There's a reason people gather around a fire. The flicker, the warmth and the slight hush it brings to a room are hard to beat. A real fireplace, though, means a chimney, fuel, cleaning and a lot of work, which is why electric fireplaces have taken off. You plug one in, press a button and the room feels different.
This guide covers eight popular electric fireplaces, from a slim wall-mounted unit to a TV console with shelves. It also tells you something the product pages rarely do: almost all of them put out the same amount of heat, so the real choice is about style, installation and safety. If you're planning the whole room, our home decor guides are a good companion.
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Read this first: they all heat about the same
Most electric fireplaces use a 1,500 watt heater, the most a standard household outlet comfortably supports. That works out to roughly 5,100 to 5,200 BTUs per hour, no matter how fancy the cabinet. Yet the coverage claims differ wildly. The Touchstone Onyx is rated for 400 square feet, while the Duraflame and ClassicFlame models say 1,000 square feet. Both are 1,500 watt heaters. The difference is in how the makers describe coverage, with the larger figure describing "supplemental zone heating" rather than a room you'd keep warm on its own.
So treat 400 square feet as the sensible ceiling for a single electric fireplace in a normal room, and remember that it adds warmth where you sit, not to the whole house. They're brilliant for ambiance and for taking the chill off a living room or bedroom, but they won't replace your main heating system.
What they are good for
- Cosy ambiance, with or without heat
- Supplemental warmth in one room
- No chimney, smoke, soot or fuel
- Easy installation, often just a plug
What to keep in mind
- About 5,000 BTU, however large the claim
- Running costs add up on high heat
- Not a replacement for central heating
- Need proper clearances and a safe outlet
Quick picks
| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| Touchstone Onyx 80001 | Wall-mounted living-room fireplace |
| Duraflame DFI-5010-01 | Freestanding stove, no install |
| Ameriwood Chicago | TV console with storage |
| R.W.FLAME 50-inch | Colour-changing flames |
| XtremepowerUS Allure | Frameless linear style |
| PuraFlame Klaus | Crackling sound |
| Southern Enterprises Tennyson | Built-in bookcase look |
| ClassicFlame 3D insert | Existing fireplace opening |
How these picks were chosen
I looked at how each fireplace is installed, how it heats, how realistic the flame effect is, what safety features it lists and how it fits into a typical room. Specs come from the makers and product listings and can change, so check the current listing for the exact model, size and wattage. Prices change often. I have not run hands-on tests of these products.
The 8 electric fireplaces, reviewed
Touchstone 80001 Onyx 50-Inch Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace
- Size: 50.4 x 5.5 x 21.65 in.
- Heat: 1,500 W, 5,118 BTU, 2 settings
- Flame: 5 settings, with remote
- Weight: About 44 lb
A slim, wide wall-mount that looks like a framed picture of a fire. It has five flame settings, two heat levels (high and low) and a remote, and the flames can run without any heat for the summer. The maker rates it for rooms up to 400 square feet and suggests mounting it at least 24 inches below the ceiling. One detail matters if you're planning a recessed install: the Onyx has its heat element on top, so it is designed to be mounted on the wall, not flush inside it. Touchstone makes a separate Sideline range for recessed installs.
What's good
- Slim, modern wall-mounted look
- Flames work with or without heat
- Remote and five flame settings
What to watch for
- Heat element on top, so not for recessed installs
- Needs a wall that can carry about 44 lb
- Check clearance above before mounting
Duraflame DFI-5010-01 3D Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove
- Style: Freestanding stove
- Heat: 1,500 W, 5,200 BTU
- Size: 24 x 23.4 x 12.9 in.
- Warranty: 1 year (listing)
A freestanding stove that you simply carry in and plug in, so there's no mounting and no installation. It has a metal body with a traditional look, five flame brightness settings, a thermostat and a remote. The maker says it warms up to 1,000 square feet, but read that carefully: it's a 1,500 watt heater like the others here, and the maker describes it as supplemental heat. Think of it as warming the part of the room where you sit, not heating a whole floor. One reviewer reported a hot plug and cord, which is a reminder to plug any heater directly into a wall outlet and check that the plug stays only warm.
What's good
- No installation, just plug in
- Traditional stove look in metal
- Thermostat and remote included
What to watch for
- The 1,000 sq ft claim is optimistic for 1,500 W
- Weighs around 34 lb, so it is portable but not light
- Reviewers mention a finicky thermostat
Ameriwood Home Chicago Electric Fireplace TV Console
- Style: TV console with fireplace
- Insert: 18 in.
- Heat: Up to 400 sq ft (listing)
- Storage: Shelves and cabinet space
A TV stand with an electric fireplace built into the middle, which gives you storage, a screen and a fire in one piece of furniture. The listing describes an 18-inch insert that heats up to 400 square feet, plus shelves for media gear. Before you buy, check the maximum TV size and weight on the listing, and keep in mind that this is ready-to-assemble furniture, so allow time for putting it together. Heat from the insert rises, so follow the instructions about TV placement.
What's good
- Fireplace, storage and TV stand in one
- No wall mounting required
- Heats a small to medium room, per the listing
What to watch for
- Needs assembly
- Check TV size and weight limits
- Insert is small compared with wall-mounted units
R.W.FLAME 50-Inch Recessed and Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace
- Size: 50 in. wide
- Mount: Recessed or wall-mounted
- Flame: 12 flame and 12 bed colours (listing)
- Safety: Overheat cut-off (listing)
This one is for people who like to play with the mood. The listing describes 12 flame colours and 12 flame-bed colours, so you can go from classic orange to cool blue, and a safety cut-off for overheating. It can be recessed into a wall or mounted on it, which makes it flexible for new builds and renovations. As with all of these, confirm the heater's wattage and the exact installation requirements in the manual before you cut into any wall.
What's good
- Large range of flame and bed colours
- Recessed or wall-mounted
- Overheat protection, per the listing
What to watch for
- Recessing may need a framing and electrical plan
- Colour options matter less than heat output
- Specs vary by listing, so check the manual
XtremepowerUS Allure Linear Wall-Mount Electric Fireplace
- Style: Linear, frameless
- Mount: Wall-mount
- Flame: Full-spectrum LED colours
- Heat: Three settings, flame-only mode (listing)
A frameless, linear design that keeps the look clean and contemporary, with full-spectrum LED flame colours and a flame-only mode for warm weather. The listing describes three heat settings, so you can match the warmth to the evening. It suits a modern living room or bedroom wall and works best when the rest of the decor is also simple and uncluttered.
What's good
- Clean, frameless modern look
- Flame-only mode for warm weather
- Adjustable heat settings, per the listing
What to watch for
- Linear wall units suit modern decor best
- Needs a solid wall mount
- Check heat output on the listing
PuraFlame Klaus Electric Fireplace Insert with Crackling Sound
- Style: Insert
- Logs: Resin log set
- Flame: Adjustable LED
- Extra: Crackling sound
If the sound is half the charm of a real fire, this is the one for you. It pairs realistic resin logs and adjustable LED flames with a crackling sound effect, so it feels closer to a wood fire without the smoke, soot or chopping. The sound is a nice touch in a quiet room, and it can usually be switched off. As an insert, it needs an opening, a mantel or a cabinet to sit in, so check the dimensions against your space.
What's good
- Crackling sound adds realism
- Resin logs and adjustable flames
- No smoke, soot or chimney
What to watch for
- Insert needs an opening or cabinet
- Crackle sound isn't for everyone
- Check heat output and dimensions
Southern Enterprises Tennyson Electric Fireplace with Bookcase
- Style: Fireplace with bookcases
- Flame: Multicolour
- Use: Living room, library, den
- Setup: Assembly required (check listing)
A mantel-style unit with shelves on the sides, so you get the fireplace, display space and books in a single piece of furniture. The flames come in several colours, and the shelves give a built-in look without any construction. It's a cosy choice for a reading corner. Check the dimensions, the assembly time and the shelf weight limits before ordering, since this is a large piece of furniture.
What's good
- Fireplace plus bookcase in one piece
- Built-in look without construction
- Several flame colours
What to watch for
- Large footprint
- Assembly needed
- Shelf load limits apply
ClassicFlame 3D Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Insert
- Style: Insert, several widths
- Heat: 1,500 W, 12.5 A, 5,200 BTU
- Flame: 3D effect, 125 options
- Safety: Safer Plug and Safer Sensor
A well-regarded insert that slots into an existing fireplace opening, a mantel or a TV stand. It sells in several widths, so check which one you are buying. The 3D flame effect, with 125 selectable combinations, puts flames in front of and behind the logs for more depth. It also has Safer Plug, which monitors the plug temperature and shuts the heater off if it overheats, and Safer Sensor, which cuts the power if the heater is blocked. The seller says it is safe around children and pets, with a tempered glass front, but the heater still needs clearance and supervision. Like the Duraflame, its 1,000 sq ft claim is a supplemental-heat figure.
What's good
- Safer Plug and Safer Sensor safety features
- Deep, layered 3D flame effect
- Fits an existing fireplace opening
What to watch for
- Several widths, so check the exact model
- 1,000 sq ft claim is optimistic
- Reviewers find the heat modest in large rooms
The main types of electric fireplace
Wall-mounted
These hang on the wall like a large picture, with the heater usually on top or at the front. They're the simplest way to add a fireplace to a room with no chimney, and they often plug straight into a nearby outlet. The Touchstone Onyx and the XtremepowerUS Allure are examples. Heat that leaves from the top means you should keep the area above clear, and follow the manual's clearance rules before hanging a TV or shelf over one.
Recessed
Recessed units sit flush inside the wall, for the most built-in look. They need a framed opening, a clear power plan and a heater that vents from the front, not the top. The R.W.FLAME can be mounted either way, and Touchstone's separate Sideline line is designed for flush installs. If you're building a recess, check the instructions for the exact opening size, and get an electrician involved for any hard-wiring.
Inserts
An insert drops into an existing fireplace opening, a mantel or a cabinet. It's a good way to give an unused fireplace new life without a chimney, as with the ClassicFlame and PuraFlame models. Check the width, height and depth against your opening, and whether you need a trim kit to fill the gap.
Freestanding stoves
The Duraflame is an example. You set it down and plug it in, so there's no mounting. It's the most portable option, and suits renters, small rooms and anyone who wants to move it around.
Consoles and mantels
These combine a fireplace with furniture, such as a TV stand or a bookcase, as with the Ameriwood and Southern Enterprises units. They're a one-box solution for a living room, though they need assembly and a bit of floor space.
How electric fireplaces heat a room
Inside is a heating element, either a resistance coil with a fan or an infrared quartz element. Both turn electricity into heat at essentially the same rate, so a 1,500 watt unit gives about 5,100 BTU an hour whichever type it is. A fan-forced heater warms the room faster, while an infrared heater feels warmer on your skin and runs quietly, because it has no fan. The flames are separate: they're produced by LEDs and mirrors and use very little power, which is why they can run without heat all year.
How much space will it really heat?
A common rule of thumb is that it takes around 10 watts per square foot to heat a room from cold, which would suggest that 1,500 watts covers about 150 square feet in a poorly insulated space. Makers quote bigger numbers, around 400 square feet, for a well-insulated room where the heater is topping up existing warmth. The 1,000 square foot figures on some listings describe supplemental zone heating, and you shouldn't expect the whole space to feel warm. The practical advice is to use the fireplace in the room you're sitting in and keep doors closed.
The infrared "doesn't dry the air" claim
Several makers say infrared quartz heat helps maintain natural humidity. It's marketing language that needs a pinch of salt. No electric resistance heater removes moisture from the air. What happens in winter is that cold outdoor air, once heated, has a lower relative humidity, which is why indoor air feels dry. A humidifier or a bowl of water does more for dryness than the type of heating element does.
What does it cost to run?
Multiply the heater's power in kilowatts by your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour. A 1.5 kW heater at 15 cents per kWh costs roughly 22 cents an hour on full heat, and about 30 cents at 20 cents per kWh. The thermostat cycles the heater on and off, so the real cost is usually lower, and flame-only mode costs very little. Check your own rate, since it varies a lot from place to place.
| Heater power | Approximate heat | Cost per hour at 15 cents/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 750 W (low setting) | About 2,560 BTU | About 11 cents |
| 1,400 W | About 4,800 BTU | About 21 cents |
| 1,500 W (high setting) | About 5,100 BTU | About 22 cents |
What to look for when buying
Installation type. Decide first whether you want wall-mounted, recessed, insert, freestanding or console. This single choice rules out most options.
Size. Measure the wall or opening and the room. Allow for clearances above and around, and check that a wall-mount fits between studs if it needs a recess.
Heat settings and thermostat. Two heat levels, such as 750 W and 1,500 W, plus a thermostat, give you control. A timer is handy for shutting it off when you fall asleep.
Flame realism. Look for layered or 3D flame effects, adjustable brightness and speed, and a believable log or crystal bed. Customisable colours are fun, though they matter less than realism.
Safety features. Overheat protection, tip-over protection on freestanding units, a cool-touch case where possible and extras like ClassicFlame's plug-temperature monitoring and obstruction sensor are worth having.
Noise. Fan-forced heaters make some noise. Infrared quartz models are quieter.
Remote and controls. A remote is a convenience, and some units also have touch controls on the unit itself or smart-home features.
Warranty. One year is common. Longer is better.
Certification. Look for a recognised electrical safety mark on the product and in the manual.
Installing and using one safely
Electric fireplaces are among the safer ways to get a fire look, but they're still electric heaters. The following habits matter:
- Plug straight into a wall outlet. Don't use an extension cord or a power strip with a heater, because they can overheat.
- Don't share the circuit. A 1,500 watt heater draws about 12.5 amps, which is most of a standard 15-amp circuit. Avoid running other high-draw appliances on the same circuit at the same time.
- Check the plug. If the plug or cord gets hot, as opposed to slightly warm, stop using the heater and get it checked. One reviewer of a stove-style model reported a very hot plug, which is a good reminder.
- Keep clear space. Keep curtains, furniture, bedding and decor away from the heater's output. As a general space-heater rule, keep flammable items at least 3 feet away, and always follow the manual's clearances.
- Mind what is above it. Heat rises. Check the manual before putting a TV, shelf or artwork above a wall-mounted fireplace. Touchstone, for example, recommends a gap above its recessed models.
- Supervise children and pets. Glass fronts and cases can get warm. Some makers describe their models as safe around children and pets, but a heater always needs supervision.
- Turn it off when you leave or sleep. Use the timer or thermostat, and don't leave it running in an empty room.
- Keep smoke alarms working. Electric heaters are safer than open flames but not risk-free.
- Avoid wet areas. Don't use one in a bathroom unless the manual says it's rated for that.
- Get help with wiring. If a model needs hard-wiring or a new circuit, use a qualified electrician and follow local codes.
How to mount a wall-mounted fireplace
- 1. Read the manual. It tells you the mounting height, the clearances and the wall requirements.
- 2. Choose the spot. Pick a wall near an outlet. Touchstone suggests mounting its Onyx high enough to hide the hardware but at least 24 inches below the ceiling.
- 3. Find the studs. A 44 pound unit should be fixed into studs or secure anchors rated for the weight.
- 4. Mark and level. Use a level and mark the bracket positions before drilling.
- 5. Fix the bracket. Screw it firmly to the wall.
- 6. Hang the unit. Two people make this much easier and safer.
- 7. Hide the cord. Use a cord cover if the maker includes one, and don't run the cord in a way that traps heat.
- 8. Test. Run it on a low setting first, and check the plug and surrounding surfaces after a short time.
Getting the best from your fireplace
- Use the thermostat. It saves energy and keeps the room steady.
- Close the door. A smaller space warms faster.
- Pair it with good insulation. Draught-proofing, curtains and rugs keep the warmth you make.
- Dim the flames for the evening. Lower brightness is easier on the eyes when you're watching TV.
- Try flame-only in summer. It's an easy way to get the ambiance without the heat.
- Style it. A mantel, art and soft lighting complete the look, and our home decor guides have plenty of ideas.
Cleaning and care
Turn it off and let it cool. Always unplug before cleaning.
Dust the vents. Dust builds up around heater vents and fans, which can reduce performance and create a faint burning smell. Use a soft brush, or a vacuum on a gentle setting. Our vacuum cleaner reviews can help you pick a suitable one.
Clean the glass. Use a soft, lint-free cloth and a glass cleaner that the maker approves. Don't spray cleaner directly onto the unit.
Check the cord and plug. Look for damage, discolouration or looseness every so often.
Expect a smell at first. Dust burning off a new heater can give off a smell for the first hour or two. It should fade. If a burning smell continues, stop using it.
Store it properly. If you put a freestanding unit away for summer, keep it dry and covered. Our home cleaning guides include more everyday upkeep tips.
Common mistakes
- Believing the square-foot claim. A 1,500 watt unit gives supplemental warmth, not whole-home heat.
- Using an extension cord. Plug straight into the wall.
- Mounting a top-heating unit flush in a wall. Use a recessed model for that.
- Hanging a TV above without checking. Heat can damage electronics.
- Buying the wrong size insert. Measure the opening carefully.
- Forgetting about the circuit. A big heater plus other appliances can trip a breaker.
- Ignoring a hot plug. It's a warning sign.
Frequently asked questions
Do electric fireplaces really heat a room?
They give supplemental warmth, typically about 5,000 BTU from a 1,500 watt heater. That's enough to take the chill off a room of a few hundred square feet, but not to replace central heating.
How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace?
Multiply the kilowatts by your rate per kilowatt-hour. A 1.5 kW heater at 15 cents per kWh costs roughly 22 cents an hour at full heat. Flame-only mode costs very little.
Can I use an extension cord with an electric fireplace?
No. Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet, because extension cords and power strips can overheat.
Can I mount a TV above an electric fireplace?
Only if the maker's instructions allow it and you leave the recommended gap. Heat rises and can damage electronics.
Are electric fireplaces safe around children and pets?
They're safer than open fires, and some include extra safety features, but surfaces can get warm. Supervise children and pets, and follow the manual.
Does infrared heat dry the air less?
That's mostly marketing. No electric heater removes moisture. The dryness you feel in winter comes from heating cold air, so a humidifier is a better fix.
What is the difference between an insert and a wall-mounted fireplace?
An insert fits into an existing opening, a mantel or a cabinet. A wall-mounted unit hangs on the wall like a picture, and recessed units sit flush inside it.
Do electric fireplaces need venting?
No. They produce no smoke or fumes, so they need no chimney or vent. They still need clear space around them for airflow.
The bottom line
For a slim, modern look on a living-room wall, the Touchstone Onyx is a safe bet. If you want zero installation, the Duraflame stove is the easiest, and the Ameriwood and Southern Enterprises units give you furniture and fireplace in one. The R.W.FLAME and XtremepowerUS suit anyone who likes a customisable modern look, the PuraFlame adds the crackle and the ClassicFlame insert is a strong, safety-minded option for an existing opening.
Choose by installation type and style rather than the square-foot claim, plug straight into the wall and respect the clearances. For ideas on making the room feel finished, browse our home decor guides, and you'll have a cosy corner ready for the cold evenings.
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