Wall Mounted and Recessed Electric Fireplaces: Full Guide
A wall mounted electric fireplace hangs on the wall, while a recessed one sits inside a framed opening. Choose by your wall width, your TV and how much heat you want from a plug-in or hard-wired unit.
On this page (20 sections)
- What is a wall mounted electric fireplace?
- Wall mounted, recessed or insert: how do they differ?
- Which size fits your wall and TV?
- How much heat does a wall mounted electric fireplace give?
- What does installation involve?
- What safety basics apply to a wall mounted electric fireplace?
- What to measure before you order
- How do the wall mounted picks compare on size and depth?
- Controls, flame looks and timers
- Who a wall mounted electric fireplace suits, and who it doesn't
- Mistakes to avoid before you buy
- Heat and power questions to read next
- Sizes and TV wall planning
- Wall and recessed roundups
- Install steps and venting questions
- Inserts, log sets and TV cabinets
- Wall, recessed and other matchups
- Single-unit reviews
- Next step: the living room buying path
- Which wall mounted electric fireplace should you pick?
A wall mounted electric fireplace is a slim heater with a flame display that hangs on the wall. A recessed model sits inside a framed opening, and an insert drops into a firebox or cabinet you already have.
This guide covers the types, sizes, heat, installation and safety, then links to every other post on this site.
Read it in order if you're starting from scratch. Otherwise, jump to the heading that matches your question, since each section opens with a short answer.
What is a wall mounted electric fireplace?
A wall mounted electric fireplace is a flat unit that hangs on a bracket, much like a framed picture. It makes its flame look with LED lights and a crystal or log bed, and its heater can run with the flame or on its own.
The units in this guide are slim, from 3.86 in deep to 5.5 in deep. The Antarctic Star 36 in and the R.W.FLAME 60 in are both 3.86 in deep, while the Touchstone 50 in is 5.5 in deep.
Some slim units also come with legs. Antarctic Star says its 36 in unit can stand on the legs it includes, which helps if you aren't ready to mount it yet.
Wall mounted, recessed or insert: how do they differ?
A wall mounted unit hangs on the surface, a recessed unit sits inside a framed opening, and an insert fills an opening that already exists. Pick by the wall you have and how much prep you're ready to do.
A wall mounted unit needs a secure bracket into studs or the right anchors. In this guide it sits between 3.86 in and 5.5 in off the wall.
A recessed unit sits inside the wall, so it looks close to flush with the surface. The opening has to be cut and framed to fit the unit, which makes it the bigger job.
An insert is built for a firebox or cabinet opening that's already there. Many inserts come with a trim kit to close the gap at the edges.
How a wall mounted electric fireplace differs from a recessed one
The main difference is the wall work. A wall mounted unit hangs on a bracket, while a recessed unit needs the wall opened and framed before the unit goes in.
Depth decides how much of the wall the unit takes up. R.W.FLAME says its 60 in unit fits a 2 x 6 stud, which is a deeper cavity than a 2 x 4 stud.
Touchstone says its Sideline can be hard-wired or plugged in, so the wiring plan belongs on your checklist too.
Which size fits your wall and TV?
A 36 in unit suits a small wall, a 50 in unit suits most living rooms, and a 60 in unit suits a wide wall. Start with the wall width, then check the depth, the stud fit and the TV that will share the space.
Many people line the fireplace up with the TV above or below it, so the two look planned together. Width comes first and depth comes second, since a deeper unit sticks farther out from the wall.
Matching a wall mounted electric fireplace to your TV
The 60 in size makes sense for a wide wall and a larger TV, while the 50 in size fits most living rooms. Choose the width that leaves comfortable space on each side of the TV, not the one with the biggest number.
How much heat does a wall mounted electric fireplace give?
Every unit in this guide offers a 750 W setting and a 1,500 W setting. The 1,500 W setting is about 5,100 BTU per hour, which is real warmth for one room.
Watts measure how much electricity the heater draws, while BTUs measure heat output. A 750 W setting is about 2,560 BTU per hour, so the low setting gives roughly half the heat.
At full heat, a 1,500 W unit uses 1.5 kWh for each hour it runs. Multiply that by your electric rate, which is printed on your bill, to estimate the cost of one hour.
The Department of Energy's Energy Saver site explains how heating and power use add up in general terms.
Zone heat, not a whole-house heater
A wall mounted unit warms the room you're sitting in, so it works best as extra warmth in a living room. It isn't a whole-house heater, and it isn't meant to be your main source of heat.
Makers often quote a room size. R.W.FLAME says its heat covers up to 400 sq ft, and Touchstone gives the same 400 sq ft figure for its 50 in unit.
Treat those as the makers' claims for a room, not a promise for yours. Use them to compare units, not to predict your room.
Thermostats let you set a target temperature. EUHOMY's range runs from 62°F to 82°F, and Touchstone's runs from 68°F to 88°F.
Several units also run the flame with the heat off. Antarctic Star, EUHOMY and Touchstone each offer a flame-only option.
The timer is the other control to plan around. Antarctic Star, EUHOMY and Touchstone each offer a 1 to 8 hour timer, so the heat can run for only the part of the evening you need it.
What does installation involve?
Installation starts with the manual, and a wall mount needs a secure bracket into studs or the right anchors. Recessed units also need a framed opening, and the power plan has to match the unit.
Check what's in the box before you start. Antarctic Star includes screws, Touchstone includes drywall anchors and screws, and Westinghouse includes wall anchors and a wall bracket.
Antarctic Star says one person can hang its 33 lb unit on the wall. Even so, follow the bracket steps in the manual in order, and don't skip one because the unit looks light.
Plug-in or hard-wired: check before you buy
Some units plug into a standard outlet, and others need to be hard-wired. The PuraFlame Western insert plugs into a 120 V outlet and can't be hard-wired, while the Touchstone Sideline can be hard-wired or plugged in.
If the manual calls for a hard-wired unit, a new outlet or a new circuit, hire a licensed electrician. Westinghouse also says not to share its 120 V, 15 A circuit with other appliances.
Whether a unit plugs in or is hard-wired decides where it can go, so settle that before you pick a wall.
Recessed installs need framing and studs
A recessed unit sits inside a framed opening, so stud fit and depth matter more than the look. Westinghouse says its 50 in unit fits a 49 in by 15 in by 6 in opening, which is a useful size to compare with your wall.
The Touchstone Sideline is 5.5 in deep overall, but its chamber depth is 6.2 in, so take the opening depth from the manual.
Before any cut, find the studs and check for wires and pipes in the wall. If you're unsure what's inside it or what it carries, ask a pro first, and leave the cutout size and framing details to the manual.
What safety basics apply to a wall mounted electric fireplace?
Treat it as an electric heater and follow the maker's manual for use and clearances. Use the timer and overheat features the unit includes.
All five units in this guide have an overheat shut-off that cuts the heat if the unit runs too hot. That's a backup feature, not a reason to skip the manual.
Keep the front, the vents and the cord clear, and read the manual's notes on children and pets.
For general home fire habits, the NFPA's home fire safety pages are a good place to start.
Heat near a TV
A TV above or beside a heater needs care. Read the fireplace maker's heat and clearance notes and the TV maker's notes before you mount anything, and follow the numbers each one gives.
Westinghouse says its 50 in unit needs at least 11.8 in of clearance from the ceiling, a mantel or anything mounted above it. That figure belongs to that one unit, so use the number in your own manual.
No guide can make the call for your setup, so the two makers' notes decide it.
What to measure before you order
Measure the wall in three places, then add the outlet, the clearance above and the depth you have. Those numbers decide which unit fits, so write them down before you shop.
- Wall width and height, at the top, middle and bottom
- Depth from the wall face, and the stud spacing for a recessed unit
- Outlet location and the cord route
- Height of any ceiling, mantel or shelf above the spot
A wall that isn't square can change how a unit sits, so measure at each point, not just once. If a TV will share the wall, measure its width too.
How do the wall mounted picks compare on size and depth?
The five picks in this guide run from 36 in to 60 in wide, and all of them are slim. Compare the depth, height and install type side by side.
| Unit | Width | Depth | Height | Heat settings | Install |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctic Star 36 in | 36 in | 3.86 in | 18.1 in | 750 W and 1,500 W | Recessed, semi-recessed or wall mounted |
| R.W.FLAME 60 in | 60 in | 3.86 in | 18.1 in | 750 W and 1,500 W | Recessed or wall mounted |
| EUHOMY 50 in | 50 in | 4 in | 17 in | 750 W and 1,500 W | Fully recessed or wall mounted |
| Touchstone Sideline 50 in | 50 in | 5.5 in | 21.5 in | 1,500 W and 750 W | Recessed or wall mounted |
| Westinghouse 50 in | 50 in | 5.5 in | 15.75 in | 750 W and 1,500 W | Wall mounted or in-wall recessed |
The Touchstone is the tallest unit in this set at 21.5 in, and the Westinghouse is the shortest at 15.75 in. Use the height and width together when you measure the wall.
Controls, flame looks and timers
Many of these units use LED lights behind a glass front, so the look depends on the color mode, the bed and the speed. Touchstone calls its LED flame display realistic, and it includes faux-fire logs and crystals.
Antarctic Star describes its flame as rising from a source and flashing near the top, and it pairs 12 flame colors with crystals. Westinghouse includes interchangeable faux log and crystal ember bed sets, so you can change the look as well as the color.
Westinghouse works with Alexa and Google Home, and its app and remote control the unit too. It also offers up to 144 flame and ember color combinations.
EUHOMY pairs a touchscreen with a remote, and it offers 12 flame colors and 12 LED fuel bed colors. Antarctic Star, EUHOMY and Touchstone each have a 1 to 8 hour timer.
PuraFlame's Western insert adds a crackling sound and a resin log, with three flame intensities. Pick the setting you'd keep on most nights, since that's the look you'll live with.
The R.W.FLAME 60 in has a touch screen and a remote, plus 12 flame and LED bed colors, 5 flame speeds and 5 brightness levels.
Who a wall mounted electric fireplace suits, and who it doesn't
A wall mounted electric fireplace suits a living room that needs a flame look and some extra warmth, with no chimney to use. It's a weaker match if you want a real wood fire or a main heat source.
It fits a wall where a gas line or chimney isn't practical, since the unit plugs in or is hard-wired instead. That makes it a practical choice for a TV wall that already has an outlet nearby.
It doesn't replace your main heating system, and it doesn't burn wood. Think of it as a flame display with a heater built in, not a fire.
Some units list more than one room type. Westinghouse, for example, names bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices and kitchens alongside living rooms.
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
Most mistakes come from measuring the box instead of the wall, or from planning the wall without planning the power. Measure first, then pick the type and the power route.
A common mistake is planning a recessed unit for a wall with wires or pipes in the way. Another is forgetting that the TV, the mantel and the heater share one wall, so the spacing has to work for all three.
Plan the cord route before the unit arrives, so you don't end up with a cord across the room.
Heat and power questions to read next
Four posts cover how much heat these units give, how they use power and whether they're worth buying.
- Do electric fireplaces give off heat?: what each setting really does in one room.
- Are electric fireplaces energy efficient?: how the 750 W and 1,500 W settings compare in use.
- Are electric fireplaces worth it?: a decision rule for flame looks, extra heat and install effort.
- Electric fireplace not heating? What to check first: simple checks to run before you call the maker.
Sizes and TV wall planning
Five posts help you choose a width, plan a TV wall and compare the 50 and 60 inch units.
- What size electric fireplace do you need?: how to match width and depth to your wall.
- Plan a wall mounted electric fireplace with a TV above: the order to plan the wall, the TV and the power.
- Best 60 inch electric fireplaces: wider picks for a big wall or a large TV.
- Best 50 inch recessed and wall mounted electric fireplaces: the most common living room width, ranked.
- Best wall mounted electric fireplaces to hang under a TV: units around 36 to 42 in wide, with the clearance notes to read first.
Wall and recessed roundups
Two roundups rank the wall mounted and recessed units we compared.
- Best wall mounted electric fireplaces: wall units in 36, 50 and 60 inch widths, compared side by side.
- Best recessed electric fireplaces: units built for a framed wall, with depth, trim and power options compared.
Install steps and venting questions
Four posts cover the install path, venting and older fireplaces.
- How to install a recessed electric fireplace: framing, studs and when a pro should step in.
- How to install an electric fireplace insert: measuring the opening, outlet reach and the trim kit.
- Do electric fireplace inserts need to be vented?: why inserts need no flue, and what still needs clear air.
- Putting an electric insert in an existing fireplace: what fits an old firebox and when to have the chimney checked.
Inserts, log sets and TV cabinets
Five posts cover inserts, small sizes, blower models, TV cabinets and log sets.
- Best electric fireplace inserts: true inserts that drop into a firebox, cabinet or wall opening.
- Best electric fireplace inserts with a blower for heat: the picks with a fan that pushes the heat out.
- Best small electric fireplace inserts: units from 18 in to 28.5 in wide for small walls and cabinets.
- Can you put an electric fireplace insert in a TV stand?: the cabinet opening, depth and heat notes to check.
- Electric fireplace insert vs electric log set: a trimmed insert against a log set that needs no trim kit.
Wall, recessed and other matchups
Four matchups compare wall, recessed, freestanding, gas and wood options.
- Wall mounted vs recessed electric fireplace: hanging on the surface against framing into the wall.
- Wall mounted vs freestanding electric fireplace: a slim hanging unit against a mantel or TV stand unit.
- Gas fireplace vs electric fireplace for a living room: install, venting, heat and upkeep side by side.
- Electric fireplace vs wood burning fireplace: a real fire against electric heat, mess and chimney upkeep.
Single-unit reviews
Four reviews look at one unit each, including two 60 inch models and a Western-style insert.
- R.W.FLAME 60 inch electric fireplace review: the wide wall unit with a 3.86 in depth.
- EUHOMY 60 inch electric fireplace review: the 60 in model, with a log look and a 62 to 82°F thermostat.
- Touchstone Forte 40 inch recessed fireplace review: a 40 in recessed unit with smart controls.
- PuraFlame Western electric fireplace insert review: an insert with a crackling sound, a resin log and a glass front.
Next step: the living room buying path
One guide walks you through the choices in order, from type and width to power and budget.
- Electric fireplace buying guide for the living room: the full path from type to budget tier.
Which wall mounted electric fireplace should you pick?
Pick a wall mounted electric fireplace if you want the simplest install and your wall can take a bracket. Pick a recessed unit if you can frame the opening and want the unit to sit close to flush with the wall.
Pick an insert if you already have a firebox or cabinet opening, and a log set if you'd rather skip the fit work altogether.
For a full walk through width, power and budget, read the electric fireplace buying guide for the living room.
Frequently asked questions
Is a wall mounted electric fireplace the same as a recessed one?
No, a wall mounted unit hangs on a bracket on the wall, while a recessed unit sits inside a framed opening. Recessed units need studs, a cutout and a depth that fits the frame, so the job is bigger and the manual sets the framing details.
Can you put a TV above a wall mounted electric fireplace?
It depends on both makers' notes, so read the fireplace maker's heat and clearance notes and the TV maker's notes first. No guide can say a TV is safe above a heater, so follow the numbers in each manual, and pick another spot or unit if they don't work.
Does a wall mounted electric fireplace need an electrician?
Not always, since a plug-in unit may not need one, but the manual decides. If it calls for a hard-wired unit, a new outlet or a new circuit, use a licensed electrician rather than running new wiring yourself, and check which type your unit is before you pick a wall.
How much heat does a wall mounted electric fireplace give?
Every unit in this guide has a 1,500 W setting, which is about 5,100 BTU per hour. Makers often say the heat covers up to 400 sq ft, a claim for the room rather than a promise, and it's zone heat that warms the room you sit in rather than the whole house.
