A freestanding electric fireplace is a great way to add warmth to your home while also adding a bit of character. Most of them are small, so they’re mainly used for heating up small rooms. With so many out there, though, how do you know which one is the best?
We’ve compiled a list of the top freestanding electric fireplaces on sale today to help you make your decision. They are sorted by price going in descending order, with the most expensive at the top and the least expensive on the bottom. We will also discuss their main features and specs.
The Benefits of Owning An Electric Fireplace
Before we share our selection of electric units, there are many benefits to owning one which can help change your mind if you’ve previously been skeptical about freestanding heaters.
Easy Installation
First, let’s acknowledge that these electric heaters are easy to operate and don’t require any complicated installations. In fact, you can add one to your home yourself without a professional’s guidance. All you have to do is place the heater in a suitable area in your home and plug in the power cord for it to work.
Some come in interesting, space-saving designs so you can store your books or any decorations on top to not limit the space in your home. A freestanding electric fireplace is lightweight and easy to move around so you don’t need to worry about finding it a permanent home. So long as you research the recommended room size it can heat and suitable floor types, there’s no need to do anything else other than plug it in and switch it on.
Safe to Use
Not everyone wants a gas or wood fireplace because they produce toxic gases that are harmful to your health. Also, these gases have a negative effect on the environment, too. Thankfully, electric fireplaces keep your home free from gases as the unit doesn’t emit anything. Instead, they use electricity, which means that this won’t irritate anyone with a respiratory problem and is better for your health overall.
If you have children or animals in your home, you’re probably wondering after their safety, too. There are many units on the market that are equipped with an automatic switch that turns off should the heater get knocked over, so it won’t cause a fire. Most heaters are also cool to touch so should a child put their hands on the glass, they won’t burn themselves.
Elegant Design
Electric fireplaces aren’t just designed for convenience, but to add personality and a calming ambiance to your home. They’re generally small so finding somewhere to store them when they’re not in use shouldn’t be too much of a problem. But when they’re in operation, you’ll love how homely they look. Aside from being smaller and using electricity, they produce flames that look like a real gas fire.
If you’re interested in purchasing an electric unit because it’ll be cozy in your home, you can switch off the heat setting and allow the flames to flicker for decoration. This is a common way many customers use their electric heater so it sets a calming mood to your home.
Easy to Operate
Many electric fireplaces come with a remote control and you can also adjust the temperature and switch the unit on and off manually. Having a remote control is great for the elderly as it prevents you from having to get up all the time to monitor your heater. Some advanced electric fireplaces come with a thermostat so you set the desired temperature and it’ll maintain this heat until you switch it off.
Extremely Durable
You’ll be pleased to hear that you won’t have to constantly renew your fireplace as these are built to last. Compared to a gas or wood fire, they don’t require any fuel so there’s no need for a combustion chamber. This means little maintenance and the fireplace’s texture will remain the same for years to come. In addition, the fireplace’s body is painted with anti-corrosive materials to keep it lasting a long time.
Suitable For Almost Anywhere
An electric fireplace won’t take up much space in a room, which makes it suitable for use in almost any room. You can also move it around your home with ease to focus on heating the room you’re in. Although these units have safety features built into them, we recommend not having it in direct contact with objects or furniture; this will also improve the speed it heats up a room.
Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Fireplace
There are many different types of freestanding units, so how do you know which one to purchase? This is why we’ve created a buying guide to choose the best one for your needs, budget, and preferences.
Flame Effects
High-standard electric fireplaces come with numerous flame effects that you can choose depending on the style you’re looking for. The ribbon flame is the most popular effect as it creates a flickering flame by air blowing through ribbon strips. Alternatively, LED lights create a more realistic glow and are an advancement on traditional electric fires. Another flame effect is an ambient glow, which consists of a warm light rather than replicating flames. Using a lightbulb, this creates a calming and relaxed vibe in your home.
Space and Location
These units are great for most homes because they’re lightweight and small so you have a wide selection of locations for them. But before making a purchase, consider where you’ll store your fireplace when it’s not in use. Do you have enough spare space in the wardrobe or a cupboard to keep it out of the way in summer? If not, perhaps you could purchase a fireplace that has additional features – such as storage capabilities – so you can always keep it on display and make the most of it.
Which room will you use the heater for? Does the size of the room accommodate the size of the heater? Most generate adequate heat into a room up to 400 square feet. If it’s any larger, you should increase the wattage and size of the heater you’re looking at otherwise you won’t feel the heat benefits.
Finally, you should also consider if you want to use the heater outside. Perhaps you’d like to have a calm mood in the garden at night without generating any heat. If so, is the heater waterproof and suitable for outside use? Always check the manufacturer’s guide before doing so.
The Best Freestanding Electric Fireplaces to Consider
Regal Electric Fireplace – e-Flame USA 25 Inch White Portable Electric Fireplace Stove with 1500W Space Heater
Heating System
The first electric fireplace on our list is the Regal Electric Fireplace. It has the option to be used with or without heat and is made with a discreet, fan-enforced heater for even heat distribution. It can heat up to 400 square feet. The heat is generated by a fan so you needn’t worry about any the heater releasing any loud noises as you use it. This fan technology makes the heater user-friendly so you can adjust the heat settings to suit your preference or the weather.
This Regal unit is energy-saving and will keep your electricity bill in comparison to using a gas fire. With two heat settings, you can pick the energy that best suits your budget.
Design
It’s the most expensive on the list, but has a very realistic flame with mesh doors. The design includes a unique curved front, and it is classic enough to add a cozy flair to any room. The overall design of this fireplace is stunning and makes it elegant to look at. Built with smooth curves, this will accentuate any living room and provide a warm ambiance in a home. It’s the second largest heater on this list, with dimensions of 25” H x 22” W x 12”D. The material used to build this fireplace is lightweight, which makes it portable to move between rooms. But despite this lightweight, it’s still durable and built to last.
Features
Finally, this heater is equipped with excellent safety features, which makes it a great purchase for households with young children and pets around. The automatic shut-off system means that this fireplace won’t continue to heat up once it reaches the desired temperature. It’ll also switch off automatically should it accidentally get knocked over. In addition, the heater the exterior of this heater doesn’t get hot so you won’t burn your fingers should you touch it.
Hamilton 22-inch Portable Free Standing 1500W Electric Fireplace
Heating System
It has the option to be used with or without heat and uses a fan on high or low to provide an even distribution of heat. It plugs into any standard outlet for easy placement. If you’re looking for a portable heater that is economical, this is a great choice for you. Specifically, this unit uses 90 percent less energy than a gas heater. It’s also equipped with two heat settings so you don’t have to use it on the full heat seating if you only want to heat one room or merely quickly a quick burst of heat. Set the device to your desired temperature and enjoy the pleasurable experience.
This unit comprises of 1500 watts and features a 6-ft. cord so you can place it in the desired location without disrupting your current layout. It can comfortably heat up to 400 square feet and assembling it only takes a couple of minutes.
Design
The Hamilton Portable Standing fireplace is a 22-inch heater with a very realistic-looking flame. This heater stays cool to the touch so there are no worries about children or pets getting burned while this heater is on. Its elegant design also adds a classic feel to any room it’s in. One thing to keep in mind with this heater is that not only does it emit the light from the faux flames, but also a sliver of white light a few inches below where the flames are. This may be something to keep in mind if you only want to see the light from the flames. The unit comes in a selection of colors so it can accommodate any room and decorative choice.
Features
This heater is easy to use, making it a great purchase for an array of people. It is cool to touch, which makes it safe to use in a busy household, and it is also odorless and smokeless to further enhance its safety. Finally, if the unit is accidentally knocked over, it’ll automatically switch off to prevent overheating or causing a fire.
Aspen Free Standing Electric Stove
Heating System
The Aspen electric heater works on either high or low, so you can control how much heat it puts out. This unit can heat up to 400 square feet and uses 90 percent less energy than a gas heater. In just a matter of minutes, you’ll feel the heat generating around the room, without paying an extortionate fee. Operating this unit is easy too; simply set the desired temperature and the fireplace will switch off once it reaches it.
Design
This electric fireplace has a classic design with real glass doors. You also have the option to use this fireplace with no heat, and just enjoy the image of flames. It requires a bit of assembly, but it’s very simple to put together. Finished in grey with a brass-effect trim, this is the best freestanding electric fireplace if you’re determined to find one that accentuates your home and looks homely.
This unit remains cool on the outside so you don’t need to worry about young children or pets coming into contact with it and hurting themselves. This design also means that you can spontaneously move it to another location without waiting for it to cool down first. It’s also suitable for an array of flooring types, making it ideal for the office, living room, garage, and even motorhome.
Features
It uses a quiet fan to provide even heating, which makes it ideal if you’re working at the time or the family is watching TV. The flames generate a warm glow for a cozy atmosphere any time of the year. Alternatively, you can set the unit to distribute flames without radiating any heat. Finally, this unit automatically switches off when it reaches the desired temperature or should it accidentally be knocked over.
HomCom 16″ 1500W Free Standing Electric Wood Stove Fireplace
Heating System
This freestanding electric oven has two heat settings that are 750W or 1500W. It can heat up to 400 square feet, and it has a LED fire flame effect with adjustable brightness. This heater is a little small, with dimensions of 15.5” W x 10.5”D x 21.75” H, so it may be best for heating up small spaces. It’s also the most affordable of all the choices, making it great for people on a budget. This heats 400 square feet, making it great for the average-sized room.
Design
This unit looks like natural wood burning when it’s in operation for a cozy vibe whenever you use it. The flames have a subtle glow with red and golden flames to suit your mood. Made up of metal and glass, its design is sophisticated and luxurious to suit any room in your home. Moreover, this freestanding electric fireplace is also equipped with an automatic turn-off timer for worry-free heating. We love that this unit is lightweight to make it convenient to move around your home.
Features
Moreover, this freestanding electric fireplace is also equipped with an automatic turn-off timer for worry-free heating. You can adjust the heating at any point to increase or decrease the temperature, and the unit comes with a safety feature to prevent the fireplace from overheating.
How Much Does it Cost to Run an Electric Fireplace?
So, you might be interested in purchasing one of these units, but have you considered the cost of running one? The first point to mention is that electric fireplaces are much cheaper to install and run compared to gas and wood-burning versions. In fact, they’re generally an economical method of heating your home without it costing a fortune to do so.
The main reason for this acceptable running cost is that you’re heating one room rather than the entire house. This is a suitable option if you or the family spend most of your time in one room. As a result, it makes sense in heating that space rather than other rooms you won’t be in.
Electric fireplaces are efficient to use because any heat that they produce doesn’t get lost up the chimney which means that any heat stays in the room. Depending on the wattage and your energy rating, an electric heat generally costs 8 to 23 cents per hour. If you want to purchase one of these units just for the flickering flames, make sure you have a no-heat mode on your unit as this costs only 1 to 2 cents per hour when turned on.
To calculate your estimated costs, calculate the wattage of your unit, multiply by the number of hours you use it per day and then multiply by your kWh rate. Therefore, the higher the wattage your unit is, the more expensive it’ll cost to run.
The Winning Freestanding Electric Fireplace
If we could only choose one electric fireplace to share with you, it’d be the Hamilton 22-inch Portable Electric Fireplace. We love the rustic appearance and color range available to provide a wide selection for customers. It’s also quiet when in operation and the frame remains cool to prevent any burning. This also means that you can add decorations to the top without safety being a concern.
The Hamilton unit also comes with a long cord so you’ll likely not need an extension cord, for extra convenience.
We invite you to give any of these recommendations a try. Also, feel free to let us know in the comments what you thought of these recommendations, or let us know of any electric fireplaces that are top-quality that we might have missed.