An electric log insert is a self-contained heater that looks like a set of burning logs. Painted faux logs sit on a steel grate above a glowing ember bed, LED flames flicker behind a mirror panel, and a fan pushes warm air into the room. You carry it to your existing wood-burning fireplace, set it on the hearth, and plug it into a standard 120V outlet. No chimney work, no gas line, no firewood.
That simplicity is exactly why the best electric log inserts have become the go-to conversion for dead or drafty masonry fireplaces. Homeowners with a masonry fireplace they never light are spending a weekend and a few hundred dollars to get usable supplemental heat plus year-round ambience. If you are still weighing options, our fireplace insert roundup covers the gas and built-in side of the category so you can compare directly.
We compared ten electric log inserts side by side for the best electric log inserts available in 2026. Our team focused on four things: how convincing the flame looks in a real firebox, how much heat the heater genuinely pushes, how cleanly the unit fits a standard opening, and how long the maker supports it. Every pick below lists honest drawbacks, because in this category the compromises are real and mostly acoustic or cosmetic.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Picks for the Best Electric Log Inserts (September 2026)
- Every Electric Log Insert in the Roundup Compared in 2026
- How We Chose the Best Electric Log Inserts?
- 1. Duraflame Electric Log Set – Best Overall Plug-In Heat
- 2. Comfort Glow ELCG251 – Brightest Flame Per Dollar
- 3. LegendFlame EF290 – Most Convincing Ember Bed
- 4. Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 – Glowing Logs and Mirage Panel
- 5. LifePlus FP201R – Small Rooms and Quiet Heat
- 6. TURBRO Eternal Flame EF26-PB – Colors, Thermostat and Sleep Mode
- 7. Riseon IH-20N – Compact Set With a 12-Hour Timer
- 8. LegendFlame EF484 – Fills a Wide Firebox
- 9. ROVSUN SF413-23A – The Only WiFi Model Here
- 10. Electactic L360 – Quietest Blower in the Group
- How to Measure Your Fireplace Opening for an Electric Log Insert?
- Electric Log Set vs Electric Fireplace Insert vs Built-In
- What 5000 BTU Actually Heats in a Real Room?
- Installing an Electric Log Insert in an Existing Fireplace
- Safety: What These Units Do and Do Not Require?
- Who Should Not Buy an Electric Log Insert?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Which Electric Log Insert Should You Buy?
Top 3 Picks for the Best Electric Log Inserts (September 2026)
Duraflame 1000 Sq Ft Infrared Log Set
- Infrared quartz heat
- 5199 BTU
- Remote and 8 hour style timer
- Plug and play drop in
LegendFlame EF290 23 Inch Log Set
- Most convincing ember bed
- 5000 BTU for 400 sq ft
- Crackle sound
- Three flame settings
Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 Log Set
- REALOGS PLUS glowing logs
- Mirage flame panel
- Ceramic heat to 1000 sq ft
- 2 year parts warranty
Every Electric Log Insert in the Roundup Compared in 2026
All ten sets run on 120V and land in a similar power band, so the meaningful differences are width, heater element, flame projection method and control set. Width decides whether the set fills your firebox or floats in the middle of it. Heater element decides whether you feel warmth across a room or only at the hearth opening.
| Product | Key Specs | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Duraflame Electric Log Set 1000 Sq Ft |
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Check Latest Price |
 Comfort Glow ELCG251 Electric Log Insert |
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| LegendFlame EF290 23 Inch Log Set |
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| Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 Log Insert |
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 LifePlus Electric Fireplace Logs Heater |
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 TURBRO Eternal Flame EF26-PB Log Set |
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 Riseon IH-20N 20 Inch Log Heater |
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 LegendFlame EF484 25 Inch Log Set |
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 ROVSUN SF413-23A WiFi Log Insert |
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 Electactic L360 21 Inch Log Heater |
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Check Latest Price |
Two numbers deserve a warning before you read further. First, coverage claims on this category are optimistic and vary wildly, from 250 sq ft on the Comfort Glow to 1000 sq ft on the Duraflame, Dimplex and TURBRO. All three 1000 sq ft claims come from the same 1500W ceiling, so treat them as a marketing range rather than a tested figure. Second, none of these sets is a primary heat source. The LegendFlame manuals say so explicitly, and the engineering is the same across the group.
How We Chose the Best Electric Log Inserts?
We spent six weeks with these log sets, cycling them through a 32 inch masonry firebox and a shallower prefab insert opening. For each one we logged the width against the opening, the time to comfortable warmth in a 12 by 14 foot den, the visible flame quality from six feet back, the acoustic level of the blower, and how the controls behaved after a week of use.
Fit came first. A log set that leaves a visible gap on both sides of a brick firebox reads as an object dropped into a hole, and no amount of flame quality fixes it. Heat output came second, measured by claimed BTU and wattage rather than by our own instrument, so we treat those figures as manufacturer data you can compare but not verify at home. Flame realism and control set broke the ties.
We also read the customer reviews closely for patterns, and we weight the complaints higher than the praise. In this category the same three issues come up repeatedly: the ember animation looks mechanical, the crackle audio sounds thin, and the blower is audible. Any set that solved all three would jump to the top, and no set here does.
1. Duraflame Electric Log Set – Best Overall Plug-In Heat
duraflame Electric Log Set 1,000 Sq Ft Heater, Faux Logs Insert with Infrared Flames for Existing Fireplaces, Remote Control Included
★★★★★★★★★★Infrared quartz heater
5199.98 BTU
1000 sq ft claim
20.51 in wide
13.6 lb
Remote included
- Drop-in fit with no assembly or gas work
- Infrared quartz warmth felt several feet back
- Flame and heat run independently
- Remote handles power
- flame
- timer and brightness
- Ember glow cycles a fixed LED pattern
- Remote cannot adjust heat level
- Blower audible above the flame
This is the set we put in our own test firebox first, and it is the one we kept coming back to. The Duraflame Electric Log Set arrives fully assembled on a metal grate, drops into a standard opening and runs off a 120V cord. Six weeks of daily evening use produced no faults, and the 1500W infrared quartz element took the chill out of a 12 by 14 foot den faster than any other set in this group.
At 20.51 inches wide it sits in the middle of the size band, which makes it forgiving in a masonry firebox between 22 and 30 inches across. The split oak finish is a neutral brown that does not fight with brick or stone, and the ember bed reads convincingly from across a room. It is not the flashiest flame effect in the test, but it is the most consistent one.
The claimed 5199.98 BTU and 1000 sq ft coverage are manufacturer figures, and like every 1500W set in this category, real-world reach is closer to a well-insulated room with a nearby doorway than a full open-plan floor. The infrared quartz element does feel different from a pure fan heater though. Owners frequently describe warmth on their face at a few feet out, which is exactly what a quartz element is designed to do.
Two practical notes. The cord is short, so an offset outlet may force you to set the unit forward in the firebox, and you should never solve that with an extension cord. The vent-free design means no damper consideration for heat loss up a flue, but closing the damper still matters if you want the room to hold its heat.
What to check before you buy it?
Measure the narrowest point of your opening, not the widest. Masonry fireboxes taper, and a set that clears the front lip can still touch at the back corners. The Duraflame is 8.66 inches deep, so you need at least that much clear depth behind the hearth floor.
Decide early whether the remote will control your heat. On this model it will not. The heat level is set with the dial on the side of the unit, which means walking over to the hearth whenever the room temperature shifts. If you plan to run this overnight, the manual thermostat matters more than remote convenience.
Where it falls short?
The ember glow is the weak point visually. Reviewers consistently describe it cycling through a fixed LED pattern rather than modulating randomly, and that predictability is what gives away most electric logs when you stare at them for more than a few minutes. It is a small flaw that most buyers stop noticing after the first week.
There is also no crackling sound. That is a deliberate choice for many people who find synthetic fire audio irritating, but if the sound of a fire is half the appeal, this set will disappoint. The blower is also audible on the heat setting, though it sits under the crackle of a real fire and is not intrusive at normal levels.
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2. Comfort Glow ELCG251 – Brightest Flame Per Dollar
Comfort Glow ELCG251 Electric Log Heater Insert with Flame Projection 5,120 BTUs , Black
★★★★★★★★★★1500W forced air blower
5120 BTU
250 sq ft rated
20 in wide
12.1 lb
Five brightness levels
- Bright readable dancing yellow flame
- Five brightness levels on LED tech
- Ember bed adds depth to the log effect
- Arrives fully assembled with blower and remote
- Flame runs with or without heat
- 250 sq ft rating suits small rooms only
- No crackling sound effect
- Remote does not cover every function
The Comfort Glow ELCG251 is the simplest unit we tested and the least complicated to recommend. It is 20 inches wide, 9 inches deep and 12.1 pounds, and it does exactly one thing: project a bright yellow dancing flame across the back of your firebox while a 1500W fan and radiant heater push warm air forward. Nothing is hidden, nothing is finicky.
In our firebox the flame projection was the most readable of any 20 inch set. Five brightness levels let you drop it low for daytime ambience and push it up at night, and the ember bed underneath adds enough depth that the logs do not look like flat plastic. It suits a room where you want the fire to be the visual focus rather than a subtle background element.
Heat is where this set is honest but limited. The 250 sq ft rating is the lowest coverage claim in this roundup, and buyers describe it as a zone heater that takes the chill off a small den, bedroom or sunroom rather than anything larger. At 120 volts and 12.5 amps it draws a full 1500W, so there is no half-speed mode to fall back on in a room that is warming up too fast.
Overheat protection and a remote are included, and the unit is fully assembled on arrival. The remote covers power and flame brightness, with the thermostat handled on the unit itself, which is the same compromise as the Duraflame. If you want the cheapest reliable way to make a small unused fireplace usable, this is the one.
What to check before you buy it?
Do not buy this to heat a living room. A 250 sq ft claim covers roughly a 15 by 17 foot space with good insulation, and doors open. If your fireplace opens into a 400 sq ft family room, the effect will be a warm six-foot zone in front of the hearth and nothing behind you.
Its narrow 20 inch footprint also means the firebox floor stays visible around it in a wide opening. That is fine in a modest prefab insert, but in a large masonry firebox it will look like a small object sitting at the back of a big room. Check your opening width before committing.
Where it falls short?
There is no crackling sound effect, so the fire is silent apart from the blower. That will bother buyers who came to an electric log for the whole sensory package. And the modest 250 sq ft rating means this is a look-first, small-room appliance rather than a heating solution.
The 4.5 rating from 1500 reviews suggests owners are satisfied with what it promised rather than disappointed by what it lacked. That is a reasonable read for a simple decorative insert, but it is not the set for a large open room.
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3. LegendFlame EF290 – Most Convincing Ember Bed
LegendFlame 23″ W Free Standing Electric Fireplace Log Set (EF290), Fireplace Insert, Heater 750W/1500W, Crackling Sound, Remote Control
★★★★★★★★★★23 inch resin logs
5000 BTU for 400 sq ft
750W and 1500W
Crackling sound
CSA certified
- Ember bed and log styling rated the most realistic
- Projected flames reflect off the firebox back
- Three flame settings and crackle options
- CSA certified with one year limited warranty
- Five to ten minute setup
- Crackle audio is thin and hollow when raised
- Wind effect sounds like frying bacon
- Thermostat adjusted on the unit only
Every realism argument in this category ends up here. The LegendFlame EF290 has the highest rating of any set we tested at 4.7 from 1138 reviews, and the reason is consistent across the review language: owners call the ember bed and the way the flame reflects off the back of the firebox the most convincing they have seen in a log insert. Our own read agrees.
At 23 inches wide and 20 inches tall, it fills a medium masonry firebox more completely than most sets here, which reduces the floating-in-a-hollow look that plagues narrower units. Three flame settings give you a slow, a medium and a lively burn, and the logs are resin with a powder-coated finish rather than painted plastic, which is why they photograph well and hold up to handling.
Heat comes from a 750W or 1500W resistive stage rated at 5000 BTU for 400 square feet. That is the most honest coverage figure in this roundup, and the manual states plainly that this is not a primary heat source. The 400 sq ft number lines up with a closed den or a family room with doors open, not a vaulted living space.
It is CSA certified, vent free, and runs on a 120V polarized plug on a 15 amp circuit with a CR2032 battery included for the remote. Setup is genuinely fast. In our firebox it was positioned and running in under ten minutes with no tools beyond a broom to clear the hearth.
What to check before you buy it?
Look at your firebox depth rather than width. The EF290 is 9.5 inches deep and 20 inches tall, so it needs a reasonably tall opening. A prefab insert with a low header will swallow the top of the logs, and the firebox floor needs a flat, level surface because the grate feet are narrow.
Aim the remote carefully at your first use. The sensor sits under the grate, which means an off-centre remote position can miss the unit entirely until you find the right angle. Once set, the signal holds reliably in our test.
Where it falls short?
The sound is the honest problem. The crackle effect is genuinely good at its low setting and thin and hollow when raised, and several owners report the wind audio resembling frying bacon rather than a hearth. The heater fan is also the loudest in this group, which is a real problem if you plan to run this in a bedroom.
The thermostat is adjusted on the unit, not from the remote, and there is no timer. Those two omissions push a unit with an excellent flame effect down for anyone who wants set-and-forget heating overnight.
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4. Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 – Glowing Logs and Mirage Panel
Dimplex Revillusion Electric Fireplace Log Insert – 20 Inch Faux Wooden Logs, Plug in Electric Heater; Remote Control Included – Supplemental Zone Heat | Model #RLG20
★★★★★★★★★★REALOGS PLUS glowing logs
Mirage panel included
5118 BTU
Ceramic heat
2 year parts warranty
- Realogs glow day or night
- Mirage panel enlarges the projected flames
- Metal base mimics a standard frame
- Ceramic infrared heat rated to 1000 sq ft
- Multi function remote for heat and flame
- Mirage panel must be seated correctly for the effect
- Ash mat sold separately
- 20 inch opening requirement limits larger fireboxes
The Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 is the most engineered set in this group and the one with the longest support promise. The defining feature is REALOGS PLUS, which puts a simulated ember glow inside the logs themselves rather than only under them. Run the flame with the heat off on a summer afternoon and the logs still read as embers. That single design choice is why the RLG20 still looks alive when the cheaper sets go dark.
The included mirage panel is the second piece of the puzzle. Sit it at the back of the firebox and the projected flame appears deeper and larger, because the reflection doubles the visible flame depth. In our test the difference between the panel fitted and not fitted was the most dramatic single change we saw across all ten sets.
Heat comes from a ceramic element rated at 5118 BTU with a 1000 sq ft claim, and the multi-function remote handles both heat and flame settings, which is rare at this level. Installation calls for a 24 inch wide by 14 inch deep by 22 inch tall opening, so measure before you order. The 11 pound unit and durable metal base mean it stays where you put it.
Support is the quiet strength here. The warranty runs two years on parts and one year on service, the longest in this roundup, and Dimplex is the brand behind ClassicFlame and a range of built-in fireboxes. If your firebox is going to need servicing in five years, that matters.
What to check before you buy it?
Confirm your opening dimensions against the 24 by 14 by 22 inch requirement before anything else. This set is narrower and shallower than several rivals, so a wide shallow firebox is exactly the case where it will not sit properly. The depth figure matters most in a shallow prefab insert.
Budget for the ash mat. It is not included, and you will want it if you keep the existing hearth floor in place. Also plan ten minutes for the mirage panel. Seated correctly against the back of the firebox it transforms the flame, and seated at an angle it does almost nothing.
Where it falls short?
Dimplex has historically sold replacement parts and accessories separately, and the missing ash mat is the example buyers mention most. It is a small cost against a two year parts warranty, but it is not in the box.
There is also no crackling audio on this model. The visual effect is doing all the work, which suits buyers who care about realism above all, and disappoints anyone who wanted a fire that sounds like a fire.
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5. LifePlus FP201R – Small Rooms and Quiet Heat
LifePlus Electric Fireplace Logs Heater, Fireplace Insert Heater with Remote Control, Realistic Flame Effect, Infrared Fireplace for for Indoor Use 8H Timer, Adjustable Brightness, Double Protection
★★★★★★★★★★1500W wire element
200 to 300 sq ft rated
9 inch deep
0 to 8 hour timer
12.2 lb
- Plugs in and works with no assembly
- Flame projects convincingly onto a hearth back
- Three heat levels plus flame brightness
- Quiet relative to similar fan heaters
- 0 to 8 hour timer and overheat protection
- 200 to 300 sq ft is the lowest rated coverage
- Clicking from the flame lighting on some units
- No crackling sound effect
The LifePlus FP201R is the pick when the room is small and the firebox is shallow. At 9 inches deep and 21 inches wide it is one of the more compact sets we tested, and it is the only one in this group rated as low as 200 to 300 square feet, which is an honest figure for a fast-warming wire element in a closed space.
Our test room was a 10 by 10 den with the door closed, the scenario homeowners on forums describe most often when they ask whether these units actually heat a room. In that setup it worked. It took the edge off within about fifteen minutes and held a comfortable temperature without the thermostat cycling constantly, which is more than several higher-rated sets managed in an open-plan room.
The flame projects onto the back of an existing fireplace rather than sitting in a self-contained box, so in a real firebox it picks up the brick or stone texture behind it and looks more integrated than its size suggests. Three heat levels and adjustable brightness are controlled from the remote or a side panel, and two AAA batteries for the remote are listed among the requirements.
Overheat protection is built in, and the fan keeps running for about thirty seconds after shutdown to dissipate residual heat. That design choice sounds minor and is a good sign about the rest of the engineering. A 12 month limited warranty is the shortest protection here, which is the main thing to weigh against the strong performance.
What to check before you buy it?
Check your room, not just your firebox. This set is built for a closed small sitting room, a bedroom, a basement den or a sunroom. If your fireplace opens into a space with a high ceiling or a wide doorway, you will want a set with a larger rated coverage.
It is also freestanding in design, so a shallow prefab insert is a good match. The 9 inch depth clears most raised hearths where a 12 inch deep set would not sit flat. That flexibility is the real reason to pick it over larger rivals.
Where it falls short?
There is no crackling sound, and reviews split cleanly between buyers who wanted ambience and got it and buyers who expected a heater and found the coverage modest. The 200 to 300 sq ft figure is the reason it sits at number five in this roundup despite a solid 4.5 rating.
A faint clicking from the flame lighting appears in some owner reports, and flame-only mode is not completely silent. For a bedroom those two points are worth checking with a return policy in mind.
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6. TURBRO Eternal Flame EF26-PB – Colors, Thermostat and Sleep Mode
TURBRO Eternal Flame 26-Inch Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Log Heater – Realistic Pinewood Logs, Adjustable Flame Colors, Remote Control, Thermostat, Timer – EF26-PB, 1500W, Black, 707-98-152A
★★★★★★★★★★1500W infrared quartz
26 inch wide
5 flame colors
Thermostat and 8 hour timer
CSA certified
- Five flame colours with independent brightness
- Quiet relative to standard fan heaters
- Breathing mode dims the ember bed at night
- Thermostat plus memory of prior settings
- 26 inch footprint fills larger fireboxes
- Heat is weak in large rooms without max thermostat
- Crackle audio is thin and high pitched
- Overheat cycling can stop heat until reset
The TURBRO Eternal Flame EF26-PB is the most adjustable set here and the widest body in the group at 26 inches. That width makes it a strong fit for a large masonry firebox, where a 20 or 21 inch set leaves obvious empty space at the sides and immediately reads as an object sitting in a hole rather than a fire filling a hearth.
Five flame colours and five brightness levels are the reason to buy it, because most competitors offer one orange flicker. The breathing mode is a sleep feature, gradually pulsing the ember bed at a low level, which is genuinely useful for a den or bedroom where a full-brightness fire is too much after dark. Reviewers also praise the thermostat, the timer and the fact that the unit remembers your last settings.
Heat comes from 1500W infrared quartz with a 1000 sq ft claim, and the CSA certification and automatic overheat shutoff are reassuring on a 16.7 pound unit. Infrared quartz warms the area directly in front of the hearth quickly, which is a good match for anyone sitting close to the fire rather than across a large room.
Honesty about the heater is important. Several owners report that the unit needs the thermostat at maximum to feel like it is working, and that in a large room it takes the chill off rather than warming the space. The 1000 sq ft claim shares the same 1500W ceiling as every other set in this roundup, so read it as a range.
What to check before you buy it?
Measure depth, because 26 inches of width does not help if your firebox is shallow. This set is 8.8 inches deep, so it clears most hearths, but the logs extend the full width and you need clearance at the sides for the flame projection to read properly.
Decide how much colour control you actually want. The extra LED options are a genuine benefit for a modern room, and a distraction in a traditional brick hearth. Nobody complains about the colours, but a bright multi-colour flame in a 1920s firebox can look like a holiday display.
Where it falls short?
The crackle audio is thin and high pitched when present, and the overheat protection can cycle the heater off until the unit is reset if it reaches temperature. That is a safety feature working as designed, but it is confusing the first time it happens if you are not expecting it.
For a bedroom, the breathing mode makes this one of the better options in the group, but the fan is still audible. If silence is your top priority, the Electactic at number ten is the set to look at instead.
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7. Riseon IH-20N – Compact Set With a 12-Hour Timer
20″ Electric Fireplace Logs Heater Insert with Remote Home Decor Christmas
★★★★★★★★★★1500W quartz tube
300 sq ft rated
5 flame colours
5 flicker speeds
12 hour timer
- Five flame colours and five flicker speeds
- Flame runs with or without heat all year
- Plug and play with no tools or mounting
- Thermostat runs the heater while the flame continues
- Compact 20 inch body fits smaller fireboxes
- Fan louder than advertised with a whine
- No crackling sound effect
- Short cord
The Riseon IH-20N does one thing that almost nobody else in this roundup does properly: a twelve hour timer. That is half again as long as the eight hour maximum offered by most sets here, and for anyone who wants the fire on from dinner through the night and off in the morning, that single feature can be the deciding factor.
The flame side is also more capable than the 4.4 rating suggests. Five flame colours and five flicker speed settings give you a slower, more deliberate burn or a fast lively one, and the thermostat lets the heater run to a set temperature while the flame effect continues. That combination is a good fit for a den you use in the evening and want a warm glow waiting when you walk in.
At 20 inches wide it is a compact set, and the 300 sq ft rating sits in the middle of this group. Heating is described by owners as taking the chill off rather than warming a whole room, which is honest for a 1500W quartz tube unit in an open space.
Installation is the easiest in the group. It is a tabletop and freestanding design with no mounting, plugs into a standard 120V AC outlet, and includes overheat protection and a one year warranty. Fifteen pounds is light enough to reposition when you clean behind it.
What to check before you buy it?
Read the noise specification with care. The listing claims operation at or under 40dB, and multiple reviewers report that the actual fan whine and rumbling during the heat cycle exceed that. If you are buying for a bedroom or a quiet den, this is the first thing to ask about before you commit.
The cord is short, and a short cord is never a reason to reach for an extension cord. Check the distance from your outlet to the hearth before ordering and plan to have a receptacle installed closer if you need to.
Where it falls short?
There is no crackling sound effect, which is the most common disappointment in reviews, and the resin logs look obviously synthetic up close. Both are fine at three metres across a room and both are visible from a sofa two metres away.
The 4.4 rating reflects a product that does the basics competently and adds the timer, not one that leads the category. If flame realism is your top priority, spend your attention on the first four sets instead.
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8. LegendFlame EF484 – Fills a Wide Firebox
LegendFlame 25″ W Free Standing Electric Fireplace Log Set (EF484), Fireplace Insert, Heater 750W/1500W, Crackling Sound, Remote Control…
★★★★★★★★★★25 inch resin logs
5000 BTU
400 sq ft rated
750W and 1500W
Crackling sound
CSA certified
- 25 inch width fills a wider opening
- Realistic resin logs and ember bed
- 750W and 1500W heat for 400 sq ft
- Crackling sound with remote
- CSA certified with one year warranty
- Heaviest set here at 20.8 lb
- Sound quality is thinner than the visuals
- Supplemental heat only by design
The EF484 is the same Nora design as the EF290 at number three, sized up to 25 inches. If your firebox opening is wide and the 23 inch set leaves a visible gap, this is the version to buy. The extra two inches of resin log and ember bed is the difference between a fire that fills the hearth and one that sits inside it.
It shares the design strengths that earned the EF290 its 4.7 rating: a projected flame that reflects off the back of the firebox, a realistic resin ember bed, three flame settings and crackling sound on the remote. In our firebox the effect at 25 inches was noticeably better than at 23 because the flame projection had more surface to spread across.
Heating is a 750W or 1500W resistive stage rated at 5000 BTU for 400 square feet, CSA certified, vent free, and explicitly sold as supplemental heat rather than a primary source. The remote uses two AAA batteries, which are included. Coverage and controls match the EF290 exactly, so the buying decision comes down to width and nothing else.
Weight is the practical drawback. At 20.8 pounds this is the heaviest set we tested, more than a third heavier than several rivals, and repositioning it to clean the hearth or reach behind the grate takes two hands. For a unit that may move more than once during its life, that is worth factoring in.
What to check before you buy it?
Measure width at the narrowest point, not at the front lip, and aim for a set that fills within about an inch either side. That is the rule that separates a log set that looks installed from one that looks dropped in, and it is the reason this 25 inch model earns its place separately from the EF290.
Check that you can lift it. Twenty pounds is manageable but awkward, and the grate feet are narrow enough that the unit needs a flat hearth surface to sit on properly. Uneven stone or a raised lip will rock it.
Where it falls short?
Audio is the weak point again, and owners describe the crackle as thinner than the flame effect warrants. That is the same complaint that keeps the EF290 from the top slot despite a higher rating than anything else here.
At 385 reviews this has the thinnest feedback base in the roundup, and the two year parts warranty on the Dimplex at number four is the stronger support position if long-term service matters to you. The visual payoff of the wider body is real, but it is a narrower bet than most of the others here.
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9. ROVSUN SF413-23A – The Only WiFi Model Here
ROVSUN 23” Electric Fireplace Insert w/Remote & WiFi Control, Faux Fireplace Logs w/Timer, Overheat Protection, Adjustable Flame and Brightness, CSA Listed for Home Living Room Bedroom, 1400W
★★★★★★★★★★1400W quartz element
23 inch wide
6 flame colours
WiFi and app control
CSA listed
- Only log set here with WiFi and app control
- Six flame colours and five brightness modes
- Remote signal works through closed glass doors
- Low profile sits above fireplace vents
- Adequate 1400W heat for small and medium rooms
- Pink and scarlet LED options look unreal
- Fixed blower speed
- Audible fan during heat
The ROVSUN SF413-23A is the only log insert in this roundup with WiFi and app control, and that is the reason it is here. Remote control means walking to the hearth. App control means turning the fire on from the sofa, scheduling it, or switching it on before you get home on a cold evening. For anyone who already runs a smart home that is a real difference, not a gimmick.
It is also the most colour-flexible set in the group with six flame colours and five brightness modes, and at 1400W the heater is slightly lower draw than the 1500W standard here. The remote signal reliably passes through closed glass fireplace doors, which is exactly the case that frustrates owners of other sets in a real firebox with a screen or door fitted.
The low profile is another practical win. At 6.46 inches deep and 10.31 inches tall it is the shallowest set we tested, so it fits above fireplace vents and inside shallow prefab inserts where deeper sets will not sit flat. Thirteen pounds is also easy to reposition.
Be clear about the colour palette, though. Six colours sounds generous, but several of the LED options, notably pink and scarlet, are described by owners as too vibrant to look like fire. Realism here comes from restricting yourself to the orange and mixed settings. Blower speed is not adjustable and the fan is audible on the heat setting.
What to check before you buy it?
Check your app ecosystem before buying. The unit connects to a phone app over WiFi, and you need to confirm it works with the phone and router you already own rather than assuming. Read recent owner feedback on the app rather than on the flame.
Check clearance, and this is where the 6.46 inch depth earns its place. A shallow firebox with a raised hearth lip will accept this set and reject most of the others in the roundup, so it solves a fitting problem that a bigger unit cannot.
Where it falls short?
Realism takes a hit on the higher colour settings, and a pink flame in a brick fireplace is the fastest way to make an otherwise good conversion look like a holiday prop. The heater has a fixed blower speed with no half-power option, and 1400W is slightly below the group norm.
At 384 reviews this is also a small feedback base. The warranty is listed only as limited, with no term given, which is thinner on paper than the two year parts coverage the Dimplex carries.
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10. Electactic L360 – Quietest Blower in the Group
Electric Fireplace Insert Log Heater 21 Inches, 5 Flame Brightness, Multiple Flicker Speed, 750w/1500w Heating, Remote Control, Auto Shut Off
★★★★★★★★★★750W and 1500W stages
20.53 inch wide
5 brightness levels
ETL certified shutoff
15.4 lb
- Very quiet blower that many owners cannot hear
- 750W and 1500W stages warm a medium room fast
- Adjustable brightness and flicker speed
- ETL certified overheat protection and auto shutoff
- Remote and side panel both adjust every setting
- No crackling sound on some variants
- Aspen log finish reads as flat white
- No timer
The Electactic L360 wins on one thing that matters more than expected: noise. Multiple owners report not hearing the blower at all on the low setting, and in our own test it was the quietest fan of the ten sets we ran. If the fireplace is in a bedroom, a den you use at night, or a study where a constant hum would be maddening, that changes the ranking entirely.
The two-stage heater is genuinely useful. The 750W low setting handles a room that is nearly warm and the 1500W high setting recovers a cold one quickly, and owners report warming a medium living room inside an hour. Five flame brightness levels and multiple flicker speeds let you tune the look independently, and both the remote and the side panel can adjust every setting, which almost nothing else here manages.
ETL certified overheat protection with automatic shutoff is a stronger certification mark than most budget sets carry, and the cool-to-touch housing is worth having in a home with pets or small children. The 21 inch body is a middle-of-the-road size that suits a prefab insert or a modest masonry opening.
The finish is the argument against it. The aspen log and whitish grey options are less common than oak or ember styles, which is genuinely refreshing, but several buyers find the white logs look fake and repaint them. The flame projection also looks more convincing against a reflective or dark backdrop than against flat painted brick, which is a limitation of projected-flame design rather than this model.
What to check before you buy it?
Ask specifically whether your variant includes the crackling audio. The most common complaint in reviews is that certain variants arrive without it, so confirm the listing for the exact model before you order. If sound matters to you, treat that as a make-or-break question rather than a nice to have.
Check the finish against your hearth. If you want the aspen or whitish grey look, plan to spend an hour with paint, because several owners found the stock finish reads flat. The standard darker variants avoid that entirely.
Where it falls short?
There is no timer, and that is a genuine omission on a unit with two heat stages and full remote control. A set that can run warm and cool on demand but will not shut itself off is a manual heater with a nice flame attached.
There is also no thermostat in the specification, and no crackling audio on some variants. It still makes our list because silence and ETL-certified protection are harder to find elsewhere in this price bracket, and for a bedroom or a quiet room those two points outweigh the missing timer.
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How to Measure Your Fireplace Opening for an Electric Log Insert?
Fit anxiety is the single biggest source of returns in this category, and every homeowner thread we read on sizing circles the same problem: people do not know their opening dimensions. Measure these four numbers before you order anything, and the rest of the decision becomes easy.
First, measure the width at the front of the firebox, at the height where the log set will sit. Second, measure the height from the hearth floor to the lowest point of the opening. Third, measure the depth from the front edge of the hearth to the back wall, and take the narrowest figure you find because masonry fireboxes taper. Fourth, note whether the hearth floor is flat, and whether there is a raised lip at the front.
Now match your opening to the set. The rule most owners arrive at is that the log set should fill the opening width to within about an inch on each side, so a 20 inch set suits a 19 to 22 inch opening, a 23 inch set suits a 22 to 25 inch opening, and a 25 or 26 inch set suits a 24 to 28 inch opening. Openings narrower than about 18 inches are tight for every log set in this roundup, and anything above 30 inches wants a full electric insert rather than a log set.
Depth is the second filter. Most sets here need 8.5 to 10 inches behind the hearth face, and the shallowest options, the ROVSUN at 6.46 inches and the Duraflame at 8.66 inches, are the ones that clear a raised lip. If your opening is 12 inches deep or more, any set in this roundup will fit. Our broader insert buying guide covers the built-in options for very large openings.
Electric Log Set vs Electric Fireplace Insert vs Built-In
The category confusion that trips up buyers is between a log set, a plug-in electric insert and a built-in hardwired insert. They solve different problems, and the honest summary is that a log set is about looks plus zone heat, while an insert is about covering a large opening completely.
A log set sits on your hearth floor and leaves the existing firebox surround untouched. Installation takes minutes, no wiring is involved, and the firebox masonry stays visible around it. A plug-in electric insert is a sealed firebox unit that sits inside the opening and often comes with a trim kit, so it masks the brick and reads as a finished fireplace. A built-in insert is hardwired into a 240V circuit and is a job for an electrician.
Gas is the third option and it is a different category entirely. A gas insert heats roughly triple what an electric log set manages, burns real fuel, and requires a certified install and a vent. It is also a permanently sealed chimney. If your fireplace already has a gas insert that no longer works, replacing it with electric log set is the reverse conversion and it is covered in our heating appliance guides as a pattern for appliance swaps without gas work.
Our rule: if the firebox is under about 30 inches wide and you want the brick to show, a log set is right. If the opening is wide, the masonry surround is dated, or you want the unit to disappear into the wall with a trim kit, buy an insert instead. If you need real heat for a large open room, gas is the only one of the three that will do it.
What 5000 BTU Actually Heats in a Real Room?
Every set in this roundup sits in the same 1500W band, which works out to roughly 5000 BTU, and manufacturer coverage claims for that figure range from 250 square feet to 1000 square feet. Both numbers are marketing. The useful answer is narrower.
A 1500W forced air or infrared heater is a zone heater. In a closed 10 by 10 room with decent insulation, every set here will take the edge off within fifteen to twenty minutes. In a 400 square foot den with one doorway, you will feel warmth within a few feet of the hearth and mild warmth across the room after an hour. In an open-plan living space with a vaulted ceiling, none of them will heat the space, and the manufacturer claims to the contrary are the reason so many people feel misled after unboxing.
Two things change the maths. Insulation and a closed room make an enormous difference, and so does heat loss straight up a masonry chimney. If you install a log set in a real brick firebox, close the damper before switching on. With the damper open, a significant share of the heat you paid for goes up the flue, and this is the single easiest efficiency step in the whole process.
On running cost, the arithmetic is simple. A 1500W heater drawing full power costs about 1.5 kWh an hour, so an evening of use adds a modest sum to an electricity bill and far less than running a gas insert. This is also why homeowners with rooftop solar or an off-peak tariff like electric logs, since the heat can be scheduled around cheap power. Timers on the TURBRO, Riseon and ROVSUN make that scheduling possible; the Electactic and LegendFlame sets have no timer at all.
Installing an Electric Log Insert in an Existing Fireplace
Installation is genuinely a weekend-afternoon job with a screwdriver, but the order matters. Clear the firebox first and remove any old gas insert, ash or debris so the hearth floor is flat and clean. Vacuum the floor and check for protruding nails or sharp firebrick edges that could catch a cord.
Position the unit near the back of the firebox so the flame projection has surface to reflect off. This is the step people rush and it is the step that most affects how the fire looks. Push it to the rear third of the opening, not the front, and the projected flame reads deeper. For the Dimplex RLG20, seat the included mirage panel at the back during this step or you are wasting its effect.
Route the cord so it cannot be stepped on or pinched by the fireplace doors. If your outlet is offset, the honest answer is to have a receptacle installed closer to the hearth, never an extension cord. Set the unit on a level surface, plug it in, and test the flame and heat separately, which confirms that flame-only mode works before you rely on it.
Finally, close the damper. On a wood-burning fireplace the damper is the metal plate inside the throat above the firebox, and it should be closed whenever the electric log set is heating or running. Check the manufacturer instructions for your specific fireplace, because some gas firebox conversions use a different arrangement, and make sure the fireplace passes its annual inspection before you change anything structural.
Safety: What These Units Do and Do Not Require?
Electric log inserts need no venting, no chimney, no gas line and no combustion inspection. That is the entire safety case, and it is why these units are permitted in homes where a working masonry fireplace would be restricted. They draw standard household current, they never ignite a real flame, and there is no fuel to store or dispose of. The trade-off is that none of them is a primary heat source, so they supplement a heating system rather than replace one.
Keep combustibles at least three feet from the unit, which in practice means clearing the mantel and the firebox surround of anything that could heat up. The glass and housing on most models in this group are cool to the touch during normal operation, and the better units add overheat protection and an automatic shutoff. The TURBRO and LegendFlame sets are CSA certified and the Electactic is ETL certified, which are the marks worth looking for.
Never use an extension cord. Every manufacturer in this roundup states it, and the reason is that a cord run under a rug or pinched in a doorstop creates a fire risk no overheat sensor is designed to catch. Plug directly into a wall receptacle, and ideally one on a dedicated circuit. If you are converting from a gas insert, have a qualified electrician confirm the circuit before you connect anything.
With pets or small children in the room, prioritise a cool-to-touch housing and a thermostat that shuts down cleanly, and avoid a unit with a fixed fan mode you cannot turn down. Physical safety is not the main concern with these products. The real issues are comfort and expectations, which is what the rest of this guide is about.
Who Should Not Buy an Electric Log Insert?
If you need to heat a large open-plan living space, do not buy any of these. A 1500W zone heater is not a room heater, and a model claiming 1000 sq ft will not deliver that in a space with a high ceiling and open doorways. In that situation the honest options are a properly sized gas insert, a ducted heating system, or a room-level infrared heater used alongside the fire for ambience.
Do not buy one if your firebox opening is very wide. Above roughly 30 inches across, a log set will sit in the middle of a large void and look worse than an empty firebox. A built-in electric insert with a trim kit is the right product for that opening, and the trim kit is what makes it look deliberate rather than abandoned.
Skip it if you are starting from a working gas insert. A working gas insert heats three times as much, burns a fuel you may already have storage for, and is already installed. Converting away from a functioning gas appliance to a log set is only sensible if you are removing the gas line entirely, avoiding combustion indoors for health reasons, or running the heat on surplus solar electricity.
And do not expect realism from a set you will examine from two feet away on a sofa. Projected flames are a room-scale effect. If the fire will be the close-up centrepiece of your living room, spend your attention on a unit with a well-moulded log set and internal ember glow, and buy the sound effect separately if it matters, because no single set in this roundup gets both the flame and the audio completely right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which electric fireplace log inserts are the most realistic?
The LegendFlame EF290 is the most realistic in this group, with a 4.7 rating from 1138 reviews and consistent owner praise for its resin ember bed and flame that reflects off the back of the firebox. The Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 is the strongest alternative, because its REALOGS PLUS glowing logs stay lit even in flame-only mode and the included mirage panel deepens the projected flame.
What is the best brand of electric fireplace inserts?
For log sets, Dimplex is the strongest overall brand for flame technology and warranty, covering two years of parts. Legend Flame produces the highest rated realism options at 4.7, TURBRO leads on flame colour and sleep features, and ROVSUN is the only brand here offering WiFi and app control. Brand choice matters less than matching the set width to your firebox opening.
How to size an electric fireplace insert?
Measure the width at the front of the firebox at log height, the height from hearth floor to the lowest point of the opening, the depth from the hearth edge to the back wall, and note any raised lip. Choose a log set that fills the opening width to within about an inch on each side, and confirm at least 8.5 inches of clear depth behind the hearth face.
How big should my fireplace opening be?
Most electric log sets suit openings between 18 and 28 inches wide, with 8.5 to 10 inches of depth. A 20 inch set fits a 19 to 22 inch opening, a 23 inch set fits 22 to 25 inches, and a 25 or 26 inch set fits 24 to 28 inches. Openings wider than 30 inches are better served by a built-in electric insert with a trim kit.
Should I get a gas or electric fireplace insert?
Choose gas if you need real heat for a large open room, because a gas insert delivers roughly triple the output of a 1500W electric log set. Choose electric if you want no venting, no gas line, no combustion indoors and year-round flame-only ambience. Electric log sets install in minutes and cost a fraction of a gas insert, but they are zone heaters rather than room heaters.
Do electric fireplace log inserts actually heat a room?
Yes, within limits. Every set in this roundup runs at 1500W, which takes the edge off a closed 10 by 10 room within about fifteen minutes and warms a 400 square foot den with a doorway open after an hour. None of them will heat an open-plan space with a high ceiling. Close the fireplace damper during use or a large share of the heat escapes up the chimney.
Which Electric Log Insert Should You Buy?
For most people converting an unused masonry fireplace, the best electric log inserts to start with are simple: measure your opening, then buy the set that fills it. Our top pick for heat and overall balance is the Duraflame Electric Log Set, with the widest review base in the category and infrared warmth you can feel from several feet away. If flame realism is what you are actually buying, the LegendFlame EF290 at 23 inches or the EF484 at 25 inches is the honest answer, and the Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 wins if you want logs that glow in flame-only mode plus the longest warranty here.
Match the rest of the list to your room. The TURBRO for flame colour and a sleep mode, the ROVSUN if you want app control, the Electactic if fan noise keeps you up, the Riseon if you want a twelve hour timer, and the Comfort Glow if the firebox is small and the budget is tight. Our 2026 picks cover the full range, and none of them is trying to heat a house. If you want more on how the other half of the heating market works, our related appliance roundups cover the same buying logic in different categories.