Top 10 Best Electric Fireplaces of 2021 – Reviews
Advertisement
Electric fireplaces are great appliances that mimic the look of a conventional fireplace but without the inconveniences often associated with wood-burning fireplaces. They can be placed anywhere in the home and don’t require a chimney to be built in order for them to be used. And they come in a number of different styles which can accommodate just about anyone’s décor.
As great as these inventions are, however, it can be somewhat difficult for the average person to figure out which one is right for them. There’s a myriad of different styles available by a number of different manufacturers and all of them claim to be the best. This prompted us to cut to the core of the problem and list our top ten favorite electric fireplaces that are suitable for any home.
Table of Contents
Best Electric Fireplaces, Reviews
#10 Moda Flame Houston 50-Inch
Providing the warm ambiance of a flame, without the problems of having one, this 50-inch unit is a great addition to just about any home. This product weighs approximately 50-pounds and is 50.4-inches wide, 21.65-inches high and has a depth of about 5.5-inches. It can easily be mounted on the wall and doesn’t require the use of a vent to operate effectively.
However, it does need a minimum clearance of 3-feet if it’s mounted underneath televisions or other sensitive electrical equipment. This unit is very easy to operate and comes with all of the mounting hardware needed to properly install it.
#9 Southern Enterprises Narita Media Fireplace
Although this fireplace does require assembly by the consumer, once it’s been correctly assembled it’s easy to use and maintain. It’s made with a particle board that’s covered in a pine veneer and has 4mm thick tempered glass. It’s a 1,500-watt and just plugs into a standard outlet. This product is basically a large electric space heater, so it’s effective for warming an area up to 400 square feet in size.
This unit includes a remote control that can be used to adjust the unit’s thermostat and adjust the life-like flames. This unit also has attached media shelves, cabinets, and adjustable shelves. It also has a top that easily accommodates a television as well.
#8 Duraflame Infrared Quartz Fireplace
This 5,200 BTU has the look of a traditional wood burning stove and is capable of heating an area up to 1,000 square feet in size. It has a 3D flame effect that makes it look like flames are dancing behind logs, and these flame’s color, brightness, and speed can easily be adjusted by the user. Since this product uses infrared heat, it helps to maintain the natural humidity in the room.
This electric fireplace stove is equipped with a digital thermometer and is equipped with overheat protection so if it overheats it will shut itself off. Taking everything into consideration, this high-quality fireplace is ready to warm up any room’s decor.
#7 R.W. Flame 50-Inch Fireplace With Remote
Capable of being installed in one of three ways and equipped with a convenient remote control, it’s easy to see why some people really enjoy this electric fireplace. This product can be installed recessed into a wall, mounted on the wall, or left as a free standing unit and it will still do a beautiful job of providing the homeowner with realistic flame effects and heat.
This unit is equipped with 12 different LED flame modes and 12 different LED flame bed modes, so the user can set their flame effects according to their mood or their decor. Using its remote control, homeowners can easily adjust its brightness, flame speed, timer, and sleep mode, too.
#6 SEI Souther Enterprises Sicilian Harvest Ivory
This quality electric model fireplace is designed to mimic the look of a traditional wood-burning model, and it does it quite well. This product weighs approximately 100 pounds and is a free-standing fireplace that’s 44.75-inches wide, 40.25-inches high and 14-inches deep. The mantle of this product can easily hold a flat panel TV that’s up to 42.75-inches wide.
On the front of the unit, it also has a protective glass that remains cool to the touch, so the household can enjoy it safely. The best features found on this fireplace, however, is that it’s capable of heating a 400-square foot room and produces a lifelike electric flame.
#5 Real Flame Crawford 1,400-Watt
This nice-looking fireplace is made of a combination of solid wood and veneered MDF that gives it the look of a classic fireplace. Adding to the appeal of this unit is its fluted columns and classic trim that gives it a very realist look. It also has a nice looking mantel and has an electric firebox that comes with remote control.
This fireplace comes with an anti-topple device to increase its safety factor, and it’s rated as a 1,400-Watt heater. This unit can produce over 4,700 BTUs per hour, so it’s not only an attractive focal point but can also be used as a secondary source of heat for the home.
#4 Southern Enterprises Cartwright Convertible Fireplace
Designed to look like it’s made out of solid oak, this quality electric fireplace has a Mission Oak finish and is equipped with Earth-tone tiles. It’s a free-standing unit that weighs approximately 116.5-pounds and measures 45.5-inches by 42.25-inches by 15.5-inches. Although it doesn’t come fully assembled, and the homeowner has to assemble it themselves, it’s still and easy-to-setup product.
The best thing about this fireplace, however, is that it’s a 1,500-Watt heater that operates on 120-Volts. On the front of it is a protective glass that remains cool and it also comes with remote control. All of which allow it to be a nice addition to just about any room.
#3 Touchstone Sideline Recessed Fireplace
Designed to be installed into a wall, this fireplace closely approximates what a traditional fireplace does, except it’s a convenient electric model. This 50-inch model comes with a faux fire log and glass crystals that give the electric flame effects an added realism that’s missed by many other units. These flames can be set to one of three color changing options and can be set through remote control.
Users can choose between orange, blue and blue-orange flames and the fireplace has two heat-settings. Other features include 5 different flame settings, and the unit operates at 1,500-watts. It’s a nice addition to any home.
#2 Valuxhome Luxey 42-Inch Wall Mounted
This 42-inch electric fireplace is designed to be inserted into a wall to give the room a nice focal point of interest. This product produces 3-different flame colors for the faux log and crystals, and each of them can be controlled separately. This unit also has a touch screen control panel, two separate heat settings and is capable of heating a 400 square foot room.
Other features found on this interesting and nice looking unit is an overheat protection switch, a timer that can be set for anywhere between 1 and 9-hours, and it can be mounted under a flat screen television—as long as it’s mounted according to directions.
#1 PuraFlame Alice 68-Inch Recessed Fireplace
This large 68-inch recessed electric fireplace can be easily mounted into a 6-inch wall and once mounted is completely flush against the wall. This product can be wired using either a plug-in electrical connection or hard-wired into the home’s wiring system.
Once installed, this fireplace produces realistic flame effects that will just blow people away with their beauty. It has a total of four different flame settings, so users can set according to their mood. This unit can heat up a 400 square-foot room quite easily and has a countdown timer that can be set anywhere from 30-minutes to 9-hours.
Electric Fireplace Buying Guide
Electric fireplaces come in a variety of different styles and with a number of different features. Since every person has different needs, it is therefore important for people to know a few things about electric fireplaces before they begin purchasing one. This guide is designed to give you the information you need to purchase an electric fireplace that’s right for you. Before we begin, however, it might be prudent to list some of the benefits of using one of these fireplaces for your home.
Benefits of an Electric Fireplace
Safer to Use: A key benefit of an electric fireplace is that it’s traditionally safer than a wood burning one. These models also don’t produce sparks, which could cause combustible furniture to catch on fire, and they don’t produce carbon monoxide like wood burning models often do.
Use Less Energy: Depending on the cost of electricity in your area, electric fireplaces can be cheaper to use and maintain than other types of heating systems.
Are Easy to Maintain: These fireplaces are also easier to maintain. Unlike a wood-burning fireplace, they don’t require special logs to reduce soot or regular visits from a chimney sweep to remain effective and safe.
They Look Nice: These fireplaces add an instant level of appeal to just about any home and often becomes the main focal point of a room.
Plug-In & Hardwired Fireplaces
Generally speaking, electric fireplaces come in either one of two different styles; They are either plugged in or are hardwired. Plug-in models are plugged into a normal household outlet, so they typically operate off of a 120-Volt current.
Hardwired models, however, usually take advantage of the 240-Volt current available in the household. Although neither one can be rated as being better than the other, the one that you choose is going to be dependent on your needs and how you expect the unit to be used. Below are some of the pros and cons of each type below:
Plug-In Models:
Pros:
- Usually less expensive than hardwired models
- Is easy to set up and use
- Is easy to take with you when you move
Cons:
- Doesn’t produce as much heat as hardwired models
- Some units may end up tripping household breakers or blowing fuses
Hardwired Models:
Pros:
- They produce more heat
- They are highly reliable
- They can add value to the home
Cons:
- May need to be professionally installed
- Is hard to move if the homeowner decides to move
- Costs more than plug-in units
Forced Fan or Quartz
Another important consideration is whether the fireplace is a forced fan unit or an infrared quartz unit. Infrared models are generally suited for heating anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 square feet, according to the size of the unit. Forced fan fireplaces, however, are for smaller-sized units, and as a result generally are best for heating areas anywhere from 200 to 400 square feet.
When choosing between these two models, it’s also a good idea to consider how your home is built. If the room in which its installed as a high ceiling, then an infrared model may be the better choice because it produces a more direct heat.
How It’s Installed
Every fireplace sold has its own particular way of being installed. Some units are portable and as such, don’t need to be installed. Other units have to be installed in a wall deep enough to accommodate them and others, have to be installed using brackets. It’s extremely important to choose a fireplace that mounts in the way that you need it to mount, so it’s immediately able to be used when you take it home.
Surface Area
The final thing that needs to be considered is how well the prospective electric fireplace will heat the home. The manufacturer of the fireplace tells buyers what to expect from the fireplace. Most of the fireplaces sold today can heat anywhere from 200 to 1,500 square feet, so this is probably one of the more important considerations.
This is especially true since the price of the unit is usually dependent on how well the unit heats. As the size of the unit goes up, so does the price. That’s why it’s important to only choose the size that’s needed by the home.
