Best Electric Fireplaces

Pros

• +Recessed (2×6 wall) or wall-mounted — the thin housing works either way
• +750 / 1,500W fan-forced heater with thermostat and timer; flame runs without heat
• +Adjustable flame color, ember-bed color, brightness, and speed; log and crystal media included

Cons

• −Heater is 1,500W like every plug-in — supplemental warmth for ~400 sq ft, not a furnace
• −Flame realism is good, not Dimplex-level; it reads as LED up close

Pros

• +Best flame realism in the linear class — layered, natural motion, multiple flame and ember colors
• +Solid build: substantial glass, clean bezel, quality media (crystals and logs)
• +Recessed into a 2×6 wall or wall-mounted; heat vents from the top so it can sit under a TV with proper clearance

Cons

• −Roughly twice the price of comparable budget units for the same heat output
• −1,500W — supplemental heat for ~400 sq ft

Pros

• +Traditional log-set look that suits an existing masonry fireplace far better than a linear unit
• +750 / 1,500W heater with digital thermostat and timer; flame runs without heat
• +Crackling fire sound (switchable), three flame brightness levels, remote control

Cons

• −Requires a firebox at least ~34 in wide and ~26 in tall — measure twice
• −1,500W — supplemental heat for ~400 sq ft

Pros

• +Alexa and Google Home compatible via the Westinghouse app — no other fireplace here can be voice-controlled or scheduled from a phone
• +144 flame-and-ember color combinations with 5 brightness levels and 5 flame speeds — the most customizable effect in this guide
• +Installs recessed (5.56 in back depth fits most 2×6-plus cavities) or surface wall-mounted

Cons

• −New to the category — no multi-year track record like Touchstone's
• −The most expensive electric fireplace we carry, well above the R.W.FLAME and PuraFlame

Pros

• +One piece of furniture: TV console for screens up to 70 in, storage, and a fireplace
• +Replaceable 23-in electric fireplace insert with flame-only and flame-plus-heat modes
• +Heats roughly 400 sq ft of supplemental space; flame runs year-round

Cons

• −Laminated particleboard — sturdy enough, but not hardwood; assembly takes an afternoon
• −Flame effect is basic compared with the dedicated linear units

Pros

• +Slides directly into an existing fireplace opening — no recessing, framing, or wall-mount hardware needed
• +By far the least expensive fireplace in this guide
• +Infrared quartz heating element rated for up to 1,000 sq ft of supplemental warmth

Cons

• −Flame effect is a traditional glowing log-and-ember look, not the layered 3D or color-changing effects of the pricier linear fireplaces
• −Needs an existing fireplace opening to slide into — it isn't a standalone unit like the rest of this category