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When the weather outside is frightful, stay cozy with these top models. tension cylinder
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a writer with nearly two decades of experience covering various home and lifestyle topics, including real estate and home improvement trends, home and garden products, personal finance, and shopping trends.
Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Is there anything better than a fireplace for adding warmth and ambiance to a room? A log-fueled stone hearth with a mantel might first come to mind, but if your space doesn’t have that traditional setup,an electric fireplace can do quite nicely.
“When used and installed properly, electric fireplaces are safe to use at home,” says a spokesperson from the U.S. Fire Administration. It is important to check that all cords, connections, wires, and outlets are in proper working order to maintain safety while they are in use.
Since there are no open flames and the heating elements are enclosed, electric fireplaces can be great for those with small children or pets at home. “Electric fireplaces are very similar to other space heaters, so we would suggest readers refer to USFA’s website" the U.S. Fire Administration spokesperson says.
To find the best electric fireplaces, we tried 23 styles at our Des Moines, Iowa, testing lab. We evaluated each electric fireplace based on heating performance, noise, design, and safety. For more on how we tested electric fireplaces, see our testing process below.
The flames look realistic and can be turned on even without the heater.
There’s not too much of a noticeable change between the temperature settings.
Overall, the best electric fireplace is this compact choice from Costway. The unit looks like a much heavier iron fireplace, but you can easily move this unit wherever you want the glow of warmth in your space. During testing, we found it was easy to set it up as all that was needed was a screwdriver to attach the legs.
The CSA-certified unit is cool to the touch, so you can even use the top as a surface for decor. It’s got an overheat protection feature for safety and is sturdy enough to stay in place even when bumped. The unit is small but it did put out a lot of heat during testing. However, we didn’t detect much of a change between the temperature settings.
The flames move and have give off a nice orange glow without being too bright and fake. There's a three-sided view, so you can see the flames “dancing” from multiple directions. Want ambiance without the heat? You can turn on the flame effect independently from the heating element, making it a great value for year-round use.
Product Details: Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 23 inches | Area Heated: Not listed |Total BTU: 4,777 BTU | Temperature Range: 68-95°F
We felt the heat in all corners of the room and even in adjacent rooms thanks to impressive heat output.
The mantel can’t hold more than 30 pounds.
A natural wood mantelhelps ensure this 5100 BTU Real Flame fireplace looks like the real deal. The mantel is spacious enough to decorate with trinkets, books, or Christmas stockings. It has an impressive heat output up to 1000 feet and a beautiful flame display in six colors.
During testing, we felt the heat in all corners of the room, and even in the adjacent rooms of our house. We found it convenient to use—settings are controlled via a remote and a touch screen on the fireplace. The remote works up to 15 or 20 feet away.
It is also CSA certified and FCC-compliant, with two anti-topple safety devices and an automatic shutoff that made us feel safe putting it to use in our home. However, the fireplace is really heavy, so you can’t move it around even though it’s freestanding.
While this is the best electric fireplace for an inviting ambiance, it doesn’t come with any audible crackle effects, which we would have loved for even more realism, and the mantel can’t hold more than 30 pounds, so it’s best not to put a TV on it.
Product Details: Dimensions: Area Heated: Up to 1000 feet | Total Btu: 5100 | Temperature Range: 71℉ to 99℉
Since it doubles as an entertainment center and storage unit, it’s multifunctional.
It’s a very basic unit with only one heat setting and no remote.
If you’d like to use your electric fireplace to display a television, this Mainstay option is wide enough to hold a flat-screen. Since it doubles as an entertainment center and storage option, with shelved cabinets on either side, it serves a variety of functions.
The fireplace is no-frills, with only one heat setting and no remote control or timer settings. We were impressed by the unit’s design, especially for the price—the top piece is solid wood, which makes it look a bit more premium, though the rest is particle board.
It adequately warmed the area near the heater, but wasn’t powerful enough to heat our entire open plan kitchen and living room. With a listed heating range of 400 square feet, that’s to be expected. The heater automatically shuts off after three minutes once it reaches 99 degrees.
We liked not worrying about forgetting to turn it off, though we would have liked a timer option for better control. While the instructions were straightforward, it took us several hours to install. We thought the flames and logs looked obviously fake, but it still created a nice ambiance in the room.
Product Details: Dimensions: 50 x 15.5 x 30 inches | Area Heated: 400 square feet | Total Btu: Not listed | Temperature Range: Up to 99℉
It has a range of impressive features such as WiFi connectivity, nine heat settings, and 13 ember bed colors.
The crackling sound effects sounded too fake to us.
Electric fireplace inserts are versatile since they can either be mounted onto a wall or recessed into a wall or mantel. This option from Tubro impressed us with its sleek design, infrared heating, variety of settings, and realistic flames. We saw how powerful it was during testing, as we felt the heat up to 27 feet away from the unit.
There are nine heat settings, allowing you to set the temperature between 60℉ and 99℉. We noticed a substantial difference between these settings, which we appreciated. We liked the addition of faux birch logs and dainty acrylic crystals for additional ambiance.
The unit comes with Wifi so you can control it via remote, cellphone app, or a smart device like Amazon Alexa—perfect for making sure your space is warm when you get home.
The optional crackling sound effects are a nice touch for making it seem even more like a real fireplace. However, the noises sounded a bit too contrived in our opinion. You can also change the flame’s color, speed, and brightness, choose from 13 ember bed colors, and set a timer.
We didn’t find it to be the most DIY-friendly of all the fireplaces we tested—finding studs in the wall was a bit intimidating, though we were ultimately able to do it ourselves. Had we chosen to hardwire the unit, it would have seemed even more daunting.
On a positive note, the fireplace seemed very safe, as it has a child lock and the front glass remained cool while the heat was on. It is available in six sizes, from 50 to 98 inches, so there are several options to choose from.
Product Details: Dimensions: 4.6 x 50 x 18 inches | Area Heated: 5118 square feet | Total Btu: 5118 | Temperature Range: 60℉ to 99℉
It is light and portable so you can move it around as needed.
The front grill gets hot to the touch after prolonged use.
This portable pick from our collaboration with Walmart is the best electric fireplace to keep a tiny bedroom or nook toasty warm. Although it’s small, the unit has two heat settings; during our tests, it took about 30 minutes to warm a 1400-square-foot room.
We could feel the heat output from 6 feet away while the room warmed up. It has a timer that turns the unit off after it reaches the set temperature or after eight hours, which is a nice touch. The flames and fake logs also looked surprisingly realistic, which is impressive due to the price.
There is a remote to control heat and flame settings, which attaches to the unit via magnet. The flames have a 3D effect, which adds ambiance, but you can nix the flames if you just want to use it as a space heater. But we would have liked a safety feature that could prevent the front grill from overheating, as it got quite hot after prolonged use.
Product Details: Dimensions: 16 in x 23.4 in x 13.8 in | Area Heated: Not listed | Total Btu: Not listed | Temperature Range: Not listed
The Costway 20'' Freestanding Electric Fireplace Heater topped our list of best electric fireplaces. Not only does it look and feel like the real deal, but it’s compact and easy to move. For a more traditional option, the Real Flame Anika has a nice wood mantle.
To find the best electric fireplaces, we tried 29 models and used a predetermined methodology to evaluate them. First, we installed the units at home, noting how difficult the setup process was and whether we found the instructions and included materials helpful.
We considered the number of and power of the temperature settings, heating area, and how quickly the unit was able to warm a particular space. We also noted if the heater continued to radiate warmth after being turned off and if it became overheated.
Design was another key factor. We focused on the fireplace’s overall style, plus how realistic the flames and any faux logs or other details looked. We looked into whether brightness, color, and flame speed could be adjusted, and evaluated additional features like timers, remote controls, and apps.
We measured ease of use based on how simple it was to operate and adjust settings. Safety was also top of mind during testing—we looked at whether the exterior stayed cool to the touch, and if the unit had overheat protection or automatic shut-off. Finally, we considered the value of each fireplace.
Better Homes & Gardens / Lisa Noah
Do you want your electric fireplace to be portable, or do you want to keep it stationary much like a traditional fireplace? When choosing the best electric fireplace for your home, be sure to measure the space it’s going in.
Larger units will likely have to be mounted, so you’ll want to ensure you have enough wall space to do that. If you go with a freestanding style, it’s important that you leave enough space that you won’t bump into it often or that it won’t touch your furniture, blankets, or anything else flammable.
The size of your space is also important in determining the optimal electric fireplace for your needs when it comes to the heating area. The electric fireplaces we tested were designed to warm rooms between 400 and 1,000 square feet.
Btu stands for British thermal unit. It’s often used to define output for both heating and cooling systems. Generally, the larger the space you want to heat (or cool), the more Btus you want, but it is subjective, according to the spokesperson from the U.S. Fire Administration.
“Ideally, an electric fireplace will not be used as a primary heat source but rather for ambiance or temporary warmth,” they explain. “Regardless of the heat output, be sure to select a product that has been listed or certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), etc.”
When shopping for electric fireplaces, consumers should look for models that are UL, ETL, or CSA certified which means that they have been tested and certified by a nationally or internationally recognized testing lab.
CSA certification, issued by the Canadian Standards Association, ensures that electric fireplaces are safe to use, especially for the Canadian market, but is also recognized in the United States and other countries. ETL is a safety certification from Intertek.
For additional peace of mind, look for electric fireplaces with features such as automatic shut-off timers, overheating protection, and cool-touch exteriors. Some models include child safety locks as an extra precaution, which we suggest for any home with small children or even overly curious pets.
Electric fireplaces have no open flames, and they also eliminate the risk of gas leaks that come with gas fireplaces, so they can be a safer option overall.
There is no best place to install an electric fireplace—you can put it anywhere, provided that it’s wired correctly. You’ll likely want to place it in “an area of the home that homeowners use to host, so usually living rooms, family rooms, and dining rooms,” says electrical expert Ryan Meagher, lead estimator at BVM Contracting.
Since they don’t use fuel or firewood, electric fireplaces don’t require heavy-duty cleaning or maintenance like a gas or wood-burning fireplace would. To ensure it stays in tip-top condition, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the exterior, as too much dust restricts airflow from the vents, which leads to overheating.
Keith Richardson, president of Arizona Fireplaces, says to make sure you replace the batteries in the remote about once a year. “Sometimes we get a call from a customer stating their fireplace is broken when all they really needed was a new battery!” he says.
Better Homes & Gardens / Gema Scott
Though the Touchstone didn’t make it to our main roundup, we recommend it as a smart option for large areas. It runs quietly and is convenient to use with the Touchstone app, remote control, or smart home system. We found it pretty stylish, but would have liked the heating vents and controls to be hidden.
With its beautifully crafted wood mantel and three finishes, this fireplace adds elegance to a room, especially in a Craftsman-style interior. It performed well in our tests, offering heat and realistic-looking flames in several colors. You can control settings with a remote or buttons on the unit.
However, it has few safety features besides a timer, so you may want to add extra wall mounts for security if you have young children. While there are more affordable models out there with similar features, it's a great choice for those seeking an electric fireplace with a refined design.
Better Homes & Gardens / Charlie Maxwell
Though an electric fireplace might have flickering “flames,” it’s obviously not the same as a real fireplace. With an electric fireplace, heat is produced when a fan blows air over a heating element. Many electric fireplaces feature various settings, which you can adjust much like you would a thermostat.
In general, you need to sit relatively close to the fireplace to feel the heat it gives off, although it will warm the room as a whole. The furthest distance we felt the heat from the fireplaces during testing was between 3 to 27 feet.
Most of the electric fireplaces we tested have safety measures in place, such as tip-over protection and auto shut-off at a specified temperature. Many, though not all, are also cool to the touch, making them a good choice for homes with children and pets.
Features like timer settings are a good choice if you plan to use the electric fireplace before bedtime and want to turn the unit off when sleeping. Electric fireplaces are easy to use but like anything else that requires electricity, there are some precautions for added safety.
“Generally, plug-in heating appliances should be unplugged when not in use and should never be plugged into extension cords or power strips. If unplugging the appliance is not feasible because the power source is not easily accessible, ensuring that it is securely plugged directly into an outlet is very important,” said a spokesperson from the U.S. Fire Administration
The simple answer is “plug it in,” but the spokesperson from the U.S. Fire Administration explains the safety that should be top of mind. “Consideration should be given to where the electric fireplace will be installed and used,” they said.
"Adequate space and care should be given for proper installation, including any wiring or cords. Combustible materials should be kept at least 3 feet away from where heat is emitted from the fireplace," the spokesperson says.
This depends on its wattage and how long it's in use. Most electric fireplaces have a wattage range from 1,000 to 1,500 watts, which is comparable to appliances like space heaters or mid-sized toaster ovens.
Because electric fireplace enhance a home’s aesthetics, typically a home's resale value will increase. “Creating a warm and inviting ambiance in the house while it is being shown can be enhanced with an electric fireplace, which could be the difference between an offer over or under asking,” Meagher says.
Electric fireplaces typically use a heating element and fan to create warmth, efficiently circulating heat as soon as it’s turned on. However, the heat will quickly fade when the heater is turned off, meaning it won’t linger the way heat from, say, a wood-burning fireplace might.
According to Meagher, Btus are important to assess heating capabilities. “The manufacturer will also let you know the square footage a unit can heat, but know that the unit will have a harder time heating the space as you get closer to the unit's maximum square footage,” he says.
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a writer from Staten Island, New York, covering all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. It was later updated by Nor’Adila Hepburn a commerce and lifestyle writer for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list of best electric fireplaces, they analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa, and also consulted industry experts: Keith Richardson, President at Arizona Fireplaces, Ryan Meagher, lead estimator at BVM Contracting and a U.S. Fire Administration Spokesperson for their expert insight, particularly on how to use them safely.
fy movable bearing heater Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.