Six products below were checked on Amazon on October 11, 2026. The e-Flame Fairbanks and Regal, the Northwest Classic Style and the Touchstone Onyx listings are gone or could not be confirmed, so they were removed. Features come from Amazon titles and listings.
An electric fireplace is the easiest way to add the look of a fire to a room. It plugs into the wall, it needs no vent and most models also heat. This guide covers the types, what the heater really does and six models to look at.
Table of Contents
Types of Electric Fireplaces
- Freestanding. Stove or cabinet units. No install at all. Plug in and enjoy.
- Wall mount. Hang it like a TV. Needs a stud or the right anchors.
- Recessed or in-wall. Built into the wall. Looks great, needs framing and a nearby outlet.
- Inserts. Drop into an existing fireplace opening. See our guide to electric fireplace inserts.
- Mantels and TV stands. A fireplace and a mantel in one piece.
Looking ahead, electric fireplaces are taking share from gas and wood in small homes and apartments. They need no vent, no gas line and no chimney, and the flame effects keep improving. The catch is that the heat is the same as any 1,500 watt space heater, so they are a comfort feature first and a heat source second.
6 Electric Fireplaces on Amazon
Prices and ratings were checked on Amazon on October 11, 2026.
Price on Amazon: $129.99 | 4.3 stars from 4,494 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The TURBRO Suburbs TS20 is a freestanding fireplace stove with a flame effect, CSA certification and overheat protection, per the listing. It has a 4.3 rating from almost 4,500 ratings. The older page named it the best overall.
Price on Amazon: $549.00 | 4.6 stars from 3,721 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The Touchstone 80004 Sideline is a 50 inch wide recessed fireplace with three flame colors and a 750 or 1,500 watt heater, per the listing. It has a 4.6 rating from over 3,700 ratings and costs the most here.
Price on Amazon: $299.99 | 4.4 stars from 546 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The R.W.FLAME is an electric fireplace insert with a touch remote, five flame colors, an 8 hour timer and a 750 or 1,500 watt heater. It has a 4.4 rating from about 550 ratings.
Price on Amazon: $179.99 | 4.5 stars from 213 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The GMHome 40 inch fireplace can be wall mounted or freestanding, with a glass panel, nine colors and a 1,500 watt heater, per the listing. It has 213 ratings, so read the newest reviews.
Price on Amazon: $159.99 | 4.3 stars from 615 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The YODOLLA 28.5 inch is a compact insert that can be recessed, wall mounted or freestanding, with an 8 hour timer, three flame colors and a 750 or 1,500 watt heater, per the listing.
Price on Amazon: $109.98 | 4.2 stars from 345 ratings (checked October 11, 2026)
The Ameriwood Home Bruxton is a mantel-style electric fireplace in cherry. It has a 4.2 rating from 345 ratings and is the lowest price in the list.
The risk to watch is the heat claim. Many listings say a unit heats 400 square feet or more, but a 1,500 watt heater makes about 5,100 BTU, which suits a smaller room. A cheap unit on a shared circuit can also trip a breaker. Expect more models with app control and bigger screens. Check the wattage, the safety listing and the outlet before you buy.
What the Heater Really Does
Most electric fireplaces have a 750 and a 1,500 watt setting. That is the same power as a normal space heater, so expect the same limits. A rough rule is 10 watts per square foot, so 1,500 watts suits about 150 square feet, and well-insulated rooms may be warm up to about 250. Makers often claim up to 400 square feet, so treat that as the high end. Read how to choose the right size space heater for the math, and how much electricity space heaters use for the cost.
What to Check Before Buying
- Size of the room and the wall. Measure the wall or the corner and the clearance.
- Safety listing. Look for a lab listing such as UL, ETL or CSA.
- Flame without heat. A flame-only mode lets you enjoy it in summer.
- Noise. Fan heaters hum. Read recent reviews.
- Outlet. Plug straight into the wall. A 1,500 watt unit needs its own circuit load. Skip extension cords.
- Warranty. Look for at least one year.
Benefits of Electric Over Wood and Gas
- Clean. No ash, smoke or soot.
- Cheap to start. No gas line, vent or chimney needed.
- Safer air. No combustion, so no carbon monoxide. See gas fireplaces for the combustion side.
- Zone heating. Warm one room without heating the house.
- Decor. Flame colors and brightness settings match the room.
Safety
- Keep 3 feet of open space around a heating unit.
- Do not cover the vents.
- Turn the heater off when you leave. The flame effect alone is fine.
- Check the cord and plug for warmth. A warm plug means a bad outlet.
FAQ
Do electric fireplaces really heat a room?
Yes, like any 1,500 watt heater, for a small to medium room.
Do they use a lot of electricity?
The heater does. The flame effect uses very little. At full heat it costs about 25 cents an hour.
Can you leave one on?
Use the flame alone as long as you like. Do not leave the heater running while you sleep or are away.
Final Word
For no-install ease, the TURBRO is the easy pick. For a built-in look, choose the Touchstone or an insert. For a big room, add a better heater and see indoor freestanding gas fireplaces.
What happens next: expect more recessed and wall-mounted fireplaces with realistic flames and quieter fans, and more models that run the flame without the heater all year. For the look of a fire without the work, an electric unit is the easy path.
Related Guides
Keep going with electric fireplace inserts, indoor freestanding gas fireplaces, gas fireplaces, how much electricity space heaters use and how to choose the right size space heater.
