boring portable space heater, Duraflame, a division of Twin-Star International™, makes a wonderful array of stove style electric fireplaces that are not only safe and energy efficient, but they look wonderful too. For this review, we are featuring the Carleton Electric Stove with Heater because it has a charming yet compact design that'll fit any room. It is built with an arched frame detail and a pretty window you will surely fall in love with. It has that real-looking flame effect with a matching log and ember bed for that realistic fireplace effect.

This electric fireplace looks just like a wood burning stove, complete with a picture window with arched surrounding details that make it seem like you are looking at a realistic fire, with a glowing log and ember bed. The unit uses a 1500W/4,600 BTU which is enough to generate enough supplemental heating for a zone of up to 400 square feet. Weighing just 15.8 pounds, it’s light enough to move from room to room (or to put away for storage), but it looks so good, you might want to keep it out all year long just for the charm – especially since you can operate the fire without the heat.

Performance and Ease of Use

Being a standalone electric stove, the Carleton Electric Stove by Duraflame surely takes off the hassle of installation (as to all of their portable electric fireplaces). The unit comes in fully assembled - no hookups required, so it's really a great buy if you need to heat a room right away. It also operates with or without heat and has thermostat, so you can enjoy this electric fireplace all year round. The realistic flames and glowing log can be dimmed to your preference great for when you just want soft lights at night.

Unlike a wood burning stove, this unit is safe for households that have kids and pets as it has a hidden operations door and remains cool to the touch even when operating with heat. The unit also turns off instantly when it gets too hot so you can have the peace of mind that it won't overheat.

Forget those boring looking portable heaters, get a Duraflame Electric Stove and add both heat and charm to your home.

Bring back the charm of your old unused fireplace, with the Dimplex 33-Inch Electric Firebox - a well-designed and functional electric fireplace insert. Dimplex also offers a smaller fireplace insert like the Dimplex 23-Inch Standard Electric Fireplace Insert for those looking for the same great design and quality but don't want to spend too much.

Dimplex Multi-Fire Xd 33-Inch Electric Firebox with Faux Logs Bed, Energy Efficient

Dimplex Electric Fireplace PF3033HL - Black

Features

The Dimplex Multi-Fire XD 33-Inch Electric Firebox with Faux Logs Bed is truly a great option when looking to purchase a firebox or fireplace insert. You'll never go wrong with its amazing features:

Quickly heats a room in no time with its Heat Boost technology
Operates with or without heat
Energy efficient with an eco mode option
Real-looking flames and burning log
Glass front remains cool to the touch

Construction and Design

The Dimplex Multi-Fire 33-Inch Electric Firebox has a full-view and very sleek design that allows users to have a better view of its real-like flames. The Multi-Fire XD™ technology used accurately reproduces the natural burning wood. This plug-in fire box is constructed to reproduce varying range of light themes for the perfect atmosphere. It also has an on-screen LED display so you can easily check temperature functions and settings.

Also available is the 25-Inch Multi-Fire XD Electric Firebox for those in search for a smaller sized firebox but with the same exact features.

Performance and Ease of Use

This 33-Inch Electric Firebox by Dimplex can be plugged into any standard home outlet and comes with a remote control. It operates with or without heat so you can enjoy the comforting fireplace ambiance year round. It offers varying ambient light themes from a soft soothing glow to vibrant and pulsing flame effect.

The unit utilizes a ceramic heating system that uses 11 percent less energy than heaters using quartz infrared heating. Users also have the option to set the electric fireplace to eco mode which uses up to 33% less energy. Another great things is that it's safe for pets and kids as the glass window actually remains cool to the touch.

Don't waste time! Get the Dimplex Multi-Fire XD Electric Firebox from Amazon now.

Warm up any room with the versatility and the ambiance that the Claremont Convertible Media Electric Fireplace gives. Southern Enterprises also offers quality hearth style and standalone style electric fireplaces with bookshelves in varying colors and designs to match your outstanding home décor.

SEI Southern Enterprises Claremont Electric Fireplace – With Media Center, Available in 4 colors, Long-Life, Energy Efficient LED Bulbs

Southern Enterprises FE9310 - Cherry

Features

The Southern Enterprises Claremont Convertible Media Fireplace is truly a great option for homeowners looking for a very flexible electric fireplace.
Here's a quick look at some of the great features that this fireplace has to offer:

Operates with or without heat
Adjustable thermostat, timer and flame brightness with a remote control
Heater automatically shuts off when desired temperature is met
Plugs into any standard wall outlet
Collapsible panel and can be conveniently positioned against a flat or corner wall

This stylish not only provides heat, but it can also be used as a media center with your television on top, shelf for the electronics, and side storage cabinets. It’s can be used in corner and flat against the wall, in your choice of cherry, black, brown maho and ivory.

Construction and Design

The Claremont Convertible Media Electric Fireplace by Southern Enterprises is one of the most popular electric fireplaces in the market. It does not only offer the ambiance and actual warmth of having a fireplace but also provides additional shelving and storage for the home.

Our most favorite feature of this unit is its collapsible panel. This electric media fireplace can works great as a corner electric fireplace - which really makes great use of often wasted corner space/wall, but also works and looks great flat against the wall. Aside from the Cherry finish, the Claremont model comes in other great colors to suit any home's color scheme, as well as an option that makes use of infrared heat.

Performance and Ease of Use

Though this fireplace requires a sort of assembling before you can admire it beauty, the manufacturer provides clear instruction manual to help you assemble - does not require professional installation at all.

The electric fireplace makes use of energy efficient LED and comes with a user friendly remote control. It offers 4 warm heating options and automatically shuts off when temperature gets too high so you don't have to worry of overheating. The unit remains cool to the touch so it's safe for homes with pets or kids.

Shop for the Southern Enterprises Claremont Electric Fireplace - get it at a discounted price on Amazon today.

Furnish an existing fireplace with the help of the Pleasant Hearth Electric Log Insert. It’s a great way to add heat to your room, without chopping firewood. For those living in warm areas or if you just simply love to have the fireplace effect year round, but without the actual heat, Pleasant Hearth's Electric Crackling Log is perfect! It has a realistic glowing logs and ember bed and produces a crackling wood sound for a complete fireplace effect.

Pleasant Hearth Electric Fireplace with Heater, Multi-Function Remote Control, 4, 600 BTUs of Heat

Pleasant Hearth Fireplace Insert LH-24

Features

The Pleasant Hearth Electric Log Insert with Heater fits in almost all built-in fireplaces. It showcases glowing logs and an ember bed that are natural looking. Add along the realistic flame effect it provides and you've got yourself an almost life-like experience of a fireplace - without the effort and mess of traditional wood burning fireplaces.

If you're looking for a great real-looking log insert for your existing fireplace, check out some of the Pleasant Hearth LH-24 Electric Log Insert with Heater's features:

Real-looking flame effect
Operates with or without heat
Easy installation (plugs into 120V outlet)
Heats up to 400 sq. ft area
Comes with a remote control and fits in most manufactured/masonry fireplaces

Construction and Design

The Electric Log Insert from Pleasant Hearth is an excellent electric fireplace you can get at a reduced price. It can provide a great amount of heat and it even produces that beautiful fireplace soundtrack that will help you relax and feel better. The beautiful cast iron back and case in a black finish adds a certain rustic charm especially when the artificial flame projects into it. You'll surely find that this fireplace insert can match most existing fireplace style and design out there.

Performance and Ease of Use

Many users like that the Electric Log Set by Pleasant Hearth is very easy to install. You can simply install it into an existing fireplace or simply place it on a solid floor and about 4 inches away from a solid wall. Plug it in to any 120V electrical outlet and you’re set.

It has separate controls for heat control and flame effect; the controls can be accessed in two ways, with the remote or via the control panel buttons at the right hand corner of the log set. You can definitely turn both the heater and the flame effect on, or enjoy the flame effect without the heat.

The unit can heat an area of up to a 400 sq. ft. But as the log set's surface turns hot when in use, make sure to not touch the unit and keep combustible materials at least 3 ft or 36 inches away from the front of the log insert.

Get the Pleasant Hearth LH24 Electric Log Insert with Heater at a great price on Amazon today!

Get the Best Electric Fireplace of 2018!

We hope this information has been useful in helping you learn about the different options that are available for electric fireplaces. We trust that any electric fire place you get from these manufactures will be a welcome, and warm, addition to your home.

Our Top Choice

The Onyx™ Touchstone Electric Fireplace – Wall Mounted

Best Value

Duraflame Carleton Electric Stove with 4,600 BTU Heater.

Dimplex 33-Inch Electric Firebox - Fireplace Insert

Southern Enterprises Claremont Convertible Media Electric Fireplace

Pleasant Hearth Electric Log Insert