5 Surprising Electric Log Fireplaces You Didn’t Know You Needed
On this page 9 sections
- Electric Log Fireplace Comparison
- The Five Electric Log Fireplaces Worth Buying
- Best Electric Log Fireplaces You Didn’t Know You Needed
- Five Specs That Separate These Log Sets
- Converting a Gas Fireplace to Electric
- Where the Heat Actually Goes
- Clearance, Certification and the Rules That Apply
- Before You Buy, Light It, or Call a Technician
- More Questions, Answered
Electric Log Fireplace Comparison
| Rank | Model | Best for | Heat output | Flame color options | Brightness and speed settings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duraflame Electric Log Set 1,000 Sq Ft HeaterBest For Most | Converting an existing masonry fireplace to electric heating | 1,000 sq ft | — | Flame speed and brightness adjustable | Check price |
| 2 | TURBRO Eternal Flame 26-Inch Infrared Quartz Log HeaterInfrared Quartz Heat | Rooms needing efficient infrared heating with multiple flame effects | 1500 W | 5 | 5 brightness levels | Check price |
| 3 | Electactic 21-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert Log HeaterETL Certified Safety | Users seeking a safe, easy-to-use insert with adjustable flame effects | 750W / 1500W | — | 5 brightness and flicker speed levels | Check price |
| 4 | R.W.FLAME 25″ Electric Fireplace Heater with RemoteCathedral Style | Those wanting a retro cathedral design with adjustable flame colors | 500W & 1500W | 4 | Adjustable flame speed | Check price |
| 5 | R.W.FLAME 17″ Electric Fireplace Heater with RemoteCompact Cathedral | Small spaces needing a compact cathedral stove with flame-only mode | 500W & 1500W | 4 | 5 flame speed levels | Check price |
A log set is the cheapest way to make an ordinary fireplace look finished. You get a steel frame, molded logs, a flickering flame and a fan or quartz heater, and the whole thing runs off a 120-volt outlet you already have. No flue to clean, no gas line, no permit for a vent. What separates a good log set from a disappointing one is mostly the flame and the heat control. Five sets in this guide are genuinely different from each other, and the differences show up in the first ten minutes of use.
The Five Electric Log Fireplaces Worth Buying
Duraflame Electric Log Set 1,000 Sq Ft Heater
TURBRO Eternal Flame 26-Inch Infrared Quartz Log Heater
Electactic 21-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert Log Heater
R.W.FLAME 25″ Electric Fireplace Heater with Remote
R.W.FLAME 17″ Electric Fireplace Heater with Remote
Best Electric Log Fireplaces You Didn’t Know You Needed
Three of the five electric log fireplaces here are designed as log sets to sit right in or in front of an existing masonry fireplace. These are the Duraflame Electric Log Set, the Electactic 21-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert Log Heater Set, and the TURBRO Eternal Flame 26-Inch Infrared Quartz Electric Firelog. The other two, both from R.W.FLAME, are freestanding cathedral-style electric stoves that don’t need a fireplace at all.
The best overall pick is the Duraflame Electric Log Set. It’s the only one built explicitly for existing fireplaces and rated to heat up to 1,000 square feet. It also comes with a remote control that includes a digital thermostat, making heat management straightforward.
The TURBRO and Duraflame sets use infrared heating technology, which means they emit radiant heat that warms objects and people directly. The Electactic and both R.W.FLAME stoves offer two-step wattage options—750 or 1,500 watts for Electactic, and 500 or 1,500 watts for the R.W.FLAME models—giving you more control over power and heat output. The Duraflame arrives fully assembled and ready to drop right into your existing fireplace, so it’s an easy swap if you’re replacing a gas unit this winter.
One important note: none of these log sets are linear see-through fireplaces. If you imagined a fireplace where you can see flames from both sides, these aren’t it. For that look, you’d want a recessed insert or a mantel-style electric fireplace instead.
These are strictly heaters. The shape of your chimney and fireplace opening is what really drives your choice here, not aesthetics or a fancy feature set. Think of these as practical replacements or upgrades, not lifestyle statements.
Five Specs That Separate These Log Sets
All five electric log sets max out around 1,500 watts, which is typical for plug-in heaters. The real differences show up in the lower heat settings and how well you can control the temperature. The R.W.FLAME stoves drop to 500 watts on low, the Electactic to 750 watts, while the TURBRO EF26-PB and Duraflame sets have only the full 1,500 watt setting but compensate with thermostat control and timers.
Flame effects are where the illusion of a real fire either works or falls flat. The TURBRO set leads here with five flame options and five brightness levels. It even has a ‘breathing’ mode that glows the ember bed softly without a flicker—this mimics the steady glow of real embers and looks more realistic than standard flickering flames.
Construction varies too. The R.W.FLAME stoves are steel with clear glass on three sides, offering a 180-degree view of the flame effect. The 25-inch model adds a burning-log design below the flames for extra depth. If you want something to see from multiple angles, look for deep glass and a convincing log bed; a flat panel just won’t cut it.
Certification matters for safety and reliability. The Electactic model carries ETL certification, and the TURBRO has CSA certification for North America. Both include overheat protection with automatic shutoff. If you’ll run your heater unattended or close to curtains and furniture, these features are non-negotiable.
Brand prestige doesn’t guarantee quality here. The real signal is a safety listing plus a thermostat and a solid parts supply backed by warranty. If you’re hunting for a see-through or mantel-style unit, this guide isn’t the right fit—those formats have their own dedicated studies and picks, like electric fireplace inserts or mantel electric fireplaces.
Converting a Gas Fireplace to Electric
Yes, you can convert a gas fireplace to electric, but the appliance swap itself is only half the job. The tricky parts are dealing with the gas line, the damper, and the electrical supply.
Never attempt to cap or remove the gas line yourself. A licensed plumber must handle that, with a permit in most places. Leave the gas valve where it is until the pro caps and pressure-tests the line to prevent leaks. If the gas service to the house continues, it’s usually best to keep it intact for future use or resale value.
The damper inside the flue should stay closed after you switch to electric. Keeping it shut stops warm air from your room from escaping up the chimney. Whether the flue is also capped or the gas insert removed entirely depends on the installer and the chimney’s condition. Some installers leave the gas insert box in place as a draft stop, others remove it for a cleaner look. This is not a do-it-yourself call.
Electric log sets and inserts run on a standard 120 V outlet and draw about 12.5 amps at 1,500 watts. Gas fireplaces often have an outlet inside the firebox recess, so the cord can reach easily. Still, check the outlet’s circuit breaker: it must be rated for at least 15 amps and dedicated to the fireplace to avoid overloads.
For linear electric fireplaces, brand choice matters more. The trim, glass, and vent setups are proprietary, so you won’t swap brands easily. Stick to models with certification, a reliable thermostat, and available replacement parts.
If you have a masonry fireplace, an electric log set is usually the best conversion. Take the Duraflame Electric Log Set for example—it arrives fully assembled, requires no venting or gas line, and just drops into the hearth. If you want a finished look with drywall and trim, consider an insert or full electric fireplace box, but that’s a bigger project.
Where the Heat Actually Goes
Electric fireplaces produce heat differently: infrared quartz models warm objects and people directly, while fan-forced models heat the air. Both types use about 1,500 watts at max setting, enough for supplemental heat in one room, not a whole house.
Do the math for your space. A 12-by-14-foot room is 168 square feet. Running a 1,500-watt heater for 8 hours uses 12 kilowatt-hours. At 17 cents per kWh, that’s around $2.04 to run overnight. Six hours a night for 30 days costs about $147 monthly, which is a useful figure for budgeting.
Compare that with a 40,000 BTU gas fireplace. It burns about 0.44 gallons of propane hourly. With propane around $2.50 a gallon, that’s roughly $1.10 an hour. Vented gas fireplaces lose much heat up the chimney, so you pay for warmth you don’t get to keep.
Claims about room coverage vary widely and are the least reliable spec here. The Duraflame set claims up to 1,000 square feet, but treat that as a marketing ceiling. Size your heater for the actual room you’ll use it in, plus some margin for cold walls or drafts.
One detail often overlooked: a log set sitting on the hearth loses some heat straight up the flue since the firebox isn’t sealed. A sealed electric insert in the wall keeps more heat inside the room with the same wattage. That influences how warm you actually feel.
Clearance, Certification and the Rules That Apply
Keep electric log fireplaces at least 3 feet from curtains, furniture, and other combustibles, as the manufacturer’s manual requires. For sets placed inside a masonry fireplace, the brick surround handles the heat safely, but check the manual for your model’s exact clearance.
Look for a UL, ETL, or CSA certification on the unit’s nameplate, not just claims of being “safe” in marketing copy. The Duraflame Electric Log Set is ETL listed, and the TURBRO Eternal Flame has CSA certification, both meeting North American safety standards.
Always plug these heaters directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords, power strips, or running cords under rugs risk overheating and fire. Since 1,500-watt heaters draw about 12.5 amps on a 15-amp circuit, adding other heavy loads on the same circuit invites tripped breakers or worse.
The R.W.FLAME cathedral-style stoves push heat upward, so maintaining clearance above the unit is critical—keep furniture or mantels at least 3 feet away from the top of the heater.
Turn off the heater when no one is in the room or overnight unless the product specifically allows unattended or overnight operation. The R.W.FLAME stoves and the TURBRO set include overheat protection that cuts power if they get too hot, but safety depends on following these guidelines.
Converting a gas fireplace requires a licensed plumber to cap the gas line and handle the flue. Don’t attempt this yourself. Permits are required in most areas, and never cap a temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve or gas pressure relief line while working.
Before You Buy, Light It, or Call a Technician
A dim flame or a mild burning smell on first use is usually normal as the heating element and fan warm up. If the smell or dimness continues, turn off the unit and have it inspected.
If you already have a masonry fireplace, the Duraflame Electric Log Set is the default choice. Without a fireplace, the R.W.FLAME cathedral stoves suit those wanting a freestanding look, or the TURBRO set if you prefer infrared quartz heat and a larger flame effect.
