Best picks

Best 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted Electric Fireplaces

Updated on · By the FiresidePicks team

The best 50 inch electric fireplaces include the R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace for a slim 2 x 6 wall with touch controls, the Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplace for app control and 20 flame colors on a 50 inch wall, and the Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace for a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 wall.

On this page (12 sections)
  1. How we picked these seven 50 inch fireplaces
  2. Side by side: width, depth and heat
  3. The 7 best 50 inch electric fireplaces in detail
  4. Depth and stud fit decide a 50 inch wall
  5. How heavy are 50 inch electric fireplaces?
  6. Heat and watts for a living room
  7. Controls, timers and flame looks
  8. How loud are these units, and what do the warranties cover?
  9. Which 50 inch unit suits which room?
  10. Measure the wall before you order a 50 inch unit
  11. TV clearance and heat notes for a 50 inch unit
  12. Which 50 inch electric fireplace to pick

The best 50 inch electric fireplace in this roundup is the R.W.FLAME 50, with the Silonn 50 and the Xbeauty 50 next.

We compared seven models that hang on the wall or sit in a framed recess, since fifty inches is one of the most common widths for a living room wall.

Depth varies more than you'd expect across the seven, so stud fit decides more than color does.

Before you choose, check your wall with what size electric fireplace do you need. If your wall is larger, the 60 inch roundup covers the wider units.

Our picks at a glance

  1. 1 R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace
    Best for a slim 2 x 6 wall with touch controls

    R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

    8.8/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  2. 2 Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplace
    Best for app control and 20 flame colors on a 50 inch wall

    Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplace

    8.6/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  3. 3 Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace
    Best for a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 wall

    Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

    8.5/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  1. 4Electactic 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

    Electactic 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

    Best for a frameless look with a bezel that barely shows
    Check it
  2. 5Touchstone 80004 Sideline 50 inch in-wall recessed electric fireplace

    Touchstone 80004 Sideline 50 inch in-wall recessed electric fireplace

    Best for a built-in look with logs and crystals
    Check it
  3. 6Tehanld 50 inch ultra-thin electric fireplace heater

    Tehanld 50 inch ultra-thin electric fireplace heater

    Best for a shallow wall with a digital thermostat
    Check it
  4. 7RealSmart 50 inch wall mount electric fireplace

    RealSmart 50 inch wall mount electric fireplace

    Best for a wall you may recess, partly recess or hang
    Check it

How we picked these seven 50 inch fireplaces

We checked depth and stud fit first, then heat settings, controls and whether each unit suits a recess, a wall mount or both. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.

Side by side: width, depth and heat

Six of the seven are 3.5 to 4.1 in deep, and the Touchstone Sideline 50 is the outlier at 5.5 in, with a 6.2 in chamber.

ProductBest forWidthDepthHeatOur score
R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplacea slim 2 x 6 wall with touch controls50 in3.86 in750 W or 1,500 W8.8
Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplaceapp control and 20 flame colors on a 50 inch wall50 in3.94 in1,400 W8.6
Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplacea 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 wall50 in3.86 in750 W or 1,500 W8.5
Electactic 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplacea frameless look with a bezel that barely shows50 in3.86 in750 W or 1,500 W8.3
Touchstone 80004 Sideline 50 inch in-wall recessed electric fireplacea built-in look with logs and crystals50.4 in5.5 in (6.2 in chamber)750 W or 1,500 W8.2
Tehanld 50 inch ultra-thin electric fireplace heatera shallow wall with a digital thermostat50 in3.5 in750 W or 1,500 W8.1
RealSmart 50 inch wall mount electric fireplacea wall you may recess, partly recess or hang50 in4.1 in750 W or 1,500 W8.0

The 7 best 50 inch electric fireplaces in detail

The R.W.FLAME 50 scores highest because it's 3.86 in deep, fits 2 x 6 studs and has both touch and remote controls. The Tehanld 50 is the shallowest at 3.5 in, and the Touchstone Sideline 50 is the deepest at 5.5 in.

1

R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace, 50 inch electric fireplaces
Best for a slim 2 x 6 wall with touch controls
8.8/10Our score
  • 3.86 in deep, 18.11 in tall
  • Fits 2 x 6 studs, R.W.FLAME says
  • 750 W and 1,500 W settings
  • Touch screen and remote with timer
  • 12 flame colors and 5 flame speeds

A slim unit with touch and remote controls, it suits a framed living room wall where depth is the limit. Its two heat settings and flame controls cover the usual needs.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Slim 3.86 in profile, down from 6 in on the older model
  • Touch screen and remote with a timer
  • Two heat settings and 12 flame colors

Cons

  • Fits 2 x 6 studs, so a 2 x 4 wall needs a different unit
  • No unit weight or warranty length is given

R.W.FLAME's 50 inch model shares its design with the 60 inch unit, at 3.86 in deep and 18.11 in tall. R.W.FLAME says it fits 2 x 6 studs, so it suits a framed wall with a 2 x 6 cavity.

R.W.FLAME says the new style is 3.86 in thick, down from 6 in on the older model. It runs at 750 W or 1,500 W, and R.W.FLAME says the heat covers up to 400 square feet.

The touch screen and remote handle 12 flame colors, 5 flame speeds and 5 brightness levels. A timer is included, and R.W.FLAME says the unit is ETL approved and has an auto heat-kill safety feature.

R.W.FLAME gives no weight or warranty length, and the manual should tell you whether it plugs in or needs hard-wiring. For the same design in a larger size, read our R.W.FLAME 60 inch review.

R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplaceCheck it on Amazon
2

Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplace

Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplace, 50 inch electric fireplaces
Best for app control and 20 flame colors on a 50 inch wall
8.6/10Our score
  • 3.94 in deep, 17 in tall
  • WiFi app, remote and panel control
  • 20 flame colors and an auto color mode
  • 1,400 W heat with a 62 to 86 F thermostat
  • 1 to 8 hour timer and child lock

The app-controlled 50 inch pick, it lets you warm the room from your phone, and Silonn says it runs under 45 dB. It also has the most flame colors here.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Warm the room from the app before you arrive
  • 20 flame colors and an automatic color-changing mode
  • Silonn says it runs under 45 dB

Cons

  • Its 1,400 W top setting is a little below the 1,500 W units here
  • Recessing needs proper framing, and no unit weight is given

Silonn's 50 inch unit is 3.94 in deep and 17 in tall, and Silonn says wall mounting gives a slim 3.9 in profile. It can be wall mounted or recessed, and Silonn says recessing needs proper framing in a compatible wall cavity.

The app, the remote and a control panel on the unit all run it, and Silonn says the app lets you warm the room before you arrive. Heat is rated at 1,400 W, with a thermostat from 62 to 86 F and a 1 to 8 hour timer.

It has 20 flame colors, an automatic color-changing mode and a crystal-effect display. Silonn says it runs at less than 45 dB, and a child lock is built in.

Silonn gives a 1-year manufacturer warranty and no unit weight, so confirm the weight before you plan the lift. The box adds a tool set, and Silonn says to review its recessed installation guide before you buy.

Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplaceCheck it on Amazon
3

Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace, 50 inch electric fireplaces
Best for a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 wall
8.5/10Our score
  • 3.86 in deep, 18.11 in tall
  • Fits 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 studs, Xbeauty says
  • 39.4 lb
  • Plugs into a 120 V outlet
  • 12 LED flame colors with crystal hearth

The most flexible stud fit here, it works on a 2 x 4 or a 2 x 6 wall and weighs 39.4 lb. Xbeauty says one person can hang it.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Fits either a 2 x 4 or a 2 x 6 stud wall
  • Lighter at 39.4 lb, which Xbeauty says one person can hang
  • Flame runs with or without heat

Cons

  • Its recess box is a fixed 30.35 by 16.54 by 3.86 in, so the opening has to match
  • Draws 12.5 amps at the top setting, so read the manual's circuit notes

Xbeauty says its 50 inch unit fits either a 2 x 4 or a 2 x 6 stud wall, which makes it one of the most flexible picks here. It's 3.86 in deep and 18.11 in tall.

It weighs 39.4 lb, and Xbeauty says one person can hang it on the wall. Xbeauty gives the recess box as 30.35 by 16.54 by 3.86 in, which is the size a recessed opening has to match.

It plugs into a standard 120 V outlet and draws 12.5 amps, and Xbeauty says it's ETL certified. Heat runs at 750 W or 1,500 W, and Xbeauty says it covers up to 400 sq ft.

The touch screen and remote control 12 LED flame colors, 5 speeds and 5 brightness levels. The flame can run with or without heat, and the box adds crystals and fire glass.

Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplaceCheck it on Amazon
4

Electactic 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

Electactic 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace, 50 inch electric fireplaces
Best for a frameless look with a bezel that barely shows
8.3/10Our score
  • 3.86 in deep, 18.11 in tall, 39.5 lb
  • Frameless bezel
  • 12 flame colors and 12 bed colors
  • 750 W and 1,500 W with a 1 to 8 hour timer
  • Touch screen and remote

A frameless look that puts the flame first, it suits a wall where the view should be the focus. It uses the same depth as the top two picks.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Frameless bezel with a nearly invisible edge, Electactic says
  • 12 flame and 12 bed colors with a dimmer
  • Recessed or wall mounted

Cons

  • Electactic's 400 square foot coverage is a claim, not a promise for your room
  • At 45 dB, its own figure is louder than RealSmart's 38 dB and Tehanld's 40 dB

Electactic's 50 inch unit has a frameless look, and the bezel barely shows around the flame. It's 3.86 in deep, 18.11 in tall and 39.5 lb, and it can be recessed or wall mounted.

Electactic says the frame is nearly invisible, so the flames stand out on the wall. If the flame is what you want to see, the frameless look is the reason to pick it.

You get 12 flame colors and 12 bed colors, plus a dimmer and a 1 to 8 hour timer. A touch screen and a remote both control the unit.

It runs at 750 W or 1,500 W, and Electactic says it covers up to 400 square feet. Electactic gives a 45 dB noise figure, says it has overheat protection, and adds a sleep mode that dims the lights.

Electactic 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplaceCheck it on Amazon
5

Touchstone 80004 Sideline 50 inch in-wall recessed electric fireplace

Touchstone 80004 Sideline 50 inch in-wall recessed electric fireplace, 50 inch electric fireplaces
Best for a built-in look with logs and crystals
8.2/10Our score
  • 50.4 in wide, 21.5 in tall
  • 5.5 in deep, 6.2 in chamber depth
  • Plug in or hard-wire
  • Logs, crystals and a wireless remote
  • 750 W and 1,500 W heat
  • 59 lb

The built-in pick, made for an in-wall recess. It's deeper and taller than most picks here, so the wall has to match.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Built for an in-wall recess
  • Plug in or hard-wire
  • Logs, crystals and drywall anchors in the box

Cons

  • 6.2 in chamber depth needs a deep cavity
  • 21.5 in tall and 59 lb, so it needs more height and a stronger lift than the slim units

The Touchstone 80004 is the built-in pick, made for an in-wall recess. It's 50.4 in wide, 21.5 in tall and 5.5 in deep, and it weighs 59 lb.

The chamber is 6.2 in deep, so check your wall cavity before you buy. Touchstone says the unit can be plugged in or hard-wired, and the box includes drywall anchors and screws.

It comes with logs, crystals and a wireless remote for flame color, intensity, heat and the shut-off timer. Touchstone gives a thermostat from 68 to 88 F and a 1-year limited warranty.

Touchstone says the front-facing vents let you position the unit 8 in under a flat-screen TV, and to allow at least 8 in of space above it. Read that note next to your TV maker's note before you hang a TV above or beside it.

Touchstone 80004 Sideline 50 inch in-wall recessed electric fireplaceCheck it on Amazon
6

Tehanld 50 inch ultra-thin electric fireplace heater

Tehanld 50 inch ultra-thin electric fireplace heater, 50 inch electric fireplaces
Best for a shallow wall with a digital thermostat
8.1/10Our score
  • 3.5 in deep, 17 in tall
  • Recessed, semi-recessed or wall mounted
  • 0, 750 W and 1,500 W settings
  • Child lock and a 12-hour timer
  • 12 flame and 12 ember bed colors

The shallowest unit in this roundup, at 3.5 in deep. It adds a digital thermostat from 60 to 99 F and a child lock.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • 3.5 in deep, the thinnest unit here
  • Digital thermostat, child lock and a cool-touch LED screen, Tehanld says
  • Flame-only mode with no heat

Cons

  • At 46.3 lb it needs a helper for a wall install
  • Tehanld gives no stud size, only that it fits standard wall cavities

Tehanld's 50 inch unit is the shallowest in this roundup, at 3.5 in deep and 17 in tall. It weighs 46.3 lb, and Tehanld says it can be recessed, semi-recessed or wall mounted.

It has three heat settings: 0 W, 750 W and 1,500 W. Tehanld gives a digital thermostat from 60 to 99 F, and a 12-hour timer switches the unit off.

The flame has 12 colors, 12 ember bed colors and 6 levels of flame brightness and speed. Tehanld says that adds up to 144 combinations.

A child safety lock is built in. Tehanld also says the LED screen stays cool to the touch, and that it runs at 40 dB.

Tehanld backs the unit with a 1-year limited warranty. It uses a quartz infrared heater, comes with faux logs and crystal stones, and gives no stud size beyond standard wall cavities.

Tehanld 50 inch ultra-thin electric fireplace heaterCheck it on Amazon
7

RealSmart 50 inch wall mount electric fireplace

RealSmart 50 inch wall mount electric fireplace, 50 inch electric fireplaces
Best for a wall you may recess, partly recess or hang
8.0/10Our score
  • Fully recessed, partly recessed or wall mounted
  • 4.1 in deep, 18.5 in tall
  • 65 to 95 F thermostat
  • 12 flame and 12 bed colors
  • 1 to 12 hour timer, 38 dB

A flexible install pick, it works as a recessed unit, a partly recessed one or a wall hang. The depth is a little more than the 3.86 in units.

See it on Amazon

Pros

  • Three install options
  • Thermostat from 65 to 95 F
  • Timer runs 1 to 12 hours

Cons

  • RealSmart gives its depth as both 4.1 in and 3.8 in, so confirm it with the brand
  • The 600 square foot coverage is RealSmart's claim

RealSmart's 50 inch unit can be fully recessed, partly recessed or wall mounted, and RealSmart says it fits 2 x 6 studs. That makes it a flexible pick if you're still deciding between a recess and a hang.

RealSmart gives its depth as both 4.1 in and 3.8 in, and its height as 18.5 in, so confirm the depth with the brand before you plan the wall.

The heat runs at 750 W or 1,500 W, and the thermostat goes from 65 to 95 F. RealSmart says it heats up to 600 square feet, which is a claim about zone heat, not a promise for your room.

The touch screen and remote control 12 flame colors, 12 bed colors, 5 speeds and 5 brightness levels. The timer runs from 1 to 12 hours, and RealSmart says the unit runs at 38 dB, the lowest figure here.

RealSmart 50 inch wall mount electric fireplaceCheck it on Amazon

Depth and stud fit decide a 50 inch wall

Depth matters more than width for a 50 inch unit, because the cavity has to take the box. The depths run from 3.5 in to 5.5 in, with a 6.2 in chamber on the Touchstone Sideline 50, so measure the wall first.

How a 50 inch electric fireplace fits 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 studs

Xbeauty says its unit fits a 2 x 4 or a 2 x 6 stud wall, and R.W.FLAME and RealSmart say theirs fit 2 x 6 studs. Check your framing before you choose, since the stud size sets the cavity you'll work with.

Silonn says recessing needs proper framing in a compatible wall cavity, and Tehanld says its unit fits standard wall cavities. Neither gives a stud size, so confirm your wall with the brand.

Measure the cavity depth at a few points, since walls can vary.

Recessed units need framing and a pro

Recessed units need framing, and many need a drywall cut. Follow the maker's manual for the opening, and use a licensed electrician if the unit is hard-wired or needs a new outlet.

Never cut into a load-bearing wall or a wall with wires or pipes in it. Recessed options are covered in our best recessed electric fireplaces roundup.

How heavy are 50 inch electric fireplaces?

Four of the seven give a weight, and they run from 39.4 lb to 59 lb. The Xbeauty 50 is 39.4 lb, the Electactic 50 is 39.5 lb, the Tehanld 50 is 46.3 lb and the Touchstone Sideline 50 is 59 lb.

R.W.FLAME, RealSmart and Silonn give no clear weight, so confirm it before you plan the lift. Xbeauty is the only maker here that says one person can hang its unit.

Heat and watts for a living room

Most 50 inch units here run at 750 W or 1,500 W, which warms the area near the unit. They're zone heaters, not a whole-house heat source.

How much heat a 50 inch electric fireplace gives

Six of the seven units here top out at 1,500 W, which is about 5,100 BTU per hour, and the Silonn 50 tops out at 1,400 W. The lower 750 W setting on the others suits a smaller area or a milder day.

Makers quote room sizes of 400 or 600 square feet. Those are claims, not promises for your room, so treat them as a guide.

At full heat, a 1,500 W unit uses 1.5 kWh for each hour. Multiply that by your own electric rate to estimate the cost, and see the Energy Saver site for general ways to think about home energy use.

Controls, timers and flame looks

Four of the seven pair a remote with a touch screen, the Silonn 50 adds an app and a control panel, and the Touchstone Sideline 50 and Tehanld 50 rely on a remote.

Timers and color choices

Timers run from 1 to 8 hours on the Electactic 50, Silonn 50 and Touchstone Sideline 50, and from 1 to 12 hours on the RealSmart 50. Tehanld offers a 12-hour timer.

Silonn has the most flame colors at 20, and Touchstone offers three color options. The rest have 12.

Flame looks and bed options

Tehanld and Touchstone include both logs and crystals, and Xbeauty and RealSmart ship with crystal stones. Electactic includes a log, and Silonn describes a crystal-effect display.

Five speeds and five brightness levels are common here, and Tehanld offers six levels. The Sideline, Xbeauty, RealSmart and Tehanld all say the flame can run without heat.

How loud are these units, and what do the warranties cover?

RealSmart states the lowest noise figure at 38 dB, then Tehanld at 40 dB, Silonn at under 45 dB and Electactic at 45 dB. R.W.FLAME calls its 50 low noise but gives no number, and Xbeauty and Touchstone give none.

Touchstone, Tehanld and Silonn each give a 1-year warranty. R.W.FLAME, Xbeauty, Electactic and RealSmart don't state a length, so ask the brand before you buy.

Which 50 inch unit suits which room?

Pick the Tehanld 50 for a shallow wall, the RealSmart 50 for the quietest bedroom, and the Silonn 50 for a family room that wants app control and color choices.

Shallow walls and tight cavities

The Tehanld 50 is the shallowest pick at 3.5 in deep. The R.W.FLAME 50, Xbeauty 50 and Electactic 50 all come in at 3.86 in, and the Silonn 50 is 3.94 in.

Bedrooms and quiet rooms

RealSmart's 38 dB and Tehanld's 40 dB are the lowest noise figures here, and Silonn says under 45 dB. Electactic gives 45 dB and a sleep mode that dims the lights, and its 1 to 8 hour timer fits a room you use in set blocks.

Family rooms with long evenings

The Silonn 50 suits a family room where color and app control matter, with 20 flame colors and an app that warms the room before you walk in.

The RealSmart 50 is a flexible pick if you may move the unit later, since it works recessed, partly recessed or hung on the wall.

Measure the wall before you order a 50 inch unit

Write down the width, height and depth of your opening before you compare any model. Check the stud size, and make sure the wall is clear of wires and pipes.

Your 50 inch wall checklist

Note the opening's width and height, plus the cavity depth and the stud size. Compare those numbers with the unit's depth and height before you buy.

Check where the nearest outlet sits, since a plug-in unit needs one within reach of its cord. Write down the cavity depth at the top, middle and bottom, since a wall can vary from one spot to the next.

TV clearance and heat notes for a 50 inch unit

Read both the fireplace maker's and the TV maker's heat and clearance notes before you hang a TV above or beside a 50 inch unit. The numbers differ by maker and by model.

Compare the heat notes

Touchstone says its front-facing vents let you position the Sideline 8 in under a flat-screen TV, and to allow at least 8 in of space above it. That's the maker's note, so check it against your TV's manual before you plan the wall.

Touchstone is the only maker here with a TV note. The other six don't give one, so the TV maker's notes and each manual have to fill that gap.

If you want a unit that sits under the TV, see best wall mounted electric fireplaces to hang under a TV. Those picks are grouped for that layout.

Plug in or hard-wire

Xbeauty's unit plugs into a standard 120 V outlet, and Touchstone can be plugged in or hard-wired. For any other unit, check whether it plugs in before you plan the wall.

Use a licensed electrician for any hard-wired install, new outlet or new circuit, and follow the maker's manual for every step.

Which 50 inch electric fireplace to pick

Pick the R.W.FLAME 50 for a slim 2 x 6 wall with touch controls. Pick the Xbeauty 50 if your wall takes 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 studs and you want a lighter unit.

Pick the Electactic 50 for a frameless look, and the Touchstone 80004 for a built-in look in a framed recess.

Pick the Tehanld 50 for a shallow wall with a digital thermostat, the RealSmart 50 if you may recess the unit now or hang it later, and the Silonn 50 for app control and many flame colors.

If your wall is wider, our EUHOMY 60 inch review covers a bigger unit in detail.

For the wall units themselves, the best wall mounted electric fireplaces roundup and the wall mounted and recessed electric fireplace guide cover the options.

Our top 3 picks at a glance

  1. 1 R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace
    Best for a slim 2 x 6 wall with touch controls

    R.W.FLAME 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

    8.8/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  2. 2 Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplace
    Best for app control and 20 flame colors on a 50 inch wall

    Silonn 50 inch smart wall mounted or recessed electric fireplace

    8.6/10 our score

    See it on Amazon
  3. 3 Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace
    Best for a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 wall

    Xbeauty 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplace

    8.5/10 our score

    See it on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What size is a 50 inch electric fireplace?

A 50 inch electric fireplace is about 50 inches wide, and most units in this roundup are 17 to 18.5 in tall and 3.5 to 5.5 in deep. Measure your opening's width, height and depth before you order, and note the stud size of the wall.

Does a 50 inch electric fireplace fit a 2 x 4 wall?

Xbeauty says its 50 inch unit fits a 2 x 4 or a 2 x 6 stud wall, and R.W.FLAME and RealSmart say theirs fit a 2 x 6 wall. Check the stud size and the cavity depth against the unit's depth, since a deeper unit may not sit flush.

Can a 50 inch electric fireplace heat a whole living room?

Usually not, since these units are zone heaters that warm the area near the unit. Makers quote room sizes such as 400 or 600 square feet, which are their claims, so use the unit as a supplement to your main heat.

Do I need an electrician for a 50 inch electric fireplace?

If the unit plugs in, the maker's manual covers the setup steps. Hard-wired units, new outlets and new circuits need a licensed electrician, so call one whenever the manual asks for that help, and check whether your unit plugs in or is hard-wired before you buy.