We recommend five small electric fireplaces that stand out from the competition. Get the perfect fireplace for your front room with our top picks.
If you’re keen to invest in an electric fireplace but only have a compact room, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to find small electric fireplaces that are suitable for use in tight spaces.
The good news is that many manufacturers have recognized the need for compact electric fireplaces and have added many small electric fireplace inserts to their product ranges.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what to look for in an electric fireplace as well as examining some of the top mini models on the market today.
Our Recommended Mini Electric Fireplaces
Pushed for time? Take a quick look at our 3 favorites below. We cover all five recommendations in more detail in the next section.
Smallest Electric Fireplace
Dimplex Revillusion 20"
Our #1 Recommendation
Dimplex Multi-Fire XHD 23"
Great Alternative
Napoleon Cinema Log 24"
Check out our recommended fireplaces in more detail now. We'll start with our favorite, the Dimplex Multi-Fire XHD.
Our Top Pick
Dimplex Multi-Fire XHD 23"
Stunning realism that packs a toasty punch! A stylish small fireplace from a reliable household name.
If you’re looking for a compact built-in fireplace for your home, this miniature model from the popular Dimplex brand could be the perfect choice for you.
Measuring just 23” in width, 20.5” in height and 7.5” in depth you'll struggle to find a quality electric fireplace with such a small footprint.
This stylish insert includes a comfort saver ceramic heater, an attractive firebox with artificial logs and an adjustable flame display with a handy remote control that allows you to operate your fireplace from your sofa.
Despite its compact size, this surprisingly powerful model operates at 5118 BTUs and is capable of heating rooms up to 1,000 square feet so you are guaranteed comfort and warmth when you need it most.
As an added benefit, this model is both CSA and UL certified for your complete peace of mind when it comes to safety and reliability. There is no flame heat or harmful emissions and the glass front remains cool to the touch at all times.
As you would expect from a fireplace produced by such a reputable manufacturer, this electric firebox also comes with a two-year manufacturer’s limited warranty, so you can be sure of being well-protected in the unlikely event of a problem or fault developing.
With its sleek design, this fireplace boasts a full and unobstructed view of the realistic looking flickering flames. This XHD edition features improved contrast and brightness for an artificial flame that will surprise you.
Whether you’d like to replicate the natural appearance of a wood burner, a gas fireplace, or even a range of atmospheric ambient light effects, you’ll have no difficulties with this affordable model.
Thanks to its aesthetically appealing good looks and traditional design, this fireplace works equally well in both contemporary and classically themed homes.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
In our opinion, this is the stand-out choice when looking for a dependable, high performance small fireplace insert.
Designed to the highest specification and offering an impressive level of realism, this stylish and surprisingly affordable model comes from a reliable brand and is UL and CSA certified.
It can create a range of exciting and attractive lighting effects thanks to its incorporated LED technology, while its impressive heat output means that it is more than capable of warming any room.
Great Alternative
Napoleon Cinema Log 24” Electric Fireplace
Gorgeous looking flames and multiple heat options make this small fireplace heater a real winner.
If you need a built-in electric fireplace that is both compact and affordable yet doesn’t compromise on either heat output or style, the Napoleon Cinema Log could be the one for you.
In our opinion, it probably has the best looking flames out there. Numerous options ensure that you can fit it to your liking too.
Operating at up to 5,000 BTUs, this fireplace can heat a room up to 400 square feet. Also, since it can be either hardwired or plugged directly into a wall power outlet, this gives you even more versatility when it comes to its location and uses in your home.
This model has been designed with both an adjustable flame and an ember light control to give the most realistic fire effect possible.
And with its integrated ember bed and realistic molded log set, it's sometimes really hard to tell that your'e looking at a virtual fire! This all adds to the ambience the Napoleon Cinema Log adds to the home.
Actually, another really nice effect kicks in when the fire is switched off. The flames will gradually fade away, just like they would on an authentic dying fire.
When it comes to controlling this fireplace, you won’t be disappointed since there are no less than four different heat settings to pick from as well as a timer which can be set for up to six hours. This model even includes a handy night light setting for a little extra atmosphere.
Although this fireplace can be built into the wall, it can also be ordered along with the manufacturer’s own mantel package option to create a beautiful yet functional piece of home décor.
Measuring just 24” in width, 8.62” in depth and 17.62” in height, this compact electric fireplace is the ideal choice for even the smallest of rooms.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
In our opinion, the Napoleon Cinema Log 24” fireplace is a perfect alternative to the Dimplex model mentioned above.
Perfect for anyone looking for an affordable model that is a cut above the average, this stylish fire will hit the spot with its realistic-looking embers and logs and its night light settings.
Thanks to its clever timer function, four heat settings and versatility, it is an ideal choice for anyone with a small room.
Amazing Value
Dimplex Revillusion 20” Plug-In Log Set
A realistic log set that offers amazing value for money.
If you’ve been on the lookout for a stylish and easy to install electric fireplace for your small room but you thought that you’d never find one to fit into your budget, the Dimplex Revillusion 20” plug-in log set could be just what you need.
Designed to the highest specification and produced by one of the most reputable and respected manufacturers in the industry, this model won’t disappoint in terms of aesthetics or heat output.
This easy-to-install model can simply be placed into an existing fireplace cavity and plugged into a wall power outlet. This makes it the perfect choice for anyone looking for a fuss-free way to add the style and warmth that an electric fireplace introduces to their home.
The firebox includes realistic-looking artificial logs in a grate along with the brand’s own Revillusion flame technology that uses LED lights to create the flickering flame effects.
Since this model also comes with its own remote control, it couldn’t be easier to control the fire’s brightness or warmth even from the comfort of the sofa.
Operating at an impressive 5118 BTUs, this fireplace can warm a room of up to 400 square feet – more than enough for your compact space, and all of the heat produced is 100% efficient so you can save money on your energy bills.
Measuring just 24” in width, 22” in height and 14” in depth, this fireplace is the ideal choice for your smallest rooms and will fit easily into even smaller existing fireplaces.
As you’d expect from a fireplace produced by a reputable brand like Dimplex, this model is both UL certified for your complete peace of mind and is also protected by a one-year manufacturer’s limited warranty so you will be covered in the unlikely event of a fault or flaw.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
In our opinion, this is the best affordable compact electric fireplace on the market today.
Not only is this small fireplace easy to install in an existing cavity, but it is also stylish, simple to operate and UL-certified for the buyer’s peace of mind.
All of this adds up to great value for money for anyone with a small home on a budget.
Dimplex 23” Electric Fireplace Insert
If you already have an existing fireplace in your home that you wish to repurpose, this electric fireplace insert from Dimplex could be the perfect solution.
Made by one of the most reputable manufacturers in the industry, this insert gives you all of the benefits of an attractive-looking fire at a price that you can afford.
Designed to fit easily into an existing fireplace cavity, this fireplace insert features handcrafted artificial logs for a realistic and authentic look as well as an atmospheric flame display that adds additional authenticity to the fire when it is in operation.
It even comes with its own handy remote control so that you can control the heat and flames from the comfort of your sofa without any need to get up!
Despite the small size of this compact fireplace, it is still surprisingly powerful operating at 4695 BTS and warming an area of around 400 square feet, which should be more than enough for any small room.
Also, since all of the heat that is produced is 100% energy efficient, you can enjoy the maximum benefit of the warmth without increasing your energy bills.
Suitable for fitting into an existing fireplace cavity measuring 23 3/16” in width, 19 5/8” in height and 10 13/16” in depth, this compact model allows you to easily reclaim the warmth and charm of an unused fireplace in an elegant yet functional way.
Even better, this fireplace insert is fully CSA and UL certified for the purchaser’s peace of mind as well as protected by the manufacturer’s own 2-year limited warranty which covers buyers in the unlikely event of any problem or fault arising.
Using LED lights to create an inner glow in the artificial logs and featuring embers that glow gently to simulate a real fire, this sophisticated insert is the ideal way to breathe new life and ambience into a room with no mess, fuss, or safety issues to worry about.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
In our opinion, this is the best low budget fireplace for anyone who wants to reuse an existing fireplace cavity in their home.
Designed for ease of installation and offering a surprisingly realistic look, this affordable insert can be controlled easily and comes protected by a warranty and full certification for complete peace of mind.
Napoleon Cinema Log 27" Electric Fireplace
When you want the realism of a genuine wood-burning fire but you don’t want any of the fuss, mess or safety issues to deal with, the Napoleon Cinema Log 27" Electric Fireplace could be just what you’ve been looking for.
Designed for use in compact spaces without ever compromising on aesthetics or heat output, you’re sure to find that this model will be more than adequate to meet your needs.
Capable of operating at 5,000 BTUs, this electric fireplace can warm a room measuring up to 400 square feet – perfect for small spaces.
Also, as it is suitable for either directly plugging into a nearby wall power outlet or for hardwiring into the mains electricity supply, it gives the owner even more freedom and flexibility when it comes to choosing the right location within the home.
The Napoleon Cinema Log 27 inch fireplace has both ember light controls and an adjustable flame thanks to its realistic artificial log set and integrated ember bed which add ambience and warmth to the room due to its surprisingly realistic aesthetic.
Even better, when you switch the fire off, the flames will fade away and the embers die out, just as they would with a real fire.
Controlling this fireplace is also a breeze with 4 heat settings to choose from and a handy timer that can be set for up to 6 hours. As an added benefit, this model includes the night light setting to bring even more atmosphere to your room.
While you can opt to build this fireplace into your wall, you may prefer to order it with a manufacturer’s mantel package which allows you to create a piece of attractive home décor that is as functional as it is beautiful.
With its compact measurements of just 27” in width, 18.62” in height and 9.5” in depth, this is the ideal realistic-looking fireplace for any small room.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line
In our opinion, this is the best electric fireplace for compact spaces if you’re keen to have the most realistic flickering flame and dying ember effect.
With its authentic-looking log set and LED light effects, this fire will look as close to the real thing as possible.
Conclusion
We've recommended the ultimate small fireplace heaters in today's guide but the decision is yours of course!
Here's a summary of what we know.
The cheapest and smallest electric fireplace is the Dimplex Revillusion 20” plug-in log set.
The most realistic small electric heater is the Napoleon Cinema Log series.
'Our Top Pick' is the Dimplex Multi-Fire XHD 23".
It's the best all-rounder. The ultimate blend of features, realism, and of course, a compact frame.
Our Top Pick
Dimplex Multi-Fire XHD 23"
- Small footprint
- Heats spaces of up to 1000 square feet
- 2 year warranty
Buyer's Guide
If you're new to the world of electric fireplaces then this section is a great place to start.
We explain about the different types, safety, installation, running costs, and of course how to choose the right one for your home.
How to Choose the Right Electric Fireplace
If you’re ready to choose the right small fireplace to suit your needs, you’ll need to keep several things in mind.
Firstly, you need to work out how much you’re going to spend. What is your budget? More importantly, how much are you prepared to spend on a small electric fireplace heater?
There are lots of different models on the market today, so when you know your budget, you can determine which models are the best options for you.
The next step is to consider different small fireplace heater styles. Even the smallest electric fireplace can be a stylish and eye-catching room feature if you make the correct choice, but equally, if you’re happy with a basic model that will just warm the room while looking aesthetically pleasing, you’re sure to find a mini electric fireplace heater that is affordable, unobtrusive and efficient.
Next, you’ll have to decide on the type of fire you prefer. With holographic, mechanical, water-system and gel-based models available for sale, you’ll need to consider which would work best to suit your needs.
A top consideration is whether you actually need your small electric fireplace insert to provide heat, since some models are purely for show, with attractive flames that are merely decorative and not heat-producing.
If you need a fire that not only makes the room appear cozy and complete but that also supplies warmth to keep you and your family warm, you’ll need to select one of the small fireplaces for small spaces that features a built-in heater.
A further consideration is the heat output you require in terms of BTU if your fire is to supply heat as well as aesthetic appeal. It’s possible to work this out by determining how large your room is in square feet.
Since you’re only looking for an electric fireplace for a small space, you probably won’t need a fire with an infrared quartz heater since their large heat output can warm spaces of up to 1000 square feet – much larger than your needs. A fan-based coil heater will be perfectly adequate for your room.
Finally, you’ll need to decide where your fireplace will be installed. Is a wall-mounted fire the best option for you or would a fireplace insert be a better choice for your home?
When working out where to install your fire, you’ll have to consider nearby power outlets and whether or not a licensed electrician will be required to come and install one in the right place for your needs.
Bear in mind how far a power cord will need to stretch when deciding on whether an electrician will be necessary since you probably don’t want unattractive cables trailing through your room.
For wall-mounted fires, you’ll have to be sure there’s enough wall space for the fire that you’ve chosen, especially since your room is quite compact.
If you’re replacing an existing fireplace, a further consideration is whether you’ll need to hire an electrician to install a power outlet in the fireplace cavity as well as whether or not the fire you’ve chosen will fit into the cavity in your room.
The Various Types of Electric Fireplace
Most small electric fireplaces are mechanical models. They work by using electric motors which spin around a cylinder which contains mirror-like reflective tabs that reflect the LED lights onto a screen or translucent panel through a flame silhouette to create a flickering effect.
As the flames are created by using LED technology they can produce flames in several shades including red, orange and yellow, and some can even create blue flames to simulate a gas fire.
Mechanically operated fires usually have several color options for flames since LED lights are versatile, and these lights are capable of lasting for over 50,000 hours so they are extremely long-lasting.
The great benefit of mechanical electric fireplaces is that they are generally very affordable and there are many different models to choose from on the market today.
Even though there are fewer compact fireplaces out there, you should still find plenty of mechanical models to pick from.
Another advantage of this type of fire is that it is extremely low maintenance. The LED lights that are used in their manufacture are reliable and long-lasting, so you won’t ever need to replace bulbs.
Usually, the electric motors are fairly reliable, but they will probably wear out before the bulbs do and finding a replacement part may not be easy.
The artificial flames on a mechanical electric fire may not be 100% authentic-looking, but they do add a lot of ambience and atmosphere to any room, bringing a warm and cozy feel to small spaces.
Although some of the features that make larger electric fireplaces, such as crackling sounds, smoldering embers or artificial smoke may be missing in compact models, you should still be very happy with the effect that these fireplaces produce.
How Much Will it Cost to Run?
You’re sure to be keen to know that operating your electric fire won’t cost you a fortune and, therefore, knowing how you can work out the costs of operating your fireplace is very important.
This formula should help you to calculate the cost of running your fire:
(watts/1000) x kw/hr = the cost for one hour of operation
However, just knowing a formula may not help you to know how to actually work out how much running your fire will cost you, so here is a guide:
First, work out the maximum wattage of your chosen fireplace. This information can often be found on the fire somewhere, but you’ll certainly find it outlined in your owner’s manual.
Next, you’ll have to find out the local rate per kw/hr. This information will be detailed on a recent energy bill from your supplier.
Divide the maximum wattage figure that you obtained earlier by 1000 to convert watts into kilowatts, then multiply the kw/hr rate by the number of kilowatts. The figure you get equals the cost of operating your chosen fireplace for an hour.
So, as an example:
An electric fire consumes 5000 watts. The kw/hr rate is 0.15 cents. This means your total cost of operation for an hour is 0.75 cents.
If you then take that figure of 0.75 cents and multiply it by the number of hours you’ll use your fire on an average day, you’ll know how much your fire’s operational cost will be on a daily basis.
How Safe Are Small Electric Fireplaces?
You don’t usually need to worry about the safety of small electric fireplaces since in general, an electric fireplace will be a lot safer than a combustible fire such as a wood-burning or gas model.
This is because they don’t burn and don’t create actual flames, only simulated ones.
This means that young children or pets can be near an electric fireplace, although keeping them away from the heating element is still necessary since it can get very hot.
Most USA-made fireplaces are UL certified, so you can be completely confident in their safety for use at home. UL certification means that products are compliant when they’re operated correctly.
Electric fires are very unlikely to result in a real fire since there are no actual embers in a fake fireplace.
Of course, maintaining sensible precautions when using your fire is still important. If you’re leaving your fire switched off for any length of time unplug the power cord, and always supervise children if they are playing in the room for their own safety.
Remember that water is a special hazard around electricity so don’t place any glasses or vases of water near the fireplace.
You should always read the owner’s manual before using your electric fire since this will help you to always use it safely and correctly.
How to Install A Small Electric Fireplace or Insert
A small electric fireplace can be installed in your home in several ways. One option is mounting the fire on the wall using a drywall kit and then plug it into a power outlet on the wall nearby.
There are also some models which feature built-in mantels that can just be pushed against the wall to create an instant fire effect while others may be fitted into an existing fireplace for a cleaner and neater aesthetic.
While you can install your compact electric fireplace in several different locations, they need to be indoors to be safe. They may still be used in a bathroom as long as they are rated for use in this type of space.
You can even install your new fireplace under your TV so long as the heat won’t be blown directly up. If the fireplace blows air out of the front of the unit, there shouldn’t be any problem in fitting it underneath a television.
Fireplaces can be installed in the following ways:
Wall-mounted – using a mounting bracket to install onto drywall with anchors and screws.
In-built fireplace inserts – a professional will be needed to install this type of fireplace that lies flush with the wall since it will be installed directly between the wall studs to create a clean and streamlined look.
Electric fireplace inserts – these can often be fitted directly into an existing fireplace cavity, but if you need a power outlet fitting in the cavity, you’ll need an electrician’s help.
If you’re keen to have a custom installation of your compact electric fire, you could ask a professional to construct a frame for a fireplace insert.
You should find that most models come with advice in the user manual to cover the various installation methods and requirements.
