Updated on Oct. 28, 2024
Create the snuggly vibe of a roaring fire without the hassle and expense of a conventional hearth, thanks to the best electric fireplaces, vetted by our shopping editors.
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There’s nothing that lends that hygge-style coziness to a room like a glowing fire, but installing a gas or wood-burning fireplace in your living space isn’t always feasible—especially if you’re a renter. However, you can still create a relaxing atmosphere with flickering flames by opting for the best electric fireplace.
Electric fireplaces are smart for several reasons. They’re often portable, so you can easily change its location or take it with you when you move, and they typically provide supplemental heat. In fact, most electric fireplaces can effectively take the chill off a single room. Many models also offer the option of turning off the heating element for the cozy look of a roaring fire in the summer without the heat.
The most alluring benefit of electric fireplaces is that they’re extra-safe. They don’t emit harmful toxic fumes or smoke that can irritate family members with asthma or other respiratory problems. Plus, there aren’t open flames, shooting embers or rolling logs to spark house fires.
We tested some of the best electric fireplaces on the market now, so you know how they’ll look, feel and perform in your space before you buy. Here’s how it went.
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Compact enough to fit into an apartment, the Duraflame Electric Infrared Fireplace is ideal for small spaces and can be packed up and taken with you when you move. Despite its small size, it pumps out enough supplemental heat to take the chill off up to 1,000 square feet. Plus, the retro woodstove design and realistic flame effect adds a super-cozy vibe to any room. It comes with a remote control so you can adjust the flames and heat from across the room.
“If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to add heat to your space with the added bonus of an atmospheric fireplace, the Duraflame electric fireplace is an excellent choice,” Shopping Editor Stephanie Hope says after testing the Duraflame electric fireplace. “Its strong heating capabilities work for larger rooms, and its compact size makes it convenient for even the smallest of homes.”
The Duraflame electric fireplace is meant to provide warmth and ambience to any space in your home. It stands at around two feet tall, can be used with or without the heating function and has realistic-looking 3D flames inside. It even includes an automatic shutoff feature for added safety. We love this compact stove that is easy to use and fitted with all the essential features you will want in an electric fireplace.
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Don’t be fooled by the low price and compact size of the Bloxom Electric Fireplace Heater; I personally tested this budget-friendly option and while it’s just shy of being two feet tall, it will warm up to 400 square feet in minutes.
It’s lightweight, meaning the heater can be easily moved from room to room, although I prefer the way it fits perfectly in my living room fireplace. And honestly, it’s way more convenient than starting a real fire, and it’s also a lot safer. I also like that it gives the cozy look of a live fire in my fireplace, but I can leave the flames on (with or without the heat) for extended periods of time without the worry of real flames.
While you can admire the 3D flame effect through the glass front with or without the heat turned on, there aren’t a lot of bells and whistles—no remote control, for example. However, it does the job when it comes to heat and appearance with the simple switch of just two buttons (one button for flames and one button for heat).
This compact electric fireplace heater has faux logs at the bottom that add a realistic effect. It also comes with interchangeable fire crystals if you want to remove the faux logs for a more modern look. The small frame on this fireplace is made from engineered wood and rests on short metal feet for a mid-century look. For safety, it features thermal overload protection and a vent-free design.
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Measuring less than four inches thick, the Allmar Wall Mount Electric Fireplace can be mounted high enough on the wall to stay far away from curious little hands and paws while still providing the homey warmth of flickering flames. This panel-style fireplace can provide extra heat for up to 400 square feet, and you can toggle between the 750-watt and 1,500-watt modes to save energy.
Expert Product Reviewer Pamela Bondurant tested the wall-mounted pick. “It came with brackets and drywall anchors to hang. After I installed the bracket, the fireplace was easy to place on the bracket and fell fully secured to the wall,” she says.
“It came with pebbles to place into the fireplace for decoration. I thought they were adorable,” Pamela continues. “The warm air is immediate upon turning on the fireplace, and the fan was quieter than other electric fireplaces I’ve used.”
While the color, speed and brightness of the flames are adjustable via touchscreen or by remote control, Pamela says that the faux flames were cute but not exactly high-tech or realistic.
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The Thaddeus electric fireplace is made to look like a traditional fireplace with a built-in mantel and carved accents. The flame feature looks like a real fire, but you don’t need a chimney or vent for this fireplace—just an outlet. “Living in an apartment, I’ve missed having a fireplace,” Senior Shopping Editor Daria Smith says. “In the winter months, the Thaddeus electric fireplace heats the entire room and adds the perfect hint of ambiance.”
If you accidentally leave the fireplace on, it automatically shuts off—there’s also a timer function. Alternatively, if you want the flames without the heat, that’s also an option. It has an adjustable thermostat (64 °F to 82 °F), cool-touch exterior, and it can heat a room up to 400 square feet. Plus, it comes in multiple colors to match any room in your house needing a cozy upgrade.
“Assembly was fairly easy and took about 60 minutes for one person,” Daria adds. ” I like that you can pick from five flame display settings and set a timer ranging from 30 minutes to six hours. This fireplace pick is ideal for those wanting the classic look of a fireplace in a room that doesn’t have one. Think beyond the living room and consider adding it to the home office or dining room to spread the warm vibes.
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If you’re looking for an ultra-portable electric fireplace option, the Alpaca Electric Fireplace Heater is a convenient, affordable option. “As the parent to two rowdy cats that love to knock over everything, I’ve always been a bit skeptical of space heaters,” Shopping Editor Emily Way says. “However, my trepidation disappeared the moment I turned on the Alpaca space heater and snuggled up next to it. Not only does it absolutely ooze quality (check out that soft leather carrying strap and smart wood veneer), but it also boasts critical safety features including an auto-shutoff when the unit tips or exceeds 212 degrees Fahrenheit.”
“As a bonus, the cozy 3D flame effect looks so real and soothing—and it’s cheaper than therapy,” Emily adds. “After running it nearly every day for close to four months, my kitties would absolutely riot if I stopped turning it on during their nap time.”
We love the portability, safety features, quality and compact design of this small electric fireplace. At just over 15 inches tall, you can easily pick up and move the electric fireplace from room to room and snuggle up next to a warm fire ambiance whenever, wherever.
Here are some key considerations when choosing the right electric fireplace for you:
Our team of shopping editors and product testers tested the best electric fireplaces on the market right now. We ordered each fireplace on this list, had them delivered to our homes, assembled them, and used them in different settings to test how they’ll perform for you after you buy. We took into consideration how difficult it was to set up each electric fireplace, if the faux flames looked realistic or not, and whether each unit can be used with or without heat. We also tested every heat setting on each unit to see how they really take the chill off a room.
Electric fireplaces aren’t new to us at Family Handyman. We’ve done our research on electric fireplaces before, so we were already familiar with the best brands and merchants for electric fireplaces. Recently, we decided that wasn’t enough. We needed to test each electric fireplace on our Best Electric Fireplaces list in actual homes to deliver the most accurate, in-depth content found in this article.
Electric fireplaces use about the same amount of electricity as your average space heater and operate on a standard household outlet. They tend to use about 1,500 watts of electricity to power the heater function. When the heating function is not in use, electric fireplaces use around 300 watts to power the flames.
Electric fireplaces can heat up a room in your home faster and more efficiently than a traditional wood-burning fireplace. They’re also safe to use. Most electric fireplaces are comparable in price to space heaters but give the look of real flames while reducing energy costs by providing cost-effective heat.
No. Just as you should never sleep with a space heater on, you should never leave your electric fireplace unattended while the heater is on. If left on throughout the night while you’re sleeping, your electric fireplace could potentially overheat and start a fire.
