3 Best Small Pellet Stoves

We compare the top small wood pellet stoves and find out which is the clear winner. Find the perfect model for your small space today.

If you’re looking for an effective and affordable way of heating your room, a mini pellet stove could be the ideal solution.

A compact pellet stove is a great way to heat a cabin, tiny house, or small room in an energy efficient manner.

If you’re interested in finding out more about micro pellet stoves for sale and whether or not to make the investment in one for your home, read on to discover our recommended pellet heaters.

There's also a helpful buyers’ guide which will help you determine how to select the right model for you.

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The Top Small Pellet Stoves Compared

Take a look at how the top tiny pellet stoves compare in the table below.

Compact Pellet Stove Reviews

Find out about each of our recommendations in a bit more detail now as we explain the key features and selling points.

We'll start with our favorite and in our eyes the leading mini pellet stove on the market right now.

Castle Serenity  

If you’re looking for an inexpensive pellet stove that will revolutionize the way you heat your home, the Castle Serenity tiny house pellet stove is worth a look at.

The Smart Controller enables you to select between different modes including a thermostat and a manual function so that you can heat your property to suit your own schedule.

There are also time and calendar-based heating options so you can ensure your home is at the optimal comfort level all year round.

Designed to have a space-saving shape and a compact footprint, the Castle Serenity stove is incredibly stylish making it a great addition in any space.

The low maintenance design means that there are no hidden chambers, corrugations or tubes to clean after use, reducing the amount of time you spend on cleaning your stove and increasing the amount of time you can spend feeling warm and comfortable.

Offering more than 69.8% thermal efficiency and capable of heating 1500 square feet effectively, this micro pellet stove is very simple to install with minimal assembly required when compared to its rivals on the market.

With its compact size, it can fit into tight spaces and if you plan to install the stove yourself, you shouldn’t find it too difficult thanks to the well laid-out instruction manual. The entire installation process takes only 2 hours at the most and you can even use this stove in your mobile home.

Since this unit is able to be direct vented, there’s no need to spend money on a flue or chimney. . As one of the best smaller sized pellet stoves, the Castle Serenity allows you to heat more space using less fuel to save your money.

Its innovative heat exchanger has been modelled with a design based on air-cooled engine fins, and this gives an additional 2.5 square feet of surface area to maximize the thermal exchange in compact spaces. Functional and unique, this design ensures that all the warmth stays indoors and doesn’t escape.

The only downside to this impressive stove is its small hopper. Although it has a 40 lb capacity, the space is very tight and this means that you need to wait until it has completely emptied before you fill it again.

  Bottom Line: Overall, this is the perfect pellet stove for use in any small room with minimal space available for heating.

Designed to be compact and suitable for use in mobile homes, it is a versatile solution to keep you warm and cozy even on the coldest days of the year.

Comfortbilt HP22

The Comfortbilt HP22 is one of the top pellet stoves for small spaces on the market today. Convenient and simple to install, it comes ready to be used straight out of the box, so you won’t need to assemble it at all before its first use. It’s literally a plug and play appliance!

The Comfortbilt stove can generate a huge amount of heat, with the possibility of generating as much as 44,000 BTU and heating an area up to a massive 2,400 square feet.

Not only will you spend less money on fuel when choosing this miniature pellet stove, but you’ll also use less electrical energy to reduce your energy bills. The Comfortbilt is capable of converting as much as 86% of the wood fuel into heat so your rooms will stay warm and cozy.

This appliance features a programmable thermostat controller, so you can easily choose the right temperature for your needs. Your home will stay warm all year round without you having to worry about changing manual settings.

It also couldn’t be simpler to ignite the stove thanks to the auto-light ignition function. You can simply set a time to begin the process of lighting the oven and then sit back and let it get on with the task itself. Just to make life even easier there is also a remote control, so you can control your oven from a distance without having to stand up and manually fiddle with its controls.

Approved for use in mobile homes, this appliance is convenient and portable to handle no matter where you live. With a 55lb hopper, it has a larger capacity than many of its rivals to assure you of a constant level of heat over a longer period of time.

There is also a vacuum safety switch which automatically shuts down the system should there be a hazard present. This ensures your safety during use.

Another bonus is the low maintenance of this appliance. The ash pan which comes supplied with this stove means that all the burned pellets are able to be emptied onto the pan for safe disposal after burning. Also, since it burns a very high percentage of the wood, there is less ash to clean and remove.

The Comfortbilt also features a powerful blower which draws in a lot of air, channeling it at high speed to the flame. This ensures the flame burns extremely hot and uniformly for a more even heat throughout your space. The temperature will not diminish over time and ensures that maximum amounts of wood pellets are burned up for optimal performance.

As an added peace of mind, you can take advantage of the manufacturer’s warranty which lasts for one year and compensates you should the product malfunction, fail or be damaged during that period.

  Bottom Line: Overall, whether you live in a mobile home or regular house, you’ll find that this Comfortbilt model is an economical choice with a larger than average hopper and a larger heating capacity which is sure to reduce your energy bills and increase your comfort.

Pleasant Hearth 35000 BTU

If you are looking for a great value pellet stove for sale that is suitable for heating spaces of up to 1750 square feet, the Pleasant Hearth heater is the one for you. With its 35,000 BTU rating and its 40lb hopper, it offers a burn time of up to 24 hours from a single hopper of pellets representing amazing value for money.

This appliance has an 85% efficiency rating, so you can be confident of lower heating bills while your home stays comfortable and warm. The stove boasts a number of convenient features including an auto light ignition to save you time on getting your stove up and running and five different heat settings so you can easily achieve the perfect level of heat for your needs.

The exclusive Comfort Control system enables you to select between maximum or minimum heat or continuous running. With its convection blower and outside air kit, there is very minimal assembly required so you won’t have to wait too long before getting your appliance up and running.

Even better, you’ll benefit from complete peace of mind thanks to the USA-made construction and the five-year manufacturer’s limited warranty. Suitable for use in standard homes or in mobile homes, this stove features an air wash system to ensure clean air.

The spring chrome handle and solid cast iron door is paired with arched décor for a really stylish look for your room. There is also a ceramic glass viewing area so you can easily see the beautiful flame inside. Thanks to its compact design, it fits easily into even the smallest spaces, while producing maximum heat for your property.

  Bottom Line: Overall, if you’re looking for a small pellet stove for sale which ticks all the boxes for your small room or home, this appliance is perfect for you. Not only is it stylish but it is also highly effective in keeping your space cozy while reducing your heating bills and carbon footprint.

Conclusion

Heating your home can be costly, but with a pellet heater, you’ll find that warming your rooms is not only more affordable but also incredibly effective.

You’ll spend less money on the cost of electricity to warm your home as well as less money on fuel. The best pellet heaters for sale have been designed with efficiency and economy in mind, so you can effortlessly warm your mobile home or standard house without having to worry about expense or high maintenance.

The best pellet stoves for cabins and small homes are not only highly affordable but are also designed to minimize the amount of effort you need to put into maintaining your heating source.

 With thermostats and remote controls, they make it easy to control the amount of heat which is emitted into the space and to set timers so that your home stays comfortable all day and all year round.

Of course, not all of these devices are created equal, and that’s why we’ve brought you these reviews of the top three products on the market today so that you can choose the right one to suit your needs.

With our help, you should find it easier than ever to select the perfect pellet heater to meet your requirements.

Although any of these three options would be a great choice for your home, overall, we would recommend the Osburn 2500 pellet stove as our top choice thanks to its incredibly efficient design and low emission rates. 

Incredibly low maintenance and protected by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, there’s a whole lot to like about this fantastic appliance, that helps to reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bills in one fell swoop.

Your Buyer’s Guide

If you’re wondering how to choose the right model for you, read on and discover more about these convenient and money-saving appliances.

We explain everything you need to know to make an informed purchasing decision.

What is a Pellet Stove?

Pellet stoves are designed to burn recycled materials at a low rate of combustion and this makes them one of the most sustainable options to stay cozy and warm.

Although they look very similar to a wood burning stove, they burn wood pellets instead. These burn very efficiently thanks to their greater density.

Wood pellets are made as a recycled by-product from sawmills, or sometimes they are made from corn. This makes them a sustainable choice when compared to chopping down trees for wood.

As these devices take up minimal space they are a more compact alternative to old-fashioned heating counterparts. Many are now designed to be sleek and contemporary-looking to add extra style and visual appeal to your home.

You can see a flame in the center of the appliance and this supplies the room with a cozy, warm glow. Some units boast large viewing glass areas which give a traditional look and many even feature ceramic logs to give the appearance of a wood-burning stove.

Recommended Reading: We also have an awesome guide to small wood stoves that you might find useful too!

How do Pellet Stoves Work?

Pellet stoves feature a motor which is either electrically powered or battery operated.

Some models are bought as an insert which connects to the duct system of your home and which can heat your entire house rather than having to use a standard furnace.

Some are freestanding, which blow the hot air into your room directly using a fan to supplement normal sources of heat.

Bottom & Top Feeding Stoves

There are two primary kinds of pellet stoves on the market today: Bottom feeding and top feeding models.

A top feeding model is operated by pouring the wood pellets into the hopper from where they travel down the chute into the stove itself. The benefit of this construction is that it prevents any debris from burning back into its hopper.

However, there is a greater chance of the combustion chamber becoming clogged up with ash. This can be prevented by buying higher-grade pellets with a low ash content.

A bottom feeding model can be run more effectively on even lower quality pellets since the ash is able to be pushed easily into its ash pan. On the downside, however, they are less efficient than top feeding models.

Both types of stove have many moving parts and therefore require frequent servicing. You need to ensure you buy a pellet stove that offers a longer warranty for your peace of mind.

Finding Small Pellet Stoves for Sale

Every pellet stove is measured in terms of its heating capacity in BTUs. The majority range from around 8000 BTUs up to 90,000 BTUs so selecting the best size for you depends on how large an area you have to heat.

While some people will be satisfied by choosing a model which can be manually adjusted, if you’re happy to spend a little more you can benefit from a more hands-off approach to keeping warm.

The best models available for sale today have electronic controls like thermostats that are capable of self-adjusting and monitoring the current burning conditions.

Many others have special features like air wash systems which keep the viewing glass clean for a more stylish look. Whichever type of stove you buy, you’ll need to perform maintenance regularly by removing the ash.

Although these devices aren’t cheap, they pay for themselves in a short space of time thanks to their sustainability and the reduced operating costs of heating your home via this eco-friendly method.

What are the Benefits of Running a Pellet Burning Stove?

When compared to more traditional methods of heating your home, pellet burning stoves offer a number of distinct benefits and advantages. Here are just some of them:

• Sustainability – reducing our carbon footprint couldn’t be more important these days and more of us than ever before are looking for eco-friendly ways to heat our homes. A pellet burning stove is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint since it is a very sustainable option. Unlike wood burning stoves which require trees to be chopped down, pellet stoves burn pellets made from corn, peanut shells, walnut shelves, wood shavings and recycled sawdust. These bio-mass wastes are ground up, then compressed and extruded meaning that they are a very sustainable option. The pellets are usually sold in 40lb bags and turn waste which would be otherwise dumped at landfill sites into energy, thus reducing our dependence on oil.

• Cleaner burning – since pellets burn consistently and pellet stoves have well-designed combustion mechanics, the heat produced is more efficient than that produced by wood. This keeps the air cleaner, reducing pollutants and contaminants and improving our general health.

• Reduced moisture – the intense compression process squeezes more moisture from the pellets and this reduces their moisture content to under 8%. This is extremely dry when compared with wood which usually has between 20% and 30% moisture. The drier the fuel is, the greater the amount of heat produced. The hotter a fire burns, the more fuel it consumes. When compared with an EPA-certified wood stove, a pellet stove gives off under 1g of particulates per hour rather than 5g an hour.

• Less Ash Production – pellets produce less ash when compared to wood and also produce less creosote. This means that chimneys become less clogged and the glass door of the stove is less likely to become blackened. This means that there is less chance of a chimney fire occurring.

• More Heat – the greatest benefit of a pellet burning stove is that it is capable of producing more heat than a wood burning stove. The combustion efficiency level measures the amount of fuel converted into energy by any appliance. A pellet stove can offer between 75% and 90% overall efficiency. In fact, these devices generate such a lot of heat that they can usually be horizontally vented through the wall rather than through a regular chimney.

• Stylish appearance – Pellet burning stoves are incredibly stylish. Many now have an attractive flame pattern with an integrated viewing glass. Many also have ceramic logs which disperse the flames effectively for a more traditional look to your stove.

• Compact footprint – pellet burning stoves have a surprisingly compact footprint, and can therefore fit into even the smallest spaces effectively, producing plenty of heat to keep your warm and comfortable.

• Suitable for use in mobile homes – EPA-certified pellet stoves are suitable for use in mobile homes making them a convenient solution for any space.

• Simple to use – most modern pellet burning stoves have been designed for convenience. With different settings, remote controls and auto ignition systems, it couldn’t be simpler to get these appliances up and running. Many are even pre-assembled ready for use straight out of the box so you can save time on installation.

Check out our guide to the top performing pellets for these awesome stoves.

Are There Any Drawbacks to These Devices?

Although there are lots of advantages to having a pellet stove to produce heat in your home, there are one or two drawbacks to keep in mind before you buy.

One of the disadvantages of having a one is its complexity. Designed with many motors and moving parts which require routine maintenance, it can be difficult to keep them clean and if you choose a model which doesn’t offer easy access to those moving parts it can be difficult to maintain them to the required standard so they function correctly.

Investing in a service contract is often a good idea to ensure smooth running in the long term. Arranging regular maintenance is also very important to ensure your stove continues functioning to its optimal level.

Inserts vs. Freestanding Pellet Stoves

There are both fireplace insert pellet stoves and freestanding models available, all in a range of different styles.

Some manufacturers produce pellet-fueled boilers and furnaces which can replace or supplement a conventional force-air heating system. Which is the right choice for you depends on your individual room and home requirements.

How Much Does a Pellet Stove Cost?

These heaters are pretty sophisticated and that means they don’t come cheap. Nevertheless, if you use one in the long-term, you’ll find that over time they pay for themselves effectively in savings on your energy bills.

Even after you figure in the cost of buying the pellets, pellet burning stoves are overall a much more economical solution for heating your home, whether as a supplemental heating source or as your main source of home heating.

Recommended Article: Find out all about the installation process as we explain the steps in our latest pellet burner article.

How to Choose the Right Size

If you only have a limited space in which you can put your pellet burning stove, physical size is an important consideration.

However, overall, the main issue you need to bear in mind is the heat output of your stove. If it is too low, it will be unable to warm your home sufficiently. On the other hand, if it has an output level that is too high, your room could end up being uncomfortably hot.

If the area becomes too warm, users often burn a smoldering, smaller fire which isn’t very efficient and produces more pollution.

When you compare the BTU output between different pellet burning stoves, you need to be aware of the overall efficiency of each unit. This means the amount of heat delivered into the room without including any heat which escapes through the flue or chimney.

There are, however, a number of other elements which need to be factored into the equation.

The location of the stove, the openness of the rooms of the home into each other, the presence of a blower or heated air distribution, the insulation level of the home and whether or not the stove is providing supplementary or primary heat are all relevant considerations to keep in mind before you buy.

A useful rule to keep in mind from the US Department of Energy is that a stove with a 60,000 BTU rating is capable of heating a 2000 square foot open plan home whereas a 42,000 BTU rated stove is capable of heating a 1300 square foot open plan space.

These figures should help you to make an informed decision when purchasing the right capacity of pellet burning stove to suit your individual needs.

The location of your stove also has a lot to do with the efficiency of your stove and how well it heats your space. In the majority of cases it will be located inside the room which you desire to heat. If you’re wanting to heat your entire home, you’ll need a fan system or a centralized location so that the heat circulates properly.

What to Consider When Buying

There are a number of things that you should consider when deciding over which pellet burning stove is the right one to meet your individual needs. Here are some of them:

• Does it meet new 2020 EPA emission rates? From May 2020, the EPA have enforced much stricter particle emission rates on pellet stoves. Only stoves that produce less than 2.0 g/h (grams per hour) of particles can be bought or sold in the US.
• Do you want an insert or a freestanding stove? Do you have a power outlet in the right location for a freestanding model?
• Do you want a top fed or bottom fed appliance?
• Can you arrange regular servicing and maintenance?
• How much are you prepared to spend? There is a lot of variation in prices between different models, and prices will also vary depending on the location in which you are buying. You can often save money by buying your pellet stove over the internet.
• How long is the manufacturer’s warranty? Ensure you are getting at least a one year manufacturer’s warranty for your peace of mind.
• Does the model have a blower? You’ll need one if you’re planning to heat your entire home.
• Do you want a model with a remote control, different heat settings and different monitoring options to minimize the hands-on approach you need to take to heating your home?
• What is the square footage of the space you intend to heat?