Best Electric Fireplace Inserts
The best electric fireplace inserts include the PuraFlame Western for a crackling sound and a plug-in set-up, the LegendFlame Damon for a deep opening with a glass door, and the PuraFlame Klaus for a wide opening that needs a trim kit.
On this page (13 sections)
- How we picked these seven inserts
- The seven best electric fireplace inserts in detail
- Insert, wall mount or freestanding: which setups do these units allow?
- Which electric fireplace insert fits your opening?
- How do you measure an opening for an electric fireplace insert?
- Do these inserts plug in or need hard-wiring?
- How much heat does an electric fireplace insert give?
- Which inserts have a thermostat and a timer?
- Which inserts have sound, glass and a trim kit?
- Which inserts run the flame without heat?
- How heavy are these electric fireplace inserts?
- Can a TV go above or beside an electric insert?
- Choosing the best electric fireplace insert for your wall
An electric fireplace insert slides into a firebox, a cabinet or a wall opening, so you get the flame look without a chimney.
This list covers full-size inserts from 28.5 in to 44 in wide, for living rooms with an old firebox, a TV cabinet or a wall recess. The top three are the PuraFlame Western, the LegendFlame Damon and the PuraFlame Klaus.
We compared width, depth, flame look, sound, heat and controls, and we checked the specs for each one. If your space is tighter, our best small electric fireplace inserts roundup covers units 18 to 26 in wide.
If you're fitting one into an old firebox, read putting an electric insert in an existing fireplace first. If you're torn between an insert and logs, electric fireplace insert vs electric log set compares the two.
For the broader guide to wall and recessed units, start with the wall mounted and recessed electric fireplace guide.
Our picks at a glance
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How we picked these seven inserts
We ranked the seven by how well each one fits a real opening first, then by flame look, sound and heat. A unit that's the right size beats a bigger one that won't go in.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
| Product | Best for | Size | Heat | Power | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PuraFlame Western | a crackling sound and a plug-in set-up | 35 1/16 in W x 26 31/32 in H x 8 25/32 in D | 750 W or 1,500 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | 120 V plug-in | 8.7 |
| LegendFlame Damon | a deep opening with a glass door | 34.7 in W x 26.1 in H x 11.6 in D | 750 W or 1,500 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | 120 V plug-in, cannot be hard-wired | 8.4 |
| PuraFlame Klaus | a wide opening that needs a trim kit | 44.1 in W x 31.5 in H x 10 in D | 750 W or 1,500 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | 120 V plug-in, cannot be hard-wired | 8.2 |
| VEVOR 35 Inch | a recessed wall with nine flame colors | 35 in W x 27 in H x 5.9 in D | 750 W or 1,500 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | Corded electric, check plug or hard-wire | 8.1 |
| Electactic 36 Inch Ultra-Thin | a shallow wall recess that sits flush | 36 in W x 18.1 in H x 3.86 in D | 750 W or 1,500 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired | 8.0 |
| Masarflame 36 Inch Retro | a retro brick look with a built-in speaker | 35.6 in W x 27.3 in H x 8.8 in D | 750 W or 1,500 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | 120 V plug-in, 6 ft cable | 7.6 |
| Giantex 28.5 Inch | a 28-inch opening or a freestanding spot | 28.5 in W x 21 in H x 6 in D | 750 W or 1,500 W | Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired | 7.3 |
The seven best electric fireplace inserts in detail
The PuraFlame Western scores highest because it plugs in, has a glass front and adds a crackling sound. The Giantex 28.5 scores lowest because it's the narrowest unit here, so it fills the least of a wall.
PuraFlame Western
- 35 1/16 in wide overall
- Fire crackling sound with three flame settings
- 750 W and 1,500 W heat settings
- Remote control and adjustable thermostat
- Plugs into 120 V and cannot be hard-wired
A plug-in insert with a crackling sound and a glass front. Its flame chamber is 32 1/8 in wide, and PuraFlame calls it a supplemental heater.
Pros
- Plugs into a standard 120 V outlet
- Flame runs with or without heat
- Remote control and adjustable thermostat
Cons
- Weighs 46.7 lb, so plan for help on moves
- Its 35 in width needs a wide opening
The PuraFlame Western is our top pick because it's simple to place. It plugs into a 120 V outlet, and its flat bottom lets it sit on the floor of an opening.
Overall it's 35 1/16 in wide, 26 31/32 in high and 8 25/32 in deep, and its own firebox is 32 1/8 in wide. PuraFlame says to contact it before ordering if you're not sure the unit suits your opening.
Its three flame settings run with or without heat, and a resin log, a three-sided brick interior and a crackling sound give the look some life.
PuraFlame calls it a supplemental heater for up to 400 sq ft, and says it's not a main heat source. At 1,500 W it works best for the room you sit in, not the whole house.
The remote runs the flame and the heat, and the thermostat holds the room temperature you pick. At 46.7 lb it's heavy, so plan on a second person, and PuraFlame backs it with a one-year limited warranty.
LegendFlame Damon
- 34.7 in W x 26.1 in H x 11.6 in D
- Glass door and mesh screen
- Freestanding, insert or recessed set-up
- Four brightness and five speed flame settings
- 750 W and 1,500 W heat, plugs into 120 V
A deep insert with a glass door and mesh screen. It suits an opening with room behind it, and LegendFlame says it works freestanding, inserted or recessed.
Pros
- Glass door and mesh screen included
- Flame can run without heat
- Three ways to set it up
Cons
- At 11.6 in deep, it needs more room than slim units
- Its depth rules out a shallow recess
The LegendFlame Damon is the deep pick, at 11.6 in deep, and it comes with a glass door and a mesh screen. It's built for an opening that has room behind it.
It's 34.7 in wide and 26.1 in high without trim, so it's close to the Western in width but needs far more depth. LegendFlame says it can stand free, go into an opening or sit recessed in the wall.
The flame has four brightness levels and five speeds, and nine mood-light settings shine down on the resin log. It runs with or without the heater, so it works as decoration in warm months.
Like the Western, it plugs into a 120 V outlet and can't be hard-wired. Its 750 W and 1,500 W heater is rated for up to 400 sq ft, and LegendFlame says it's a supplemental source, not a main one.
PuraFlame Klaus
- 44.1 in W x 31.5 in H x 10 in D overall
- Trim kit, glass door and mesh screen
- Resin log with three flame settings
- 750 W and 1,500 W heat settings
- Plugs into 120 V and cannot be hard-wired
A wide insert with a trim kit, glass door and mesh screen. It suits a larger opening that needs a finished edge around the front.
Pros
- Trim kit for a finished edge
- Glass door and mesh screen
- Flame runs with or without heat
Cons
- The name says 33 in, but the overall width is 44.1 in
- PuraFlame says it cannot be a main heat source
The PuraFlame Klaus is the wide pick, at 44.1 in across, 31.5 in high and 10 in deep, with a trim kit, a glass door and a mesh screen. It suits a wide opening that needs a finished front, not a narrow nook.
The name says 33, but the overall width is 44.1 in, so ask PuraFlame which number matches your opening before you order. Don't buy it for a 33 in firebox on the name alone.
Inside, a resin log sits above an ember bed, with three flame settings that run with or without heat. A crackling sound and a 750 W and 1,500 W heater come with it.
Like the Western, it plugs into a 120 V outlet and can't be hard-wired. PuraFlame rates it for up to 400 sq ft, says it's not a main heat source, and gives it a one-year limited warranty.
VEVOR 35 Inch
- 35 in W x 27 in H x 5.9 in D
- Recessed or wall mounted
- Nine flame colors and five brightness levels
- 8-hour timer
- Overheat protection
A recessed or wall-mounted insert with nine flame colors. It suits a wall recess where you want to change the flame color, and VEVOR says it heats up to 400 sq ft.
Pros
- Nine flame colors and five brightness levels
- 8-hour timer
- Recessed or wall mounted
Cons
- Room size and BTU figures are VEVOR's claims
- Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired
The VEVOR 35 is for a recessed wall where you want to change the flame color. It's 35 in wide, 27 in high and 5.9 in deep, and it can go recessed or wall mounted.
It has nine flame colors and five brightness levels, which gives you more control over the look than the Western's three flame settings.
VEVOR says it heats up to 400 sq ft with 5,000 BTU, and the heat settings are 750 W and 1,500 W. Those room and BTU numbers are the maker's claims, so treat them as a guide.
An 8-hour timer and overheat protection that shuts the unit off if it gets too hot come with it, and so do installation accessories, a remote and a manual. Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired before you plan the outlet.
Electactic 36 Inch Ultra-Thin
- 3.86 in deep
- 36 in W x 18.1 in H
- 12 flame colors and 12 ember bed colors
- Remote and touch panel
- 1 to 8 hour timer
An ultra-thin insert that's 3.86 in deep. It suits a shallow wall recess where you want a flush, built-in look.
Pros
- Very thin at 3.86 in deep
- Remote and touch panel
- 12 flame colors and 12 ember bed colors
Cons
- Recessing it means framing and a cutout
- At 18 in tall, it suits a short, wide spot
The Electactic 36 is the thinnest unit here at 3.86 in deep, so it suits a shallow wall recess where you want a flush, built-in look. Electactic says you can also recess it partway or hang it on the wall like a panel.
At 18 in tall, it suits a short, wide spot rather than a tall one. It has 12 flame colors and 12 ember bed colors, plus a remote and a touch panel for changing them.
The timer runs from 1 to 8 hours. Electactic says it heats up to 400 sq ft with 750 W or 1,500 W settings, and that it runs at about 45 dB with a sleep mode.
Recessing it means framing and a cutout, so follow the maker's manual and bring in a pro for the wall work. Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired before you plan the outlet.
Masarflame 36 Inch Retro
- 35.6 in W x 27.3 in H x 8.8 in D overall
- Three-sided brick interior with resin logs
- Built-in speaker with a crackling sound
- Five flame intensity levels and three light colors
- 120 V plug-in with a 6 ft cable
A retro brick insert with a built-in crackling speaker. It suits an old firebox that needs a classic look, with a 6 ft cord for a 120 V outlet.
Pros
- Built-in speaker plays a crackling sound
- Five flame intensity levels
- Plugs in with a 6 ft cable
Cons
- At 8.8 in deep, it's deeper than the slim units
- Overall width is 35.6 in but the insert body is about 32.6 in, so measure twice
The Masarflame 36 is the retro pick, with a three-sided brick interior and resin logs sitting over an ember bed. It has a classic firebox look that suits a traditional room.
It's 35.6 in wide, 27.3 in high and 8.8 in deep overall, and the insert body is about 32.6 in wide. That makes it a deep, full-width unit, so measure the opening against both widths.
A built-in speaker plays a crackling sound, and five flame intensity levels run with three light colors. The flame can run without heat, so it works as decoration in any season.
It runs on 120 V with a 6 ft cable, and its heat settings are 750 W and 1,500 W, sent out through a vent on the top front. Masarflame says an automatic safety cut-off stops the heat before the unit overheats.
Giantex 28.5 Inch
- 28.5 in W x 21 in H x 6 in D
- Wall mount or freestanding
- Three flame colors and five brightness modes
- Flame-only mode without heat
- 62 to 82 F thermostat and 0 to 8 hour timer
A narrow 28.5 in unit that works wall mounted or freestanding. It suits a short TV wall, a cabinet about 28 in wide or a bedroom.
Pros
- Works wall mounted or freestanding
- Remote control and 8-hour timer
- Flame runs without heat
Cons
- Its narrow width fills less of a wide TV wall
- Three flame colors is fewer than the VEVOR or Electactic
The Giantex 28.5 is the narrowest unit in this roundup, and only 6 in deep. It can go wall mounted, or stand freestanding if you don't want to cut into a wall.
It has three flame colors (orange-red, blue and a mix), five brightness modes and a flame-only mode that runs without heat. That's fewer color choices than the VEVOR or the Electactic.
The thermostat runs from 62 to 82°F, and the timer goes from 0 to 8 hours. Giantex says the two heat settings are 750 W and 1,500 W.
Its 28.5 in width fills less of a wide TV wall, so it suits a small wall, a short cabinet or a bedroom. Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired before you plan the outlet.
Insert, wall mount or freestanding: which setups do these units allow?
The Western, the Klaus, the LegendFlame and the Masarflame are firebox-style inserts with a brick-look interior. The VEVOR and the Electactic are slim wall units, and the Giantex can hang on a wall or stand on the floor.
Pick the setup first, because it decides which width and depth you can use. LegendFlame says the Damon can stand in the room, go into an opening or sit recessed.
If the opening is a cabinet, read can you put an electric fireplace insert in a TV stand before you buy.
Which electric fireplace insert fits your opening?
Measure the opening's width, height and depth first, then pick the insert whose box fits inside it. Width is the first number to check, because a unit wider than your opening won't go in at all.
Depth matters just as much for a cabinet or a recess. A deep unit can hit the back wall or the frame before it sits flush.
How deep should an electric fireplace insert be?
The Electactic 36 is the shallowest here at 3.86 in, so it suits a thin wall recess. The LegendFlame Damon is the deepest at 11.6 in, so it needs a firebox or a deep cabinet with room behind it.
The others run from 5.9 in on the VEVOR and 6 in on the Giantex to 8 25/32 in on the Western, 8.8 in on the Masarflame and 10 in on the Klaus.
Measure from the front of the opening to the back wall, not from the edge of the old trim.
How do you measure an opening for an electric fireplace insert?
Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom, then the height and the depth, and use the smallest reading as your limit. An opening is often a little uneven.
Read each maker's overall size and body size separately. The Western is 35 1/16 in wide overall with a 32 1/8 in firebox, and the Masarflame is 35.6 in overall with an insert body about 32.6 in wide.
The Klaus is the one to double-check, since its name says 33 in and its overall width is 44.1 in. Add room for trim, the cord and the airflow the manual asks for.
Do these inserts plug in or need hard-wiring?
Four of the seven run on a 120 V plug (the Western, the Klaus, the LegendFlame and the Masarflame), so the outlet location matters most. The VEVOR, the Electactic and the Giantex don't say, so check each one before you plan the outlet.
A plug-in unit needs a reachable outlet, and the 6 ft cord on the Masarflame should run without crossing a walkway, and the Western's manual has its cord details. If a unit is hard-wired or the spot needs a new outlet, use a licensed electrician and follow the maker's manual.
Our how to install an electric fireplace insert guide covers the rest of the set-up.
How much heat does an electric fireplace insert give?
All seven have a 750 W low setting and a 1,500 W high setting, and six carry a maker's rating of about 400 sq ft. Giantex gives no room size, so judge it by the wattage.
At 1,500 W the heater uses 1.5 kWh for each hour, so multiply that by your own rate to estimate running cost. Treat the room rating as supplemental heat for the room you sit in, because an insert doesn't replace a main heater.
If heat is your main goal, our best electric fireplace inserts with a blower roundup covers slim units with a fan. For basic heat safety, the NFPA's home fire safety pages are a good starting point.
Which inserts have a thermostat and a timer?
Six of the seven list a thermostat, and four list a timer: the Giantex, the VEVOR, the Electactic and the Masarflame. The Western, the Klaus and the LegendFlame list a thermostat but no timer.
The Giantex and the VEVOR both set 62 to 82°F, and the Giantex timer runs 0 to 8 hours. The Electactic has a 1 to 8 hour timer, so start with those three if you want the unit to shut itself off at bedtime.
The Masarflame lists a timer but doesn't mention a thermostat, so check before you count on a set room temperature.
Which inserts have sound, glass and a trim kit?
Four of the seven add a crackling sound (the Western, the Klaus, the LegendFlame and the Masarflame), and only the Klaus lists a trim kit with the unit. The Klaus and the LegendFlame also add a glass door and a mesh screen.
The VEVOR and the Electactic lean on color instead. The VEVOR has nine flame colors, and the Electactic has 12 flame plus 12 ember bed colors.
The Giantex keeps it simple with three colors and five brightness modes.
A trim kit covers the gap around an opening, so plan for an uneven edge on the other units. The Electactic hides its own edge with a nearly invisible bezel.
The Western and the Klaus use a resin log about 11.8 in high, and the Masarflame and the LegendFlame use resin logs too.
Which inserts run the flame without heat?
The Western, the Klaus, the LegendFlame, the Masarflame and the Giantex all say the flame runs with the heater off. That's useful in warm months, when you want the look without the heat.
The VEVOR and the Electactic don't spell it out, so check before you count on a summer flame.
How heavy are these electric fireplace inserts?
The Masarflame is the heaviest at 51.6 lb, and the Giantex is the lightest at 25.7 lb. The Western weighs 46.7 lb, the VEVOR 32.4 lb and the Electactic 28.7 lb.
LegendFlame gives no weight for the Damon, and PuraFlame gives none for the Klaus, so ask before you plan a one-person carry. Plan on a second person for the heavier units and for any wall unit you hang.
Can a TV go above or beside an electric insert?
Read the insert maker's and the TV maker's heat and clearance notes before you hang a TV near one. Don't assume a TV is safe above or beside a heater just because the insert fits the opening.
Electric fireplace insert clearance for a TV wall
Most inserts here go in a firebox or a cabinet, so a TV above one is a different setup from a TV on a plain wall. If you plan a TV wall, use the clearance numbers in each maker's manual and never guess a distance.
Choosing the best electric fireplace insert for your wall
Pick the PuraFlame Western if you want a crackling sound, a glass front and a plug-in cord in a firebox. Pick the Electactic 36 if your recess is shallow, and the LegendFlame Damon if your opening has room behind it.
Pick the Klaus for a wide opening that needs a trim kit, the VEVOR for flame colors in a recess, and the Masarflame for a retro brick look. Pick the Giantex 28.5 if your wall is narrow and you may want it freestanding.
For smaller openings, the best small electric fireplace inserts list is the next read.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best electric fireplace insert?
The PuraFlame Western is the best pick here for a firebox, because it plugs in, has a glass front and adds a crackling sound. Pick the Electactic 36 if your wall recess is shallow, and remember that width and depth decide whether any insert fits.
Can an electric fireplace insert heat a room?
Yes, as supplemental heat for one room. Most inserts here run at 750 W or 1,500 W and carry a maker's rating of about 400 sq ft, but that rating is a claim, and an insert warms the space around it, so it doesn't replace a main heater.
Do electric fireplace inserts need a chimney?
An electric insert has no real fire, so it makes no smoke or fumes and needs no flue, though you should keep the air openings clear and follow the manual. Have a chimney professional check any old chimney or damper before you install one.
Can I put a TV above an electric fireplace insert?
Read the fireplace maker's and the TV maker's heat and clearance notes first, since those set the spacing. Don't assume a TV is safe above or beside a heater just because the insert fits, and use a licensed electrician if the spot needs a new outlet or hard-wiring.
