Best Electric Fireplace Inserts With a Blower for Heat
The best electric fireplace inserts with a blower include the Xbeauty 60 in Recessed Insert for a 60 in wall with a plug-in outlet nearby, the LEMBERI 72 in Ultra-Thin Insert for a bedroom that wants quiet heat at night, and the Antarctic Star 36 in Recessed Insert for a small wall or a 36 in opening.
On this page (12 sections)
- The five picks in detail
- What does a blower add to a recessed or wall mounted unit?
- Watts, heat settings and what the room numbers mean
- Which blower insert is quietest for a bedroom?
- Do blower inserts plug in or need hard-wiring?
- Which width fits your wall?
- Can these blower inserts be recessed or hung flat?
- How do you size a recessed unit for depth and stud fit?
- Controls, timers and flame looks
- How heavy are blower inserts to hang?
- Where should the heat go on a TV wall?
- Which electric fireplace insert with a blower to pick
The best electric fireplace inserts with a blower are slim recessed or wall mounted units that push heat out the front with a fan. We compared five that run from 36 to 72 in wide.
Xbeauty, LEMBERI and Antarctic Star describe a blower, Zionheat lists a Fan setting, and Tehanld mentions fan hum, so check that last one before you order. The top three are the Xbeauty 60, the LEMBERI 72 and the Antarctic Star 36.
These are slim linear units, not the firebox-style models in our best electric fireplace inserts roundup. For the wider picture, start with the wall mounted and recessed electric fireplace guide.
Our picks at a glance
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1
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2
Best for a bedroom that wants quiet heat at nightLEMBERI 72 in Ultra-Thin Insert
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for a small wall or a 36 in openingAntarctic Star 36 in Recessed Insert
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itTehanld 50 in Ultra-Thin Heater
Best for a living room that wants a set temperature - 5
Check itZionheat 72 in Wide Screen Insert
Best for a wide wall that needs a fan setting
We ranked the five by how clearly each one describes a blower or fan, then by width, depth and controls. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
| Product | Best for | Width | Depth | Heat | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbeauty 60 in Recessed Insert | a 60 in wall with a plug-in outlet nearby | 60 in | 3.86 in | 750 W or 1,500 W | 8.8 |
| LEMBERI 72 in Ultra-Thin Insert | a bedroom that wants quiet heat at night | 72 in | 3.2 in | 750 W or 1,500 W | 8.6 |
| Antarctic Star 36 in Recessed Insert | a small wall or a 36 in opening | 36 in | 3.86 in | 750 W or 1,500 W | 8.5 |
| Tehanld 50 in Ultra-Thin Heater | a living room that wants a set temperature | 50 in | 3.5 in | Flame only, 750 W or 1,500 W | 7.9 |
| Zionheat 72 in Wide Screen Insert | a wide wall that needs a fan setting | 72 in | 3.2 in | Fan, 750 W or 1,500 W | 7.7 |
The five picks in detail
The Xbeauty 60 scores highest because it pairs a stated blower noise level with a 120 V plug-in cord. The Zionheat 72 scores lowest because its fan is only a setting name and its brand shows two ways.
Xbeauty 60 in Recessed Insert
- 60 in wide and 18.11 in tall
- Blower rated at 40 dB or less
- 750 W and 1,500 W heat settings
- Remote, touch screen and a 1 to 8 hour timer
- 12 flame colors and 12 ember bed colors
A 60 in unit with a quiet blower for a wide wall. It plugs into a 120 V outlet, so keep one within reach of the spot.
Pros
- Blower rated at 40 dB or less, per Xbeauty
- Plugs into a 120 V outlet
- Sleep mode with a remote and a touch screen
Cons
- At 48.5 lb it's heavy to hang alone
- The 40 dB rating is the maker's own figure
The Xbeauty 60 is built for a wide TV wall, at 60 in across and 18.11 in tall. It's 3.86 in deep, and Xbeauty says it fits a 2 x 6 stud wall.
The blower is the reason it ranks first. Xbeauty describes it as whisper quiet and rates it at 40 dB or less, and the warm air comes out through a front air outlet.
It runs on 750 W or 1,500 W, and Xbeauty says it heats up to 400 sq ft. That's a zone heater for one room, not a whole-house heat source.
A remote and a touch screen run the flame color and speed, the heat and a 1 to 8 hour timer, and a sleep mode is built in. The flame has 12 colors, and the ember bed has 12 more lighting options.
It weighs 48.5 lb, so get help when you hang it. Xbeauty says it plugs into a 120 V outlet and draws 12.5 amps, so keep an outlet within reach of the spot.
LEMBERI 72 in Ultra-Thin Insert
- 72 in wide and 18.11 in tall
- Blower system rated under 40 dB
- Sleep mode dims the flame and keeps the heat on
- 750 W and 1,500 W modes
- 1 to 8 hour auto-off timer
A 72 in unit with a quiet blower and a sleep mode. LEMBERI says it fits standard 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 studs, so it suits a flush recess or a wall mount.
Pros
- Blower under 40 dB, per LEMBERI
- Sleep mode keeps the heat on with the flame lights off
- Fits standard 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 studs
Cons
- At 48.4 lb it's heavy to hang alone
- At 72 in wide, it's too long for most small walls
The LEMBERI 72 is one of the two widest picks on this list, at 72 in across and 18.11 in tall. It's about 3.2 in deep, and LEMBERI says it fits standard 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 studs.
Its blower runs under 40 dB, according to LEMBERI. That's the number to remember if the unit will sit in a bedroom or a quiet den.
Sleep mode is the feature that sets it apart. It dims or turns off the flame bed lights and keeps the heat on, so the room stays warm with the flame off.
The heater switches between 750 W and 1,500 W, and LEMBERI says it heats up to 400 sq ft. A front-facing heat vent sends the warm air forward.
The remote controls the flame speed, the brightness and a 1 to 8 hour auto-off timer. At 48.4 lb it weighs about the same as the Xbeauty, so plan on help for the hang, and LEMBERI gives it a one-year warranty.
LEMBERI doesn't say whether it plugs in or is hard-wired, so confirm that before you plan the outlet.
Antarctic Star 36 in Recessed Insert
- 36 in wide and 18.11 in tall
- Front heater blower
- 750 W and 1,500 W modes
- Remote, touch screen and a 1 to 8 hour timer
- Sleep mode and 12 flame colors
A 36 in unit with a front heater blower for a narrow space. At 33 lb it's lighter than the wider units here, and Antarctic Star says one person can hang it.
Pros
- Front heater blower, as Antarctic Star describes it
- At 33 lb, it's lighter than the wider units in this list
- Remote, touch screen and a 1 to 8 hour timer
Cons
- Its 400 sq ft heat figure is the maker's claim
- At 36 in wide, it's too narrow for a wide TV wall
The Antarctic Star 36 is the smallest pick, at 36 in wide, 3.86 in deep and 18.11 in tall. It's the answer for a small wall or a narrow opening where a wider unit won't fit.
The front heater blower is the feature to look at. It works on the 750 W and 1,500 W modes, and Antarctic Star says the heat covers up to 400 sq ft as supplemental zone heat.
At 33 lb it's lighter than the wider units here. Antarctic Star says one person can hang it, and the unit can sit fully recessed, semi recessed or flat on the wall.
The controls include a remote and a touch screen, a 1 to 8 hour timer, and a switch that runs the heat and the flame on their own. The flame comes in 12 colors, the speed is adjustable, and sleep mode is included.
The box includes the instructions, the remote and screws for a wall mount. Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired before you plan the power.
Tehanld 50 in Ultra-Thin Heater
- 50 in wide, 17 in tall and 3.5 in deep
- Three power settings: flame only, 750 W and 1,500 W
- Digital thermostat from 60 to 99°F
- 12-hour auto-off timer and child lock
- 12 flame colors and 12 ember bed colors
A 50 in unit with a digital thermostat for a living room where you want a set temperature. Tehanld says it runs at about 40 dB with no disruptive fan hum.
Pros
- Digital thermostat with a flame-only setting
- Runs at about 40 dB, per Tehanld
- Child lock and overheat protection
Cons
- Tehanld mentions fan noise but never describes a blower, so confirm the fan
- At 46.3 lb it's heavy to hang alone
The Tehanld 50 is the middle size, at 50 in wide, 17 in tall and 3.5 in deep. It weighs 46.3 lb, and Tehanld says it can be fully recessed, semi recessed or mounted flat on the wall.
Tehanld says the unit runs at about 40 dB with no disruptive fan hum. It never describes a blower or a front outlet, so confirm that part before you count on one.
The digital thermostat sets 60 to 99°F, and the unit moves between 750 W and 1,500 W, plus a flame-only setting with no heat at all. That's the reason to pick it.
It has 12 flame colors and 12 ember bed colors, with six levels of flame brightness and speed. The box includes a faux log set and crystal stone hearth options, so you can pick the look you want.
Tehanld adds a child lock, a 12-hour auto-off timer and overheat protection. It backs the unit with a one-year limited warranty, and the remote takes two AAA batteries.
Zionheat 72 in Wide Screen Insert
- 72 in wide, 18 in tall and 3.2 in deep
- Fan, 750 W and 1,500 W settings
- Remote and front panel controls
- 12 LED flame color modes
- Timer, dimmer and overheat protection
A slim 72 in unit with a fan setting. It plugs into a standard outlet, and Zionheat says it heats up to 900 sq ft.
Pros
- Fan setting next to 750 W and 1,500 W
- Plugs into a standard outlet and needs no vent
- One-year warranty from Zionheat
Cons
- The 900 sq ft figure is the maker's claim and the largest in this list
- The brand shows as both Zionheat and Kucreiheat, so confirm who backs the warranty
The Zionheat 72 is the slimmest pick, at 3.2 in deep, and it's 72 in wide and 18 in tall. It suits a long wall where a thin profile matters more than a deep box.
Zionheat lists three heat settings, Fan, 750 W and 1,500 W. It doesn't explain what the Fan setting does, so read the manual before you count on it for warmth.
Zionheat says it heats up to 900 sq ft, the largest room figure in this list. Treat that as the maker's claim, since the room's shape and windows change how far the heat reaches.
The remote and the front panel both change the heat, the flame color, the brightness and the timer. The flame has 12 LED color modes, and an automatic shut-off timer and overheat protection are built in.
It plugs into a standard electrical outlet, so it needs no vent or gas line, and Zionheat gives it a one-year warranty. The brand shows as both Zionheat and Kucreiheat, so confirm who backs the warranty before you order.
What does a blower add to a recessed or wall mounted unit?
A blower is a small fan that pushes the heat out the front, so the warm air moves into the room instead of staying near the unit. Units without a fan still give heat, but the warm air moves less on its own.
The fan only moves what the heater makes, so a unit with a weak top setting won't feel strong just because it has a blower. Think of it as a way to move the warmth you already make, not as extra heat.
Four of the five also run the flame with no heat, so you can keep the look going in warm weather. LEMBERI doesn't say.
Watts, heat settings and what the room numbers mean
Every pick here offers a 750 W setting, and each one tops out at 1,500 W. A 1,500 W heater makes about 5,100 BTU per hour, which is a useful figure for comparing one unit with another.
Tehanld's flame-only setting runs the light with no heat at all, which is the other way to use these units in mild weather. Zionheat's Fan setting sits next to the two heat settings, so read its controls before you plan a warm evening.
What 1,500 W uses each hour
A 1,500 W heater uses 1.5 kilowatt-hours for each hour it runs on high. Multiply that by your hours of use and your electric rate, which is on your bill, to see what it costs in your home.
The 750 W setting draws half that, so it's the one to use when you only want a little warmth. For how that power turns into heat, read are electric fireplaces energy efficient.
Room size claims are the makers' figures
Xbeauty, LEMBERI and Antarctic Star say 400 sq ft, Zionheat says 900 sq ft, and Tehanld gives no figure. Those are the makers' own claims, not measurements of your room.
Ceiling height, windows and an open floor plan all change how far the heat reaches. For a broader look at how much heat these units give, read do electric fireplaces give off heat.
Which blower insert is quietest for a bedroom?
Xbeauty and LEMBERI say their blowers run at 40 dB or less, and Tehanld says its unit runs at about 40 dB. Those are the makers' own figures, so listen in your own room before you decide.
LEMBERI, Xbeauty and Antarctic Star list a sleep mode. LEMBERI's dims or turns off the flame lights and keeps the heat running, which suits a bedroom where the light would keep you awake.
Blower noise and sleep mode in an electric fireplace insert
Hard floors and small rooms can make any fan sound louder than the number suggests. Give the unit a few evenings in the room before you decide the noise is fine.
Do blower inserts plug in or need hard-wiring?
Xbeauty and Zionheat say their units plug into a standard outlet, and the other three don't say, so confirm each one before you plan the power.
A plug-in unit needs an outlet within reach of the spot, and the cord needs a clear route to it.
Xbeauty lists 12.5 amps, so check that against the circuit and ask an electrician if you're unsure. If a unit is hard-wired, or the spot needs a new outlet or circuit, follow the manual and use a licensed electrician.
Which width fits your wall?
The sizes in this list are 36, 50, 60 and 72 in wide, so the wall or cabinet sets the width first. The look and the heat come second.
The 36 in Antarctic Star fits a narrow wall or a small room, and our best small electric fireplace inserts list covers more units that size. The 50 in Tehanld is a common living room size for a mid-size wall.
The 60 in Xbeauty and the two 72 in units suit a long wall. For the size math, read what size electric fireplace you need.
Can these blower inserts be recessed or hung flat?
All five can be recessed or mounted on the wall. Xbeauty, Antarctic Star and Tehanld list a full recess, a semi recess and a flat wall mount, while LEMBERI lists a flush recess or a wall mount.
Antarctic Star also says it can stand on the legs it provides, which none of the others mention. Zionheat says it comes with the hardware and step-by-step instructions for a wall mount or a recess.
How do you size a recessed unit for depth and stud fit?
Match the width to your wall first, then check the depth and stud fit against your framing and the maker's manual. The depths in this list run from about 3.2 in to 3.86 in.
Xbeauty says its 60 in unit fits a 2 x 6 stud wall, and LEMBERI says its 72 in unit fits standard 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 studs. Those are the makers' notes, so the framing you have decides which one works.
Framing, drywall cuts and trim belong to the manual and a pro. Never cut into a load-bearing wall, or a wall that has wires or pipes in it.
Controls, timers and flame looks
Every pick has a remote and a timer, and Xbeauty, Antarctic Star and Zionheat add a touch screen or front panel. Timers run from 1 to 8 hours on three picks, and Tehanld's auto-off runs 12 hours.
A timer is the simplest way to stop the heat on its own when you go to bed.
Flame colors and ember bed looks
Xbeauty, Antarctic Star and Tehanld each list 12 flame colors, and Xbeauty and Tehanld add 12 ember bed colors. Zionheat lists 12 LED flame color modes, and LEMBERI offers several flame colors with crystal media bed options.
Tehanld counts its color sets as 144 combinations, which is the maker's own count. The flame color matters less than the heat setting for most rooms, so pick the look you like and then check the watts.
How heavy are blower inserts to hang?
The Antarctic Star is the lightest at 33 lb, and the Tehanld 50 weighs 46.3 lb. The LEMBERI 72 weighs 48.4 lb and the Xbeauty 60 weighs 48.5 lb, and Zionheat gives no weight for its 72 in unit.
Plan on a second person for any of the three heaviest picks. Antarctic Star says one person can hang its 36 in unit, but that's the maker's claim.
Where should the heat go on a TV wall?
Keep furniture, drapes and soft items away from the front of any heater, and follow the maker's manual for clearances, because each unit sets its own numbers. Three of these five say the heat leaves through a front outlet or vent.
If a TV hangs above or beside the unit, read both the fireplace maker's and the TV maker's heat notes, since the two can differ.
Xbeauty's own note for a spot under a TV is to leave an 8 in gap, but that's one maker's note and not an all-clear.
If a unit stops heating, read electric fireplace not heating for what to check first. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also publishes space heater safety advice worth a read.
Which electric fireplace insert with a blower to pick
Pick the Xbeauty 60 if you have a wide TV wall and an outlet within reach of the spot. It has a blower rated at 40 dB or less and a sleep mode.
Pick the LEMBERI 72 if you want a 72 in unit with a sleep mode for a bedroom or a quiet room at night. Its blower is rated under 40 dB, and the flame lights can go off while the heat stays on.
Pick the Antarctic Star 36 if your wall is small and you want a unit one person can hang. It's lighter than every other pick that lists a weight, at 33 lb, and it has a front heater blower.
Pick the Tehanld 50 if you want a set temperature and a 50 in unit for a living room, and you'll confirm the fan first. Pick the Zionheat 72 if you want a wide, slim unit with a Fan setting and a standard outlet nearby.
If the wall itself is still open, read how to plan a TV wall with an electric fireplace next.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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1
-
2
Best for a bedroom that wants quiet heat at night
LEMBERI 72 in Ultra-Thin Insert
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for a small wall or a 36 in opening
Antarctic Star 36 in Recessed Insert
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What does the blower do in an electric fireplace insert?
A blower is a small fan inside the unit that pushes heat out the front, and units without one still give heat but move it less on their own. Here, Xbeauty, LEMBERI and Antarctic Star describe a blower, and Zionheat lists a fan setting.
How loud is a blower electric fireplace?
Xbeauty and LEMBERI say their blowers run at 40 dB or less, and Tehanld says about 40 dB. Those are the makers' own figures, so listen in your own room before you decide, since small rooms and hard floors can make any fan sound louder.
Can I plug a blower insert into a wall outlet?
Xbeauty says its 60 in unit plugs into a 120 V outlet, and Zionheat says its 72 in unit plugs into a standard outlet. The other three don't say, so check whether each one plugs in or is hard-wired, and use a licensed electrician for any hard-wire or new-outlet work.
Do electric fireplace inserts need a vent?
No, electric units burn no fuel, so they need no flue, vent or gas line, and a blower insert gives off no smoke to carry out. Keep the front air outlet clear, and follow the maker's manual for clearances and any other installation notes.
Can a blower insert heat a whole house?
No, these units are supplemental zone heaters, and each room size is the maker's own claim. Xbeauty, LEMBERI and Antarctic Star say 400 sq ft and Zionheat says 900 sq ft, so plan on one room and keep your main heating in place.
