For most readers, Product 1 is the best electric fireplace insert: its 23.15-by-18.5-inch body, 750W/1,500W heat settings, remote, and ETL listing cover the common living-room or bedroom job without the bulk of a linear unit. The right choice still depends on your opening, circuit, and whether you need heat or mainly flame.
Electric inserts are easier to install than gas or wood appliances, but they still need the right opening, outlet, and clearance. A handsome flame display won’t fix a unit that is too tall for the cavity or too much load for the circuit.
The five picks below separate compact inserts, wide-format designs, quiet operation, and app control so you can choose without guessing from a product photo.
The Best Electric Fireplace Inserts
#1Best overall
R.W.FLAME 23-Inch Insert
Best for Common living-room or bedroom openings needing flexible supplemental heat
Product 1 fits a wide range of smaller fireplace openings with a 23.15-inch-wide, 18.5-inch-high body and 6.52-inch depth. Its 750W and 1,500W settings let you use less heat in mild weather, while the remote, touch controls, and ETL listing make everyday operation straightforward.
Dimensions 23.15 in W × 18.5 in H × 6.52 in DHeat settings 750W and 1,500WControls Wireless remote and touch-screen control panelSafety ETL certificate approved; 7mm tempered glass
Why it made the cut
750W and 1,500W heat settings
Remote and touch-screen controls
Adjustable flame colors, log colors, speed, and brightness
Good to know
Smaller opening than the 28-inch and 50-inch options
No timer duration is specified in the product data
Skip it if Skip it if your opening requires a larger linear fireplace or you specifically need a listed timer range.
Best for Larger openings that need more visual width and adjustable supplemental heat
The 28-inch-wide, 21-inch-high body gives a larger opening more presence without moving to a 50-inch linear design. Product 2 keeps the useful 750W and 1,500W heat choices, then adds a 1-to-8-hour timer and automatic flame color and brightness modes.
Dimensions 28 in W × 21 in H × 6.6 in DHeat settings 750W and 1,500WControls Wireless remote and touch-screen control panelTimer 1 to 8 hoursSafety ETL certificate approved; 7mm tempered glass
Why it made the cut
28-inch-wide body for larger openings
1-to-8-hour timer
750W and 1,500W heat settings
Good to know
Needs a larger opening than Product 1
The 6.6-inch depth may still require careful cavity measurement
Skip it if Skip it if your existing opening is closer to 23 inches wide or you want a built-in linear fireplace.
Best for Large built-in openings where WiFi control and a flush linear look matter
Product 3 is the architectural pick, with a recessed 50-inch design, hidden heat vents, and a 4-inch ember bed for a deeper-looking flame display. WiFi, remote, and hidden touch controls handle seven flame colors, ten ember-bed colors, brightness, speed, and soundscapes; its 1,500W heater is specified for indoor spaces up to 400 square feet.
Size 50 in linear fireplaceHeater 1,500W; up to 5,000 BTUsControls Remote, WiFi app, and hidden touch controlsInstallation Built-in, recessed in-wall, plug-in, or hardwireSafety Cool-touch glass and overheat protection
Why it made the cut
WiFi, remote, and hidden touch controls
Hidden vents and concealed controls
1,500W heater with thermostat, timer, and overheat protection
Good to know
A 50-inch linear opening is much larger than a standard insert cavity
Built-in or hardwire installation may require more planning
Skip it if Skip it if you need a compact replacement insert or don’t want a recessed installation.
Best for Furniture openings where low noise, timers, and physical fit are priorities
Product 4 is sized around a 23-inch furniture front opening and mounts from the rear, so the rear cavity measurements matter as much as the visible face. Its low-noise design, 1-to-8-hour timer, overheat protection, and cool-touch front glass suit bedrooms and family rooms where controls and sound can become annoyances.
Furniture front opening 23 in W × 19 3/4 in HRear opening minimum 24 in W × 20 3/16 in HHeat output 1,400W; 5,000 BTUsControls Remote and control panelSafety CSA/UL listed; overheat protection and cool-touch tempered g
Why it made the cut
Low-noise operation
1-to-8-hour timer
CSA/UL listed with overheat protection and cool-touch glass
Good to know
Rear opening requires at least 24 inches of width and 20 3/16 inches of height
Uses 1,400W rather than selectable 750W and 1,500W settings
Skip it if Skip it if your rear cavity is smaller than the specified minimum or you need a recessed wall insert.
Best for Slim wall-mounted or recessed installations needing broad flame customization
Product 5 makes sense when wall depth is tight: the unit is 3.2 inches thick and can be recessed or wall-mounted. Its 750W and 1,500W modes, ETL approval, auto-heat-kill feature, and 12 flame colors give you practical heat control with plenty of display adjustment.
Size 50 inThickness 3.2 inHeat settings 750W and 1,500WControls Remote control and touch screenSafety ETL approved; auto-heat-kill feature
Why it made the cut
3.2-inch-thick slim design
Recessed or wall-mounted installation
750W and 1,500W heat modes
Good to know
The 50-inch width may overwhelm a small wall or opening
The product data does not specify room coverage or timer duration
Skip it if Skip it if you need a compact insert or a fireplace with stated room-size coverage.
How Much Clearance Do You Need Around an Electric Fireplace Insert?
How much clearance you need around an electric fireplace insert depends on that model’s installation manual and listing, so use those dimensions instead of applying one universal measurement. Keep the intake and heat outlet open, and keep furniture, curtains, trim, paper, and other combustibles outside the stated clearances.
12.5 A
What a 1,500 W heater draws at 120 V
A 1,500 W setting uses 1,500 ÷ 120 = 12.5 amps, leaving little capacity on a standard 15 A circuit for another high-load appliance.
Check
What to confirm
Airflow
The front intake and heat outlet aren’t blocked by trim, décor, or furniture.
Combustibles
Curtains, paper, wood trim, and other materials stay beyond the manual’s listed clearance.
Electrical supply
The heater has a suitable 120 V wall outlet and the circuit isn’t carrying another heavy load.
The installation manual controls the model-specific dimensions.
Before You Plug It In
Read the installation section, not only the sales listing.
Plug a plug-in insert directly into a wall outlet; don’t use an extension cord or power strip.
Arrange furniture so warm air can leave the opening freely.
Have a qualified electrician handle hardwiring, and only if the product allows it.
Don’t Borrow the Portable-Heater Rule
Three feet is a common clearance rule for portable heaters, but an insert’s listed installation dimensions control. A recessed unit, mantel insert, and linear fireplace can have different airflow and trim requirements.
Say a 1,500 W insert shares a 15 A circuit with another appliance drawing 5 A: 12.5 A + 5 A is 17.5 A, which can trip the breaker or overload the circuit. The R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace Insert is easier to place when its outlet, intake, and exhaust space are checked before the cabinet goes in.
Measure the Old Fireplace Opening Before You Order
Measure the electric fireplace insert height, width, depth, rear opening, and outlet location before you choose a model; an electric fireplace insert into an old cavity must fit the opening and the installation method, not merely the visible front.
1
Measure the front
Record the usable front width and height at the smallest points, including any trim that will remain.
2
Measure behind the face
Measure the rear opening and cavity depth; check for a shelf, damper, masonry, wiring, or a narrowing wall.
3
Find the outlet
Mark the outlet location and confirm the cord can reach a wall receptacle without an extension cord or power strip.
4
Compare the manual
Check the product’s required opening, clearances, ventilation space, and whether it is recessed, freestanding, wall-mounted, or built in.
Worked Example
Product 4, the Innoflame 23″ Electric Fireplace Insert, lists a 23-inch-wide by 19 3/4-inch-high furniture opening and a 24-inch-wide by 20 3/16-inch-high minimum rear opening. A front opening that looks large enough can still fail at the back, so measure both ends before ordering.
Furniture opening23 in W × 19 3/4 in H
Minimum rear opening24 in W × 20 3/16 in H
Critical checkRear width and height
Can you place electric fireplace inserts into any material? No. The framing, surround, ventilation space, and clearances must match the manual; combustible construction may require specified protection. A shallow wall-mounted unit hangs on the wall, while a freestanding model needs its own support, and neither automatically replaces a recessed or built-in insert.
Converting an Old Gas Fireplace
Have a qualified gas professional disconnect or cap the gas supply, verify the old appliance and vent arrangement, and confirm local requirements before installing an electric insert. Don’t assume an unused gas line or chimney is harmless because the new heater is electric.
Choose the Heat Setting That Fits the Room
For electric fireplaces with heaters, the insert is supplemental room heat, not a replacement for central heating in a drafty or poorly insulated home. Gas vs electric fireplace insert decisions follow the same rule: electric avoids combustion, fuel storage, and venting, while gas can provide stronger heat during an outage but needs fuel, venting, and combustion safety checks.
Product
Listed heat information
Best fit
R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace Insert
750W and 1,500W settings
Supplemental heat in a living room or bedroom
SotaFlame Nordeast 50″ Linear Electric Fireplace Insert
1,500W; up to 5,000 BTUs; spaces up to 400 square feet
A larger room with a suitable opening
Innoflame 23″ Electric Fireplace Insert
1,400W
A smaller opening or a lower electrical load
Other listed inserts
Most use 750W or 1,500W
Choose by opening, circuit, and heat need
Use the manufacturer’s stated coverage as a guide, not a promise for a poorly insulated room.
The top 5 electric fireplaces you need for your home should be sorted by room load and opening size, not flame appearance alone. Most listed inserts offer 750W or 1,500W; the lower setting reduces output and electrical draw, while flame-only mode runs the LED display without the heater.
Heater
Watts
Per hour
Per day (8 h)
Per month (1 days)
1,500W electric fireplace heater
1,500 W
26¢
$2.04
$2.04
Calculated at 17¢ per kWh. At $0.17 per kWh, 1,500W ÷ 1,000 × 8 hours = 12 kWh, or about $2.04 for that night.
Worked example
Say the room is reasonably insulated and the heater runs at 1,500W for eight hours. The calculation is 1.5 kW × 8 hours = 12 kWh; at $0.17 per kWh, that is about $2.04. A central system may still be the better tool for heating several cold rooms.
Runtime8 hours
Energy used12 kWh
Assumed rate$0.17 per kWh
Choose flame-only mode when you want the appearance without adding heat, such as during a mild evening or while the central system is already maintaining the room. Electric heat also avoids indoor combustion, but it still needs a correctly sized circuit and clear airflow around the insert.
Check the Listing and Controls Before Installation
For electric fireplaces with heaters, check the safety listing and overheat shutoff before you plan the installation. Look for UL, ETL, or CSA information in the product listing and manual; the comparison identifies the R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace Insert with an ETL listing, while any CSA or UL mark must match the exact model you buy.
Confirm Before Unboxing
A UL, ETL, or CSA listing for the exact model
A stated overheat shutoff
A sound wall outlet on the correct circuit
Remote batteries and touch controls that respond
A timer range you understand before using it
The R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace Insert has remote and touch controls with 750W and 1,500W settings. The R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace Insert Remote Control Timer adds a 1-to-8-hour timer, while the SotaFlame Nordeast 50″ Linear Electric Fireplace Insert adds WiFi, remote, hidden touch controls, a thermostat, a timer, and soundscapes. The Innoflame 23″ Electric Fireplace Insert also offers a timer, so check its manual for the exact operating range.
Useful controls
A thermostat can reduce unnecessary heating
A timer can shut the heater down after a set period
Flame-only mode keeps the LED display running without heat
Easy mistakes
WiFi and sound features add controls you may never use
A remote can be misplaced or activate the wrong setting
A timer doesn’t replace the installation manual
Controls Aren’t Permission
Don’t sleep with the heater running or leave it operating while you’re away unless the manufacturer specifically permits that use. A timer is a control feature, not permission to ignore the manual, clearances, or the tip-over and overheat instructions.
Cool-touch glass reduces contact heat, but it doesn’t make the trim, outlet, curtains, or nearby furniture safe to press against the unit. A listed plug-in appliance still needs a sound outlet and correct circuit; any hardwired installation belongs to a qualified electrician.
Finish the Installation in the Right Order
To convert an old gas fireplace to an electric fireplace insert, stop before touching the gas valve, line, or burner and arrange an inspection or disconnection by a licensed gas professional. An electric fireplace insert into an old opening still needs a physical fit, support, airflow, and a suitable electrical connection.
1
Measure the opening
Record the height, width, depth, rear opening, and outlet location. A masonry opening must support the insert, and its surround must leave the airflow shown in the manual.
2
Match the stated dimensions
Choose a model whose listed body and installation dimensions fit the opening. Don’t assume the old chimney is needed or safe to use; an electric insert doesn’t automatically make that flue suitable.
3
Identify the circuit
Find the outlet and confirm the circuit can handle the heater with other loads. Use a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip; have an electrician handle new wiring or hardwiring.
4
Read the clearance diagram
Check the model’s required space around the heater, discharge, mantel, and surround before sliding it into place.
5
Install or hire the right professional
Use the supplied feet, trim, bracket, or mounting hardware as directed. Gas work belongs to a licensed gas professional, and unfamiliar electrical or masonry work deserves a qualified installer.
Before switching it on
Gas components disconnected or cleared by a licensed professional
Insert supported without resting on fragile trim
Required airflow and clearances left open
Tip-over, overheat, timer, and remote controls understood
Pick by the opening
Choose Product 1 for a common compact opening, Product 2 for a wider opening, Product 3 for a built-in appearance and WiFi, Product 4 for low-noise compact heating, and Product 5 for a thin wall-mounted setup. For more built-in formats, see built-in electric fireplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you place an electric fireplace insert into any material?
No. The surround and cavity must meet the insert’s installation instructions, including clearance from combustible materials and ventilation requirements. Don’t cover vents or use trim that blocks the heater outlet, even if the opening looks roomy.
What height should an electric fireplace insert be?
Set it at a height that keeps the flame display comfortable to view from the main seating area, then confirm the required clearances and outlet location. A low hearth installation usually works well, but the manual controls the safe position—not a universal eye-level rule.
Can you convert a gas fireplace to an electric insert?
Yes, but a gas fireplace needs proper decommissioning before the electric insert goes in. Have a licensed gas professional disconnect or inspect the gas valve and line; never cap, remove, or disturb those parts yourself. The old chimney or vent may also need treatment according to local code.
Are electric fireplaces with heaters a good choice for a room?
They’re a sensible supplemental heater for a room that already has adequate insulation and a suitable wall outlet. Confirm the circuit can handle the selected heat setting, keep the required clearance, and treat the flame effect as separate from the heating capacity. An insert won’t replace central heat in a large, leaky space.
Is a gas or electric fireplace insert better?
Electric is usually simpler when you want flame effects, no combustion, and installation without a fuel line or flue. Gas can deliver stronger heat, but it brings venting, combustion-air, gas-fitting, and carbon-monoxide requirements. Pick electric for easier room-by-room supplemental heat; pick gas only when the venting and professional installation are already workable.
