An electric fireplace gives a room a flame and some extra heat, and it plugs into a regular outlet. Pick the style first: a freestanding stove that sits on the floor, or a unit that hangs on or recesses into the wall. Then check for a certification mark. Here are four top-selling electric fireplaces, plus the heater safety advice from Health Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority.
Quick answer
Affiliate links (paid links) below. Details
Look for a CSA, cUL or cETL mark on the product, and plug it directly into a wall outlet. Health Canada says not to buy or use plug-in electrical products without a certification mark, and never to plug a portable electric heater into an extension cord or power bar.
A simple place to start: the HOMCOM infrared fireplace stove, ranked #1 in Portable Fireplaces when we checked. It stands on any flat surface, so there is nothing to install. Want a feature wall instead? Look at the EUHOMY 50-inch wall fireplace.
Four electric fireplaces, by how they fit your room
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| HOMCOM electric fireplace stove, 23-inch infrared | Best if you want no installation. The product page lists a freestanding infrared stove that warms spaces up to 320 sq ft, with a 10 to 35°C thermostat, an automatic thermal cutout if it overheats and a cUL plug. #1 in Portable Fireplaces when we checked. | See price |
| EUHOMY 50-inch wall-mounted or recessed electric fireplace | Best for a clean look on the wall. The product page lists 750 W and 1500 W heat settings, a 62 to 82°F thermostat, a remote and touchscreen, a timer, noise as low as 45 dB and an ETL certificate. #2 in Portable Fireplaces when we checked. | See price |
| HOMCOM 46-inch electric fireplace with mantel and shelf | Best if you want a finished piece with display space. The product page lists a 1400 W heater for up to 323 sq ft, a 62 to 82°F thermostat, overheat protection with automatic shut-off, a timer from 0.5 to 6 hours and noise under 50 dB. It does not name a certification mark, so check the label. #8 in Portable Fireplaces when we checked. | See price |
| COSTWAY 23-inch electric fireplace insert | Best for a small space or an existing opening. The product page lists 5000 BTU at 1400 W for up to 400 sq ft, three flame levels, overheat protection, and use as a freestanding unit or recessed. It does not name a certification mark, so check the label. #13 in Portable Fireplaces when we checked. | See price |
Features come from the retailer’s product pages and can change, so check the current page before you order.
Freestanding or wall-mounted: which fits your room?
- Freestanding. A stove or insert that sits on a flat surface plugs into a wall outlet and needs no installation. The HOMCOM stove page lists a footprint of 21.7 by 12.2 inches and detachable legs.
- Wall-mounted or recessed. The EUHOMY page lists an installation manual and hardware. Plan the outlet and the wall space first. If you want power wired in rather than plugged in, Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority says to use a Licensed Electrical Contractor for permanent wiring instead of extension cords.
- Flame without heat. The HOMCOM mantel and COSTWAY pages say the flame can run without the heater, so you can keep the look in warmer months.
How do you use an electric fireplace heater safely?
Natural Resources Canada counts decorative fireplaces among electric space heaters, so the usual heater advice applies. Health Canada and the Electrical Safety Authority say to:
- Keep it at least 1 metre (about 3 feet) from anything that can burn, such as couches, beds, clothes and curtains.
- Plug it directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or a power bar.
- Unplug it before you leave home or go to sleep.
- Check the cord and plug now and then for fraying or damage, and don’t run the cord under a rug.
Is an electric fireplace a good main heat source?
Natural Resources Canada says electric heaters can be a main or a supplementary heat source. Each unit of electricity gives one unit of heat, which it calls 100 percent efficient where the heat is used. It adds that this does not make them the most efficient way to heat: it says geothermal heat pumps can deliver three units of heat for every unit of electricity. It also says electric space heaters are not covered by Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations and do not come in ENERGY STAR models, so there is no ENERGY STAR label to look for. Heating a whole house through winter? See our ductless mini-split heat pump guide.
Common questions
Do I need a certification mark? Yes. Health Canada names CSA, cUL and cETL as examples and says not to buy or use plug-in electrical products without one. It also warns that counterfeit electrical products can be dangerous, and that an unusually low price is a warning sign. The HOMCOM stove page lists a cUL plug and the EUHOMY page lists an ETL certificate. Check the label on any model you buy.
Can I plug it into a power bar? No. Health Canada and the Electrical Safety Authority both say not to plug a portable electric heater into an extension cord or power bar.
Is it safe to leave on overnight? Health Canada says to unplug a portable electric heater before you leave home or go to sleep.
Before you buy
- Choose the style: freestanding on a flat surface, or wall-mounted or recessed.
- Look for a CSA, cUL or cETL mark on the label.
- Check the heated area on the product page against the size of your room.
- Plan a wall outlet within reach of the cord, so you never need an extension cord.
- Keep 1 metre clear around it.
- Want a smaller heater instead? See our safe space heaters guide.
Sources: Health Canada, Electrical product safety; Natural Resources Canada, Electric heaters; Electrical Safety Authority, Indoor safety. Product details come from the retailer’s product pages, so check the current page before you order.
Get new buying guides by email.
We send new guides only, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
