A free-standing electric fireplace is an excellent heating option for your home. Not only does it add style and extra warmth to your living area, it also provides realistic flames and soothing crackling sounds without the need for gas or logs. Top it all off, the best free-standing electric fireplaces are simple to use and don’t take up a lot of space, either.
There’s a free-standing fireplace for every home, and if you’re looking for one, you’ve come to the right place!
Keep reading to see our thorough reviews of the top free-standing electric fireplaces to help you decide which is best for you.
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Freestanding Electric Fireplace Quick Comparison
Use the table below as a quick reference for the benefits and features of the top free-standing electric fireplaces.
For more information and details, scroll past the table for the individual product reviews.
What We Look For in a Portable Electric Fireplace
When we look for the best freestanding electric fireplaces, we consider how real it looks, its heat output, efficiency, features, and benefits. We compare the following factors:
Realism
A top consideration for all electric fireplaces is how realistic the flames are. Electric fireplaces never create real fires. They just mimic real flames using water vapor, chemicals, or holograms.
Of course, not all faux flames look the same. Some look nearly exactly like the real things. Others look nowhere near a real flame. Cheaper electric fireplaces usually have worse-looking flames than more expensive ones.
Heat Output
One key feature of every fireplace is the amount of heat it adds to your home. While flickering flames alone are enough for some, most homeowners want the added coziness of extra warmth.
Electric fireplaces measure their heating output in watts. Higher wattage means it produces more heat but also uses more electricity. Most electric fireplaces have two or more heating settings. Most let you turn the heat off entirely too.
An electric fireplace rated at 1,500 watts can heat a medium to a large room (up to 200 square feet). Since most homes have other sources of heat (i.e., a furnace, boiler, heat pump, etc.), this is more than enough.
So, depending on how much “extra” heat you want, you may opt for a higher or lower wattage unit.
Efficiency
With rising energy costs, the amount of electricity versus the heat output of a free-standing electric fireplace is important.
Let’s say two electric fireplaces that produce the same amount of heat use different amounts of electricity. The one that uses less electricity is more efficient and would be our recommendation any day. You’ll not only save on energy costs, but you’ll reduce your carbon footprint to boot.
Related Post: Are Electric Fireplaces Worth the Money?
Size and Weight
One of the best things about free-standing fireplaces is the ability to move them easily between rooms. Want to relax by the fireplace while watching your Saturday morning cartoons and use it to keep you warm and toasty while you sleep? With a freestanding unit, this is easy.
However, if the eclectic fireplace is too heavy or so large it is unwieldy, it goes against this added benefit.
Extra Features
Several freestanding fireplaces have additional features to make them more convenient and easier to use. A few examples includes:
- Locking wheels
- Remote control
- Wi-Fi compatibility
- Smart home integration
- Auto-off
One or more of these extra features could be a reason you choose one brand over the other. That’s why we’re sure to mention all the differentiating features in our reviews.
Free-standing Electric Fireplace Reviews
If you’re scrounging the market for a free-standing electric fireplace, you likely already know how they can add a great ambiance to your room. But finding the best one for you could be a challenge given the sea of options on the market.
To make finding one easier, we made this list of the top seven free-standing electric fireplaces. We did hours of research and testing to give you quick and easy access to all the features, benefits, and key differentiators, so you don’t have to.
Real Flame Foster Electric Stove
Key Specifications
- 4700 BTU
- Heats up to 1,000 square feet
- Strong blower
- Includes decorative chimney
- Easy controls
At first glance, the Real Flame Foster Electric Stove looks like a came right from a pre-colonial cabin. But with its electric controls and blower, it adds sophisticated technology to its rustic appeal.
You can compliment its faux wood stove appearance with its included “chimney” or leave it off entirely for a cleaner look. This Real Flame unit is made from powder-coated steel and plastic, which makes it feel solid and high-quality. It also maintains a manageable weight of just 42 pounds.
It can heat up to 1,000 square feet, which is enough to heat the entire floor of most average homes (assuming you can circulate the heat). While this electric fireplace is decently realistic, it does have a few downsides.
First, it doesn’t have a remote control feature, which can be a deal breaker. And secondly, it only has one flame color setting. But in our opinion, you don’t need those features with a rustic “stove-style” electric fireplace.
If you’re trying to replicate the look and appeal of a cabin, the Real Flame Foster Electric Stove will make your home ready to party like it’s 1899.
Duraflame 24″ Electric Stove
Key Specifications
- Available in five colors
- Heat and flames are independent
- Top heated air release
- Remote control
The Duraflame 24” Electric Stove is a superb infrared heater that can quickly heat a space as large as 1,000 square feet. It is stylish, easy to operate, and includes a convenient remote control. If your feet get too toasty, you don’t have to get up to turn it down.
Unlike some other electric fireplaces, this Duraflame unit doesn’t dry out the air. It maintains your home’s humidity by heating you with infrared heat and uses a powerful blower to circulate the warmth all around.
It incorporates a realistic 3D flame effect technology that looks authentic and could provide your home with a subtle ambiance. With the five available color options (cinnamon, black, bronze, cream, and french gray), there is sure to be one that matches your home’s interior.
One slight downside is that this fireplace doesn’t create the natural crackling you’d expect from a fireplace.
Charlton Home Manor Electric Fireplace
Key Specifications
- Available in three colors
- Slim profile
- Heat and flames are independent
- Bottom heat release
The Charlton Home Manor Electric Fireplace is a small and affordable way to add some extra heat to your living room, bedroom, office, or den. It is extremely compact, but don’t let its small size fool you. It can still produce enough heat to warm a 215-square-foot room.
This Charlton unit is made from high-quality sheet metal and comes in three stylish colors– red, black, and white. Any of these staples will surely match your home. It has an easy-to-adjust thermostat with a bottom heat release. This means it forces hot air out of the bottom, so your feet will warm up first before it rises and warms the rest of the room.
While it does have a realistic portrayal of burning logs, it does lack in a few areas. It is rather small, and if you’re putting it in a large living room, it may not be enough. However, it is one of the easiest ones to move around at just 18 pounds. It has only one flame color, but you can run the flame without producing heat.
Maxhonor Electric Fireplace
Key Specifications
- Four size options
- Two color options
- 12 flame color settings
- Narrow depth (4.1 inches)
- Remote control
The Maxhonor Electric Fireplace is a high-tech and versatile free-standing electric fireplace. It is available in 30, 40, 50, and 60-inch widths, which you can choose to best compliment the space in your home. It has an intuitive touch panel to adjust its various settings and includes an easy-to-use remote control.
This Maxhonor fireplace is very narrow at 4.1 inches, which is a huge benefit if you ever decide to recess mount it in your wall, or hang it from the wall. Otherwise, you can use the included feet to use it in its freestanding configuration.
This electric fireplace is one of the most configurable regarding flame and heat settings. It has 12 flame colors, five brightness levels, three heating modes, and convenient timer control. One downside is that it’s relatively large, but that won’t matter if you have the perfect space for it.
Ebern Designs 42″ Electric Fireplace
Key Specifications
- Top heat release
- Wall mountable
- 10 flame colors
- 5 flame speeds
- Includes remote control
The Ebern Designs 42″ Electric Fireplace is an easy-to-use freestanding electric fireplace that is perfect for larger rooms. It is large, but it can warm up to a 300-square-foot room. You can connect its included feet and place it on the floor, a shelf, a mantle, etc., or you can hang it on the wall.
It includes a simple remote control that quickly lets you change every setting, including: power, low/high heat, flame on/off, flame level, sleep timer, flame speed, backlight on/off, and backlight brightness. The LED flames are relatively realistic but lack depth and may look fake to the trained eye.
HOMCOM Electric Fireplace Heater
Key Specifications
- Low cost
- Available in two colors
- Overheating protection
- Small size
The HOMCOM Electric Fireplace Heater is one of the smallest freestanding electric fireplaces on the market. It is only 9.5 x 14.25 x 16.25 inches but can provide a generous amount of heat to rooms up to 323 square feet in size.
This HOMCOM fireplace carries a classic wood-burning stove design and is available in black or white. It is easy to control with its three buttons:
- Flame on/off
- On/off
- 750W/1500W power
However, it does not come with a remote control, which is a slight downside. But, it is extremely cost-effective.
ELONG HOME 40” Electric Fireplace
Key Specifications
- Artificial logs and crystals
- 3 flame colors
- 10 backlight colors
- 10 carbon bed colors
- Ventless
The ELONG HOME 40” Electric Fireplace is a highly customizable freestanding electric fireplace. It provides a traditional design with several color settings. With the onboard buttons and the included remote, you can change the flame color, backlight color, carbon bed color, sleep timer, and heat setpoint.
Its sleek design flows well with most homes, and its wide profile is perfect for placement on a shelf, floor, or accent table. And while the freestanding configuration works great, you can wall mount this unit in the future too.
One disadvantage of its large size is that it is hard to move, but it can heat up to 400 square feet, which is higher than average.
Specification Comparison Table
| Fireplace | Size (W x D x H) | BTUs | Coverage area | Flame color settings | Wall mountable | Remote control |
| Real Flame Foster Electric Stove | 25 x 15 x 32.5 inches | 4,700 BTU | 1,000 sq ft | No | No | No |
| Duraflame 24″ Electric Stove | 24 x 13.07 x 23.4 inches | 5,200 BTU | 1,000 sq ft | No | No | Yes |
| Charlton Home Manor Electric Fireplace | 15.5 x 10.5 x 21.75 inches | 4,300 BTU | 215 sq ft | No | No | No |
| Maxhonor Electric Fireplace | 30 x 4 x 17 inches | N/A | 400 sq ft | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ebern Designs 42″ Electric Fireplace | 42 x 6 x 18 inches | 5,000 BTU | 300 sq ft | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HOMCOM Electric Fireplace Heater | 14.25 x 9.5 x 16.25 inches | N/A | 323 sq ft | No | No | No |
| ELONG HOME 40” Electric Fireplace | 40 x 6.2 x 17.7 inches | N/A | 400 sq ft | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Wrap Up
Free-standing electric fireplaces can liven up your living area and provide a warm and welcoming feeling to your home. Many easily fit most homes’ decor and don’t take up too much space. Plus, they’re generally easy to move around.
Thousands of homeowners prefer electric fireplaces over gas or wood-burning ones because they don’t produce smoke, fire, or “burning’ smells. Plus, electricity is one of the safest forms of energy and heat production.
If you’re thinking about adding a freestanding electric fireplace to your home, think about where you will put it, the space it will take up, its style, and how much flame color and noise customization you want.
Read our guide on the best electric fireplaces for more recommendations.
