WHY We Chose It:
- Realistic flames and modern style.
- Beautiful flush mounting.
- Excellent value & customer satisfaction.
Technical Specifications:
- Sizes from 28″ – 100″.
- Heats up to 400 square feet.
- 2 heat settings or no heat.
- 120V power (plug or hardwire).
At A Glance: Top 5 Electric Fireplaces
- Top Pick: Touchstone Sideline
- Most Realistic: MagikFlame Artemis
- Runner Up: Regal Flame Fusion
- Best Insert: PuraFlame Western
- Budget Pick: Touchstone Onyx
Updated November 1, 2023.
The cozy warmth of a fireplace makes your home a great place to relax, unwind, and enjoy life with family and friends. But what if you don’t have a chimney? And who wants to stack firewood these days?
Electric fireplaces are an attractive alternative. With the push of a button an electric fireplace brings heat and comfort to your home without the need for real fire, ashes, or smoke. Talk about easy!
Looking for the most realistic electric fireplace? Or perhaps something with a modern and contemporary style?
In any case, let’s make sure you’re informed when you make your purchase by running through our electric fireplace reviews. You’ll be on your way to choosing the perfect electric fireplace for your home in no time!
Quick Navigation
- Best Electric Fireplaces of 2021
- Best Overall Electric Fireplace: Touchstone Sideline
- Most Realistic Electric Fireplace: MagikFlame Artemis
- Best Wall Mount & Recessed Electric Fireplace: Regal Flame Fusion 50 Inch Built-in
- Best Electric Fireplace Insert: PuraFlame 30” Western
- Best Budget Electric Fireplace: Touchstone 50″ Onyx
- High End Modern Electric Fireplace: Dimplex Prism Wall Mount Linear
- Modern Flames Landscape FullView Series Electric Fireplace
- The Amantii Wall Mount / Flush Mount Series Electric Fireplace
- ClassicFlame 26” Infrared Quartz Fireplace Insert
- Regal Flame Ashford 50 Inch Black Ventless Heater Electric Fireplace
- 3G Plus 50” Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace
- How to Choose The Right Electric Fireplace for Your Home
- Conclusions
Best Electric Fireplaces of 2021
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
Top PickTop Pick | Touchstone Sideline |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
Most RealisticMost Realistic | MagikFlame Artemis |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
Runner UpRunner Up | Regal Flame Fusion |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
Best InsertBest Insert | PuraFlame Western |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
Budget PickBudget Pick | Touchstone Onyx |
| CHECK LATEST PRICE → |
See Also:
| best electric smokers | best fire pits | best garage heaters |
| best indoor grills | best patio heaters | best energy efficient space heaters |
Best Overall Electric Fireplace: Touchstone Sideline
Our choice for today’s #1 electric fireplace overall is the Touchstone Sideline. With a room coverage of 400 feet, it provides ample electric heat, while the faux logs and realistic fire give the authentic feel of a real fireplace without the inconvenience. Available in a range of sizes, there’s a model for nearly every living space. Plus, the recessed design makes it less obtrusive than other indoor electric fireplaces. Touchstone‘s Sideline Electric Fireplaces provide all the comfort and visual appeal of a real fireplace, while keeping it easy.
These fireplaces really shine in terms of aesthetics. The flames produced look authentic and give a real sense of being in front of a traditional wood fireplace. The crisp visual details make viewing easy and enjoyable whether you’re seated up close or enjoying it from afar. The user can alternate between blue, orange, or a combination of blue-orange flames, further adding to the fireplace’s sense of realism.
The dual setting allows you to turn off the heating element when looks are all you need. This means the Touchstone Sideline can be enjoyed year-round.
Downsides are minor but worth mentioning. Batteries for the remote control are not included with the set, which would have been a nice addition. Secondly, an intermediate third setting would have been nice as having only two can be somewhat limiting. Ultimately, these gripes are minimal and don’t detract significantly from all that this electric fireplace offers, making it well worth the cost.
Most Realistic Electric Fireplace: MagikFlame Artemis
Magikflame electric fireplaces shine in terms of luxury aesthetics and technology. The flames deliver a crisp visual of various types of fires – not just a single flame. This can set the tone for any evening, whether you’re relaxing from a hard day of work or entertaining during a holiday or seasonal party. The Artemis is one of their most notable fireplaces, and for good reason.
Operate the white electric fireplace with your iPhone from any room for the utmost convenience. Simplify your experience with bluetooth technology to change the flame appearance or adjust the crackling log sounds for the ideal audible experience and volume level. The tech is constantly updating and so the fireplace always stays cutting-edge. There is no additional cost for upgrades for the life of the unit.
Welcome to the luxury end of electric fireplaces that has also been featured in Hearth & Home as an innovative product in the specialty retail electric fireplace category. To better understand the impact on your utility bill for a MagikFlame®, try this electric fireplace cost calculator.
Best Wall Mount & Recessed Electric Fireplace: Regal Flame Fusion 50 Inch Built-in
If you are looking for a realistic and innovative electric wall fireplace, then the Regal Flame Fusion 50 Inch is an easy choice for you. These electric fireplaces include a powerful fan-forced heater and warm rooms up to 400 square feet. They’re an easy choice for condos, apartments, homes or offices, or even restaurants and hotels.
The Fusion’s electric heat output can be set to high, low, or no heat. It’s a decidedly affordable option that includes all the hardware needed for wall mounting. The installation is crafted to be exceedingly easy and hassle-free.
The Fusion offers a stylish design with realistic flames and innovative glowing pebbles. It was also designed with efficiency in mind, keeping electric usage low.
Note that this model requires a dedicated electric circuit at a 13 amp minimum. If your house can meet these requirements, then this can be the best electric model for you. It’s composed of high-quality components and it is both cost-effective and efficient. If this sounds up your alley, you can also check out our guide on the best wall and recessed mount electric fireplaces.
Best Electric Fireplace Insert: PuraFlame 30” Western
The PuraFlame 30” Western Electric Fireplace Insert is designed to fit into a previously existing fireplace hearth, and it is capable of heating areas up to 400 square feet. These are efficient electric fireplaces that use 100% energy-saving LED technology.
These built-in electric fireplaces include a remote control, an adjustable thermostat, and three flame settings that vary in intensity and brightness. The burning logs in this design are realistic and entrancing, and a glowing ember accents the vivacious flames. The electric fire effects are of reasonably good quality and provide comfortable, warm air with a more old-school feel.
The unit of these electric fireplaces can get extremely hot to the touch when in use, so be cautious. Nevertheless, the workmanship is detailed and the materials are of reasonable quality. It’s quite convenient as well – simply plug it into a 120V outlet and turn it on, the machine is ready to go.
Best Budget Electric Fireplace: Touchstone 50″ Onyx
The Touchstone 50″ Onyx is the best choice when your family is on a budget, and it actually comes in a range of sizes if you’re looking for a small electric fireplace. Its lifelike electric flames can be set either in a pile of faux logs or a crystal hearth. The Onyx can heat rooms up to 400 square feet and it provides two heat settings, high and low.
Choose one of five fire brightness settings ranging from a dull glowing ember to a full blazing fire. A dual-mode feature also allows the cheap electric fireplace to operate with or without heat. There’s even a built-in timer for auto-shutoff that ranges from thirty minutes to 7.5 hours. It’s also lightweight, making for easy installation with simple step-by-step instructions. All mounting equipment is included and as well as a remote control.
The LED technology requires minimal energy so don’t worry about your electric bill too much. One inconvenience is that there are only two heat settings to choose from. However, this minor limitation is nothing compared to many of the best features these wall mount electric fireplaces have to offer.
High End Modern Electric Fireplace: Dimplex Prism Wall Mount Linear
If you want something that really takes advantage of all the features that large electric fireplaces can bring to the table, you should take a look at the Dimplex Prism. It’s an excellent example of what electric fireplaces can do with no holds barred.
The faux-flames look among the best, as do the acrylic rocks. One of the best features is the ability to change the color of the electric flames. The Prism isn’t trying to emulate a traditional fireplace strictly, and it’s nice to see a product that’s not afraid to push the boundaries.
One potential issue with this unit is that it doesn’t heat up quite as much space as it claims. It certainly puts off some heat, and it heats small rooms well. If you’re reasonable about how much heat you expect and focus more on the aesthetics, you’ll certainly be happy with what you’ve bought.
More from Dimplex
Interested in Dimplex, but perhaps this is not the fireplace for you? Check out our in-depth Dimplex electric fireplace reviews.
Modern Flames Landscape FullView Series Electric Fireplace
The Modern Flames Landscape FullView Series Electric Fireplace has some interesting features worth considering. Unlike their CLX Series, the landscape series is built-in. This product has the option of hanging it from a wall like you would a TV, making for an easy installation.
The FullView Series is designed with a touch screen control panel and includes a remote. The electric heater runs at 5,000 BTUs and can warm a room up to roughly 500 square feet. Optional dual electric heating elements on each side of the machine make it possible to warm areas up to 950 square feet. Still, the machine maintains a cool-to-the-touch surface temperature.
The realistic flame can be accented with add-ons, such as coal embers, crystal embers, and driftwood logs, all of which are sold separately. The frame-less construction is quite aesthetically pleasing. Also included is an LED light path that allows for more control over the ambiance. The 80″ wide model is on the more expensive end, but the quality is absolutely undeniable. The Modern Flames FullView Series Electric Fireplace is an excellent choice to consider if you are not too concerned about price.
The Amantii Wall Mount / Flush Mount Series Electric Fireplace
The Amantii Wall Mount / Flush Mount Series is a high-quality electric heating system that provides its owners with impressive display options. The realism of the flame is astounding and it can be set to any one of the following vibrant colors: orange, yellow, violet, purple, and blue. This heater runs at 5,000 BTU’s and can warm up a 500 square foot room.
Amantii’s electric fireplace provides 13 back-lighting choices. Each fireplace comes with a remote control, and all features can operate independently from one another. It is available in a wide selection of sizes and includes both an ember log set and an ember media kit.
If you’re looking for a modern stylish look, the Amantii Wall Mount/ Flush Mount Series Electric Fireplace with Ember Media Kit is worth considering. This model of electric fireplace delivers great quality all around with a variety of settings and sleek, modern aesthetics throughout.
ClassicFlame 26” Infrared Quartz Fireplace Insert
The ClassicFlame 26” Infrared Quartz Fireplace Insert delivers 5,200 BTU’s of power making is possible to warm a space of up to 1,000 square feet. This rustic electronic fireplace insert uses infrared heat to warm the air and is designed to fit into the slot of an existing fireplace. It is important to get exact measurements of your fireplace if you plan on pursuing that route.
The infrared technology warms the air without drying out all of the moisture and still produces a comforting warmth that anyone can appreciate. The front display is flat and is made with tempered glass. Spectrafire Plus allows the user to switch between fire display settings with ease. There are five flame speed settings, five brightness settings, and five flame effect color settings, allowing the user a huge amount of flexibility when controlling the ambiance. ClassicFlame’s Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Insert includes a remote with AAA batteries.
The interior brick-like construction adds to the feel of the infrared quartz fireplace. There are no vents or hookups to worry about. This model is also compatible with TV stands that have insert capacity and flush mount trim kits. ClassicFlame sell their own mantels as well; offering some of the best matching opportunities. ClassicFlame provides a one year limited warranty and estimates that the LED lifespan of the device is 100,000 hours. All in all, the ClassicFlame 26” Infrared Quartz Fireplace Insert is an option to explore when also considering a tight budget. It has huge heat output capabilities and the overall quality is pretty trustworthy.
Check Out The Duraflame Alternatives
While the ClassicFlame Infrared Quartz is loved by many, maybe it’s not quite right for you? That’s perfectly fine, and if so we’d recommend you check out our page on Duraflame electric fireplace reviews. They also have an infrared quartz model that many people are quite satisfied with, and the pricing can be quite reasonable.
Regal Flame Ashford 50 Inch Black Ventless Heater Electric Fireplace
The Regal Flame Ashford is an affordable, modern-looking black electric fireplace that is crafted with a sleek style and puts out plenty of heat. Installation is an exceptionally easy process, too. This model includes a remote control and all of the components required for mounting.
Three heat settings are offered: high, low, and no heat. This model was made with exceptional quality and can comfortably heat a room up to 400 square feet, making it a good choice for an office or a home. This is an efficient electric fireplace, consuming only 2.5 watts of electricity per hour. It also includes an automatic shut-off timer with options from thirty minutes to 7.5 hours.
One drawback of this model is that the vents are placed at the top. If you are planning on mounting it under a television, you will need a minimum of a 36-inch clearance between the two. Another downside is that it doesn’t offer a traditional appearance. It has hand-painted LED logs, but some people feel they lack in realism and decide to replace them with glass chunks instead.
3G Plus 50” Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace
The 3G Plus 50” runs at 5,100 BTU’s and comes with the three following color settings: red, blue, and both.
This electric fireplace is capable of warming an area of up to a 400 sq. feet. The black tempered glass front panel has an elegant appeal to it and the flame graphics have their own curious draw, although they could be a little better. The realism of the 3D flame technology isn’t up to par with similar devices in the same price range. The product does however, come with a single bag of crystalline stone electric fireplace decorations and a single bag of glass that can be placed inside the machine for extra variation of effects.
For the price, it is a little disappointing there aren’t more customization options. All the features can conveniently be accessed with the provided remote. The depth measurement is 5.51 inches, making this electric fireplace relatively thin. With safety in mind, the electric heater was built with a cut-off mechanism to prevent the device from overheating. The heating vent is located on the top of the unit and there is ventilation located on the back. One drawback is that the ventilation arrangement makes it a little more complicated to install if the intent is to flush mount this heating system.
How to Choose The Right Electric Fireplace for Your Home
An electric fireplace can help give your home a sense of luxury. The main points to keep in mind when deciding on the best-suited electric fireplace for your home are the design, size, construction, electricity requirements, style, heat output, and the warranty.
Design
There are six varieties available when it comes to the design. We’ll walk you through them all here.
Wall and Recessed Mounts
Wall mounted electric fireplace designs are often among the best electric models, which in many cases can also be installed as a recessed mount. They generally tend to only protrude 6 to 10 inches into a room, unless they are recessed into the wall. At it’s most basic, this style of electric fireplace simply attaches to a mounting bracket. Installing this design as a wall mount is generally very simple and can be done on your own. If you prefer the look of a recessed mount (which is understandable), you may need to enlist the help of a professional.
TV Stands
Another very popular style among best electric models is the TV stand. These designs function not only as electric fireplaces, but also as a place where you can put your TV, electronics, and other items in your living room. They can essentially add useful shelving space in addition to the warmth and ambience that electric fireplaces have to offer. They can look quite nice too. Read more about our choices for the top electric fireplace TV stands if this sounds like the right style for you.
Corner Units
Corner units are similar to TV stands in that they are functional pieces of furniture. In some cases, they may actually support a TV just as well. The main difference however is that they are intended to nestle comfortable in a 90 degree corner of your room. Sometimes this is simply the best placement for an electric fireplace given your house’s layout. If this is the case, a corner electric fireplace will really make the best use of your space. If you’re interested in learning more about this style type, we’ve put together a page to evaluate our choices for the best corner electric fireplaces that you can find today.
Free Standing
This style simply stands on its own, either on the ground or on a tabletop. Free standing units often mimic the look and feel of a traditional wood fireplace stove, but they can also be made to look like a real fireplace with a mantle or other interesting and functional applications. Check out our page on the best freestanding electric fireplaces for more information on our favorite electric fireplace stove models as well as other freestanding designs.
Infrared
In many cases, infrared designs are very similar to free standing designs. They main difference here is that the mechanism of heating is infrared elements. They are a great choice if you like the feeling of infrared heat. Read all that we have to say about them on our page dedicated to the best infrared electric fireplace heaters.
Linear
Last but not least in terms of style is linear electric fireplaces. These could very well be considered a subset of wall and recessed mount heaters, however they are distinguished by one characteristic. Linear electric fireplaces are long and slender, and they can really bring that luxurious ambience to you home. These are often top-of-the line models and are best off recessed into your walls. If you’re really looking to wow, check out our page on the best linear electric fireplaces and find the perfect one for your home.
Other Considerations
With a design in mind, it’s time to move on to the other characteristics to consider when finding the perfect model for your home.
Size
Size is also an essential aspect to consider when picking the best model for your home. You first want to figure out how much space you have available to work with for the installation. Electric fireplaces are convenient because they come in a tremendously large variety of sizes with models built to fit in just about any space and fit any style.
Heat Output
The main purpose of purchasing an electric fireplace heater is generally for the heat, particularly when you’re looking for an electric fireplace stove. What you want to know is, how much heat you need and how much control you have over the heat that is provided. Electric fireplaces will generally offer more than enough heat output for any single space, provided they are the proper size. Electric fireplaces also offer more control over the heat output than traditional wood options and some electric fireplaces offer more control than others.
Electricity Requirements
One thing absolutely essential is to know what the electricity requirements are for a designated electrical fireplace. It is also important to make sure your space can provide the amount of electricity required. Compatibility is usually not an issue. However, it is always a good idea to check before you make a purchase.
Conclusions
Our Top Pick Overall: Touchstone Sideline
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – you can do no wrong when you choose the Touchstone Sideline. It’s modern, realistic, puts out plenty of heat, and it comes priced comfortably among the competition. The proof is in the ratings – homeowners that choose the Sideline are happy with their purchase time and time again.
Our Best High-End Pick: Dimplex Prism
The most luxurious fireplace available today is without a doubt the Dimplex Linear Electric Fireplace. If you are looking for something stunning to compliment your already gorgeous home, this is the way to go. Of course, it comes with a bit of a hefty price tag when compared to other models, but if you’re looking to bring your home to the next level then it’s well worth it.
Our Value Pick: Touchstone 50″ Onyx
If what you are looking for out of an electric fireplace is value, then the Touchstone Onyx is the choice for you. This model offers a realistic log set with lifelike flames that can be set in a pile of faux logs or a crystal hearth. This fireplace can heat a room up to 400 square feet and provides you with two different heat settings. The flames are also adjustable with five flame brightness settings. This is also a safe and efficient model that includes a built-in timer equipped with an auto-shutoff feature.
