The Best Electric Fireplace Heaters for Added Warmth in Your Home, Tested

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Add the cozy look and feel of a real fireplace to any room in the home with one of these top electric fireplace heaters.

Gas and wood-burning fireplaces require a vent or a full chimney, making retrofitting one into an existing home costly and complicated. A more affordable option is an electric fireplace heater, which produces authentic-looking faux flames through LED lights and reflectors. We recently tested some of the best models identified through extensive research and narrowed them down to these top options.

Unlike traditional fireplaces, electric versions don’t produce any emissions or operate with an open flame, so they can be installed virtually anywhere in the home. They do, however, include integrated electric heaters that produce up to 5,100 British thermal units (BTUs) of heat. This guide examines electric fireplace heaters, some special features to consider, and the best electric fireplace heaters on the market based on our experience with their ability to heat up rapidly, run safely, and function with regard to other important standards. Keep reading to learn more about our findings.

1. BEST OVERALL: Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove Heater
2. RUNNER-UP: Ameriwood Home Farmington Electric Fireplace Console
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Turbro Eternal Flame EF23-LG Electric Fireplace Logs
4. BEST FAUX WOOD STOVE: Turbro Suburbs TS25 Electric Fireplace Stove Heater
5. BEST MODERN: R.W.Flame 50-Inch Recessed Electric Fireplace Heater
6. BEST FIREPLACE INSERT: PuraFlame Klaus Electric Fireplace Insert 
7. BEST CORNER: Walker Edison 48-Inch Wood Corner Fireplace TV Stand
8. BEST COMPACT: Shinic Electric Fireplace Heater

How We Tested the Best Electric Fireplace Heaters 

Electric fireplace heaters have to serve two purposes: keeping a room warm and providing a cozy ambience. We wanted to make sure that every model we suggested could do just that. We came up with some features we thought fireplace shoppers would be looking for, found some models that had most of those features, and put them head-to-head in hands-on testing.

First, we assessed each model based on setup. Models that were easy to set up and came with decent hardware received preference, while those that were difficult to set up or came with subpar hardware were docked. Next, we tried all of the different modes and functions to make sure they worked as intended. Finally, we let each model heat a 400-square-foot room for 2 hours to see how well they worked at their primary function. The electric fireplace heaters that passed were given awards based on their strengths, and any that failed were removed from the list.

Our Top Picks

The list below includes some of the best electric fireplace heaters organized by type. Our hands-on use of the heaters showed that each produces high heat outputs, has authentic-looking flames, and comes in different styles to suit varying tastes to match the current space and fireplace accessories.

Best Overall

Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove Heater

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Product Specs

• Type: Freestanding
• Recommended placement: Stand-alone
• Heating power: 5,200 BTUs

Pros

• 5 brightness settings to set a specific mood or turn off glowing log for sleeping
• Plenty of heating power to warm spaces of up to 1,000 square feet
• Comes with a remote control for added convenience when adjusting settings
• Available in multiple colorways; suits most decor choices

Cons

• Difficult to adjust the temperature with the remote, so we adjusted it on the unit

With its authentic look and powerful infrared heater, this electric fireplace stove is one of the top models on the market. The stand-alone cabinet-style stove is 23.4 inches high by 24 inches wide by 13.07 inches deep. It features a classic wood stove look with realistic logs and flickering LED flame lighting, which can be adjusted to five brightness settings.

This freestanding electric fireplace has a powerful infrared heater that pumps out 5,200 BTUs, which is enough to warm about 1,000 square feet. A remote control allows the user to control all of the fireplace’s settings without having to get up from the sofa. The Duraflame 3D electric fireplace features durable all-metal housing and comes in seven different colors.

We really liked the Duraflame during our test. It has plastic legs, but they were very easy to install with decent-quality hardware. The flames and logs look fairly realistic, and the heat output was excellent (it brought the temperature up from 60 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit and maintained it). One complaint we have is that adjusting the temperature with the remote is wonky (though all the other features worked well), so we had to make our adjustments on the unit itself. Also, it does get hot on top, so it’s not a great place to set houseplants or other items.

Get the Duraflame electric fireplace heater at Amazon or Target.

Runner-Up

Ameriwood Home Farmington Electric Fireplace Console

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Product Specs

• Type: Freestanding
• Recommended placement: Integrated
• Heating power: 4,600 BTUs

Pros

• Cabinets and fireplace included to provide storage space in a stylish unit
• Heats up to 400 square feet and is suitable for most farmhouse-style living rooms
• Supports flat-screen TVs of up to 60 inches, offering both utility and style

Cons

• It takes about 90 minutes for an experienced DIYer to assemble the unit

By combining an electric fireplace with a TV console, this model from Ameriwood Home is a unique option for rooms with limited space. The fireplace insert is framed by two large wooden-door cabinets for storage and a broad cabinet top that can support a large flat-screen TV of up to 60 inches. The fireplace insert is 23 inches wide, while the entire console cabinet is 29.12 inches tall by 59.62 inches wide by 15.69 inches deep.

The manufacturer says this heater insert is powerful enough to heat a room up to 400 square feet in size, and it produced ample warmth in our 400-square-foot space. The fireplace’s settings are adjustable via remote control. The Farmington electric fireplace comes in five different finishes as well.

It took one of us 1.5 hours to put the Farmington together, so it’s not something that just pops out of the box ready to go. However, it’s very attractive and would fit in with any farmhouse design. The laminate layer on top can scratch easily, but the unit itself is sturdy and durable. The heater was quiet and produced ample heat, warming the space by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 hours.

Get the Ameriwood electric fireplace heater at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Best Bang for the Buck

Turbro Eternal Flame EF23-LG Electric Fireplace Logs

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Product Specs

• Type: Freestanding
• Recommended placement: Insert
• Heating power: 4,777 BTUs

Pros

• Plenty of heat output for a compact electric fireplace heater
• 3 heat settings to choose among and includes a remote control for added convenience
• Heats up to advertised 150 square feet, though we found it could heat a bit more

Cons

• Very cheesy design, but that’s part of the fun of this model

A fireplace insert doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. This simple insert converts an existing fireplace into an electric one at an affordable price. At 13 inches high by 23 inches wide by 9 inches deep, this electric heater is a good fit for many medium-size hearths. An integrated convection heater puts out 4,777 BTUs, which is nearly enough to heat up about 150 square feet.

The heater is controllable via a remote control that allows the user to set specific temperatures and adjust the height of the flames to one of three settings. A programmable timer shuts the fireplace off after a specific amount of time that can be set for up to 6 hours.

We feel it’s important to recognize what the shopper is getting here. These are fake logs that don’t look real at all. They seem to sparkle instead of glow, and the flames on the wall behind the logs don’t look real. However, it is the real deal when it comes to heating. It has almost 4,800 BTUs of heat output, which we found to be adequate in our 400 square feet, even though it’s rated for much smaller spaces. It has a digital display and a remote, making it easy to adjust. We also liked that we could just take it out of the box and place it on the floor anywhere it was needed. Still, it’s definitely cheesy in appearance—no two ways around that.

Get the Turbro Eternal Flame electric fireplace heater at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Faux Wood Stove

Turbro Suburbs TS25 Electric Fireplace Stove Heater

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Product Specs

• Type: Freestanding/3-sided
• Recommended placement: Stand-alone
• Heating power: 4,777 BTUs

Pros

• Durable, heat-resistant design, and the top stays cool enough for houseplants or other items
• 3 brightness settings can set a cozy mood or shut off the glow for bedtime
• Programmable thermostat included to manage temperature and keep users warm in the winter
• Comes with a remote control for hassle-free temperature adjustment, brightness adjustment, and setting timers

Cons

• Poor-quality metal legs and hardware make setup difficult

Adding a real wood stove to a living area can be complicated. This electric option from Turbro creates the look and feel of a wood stove fireplace without smoke, ash, or the need for a chimney. With its design of black metal with curved molding and a paned glass door (complete with heat-resistant knob), this fireplace has an authentic look to go with its function. LED lights with three levels of brightness create realistic flickering flames and burning embers that show through windows on three sides.

This fireplace is 25 inches tall by 24 inches wide by 14 inches deep and includes a fan-heater that produces 4,777 BTUs of heat, an ideal amount for many medium-size rooms. A programmable thermostat allows the user to enter specific temperatures via remote control.

Let’s get the negative out of the way first: The Turbro’s metal legs are poorly made and difficult to attach with the low-quality hardware included. Beyond that, this was a great little heater. First, we liked that the heater is on the bottom of the unit, so the top stays cool and can be used as a shelf or stand. We also found it was powerful enough for our 400-square-foot room, though it didn’t heat up as much as the larger heaters—just 8 degrees Fahrenheit in 2 hours. The remote was easy to use (much easier than other wood stove heaters we’ve tried), allowing us to adjust the temperature, set a timer, and control the brightness.

Get the Turbro Suburbs electric fireplace heater at Amazon.

Best Modern

R.W.Flame 50-Inch Recessed Electric Fireplace Heater

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Product Specs

• Type: Wall-mounted
• Recommended placement: Insert/wall-mounted
• Heating power: 5,100 BTUs

Pros

• Large, sleek design is a great addition to a contemporary room (and comes in 6 sizes)
• 12 color options included for flame color and background to help set ambience in a room
• Flexible mounting options ensure that it will work in just about any room

Cons

• Inwall (recessed) mounting requires framing work, but it will be worth the effort

With its sleek streamlined looks and adjustable flames, this wall-mounted electric fireplace from R.W.Flame is a fitting option for those with modern decor. Its large size—18.1 inches tall by 50 inches wide—adds to its modern statement in a living room. It also comes with plenty of options, including 12 color choices for both the flame color and flame bed. The fireplace can also be adjusted for brightness.

Vents on the sides of this wall-mounted electric fireplace release heat from a 1,500-watt fan heater. All of the fireplace’s settings are controllable via its remote control. The fireplace, which has a depth of 3.85 inches, can be mounted to the wall or recessed into a hole. It’s also available in 30-, 36-, 42-, 60-, 68-inch widths.

Full disclosure: We played with the customizable light settings on this unit for far too long since it allows users to pick the background color and the flame color. Also, we liked that mounting the unit on the wall is so easy; it just requires removing the bracket, attaching it to the wall, and resecuring the fireplace heater to the bracket. Heat output was excellent during the test, easily heating the room to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (about a 10 degree Fahrenheit jump from when the test started). The biggest downside is the amount of work it will take for inwall mounting, but it would most likely be worth it.

Get the R.W.Flame electric fireplace heater at Amazon.

Best Fireplace Insert

PuraFlame Klaus Electric Fireplace Insert

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Product Specs

• Type: Built-in
• Recommended placement: Insert
• Heating power: 4,600 BTUs

Pros

• LED flames, glowing logs, and crackling sounds add an extra level of realism
• Features a stylish glass door covering and spark-arresting curtain for an authentic look
• Stays fairly cool, and can be a good option for a DIY fireplace

Cons

• Heat output is noticeably less than the other models in the test
• It doesn’t have a digital thermostat

With its authentic flames and sound, this electric fireplace is an excellent insert option for transforming a wood-burning hearth into a low-maintenance electric one. In addition to LED flames and embers, this insert adds an extra level of authenticity with its six different crackling sounds. It also comes with a spark-arresting curtain for an authentic look.

A powerful 1,500-watt heater provides ample warmth for up to 400 square feet. All of the fireplace settings can be controlled via remote control. The insert comes in five different sizes, ranging from 23 to 33 inches wide and up to 24.63 inches tall, allowing it to fit a broad range of hearth sizes.

There are things we really enjoyed about the PuraFlame Klaus electric fireplace insert, but let’s start with our one hang-up: its output. The PureFlame is noticeably less powerful than the other heaters in the test when it comes to heat output. It’s effective, but not what we were expecting from a fireplace insert (it raised the temperature around 7 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it was the most realistic looking electric heater we tested, from the spark-arrest curtains to the log glow and the flames. It also stayed fairly cool during the test (the top can get warm), so it might be a good fit for a DIY fireplace design. We didn’t like the lack of a digital thermostat, however.

Get the PuraFlame electric fireplace heater at Amazon.

Best Corner

Walker Edison 48-Inch Wood Corner Fireplace TV Stand