As the chill of 2025 sets in, the quest for efficient and cozy home heating begins. Electric fireplaces and heaters offer a perfect blend of ambiance and functionality, providing targeted warmth without the hassle of traditional wood-burning setups. Whether you’re looking to add a stunning focal point to your living room or simply need a reliable source of supplemental heat for a drafty office, the right model can make all the difference.
This year’s top picks showcase incredible innovation, from smart-enabled fireplaces you can control with your voice to energy-efficient space heaters that circulate warmth evenly. We’ve curated a list of the best options to suit various needs, focusing on safety features, heating performance, design, and overall value to help you find your ideal match.
The Best Electric Fireplaces & Heaters for 2025
- PuraFlame Alice 60 Inches Recessed Electric Fireplace
- Space Heater, 1500W Electric Heaters Indoor Portable
- Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater, 1500-Watt
- Touchstone Smart Electric Fireplace-The Sideline 50″ Wide
- Lasko Oscillating Digital Ceramic Tower Heater
- Vornado MVH (2025) Space Heater, 3 Heat Settings
- Honeywell UberHeat 5 Ceramic Space Heater for Small Rooms
- Pelonis Oil Filled Radiator Heater, 1500W Quiet Warmth
- BELLEZE Barn Door Wood Electric Fireplace TV Stand
- R.W.FLAME 60-inch Electric Fireplace Insert
PuraFlame Alice 60 Inches Recessed Electric Fireplace
For a seamless, built-in look, the PuraFlame Alice is a top-tier choice. This 60-inch recessed model is designed for flush mounting into a 2×6 stud wall, creating a custom, high-end appearance. It offers two ember bed options—a classic log set or modern crystal stones—allowing you to match your room’s aesthetic. The flame effect is remarkably realistic, powered by ultra-high intensity LED lights.
You can customize the ambiance with four distinct flame settings, from a soft yellow glow to a brighter blue-tinted fire. A significant benefit is the ability to operate the flames with or without the 1500W heater, making it suitable for creating atmosphere year-round. Installation is straightforward with both plug-in and hard-wiring options available for flexibility.
Space Heater, 1500W Electric Heaters Indoor Portable
This portable ceramic heater is built for speed and efficiency. Utilizing advanced PTC ceramic heating technology, it can warm up a room in moments, distributing heat evenly with its powerful fan. It’s an excellent solution for targeted heating in bedrooms, offices, or other frequently used spaces where you want to avoid turning up the whole-house thermostat.
With three heat settings (low, medium, high) and a fan-only mode for summer use, it provides precise control over your comfort. The adjustable thermostat automatically monitors the room temperature, cycling on and off to maintain your desired setting. This helps manage energy use, potentially reducing heating costs by warming only the spaces you occupy.
Dr Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater
The Dr Infrared Heater is a legendary model known for its powerful dual heating system. It combines an infrared quartz tube with a PTC element to produce about 60% more heat than many conventional heaters, effectively warming large rooms. Its super-quiet operation, at just 39 dB, makes it ideal for bedrooms or quiet home offices where noise can be a distraction.
This heater is packed with user-friendly features, including a 12-hour automatic shut-off timer and a remote control for convenient adjustments from across the room. Safety is a priority, with built-in tip-over and overheat protection. The auto energy-saving mode helps maintain a consistent temperature efficiently.
Touchstone Smart Electric Fireplace-The Sideline 50″ Wide
The Touchstone Sideline brings modern technology to the classic fireplace. This 50-inch in-wall recessed unit offers an impressive 30 realistic ember color and flame options, giving you unparalleled control over the visual effect. It’s also WiFi enabled and works with Alexa, allowing for voice control and smartphone operation for the ultimate in convenience.
You can choose between a log or crystal hearth, or even mix both for a unique look. The 1500W heater includes a thermostat and can be used independently of the flame effect. Designed for safe in-wall installation, the sides and back remain cool to the touch. It offers both a plug-in cord and hard-wire connection to suit your installation preferences.
Lasko Oscillating Digital Ceramic Tower Heater
The Lasko ceramic tower heater combines a sleek, space-saving design with powerful performance. Its tall, slim profile allows it to fit into tight corners while the widespread oscillation feature helps distribute warm air throughout the room evenly. This oscillation ensures no cold spots are left behind, providing consistent comfort.
Operation is simple with a digital control panel and a full-function remote. It features two quiet heat settings and an adjustable thermostat. A particularly useful feature is the programmable auto-off timer, which can be set from 1 to 8 hours, providing peace of mind if you fall asleep or leave the room.
Vornado MVH (2025) Space Heater
Vornado’s MVH heater uses its signature Vortex Heat Circulation to move warmth throughout the entire room, working like a mini forced-air furnace. This technology focuses on heating the air in the room itself, rather than just radiating heat in one direction, which can lead to a more consistent and comfortable environment in small to medium-sized spaces.
This 2025 model is built with safety as a core principle, featuring a cool-touch exterior, tip-over protection, and an automatic shut-off system. It offers three heat modes (low, medium, high) to match your warmth and energy efficiency needs. Its quiet operation makes it a reliable room heater for bedrooms, living rooms, and offices.
Honeywell UberHeat 5 Ceramic Space Heater
The Honeywell UberHeat is a compact and powerful ceramic heater ideal for personal spaces or small rooms. Its sleek, minimalist design is both functional and attractive, making it a good fit for a desk, nightstand, or side table. Despite its small size, it delivers 1500W of heat on its high setting.
This heater includes two comfort settings (900W and 1500W) and an adjustable thermostat. Safety is a strong suit, with a tip-over switch, two overheat protection systems, and a cool-touch housing. Its quiet operation ensures it won’t disturb you while working, reading, or sleeping.
Pelonis Oil Filled Radiator Heater
Oil-filled radiators are renowned for their silent, consistent radiant heat, and the Pelonis model excels in this category. It uses thermal oil that is heated internally, and the heat is then radiated out through its seven fins. This 360-degree all-around heating design improves efficiency by 32% for faster, more even warmth that lingers even after the unit cycles off.
This heater provides three energy-efficient heating modes (600W, 900W, 1500W), allowing you to select the perfect power level for your needs and manage electricity use. It includes essential safety features like tip-over and overheat protection, and all critical components meet strict ETL safety standards.
BELLEZE Barn Door Wood Electric Fireplace TV Stand
This BELLEZE TV stand combines furniture and ambiance into one stylish unit. It features a modern farmhouse design with distinctive barn-style cabinet doors that add a rustic charm to any living space. The stand is built to support TVs up to 65 inches, making it a substantial and functional entertainment center.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it offers practical storage with two adjustable open shelves for media components and two enclosed cabinets to hide away clutter. The integrated electric fireplace provides a cozy flame effect and supplemental heat, creating a warm and inviting focal point for your room.
R.W.FLAME 60-inch Electric Fireplace Insert
The R.W.FLAME 60-inch insert is a versatile solution for those looking to convert an existing fireplace or create a built-in look with a custom surround. As an insert, it’s designed to fit into a pre-existing opening, providing a clean and finished appearance. It typically features realistic LED flame effects that can be adjusted to suit your mood.
These units often include multiple flame color options and brightness settings, along with a separate heating function. The built-in 1500W heater can take the edge off a cool room, while the flame effect can be used independently for ambiance throughout the year. It’s a practical way to achieve the look of a traditional fireplace with modern electric convenience.
How to Choose the Best Electric Fireplaces & Heaters 2025
I know how it feels to stand in front of a wall of electric fireplaces and heaters online, completely unsure which one is right for your space. The options for the 10 Best Electric Fireplaces & Heaters 2025 are more advanced than ever, so let’s break down what actually matters when you’re making your choice.
First, you need to decide on the primary purpose. Are you looking for a permanent fixture to become the new centerpiece of your living room, or do you just need a portable unit to take the chill out of a home office or bedroom? Built-in electric fireplaces, like inserts for an existing masonry fireplace or wall-mounted models, offer a seamless, custom look. Freestanding stoves mimic the charm of a wood-burner without the hassle. If flexibility is key, a compact, portable heater is your best friend—you can move it from room to room as needed.
Next, let’s talk about heat output, measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) or simply watts. For a small room, a 1500-watt heater is usually sufficient. Larger spaces will need more power, and some high-end models offer multiple heat settings. Pay close attention to the heater’s coverage area, which is usually listed in square feet. It’s better to have a little more power than you think you need rather than not enough.
The visual effect is a huge part of the appeal. Modern electric fireplaces use LED technology to create incredibly realistic flames. Some even allow you to adjust the flame color and brightness, and many let you run the flame effect without any heat at all—perfect for creating ambiance on a warm evening. Look for features like glowing ember beds or realistic log sets to complete the look. The best models have a depth and flicker that can fool the eye from across the room.
Finally, don’t forget about the practical features. A remote control is almost a given these days, but smart home integration via an app or voice command is becoming standard. A built-in thermostat will help maintain a consistent temperature, and a timer function is great for energy savings. For safety, an automatic overheat shut-off is non-negotiable, and a cool-touch exterior is vital if you have children or pets. Extra features like a built-in mantel or media console can add both style and function to your space.
FAQ
Are electric fireplaces expensive to run?
This is one of the most common questions I get. The running cost depends entirely on your local electricity rates and how often you use the heat function. On average, running a 1500-watt heater for an hour will cost a similar amount to running a hair dryer or space heater on a high setting for the same time. The key is that electric fireplaces are 100% efficient—all the energy they draw is converted directly into heat for your room, with no loss like you get with a chimney. Using the flame-only mode uses very little electricity, making it a cost-effective way to enjoy the atmosphere.
Can I install an electric fireplace myself?
It really depends on the type. A freestanding stove or a portable heater requires zero installation—just plug it into a standard wall outlet. Wall-mounted or built-in insert models are a different story. While they don’t need a gas line or vent, they often require mounting to studs and hardwiring into your home’s electrical system. For these, I always recommend hiring a qualified electrician to ensure the installation is safe and up to code. It’s a small added cost for peace of mind.
What is the main difference between an infrared heater and a conventional electric fireplace?
Great question. A conventional electric fireplace, often called a fan-forced heater, works by heating an internal element and then using a fan to blow the warm air into the room. It heats the air directly. An infrared heater, on the other hand, uses electromagnetic radiation to heat objects and people in the room first—similar to the sun warming your skin. The heat from those objects then warms the air. Many people prefer infrared because the heat feels more instant and direct, and it doesn’t reduce humidity or circulate dust as much as a fan-forced model might.
Do electric fireplaces need any special maintenance?
One of the best things about them is how little maintenance they need. There’s no real fire, so there’s no ash, soot, or chimney cleaning. The main task is to keep the unit dust-free. About once a year, I make sure to unplug mine and gently vacuum the air inlets and outlets to prevent dust buildup, which can affect efficiency and become a fire hazard. For the glass front, a simple soft, dry cloth is all you need. Always check your owner’s manual for specific care instructions for your model.
How realistic do the flames look in modern electric fireplaces?
The technology has come a very long way. The days of a single, flickering orange light bulb are long gone. Today’s high-quality models use a combination of LED lights, reflective panels, and sometimes even 3D effects to create a surprisingly realistic flame. You can often customize the look, adjusting the flame height, color (from traditional orange to modern blues), and even whether you see ember beds or glowing logs. While it won’t perfectly mimic a crackling wood fire, the visual effect is convincing enough to provide a wonderful focal point and a cozy atmosphere for your home.