Wall Mounted vs Freestanding Electric Fireplace

On this page (12 sections)

1. Side by side: size, depth and mount
2. Which one takes less floor space?
3. How does each one install?
4. Can either one be recessed?
5. Which one gives more heat?
6. Which one has more flame and control options?
7. Which one works better with a TV?
8. Who does each one suit?
9. What happens when you move or change your mind?
10. How do the prices and warranties compare?
11. Measure before you order
12. Wall mounted or freestanding electric fireplace: which to pick?

A wall mounted electric fireplace hangs flat on a wall, while a freestanding electric fireplace stands on the floor, often as a TV stand or mantel unit. The right one depends on your wall, your floor space and where the TV goes.

To show the difference, this guide puts the Silonn 50, a wall unit, next to the PRAISUN 70, a freestanding TV stand with a 48 in fireplace inside. We compared what each maker says about size, heat and install.

For the full range of wall and recessed options, see our guide to wall mounted and recessed electric fireplaces.

Side by side: size, depth and mount

The Silonn 50 is 3.94 in deep and hangs on a wall, and the PRAISUN 70 is 13.8 in deep and stands on the floor. Both are rated at about 1,400 W.

We compared the specs and features of both units, then scored each one against what a wall or stand buyer needs. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.

The Silonn scores 8.4 for its slim depth, app control and 1-year warranty. The PRAISUN scores 7.9 because it takes more floor space and weighs 80.3 lb, though it can replace a TV stand.

Which one takes less floor space?

The wall unit takes almost no floor space, since it hangs 3.94 in off the wall. The PRAISUN stand is 13.8 in deep, which is nearly 10 in more than the Silonn.

Depth is the number to watch in a small room. A stand nearly 14 inches deep pushes into the walkway, while a unit under 4 inches deep stays close to the wall.

The Silonn is 50 in wide and 17 in high, so it needs a 50 in stretch of wall. The PRAISUN is 70.9 in wide and 32.2 in high, so it needs a 70.9 in stretch of floor and the walkway in front of it.

How does each one install?

The Silonn hangs on the wall or sits in a framed opening, so either way it means work on the wall. The PRAISUN is freestanding, so its setup is assembly and placement.

The Silonn comes with a remote and a tool set. PRAISUN says its parts are labeled and come with instructions and tools.

Mounting a wall mounted electric fireplace

Silonn says the wall mount makes a slim 3.9 in profile. Follow the manual's mounting steps, and check how the unit attaches before you drill.

A recessed install is a different job. Silonn says it needs proper framing in a compatible wall cavity, and it tells buyers to review its recessed install guide before buying.

Setting up a freestanding electric fireplace

Lay the PRAISUN's labeled parts out on a clear floor before you start, and follow its instructions in order.

At 80.3 lb, the stand needs a second person to move and place it. Pick the spot first, so the cord can reach an outlet.

If you're also weighing a recessed unit, our wall mounted vs recessed electric fireplace comparison covers that choice.

Cord and outlet placement

Both units are corded electric, so the outlet's location shapes where each one can go. Look at the outlet before you pick a spot on the wall or the floor.

Keep the cord out of walkways and away from the heater's vents. Check the manual for any rule on extension cords or power strips, since a 1,400 W heater is a big load, and have a licensed electrician add any new outlet.

Can either one be recessed?

The Silonn can be wall mounted or recessed, while the PRAISUN is freestanding only. Recessing is a bigger job, so treat it as its own decision.

A recessed Silonn needs framing and a compatible wall cavity, which is far more work than a hung install. Read our how to install a recessed electric fireplace overview before you pick that route.

The PRAISUN has no recessed option, so its fit depends on floor space and the path to the outlet, not on wall depth.

If you'd rather not open a wall at all, the PRAISUN or a hung Silonn both skip the framing and the drywall cut.

Which one gives more heat?

Neither does, since both are rated at 4,777 BTU per hour, which is about 1,400 W. Both also have overheat protection and a timer that runs from 1 to 8 hours.

The Silonn's thermostat runs from 62 to 86°F, and the PRAISUN's runs from 64 to 82°F. The Silonn gives you the wider range.

Neither one is a whole-house heater, since each warms the zone it sits in. For more on what an electric fireplace gives off, read do electric fireplaces give off heat.

Heat from a wall mounted or freestanding electric fireplace

Both put out the same heat, so the choice comes down to the room, not the rating. A 1,400 W unit warms the zone around it, whether it hangs or stands.

Which one has more flame and control options?

The Silonn has 20 flame colors, an automatic color-changing mode and a crystal-effect display, while the PRAISUN has 8 flame colors and dynamic flame modes. Both counts come from the makers.

PRAISUN says its 48 in fireplace is larger than most stand-type units, and it shows a flame over logs.

The Silonn adds app control, a remote and a control panel, and Silonn says the app can warm the room before you arrive. It also has a child lock on the controls.

The PRAISUN uses a controller and front panel buttons, with a memory function and a heat-lock feature. PRAISUN says its flame and heat work independently, so you can run the flame alone.

Silonn says its unit runs under 45 dB. PRAISUN gives no noise number, so you can't compare the two on sound.

Which one works better with a TV?

The PRAISUN is built to hold a TV, and PRAISUN says the stand holds TVs up to 80 inches. The Silonn goes on the wall, so you plan the TV height around the unit.

Heat and clearance matter with either setup. Read the fireplace maker's notes and the TV maker's notes before you place the TV, since neither unit settles the layout alone.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes general heater safety tips at cpsc.gov. For units that hang under a TV, see our best wall mounted electric fireplaces to hang under a TV roundup.

To plan the whole wall, read how to plan a TV wall with an electric fireplace.

TV placement on a freestanding electric fireplace

The 70.9 in tabletop gives the TV and décor room to sit. Measure the TV's width and height against that tabletop before you buy.

A wall unit fixes the fireplace height first, so you plan the TV around it. A stand sets the TV height on the stand itself, but a wall unit has no tabletop, so you may still need a console for a cable box or speakers.

Who does each one suit?

A wall unit suits a bare wall and a room with little floor space. A freestanding stand suits a room that needs a TV stand and has the floor room for one.

On style, the Silonn is a black glass-and-metal band 17 in tall. The PRAISUN is a white, distressed-finish piece with mantel-style molding, so pick the look you want first.

Silonn sells the 50 for bedrooms, home offices and living rooms, and a wall unit leaves desk and floor space free in an office. PRAISUN sells the stand for bedrooms and living rooms.

Skip the Silonn if you need a tabletop or storage under the TV. Skip the PRAISUN if floor depth is tight or you can't lift 80.3 lb with a helper.

What happens when you move or change your mind?

A freestanding stand moves with you, while a wall unit leaves mounting holes and a bare spot when you take it down. Mounting holes need patching, so plan on a little wall repair.

A stand goes wherever you go, but its 70.9 in width can be tight in a smaller room. Measure the next room's wall and doorway before you commit to a stand.

At 80.3 lb, plan for help each time you move it. PRAISUN says the frame is reinforced, but it's engineered wood, not solid wood.

How do the prices and warranties compare?

The Silonn 50 is the budget pick in this pair, and the PRAISUN 70 is premium. The wall unit costs less up front, while the PRAISUN's price covers a TV stand with a 70.9 in tabletop as well as the 48 in fireplace.

Silonn backs its unit with a 1-year manufacturer warranty. PRAISUN doesn't state a warranty length, so ask before you buy a piece this large.

If you need a TV stand anyway, the PRAISUN replaces that purchase too. Compare its price tier with a plain stand plus a wall unit before you decide, and see the electric fireplace buying guide for the living room for the full checklist.

Measure before you order

Five checks settle most of this choice before you spend anything.

• Wall: a clear 50 in stretch with a solid wall behind it and an outlet within reach of the cord.
• Floor: a 70.9 in stretch, 13.8 in of depth and a walkway that stays open.
• Power: where the outlet sits, and whether the cord reaches it without an extension cord.
• TV: its width and height, and whether it fits the stand's 80 in limit.
• Lift: a helper for the 80.3 lb stand, and the manual's mounting steps for the wall unit.

Wall mounted or freestanding electric fireplace: which to pick?

Pick a wall mounted electric fireplace if you have a bare wall, little floor space and no need for a TV stand.

Pick a freestanding electric fireplace if you want the TV on a stand with a fireplace inside. You need room for a unit nearly 14 inches deep.

If you still can't decide, measure the wall first. A clear stretch of about 50 in with 4 in of depth points to the wall unit, while a 70.9 in floor space and a TV to hold points to the stand.

If you're shopping for a wall unit, start with our best wall mounted electric fireplaces roundup.

Frequently asked questions

Is a wall mounted electric fireplace better than a freestanding one?

Neither one is better for every room, so choose by the room you have. A wall unit suits a bare wall with little floor space, while a freestanding unit suits a room that needs a stand for the TV and has floor room to spare.

Can a freestanding electric fireplace hang on a wall?

Not the PRAISUN 70, which is built as a floor-standing TV stand, while the Silonn 50 is built to hang or recess. Some freestanding units say they can also mount, so read the maker's mounting notes first, and ask a pro if you're unsure how a unit will attach.

Do you need framing for a wall mounted electric fireplace?

It depends on the install, since the Silonn 50 can hang on the wall, while its recessed option needs framing in a compatible wall cavity. Follow the manual's mounting steps, and bring in a pro for any framing or new outlet.

Can a TV sit on a freestanding electric fireplace?

Yes, the PRAISUN 70 is built as a TV stand with a 70.9-inch tabletop, and PRAISUN says it holds TVs up to 80 inches. Heat still matters, so read the fireplace maker's and the TV maker's heat and clearance notes before you set the TV in place.

Which costs less, a wall mounted or a freestanding electric fireplace?

In this pair, the Silonn 50 is the budget pick and the PRAISUN 70 is premium, so the wall unit costs less up front. The PRAISUN also gives you a TV stand, so part of its price is furniture, and price tiers shift with sales and size.