6 Best Electric Fireplaces in 2022

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

You've got a cozy weighted blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and a comfortable seating area, but does it still feel like you're not quite hitting peak relaxation mode? An electric fireplace might be the missing piece of your living space.

Make your living room, guest room, or bedroom more inviting with the addition of a faux fireplace. You won't need to deal with wood, smoke, and regular cleanings. Instead, an electric fireplace provides warmth and ambiance without the upkeep and risks associated with a wood-burning fireplace.

We spoke to two experts — Robbi King, former 20-year veteran firefighter and manager solutions engineer at Vector Solutions Inc., and Rick Morrison, vice president of home and commercial of the CSA group — to learn what features to look for in an electric fireplace. From there, we researched electric fireplaces across reputable retailers to assemble our list of recommendations.

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches home products.

Best electric fireplace overall: Style Well Granville 43-inch Convertible Media Console Electric Fireplace

Best electric fireplace insert: Dimplex 23.75-inch Black Electric Fireplace Insert

Best electric fireplace with mantel: Real Flame Silverton 48-inch Electric Fireplace

Best wall-mount electric fireplace: Dimplex Sierra 60-inch Wall/Built-in Linear Electric Fireplace

Best electric fireplace TV stand: Ameriwood Home Lumina 64.75-inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace TV Stand

Best electric fireplace on a budget: Style Selections 14.6-inch Black Fan-Forced Electric Fireplace

The Style Well Granville 43-inch Electric Fireplace offers a combination of affordability and elegance with its classic mantel design and realistic faux 3D flames.

Pros: Adjustable brightness, can use with or without heat, remote control

Cons: Some reviewers note issues with the assembly

A reasonable price tag, solid set of features, and classic mantel design make the Style Well Granville our top pick for the best electric fireplace. You can place it flat against the wall or in a corner by adding the included extension. The fireplace is made of MDF and available in three finishes: weather gray, antique white, and antique cherry, each with a faux stone surround and tempered glass front.

Because the Granville Electric Fireplace uses quartz infrared heating, it won't dry out the air in your home. This type of heating mechanism involves infrared light waves, which transfer heat directly to surrounding surfaces, including your skin, without heating and drying out the air.

The 3D flame effect does a good job mimicking real flames and offers five brightness settings along with the option to choose between a log or ember bed. You can also turn off the heating function if you'd like to enjoy your fireplace year round. Settings can be controlled using a panel on the fireplace or with the included remote control.

The Dimplex 23.75-inch Black Electric Fireplace Insert is a faux log insert designed for existing fireplaces that provides a cozy ambiance without sacrificing air quality.

Pros: Realistic-looking flames, ability to turn flames on without heat, heats well

Cons: No option to change the flame color

If you have a fireplace that's out of commission or are looking for a convenient alternative to a wood-burning fire, a fireplace insert like the Dimplex Electric Fireplace Insert is an excellent option. According to the manufacturer, the log-style insert uses fan-forced heating to warm up to 1,000 square feet.

The electric fireplace insert features lifelike flames and has a realistic stacked log appearance. You can also turn the heat function on and off and adjust the temperature using the included remote control, which has a range of about 30 feet.

Reviewers say the fireplace heats exceptionally well. A quick note: Because it requires an outlet to work, you'll need one nearby. You can also hire a professional to run electrical to your fireplace to avoid wayward wires.

Get the look of a built-in fireplace with this Real Flame Silverton 48-inch Electric Fireplace that boasts five brightness settings and an integrated mantel space for displaying photos or knick-knacks.

Pros: Built-in thermostat, independent flame and heat settings, multiple flame color and brightness options

Cons: Some users say it doesn't generate enough heat

Get the realistic look of a contemporary built-in fireplace with the Real Flame Silverton Electric Fireplace. An integrated 13-inch deep mantel provides space for arranging family photos or decor — note that the mantel can only hold up to 30 pounds, so it's not suitable for displaying a TV.

The fan-forced electric fireplace is made of solid wood, MDF, and powder-coated steel. It can be operated using the included remote control and also features a built-in, adjustable thermostat. When the thermostat detects that it has reached your desired temp, the heating function turns off. You can also turn the heat off at any time while enjoying the glow of the faux flames.

Choose from five flame colors, including orange, multi-color, blue-white, blue, red-orange, and white, and from multiple brightness settings.

For a sleek wall-mount electric fireplace, the Dimplex Sierra 60-inch Wall Linear Fireplace is a great choice with interchangeable base options and multi-colored flame options.

Pros: 3 mounting options, several display settings, touchscreen controls, cool-touch exterior

Cons: Some reviewers say it doesn't heat effectively, might require a professional installer depending on mount preference

The modern Dimplex Sierra wall-mount electric fireplace offers a touch of elegance to any room. You can integrate the linear unit into your wall, hang it, or attach it to a tabletop stand. The fan-forced fireplace works with or without the heating function and automatically adjusts to maintain your desired temperature. However, some say it doesn't heat as well as expected.

There are three interchangeable options for the base, including crystals, pebbles, and a log — all included with your purchase. You can also switch between eight ember and flame colors and turn the embers and flames on independently of one another.

Convenient touchscreen controls right at the top make it easy to adjust the fireplace settings as you pass by or you can use the included remote control. It also has a cool-touch glass front.

The Ameriwood Home Lumina 64.75-inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace TV Stand is the ultimate entertainment center. It's equipped with open glass shelves for storage and can support a flat-paneled TV of up to 70 inches and 120 pounds.

Pros: Plenty of storage space, adjustable flame brightness, lighted glass shelving

Cons: No hidden storage space, no option to change flame colors

The Ameriwood Home Lumina is a modern TV console with a built-in 23-inch fireplace capable of heating up to 400 square feet of space. The stand features a mix of MDF and walnut woodgrain laminated particleboard with metal feet for stability.

The fan-forced fireplace comes with a remote control that allows you to adjust the flame brightness and heat. You can create a fire with or without one of the 11 heat settings.

The console also features illuminated tempered glass side shelving for neatly storing other electronics and odds and ends. You can choose from seven different colors for the side-shelf lighting. The stand can support a TV of up to 120 pounds and 70 inches.

With its compact design, the Style Selections 14.6-inch Fan-Forced Electric Fireplace is a budget-friendly model suitable for small spaces.

Pros: Great for small spaces, can use with or without heat, cool-touch exterior

Cons: No option to adjust flame style or colors, can't put anything on top

A smaller footprint means the Style Selections Electric Fireplace has a bargain price tag. The matte black metal fireplace features column-style details and a diamond grill along the top front.

Like most space heaters, it uses fan-forced heating to circulate and spread hot air throughout a room. Of course, if you're turning it on for ambiance during the summer, you can use it without the heating function.

At this price point, you get the option of two heat settings (high or low) controlled by a switch on the unit. The heater has a cool-touch exterior, though some reviewers note the top does get hot to the touch.

Yes. A unit will draw more energy with the heating function turned on, but most electric fireplaces use about 1,500 watts of power. This is similar to running some portable air conditioners.

Yes. Most electric fireplaces also double as room heaters, usually capable of heating rooms between 400 to 1,000 square feet.

Think of an electric fireplace as a space heater. You should always turn off a heater if you plan to leave it unattended for an extended period of time, says King. Even better, always shut it off whenever you leave a room. While most units have automatic shut-off mechanisms to prevent overheating, an electric fireplace can overheat if you leave it on all day, which can be a fire risk, he says.

King recommends the following safety precautions to prevent electric fireplace-related fires:

In addition to having years of experience reviewing and testing home goods, including indoor and outdoor space heaters, I also considered the advice of experts to come up with a set of criteria for our best electric fireplace picks.

This list only includes picks with at least one safety certification including UL, CSA, or SGS.

Robbi King, former 20-year veteran firefighter and manager solutions engineer at Vector Solutions Inc., recommends keeping an eye out for fireplaces with a CSA certification.

According to Rick Morrison, vice president of home and commercial of the CSA group, the CSA mark means a product has been tested and met safety, performance, and energy efficiency requirements for the US and Canada.

The certification process for electric fireplaces involves a testing and construction review to assess shock and potential mechanical and fire hazards, says Morrison.

Morrison also recommends checking for product recalls on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

It can be difficult to find safety certification info for products when shopping online, and some products may even bear counterfeit certification marks. Morrison points out a few telltale red flags to look out for:

If you're not sure whether a product's certification mark is the real deal, you can always confirm a product's certification record by visiting the CSA's handy directory.

Other third-party safety certifications include UL and SGS.

Our list includes electric fireplace models that offer a solid balance between cost and features. We selected options for different budgets and needs, from picks with multiple bells and whistles to simple, no-frills models.

The ability to use the flame and heat functions independently is a must, especially if you plan to use the unit year-round.

An automatic shut-off is another crucial feature to look out for, says King. "Overheating in electric fireplaces is more common than people would think, so plenty of ventilation and air vents is another important feature to have," he adds.

Our picks received positive ratings from customers, and we always carefully read through reviews to find commonly mentioned pros and cons.

Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].