Best Small Electric Fireplace Inserts
The best small electric fireplace inserts include the Innoflame 23 Inch for a rear-access TV stand or cabinet, the EFIRETRIC Adam 23 Inch for a weekly on and off schedule, and the Giantex 28.5 Inch for a wide cabinet or wall opening.
On this page (14 sections)
- How we picked these seven small inserts
- The seven small electric fireplace inserts in detail
- Which small insert fits a TV stand or cabinet?
- Do small inserts plug in, and how long can the timer run?
- How does the width range change what you can fit?
- Which small insert is the shortest?
- How heavy are the small inserts?
- Which small insert has the most flame choices?
- Which small insert is quietest for a bedroom or office?
- How much heat does a small electric fireplace insert give?
- Can you put a TV above a small insert?
- Which small inserts have app, panel or remote controls?
- When is a small insert the wrong pick?
- Choosing the small electric fireplace insert for your gap
A small electric fireplace insert fits a TV stand, a short cabinet, a bedroom wall or a camper nook, where a 36 in or 50 in unit won't go.
This list covers seven units from 18 to 28.5 in wide. The top three are the Innoflame 23, the EFIRETRIC Adam 23 and the Giantex 28.5, and each one is sold as an insert.
The Innoflame slides into a TV stand or cabinet from the back, so our TV stand guide explains how to measure the opening first. For the bigger picture on wall and recessed units, start with the wall mounted and recessed electric fireplace guide.
We compared width, depth, heat, flame look and controls, and we checked depth first, since depth decides most small spaces. For a wider unit, the best electric fireplace inserts roundup covers larger models up to 44 in wide.
Our picks at a glance
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How we picked these seven small inserts
We ranked them by how well each one fits a small opening first, then by heat, flame look and controls. Depth counted for more than height, because a deep unit is the usual problem in a cabinet.
We left out the ORALNER 26 because it's an electric log set, not an insert.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
| Product | Best for | Size | Heat | Power | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innoflame 23 Inch | a rear-access TV stand or cabinet | 24 in W x 20.2 in H x 5 in D | 1,400 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | Plugs in | 8.5 |
| EFIRETRIC Adam 23 Inch | a weekly on and off schedule | 23.5 in W x 17.6 in H x 5.1 in D | 1,500 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | 120 V with a 6 ft cord | 8.3 |
| Giantex 28.5 Inch | a wide cabinet or wall opening | 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 | 8.1 |
| SIMOE 23 Inch | a bedroom with a quiet sleep mode | 25 in W x 18 in H x 5 in D | 1,500 W, up to 1,000 sq ft (maker's claim) | Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired | 8.0 |
| Tangkula 26 Inch | a curved front in a condo or apartment | 27.4 in W x 20.9 in H x 8.4 in D | 750 W or 1,500 W, up to 400 sq ft (maker's claim) | 6 ft cord, 110 to 120 V | 7.8 |
| ROVSUN 18 Inch | a nook about 19 inches wide | 19.2 in W x 17.3 in H x 5.1 in D | 1,400 W | Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired | 7.6 |
| ORALNER 23 Inch | a camper, cabin or small RV nook | 24.2 in W x 17.5 in H x 5.1 in D | 1,400 W, 225 sq ft (maker's claim) | Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired | 7.2 |
The seven small electric fireplace inserts in detail
The Innoflame 23 scores highest because it slides into a TV stand or cabinet from the back and sits flush with the front frame. The ORALNER 23 scores lowest because it has the smallest room claim in the group, at 225 sq ft.
Innoflame 23 Inch
- Front opening 23 in W x 19 3/4 in H
- About 5 in deep
- Four flame brightness levels
- 1,400 W heater, up to 400 sq ft
- 1 to 8 hour timer and a 64 to 82°F thermostat
A 23 in insert that slides into a TV stand or mantel from the back. Innoflame designs it to sit flush with the front frame, so it suits furniture you can reach from behind.
Pros
- Rear mount sits flush with the front frame
- Only 5 in deep
- Remote and control panel
Cons
- Needs rear access and a rear opening at least 24 in wide
- Four brightness levels, fewer than the SIMOE or the Giantex
The Innoflame 23 is an insert you mount from the rear of a TV stand, a fireplace cabinet or a mantel. Innoflame says you slide it forward into the cavity until it sits flush with the front frame, which gives a built-in look.
The furniture's front opening is 23 in wide by 19 3/4 in high, and the rear opening must be at least 24 in wide by 20 3/16 in high. The unit itself is 24 in wide, 20.2 in high and 5 in deep, and it weighs 19 lb.
The heater is 1,400 W, and Innoflame says it puts out 5,000 BTU and covers rooms up to 400 sq ft. The thermostat sets 64 to 82°F, and the timer runs from 1 to 8 hours.
The flame has four brightness levels, and the remote or the control panel runs it. The box holds the remote, screws and a user manual, and the unit plugs in once it's fitted.
EFIRETRIC Adam 23 Inch
- Insert 23.5 in W x 17.6 in H x 5.1 in D
- Front trim kit makes it 28.3 in wide overall
- 1,500 W heater, up to 400 sq ft
- Seven-day programmable timer
- Remote control and log included
A 23 in insert with a front trim kit and a seven-day timer. It suits a cabinet or wall gap where you want a set schedule for the heat and flame.
Pros
- Seven-day timer for each day of the week
- Front trim kit for a finished edge
- 1,500 W top setting
Cons
- The trim adds about 5 in to the width
- Heat room size is the maker's claim
The EFIRETRIC Adam 23 is an insert with a 23.5 in wide body that sits inside a cabinet or wall gap. A front trim kit makes the visible face 28.3 in wide, so the trim needs flat surface around the opening.
The weekly timer is the standout. It lets you set a schedule for each day of the week, so a cabinet unit can run when you want it.
It has a 1,500 W heater, and EFIRETRIC says it reaches 400 sq ft. It runs on 120 V with a 6 ft power cable, so it plugs in.
The remote and the log are included, and EFIRETRIC gives it a one-year limited warranty. Read the manual for the overheat and clearance details before you set the unit in place.
Giantex 28.5 Inch
- 28.5 in W x 21 in H x 6 in D
- 750 W and 1,500 W heat settings
- Three flame colors and five brightness levels
- 62 to 82°F thermostat and a 0 to 8 hour timer
- Remote control included
A 28.5 in insert for a wide cabinet or wall opening. It's the widest unit here, with 750 W and 1,500 W heat settings.
Pros
- Widest unit in this roundup
- 750 W and 1,500 W heat settings
- Flame runs on its own without heat
Cons
- At 25.7 lb it's the second-heaviest unit that lists a weight
- At 6 in deep, it needs more room than the 5 in units
The Giantex 28.5 is the widest unit in this roundup, at 28.5 in wide, 21 in high and 6 in deep. Giantex says you can set it into a cabinet or a wall, so measure the opening before you order.
The heater has two settings, 750 W and 1,500 W, and the thermostat runs from 62 to 82°F. The timer runs from 0 to 8 hours.
The flame has three colors and five brightness levels, and it can run on its own without heat. You watch the flame and log through tempered glass.
You can run it by hand or with the remote, and the remote comes with the unit. At 25.7 lb it's the second-heaviest unit here that lists a weight, so plan the lift before you set it into a high cabinet.
SIMOE 23 Inch
- Overall 25 in W x 18 in H x 5 in D
- Cutout 23 in W x 17 in H, 5.5 in deep
- Six flame colors and five brightness levels
- Sleep mode below 42 dB
- Child lock and 0.5 to 8 hour timer
A quiet 23 in insert with a sleep mode and six flame colors. It suits a bedroom or an office where low noise matters.
Pros
- Sleep mode runs below 42 dB, SIMOE says
- Six flame colors and sparkling crystal embers
- Touch panel and remote
Cons
- The 1,000 sq ft claim is SIMOE's, so judge it for your room
- The cutout is smaller than the overall box
The SIMOE 23 is a quiet pick for a bedroom or an office. SIMOE says the sleep mode runs below 42 dB, and the controls include a touch panel and a remote.
The cutout is 23 in wide, 5.5 in deep and 17 in high, and the unit itself is 25 in wide by 18 in high. Use the cutout for your opening, since the overall box is larger.
It has six flame colors, five brightness levels and sparkling crystal embers. The flame can run without heat as a year-round decoration.
SIMOE gives the heater 1,500 W and rates it for up to 1,000 sq ft, which is a bigger claim than most units here.
The thermostat runs from 60 to 99°F, a wider range than most. A child lock turns on by holding the timer button for six seconds.
Tangkula 26 Inch
- 27.4 in W x 20.9 in H x 8.4 in D
- Slides into a 24.6 in wide opening
- Curved tempered glass with three flame colors
- 750 W and 1,500 W heat settings
- Remote works up to 20 ft away
A curved 26 in insert for a condo, apartment or RV. It needs 8.4 in of depth, so it won't fit a shallow cabinet.
Pros
- Curved glass front
- Remote works up to 20 ft away
- Six brightness levels for the flame
Cons
- At 8.4 in deep, it's deeper than most units here
- Only three flame colors
The Tangkula 26 is a curved insert for a condo, an apartment or an RV. It's 27.4 in wide, 20.9 in high and 8.4 in deep.
It slides into an opening 24.6 in wide, 8.5 in deep and 20.7 in high, so the space needs to be close to that size. The curved tempered glass shows three flame colors and six brightness levels, and Tangkula says it spreads the flame wide.
The heater has 750 W and 1,500 W settings, and Tangkula rates it for up to 400 sq ft. The thermostat runs from 62 to 82°F, and the timer goes up to 6 hours.
The remote works up to 20 ft away, and a 6 ft power cord runs on 110 to 120 V, so it plugs in. At 31 lb it's the heaviest unit here that lists a weight.
ROVSUN 18 Inch
- 19.2 in W x 17.3 in H x 5.1 in D
- 1,400 W heater with a top front vent
- Six flame colors and five brightness settings
- Remote, control panel or app
- 8-hour timer and a tilt shut-off
An 18 in unit and the narrowest pick here. It suits a nook about 19 in wide and a buyer who wants app control.
Pros
- Narrowest unit in this roundup
- Remote, panel and app control
- Shuts off when tilted past 45 degrees, ROVSUN says
Cons
- ROVSUN gives no room-size figure
- Only one app-controlled unit in this group
The ROVSUN 18 is the narrowest pick here, at 19.2 in wide and 5.1 in deep. It suits a nook about 19 in wide, not a standard 23 in cabinet opening.
It has six flame colors and five brightness settings, plus a 1,400 W heater with a vent on the top front. The timer runs up to 8 hours, and the unit can run as a flame-only display.
You can control it with the remote, the panel or the app, and the thermostat runs from 62 to 82°F. ROVSUN says it shuts off if it's tilted more than 45 degrees.
ROVSUN doesn't give a room-size figure, so judge the heat by the wattage and your room. Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired before you plan the outlet.
ORALNER 23 Inch
- About 24 in W x 17.5 in H x 5.1 in D
- Three flame brightness levels
- 1,400 W heater rated for 225 sq ft
- 30-minute to 6-hour timer
- Flame-only mode with the heat off
A basic recessed insert for a camper, cabin or small RV nook. It has the simplest controls here and the smallest room claim.
Pros
- Simple controls with an LED screen
- Flame-only mode with the heat off
- Overheat shut-off
Cons
- Smallest room claim in this roundup
- Only three flame brightness levels
The ORALNER 23 is a basic recessed insert for a camper, a cabin or a small RV nook. It's about 24 in wide, 17.5 in high and 5.1 in deep.
ORALNER says the heater runs at 1,400 W and rates it for 225 sq ft, the smallest room claim in this roundup. That suits a small room, not a big living room.
The flame has three brightness levels, and the timer runs from 30 minutes to 6 hours. The LED screen shows the settings, and the remote controls everything.
It has a flame-only mode with the heat off, so it can work as a decoration all year. At 16 lb it's the lightest unit here that lists a weight, and you should read the cabinet clearances in the manual before you install it.
Which small insert fits a TV stand or cabinet?
Innoflame, SIMOE, ORALNER and Giantex all say they fit a TV stand or cabinet, and the Innoflame mounts from the furniture's rear. Measure the cabinet opening first, then compare it with the unit's cutout rather than its overall box.
SIMOE's cutout is 23 by 5.5 by 17 in, while its overall box is 25 by 5 by 18 in, so the box size can mislead you. If you're fitting one into an old firebox instead, see putting an electric insert in an existing fireplace.
Measuring for a small electric fireplace insert
Width and depth matter more than height for a small electric fireplace insert, because a unit that's too deep won't sit flush. Five of the seven are about 5 in deep, so the Tangkula at 8.4 in stands out, with the Giantex next at 6 in.
Take the width at the top and the bottom, since a cabinet opening can be a little uneven. Compare those numbers with the cutout and the overall box, and leave room for any trim.
The Innoflame slides in from behind, so it needs a rear opening at least 24 in wide and 20 3/16 in high. Its front opening is 23 in wide and 19 3/4 in high.
Do small inserts plug in, and how long can the timer run?
The EFIRETRIC and the Innoflame say their units plug in, and the Tangkula lists a 6 ft cord for 110 to 120 V, so those three are the clear plug-in picks. The other four need a check before you plan the outlet.
Plan the cord route before you slide a unit into a cabinet, since a cord can get pinched behind it.
Timers top out at 6 hours on the Tangkula and the ORALNER, and at 8 hours on the Innoflame, the SIMOE, the ROVSUN 18 and the Giantex. The EFIRETRIC has a seven-day schedule instead.
How does the width range change what you can fit?
Four of the seven are sold as 23 in units, and they measure about 24 to 25 in wide overall, or 28.3 in with the EFIRETRIC's trim kit. The width decides how much of the opening the flame fills.
The ROVSUN 18 is the only unit under 20 in wide, so it's the one for a narrow nook. The Giantex 28.5 is the widest unit in the group at 28.5 in, and the Tangkula 26 is the deepest at 8.4 in.
Which small insert is the shortest?
The ROVSUN 18 is the shortest at 17.3 in high, followed by the ORALNER at 17.5 in and the EFIRETRIC body at 17.6 in. The SIMOE is 18 in high overall, with a 17 in cutout.
The Innoflame is 20.2 in high, the Tangkula is 20.9 in and the Giantex is 21 in. Those three need a taller opening.
How heavy are the small inserts?
Three of the seven are light, at 16 lb for the ORALNER and 19 lb each for the Innoflame and the SIMOE. The Giantex is 25.7 lb, and the Tangkula is heavier at 31 lb.
The EFIRETRIC and the ROVSUN 18 give no weight. Check it before you plan a one-person lift into a high cabinet.
Which small insert has the most flame choices?
The SIMOE and the ROVSUN 18 each have six flame colors and five brightness levels, and the SIMOE adds sparkling crystal embers. The Tangkula's curved glass shows three flame colors and six brightness levels.
The Giantex has three flame colors and five brightness levels. The Innoflame has four, and the ORALNER has three, the fewest of the units with a stated count.
Five of the seven say the flame runs without heat: the SIMOE, the ROVSUN 18, the ORALNER, the Tangkula and the Giantex. The Innoflame and the EFIRETRIC don't say, so check before you count on a summer flame.
Which small insert is quietest for a bedroom or office?
The SIMOE and the ROVSUN 18 are the two picks here that state a sound level, at below 42 dB and below 45 dB. Both makers give those numbers, so treat them as their claims.
SIMOE says its sleep mode runs below 42 dB. Every unit in this list has a timer, so a bedroom unit can shut itself off, and you should keep the cord out of the way of the bed.
How much heat does a small electric fireplace insert give?
All seven run at 1,400 W or 1,500 W on the top setting, and most room claims run from 225 to 1,000 sq ft. Read those room sizes as the makers' claims, not a promise.
The Tangkula and the Giantex both name a 750 W low setting. The others give one wattage, and most add a thermostat to hold the temperature.
At 1,500 W the heater uses 1.5 kWh for each hour, so multiply that by your own rate to estimate running cost.
A small insert warms the space you sit in, like a bedroom or a camper, and it won't replace the main heat in a house. If heat is your top goal, the best electric fireplace inserts with a blower roundup is the better list.
For general space heater tips, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is a good source.
Can you put a TV above a small insert?
Read both the insert maker's and the TV maker's heat and clearance notes before you put a TV near one. Don't assume a TV is fine above or beside a heater just because the insert fits the cabinet.
Tangkula's own note for its 26 in unit is to keep 12 in from a TV above it, but that's one maker's number and not an all-clear. If the cabinet needs a new outlet or a hard-wired unit, a licensed electrician should handle that part.
Which small inserts have app, panel or remote controls?
All seven come with a remote and a timer, and the ROVSUN 18 adds an app. The SIMOE has a touch panel, the Innoflame and ROVSUN have a control panel, the Giantex also runs by hand, and the ORALNER has an LED screen.
The EFIRETRIC and the Tangkula describe a remote only.
In the box, the EFIRETRIC adds a log, and the Tangkula adds assembly hardware and instructions. The Innoflame adds screws and a user manual, and the ORALNER and the ROVSUN 18 also come with a user manual.
For the steps and the outlet check, read how to install an electric fireplace insert.
When is a small insert the wrong pick?
A small insert is the wrong pick if your opening is wider than 28.5 in, if you need a whole-house heater or if you want a freestanding log look. Each of these units is sized for a single small room, not a whole house.
Wider openings need the larger units in our full-size roundup. If you want a freestanding log set instead, the insert vs electric log set comparison explains the trade-off.
Choosing the small electric fireplace insert for your gap
Pick the Innoflame 23 for a TV stand or cabinet you can reach from the back, the SIMOE 23 for a bedroom and the ROVSUN 18 for the narrowest nook. Each of those is the best fit for its use in this group.
Pick the Giantex 28.5 for a wide cabinet or wall opening. Pick the EFIRETRIC Adam 23 for a weekly schedule.
Pick the Tangkula 26 for a curved front in a condo or an RV, and the ORALNER 23 for a basic unit in a camper or a cabin.
For a wider opening, the best electric fireplace inserts roundup is the next read.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best small electric fireplace insert?
For a TV stand or cabinet, the Innoflame 23 is the top pick, because it slides in from the back and sits flush with the front frame. For a bedroom, the SIMOE 23 has a sleep mode that runs below 42 dB, and you should measure its cutout, not its overall box, before you order.
How big is a small electric fireplace insert?
Small inserts run from about 19 in to 28.5 in wide, and most are sold as 23 in units that measure about 24 to 25 in overall. Depth runs from about 5 in to 8.4 in on the curved Tangkula, so measure the depth and the cutout before you pick a unit.
Can a small electric fireplace insert heat a bedroom?
It can add supplemental heat, since each unit runs at 1,400 W or 1,500 W on high and most room claims run from 225 to 1,000 sq ft. Treat those room sizes as the maker's claims, because the insert won't replace the main heat in a house.
Does a small electric fireplace insert need a vent?
No, an electric insert has no real fire and makes no smoke or fumes, so it needs no flue. Follow the manual for air openings and clearances, and have a chimney professional check any old chimney before you install one.
