There’s nothing like sitting by the Fireplace and playing board games with the family on a chilly winter night.

Many years ago, this would mean chopping up wood and lugging them indoors to be burned at the fireplace. Apart from the risk of splinters or, say, setting your house on fire, the charm of traditional fireplaces came at a price. And indeed, there is nothing fun about cleaning out the firebox only to find a trail of soot on the carpet.

Fortunately, an Infrared electric fireplace, sometimes simply known as an electric fireplace heater, provides a much more convenient, warm, and safe alternative. And all this without compromising the mesmerizing sight of flickering flames.

In fact, most modern designs now come complete with remote controls and additional features, such as adjustable brightness and heat. That said, brace yourself for next winter by taking your pick from our selection of the best infrared electric fireplaces today.

Best Infrared Fireplace

1. ClassicFlame DFI030ARU

This infrared quartz fireplace is rustic and traditional – but only on the outside. And indeed, the ClassicFlame DFI030ARU dons a charmingly vintage disguise and is a sight straight out of a picture book. However, a quick look into the features is enough to remind you that this is a 21st-century piece.

Why Did We Like It?

A rugged fire grate, realistic rolling logs, and the pulsating embers of this piece by ClassicFlame can trick anybody into thinking it is the real deal. In fact, the 5,200 BTU heater provides enough warmth that you won’t be missing your old fireplace in the first place.

Not to mention how you can conveniently place this compact piece on the existing hearth. And despite its dimensions of 20.51 “x 8.66″ x 12.6”, this powerful infrared quartz fireplace stove provides supplemental heat to cover up to 1,000 sq. ft. of your home.

Needless to say, zonal heating prevents heat from drifting into other unoccupied rooms of the house. Combined with adjustable heating, the piece offers buyers the option to turn down the thermostat to save on their electricity bills.

In fact, you may turn off the heating altogether and still take in the cozy ambiance provided by the 3D flame effect all year round.

What Could’ve Been Better?

Some reviewers have found that the cord sent by the manufacturer is a tad bit short unless there is an outlet within one foot of your fireplace. However, any universal extension cord can quickly solve this problem.

2. Life Smart LS-IF1500-DOFP

No existing furnace or hearth? No problem. This infrared quartz fireplace from Life Smart utilizes an intelligent design that doesn’t require venting. In fact, you can move it anywhere around your house – as long as there is an outlet to plug it in.

Why Did We Like It?

In a few words, the Life Smart LS-IF1500-DOFP is a portable infrared heater device packed into a pretty yet practical design comprising of a Quakertown dark oak cabinet and mantle. And while the visual beauty seamlessly matches most people’s home decor, the flame effect technology is inviting and mimics the ambiance of a real fireplace.

However, most reviews were primarily impressed by the fireplace heater’s supplemental zone heating and economy setting.

Indeed, you can run this infrared electric fireplace on the economy mode all day at a comfortable heat of about 68 degrees F, and not see your bills skyrocket. Come cold nights, and it takes minutes to turn up the heat to the desired temperature.

What’s more, it features everything you could ask from any of the best models on the market. These include wheels that make it easy to move and a remote control that allows you to regulate the adjustable thermostat and brightness settings from across the room.

What Could’ve Been Better?

Despite its small stature of 28″x 11″x 20″, the Life Smart LS-IF1500-DOFP boasts of incredible heat output. That said, if you are looking for a unit for a large room with high ceilings, this unit will provide moderate warmth and may appear oddly small.

3. Turbro Suburbs TS20

Emulating vintage fireplaces, this metallic electric fireplace heater stands at a convenient height and emanates a feeling of home with its flickering flames. Needless to say, it provides the authentic experience of a furnace with a fraction of the safety and fire hazards.

Why Did We Like It?

Be it an electric fireplace or a traditional fireplace, getting too close to the flames is a ticket to burnt fingers. The risk increases if you have curious children or pets in the house. Of course, this charming little electric infrared fireplace comes with LED flames that automatically reduce the risk of burns and fires.

However, an electric fireplace heater may also heat up the surface to become blistering hot. That said, the Turbro Suburbs TS20 has been engineered to keep all these problems at bay. Indeed, it has been certified with the CSA and features an automatic shut-down function in case of overheating.

And while you can enjoy the flames without heat, don’t do it out of fear that the metallic fireplace box will become iron-hot. In fact, the heating element rests at the bottom, so the unit remains cool to the touch. That said, you can use the flat top as a display shelf for photos or terracotta vases and never have to worry about them melting.

What Could’ve Been Better?

This infrared fireplace heater does not come pre-assembled. That said, the pre-drilled holes for attaching the legs were a tad bit small for the provided screws. Needless to say, buyers will have to put in some extra work to get the unit standing upright – but the powerful heating may be worth the trouble.

4. Belleze 014-HG-41801-APE+118

Belleze is known for its taste of modern style and innovative designs. It doesn’t come as a surprise that the makers of this infrared fireplace heater have been able to craft a TV stand, cabinet, and electric fireplace – all into one.

Why Did We Like It?

The first striking feature of this unique piece is perhaps its barnyard doors. Apart from its classic and charmingly rustic appeal, these doors are functional and open to reveal a stunning infrared fireplace heater. What’s more, the unit comes in five clean and modern colors – Ashland Pine, Espresso, Grey Wash, Light Grey, and Sargent Oak.

Not to mention how the realistic vision of wood burning within the cabinet amps up the design factor. Nevertheless, this is one of the most creative electric fireplaces on the market and will surely have your guests talking.

But don’t be fooled by its aesthetic charm – indeed, this is a practical piece to have around. Constructed with high-grade manufactured wood, the top shelf can hold up to 80lbs. and also doubles up as a stand for up to 50 inches wide flat-screen TVs. And if that’s not enough, the shelves provide plenty of storage and can hold up to 20lbs each.

What Could’ve Been Better?

All in all, this unit is easy to put together with two sets of hands on board. However, some reviewers have reported a few cases of misaligned cabinet magnets, because of which they could not shut the doors. Buyers may also have to drill holes by themselves while assembling the unit.

5. Classic Flame 23II042FGL

The Classic Flame series of fireplaces are truly engineered to be one-of-a-kind. In fact, with its patent-pending 3D flame effect technology, safer plug, and safer sensor, this inventive model packs creativity into a small unit. That said, buyers can conveniently transport this portable device from room to room.

Why Did We Like It?

There is always a risk of drying out with most heating devices – but not with this infrared heater from Classic Flame. Among its endless list of unique features, its infrared heat technology is perhaps the most well-thought-out. That said, apart from preserving natural humidity to keep your family breathing easy and feeling fresh, it effectively reduces static electricity.

Moreover, you can be at peace knowing that the closed design of the fireplace box ensures that the flames inside do not get exposed. Nevertheless, the glass front remains cool to touch. And that’s not all; the patent-pending safer plug monitors the temperature and shuts off the system before it overheats.

Coming to the actual fireplace, you may be wondering what makes this patent-pending flame technology so unique? Indeed, at first glance, you only see wood burning like in any other fireplace. However, the makers at Classic Flame add a dash of innovation by allowing buyers to switch between the colors of the flame.

What Could’ve Been Better?

While this fireplace insert itself is almost without flaw, the addition of the glass door may prove to be a slight inconvenience. Although this problem does not arise when the lights are dimmed, the vision of dancing flames may be blocked by reflections during the day.

6. Duraflame DFI-550-22

From the makers of the award-winning Duraflame DFI 5010 01 model, this unit is another Duraflame 3D infrared electric fireplace to watch out for. Available in two smooth and elegant colors, the traditional style combined with the glass and metal construction is a vivid vision that is hard to miss.