Fireplaces are a beautiful showcase in many homes. They all provide a relaxing display of flames that warm your room and provide an ambiance that furnaces alone cannot achieve.
Wall-mounted electric fireplaces provide all this and more. They create a pleasant heat and display realistic crackling flames without the need for logs or gas. Plus, they are simple and straightforward to operate without taking up too much space.
If you're interested in a wall-mounted electric fireplace, you've come to the right place! So, continue reading our detailed review of the best wall-mounted electric fireplaces currently on the market to learn more.
Disclosure: We may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. This does not impact our reviews and comparisons. All opinions are our own. We pride ourselves on keeping our articles fair and balanced. For more info see our disclosure statement.Wall Mount Electric Fireplace Quick Comparison
Use the table below as a quick reference for the features and benefits of the top wall-mounted electric fireplaces.
For more details and in-depth information on each electric fireplace, scroll past the table to the product reviews.
The Best Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace
The best wall-mounted electric fireplace is the R.W.FLAME 36-inch recessed and wall-mounted unit. It generates realistic flames with 12 colors, five brightness levels, and five-speed modes, which allows you to customize the flame type to your home.
You can even easily change the flame settings to match your mood on a whim with the included remote control.
The unit can be mounted recessed into your wall and is designed to conventionally fit between 2×4 and 2×6 studs. Alternatively, you can use its table stand or surface mount it onto your wall. If you surface mount it, it only protrudes 3.85-inches.
This sleek R.W.FLAME unit is completely electric- no need to install a chimney, run gas lines, refill propane tanks or replace gel cans. It uses infrared heat to rooms up to 400 square feet in five minutes or less.
Its black metal finish and tempered glass panel seamlessly match most home interiors. The unit is ETL approved and has an auto-heat kill safety switch that automatically turns the unit off if it gets too hot.
The R.W.FLAME 36-inch wall mount fireplace has a high (1500W) and low (750W) heat setting to accommodate different rooms and weather. It also has a programmable sleep mode and a generous 1-year warranty.
What We Look For in an Electric Fireplace
When we rank the best electric fireplaces, we consider the same features, benefits, and specifications for each model. We make a detailed comparison of the following considerations:
Heating Power
The heating power of an electric fireplace is measured in watts. Basically, it is the amount of heat the electric fireplace produces. The wattage correlates directly with how much electricity it uses to produce heat.
As you probably expect, a higher wattage electric fireplace uses more electricity and produces more heat. Many fireplaces have two or more heat settings-for example, a high and low setting or a low, medium, and high setting.
Generally speaking, 1500W is enough to heat a medium to large room about 120 to 180 square feet in size. However, most homes don't rely on fireplaces alone for heating. Therefore, you can "undersize" your electric fireplace.
The reason you probably don't need a super large heating output on an electric fireplace is that you'll likely be heating your home with a gas furnace, boiler, or another HVAC system.
How Realistic The Flames Are
Another of our top considerations for electric fireplaces is the realism of the flames they produce. Keep in mind; electric fireplaces aren't actually starting fires, meaning they are just creating realistic images of flames - usually with holograms, water vapor, or chemicals.
Some of these "fake" flames are better than others. The best ones will fool you into thinking the flames are real. Cheap electric fireplaces often look "fake," nowhere near the beauty of a flickering, sultry flame gracefully whipping through the air.
Quality
As with any substantial purchase in life, quality is essential. Since electric fireplaces generate heat and have an inherent risk of starting fires, quality is even more critical.
Just like grandpa used to say- cheaper isn't always better. In fact, quality is usually the first thing that goes out the window in pursuit of a low cost. That is why we make sure every wall mount electric fireplace is a top-quality product before we recommend it to you.
Warranty
Warranties are another aspect that is essential to all electric fireplaces. If it breaks down, you want to ensure the manufacturer backs their product.
We only consider products with a 1-year factory warranty or greater in the "best of" comparison guide. Obviously, the longer the warranty period, the better.
Safety
Safety typically goes hand-in-hand with quality. If an electric fireplace is low-quality, there is a high chance that it is unsafe. Granted, that is not the case 100% of the time.
In our analysis of wall-mounted electric fireplaces, we analyze electric fireplace safety features and approvals, such as ETL Certificates, safety switches, automatic shut-offs, etc. These features all help reduce the risks of fires and ensure the safety of your home.
Extra Features
Many wall mounted electric fireplaces include extra features that set them apart from other options and make them easier to use and control. Some examples of additional features include
- Adjustable flame colors
- Programmable timer
- Mobile app
- Smart home integration
- WiFi compatibility
One or more of these features might be a key reason you would choose one model over another. That is why we consider extra features with our recommendations.
Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace Reviews
If you're looking for a wall-mounted electric fireplace, you probably already know that they provide ample heat and add a lovely ambiance to any room. However, choosing the best one for your home is challenging since many options are available.
To make things easier for you, we put together a list of the "top ten" wall-mounted electric fireplaces. We've completed hours of research and testing to provide you with all the differences, features, and benefits, so you don't have to spend your valuable time sifting through thousands of products.
The R.W.FLAME unit is a best-in-class wall mount electric fireplace that can be conveniently recessed into your wall to save space. It is 36-inches wide, about 18-inches tall, and just under 4-inches deep - the perfect size to mount in a central living room location like under a wall-mounted television.
It is designed with front-facing exhaust and intake vents which allows it to be recessed mounted. Plus, it fits perfectly between 2×4 and 2×6 studs.
However, if you cannot recess mount the R.W.FLAME electric fireplace, you can surface mount it, and it will only protrude from the wall about 3.85-inches.
It has an easy-to-use touch panel to control all the settings. You can adjust 12 flame and LED settings, five brightness levels, five flame speed modes, heat level (hi/lo), and the timer. An intuitive remote control also comes with the R.W.FLAME electric fireplace.
With the remote, you can turn the electric fireplace on and off without leaving your couch. Additionally, you can change all of the same settings available on the touch panel.
The R.W.FLAME electric fireplace can provide supplemental heating for rooms up to 400 square feet and only takes about five minutes to make the space noticeably warmer. It lacks a realistic "crackling" fire sound, which is just a minor downside.
You might expect the R.W.FLAME 36 wall-mounted electric fireplace to be expensive with all its features. However, it is incredibly affordable, costing around just a few hundred bucks.
Also Available on AmazonThe Touchstone Onyx 50-inch wall-mounted electric fireplace is perfect for larger spaces, like your great room or living area. It creates realistic flames that look like the real thing to the naked eye.
Plus, it includes faux logs and crystals that you place into the fireplace yourself. Some may see this as an "extra" setup step, but it's actually a great feature. It allows you to customize and change the location of the logs to make it feel even more "real." If you don't like your first log arrangement, you can change it!
This Touchstone Onyx electric fireplace includes all the mounting hardware you need to hang on your wall or recess mount. If you hang it on the wall, it protrudes about 5.5-inches. In our opinion, it sticks out too far. However, it could work well on a wall below a TV or above a dresser.
When you recess mount it, it looks much more like a "true" fireplace and barely extends 0.5-inches from the wall. However, you have to turn the heating feature completely off when you recess mount it since the exhaust vents are in the back (behind the wall).
Many homeowners don't need the extra heating from an electric fireplace anyway and just enjoy the interior design flavor and flickering flames. However, homeowners who want heating and recess mounting are out of luck with this model.
Like other electric fireplaces, the Touchstone Onyx 50-inch electric fireplace has two heat settings, a remote control, a built-in timer, and five flame settings.
Also Available on AmazonThe Modern Flames Spectrum Slimline electric fireplace is a massive wall mount unit that spans 50 to 100 inches wide (depending on the size you choose). It is slightly less than 5-inches deep, making it suitable for both wall and recess mounting.
It is the perfect fireplace for a large, custom mantel. Plus, it has stunning flames that look nearly real. With its built-in thermostat, you can control the temperature from 68 to 88ºF from the remote or touch panel.
This Modern Flames Spectrum electric fireplace has a massive flame viewing area, no matter which of the four sizes you get. Along with the realistic logs and embers, it provides an eye-catching warmth and ambiance to all that enter your home.
You can power this electric fireplace by simply plugging it into the wall with the included power cord. Alternatively, it is hardwired ready for recess mounting. However, a certified electrician should complete this type of installation, which adds costs.
The flames can operate with or without the heat on. The fan is whisper quiet at only 40 decibels when the heat is running. The Modern Flames electric fireplace is stunning, and with its slim ⅝" trim, it looks natural in any room you install it.
Also Available on AmazonThe Dimplex Winslow 42-inch wall mount electric fireplace is the perfect solution for many rooms in your home. You can mount it on any wall or top of a table. It has exhaust vents strategically placed on the bottom, so you can mount it under your TV without worrying about ruining it.
You can only mount this electric fireplace to a wall and not recess mount it, which is a slight downside. However, it is slim at about 5-inches and has a curved glass design feature that makes it look thinner and flush with your wall.
Additionally, you can easily configure ember, flame, and temperature settings with the built-in touch buttons. Plus, you can further customize the Dimplex Winslow fireplace's base with the included log, pebbles, and crystals.
This glowing, backlit Dimplex Winslow 42" electric fireplace stands out in the room and adds a cozy, contemporary, and warm feeling to any room of your home.
Also Available on AmazonThe DiNatale 50-inch wall-mount electric fireplace is a sleek and large yet affordable option for homeowners. It has a modern glass design with smooth black trim, matching many home interiors well.
It has six brightness settings and two heat settings which are adjustable via touch keys on the electric fireplace or with the included remote. One slight downside is its limited flame color options of just blue and orange. However, many homeowners are okay with just one color.
With its large heating capacity of 4,777 BTUs per hour, the DiNatale electric fireplace can effectively heat a 150 square foot area or provide supplemental heating to up to 1,000 square feet.
This fireplace comes with glass filler for the flame area, a wall-mount bracket, and all the hardware you need to install it. It cannot be recessed-mounted into your wall since the heat exhaust vents are in the rear. However, it only extends 5.5-inches from the wall.
Compared to other electric fireplaces, this DiNatale unit comes with a 10-year limited warranty, which is far above average.
Also Available on AmazonThe Dimplex Prism 74-inch electric fireplace is a powerhouse with a full spectrum of RGB colors. It uses the Prism effect to deliver a wonderful flickering flame presentation in the acrylic ice ember bed.
Since this Dimplex Prism electric fireplace has the full gamut of RGB colors, you can create custom flame colors for your home. Alternatively, you can choose from various color themes and either cycle them or lock on a specific hue of your choice.
It includes an easy-to-use remote control and a floating LED display that you can use to view and adjust temperature settings, the sleep timer, and color themes. Plus, it can be hard-wired or plugged into an outlet.
One feature that sets it apart from other electric fireplaces is its mounting versatility. You can mount it one of three ways:
- Wall mount- mounts on the surface of your wall like a picture and extends 7.25-inches
- Fully recessed- mounts flush inside your wall and extends out just a few millimeters
- Partially recessed- mounts flush partially inside your wall and extends out a few inches
The best thing about this electric fireplace might be its large size - The Dimplex Prism is a whopping 74-inches wide, or just over 6-feet. If you have a large mantel area in your great room or living space, this beautiful electric fireplace is one you can't pass up.
Also Available on AmazonThe Tangkula 50-inch wall-mounted electric fireplace is a beautiful, life-like electric fireplace with an ultraslim frame. At just 3.86-inches thick, it can mount on nearly any wall and surface with minimal protrusion into your living space.
Its slimness is excellent for two reasons - it isn't obstructive to foot traffic or furniture, it is so thin that it looks built-in, and you don't have the waste your time trying to recess mount it. However, you can recess mount it, if that is what you prefer.
The Tangkula 50-inch electric fireplace can be operated with or without heat, and you can configure 12 flame colors along with 12 bed colors. However, you can't adjust the brightness; it only changes automatically based on the brightness in the room, which is a minor downside to some.
It can heat rooms up to 400 square feet and provide supplemental heating to larger areas. It is ETL certified and has a safety cut-off device to prevent overheating. It also has a sleep timer, which you can program to turn off after 1-8 hours.
The Valuxhome 50-inch electric fireplace is a stunning, wall-mount unit with lifelike logs and flames. It is available with a black or white bezel - which is not a color that is easy to find. It has three flame colors and three fuel bed colors, which allows you to create up to n ine color configurations.
This Valuxhome electric fireplace is easy to install, has a quiet blower, and has two heat settings (low and high). You can easily adjust all settings with the touchscreen or the included remote.
One downside with this electric fireplace is that you can only wall-mount it and not recess it in the wall. Plus, at 5-inches, it is thicker than most electric fireplaces. This means it will take up a bit of space in your room.
However, the Valuxhome electric fireplace makes up for these minor negatives with an ultra-low price, excellent quality, and unique white bezel color.
The PAOLFOX 36-inch wall-mounted electric fireplace is a sleek modern unit that simulates real flames in nine different colors. It has a touch screen control and remote that allows you to change all settings, including the digital thermostat (which ranges from 62 to 82ºF).
It vents warm air out of the front and can comfortably heat rooms up to 400 square feet in size or provide supplemental heating to larger spaces. Like many other electric fireplaces, it can be wall-mounted or recessed (inserted into the wall).
Plus, the PAOLFOX 36-inch fireplace includes all mounting hard you will need for installation. It includes realistic crystals and driftwood that simulate lifelike embers and flame base. Lastly, this electric fireplace is ETL certified and includes over-heat protection, which will shut it off if it gets too hot.
The BOSSIN 50-inch ultra-thin linear electric fireplace is a dazzling unit with intuitive controls. It has more configurable settings than most electric fireplaces. With the touch panel or the included remote, you can adjust 12 flame colors, five flame speeds, 12 flame bed colors, five brightness settings, two heat settings, and a sleep timer.
This electric fireplace is one of the best choices if you have space constraints in your room or within the wall (for recess mounting). It has a sleek, glossy finish with rounded corners, adding a contemporary ambiance to any room.
Compared to other wall-mount electric fireplaces, the BOSSIN 50-inch ultra-thin unit is extremely quiet - measuring just 40 dB at the loudest. Like most electric fireplaces, it carries UL and ETL certifications, which means it passes stringent safety regulations.
How a Faux Fireplace Works
Most electric fireplaces showcase realistic-looking flames, but as much as people think they are real - they're not. Not all electric fireplaces work the same way. An electric fireplace has two primary mechanisms - the heating element and the faux flame source.
Electric fireplace heaters are usually infrared or electrically heated metal filament. Many fireplaces include a blower or small fan to circulate the warm air throughout the room.
On the other hand, the faux flame component is a bit more complex.
An electric fireplace makes fake flames in three main ways:
Holographic flames are usually higher-end and are made with high-tech LED bulbs that shine light through various reflective surfaces. Water vapor-based units shine light through water vapor to produce lifelike flames, while chemical versions use special concoctions of chemical agents to display multiple colors.
How To Mount a Wall Mount Electric Fireplace
There are two ways you can mount a wall mount electric fireplace - recessed mounted or wall mounted. Wall mounted units hang on your wall like a picture frame or a TV, and the hanging process is very similar.
To wall mount an electric fireplace, you should always refer to your model's instruction manual. In general, you will either have to screw a mounting bracket into your wall or just screws that your electric fireplace hooks onto.
Recess mounting is a bit more complex - you have to cut a square hole into your wall that fits the recessed portion of the fireplace exactly. Most often, you'll also need to hardwire the electric fireplace to your breaker box too. Since this is beyond the skills, capabilities, and certification of most homeowners, we recommend you outsource recess installation to a qualified electrician.
Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace Buying Guide
Let's face it, there are thousands of electric fireplaces on the market, and finding one that fits your home and budget well without sacrificing quality can be challenging.
We put together this buying guide to make your selection easier. It covers the main things you need to know when shopping for a wall-mounted electric fireplace.
Heat Output Required
The amount of space you'd like to heat with your electric fireplace is essential. For example, if you want to heat an entire open-concept finished basement, you might opt for a unit that can provide supplemental heating to large areas.
On the other hand, if you're installing the wall-mount fireplace in a bedroom, a unit rated up to 400 square feet of heating area would be more than sufficient.
Or perhaps, you don't want the added warmth from your electric fireplace at all instead of relying on your central HVAC system for heating. In that case, selecting an electric fireplace that can toggle the heat on and off while still displaying majestic flames would be in your best interest.
Size of Unit
Another important aspect of wall mount electric fireplaces is their size. Measure the space you plan to install the fireplace to help you visualize it. The most critical dimensions for most homeowners are the depth and the width.
If you are mounting it onto a wall, you will need to account for the depth coming out. However, if you plan to flush mount it, you will need to have a deep enough space within your drywall to fit it.
Mounting Requirements
Many wall-mount electric fireplaces can be wall or recessed-mounted. However, some models are only designed for one mounting configuration. Before purchasing a wall-mounted electric fireplace, decide how and where you will install it first.
Will you wall mount it? In that case, it's as easy (or as difficult) as hanging a large (and heavier) picture. You'll want a unit capable of wall mounting for this option.
On the flip side, if you prefer recess mounting, you will need to choose an electric fireplace that is designed for it. This option is much more complex and requires cutting into your drywall and hardwiring the unit to your electrical.
If that sounds too complex, you will probably want to hire a qualified installer.
FAQs
Can you mount an electric fireplace under a TV?Yes, you can mount an electric fireplace under a TV. However, many electric fireplaces have safe distance recommendations.
For example, they may recommend mounting your TV 8-inches to 2-feet above the electric fireplace.
Some electric fireplaces exhaust from the top, which would require more distance from the TV. On the other hand, electric fireplaces that exhaust heat from the bottom or front would need less space from the TV above them.
Since the spacing varies by model, check your wall-mount electric fireplace's manual or specification guide for their installation guidelines.
Can you run an electric fireplace without the heat on?Yes, however, it depends on the model. Most electric fireplaces let you turn off the heat and just watch the beautiful flames. A few models run the heat no matter what.
The Wrap Up
Wall-mount electric fireplaces are beautiful centerpieces that add ambiance and warmth to your living space. Many can be wall or recessed-mounted and don't take up much space.
Plus, since they provide heat with electricity, they don't add dust, smoke, or the smell of burning wood into your home. Nor do they use natural gas, which runs a greater risk of accidental fires despite excellent safety designs.
If you're still deciding on the best wall-mount electric fireplace for your home, consider your available space, the size of the fireplace, its mounting configuration, and how much flame color customization you'd like.
