An electric insert turns an unused fireplace into a heater and a flame effect, with no chimney, vent or gas line. Fit is the first question, so these inserts are ordered by nominal width from smallest to largest; match the body to your firebox opening and depth, and the trim to the face of the fireplace.
Plug-in inserts typically top out at 1,500 watts, about 5,118 BTU per hour (3.412 BTU per watt, EIA), enough for supplemental heat in one room. On a 120-volt outlet that's 12.5 amps, so plan the cord route to an outlet on a circuit without other big loads.
Electric fireplaces burn nothing, so they need no chimney, vent or gas line and produce no carbon monoxide, which is why they go where wood and gas can't: apartments, bedrooms and walls without a flue. Their heat is set by watts, not styling, and almost all of them can run the flame effect with the heater off.
PuraFlame EF45D 16-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The PuraFlame EF45D 16-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert is a 16-inch unit with a 1,500-watt heater, about 5,118 BTU per hour. Its maker says it heats up to 400 square feet, which for a 120-volt heater means supplemental heat for one room. On high it draws about 12.5 amps, so give it a circuit without other big loads. It suits converting an unused fireplace and rooms where gas or wood can't go. Where it gives ground: supplemental heat only; draws 12.5 A on high. Listed size: 8.78 inD x 35.04 inW x 26.99 inH, 46.7 lb. Warranty: One year limited.
Costway 11033US-CYPF 18-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The Costway 11033US-CYPF 18-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert is a 18-inch unit with a 750-watt heater, about 2,559 BTU per hour. Its maker says it heats up to 400 square feet, which for a 120-volt heater means supplemental heat for one room. On high it draws about 6.2 amps, so give it a circuit without other big loads. It suits converting an unused fireplace and rooms where gas or wood can't go. Where it gives ground: supplemental heat only; draws 6.2 A on high. Listed size: 5.3 inD x 19.1 inW x 17.9 inH, 10 lb.
Electactic L250 21-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The Electactic L250 21-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert is a 21-inch unit with a 750-watt heater, about 2,559 BTU per hour. Its maker says it heats up to 450 square feet, which for a 120-volt heater means supplemental heat for one room. On high it draws about 6.2 amps, so give it a circuit without other big loads. It suits converting an unused fireplace and rooms where gas or wood can't go. Where it gives ground: supplemental heat only; draws 6.2 A on high. Listed size: 8.56 inD x 20.53 inW x 11.51 inH, 15.4 lb.
EFIRETRIC EF447 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The EFIRETRIC EF447 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert is a 23-inch unit with a 1,500-watt heater, about 5,118 BTU per hour. Its maker says it heats up to 400 square feet, which for a 120-volt heater means supplemental heat for one room. On high it draws about 12.5 amps, so give it a circuit without other big loads. It suits converting an unused fireplace and rooms where gas or wood can't go. Where it gives ground: supplemental heat only; draws 12.5 A on high. Listed size: 5.17 inD x 28.34 inW x 20 inH.
Innoflame X 19 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The Innoflame X 19 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert is a 23-inch unit with a 1,400-watt heater, about 4,777 BTU per hour. Its maker says it heats up to 400 square feet, which for a 120-volt heater means supplemental heat for one room. The listing states 4 flame settings, and the flame runs with the heater off. On high it draws about 11.7 amps, so give it a circuit without other big loads. It suits converting an unused fireplace and rooms where gas or wood can't go. Where it gives ground: supplemental heat only; draws 11.7 A on high. Listed size: 5 inD x 24 inW x 19.8 inH, 18.1 lb. Warranty: 1 year manufacuturer.
RICHFLAME RF42D-WC 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The RICHFLAME RF42D-WC 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert is a 23-inch unit with a 750-watt heater, about 2,559 BTU per hour. Its maker says it heats up to 400 square feet, which for a 120-volt heater means supplemental heat for one room. On high it draws about 6.2 amps, so give it a circuit without other big loads. It suits converting an unused fireplace and rooms where gas or wood can't go. Where it gives ground: supplemental heat only; draws 6.2 A on high. Listed size: 8.78 inD x 24.8 inW x 21.46 inH.
Signature Design by Ashley W100-02 24-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The Signature Design by Ashley W100-02 24-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert is a 24-inch unit with a 400-watt heater, about 1,365 BTU per hour. Its maker says it heats up to 400 square feet, which for a 120-volt heater means supplemental heat for one room. The listing states 5 flame settings, and the flame runs with the heater off. On high it draws about 3.3 amps, so give it a circuit without other big loads. It suits converting an unused fireplace and rooms where gas or wood can't go. Where it gives ground: supplemental heat only; draws 3.3 A on high. Listed size: 8.5 inD x 23.75 inW x 20.06 inH, 37 lb. Warranty: Please refer to product description or store page.
ORALNER HR-11287 30-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The ORALNER HR-11287 30-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert is a 30-inch unit with a 1,500-watt heater, about 5,118 BTU per hour. Its maker says it heats up to 1,000 square feet, which for a 120-volt heater means supplemental heat for one room. On high it draws about 12.5 amps, so give it a circuit without other big loads. It suits converting an unused fireplace and rooms where gas or wood can't go. Where it gives ground: supplemental heat only; draws 12.5 A on high. Listed size: 9 inD x 30 inW x 14 inH, 23 lb.
The picks on one chart
| Model | Width | Wattage | Heats up to | Flame settings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PuraFlame EF45D 16-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert | 16 in | 1,500 W | 400 sq ft | Not stated |
| Costway 11033US-CYPF 18-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert | 18 in | 750 W | 400 sq ft | Not stated |
| Electactic L250 21-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert | 21 in | 750 W | 450 sq ft | Not stated |
| EFIRETRIC EF447 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert | 23 in | 1,500 W | 400 sq ft | Not stated |
| Innoflame X 19 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert | 23 in | 1,400 W | 400 sq ft | 4 |
| RICHFLAME RF42D-WC 23-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert | 23 in | 750 W | 400 sq ft | Not stated |
| Signature Design by Ashley W100-02 24-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert | 24 in | 400 W | 400 sq ft | 5 |
| ORALNER HR-11287 30-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert | 30 in | 1,500 W | 1,000 sq ft | Not stated |
Choosing between them
Fit comes first: measure the opening or wall space against the body dimensions and trim in each listing. Then the heater: plug-in units usually max out at 1,500 watts, about 5,118 BTU per hour, so watts tell you more about heat than any square-footage claim.
Flame settings, a remote, a thermostat and a timer separate the models more than heat does. Every one can run the flame without heat for mild evenings. Give a 1,500-watt unit a circuit without other big loads; at 120 volts it draws 12.5 amps.
When another list fits better
For a bare wall, a wall-mount or recessed unit in the electric chart is the better fit; for a stove look anywhere, an electric stove.
Common questions
What size electric insert do I need?
How much heat does an electric insert give?
Do electric inserts need the chimney?
Can an electric fireplace run without heat?
Do electric fireplaces make carbon monoxide?
Our editors choose and order the picks from the makers' own figures; every pick meets the requirement printed above. How we compare heaters · Affiliate disclosure