An old wood fireplace is a hole in the wall that leaks heat all winter. An electric insert turns it into a cozy flicker and some real warmth, without logs, smoke or a chimney sweep.
These three inserts range from $329.99 to $449.00 on Amazon, with ratings from 4.5 to 4.7 stars. Here is how they compare, how much heat they make, and what they cost to run.
Table of Contents
Electric fireplace inserts at a glance
Prices checked October 2026 and change often.
The three picks
- PuraFlame Western ($389.99): 4.7 stars from 4,601 ratings. Has a resin log on a grate over an ember bed, three flame levels and a thermostat. The listing says it heats up to 400 sq ft and is not meant as a main heat source.
- LegendFlame Jaden ($329.99): 4.5 stars from 225 ratings. A slim 6-inch body with a trim kit, plus a dimmable flame and crackling sound. The cheapest of the three.
- Touchstone Sideline ($449.00): 4.6 stars from 3,720 ratings. A 36-inch recessed unit with 30 flame and ember color options and a 1,500W heater.
Looking ahead, expect electric inserts to add better flame depth, quieter heaters and app control. The trade-off is a higher price and more electronics that can fail. Expect heat output to stay capped near 1,500 watts, because that is the limit for a standard plug-in circuit.
How much heat do they make?
A 1,500-watt heater gives off about 5,100 BTU per hour, because one watt equals 3.412 BTU per hour. That warms a room. It will not heat a house. It is a supplement, and the listings say so.
What it costs to run
At 1.5 kilowatts, an hour on high uses 1.5 kilowatt-hours. At 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, that is about 26 cents an hour. Four hours a night for 30 nights comes to 180 kWh, or around $31 a month. Run the flame alone, with no heat, and the cost drops to pennies. Use the space heater wattage calculator for your own rate.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No chimney, vent or fuel needed | Heat is supplemental, not a main source |
| Slides into an existing opening | Opening size must match closely |
| Flame can run without heat | Running on high adds about 26 cents an hour at 17 cents per kWh |
| Prices from $329.99 to $449.00 | Electric heat can dry the air |
Fit and safety
- Measure the opening width, height and depth against the firebox size, not the outside trim.
- Close the chimney damper so warm air does not escape.
- A 1,500W unit draws about 12.5 amps. Plug it straight into a wall outlet, never an extension cord, and avoid sharing the circuit with other big loads.
- Leave clearance around the unit as the manual says.
The trade-off: electric heat makes the air feel drier. If lips or skin feel dry, see dry air symptoms and our humidifier buying guide.
More ideas: electric fireplaces for a cozy home and space heaters for large rooms.
How to measure for an insert
- Measure the firebox opening width at the front and back, then the height and depth.
- Compare with the product’s recommended opening size, not the outside trim.
- Check whether a trim kit is included. The LegendFlame lists a trim kit with a 36 7/32 inch wide face and a smaller 31 inch insert body.
- Look at where the power cord will run and where the outlet is.
Wood fireplace to electric: what changes
- Close the damper once the insert is in, to stop warm air from escaping up the flue.
- A chimney cap keeps out birds and rain.
- No more ash, smoke or wood storage.
- Expect a slight drop in a real fire’s warmth and crackle, which is why these units add a crackle sound.
Which one to pick
- Best value: LegendFlame Jaden at $329.99 for a slim 6-inch insert.
- Most popular: PuraFlame Western at $389.99 with 4,601 ratings and a resin log look.
- Most flame and color choices: Touchstone Sideline at $449.00.
The downside: each of these is a heater first and a decoration second if you run it on high. Plan the room’s real heat with our space heater sizing guide and check running costs in do space heaters use a lot of electricity.
Frequently asked questions
Do electric inserts need a vent? No. They do not burn fuel, so no flue is needed.
Will an insert fit an existing fireplace? Only if the firebox is large enough. Check width, height and depth first.
Can it be the main heat source? No. Treat it as a supplement for one room.
Sources
- PuraFlame, LegendFlame and Touchstone Amazon listings (checked October 2026)
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver guidance on fireplaces and electric heating
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential electricity prices
