Fireplace Inserts Upgrade Costs And The Best Models 2023

To help you find a fireplace insert for your home, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best fireplace inserts on the market. Here are our top nine recommendations.

Top 7 Fireplace Inserts

Best For Logs: Ashley Hearth Wood Stove Insert Best Thin Design: R.W. Flame 36-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert Best Candle Insert: Home Decorations Candle Electric Fireplace Insert Most Versatile: The Outdoor GreatRoom Electric Fireplace Insert Best Frame: PuraFlame 33-Inch Western Electric Fireplace Insert Best Flame: Colo Fireplace Insert Best Lightweight: Valuxhome 36-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert

Best Wood-Bir: Ashley Hearth Wood Stove Insert

Width: 27.2 inches | Height: 22.4 inches

Pros and Cons

✔ Features a durable, cast-iron door✔ Heats up to 1,800 square feet✔ Has spring-loaded automatic adjustment system for easy installation ✘ Has a high price point✘ Some customers said it didn’t heat as large of a space as advertised

Best Thin Design: R.W. Flame 36-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert

Width: 36 inches | Height: 18.1 inches

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a low price point✔ Features a unique, colorful flame design✔ Features a touchscreen and remote for easy control ✘ Fan may not be as powerful as some other models✘ Heat only 400 square feet

Best Candle Insert: Home Decorations Candle Electric Fireplace Insert

Width: 20.7 inches | Height: 11.6 inches

Pros and Cons

✔ Has original candle design with varying heights✔ Provides zone heating of up to 1,000 square feet✔ Is an affordable option ✘ Has a low heat output✘ Not the best choice for those looking for a traditional insert\

Most Versatile: The Outdoor GreatRoom Electric Fireplace Insert

Width: 28.5 inches | Height: 22.6 inches

How to Install a Gas Fireplace Insert

How to Install a Fireplace Insert

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a classic design that fits in any room✔ Comes with two different fronts to fit on existing masonry✔ Is tested for safety Courtesy Wayfair ✘ Coverage area is only 200 square feet✘ Does not have automatic safety shutoff

Best Frame: PuraFlame 33-Inch Western Electric Fireplace Insert

Width: 33.1 inches | Height: 25.5 inches

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a stylish, rustic look✔ Includes three flame settings✔ Can rest on fireplace floor for easy setup ✘ Flames are not as realistic looking as some other models✘ Has a small heating area

Best Flame: Colo Fireplace Insert

Width: 25 inches| Height: 21 inches

Pros and Cons

✔ Can work with or without heating function✔ Has five different adjustable brightness settings ✔ Features a timer that can be set for up to nine hours Courtesy Wayfair ✘ Has a lower wattage than some other models✘ Not the best option for large rooms

Best Lightweight: Valuxhome 36-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert

Width: 36 inches | Height: 27.5 inches

Pros and Cons

✔ Is just over 50 pounds making it easy to transport✔ Has a life-like resin log design✔ Features a vent-free insert

✘ Some customers felt the crackle sound was not realistic ✘ Glass front is not removable

Buyer’s Guide

If you want to warm your house on a particularly chilly day, then a fireplace insert is a great supplemental heat source. This buying guide covers important things to consider when buying the best fireplace insert for your home.

Size

Fireplace inserts can vary in size from about two to five feet long. The most popular sizes are between 40 and 60 inches, inspired by the size and shape of traditional home fireplaces.

Flame color

Because fireplace inserts use LEDs rather than actual flames, you can often change the color of the flame at will in your firebox. Popular flame colors—in addition to the traditional orange—include red, green, blue, purple, and white.

Controls

An electric fireplace insert can be controlled via either a touch screen or remote control. Some include both options, so you can adjust your fireplace’s settings both up close and from a distance.

Heat Output

The higher the wattage on an electric fireplace insert, the more high-efficiency the heating element will be. Inserts with high heating efficiency will help heat up your house quickly and can better simulate a real fire. Many inserts come with a thermostat so you can better keep track of the temperature.

Installation

Most electric fireplace inserts come in either wall-mounted or recessed variations. Recessed inserts are set slightly into the wall and are designed to fill existing fireplaces. Wall-mounted inserts attach directly to the wall and can be placed anywhere in your home where there is space and a nearby outlet. These inserts are typically made from stainless steel or other heavy-duty materials.

Noise

You can often choose between a variety of noises inspired by crackling fires to make your electric fireplace insert more realistic. You can also choose to turn off the noise if you prefer to enjoy the fire quietly.

What is the purpose of a fireplace insert?

Installing a fireplace insert into an existing fireplace opening draft-proofs an open fireplace while keeping the heat in the room and away from the masonry.

How much does a fireplace insert cost?

Most fireplace inserts and a professional installation cost about $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the state of your existing chimney and the model you select. Some electric models cost significantly less, but they offer less heat output (measured typically in btus) than wood and gas fireplace inserts.

Do electric fireplace inserts produce heat?

Yes, electric fireplaces can produce heat. While electric fireplace inserts don’t produce as much heat as gas- and wood-burning fireplace inserts, most models can heat spaces up to 400 square feet.

What are the differences between the types of fireplace inserts?

Electric fireplace inserts and wood-burning fireplace inserts are most common, but there are also direct vent fireplace inserts and pellet fireplace inserts available. Electric inserts are an efficient heat source that simulates a real fire with electric flames and adjustable temperature levels. Wood-burning inserts typically offer ceramic glass doors that heat wooden logs for a high BTU output that can heat the whole house. Direct vent inserts are designed with steel glass fronts and use a co-linear vent system that runs inside an existing chimney. Pellet fireplace inserts, meanwhile, replace logs with small wood pellets that burn quickly and are easy to maintain.

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