I installed an electric fireplace insert in my living room two winters ago and later added a wall mount in our basement family room. I have also helped family pick units for two of their homes. Cheap units look like a casino slot machine. Good units make you forget there is no flue. Here is what I would buy now.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | BTU |
|---|---|---|
| Touchstone Sideline 50 | Wall mount | 5000 |
| Dimplex Revillusion 30 | Insert | 4915 |
| PuraFlame Western 33 | Insert | 5200 |
| Duraflame Infrared | Freestanding | 5200 |
| Real Flame Ashley | Mantel | 4780 |
1. Touchstone Sideline 50 - Best Wall Mount
The 50 inch Sideline is my favorite wall mount because the flame projection technology actually looks like fire rather than a rotating screen. Multiple flame colors, adjustable brightness, and an inset crystal or log bed option. Heat output handles a 250 square foot room comfortably and the unit can run with flames only when you want ambiance without warmth. Install is straightforward wall mount or recessed.
2. Dimplex Revillusion 30 - Best Flame Realism
The Revillusion has the best LED flame I have seen in any electric fireplace at any price. The flames flicker against a partially mirrored back panel and the depth illusion is convincing even when you stand next to it. Heat output is solid at nearly 5000 BTU. Costs more than other inserts but the realism is on another level if you are putting it where guests will see it daily.
3. PuraFlame Western 33 - Best Insert Value
This is the insert I installed in my living room. Wide flame window, the log set lights from beneath which adds realism, and the side accent lights are tasteful rather than gaudy. Heater puts out 5200 BTU on high and is whisper quiet on low. For half the price of the Dimplex you get most of the experience.
4. Duraflame Infrared - Best Freestanding Stove
The Duraflame stove looks like a cast iron wood stove and uses infrared quartz heating, which warms people and objects rather than just air. I put one in a sunroom that lacked HVAC and it kept the space comfortable in 30 degree weather. Wheels around easily, plugs into a standard outlet. The flame is decent but not Dimplex level. Solid choice for adding heat to a room without any mounting work.
5. Real Flame Ashley - Best Mantel Set
If you want a complete furniture package, the Real Flame Ashley pairs a quality electric insert with a real wood mantel surround. I helped my sister install one and the wood quality was good enough that it looks like built-in millwork. Flame is mid-pack but the mantel does most of the visual work. Comes in several finishes.
How to Choose
Pick the install type first. Wall mounts give the most modern look and need only studs. Inserts go into an existing masonry fireplace or a built cabinet. Freestanding stoves move from room to room. Mantel packages give you the furniture-look. Once you have the type, look for flame technology. LED projection onto a textured back panel looks dramatically better than rotating drum flames. Confirm the unit can run flames without heat for summer ambiance. Check that the heater output matches your room. And do not stack a cabinet TV above it without verifying clearance because the warm air vents from the top of most units and will fog TV screens over time.
Frequently asked questions
How many BTU do I need for my room?+
Estimate 5000 BTU for every 150 square feet. Most electric fireplaces top out around 5000 BTU because they run on a standard 120V outlet, which is enough for supplementary heat in one room.
Do electric fireplaces save money on heating?+
They can if you zone heat one room rather than warming the whole house. Running an electric fireplace in your living room while turning the central thermostat down five degrees usually nets savings.
How realistic are the flames?+
Modern mid-range and premium units use LED flames projected on a back panel and many do look genuinely fire-like. Cheap units use rotating reflective drums that look fake the moment you walk past.