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The best electric fireplaces of 2026

The PuraFlame Bernice 60 Inch Smart Linear Electric Fireplace is our top pick, pairing nine flame colors, Alexa and Google Assistant control, and a clean hidden vent design in a slim 2-inch profile that works recessed, wall-mounted, or freestanding.

We compared wall-mounted, recessed, and insert electric fireplaces on the numbers their makers publish: heat output in BTU, wattage, dimensions, vent placement, smart home support, and safety certifications like ETL and CSA. We also read what owners report after a full heating season. We do not bench-test fireplaces: every number below is a manufacturer rating, not a figure we produced. This guide is written for homeowners and renters who want supplemental zone heat and year-round ambiance without gas lines, venting, or chimney work.

Last updated

July 13, 2026

How we rank: published specs, third-party certifications, and what verified buyers report.

§ 01 · Top 5 Rankings

Our top 5 picks for electric fireplaces

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EDITOR'S CHOICE

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PuraFlame

PuraFlame Bernice 60 Inch Smart Linear Electric Fireplace

9.2/10JellyReviews Score

The PuraFlame Bernice takes the top spot because it balances smart features, flame customization, and clean installation for far less than the premium units here. Nine flame colors and five brightness levels give it more range than anything else in this roundup, from a low amber glow to a vivid blue-green. PuraFlame rates the heater for rooms up to 400 square feet across its 750W and 1500W settings, the same ceiling the most expensive units here quote. Alexa and Google Assistant control is built in rather than sold as an add-on. The quiet advantage is the 2-inch depth, which lets it sit flush in a 2x6 wall cavity.

Pros

Nine flame colors plus adjustable brightness and speed

Alexa and Google Assistant voice control out of the box

Slim 2-inch depth fits flush in 2x6 wall cavities

Hidden vent design keeps the front glass clean and minimal

Cons

60-inch width needs a stud-centered install or proper blocking

App setup occasionally drops Wi-Fi on mesh networks

Where to buy

Amazon

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BEST SMART FIREPLACE

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Touchstone

Touchstone Sideline Elite Smart 50 Inch WiFi-Enabled Electric Fireplace

8.8/10JellyReviews Score

Touchstone has been a name in electric fireplaces for over a decade, and the Sideline Elite Smart 50 shows why. The viewing area is deeper than most, and the media bed ships with both crystals and driftwood, so you can change the look without buying anything else. The 5,000 BTU heater is rated for about 400 square feet, the same as almost everything in this class. What separates it is the software: Wi-Fi scheduling and scenes are mature features here, not a first attempt, and front venting means it can sit flush or partially recessed.

Pros

Mature Wi-Fi app with reliable scheduling and scenes

Realistic flame bed with crystal and driftwood media included

Front venting allows flush or partial recess installs

Strong brand reputation and responsive customer support

Cons

Higher price than similarly sized competitors

50-inch size may overwhelm smaller accent walls

Where to buy

Amazon

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BEST LUXURY PICK

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Dimplex

Dimplex Sierra 60 Inch Wall/Built-In Linear Electric Fireplace

8.5/10JellyReviews Score

The Dimplex Sierra 60 is the premium pick for buyers who want a name-brand hearth product. Dimplex is the long-established hearth brand on this list, and the Sierra is where that shows: three interchangeable media beds, glass, logs, and stone, so you can change the character of the fireplace without replacing it. The flame effect is the most elaborate here, with layered color zones and an adjustable flame speed that reads as fire rather than animation. The heater still tops out at 5,000 BTU, the same as the cheapest unit in this roundup, so be clear about what you are paying for: the finish, the flame, and the warranty, not more heat.

Pros

Three interchangeable media beds for design flexibility

Installs wall-mounted or fully built in at 60 inches wide

Touchscreen panel with responsive controls

Dimplex is a long-established hearth brand with strong warranty support

Cons

Most expensive unit in this roundup

Heater tops out at 5,000 BTU, same as cheaper rivals

Where to buy

Amazon

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BEST BUDGET PICK

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Antarctic Star

Antarctic Star 36 Inch Electric Fireplace In-Wall Recessed and Wall Mounted

8.1/10JellyReviews Score

The Antarctic Star 36 is the budget pick, and it undercuts everything else here by a wide margin. In the box you get a multicolor flame, dual heat settings, a remote, and both the wall-mount hardware and the recessed trim, which most brands sell separately. Antarctic Star rates the heater for 400 square feet, the same figure the premium units quote, because they all run the same 1500W element. What you give up is the flame: it reads as digital next to the Dimplex, and there is no app and no voice control, just the remote.

Pros

Lowest price in the roundup by a wide margin

One of the deepest buyer-review records in the category, unusual at this price

Compact 36-inch size fits smaller walls and apartments

Includes both wall-mount legs and recessed trim

Cons

Flame looks more digital than the premium options

No smart home integration, remote only

Where to buy

Amazon

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BEST INSERT

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Dimplex

Dimplex XHD 26 Inch Electric Fireplace Insert

8/10JellyReviews Score

The Dimplex XHD 26 is our pick for buyers who already have a wood or gas firebox and want to convert it to electric without hiring a contractor. The frameless housing gives a clean built-in look, and the ember bed with adjustable color themes produces one of the more convincing flames among insert-style units. It drops into a standard 26-inch opening and plugs into a 120V outlet, so there is no gas line to cap and no new circuit to run.

Pros

Frameless design maximizes flame viewing area

Adjustable flame speed and color themes

Fits existing 26-inch fireplace openings without modification

Plug-and-play with standard 120V outlet

Cons

Insert style limits placement to existing fireboxes

Lower review count than the wall-mounted picks

Where to buy

Amazon

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§ 02 · Side-by-side comparison

Compare all 5 at a glance

Rank	Product	Brand	Score	Best for
#1	PuraFlame Bernice 60 Inch Smart Linear Electric Fireplace	PuraFlame	9.2	EDITOR'S CHOICE
#2	Touchstone Sideline Elite Smart 50 Inch WiFi-Enabled Electric Fireplace	Touchstone	8.8	BEST SMART FIREPLACE
#3	Dimplex Sierra 60 Inch Wall/Built-In Linear Electric Fireplace	Dimplex	8.5	BEST LUXURY PICK
#4	Antarctic Star 36 Inch Electric Fireplace In-Wall Recessed and Wall Mounted	Antarctic Star	8.1	BEST BUDGET PICK
#5	Dimplex XHD 26 Inch Electric Fireplace Insert	Dimplex	8	BEST INSERT

§ 03 · Buying guide

How to choose the right electric fireplace

01Wall-Mounted vs Recessed vs Insert: Match the Style to Your Space

Wall-mounted fireplaces hang flat against the wall like a picture frame and need only a stud or two for support. They are the easiest to install and the best fit for renters. Recessed models sit flush inside the wall cavity, which looks more built-in but requires cutting a precise opening.

Inserts slide into an existing firebox, usually 26 or 33 inches wide, and convert a wood or gas fireplace to electric. If you have an old firebox you never use, an insert is the cheapest upgrade. Measure your space twice before ordering.

02BTUs, Room Size, and Realistic Heat Expectations

Almost every electric fireplace in this size class tops out around 5,000 BTU, which translates to roughly 400 to 450 square feet of supplemental heat. That is enough to take the chill off a bedroom or den, but it will not replace a primary furnace.

Dual heat settings, usually 750W and 1500W, let you run the flame without heat for summer ambiance. Look for ETL or CSA certification, a tip-over shutoff, and overheat protection. These safety features matter more than an extra 500 BTU.

§ 04 · FAQ

Questions about electric fireplaces

Most electric fireplaces produce around 5,000 BTU, enough to supplement heat in a 400 to 450 square foot room. They will not replace a primary furnace, but they can take the chill off a bedroom or den and lower your thermostat by a few degrees.

Wall-mounted and freestanding units plug into a standard 120V outlet and need only basic tools. Recessed installs that require running a new circuit are best left to an electrician. Insert installs into an existing firebox are usually a DIY job.

Modern units include tip-over shutoff, overheat protection, and ETL or CSA certification, which makes them safer than wood or gas fireplaces. Most manufacturers recommend turning the heater off when you sleep or leave the room. Use the built-in timer if you want it to shut off automatically.

At the national average of about 16 cents per kilowatt-hour, a 1500W unit on high costs roughly 24 cents per hour. On the low 750W setting it runs about 12 cents per hour. Flame-only mode uses very little power, usually under 3 cents per hour.

The verdict

For most buyers the PuraFlame Bernice 60 Inch Smart Linear Electric Fireplace is the right call. It matches pricier units on flame customization and smart features, costs less than half of the Dimplex Sierra, and the hidden vent design gives it a cleaner look. The Touchstone Sideline Elite is the pick for app stability, the Antarctic Star 36 is unbeatable on price, and the Dimplex XHD 26 is the best insert for converting an existing firebox.

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