Electric Fireplace Inserts

Electric fireplace inserts convert an existing fireplace opening or a new wall into a heat source with realistic flame, no venting or gas line required. This collection spans plug-in retrofit inserts, hardwired built-in units, and outdoor-rated designs.

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What Is an Electric Fireplace Insert?

An electric fireplace insert slides into an existing fireplace opening or mounts into a new wall, delivering realistic flame and supplemental heat with no venting, chimney, or gas line required. This collection includes models from brands like Dimplex, Modern Flames, Napoleon, Amantii, and Litedeer Homes, so the right style and heat output for your specific opening is easy to find.

Find the Right Insert for Your Situation

Retrofitting an existing fireplace opening: plug-in inserts slide into your current firebox and run off a standard outlet, no rewiring or professional install required.
New construction or a permanent installation: hardwire-ready built-in units mount flush into a framed wall for a seamless, custom look.
Want the most realistic flame or smart features: several models offer Wi-Fi app control, multicolor flame, crackling sound, and adjustable ember beds for a more premium, customizable setup.
Installing somewhere covered outdoors: a handful of models in this collection are rated for outdoor installation on a covered patio or porch.
Want mist-based flame instead of LED: water vapor fireplaces use a different technology entirely, ultrasonic mist instead of LED light, for an even more three-dimensional flame effect. It is a separate product category from the electric inserts in this collection, worth a look if flame realism is your top priority.

Heat Output and Room Coverage

Heat output varies by model, from smaller units suited to a bedroom or home office up to stronger heaters rated for larger great rooms, roughly 3,000 to 15,000 BTU depending on the insert, covering anywhere from around 300 to 1,000+ square feet on our most powerful models. Every model lets you run the flame with or without heat, so you can enjoy the ambiance year-round.

Blowers, Ceramic Heaters, and Where the Heat Comes Out

Most inserts here use a fan-forced coil, which manufacturers also call a blower: the fan pushes warm air out into the room rather than letting it rise up the face of the unit. A smaller number use a ceramic element instead, which reaches temperature faster and is usually quieter at the same output.

The blower matters most in a retrofit. An old masonry opening is a cold cavity, so without a fan moving air out of it, much of the heat stays in the firebox rather than reaching you.

Check where the heat exits, which the product page states. Most of these vent from the front, below or above the glass, which suits an insert sitting in a hearth at floor level. A few vent from the top, which changes what can sit directly above the unit.

Two more things worth confirming before you buy. Whether the fan speed is adjustable, since a blower at full speed is audible in a quiet room and most owners settle on a lower setting. And whether the flame runs independently of the heat, which every model here does, so the fan is off entirely through the months you want the look without the warmth.

Realistic Flame and Decorative Details

Most inserts in this collection include decorative log sets or ember media, with adjustable flame brightness and color to match your room. A handful of models add extra ambiance features like a crackling fire sound or app-based flame customization for an even more realistic effect. For a deeper look at the flame technology behind the most lifelike models, see our Most Realistic Electric Fireplace Inserts guide.

Installation and Safety

Electric fireplace inserts produce no emissions and do not require a chimney or vent, and models in this collection are UL or CSA listed with automatic shut-off and cool-touch glass, a safer option around kids and pets than a real flame. Plug-in models typically install in under an hour with just a standard outlet; built-in models require hardwiring and should be installed according to the manufacturer's clearance and framing instructions. For a full step-by-step walkthrough with video, see our Electric Fireplace Insert Installation Guide.

Explore Related Fireplace Styles

Still deciding between fuel types? Our Fireplace Insert Guide compares electric, gas, water vapor, and ethanol options side by side, or see our Gas vs. Electric Fireplace Inserts guide for a closer head-to-head look at those two specifically. Otherwise, browse our full range of fireplace styles:

Built-in Electric Fireplaces for more permanent, hardwired installations
Plug-in Electric Fireplaces for more retrofit-friendly options
Outdoor Electric Fireplaces if you need an outdoor-rated model
Water Vapor Fireplace Inserts for mist-based flame instead of LED
Or return to our full Fireplace Inserts for Existing Fireplaces collection to compare every fuel type

Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Fireplace Inserts

What is the best brand of electric fireplace insert?

There's no single best brand, it depends on what you need. This collection carries Dimplex, Modern Flames, Napoleon, Amantii, and other established manufacturers, each with different strengths in flame realism, smart features, and heat output. Compare models by the specific features that matter to you rather than by brand alone.

Can an electric fireplace insert go into an existing fireplace?

Yes, that's the most common use case. A plug-in insert is sized to slide into your current firebox opening and typically just needs a standard electrical outlet, no gas line or chimney modification required. Measure your opening's width, height, and depth before ordering.

Do electric fireplace inserts have a blower?

Most do. The majority here use a fan-forced coil, which manufacturers also call a blower, and the fan is what pushes warm air out into the room instead of letting it rise up the face of the unit. A smaller number use a ceramic element instead, which heats up faster and tends to be quieter at the same output. The blower matters most in a retrofit, because an old masonry opening is a cold cavity that would otherwise absorb much of the heat. Check whether the fan speed is adjustable, since a blower at full speed is audible in a quiet room.

How well do electric fireplace inserts heat a room?

It depends on the model, this collection ranges from around 3,000 to 15,000 BTU, covering roughly 300 to 1,000+ square feet. All are electric resistance heat, so they heat instantly and can be run with or without the flame.

Do electric fireplace inserts require special installation?

Can you put a TV above an electric fireplace insert?

Many homeowners do, but check the specific model's heat clearance guidance first. Electric inserts run cooler than gas or wood fireplaces, but you should still follow the manufacturer's stated clearance to any mounted TV or media console.