The best electric fireplace for your home will depend on your aesthetic preferences and budget. We review several wonderful electric fireplaces that are powered by modern technology and yet retain the realism of a true fire. We think you’ll find something that suits your taste.
All older home have a traditional fireplaces integrated into the design; a reminder of our need for warmth and light; a link to our ancient ancestors when we lived in caves. Even today, many people love the glow of a real fire, but thankfully, in this day and age, technology allows us all of the beauty and warmth of a fire without the danger of having open flames flicker in your living room.
Best Electric Fireplace
Every manufacturer of home heating products will tell you that they offer the best electric fireplace. This makes your decision a difficult one. Who’s telling the truth – which electric fireplace is really the best?
Some of this will come down to personal choice and can be a matter of opinion. This is why we’re going to review a selection of the best electric fireplaces in this article. Having the convenience and safety of electric heating with the romance and allure of an old-fashioned wood-burning fire is what makes an electric fireplace so attractive.
Cheap Electric Fireplace for small rooms | Duraflame DFS-500-0
Though we don’t all have the same needs and our decorating styles aren’t all the same. So what might be the best electric fireplace for one, isn’t necessarily the best for another. There are certain practical considerations to take into account. For a lot of people, the price is going to be of great importance. You can get a good quality electric fireplace for not much more than a hundred dollars. You can also pay much more, prices can go right up to around four thousand dollars, sometimes higher. We’ve selected a good variety of electric fireplaces with prices ranging from very affordable, right up to the higher end of the price range.
Classic Modern Electric Fireplace | SEI Calvert FA9279E
In the end, after reading this review, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which electric fireplace is the best for you. In terms of quality and customer satisfaction, that’s been done for you. All the electric fireplaces in this review have come highly recommended. Whether it’s the best electric fireplace for its price or the best for a larger room or, even the best fireplace in terms of economic power usage. Whatever your criteria may be, you should find the best fireplace for your needs and budget in this review.
Other factors that may well affect your decision could be the physical size of the unit, the size of your living room may not be suited to a large bulky electric fireplace. Is it portable, or do you want a fixed unit? How easily can the electric fireplace be installed? Will it provide enough heat for the size of the room? How is the electric fireplace going to affect my electricity bill?
These are all very relevant questions and as we review each of the fantastic electric fireplaces that we’ve selected for you to choose from, I’ll seek to answer these questions. If there any other benefits or drawbacks to a particular model, I’ll point these out too.
Lifesmart Infrared Quartz Fireplace
Model : LS-IF1500-DOFP — Best electric fireplace that is both modern and traditional.
Features:
- Dimensions: 24”L X 11”W X 20”H
- Heats 1000 sq. feet with 5100 BTU’s
- Features a Quakerstown dark oak cabinet and mantel
- Two levels of realistic fire glow
- Produces natural, quiet, and efficient infrared heat
Overview
Here we really have a case of dynamite coming in small packages. The Lifesmart Infrared Quartz electric fireplace is not only very compact and portable (for a powerful space heater), but it’s also one of the cheapest in its class. This electric fireplace is a win-win for people who want an affordable electric fireplace which requires no installation and can be moved from room to room.
The Lifesmart Infrared Quartz electric fireplace has an elegant classic look, with a Quakerstown Dark Oak mantle. This is a very compact unit for the heat that it produces, measuring 24” (Length) X 11” (Width) X 20” (Height) and it weighs 40 LBS. So when I say portable, it does take some lugging around but this is made much easier, thanks to castors that make it possible to move the heater around. It plugs into any standard household electric socket, using a 6-foot cord.
Not only is this a very cheap electric fireplace, but your running costs will also be extremely low. It draws a maximum of 1500W on the highest power setting. With 5100 BTUs, the LifeSmart Infrared Quartz will easily heat a room of around 1000 square feet. It has a thermostatic control to keep the room at a constant temperature and has three power settings, including an economy mode. You have the convenience of a remote control and programmable 12-hour timer. It also has a heat-free mode that affords you the opportunity to enjoy the flickering flame effect, even when you don’t actually need to heat the room.
Tucked behind the fan grill are touch controls and an LED display that gives you the room temperature at a glance. This is neatly hidden making it very elegant, but this does mean that you have to flip down the cover to use the controls or read the temperature. I can’t see this as being a big deal as you’ll probably be using the remote control most of the time and if you really want to constantly monitor the temperature in the room, you can leave the flap down.
The benefit of using infrared heating is that it is very economical and it doesn’t radiate a scorching blast of heat. Instead, the infrared heat is absorbed by solid objects and people, this is more gentle and comfortable. The flame effects are ultra-realistic and it really has the look and feel of an old-fashioned wood burner. The only thing that hints at the modern technology is the fan that circulates the heat. You can hear the fan. Though it’s really not loud enough to be a major disturbance, this does slightly detract from the romance of an authentic fireplace. Instead of hearing the crackle of a wood fire, you have the hum of a fan. This isn’t a big concern but I thought I’d point it out in order to give you an objective review.
The Lifesmart Infrared Quartz electric fireplace has the safety features that I’d want to see on an electric heating device. This includes tip over and overheating shut-off. Without a doubt, these are very important, especially when considering that this is not a very large unit and can be tipped over.
It seems to be a solid unit and my experience of infrared quartz heaters is that the heating element never seems to stop working. They just go on for years and years, working as efficiently as they do on day one. All the electric components are warrantied for one year. This makes for a highly affordable option and has the convenience of being a movable space heater. Of course, if you want a fireplace that’s going to make a statement, you’ll probably want something bigger.
MagikFlame Aphrodite
Best electric fireplace if you value quality and beauty. Classic styling with state-of-the-art technology beneath the surface.
Features:
- Patent pending holographic technology makes it appear as if you logs are actually burning
- 21 realistic flame effects with rolling smoke and burning embers
- 21 different realistic log crackling sounds to increase the realism
- Toggle on/off nature sounds (rain + thunder/ocean waves/nature) for a more relaxing experience
- Backlit touch-screen interface can be used in a dark room for easy control of your fireplace
- Bluetooth app for Android devices lets you use your smart phone to control your fireplace
- Included remote control for easy control of your fireplace from the couch or bed
- Built in 4,600 BTU heater provides zone heating on chilly nights
- Mantel Features :
- Antique Ivory Finish
- Beaded molding
- Center panel features swag molding with rosettes
- Reverse breakfront design with style details
- Acanthus leaf capital with fluted pilasters and plynth base
- Genuine hearth base with beveled molding
- Fine furniture grade construction – solid hardwood blocks with metal on metal connections
- DIMENSIONS: 55″w x 18″d x 43″h
Overview
Take yourself back to a time when marble cladding and ivory were the order of the day in the stately homes of the well-to-do. The MagikFlame Aphrodite electric fireplace will give any room the grandeur, opulence, and regal elegance of a majestic colonial mansion. Now the moment we hear words like opulence and regal, we think expensive. You’d be right about this, the MagikFlame Aphrodite is expensive. This electric fireplace makes a statement, a grand one. It exudes quality and handcrafted ivory finishes that exemplify a grace and elegance that is seldom seen these days. You could easily imagine a string quartette standing beside the graceful mantel, gently turning out Mozart or Beethoven tunes to set the mood.
So what kind of statement are we talking about here? The MagikFlame Aphrodite stands 43-inches tall, is 55-inches wide and has a broad 18-inch deep mantel. It’s going to make an impression. It has the classic features of engraved decorative ivory from foot to mantel and an elegant and realistic fire gate. Every inch of its construction is of the highest quality. At the price that you’ll be paying for this electric fireplace, I’d hope so. It is without a doubt, a fine investment in your home and is certainly going to stand the test of time.
The real paradox of the MagikFlame Aphrodite is that despite its classic elegance, this electric fireplace has made use of every bit of modern technology available. It’s a powerful 4600 BTU heater with the advantage that it is never hot to the touch. This makes it perfectly safe for your kids and pets – no burning or scorching. So in terms of functionality, it’s a really great electric fireplace.
Now for the real marvel of technology which adds to the aesthetics and ambiance of the fireplace. Instead of mechanical flame effects, that doesn’t always give a true wood-burning fire experience, the guys at MagikFlame have used holographic flames and logs with images of actual fires. There are 21 flame effects to choose from and each has sound effects to match. I should correct this statement, these are not just sound effects but actual recordings of fires – capturing every nuance of the fires themselves. You won’t get a more realistic electric fireplace. It can also be used for effect only, meaning that you can choose any of the effects without using the heating function.
So far the high-tech features of the MagikFlame Aphrodite are incredibly impressive, by anyone’s standards. But there’s more. The electric fireplace has Bluetooth connectivity so you can operate it using a smartphone or tablet. Not only does this give you full control over the fireplace from anywhere, but new versions are constantly being made available for download. This is the biggest advantage of using Bluetooth technology for home devices. It means that new functions can be added as they come along and they will introduce new flame and sound effects in time that you can just download as you wish. It even has nature sounds like rain or waves (among many others) that will give you an even greater ability to create the perfect atmosphere in the room.
Named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, this electric fireplace has been made to inspire romance and grace in every aspect of its design. From the rich and elegant detail in its finish to the warm and realistic sound and visual effects, the MagicFlame Aphrodite isn’t just trying to imitate the experience of a genuine wood fire, it seeks to improve the experience. If you’ve got the kind of money to spend that it takes to own one of these exclusive fireplaces, you’ll be the envy of your friends and neighbors – even if you rub shoulders with the rich and famous. This truly is the best electric fireplace for those of you who can afford it. As a testament to the uncompromising quality of this fireplace, the unit is backed by an incredible 10-year warranty. The electric insert (the actual heater unit and electronics) is covered by a 3-year warranty.
Tennyson Electric Fireplace with Bookcases
Best electric fireplace for a premium look that won’t break your bank account — Model : FA8544BE
Features:
- Electric fireplace offers remote controlled heating up to 400 square feet while lifelike flames and embers burn inside a brick style interior
- Remote control adjusts thermostat, timer, logs, and flames separately.
- Six fixed, bookcase style shelves readily display and store items and mantel supports a flat panel
- TV that measures up to 68.25 inches wide overall with a base measuring up to 40 inches wide
- Classic mahogany finish combines with carved detailing for soft traditional style
- No installation is required and fireplace conveniently plugs into a standard wall outlet with a six foot cord
- Free standing fireplace piece weighs 152.5 pounds, measures 70.25 inches wide x 14 inches deep x 42.25 inches high, and requires assembly
- Flame intensity control.
Overview
Much more affordable than the electric fireplace that we’ve just reviewed, the Tennyson (FA8544BE) is also an elegant classic addition to any room. It’s large enough to make an impression, yet not so big that it will dominate a smaller room, like a bedroom. I wouldn’t place it in the same league as the MagikFlame Aphrodite, but then again, it’s a lot cheaper.
This Tennyson electric fireplace comes in a variety of colors and wood finishes, the ivory version seems to be the most popular. It’s a neutral and clean looking finish that will compliment any decorating style. Made from solid wood (poplar and MDF), this is a sturdy electric fireplace and the mantle can hold a weight of up to 85 LBS. The ivory finish is a durable and washable polyresin. You will need to assemble the unit, but this is really easy and it comes with detailed instructions. I haven’t been able to find anyone who has said that they struggled to assemble it.
The Tennyson bookcase electric fireplace is 70.25” wide and 42.25” high, it has a depth of 14”. So you can stand a plasma TV on top of the unit. I like that the shelves that stand on either side of the fireplace are separate units. This means that you don’t have to include the shelves if space is a problem. The mantle has a width of 40-inches without the bookcases. Each bookcase is 17.75” wide and 37.75” tall, with a depth of 11”. The individual shelves measure: 12” (width); 7.5” (depth) and 8.5” (height) and can hold a weight of about 15 LBS. Each bookcase has three shelves, giving you a total of six shelves. This provides a great place to keep your books, Play Station, speakers or decoder. It’s really neat, practical and convenient – not to mention versatile.
The 1500W (12.5A) heater is effective and is recommended for rooms up to 400 square feet. The realistic fire effect is achieved using energy efficient LED lighting. It has a remote control and has a thermostat to control the heat – adjustable from 62° to 82°. The LEDs also offer the option for down lighting. Once assembled, there’s no additional installation needed, the electric fireplace plugs into a standard household electric socket by means of a 6-foot power cord. The entire unit weighs 152.25 LBS. So while it’s a freestanding electric fireplace, it’s not something you’ll be moving around too easily. The mantle, without the bookcases, weighs 61.5 LBS.
For a large, sturdy electric fireplace with a very elegant look, the Tennyson is well-priced and quite affordable. It’s versatile and practical whilst providing a graceful look to the room that it adorns.
SEI | Cartwright Convertible Electric Fireplace
Best electric fireplace that reflects a simpler time. Model : Mission Oak – FA9285E
Features:
- Electric fireplace offers remote controlled heating up to 400 square feet while lifelike flames and embers burn inside a brick style interior
- Corner convertible design saves space and place a flat panel TV that measures up to 43.5 inches wide overall atop the mantel for cozy viewing
- Mission oak finish combines with earth toned tiles for an effortless transitional style
- Fireplace conveniently plugs into a standard wall outlet with a six foot cord and installation is not required
- Free standing fireplace piece weighs 116.5 pounds, supports up to 85 pounds, and requires assembly
Overview
Finished in mission oak and natural earth tone tiles, the Cartwright Convertible electric fireplace has a distinctively noble appearance. It evokes a sense of old English leather and an age of chivalry and grace.
The Cartwright Convertible is 45.5” wide and 40.25” tall. It can stand flat against the wall, in which case it will have a depth of 15.5”. It can also convert to a corner unit by means of an angled extension to the mantle, this will increase its depth to 26.5”. The mantle can support a weight of 85 LBS, so there’s no problem using it as a TV stand. The entire fireplace weighs 116.5 LBS and needs to be assembled. I see that some people have said that assembling the unit wasn’t as easy as they had hoped for. It doesn’t look too complicated to me but people’s skills in this area aren’t all the same. Perhaps the assembly instructions aren’t as helpful as they should be.
It’s made from solid wood (MDF and poplar) with an oak veneer, this all seems to be high quality and certainly looks great with well-crafted finishes. The heating unit delivers 5000 BTUs at the maximum 1500W. This heater is recommended for an area of 400 square feet. Like the others, this model has a remote control and thermostatic heat regulation. It doesn’t require any professional installation and plugs into a wall socket using a 6-foot cord. The fire effect is quite realistic and is achieved using LED lighting.
The safety features include automatic shut-off and a cool to touch surface. You also have the choice to use the fire effect without using the heater for year-round ambiance.
In terms of function and design, the Cartwright Convertible electric fireplace is almost identical to the Tennyson that we’ve reviewed just before this one. Personally, I prefer the detail in the finish of this model, but that really is a matter of personal preference. The Cartwright is slightly cheaper, but then again, it doesn’t have the extra bookcases. They work out at the same value for money if this is taken into account.
Why would you want an electric fireplace?
Heating your home is an essential part of comfortable living. In mild climates, this will be less of a concern than in areas where it gets really cold in winter. None the less, just about every home needs heating and this can become quite costly. So we all assess our heating needs according to our budget.
Heating Cost
A wood burning fire is lovely and it has a romantic feel to it. In rural areas wood is more affordable and this can increase its appeal if you’re not paying too much for your firewood. However, in many urban areas firewood can be extremely expensive and this will make it a luxury many can’t afford – or at least, not on a regular basis.
This leaves gas or electric as our next best options. The affordability of either gas or electricity isn’t the same in all areas. In some cases, gas may be cheaper and in others, electricity will be the most cost-effective way to heat your home. This will take some looking into on your part. Your utility bill will give you an idea as to the cost of gas heating vs electric heating.
Convenience
When it comes to practicality, electric heating must be the most convenient. You can simply plug it into a power outlet and off you go.
A wood-burning fireplace needs to be cleaned every time you use it and you have to contend with all the ash and dust that goes with this. A fireplace also requires annual maintenance like cleaning your chimney to prevent a chimney fire. You also have to keep a supply of firewood and this requires transporting and storing it. While the aroma of a wood fire can be very pleasant and there are certain woods that are used specifically for that purpose, the wood smoke smell lingers long after the fire is gone. The odor of stale smoke isn’t always that great and this means that you’ll probably be cleaning your upholstery and carpets more than you would have.
If you have street gas, gas can be very convenient. Though gas does require some routine maintenance and has to be checked by a professional periodically. Using bottled gas (propane tanks) can be a hassle. Like firewood, you need to transport and store the propane tanks and these also need to be checked for safety from time to time.
Safety
This is another area where an electric fireplace comes up tops. Your house wiring is protected by circuit breakers and GFCI protection. This means that the electrical wiring poses no hazard when it comes to fire or electrocution. In addition to this and electric fireplace has built-in protection to prevent overheating and fires.
The fire hazards relating to burning wood are quite obvious. There’s no need for a wood fire to be dangerous, but this takes effort on your part. Chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning from bad ventilation are quite common. These are as a result of poor maintenance and negligence and this means one always has to be aware of the possible dangers when using a fire. If your home doesn’t have an existing fireplace, having one installed can be a costly and messy exercise.
Gas heating equipment has many safety features and they are not easily prone to catching fire. They do require maintenance and therefore need to be checked by a professional to ensure their safety.
Ambiance
Let’s face it, nothing beats the ambiance of a genuine wood fire and as good some electric fireplaces may be, they will never quite capture the authenticity of an old-fashioned wood fire. That being said, modern technology has made it possible to give an electric fireplace a feel that comes very close to a wood fire. The high-end electric fireplaces have effects that make it near impossible to tell the difference.
Many gas heaters use a ceramic panel that heats up and these have absolutely no character. You can get fantastic gas heaters that produce natural flames and have embers that glow. These tend to be expensive and use much more gas than the cheaper models that use a ceramic panel. A gas heater that gives you an effect that’s really close to a wood-burning fire also requires specialized installation and requires more maintenance.