The 9 Best Electric Fireplace Inserts of 2024

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Electric fireplace inserts add warmth to your home. Explore the best options in these energy-efficient heaters.

Electric fireplace inserts are energy-efficient and, as I know from personal experience, relatively easy to install. These popular electric room heaters also have a range of user-friendly features. Manufacturers offer a wide choice of styles and sizes to supply cozy warmth to virtually any room.

However, the range of options can make selecting the right model challenging. Here, we have outlined some important shopping considerations as well as showcased top performers. The information that follows should help you find the best electric fireplace insert for your home.

1. BEST OVERALL: Homedex 36″ Recessed Mounted Fireplace Insert
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Costway 28.5″ Electric Fireplace Recessed Insert
3. UPGRADE PICK: PuraFlame Klaus 33″ Electric Fireplace Insert
4. BEST INFRARED: ClassicFlame 23″ Infrared Electric Fireplace Insert
5. BEST LARGE: Electactic 68″ Electric Fireplace Recessed
6. BEST COMPACT: Tangkula 18″ Electric Fireplace Insert
7. BEST LOG EFFECT: Masarflame 40″ Electric Fireplace Insert
8. BEST SMART FIREPLACE: Touchstone Sideline Elite Smart Electric Fireplace
9. BEST WALL-MOUNTED: R.W.Flame 68″ Recessed Wall Electric Fireplace Heater

How We Chose the Best Electric Fireplace Inserts

I am an engineer by trade, a bit of a DIY fanatic, and have completed remodels on several former homes. As a result, I have extensive experience with electric fireplaces to draw on. With the Bob Vila team researched all the well-known electric fireplace insert brands and a wide selection of retailers, including major names and specialist suppliers. After looking at more than 60 appliances, I formed an in-depth view of the market, the products available, and the most recent developments in fireplace inserts, such as the potential for smart voice control.

Most electric fireplace inserts deliver similar heating performance. Many people are more concerned with the unit’s physical size and visual appeal, which are important to how it fits in the living space. Our top picks offer a wide range of different dimensions, and while appearance is a personal subject, we also sought to represent the many different styles available.

Since cost plays a critical part in most buying decisions, we offered models to suit all budgets.

Our Top Picks

These top picks offer practical examples that illustrate the range of features in electric inserts. Each has been assigned a different category, making it easier to find the best electric fireplace insert for every purpose.

Best Overall

Homedex 36" Recessed Mounted Fireplace Insert

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Selecting a single best electric fireplace insert is challenging because so much depends on personal taste. However, this Homedex 36-inch model, which offers a combination of sleek appearance, competitive performance, user-friendly controls, and multiple flame effects, is suitable for many different rooms.

Like most electric fireplace inserts, the Homedex 36-inch unit is rated for rooms up to 400 square feet. Two heat settings and a programmable thermostat adjust from 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 97 degrees Fahrenheit. A timer can be set to turn off the fireplace at any time over 12 hours.

The Homedex offers nine possible flame colors with five levels of intensity. Other options include log or crystal effects. The Homedex can be fitted as an insert, but it also includes hardware for wall mounting.

Product Specs

• Size: 36 inches wide by 19 inches tall
• Power settings: 750/1,500 watts (W)
• Controls: Touch screen or remote control

Pros

• Sleek design with numerous effects to provide customized ambience for different room settings
• Features programmable thermostat and 12-hour timer for user convenience
• Touch screen or remote control; flames can function without heat and has Canadian Standards Association (CSA) safety certification

Cons

• Buyers have reported hearing a clicking sound while the unit is running

Get the Homedex electric fireplace insert at Amazon.

Best Bang for the Buck

Costway 28.5" Electric Fireplace Recessed Insert

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The relatively low-cost Costway 28.5-inch electric fireplace insert offers performance similar to many more expensive competitors, with two heat settings: 750W and 1,500W. The manufacturer is one of few that also quotes British thermal unit (BTU) heat output at 2,559 and 5,118, respectively. Control it via the onboard controls located behind a hidden panel, or use the intuitive remote.

A programmable thermostat maintains the selected heat settings between 62 degrees Fahrenheit and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit includes an 8-hour timer and three flame effects, each with five levels of brightness. The Costway complies with Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) safety certification.

While this model cannot be mounted to a surface, it weighs just 27.5 pounds, making it easy to insert into stud walls, fireplace surrounds, or cabinets.

Product Specs

• Size: 28.5 inches wide by 21 inches tall
• Power settings: 750/1,500W
• Controls: Concealed panel or remote control

Pros

• Fully featured electric insert comes with a very competitive price tag
• Offers 3 flame colors and 5 levels of brightness with or without heat
• Onboard or remote control with 8-hour timer; meets ETL safety standards

Cons

• A variety of fault reports suggest inconsistent quality control, and returns may incur a charge

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

Upgrade Pick

PuraFlame Klaus 33" Electric Fireplace Insert

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Those who want the ambience of a real fire in their living room or bedroom without the mess or hassle will want to check out the PuraFlame Klaus electric fireplace insert. The design incorporates a brickwork background, a high-quality log and ember bed, glass doors (which stay cool), and a mesh screen. In addition to the usual flame controls, it also provides a crackling log sound. Flame effects will function without heat for the same cozy appeal on warmer days.

Power is switchable between 750W and 1,500W, providing secondary heat for rooms up to 400 square feet. An electronic thermostat offers precise temperature settings via a hidden panel or handheld remote. Installation is straightforward, and several other sizes are available.

Product Specs 

• Size: 33 inches wide by 21 inches
tall
• Power settings: 750/1,500W
• Controls: Concealed panel or remote control

Pros

• Antique design brings the ambience of a real wood fire into the room
• Has realistic logs, brick wall interior, glass door, mesh screen, and crackling log sound
• Accurate digital heat control with 4 flame levels and downlighting to brighten the hearth

Cons

• There are few complaints, but it is quite expensive for a fireplace of this size

Get the PuraFlame electric fireplace insert at Amazon.

Best Infrared

ClassicFlame 23" Infrared Electric Fireplace Insert

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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 living room or space.

This 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 heat 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.

Product Specs 

• Size: 23 inches wide by 20 inches tall
• Power settings: 1,500W
• Controls: Touch screen or remote control

Pros

• Energy-saving infrared technology warms people more quickly than traditional convectors
• High-performance model for up to 1,000 square feet with easy-to-read digital thermostat
• 3D flame for added realism, and SaferPlug sensor for overheating protection

Cons

• Only offers a single power setting, plus there is no timer

Get the ClassicFlame electric fireplace insert at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Electric Fireplaces Direct.

Best Large

Electactic 68" Electric Fireplace Recessed

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It’s nice for large rooms to have a focal point, and the 68-inch Electactic electric fireplace provides an attractive solution. It is very competitively priced for a model of this size yet sacrifices nothing in terms of performance or convenience. There are two heat settings of 1,000W or 1,500W with a maximum output of 5,100 BTUs. That makes it suitable for living rooms and bedrooms of up to 400 square feet.

The Electactic fireplace offers flame or crystal effects with 12 colors and five brightness/speed levels projected through toughened high-definition glass. At just 40 decibels, it’s also very quiet. Heating and flame functions can operate independently. An intuitive touch-screen panel provides access to all controls including digital thermostat and a 1- to 8-hour timer. A handheld remote is also provided.

Product Specs 

• Size: 68 inches wide by 18.11 inches tall
• Power settings: 1,000/1,500W
• Controls: Touch screen or remote control

Pros

• Sleek lines and strong visual impact create a focal point in any room
• With a heat output of 5,100 BTUs, there’s sufficient heat for up to 400 square feet
• Extensive range of effects and overcurrent protection at a competitive price

Cons

• Faults are rare, but some buyers report an annoying clicking sound, and breakdowns aren’t unknown

Get the Electactic electric fireplace insert at Amazon.

Best Compact

Tangkula 18" Electric Fireplace Insert

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It can be difficult to find a compact electric fireplace that is suitable for small rooms or guest accommodation. At just 18 inches wide, the Tangkula is an attractive and very affordable option that provides many of the features found in much larger electric fireplaces. It has two heat settings of 750W or 1,500W, so there’s 400-square-foot heating capability for those who simply want a small fireplace in a large room. There are seven flame settings, and the control is via a hidden panel or wireless remote.

While primarily designed to be inserted in a wall recess, it could also be fitted in a TV-style cabinet. However, at 9.8 inches, it is deeper than most, which needs to be considered for installation. It is ETL certified for safety. In addition, 23-inch and 26-inch versions are available.

Product Specs

• Size: 17.9 inches wide by 18.5 inches tall
• Power settings: 750/1,500W
• Controls: Concealed panel or remote control

Pros

• A high-performance fireplace that can fit in even the smallest rooms
• All the power of larger models with 2 heat settings and 7 flame options
• Easy-to-use controls on the fireplace, or via the handheld remote

Cons

• It’s deeper than most, there’s no timer, and a few buyers have reported malfunctions

Get the Tangkula electric fireplace insert at Amazon or Target.

Best Log Effect

Masarflame 40" Electric Fireplace Insert

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The Masarflame 40-inch electric fireplace insert’s stand-out feature is its accurate rendering of an authentic log fire. Rather than a simple black interior, the sides have a brick pattern that adds visual depth. This is enhanced by lifelike resin logs with three different lighting effects and five flame heights. A crackling sound completes the retro wood-burning effect.

Two heat settings offer competitive performance, but the unit doesn’t have a programmable thermostat. However, it does feature a 9-hour timer and a safety cutout to prevent overheating. The Masarflame can be installed into a wall recess or cabinet, but it may look best in a false fireplace surround.

Product Specs

• Size: 40 inches wide by 27 inches tall
• Power settings: 750/1,500W
• Controls: Concealed panel or remote

Pros

• Features a realistic log set with top lighting to enhance the flame effects
• 5 levels of flame height plus log-crackling sounds to add realism
• Has 2 heating modes, flame-only option, a timer, and overheating protection

Cons

• Some feel the crackling sound is loud, and there’s no volume control—just on or off

Get the Masarflame el