The 8 Best Electric Fireplaces, Tested by BHG

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When the weather outside is frightful, these electric fireplaces are delightful.

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.

In This Article

Better Homes & Gardens/henry wortock

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 when conjuring up this cozy scene, but if your space doesn’t have that traditional setup, an electric fireplace can do quite nicely.

Rather than having to worry about chopping wood, stoking flames, and ensuring flues and chimneys are clear, this type of fireplace simply needs to be plugged into an outlet. Not only do the electric “flames” provide a lovely glow, but they also do provide warmth as a fan blows the hot air out over the heating element. All you have to do is plug it in

“When used and installed properly, electric fireplaces are safe to use at home,” says a spokesperson from the U.S. Fire Administration. It is very important to check that all cords, connections, wires, and outlets are in proper working order, though, to maintain safety while they are in use.

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.

Why You Should Get It: The flames look realistic and can be turned on even without the heater.

Keep in Mind: There’s not too much of a noticeable change between the temperature settings.

This compact electric fireplace from Costway exceeded our expectations during the testing process. 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. It’s worth noting, however, that it’s easier to set it up when you insert the screws in the holes first, then put the legs in place.

Overall, the CSA-certified unit is cool to the touch, so you can even use the top of it as a surface for small decor. It’s also 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.

There’s movement and a nice orange glow without being too bright to look fake, offering the look of realistic flames. The unit offers a three-sided view of the flames, so you can see them “dancing” from three different directions.

Want the flames without the heat? You can turn on the flame effect independently from the heating unit, so you can use the Costway all year long, making it a great value.

How It Performed After 6 Months

We've been testing this electric fireplace in our playroom, and the cool-to-the-touch surface has been perfect for warming the room during the winter without posing a danger to little ones. The heat output has remained consistent, and the unit has proved durable, holding up to knocks and bumps. Once the weather turned warm, we found its lightweight design easy to move and store in a closet.

Product Details: Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 23 inches | Area Heated: Not listed |Total BTU: 4,777 BTU | Temperature Range: 68-95°F

Why You Should Get It: It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to set up.

Keep in Mind: There’s no tip-over shut-off feature, unlike some other styles, and we found that the grill does get hot during use. We don't recommend this electric fireplace for homes with pets or children.

This Turbro Suburbs electric fireplace is a great choice if you don’t want to invest heavily in a unit. Overall, we found it very easy to set up the fireplace as all you need is a Phillips screwdriver to attach the legs. The instructions said two people were needed to lift the unit, but we found that one person could get the job done.

Though this electric fireplace is small, it is mighty. We found it did a good job of heating up, and you could feel the warmth within 5 feet of the unit. There’s also a dial to adjust the temperature versus pre-determined levels, so you can set it however you see fit.

Overall, we liked the fireplace’s design, which is both compact and lightweight. The color and flames were fairly realistic and you can spot the red “flames” inside the grill, which added to the authenticity. The flame effect operates without the heating element for all-season use. Plus, The black metal cabinet fits in nicely with a variety of home decor.

While there are not a whole lot of features on this heater, it does have some important ones: It has been CSA-certified and has overheat protection. Just keep in mind that there’s no tip-over shut-off feature, unlike some other styles.

How It Performed After 6 Months

When testing this electric fireplace at home, we found that the grill does get hot, so we do not recommend using this heater around pets or children. The fireplace also generally shut itself off after about an hour of use, potentially as an overheating prevention. Considering this electric fireplace is under $100, these tradeoffs may be worth the money you save, depending on your home's needs.

Product Details: Dimensions: 18 x 15 x 9 inches | Area Heated: 400 sq.ft. | Total BTU: 4,777 BTU | Temperature Range: 68-95°F

Why You Should Get It: It looks like a traditional fireplace with realistic flames.

Keep in Mind: It’s larger than some other styles, so you’ll need to ensure you have the proper space for it. It’s also 200 pounds, which could make installation difficult.

If you have a larger space to fill and the budget to accommodate it, the Real Flame Callaway Grand Electric Fireplace is a great choice. The design offers the look of a traditional fireplace thanks to the mantel, which you can accessorize with candles, picture frames, and other decorative accents.

Overall, we were impressed by the heavy mahogany wood that made for a solid structure. We tested the white style, which made for a bold contrast with the black electric insert. However, you can also choose the chestnut finish for a more subtle look.

It took two people to set up this large electric fireplace, which weighs over 200 pounds. However, the instructions were very clear and assembly took about an hour.

There are six settings on the CSA-certified Callaway, allowing you to adjust the heat from 72 to 99 °F. There’s even a remote control that makes it easy to do this from wherever you are in the room.

There was a noticeable difference in the warmth settings, though the fan speed didn’t change. The heat exchange is located at the top of the heater, so the hot air will rise more quickly in a room when the fireplace is turned on.

Product Details: Dimensions: 48.375 x 63 x 17.24 inches | Area Heated: 1,000 sq. ft. | Total BTU: 5,100 BTU | Temperature Range: 72-99 °F

Why You Should Get It: It features a variety of adjustable settings and offers the look of realistic flames.

Keep in Mind: The setup is more time consuming than other styles.

The Real Flame Silverton Electric Fireplace took close to an hour for two people to assemble, but the additional features make it worth it. The design has the look of a traditional fireplace and operates via remote control. Plus, there’s an adjustable thermostat and realistic flames.

The electric fireplace is composed of a cabinet and a CSA-certified electric firebox. Once in place, we loved the custom look of the mahogany-constructed fireplace with a high-quality finish. It’s also offered in white or black, however, if you prefer a different look for your home.

There are seven heat settings, ranging from 72-99°F. There are also 15 timer settings from 15 minutes to nine hours, so you can set up a cozy environment for long or short intervals. Plus, it also has an auto-shutoff function once the unit reaches the desired temperature.

The tester noted that the Real Flame does heat the space up nicely, so this electric fireplace can add warmth along with ambiance to a large space — up to 1,000 square feet.

While this electric fireplace is one of the pricier ones on the list, our testers were impressed by its effectiveness as well as its high-end look. True to the Real Flame name, the flames look realistic and also have their own settings to adjust the color, brightness, and intensity. There is only one speed for the heat blower, but our tester noted that it is indeed very quiet.

The remote control worked from as far away as 25 feet, so it’s easy to control the warmth and ambiance of this fireplace. You can also use the touchscreen panel to shuffle through the settings to find what works for your space.

How It Performed After 6 Months

We've been testing this electric fireplace in our primary bedroom, and it's remained safe and cool to the touch when in operation. We use the timer feature of this fireplace every night to make sure it shuts off once we fall asleep, and the timer feature has worked flawlessly. During the warmer months, we've enjoyed just having the flames on with no heat to create a relaxing ambiance.

Product Details: Dimensions: 41 x 48 x 8.75 inches | Area Heated: 1,000 sq. ft. | Total BTU: 4,780 BTU | Temperature Range: 72-99°F

Why You Should Get It: The flames offer a realistic look.

Keep in Mind: The faux chimney makes for a challenging installation.

For those who prefer a freestanding style, the Real Flame Foster is an optimal choice that features four heat settings that activate rather quickly. Plus, we were able to distinguish a difference among the settings and could feel the warmth from at least a 4-foot distance.

Though the instructions were clear, assembly ended up being more time-consuming because the faux chimney needed time to be put in proper alignment. However, once in place, this electric fireplace looks like an authentic built-in wood stove.

Part of what makes this product stand out is that you can turn the flame on without the heat for a “fire” that can be enjoyed all year long. Plus, you can adjust the flame height and brightness, even bringing the electric embers down to a gentle flicker or ambient glow. The challenging installation was indeed a drawback of this unit, but it was soon forgotten once we turned it on and saw how realistic the flames appeared.

This CSA-certified electric fireplace also has an auto-shutoff feature for safety should the unit ever reach an unsafe temperature. Plus, we liked that the exterior never felt hot regardless of the current heat setting and noticed that it was very sturdy, so you won’t have to worry about knocking it over.

How It Performed After 6 Months

This electric fireplace made our chilly, unfinished basement feel cozier when we were relaxing and watching TV, and we didn't worry about our cats exploring the fireplace since the unit felt warm but never hot. When the fireplace's fan was on, there was some noise, but it wasn't disruptive when watching TV. We also enjoyed just having the flame on for ambience during the summer months.

Product Details: Dimensions: 56.5 x 25 x 15 inches | Area Heated: 1,000 sq. ft. | Total BTU: 4,700 BTU | Temperature Range: 68-95°F

Why You Should Get It: It has a stylish design and features storage.

Keep in Mind: It took over two hours to assemble.

Smaller spaces can benefit from furniture and decor that does double duty, which is why we love this fireplace TV stand from Walker Edison. It does take some time to assemble and install this unit, so plan movie night accordingly. However, after about two hours of assembling, we found the final product to be worth the work.

The fireplace is simple to operate. There are just two switches: one to turn on the heat and one for the flames. The multi-colored flames do indeed resemble real fire, and the “logs” glow as well. We were pleasantly surprised to feel the heat emanating from the unit upwards of seven feet away, so this is a good option for larger rooms in your home, like your living room.

The electric fireplace is just one part of a larger TV stand, which is quite attractive on its own. It’s got glass cabinet doors on either side of the fireplace, plus a long shelf for storing decor and other media. The surface of the TV stand is quite large, so you should have no trouble displaying a wide-screen television on it.

How It Performed After 6 Months

We placed this electric fireplace TV stand in our unheated finished basement, and it's helped the space feel much homier. In fact, we've found ourselves enjoying our basement much more often than we did before we added the fireplace. We placed the unit underneath the TV, about 6 feet in front of our couch. While we can't feel the blowing air from the couch, the air does feel much warmer within minutes of turning on the fireplace. The unit has remained sturdy and stores magazines, candles, remotes, gaming consoles, surround sound speakers, and more.

Product Details: Dimensions: 58 x 15.75 x 32 inches | Area Heated: 400 sq. ft. |Total BTU: 4,600 BTU | Temperature Range: Not listed

Why You Should Get It: It has five different heat settings, and warmth could be felt from 8 feet away.

Keep in Mind: You can’t turn on the flames separately from the heat.

Electric fireplaces do put on a lovely show, but they’re useful for more than just adding to a room’s aesthetic. This electric fireplace from Pleasant Hearth wins the spot for best heat output, thanks to five heat settings.

During testing, we not only noticed a difference in warmth for each of the settings but also that we could feel the heat from up to 8 feet away from the heater. This is very helpful if you're looking to add warmth to a large room; plus, this particular fireplace also provides a nice focal point, too.

A simple-to-use remote allows you to turn on the unit, as well as adjust the five heat settings and the flames. You have the option of adding wheels to this CSA-certified unit so you can move it around your space easily, though we felt it was sturdier without them.

There aren’t too many features on this unit—for example, you can’t turn on the flames independently from the heat like you can with others on our list—but it is elegant, functional, and offers a lot of value for the price. It comes in four different color finishes (cherry, espresso, gray, and white) so you can choose the one that fits best with your decor.

How It Performed After 2 Months

We placed this electric fireplace in our living room and have been using it a few nights per week to add ambience and some extra warmth to the space. There are a few brightness settings for the flames, but we prefer the brightest since the low setting looks like the flames are dying out. The highest heat option raised the temperature in our 12 x 15-foot room about 4°F while the low setting increased it by 2°F.

Product Details: Dimensions: 31.75 x 12.76 x 27.25 inches | Area Heated: 1000 sq. ft. | Total BTU: 5,200 BTU | Temperature Range: Not listed

Why You Should Get It: It comes fully assembled, unlike most other options.

Keep in Mind: This fireplace didn’t emit as much heat as other options, so it’s ideal for smaller spaces.

If you’ve ever longed for a traditional fireplace with a mantel, this faux stone design offers a beautiful mantel option without the hassle of a major construction process. Unlike custom-built stone fireplaces, this unit comes fully assembled. All we had to do was slide it out of the box, remove the protective wrap, and attach it to the wall with the back bracket.

Once plugged in, it was easy to cycle through the settings using the remote control. With the remote control, you can adjust the thermostat and flame settings—there are four different effects to choose from —from as far as 25 feet away from the unit.

Though this CSA-certified fireplace is compact, it’s heavy, which makes it sturdy and secure. The faux stone front offers rustic appeal to any room, and the exterior is cool to the touch, so you can indeed add decor to the mantel. It’s worth noting, however, that we found this option did not emit as much heat as some other options, so it’s ideal for smaller spaces.

Product Details: Dimensions: 36 x 11.5 x 34 inches | Area Heated: 1, 000 sq. ft. | Total BTU: 3, 400 BTU | Temperature Range: 62-82°F

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 wherever you need a cozier spot in your home.

To find the best electric fireplaces, we tried 23 different styles at our Des Moines, Iowa, testing lab. Over the course of three days, 12 testers evaluated each electric fireplace using a pre-determined methodology. Each fireplace was scored based on five categories: setup, heating performance, design, safety, and value.

To start, we timed our testers setting up each fireplace. Once assembled, we scored set up based on how long it took, how easy it was, and whether or not the instructions were clear and easy to follow.

When it came to heating performance, we evaluated the number of settings and other controls each pick has. From there, we took into consideration how quickly the unit heated up, how far away we could feel the heat and the temperature differences between each setting.

Design was determined based on how easy the unit was to use. We also considered the style of the piece, like if it were a mantel, television stand, or standard style. To score safety, we took into consideration any built-in features, like a cool-touch exterior, overheat protection, and automatic shut-off.

Though the Cambridge 20 in. Freestanding Electric Fireplace 1500-Watt with Log Display in Black was very easy to set up, it only had a high and a low setting, but no medium. It also came with one light bulb that was broken as well as one that was completely missing.

We found it a bit difficult to screw the legs into place on the Duraflame Black 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove with Remote but we liked that it heated up quickly and had various options for temperature. However, we couldn’t really tell the difference between the medium and the high range, nor could they feel much of the warmth once we got five feet past the fireplace.

Do you want your electric fireplace to be portable, or do you want to keep it stationary much like a traditional fireplace? The unit you purchase depends on your answer to this question. Some fireplaces are indeed very compact, more like a stylish space heater; the smallest electric fireplace on our list is just 18 inches wide. Others do an excellent job of replicating a traditional fireplace, complete with a mantel. Our widest choice, at 58 inches, was an electric fireplace that included shelving, allowing it to supply storage, ambience, and warmth.

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 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.

“Beyond selecting a smaller output unit for a smaller space, some products or manufacturers might include some guidance on what size room or volume of space is most appropriate,” said the spokesperson from the U.S. Fire Administration.

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.”

The fireplaces on our list have BTUs between 4,500 and 5,200.

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 heat 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 11 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.”

Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, New York, covering all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list of best electric fireplaces, Barbara analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa. She also consulted a U.S. Fire Administration Spokesperson for their expert insight, particularly on how to use them safely.

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.