This is the season and it’s only right to give our home another addition to make it ready for the winter. Some people would go with small decorations, such as socks to hang in front of the fire ph- oh, wait.
You don’t have one.
Now, we’re not aiming to rub that salt on your wound. It’s just fireplace is the perfect thing to add in the living room where the family gathers in. Going through a major home renovation just to install a fireplace is not exactly the most suitable option to take. But an electric fireplace, now that’s an easier and more convenient choice to make.
Here, we would like to provide you with reviews of the best electric fireplaces, as well as tips and answers to commonly asked questions. Have a cup of hot chocolate and warm up while you spend some time reading up on your next furniture addition!
We have also shared our ultimate buying guide that is designed to help you identify some of the most important considerations to be mindful of when searching for electric fireplaces that fit your exact needs. We wish for your electrical fireplace buying process to be as straightforward and easy as possible, so you don’t waste any time looking at low-quality products.
Table of Contents
- Things to Consider Before Choosing the Right Electric Fireplace
- Top 5 Best Electric Fireplace Reviews
- 1. PuraFlame 30″ Western – Best Electric Fireplace Heater
- 2. Duraflame DFI-5010-01 – Best Infrared Quartz Fireplace Heater
- 3. Touchstone 80001 Onyx – Best Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace
- 4. Touchstone Sideline Recessed – Best Mounted Electric Fireplace Heater
- 5. Southern Enterprises Cartwright Convertible Electric Fireplace
- Advantages of Having an Electric Fireplace
- Safety Tips for Electric Fireplace
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
How Does an Electric Fireplace Work?
Real fireplaces can be installed in various places and depending on that, there can only be a certain fuel that works with it. With electric fireplaces, there is only one thing that ‘fuels’ them: electricity. The name explains it.
Electric fireplaces can be assembled like an open-hearth fireplace, installed on the wall, a stove or inserted in the wall. They need to be plugged into a power socket and can be remotely controlled. They all work similarly in that they emit lights that resemble crackling fire of actual fire burning in a stove or fireplace. It’s not a real fire but LED lights that shine red to yellowish fire-like colors.
Several electric fireplaces don’t just come looking like a fireplace but still feels cold when around. They have a built-in heater, so you will still get the same warmth like from an actual fireplace. They can heat up to 1000 square feet area depending on the size and intensity of heat. For the ones with a built-in heater, they usually have a sort of vents and you need to give a little space in the back for insert ones.
Things to Consider Before Choosing the Right Electric Fireplace
Top 5 Best Electric Fireplace Reviews
1. PuraFlame 30″ Western – Best Electric Fireplace Heater
The PuraFlame 30†Western Electric Fireplace became our best electric fireplace due to various factors it easily well-perform in. The design is very classy and is meant to be inserted partly into the wall. Leave a small space of about 3-5 inches depth as that is how the heater sucks in air to be blown out as heated air.
The packaging comes with one fireplace, one remote control, one button cell battery, one-year warranty as well as the user manual. Make sure that you check the manual when you first install and operate the fireplace.
Features
- Remotely control the flame mode for the fire that you want from half bright flame, full bright flame, to full brightness with a little blue flame. Run your heater with a few clicks on the remote as well. Two modes for the heater: high and low intensity.
- An adjustable thermostat gives you 9 different settings with the already mentioned two levels of heating, leaving the room warm at the right degree. Temperature range from 64 to 84 Fahrenheit degrees and warms up to 400 square feet area.
- Safety ensured as the heater has an internal overheating safety device that will shut the heater down when overheating is detected.
- Live-like fire emitted by the LED lights, realistically decorating the living room.
- Easy to install – whoever you are and whatever you do, installing the fireplace into a prepared space is simple and easy.
Cons
- The product has no specific drawback, except that you just need to carefully check everything when it arrives to make sure that it operates properly in the long-term.
2. Duraflame DFI-5010-01 – Best Infrared Quartz Fireplace Heater
The Duraflame DFI-5010-01 Infrared Quartz Fireplace is an electric fire stove. As it does not light up the real fire, it can be easily moved around the house so long as there is a power outlet nearby. And you might be wondering how the fire will look like with a stove that is visible from all three sides?
The Duraflame uses infrared to heat the room and uses a 3D flame effect that can be seen from all three sides. Buying this comes with a remote control that you can use to change the flame and heater settings. It has a very good design, making it a great addition to the room and improve the ambiance, not to mention how it does not take too much space at all!
Features
- 3D realistic flame effects with patent pending. Emits flame that doesn’t burn and is almost similar to a real fire. We personally love the flame effect of this particular stove. Visible from all three sides and it will take some time for people to realize it’s electric!
- Wide heating capability: 5,200 BTU power that heats up to 1,000 square feet area. A powerful little heater!
- Safety ensured as the heater has an internal overheating safety device that will shut the heater down when overheating is detected with SaferPlug technology that is patent-pending.
- Adjustable thermostat giving you the flexibility to adjust the temperature of your room.
- Remotely control your electric fire stove in five levels of brightness, color and speed settings.
- Environment-friendly infrared is a better way to stay warm as it does not cause static electricity and maintain the humidity of the room.
Cons
- This is another incredible product and we honestly couldn’t come up with something that we dislike about it. The only thing we could think of is that it cannot be inserted or mounted on the wall, which would basically mean you want something else than a fire stove.
3. Touchstone 80001 Onyx – Best Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace
Now, this is another piece of furniture that you will love to add to your living room. The Touchstone 80001 Onyx Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace can be easily installed on the wall and controlled through a remote control that comes with it.
The overall dimension is 50.4†W x 21.65†H x 5.5†D and has two models of ‘fuel’: log set and crystal set. Whichever it is, the flame will burn realistically on both, creating a warm ambiance. And it’s not just ambiance, because if you want, you can also turn on the heater! The product comes with drywall screws and all parts for installing the fireplace.
Features
- Remotely control the heat from low to high settings, the luminosity of five different levels from a dim ember glow to a blazing fire.
- Easy installation as you follow the manufacturer’s manual. The fireplace itself is only 46 pounds heavy and any healthy adult can easily carry it. Secure the fireplace with drywall screws and you’re good to go.
- Adjustable timer:Â turn it on and set the timer to turn it off up to 7.5 hours later. You can sleep without worrying about waking up in the middle of the night to turn off the heater.
- Beautiful, realistic display with log or crystal set on the bottom. The flame will easily adjust with the log or crystal set and create a warm ambiance in the room.
- Seamlessly decorates the room with onyx colored bezel and elegant design with realistic flame.
Cons
- It is a tad louder for some people, making it not suitable to be installed in your bedroom or study room, although you can use noise dampener or rubber shimmers to reduce it.
4. Touchstone Sideline Recessed – Best Mounted Electric Fireplace Heater
Another Touchstone Electric Fireplace entered our list of best electric fireplaces. The Touchstone Sideline Recessed Mounted Electric Fireplace is mounted and inserted into the wall. With the sleek, elegant black cover finish, it will make your fireplace look seamless.
The fireplace comes in varying sizes from 36â€, 40â€, 45â€, 50â€, 60â€, 72†to 100â€. They complement any size of space on your wall, making it easy to find the right size for you. The recessed electric fireplace has a dimension of 50.4 x 5.37 x 21.5 inches.
Features
- The sleek design gives an elegant accent into your living, family or any room where the fireplace is installed.
- Easy installation by following the manuals given as the fireplace comes completely assembled. You only need to insert it, lock it with the screws, and then finishing it by attaching the bezel to the fireplace and it sits flush into the wall.
- Remotely control your fireplace. You can turn on the fire with or without the heater. Once you turn on the fire, there are three different color choices of yellow, blue or the mix of both. You can also control the intensity of the fire to five different levels from a dim ember glow to a high blazing fire. can also turn the heater to a high or low heat setting.
- Faux log or crystal provided so you can choose the look of your fireplace depending on the room’s ambiance or even the mood of the people!
- Adjustable timer:Â turn it on and set the timer to turn it off up to 7.5 hours later. You can sleep without worrying about waking up in the middle of the night to turn off the heater.
Cons
- Less than realistic fire as the mix of yellow and blue look simply make it look extremely fake while the blue fire lights up incredibly bright.
5. Southern Enterprises Cartwright Convertible Electric Fireplace
The Southern Enterprises Cartwright Convertible Electric Fireplace is a free stand fireplace that you can move anywhere in the house. It weighs 116.5 Pounds and has the dimension of 45.5†x 15.5†x 42.25. It has a vintage look and oak wood finish to the look. The design makes it look like a fireplace without a chimney.
The fireplace comes in three separate boxes that you need to assemble later on. Everything necessary has been included, except for the tools such as screwdrivers and glue.
The heater heats 62-82 Fahrenheit degrees and for 400 square feet area.
Features
- Remotely control your fireplace with a remote control that comes with it. It can turn on and off the display as well as the heater. The remote control has a child protection mode to prevent your little ones from messing with the fireplace.
- Safety confirmed with the screen remaining cool to the touch as the room is warmed up and the remote also has a child safety lock.
- Corner convertible design allows you to place a flat panel TV on top of the heater without worrying about the heat. You can place a TV of up to 43†on the fireplace.
- Sturdy and firm design as the product is manufactured with high-quality wood and when properly assembled, will become a lovely piece of furniture in the room.
Cons
- It makes quite the noise, which will be a problem if placed in the bedroom or study room. It is also not cheap, costing about twice to thrice the price of other fireplaces we reviewed before and requires heavy assembling.
Advantages of Having an Electric Fireplace
The problem with owning fireplaces or furnaces is that you need to buy actual fuel, wood and know the right way to use it as well as direct the smoke outside of the room. For a house that never had a fireplace, to begin with, you will be required to make changes in your house’s structure depending on the type of fireplace that you are installing.
There is also the danger of inhaling toxic fumes and smoke as well as fire from fireplaces. You need to make sure that it’s completely put out before leaving the house or going to sleep. Kids can also easily reach the fireplaces.
But, with an electric fireplace, you can have these advantages:
- Less mess as you don’t have to be bothered with getting firewood, poking the fire every now and then as well as messing with fuels.
- Still warm because an electric fireplace isn’t just always about look, but also about functionality.
- Much less hassle: Imagine that you have to carve out a chimney out of your wall to install an insert fireplace. Or maybe for a smaller fireplace or stove, you need a smaller chimney or pipe, which still requires quite the time and money to take care of.
- Portable: Some electric fireplaces are portable as they are not recessed or inserted or heavy. Moving them around will make it easy to warm up any room you are using.
- Remote control: The electric fireplaces can be easily used with a remote control that can turn them on and off, set timers, change color settings, adjust brightness, adjust temperature, heat, etc.
- Adjustable modes: From the color of flame to the temperature of heat, various electric fireplaces can do these things. They make fireplaces easy to configure without having to poke wood or be bothered from even getting up from your comfort zone.
Safety Tips for Electric Fireplace
- Make sure to read the manual that comes with the product.
- Keep the remote out of children’s reach.
- Do not install TVs above the fireplaces unless it is mentioned in the product description. Make sure to leave at least 25†of space for insert or wall mounted fireplaces to prevent the TV from hindering the heater.
- Auto-shut off mode should exist in the fireplace. It has to be able to automatically shuts it off when overheating is detected. A timer can also be used to prevent it from operating longer than necessary.
- Stop using it when you smell something burning from the fireplace, when the cords look damaged, or when the heater is making abnormally loud noises. Ask the manufacturer for a replacement or how to fix it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Getting an electric fireplace is the best alternative for buying an actual fireplace. An electric fireplace has much less maintenance needed and more settings to configure. Moreover, an electric fireplace can also act as a heater in the room without an actual fire lit up.
Several products can be hard to assemble, but some like Duraflame and Touchstone come preassembled. They only require a few tweaks and you’re ready to go, so keep this in mind before purchasing.
Most importantly, make sure that your electric fireplace that comes with a heater has several safety measures installed that will prevent burning. Aside from that, enjoy the warm dancing flame that isn’t really hot to touch!
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Capacity
Heater
Energy & Heating Power
Fire Display
Assembling
Weight
Warranty
$319.99
34.8”x27.3”x12“
Multiple Modes, used with or without heat, brick wall design (3-sided interior)
• 60 °F to 84 °F;
• heat up to 400 sq. ft
LED technology
Remote control (1 button cell battery) with easy operation
45.7 pounds
lower by 10% to 15%
$199.99
13.1”x24”x23.4”
realistic flames around logs, five adjustable color, brightness & speed settings
• 5,200 BTU heating up to 1,000 sq. ft
3D flame effect technology
Adjustable, digital thermostat
28.6 pounds
$299
50.4x5.5”x21.6”
Five flame brightness from soft ember full blaze, run with no heat.
two heat settings adds, at top of firebox
wall-hanging electric fireplace
durable tempered glass with a contemporary black frame
46 pounds
$499
50.4”x5.5”x21.5”
Multiple Modes, operated through a remote control
1,500 watts with Two heat settings
• In-wall installation
• Realistic flame with three color options
Include faux fire log and glass crystal
59 pounds
$609.21
15.2”x45.5”x40.2”
Remote control heating up to 400 sq ft, lifelike flames, embers burn inside brick interior
combin with earth tiles effortless heat
Corner convertible design
Fireplace plugs into standard wall outlet with 6 foot cord
117 pounds
We can help you be ready on the next winter. Feel free to contact us anytime.
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Hi, This is Luis. Author at “TheHeatersGuide”. I am a graduate in Mechanical Engineering. Currently researching on heating technology. However, I have learned many home heating techniques and still learning the home heating technolgy. And I love to share my research and reviews.
