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The 7 Best Electric Fireplace Heaters of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Warm up and get cozy with a fuss-free fireplace

Three electric fireplaces displayed against a wall

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

An electric fireplace heater provides extra heat and a cozy ambiance without the expense of installing and maintaining a traditional fireplace. To compile this list, we tested 25 electric fireplace heaters in The Lab and at home.

All of the options we tested were freestanding units, ranging from compact models that look like woodstoves to those that include a functioning mantel or a TV stand. We found that smaller units are good if space is limited or if you want something similar to a space heater that you can move wherever you need warmth.

If you want to add a focal point to your decor, you can choose a fireplace heater that functions more like a piece of furniture, adding storage or display space. But keep in mind the BTUs (British Thermal Units) of the unit. You'll want it to provide the right amount of heat you need since you won't be able to move it easily.

While testing, we assembled each unit (when applicable), noted safety features, and evaluated the heating performance by recording the temperature of the air around the heater and the heater's surfaces with an IR thermometer. We also looked at the design and features of the heater, including any remote controls, control panels, functional mantels, "fire," and shelving.

We found that some fire features looked more realistic than others, and all options on this list include the ability to operate the unit without heat, so you can enjoy the ambiance anytime. Based on all of our testing, here are the best options for a variety of spaces and decor styles.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Costway Freestanding Electric Fireplace

Costway 20-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace on wooden floor in front of green wall

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Heating Performance
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Safety
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • Powerful heat

  • Three viewing windows

  • Several safety features

  • Flames work without heat

What We Don’t Like
  • No remote

  • Very little difference between heat settings

Out of all of the electric fireplaces we've tested, the Costway Freestanding Electric Fireplace Heater continues to be the clear winner. We love that it was easy to set up (we just had to screw on the legs), with no other installation required. Plus, even though it is compact, this space heater provided powerful heat that we felt up to about 5 feet away, almost instantly. Safety features include overheat protection, CSA certification, and a cool-to-the-touch exterior. We also found it to be pretty sturdy, and it didn't tip over easily.

If space is an issue, you won't have to store this heater in the winter. The flame feature works independently from the heat, so you can use the fireplace in the summer for a bit of ambiance, no matter how hot it is outside. The heater has windows on three sides for ample viewing of the fire. And, during testing, we noted that the movement and color of the flames looked pretty realistic.

The fireplace features a simple control panel with a knob to adjust the heat, an on/off switch for the heater, and an on/off switch for the unit (flames only). We didn’t notice much of a difference between the heat settings, and the unit lacks a remote control. But overall, we think this is a relatively affordable option for anyone who wants to add a cozy fireplace to their home with little effort.

Person sitting in front of the Costway 20-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace and checking the temperature in front of their body

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

How It Performed Long-Term

After testing this heater for six months at home, we were reminded why it was chosen as the best overall. In fact, we couldn't think of anything we wanted to improve! Used in a home with kids, we appreciated the simple settings, cool-to-the-touch top, as well as LED light, so we weren't as worried about safety issues.

It provided extra heat to a bedroom and playroom over the winter months and was very quiet (we couldn't hear a thing), so it wasn't disturbing. During warmer months, we found that it was lightweight and easy to store in a garage or closet.

Dimensions: 19.7 x 10 x 23 inches | Weight: 17.5 pounds | Heat Output: 5000 BTUs | Wattage: 1400W | Coverage Area: 400 square heat | Mount Type: Freestanding | Number of Heat Settings: 4 different settings between 62 and 82 degrees | Safety Features: Overheat protection, cool touch exterior, CSA certified

Best Stove

Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove

Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove and remote displayed on the wooden floor

The Spruce / Rachel Marek

Our Ratings
  • Heating Performance
    5/5
  • Design
    5/5
  • Safety
    4/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Versatility
    3/5
What We Like
  • Great warming on all settings

  • Includes a remote

  • Attractive design

  • Realistic flame display works without heat

What We Don’t Like
  • Grill gets hot

  • Instructions could be clearer

We've tested this heater at home, again in the lab during a larger test of space heaters, and back in another real-world setting for over six months, and it has continued to impress us each time. We think it's a great value, as it provides both heat and year-round ambiance while being loaded with great features. Plus, it is stylish and compact, has the look of a wood stove without the hassle of using firewood, and has effective heat settings. The controls are hidden by the door, giving it an even more realistic touch.

Like our best overall option, the Costway Freestanding Electric Fireplace Heater, this fireplace has viewing windows on three sides and can be used without heat, and we felt like the glow looked like a real firebox. Although you can’t change the color of the flames, there are five settings to change the brightness.

Since this is an infrared heater, it heats the people and objects in the room instead of the air. We confirmed this when testing this heater: We didn't record any change in the temperature of the room. However, we did note that the unit did a good job of heating on all settings. The heater also comes with a remote to change those settings, although at first, we found the instructions to be unclear.

This UL-tested heater has several safety features, including overheating protection on the plug and a programmable automatic shutoff timer. Also, while testing, we noticed that the top and the sides of the heater did not get hot (although we felt like the top was too warm to display items). The grill, however, did get quite hot, so you should keep this in mind when considering placement.

How It Performed Long-Term

After over 6 months of testing, we've found no issues in its performance or appearance, even after using the flames pretty consistently every night (about four hours each time), and the heat (2-8 hours each night) during colder temperatures. The timer continues to be a favorite feature, so we didn't worry about leaving it on accidentally.

Also, although we were initially confused by the remote and instructions, we didn't note any issues during long-term use. If we could change anything, it would be great if the flames were a bit more realistic, but we are impressed overall.

Dimensions: 24 x 12.9 x 23.4 inches | Weight: 26.4 pounds | Heat Output: 5200 BTUs | Wattage: 1500W | Coverage Area: 1,000 square feet | Mount Type: Freestanding | Number of Heat Settings: 3 | Safety Features: UL listed

Best with Mantel

Real Flame Silverton Electric Fireplace

Real Flame Silverton 48 in. Electric Fireplace displayed on the wooden floor against green wall

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Heating Performance
    4.5/5
  • Design
    4.8/5
  • Safety
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • Custom-made look

  • Adjustable color and brightness of LED flames

  • Easy-to-operate control panel and remote

  • Functioning mantel

What We Don’t Like
  • Only one fan speed setting

  • Mantel can't support a TV

We love the Real Flame Silverton Electric Fireplace because it looks like a custom-made fireplace, complete with trim molding, and creates a warm focal point in any room. The mantel can support up to 31 pounds, so although it can’t support a TV, it’s perfect for picture frames and other types of decor. This fireplace also stands out for its ability to adjust not only the brightness of the flames but also their color.

Although it’s not the easiest unit in this list to assemble, it took two of us less than an hour, and we found the illustrated directions easy to follow. The only assembly glitch we found was getting the top of the cabinet to fit onto the base, but we fixed that by loosening some screws. Once assembled, we found it easy to use the settings located on the firebox panel as well as on the remote. In fact, we noted that the remote worked up to 25 feet away. And although this fireplace doesn’t have an overheat shutoff feature, you can set a timer so the heater turns off after up to nine hours.

While this fireplace stands out for its authentic look and flame display, when we initially tested it in our lab, we found it to not be the best option to heat your space (although during long-term testing at home, we found it to heat the space effectively). It can be used with or without heat, and although the heat can be felt up to 11 feet away, we didn’t feel it to be as powerful as we’d hoped. However, if you want to add a fireplace to your home without the hassle of installing a chimney and hearth, this is a beautiful option that looks custom-made.

How It Performed Long-Term

We were just as impressed with this fireplace in one of our homes for over six months as we were in the lab. We used it in a bedroom but eventually found the large size to work better in our dining room. Although it isn't exactly portable, we were able to move it in two parts, so it wasn't too heavy. When used in our bedroom, we found the flames to be comforting and used them often, even when we didn't need the heat.

We also found that it did heat our bedroom well (up to 4 feet at first, and the entire room after some time), even though we didn't note a lot of warmth in the lab. We wish there were more heat settings you could program, but other than that, we found it to be an effective heater. We also found it to be not too loud (we could talk over it) when using the heater, although we did note that it makes a beeping sound when you change settings. If you choose just to use it for ambiance (with the heat off), it's perfectly quiet.

Dimensions: 41 x 48 x 13 inches | Weight: 101 pounds | Heat Output: 4700 BTUs | Wattage: 1500W | Coverage Area: 1000 square feet | Mount Type: Freestanding, brackets to attach to wall | Number of Heat Settings: 6 | Safety Features: UL listed

Best with TV Stand

Walker Edison Fireplace TV Stand

Walker Edison Glenwood Highboy Fireplace TV Stand displayed on the wooden floor

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    4/5
  • Heating Performance
    4.3/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Safety
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Glass cabinets and shelves for storage

  • Supports a TV

  • Effective heating

  • Multicolored flames

What We Don’t Like
  • Lacks a remote

  • Longer assembly

If you are looking to add a fireplace but are wondering where to place it, the Walker Edison Fireplace TV Stand is a great space-saving solution. Although it doesn’t have a traditional mantel, it is designed to support a TV (up to 150 pounds) and provides ample storage. The cabinets on either side of the firebox have glass doors, with a long shelf on top. While it did take two of us two and a half hours to complete the setup (with 25 steps!), the finished product seemed durable and well worth the effort.

Aside from being a stylish and practical piece of furniture, this unit features a very effective heater. While testing, we were surprised at how strong the heat felt—we could feel its warmth more than 7 feet away. However, the fireplace has only one heat setting and lacks a remote. Although the controls on the unit are simple to use, we do wish there was a remote so we could change the settings while relaxing and watching TV. We do like the multicolor flames and the fact that you can view them without the heat.

How It Performed Long-Term

We loved this TV stand even more while using it at home in a finished basement for over six months. It helped make this space usable, even during the cold winter months in Iowa. We found the storage space extremely useful and used the different cabinets and shelves to store magazines, candles, speakers, and gaming consoles.

The cabinet doors are easy to open and close, and overall, we haven't noted any changes in their appearance or functionality (it still looks new!). While sitting 4-6 feet from the fireplace on the couch, we've found ourselves using fewer blankets during the winter since the coziness of the heater removed the chill from the room. Although it isn't completely quiet, the sound of the heater isn't distracting, and we were able to watch TV without any issues.

Dimensions: 58 x 16 x 32 inches | Weight: 120 pounds | Heat Output: 4600 BTUs | Wattage: Not listed | Coverage Area: 400 square feet | Mount Type: Freestanding | Number of Heat Settings: 1 | Safety Features: CSA certified

Best Splurge

Real Flame Callaway Grand Electric Fireplace

Real Flame Callaway Grand Electric Fireplace displayed on wooden floor beside plant

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Heating Performance
    3.5/5
  • Design
    4.8/5
  • Safety
    5/5
  • Value
    4/5
What We Like
  • Classic fireplace look with mantel

  • Adjustable thermostat

  • Remote included

  • Flame brightness is adjustable

What We Don’t Like
  • Didn't notice much of a difference between settings

  • No overheat protection

In our opinion, the Callaway Grand Electric Fireplace is well worth the splurge if you are looking to add a classic fireplace and mantel to your living space without having to worry about a chimney. Our first impression when testing this unit was that it was a beautiful piece of furniture. It’s more of an investment in money and space than a small electric stove, but your family could gather around the “fire” and decorate the mantel and space above it for years to come. We also like that it is available in white or chestnut oak to match your decor. The mantel doesn't support a TV, but it can support up to 30 pounds of decor.

It took two of us around an hour and a half to assemble the fireplace, but this seems reasonable, given it is a sturdy and heavy piece of furniture. We found the instructions to be clear and easy to follow: All of the cabinet pieces were labeled with a number, and the instructions showed the part number in the graphics. After assembly, you simply have to plug the fireplace in. However, make sure wherever you set it up is close to an outlet. 

This is an infrared fireplace, so it heats up the objects and people in the room—not the air. When we tested the heating performance, we felt warm above the level of the heat box up to 3.5 feet away but most powerfully at 3 feet away. Although there are six settings ranging from 72-99 degrees, we didn’t notice much of a difference between them.

We like that this fireplace comes with a remote to control all the settings, with no control panel on the unit to take away from the authentic look. Safety features include CSA certification, but the unit does lack tip-over shutoff or overheat protection. However, this is a sturdy piece of furniture that should not tip over easily, and it comes with a wall anchor kit to secure it. It also features a timer so you can program it to shut off after a period of time.

Dimensions: 63 x 17.24 x 48 | Weight: 200 pounds | Heat Output: Not listed | Wattage: 1500W | Coverage Area: 1000 square feet | Mount Type: Freestanding with anchor kit | Number of Heat Settings: 6 | Safety Features: CSA certified

Best Faux Stone

Hearthstone Home 36-Inch Electric Fireplace With Mantel

Hearthstone Home 36-Inch Electric Fireplace With Mantel

Walmart

Our Ratings
  • Setup
    5/5
  • Heating Performance
    3.5/5
  • Design
    4.5/5
  • Safety
    4/5
  • Value
    2.9/5
What We Like
  • Rustic, stone look

  • Almost no assembly required

  • Remote included

What We Don’t Like
  • Best for heating small spaces

If you want to add a rustic, stone fireplace to your home, almost instantly, we recommend the Hearthstone Home 36-Inch Electric Fireplace. During testing, we were pleasantly surprised at how easy this was to assemble, given its size. It took us only about 15 minutes to get it going, from the time we slipped it out of the box, removed the plastic, and screwed in a bracket on one side of the heat box.

We like that you can adjust the brightness of the flames (four settings) and that it has a programmable timer (up to 9 hours). Plus, it has a wood mantel that is perfect for displaying seasonal decor or other small items. It comes with a remote and is CSA-certified. This unit doesn’t offer automatic tip-over shutoff, but since it’s so sturdy, we think it would be hard to knock over.

We don’t recommend this fireplace if you are looking for a powerful heater for a large room—farther than 3 feet away, we felt no heat. But if you love the look of a traditional stone fireplace and want to enjoy the ambiance of the flames year-round, this is a great choice.

Dimensions: 36 x 34 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 72.6 pounds | Heat Output: 3400 BTUs | Wattage: 1000W | Coverage Area: 1000 square feet | Mount Type: Freestanding | 

Number of Heat Settings: | Safety Features: CSA certified

Best Wall-Mounted

Zipcode Design Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace

Zipcode Design Lauderhill Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace

Way Fair

What We Like
  • Sleek and modern design

  • Powerful heater

  • Great safety features

  • Cool-touch exterior

What We Don’t Like
  • Doesn’t produce multicolor flames

If you lack floor space, this wall-mounted electric fireplace has a sleek look and space-saving functionality. It's adjustable, flickering LED flames create a realistic look. This unit is equipped with a powerful 5,118-BTU heater and is best suited for rooms up to 400 square feet (about the size of a two-car garage). It offers some great safety features, including a timer, safety stop, and thermal overload protection. For added convenience, it also includes a remote control.

Although this is the only electric fireplace we have not tested in our lab, based on our research, we think it's easy to install and looks great. We also like that it is available in four styles: White Frame, Black Frame, Mirror Glass Panel, and Stainless Steel. You can activate the flames without turning on the heater when you only want to add ambiance.

The one major drawback is although you can adjust the brightness, this fireplace doesn’t produce multicolor flames (although most products in this list don’t). But it’s a great option if you like a modern aesthetic and want to utilize wall space.

Dimensions: 50.38 X 5.38 x 21.63 inches | Weight: 46 pounds | Heat Output: 5118 BTUs | Wattage: 1500 | Coverage Area: 400 square feet | Mount Type: Wall-Mounted | Number of Heat Settings: 2 | Safety Features: Automatic safety shut off, Thermal Overload Protection, ETL listed

Compare

Setup Heating Performance Design Safety Value
Costway 20-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace on wooden floor in front of green wall
Best Overall:
Costway Freestanding Electric Fireplace
5 5 5 5 5
Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove and remote displayed on the wooden floor
Best Stove:
Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove
5 5 4 5
Real Flame Silverton 48 in. Electric Fireplace displayed on the wooden floor against green wall
Best with Mantel:
Real Flame Silverton Electric Fireplace
5 4.5 4.8 5 5
Walker Edison Glenwood Highboy Fireplace TV Stand displayed on the wooden floor
Best with TV Stand:
Walker Edison Fireplace TV Stand
4 4.3 4.5 5 4.5
Real Flame Callaway Grand Electric Fireplace displayed on wooden floor beside plant
Best Splurge:
Real Flame Callaway Grand Electric Fireplace
5 3.5 4.8 5 4
Hearthstone Home 36-Inch Electric Fireplace With Mantel
Best Faux Stone:
Hearthstone Home 36-Inch Electric Fireplace With Mantel
5 3.5 4.5 4 2.9
Zipcode Design Lauderhill Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace
Best Wall-Mounted:
Zipcode Design Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace
Final Verdict

After testing 23 electric fireplace heaters in our lab, our best overall pick is the Costway 20-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace. It provides enough heat for small- to medium-sized rooms and has realistic flames, as well as three windows, so more people in the room can enjoy the ambiance. It continues to stand out above the rest, even after months of testing. We also love the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove, our best stove pick, and one of our favorite heaters we've ever tested. It has many of the same features as our best overall, as well as a remote.

Person assembling the Walker Edison Fireplace TV Stand

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

How We Tested the Electric Fireplace Heaters

We tested 23 electric fireplace heaters in our lab and continue testing the top-performing options at home for six months or more. Each heater was evaluated on assembly, safety, design, heating performance, and value.

  • Assembly: First, to evaluate the ease of assembly, we put together each unit according to the manufacturer's instructions, timing the assembly process from start to finish. We also noted if it took one or two people to put the fireplace together.
  • Safety: We noted any safety features, including a cool-touch exterior, overheat protection, and automatic shutoff, as well as any listed certifications. After fully assembling each product, we intentionally bumped into each heater to assess how sturdy it was or if it would tip over easily.
  • Design: We then looked at the design of the fireplace, including the user-friendliness of the control panel and remote (if included). Since the focal point of a fireplace is the fire, we noted how real the flames looked and if the unit had any special settings, such as whether we could change the brightness and color and operate it without producing heat.
  • Heating performance: Aside from ambiance, electric fireplace heaters should add supplemental heating to your space, so we also evaluated each unit on its heating performance. With an IR thermometer, we recorded the temperatures of the room, the tester, the grill, the glass, and other surfaces of the fireplace after different time intervals. We ran through each heating setting and noted if there was a difference in temperature between them. We then used a decibel meter to measure the fireplace's noise output at its highest setting to determine if they operated quietly or were noisy and distracted from the ambiance.
  • Value: Last, we evaluated the value of each unit, considering the price, features, and design.
  • Long-term testing: We continued testing the winners of this test for up to six months in our own homes and updated this story with those results. We keep testing new models and updating this list with high-performing units that are in stock.
Testing the Best Electric Fireplaces for Design and Ease of Use

What to Look for in an Electric Fireplace Heater

Heating Capacity

While electric fireplace heaters shouldn’t be your primary source of heat, they can provide an impressive amount of supplementary heat in your home. If you want to use your fireplace heater to warm part of your house, consider its recommended heating capacity. Most units clearly state what size room they’re designed to be placed in, or the heat output. This is usually measured in BTUs per hour, or watts (one watt being equivalent to 3.41 BTUs per hour). For example, our best overall pick, the Costway 20-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace, has a 5000 BTU heat output and can heat up to 400 square feet.

Hand taking a temperature reading in front of the Hearthstone Home 36-Inch Electric Fireplace With Mantel

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Style

Fireplace heaters come in a wide variety of styles, from sleek, modern, wall-mounted units to rustic, wood stove-inspired models. As you shop, consider your decor and how the heater may fit into the room. For instance, our best splurge option, the Real Flame Callaway Grand Electric Fireplace, is designed to look like a real fireplace and has a functional mantel for decorating. The Walker Edison Glenwood Highboy Fireplace TV Stand, our best TV stand pick, can support a TV and has ample room for storage.

Safety Features

Electric heaters are a common cause of house fires, which is why it’s important to find a product that has built-in safety features. Look for a model that automatically shuts off if it overheats. If you have young children or pets, you may want a product that stays cool to the touch. Also, be sure to look for labels indicating that the unit has been tested by recognized agencies such as UL, ETL, or CSA. Never use an extension cord with an electric heater—choose a model with a long power cord if proximity to an outlet is an issue.

FAQ
  • How much electricity do electric fireplace heaters use?

    If you know how many watts the heater draws per hour, you can determine how much it costs to run it. Electric fireplace heaters generally use 1,000 to 1,500 watts per hour, but some models might also be equipped with a low, 750-watt setting. Multiply the wattage per hour by how many hours each day you plan to operate your electric fireplace heater. Then, multiply this number by 30, then by 1,000. This gives you the total kilowatt-hours of energy the heater uses in a month. On your utility bill, check the cost per kilowatt-hour to estimate the cost of using the electric fireplace heater.

  • Do electric fireplaces need a vent?

    No, electric fireplace heaters do not require vents. These heaters are not burning any type of fuel, so there is no exhaust needing to be vented.

  • How big a room does an electric fireplace heat?

    Most electric fireplace heaters with 1,000-watt heaters can warm rooms up to about 400 square feet (about the size of a two-car garage). Electric fireplaces with more powerful 1,500-watt heaters may be able to warm rooms up to 1,000 square feet in size (two and a half two-car garages).

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jenica Currie is an editor for The Spruce, specializing in outdoor, home improvement, garden, and gift guide topics since 2020. She has tested products at home and in the lab, including combination fan heaters, outdoor solar lights, garden hoses, and snow shovels. She researched dozens of top-rated electric fireplace heaters and used our test results to compile this list. Currie also updated this article with long-term test insights after testing several of the products in our homes after six months.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Current List of NRTLs.