A fireplace insert is a self-contained heater that slides inside an existing masonry or factory-built fireplace, sealing the firebox so combustion heat goes into the room instead of up the chimney. Inserts for existing fireplaces burn wood, gas, pellets, ethanol or electricity, and they turn a drafty open hearth into a controlled and efficient heat source.
That efficiency jump is the reason people buy them. A traditional open fireplace delivers roughly 15% of its fuel energy to the room, a gas insert gets close to 70%, and an EPA-certified wood insert clears 75% by pulling heat through a heat exchanger before it exits the flue.
This guide covers the best fireplace inserts for existing fireplaces, and every unit below comes from a set of twelve electric inserts and electric log sets suited to retrofit work. I spent two months reading the owner review data on all twelve, comparing published opening dimensions against real firebox sizes, and sorting units by the things that actually drive returns: depth, cord position, heat output and control access.
One honest limitation up front. Twelve electric units is what the analyzed set contains and all twelve are written up here, so this roundup does not compare wood, pellet or gas inserts head to head. Where the flue liner and fuel decision matter, the buying guide covers what those questions actually involve.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Fireplace Inserts for Existing Fireplaces (October 2026)
These three lead on different axes: overall balance of rating and owner feedback, smart-home control, and fit for shallow fireboxes.
PuraFlame Western
- 4600 BTU output
- 400 sq ft coverage
- Plug-in 1500W element
- Three-sided brick interior
Touchstone Forte 40 inch
- Alexa and WiFi enabled
- 5.5 inch cabinet depth
- 30 ember and flame options
- Recessed or wall mount
Electactic 36 inch
- 3.86 inch ultra-thin body
- 12 flame and 12 ember colors
- 45 dB sleep mode
- Touch screen plus remote
The PuraFlame Western takes the top spot for scoring well on every axis a buyer cares about: 4.7 stars across 4589 reviews, a drop-in flat bottom, and a log-and-ember presentation owners describe as convincing. The Touchstone Forte wins on control and on a cabinet depth of 5.5 inches, which is the difference between fitting and not fitting a shallow firebox. The Electactic is the value pick, with a 3.86 inch body and the widest flame customization in the group.
All 12 Fireplace Inserts for Existing Fireplaces in 2026
Here is the full lineup in one view. Depth is the column most buyers underestimate.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert |
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| Touchstone Forte 40 inch Smart Electric Fireplace |
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| Electactic 36 inch Ultra-Thin Insert |
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 Duraflame Electric Log Set with Infrared Flames |
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 Valuxhome 36 Inch Fireplace Insert |
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 GIANTEX 28.5 Inch Electric Fireplace Insert |
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 PuraFlame Klaus Insert with Glass Door |
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 Dimplex Revillusion 20 Inch Log Insert |
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 LegendFlame 23 Inch Electric Log Set |
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 Masarflame 36 inch Retro Electric Insert |
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 RICHFLAME Edward 33 Inch Insert |
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 TURBRO Eternal Flame 26 Inch Log Heater |
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1. PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert: Best Overall for an Existing Fireplace
PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert with Fire Crackling Sound, Remote Control, 750/1500W, Black, 33 1/16 Inches Wide, 25 9/16 Inches High
4600 BTU
400 sq ft coverage
1500W plug-in
35.04 W x 26.99 H x 8.78 D in
Pros
- Realistic resin log and ember bed
- Three flame settings with or without heat
- Drop-in flat-bottom installation
- Remote and adjustable thermostat included
- Three-sided interior brick wall
Cons
- Plug-in only and cannot be hard wired
- Supplemental heat rather than primary heat
- 8.78 inch depth needs a deep firebox
The Western is the insert I keep coming back to for people who want a traditional-looking fire in a fireplace that has been dead for years. It measures 35.04 inches wide by 26.99 inches high, and the 32 inch by 25.56 inch firebox drops into openings common in mid-century masonry hearths. Owners consistently report the resin log on its grate plus the ember bed reads as a real wood fire once the flame settles in.
Heat output is 4600 BTU with listed coverage of 400 square feet, across 750W and 1500W levels. That is supplemental warmth for a living room or den, not a whole-house system. I would size it to a room you sit in rather than an open plan, because 1500W of forced air loses ground in a serious cold snap.
Two design details matter more than the spec sheet suggests. The flat bottom means the unit can sit on the hearth floor rather than standing proud of a shallow surround, which saves you from trimming masonry. And the three flame intensity settings work with or without heat, so you can run the ambience in July without adding to your load.
The constraint is power. This is plug-in only and cannot be hard wired, so you need a 120V outlet within reach of the firebox. At 46.7 pounds it is a two-person lift, and the 8.78 inch depth means a shallow firebox will leave the face standing forward rather than flush.
What the PuraFlame Western does well in an existing fireplace
The strongest pattern in the 4589 reviews is that the appearance survives close inspection. Owners who had written off their fireplace as a 1970s hole in the wall report that the brick-side interior and resin log changed how the room reads. With an adjustable thermostat it works as a room heater that happens to look like a fireplace, and it needs nothing from you but an outlet.
Where the PuraFlame Western falls short
Expect to reach the unit to change temperature. The thermostat is not remote-adjustable, so a long evening at a fixed setting means getting up, and the 400 square feet figure assumes a closed room in moderate weather. Measure the back of the firebox, not just the front opening, before ordering.
2. Touchstone Forte 40 Inch Smart Electric Fireplace: Best Insert for Smart Homes
Touchstone Smart Electric Fireplace-The Forte 40″ Recessed Mounted-30 Realistic Ember Color/Flame Options-1,500W Heater w/Thermostat-Black-Log & Crystal Hearth Options-Alexa/WiFi Enabled
5100 BTU
400 sq ft coverage
5.5 inch depth
Alexa and WiFi control
Pros
- Shallow 5.5 inch cabinet depth
- Works with Alexa plus Google Home and app
- 30 ember and flame options
- Sides and back stay cool to the touch
- Log and crystal hearth options included
Cons
- Higher cost than most 40 inch electric inserts
- Supplemental heat only
- Remote batteries not included
- Needs 8 inch clearance above the unit
The Forte solves the problem that stops most people: depth. Its cabinet is only 5.1 inches deep with a 5.5 inch firebox, so it fits tight recesses where a traditional 8.8 inch insert will not go. Item dimensions are 40 inches wide by 26.5 inches high and the firebox measures 39.25 inches by 28 inches, so you need a wide opening for a shallow one.
It can be hardwired or plugged into a 110-120V outlet, drawing a maximum of 12 amps on a 15-amp circuit. That flexibility matters in old houses where the nearest outlet is in another room, and a wall-mount bracket is included if you would rather surface-mount than recess it.
The control story is the real differentiator. It works with Alexa, Google Home and a mobile app, plus an IR remote, and offers 30 combinations of ember color and flame option through a 1500W heater with its own thermostat. Owners running a smart home can tie heat into routines rather than walking over to a dial.
Front-facing heater vents mean it can sit as close as 8 inches below a television, and the sides and back stay cool to the touch during operation. For a mantel wall where a traditional insert needs clearance above the face, that is a real installation saving.
When the Touchstone Forte is the right choice
Pick it when your firebox is deep but narrow, or when you want to recess a fire into a shallow wall build-out. It is also the strongest option here for anyone already running a smart home, and because it ships with both faux logs and crystals you can change the look from traditional to contemporary in minutes.
What to watch for before buying the Forte
It costs more than most other 40 inch electric inserts, and the smart features are the reason. It still needs a nearby outlet or hardwiring, and the 8 inch clearance above the unit applies if you are protecting a mantel. Plan the outlet before the unit arrives, because a new circuit is the most common reason a purchase gets delayed.
3. Electactic 36 Inch Ultra-Thin Insert: Budget Pick for Shallow Fireboxes
Electactic 36 Inch Electric Fireplace Insert Ultra-Thin – Recessed & Wall-Mounted Fireplace Heater with Thermostat, Adjustable Flame, Remote Control – Linear with Timer, Touch Screen, 750/1500W
5100 BTU
3.86 inch depth
36 W x 18.11 H
Touch screen plus remote
Pros
- Ultra-thin 3.86 inch frameless body
- 12 flame and 12 ember bed colors
- Quiet 45 dB operation with sleep mode
- Remote and touch screen dual control
- Quick tool-free assembly
Cons
- Shorter 18 inch height than traditional inserts
- Heat throws forward rather than filling a room
- Slightly loud at the high heat setting
- Short power cord
The Electactic is the shallowest insert in this roundup at 3.86 inches deep, and the frameless bezel is what makes it look expensive. At 36 inches wide by 18.11 inches high it is a wide and low unit, so it suits a shallow firebox or a media wall where vertical space is tight. It is also the one here that looks most like a built-in television rather than a freestanding heater.
Heating is 5100 BTU across 750W and 1500W infrared modes with a one to eight hour timer and listed coverage of 400 square feet. Assembly is fast, with owners commonly reporting around 20 minutes from unboxing to a running unit, and at 28.7 pounds it is one of the lighter units here.
Customization is where this unit outruns the field. You get 12 flame colors and 12 ember bed colors, each with adjustable brightness and speed, meaning a cool blue ember for summer and a warm amber for winter from the same appliance. There is overheat protection, LED flame technology, and a sleep mode that drops the unit to 45 dB.
Control is doubled up as a safety net with both a remote control and a touch screen panel, and the log and remote are included. Having two ways to start it matters if the remote batteries die mid-winter, a complaint that shows up on several units in this category.
Why the Electactic works for most existing fireplaces
Depth is the whole argument. If your masonry firebox is old, shallow, or has a raised step or lintel that eats clearance, a 3.86 inch cabinet gets in where an 8.8 inch unit cannot. That single spec resolves most of the sizing problems owners describe on homeowner forums, where people routinely order standard-depth inserts and hit the rear wall.
Where the Electactic disappoints
The 18.11 inch height is the tradeoff, because in a tall traditional brick firebox it sits low and leaves visible brick above the face. Heat projects forward rather than filling a large open room, the fan is slightly loud on the high setting, and the cord is short, so plan an outlet close to the recess.
4. Duraflame Electric Log Set with Infrared Flames: Best No-Install Value
duraflame Electric Log Set 1,000 Sq Ft Heater, Faux Logs Insert with Infrared Flames for Existing Fireplaces, Remote Control Included
Quartz infrared heat
1000 sq ft claimed
20.51 W x 8.66 D x 12.6 H
13.6 pounds
Pros
- Fits almost any existing fireplace
- No installation or construction required
- Bottom-mounted blower throws heat into the room
- Lightweight and portable at 13.6 pounds
- Remote control included with batteries
Cons
- Real coverage falls short of the 1000 sq ft claim
- Single 1500W setting with no low option
- Ember glow cycles in a fixed pattern
- Short power cord
This is less a box that slides into the firebox than a log set you place on the hearth, and that is why it belongs here. At 20.51 inches wide, 8.66 inches deep and 12.6 inches high it clears almost any existing opening without brackets, screws or masonry work, which makes it the fastest path to a working fireplace in a house where the flue is unusable.
Heat comes from a bottom-mounted infrared quartz blower at 5199.98 BTU, which throws warmth forward into the room rather than up into the flue. That placement is the smart part of the design. There is no assembly, you plug it in and place it, and long-term owners report six-plus years of daily winter use on the same unit.
Appearance is better than the category usually delivers. The split-oak log set with infrared heat reads convincingly at night and the ember bed gives the firebox a glow, with independent flame and heat controls so you can run ambience without the blower. An overheat safety cutoff handles the rest, and a one-year limited warranty is the shortest here, so treat it as a seasonal appliance.
Where the Duraflame log set earns its place
Rentals, basements, sunrooms, and any house where the chimney has been lined for a furnace conversion are the use cases. It is also the gentlest introduction for an owner who has never had a working fireplace: nothing to install, nothing to permit, nothing to sign off, and at 13.6 pounds you can move it between rooms in seconds.
What the Duraflame log set cannot do
The 1000 square foot figure is optimistic, and reviewers say so more than any other complaint. There is one heat setting at 1500W with no partial option, so you get all of the noise and none of the moderation, and the ember glow cycles in a fixed repeating pattern. The thermostat is adjustable only on the unit, never from the remote, and the cord runs short.
5. Valuxhome 36 Inch Fireplace Insert: Best Fit for a Standard Masonry Opening
Valuxhome 36 Inches Fireplace Insert
5100 BTU
400 sq ft
Minimum opening 32.6 W x 8.6 D x 26.4 H
750W and 1500W
Pros
- Slots into a standard 36 by 27 masonry opening
- Heats roughly 400 sq ft in about 15 minutes
- Covered front control panel
- Five brightness levels and three light colors
- Remote reaches about 15 feet
Cons
- Crackling sound is tinny and easily switched off
- Remote only turns the unit on and off
- About 9 inch depth leaves logs close to the glass
- Faux brick does not cover the back screen
Most older masonry fireboxes were built around a 36 by 27 inch opening, and this is the insert designed for that number. The stated minimum opening is 32.6 inches wide by 8.6 inches deep by 26.4 inches high, with front dimensions of 35.63 inches by 8.84 inches by 27.5 inches and a narrower back at 32.23 inches.
That back-dimension figure is the detail most buyers skip, and it is the one that decides whether a traditional-depth insert fits. Owners report the unit going in with brackets and screws and no masonry work, with the covered front control panel keeping the face looking authentic once it is seated.
Heat is 5100 BTU at 750W or 1500W with a 1-9 hour timer and overheat protection, and owners report warming a mid-sized room in roughly 15 minutes with radiant heat. There is a built-in log speaker with a crackling effect you can switch off, five flame brightness levels, three top light colors, and a 6-foot power cable with remote included.
Why the Valuxhome suits a standard 36 inch opening
If your firebox measures close to 36 by 27 inches and you want a traditional brick interior rather than a modern frameless panel, this is the shortest path. The dimensional spec is published clearly, which is rare in this category, and the timer plus overheat protection make it a sensible second zone heater alongside another room.
Where owners complain about the Valuxhome
The crackling audio is the most repeated criticism, described as tinny, artificial or comical, and plenty of owners disable it entirely. The remote acts only as a power switch, so flame brightness and heat need the front panel, and at roughly 9 inches deep the logs sit close to the glass with brick that does not cover the back flame screen.
6. GIANTEX 28.5 Inch Electric Fireplace Insert: Best for Small and Narrow Fireboxes
Giantex 28.5″ Electric Fireplace Insert, Wall Recessed/Mounted, Freestanding Fireplace with Remote Control, 3 Color Adjustable Flames, 2 Modes Heat, 8 H Timer, 5 Brightness Settings, 750/1500W Heater
5118 BTU
28.5 W x 6 D x 21 H
750W and 1500W modes
ETL certified
Pros
- Compact 28.5 inch width fits smaller fireboxes
- Works recessed or wall mounted or freestanding
- Three flame colors and five brightness levels
- Adjustable thermostat from 62F to 82F
- ETL certified with overheat cutoff
Cons
- 6 inch depth may not fill a deep masonry firebox
- Supplemental heat only
- Flame effect less realistic than brick-interior models
- Remote coin-cell battery not always included
Not every fireplace was built for a 36 inch appliance. The GIANTEX is 28.5 inches wide, 6 inches deep and 21 inches high, making it the most compact full insert in the roundup. It is the one to look at when your opening is a narrow prefab hearth, or when a 35 inch face would overlap the brick liner on both sides.
Installation flexibility is unusual at this size. The same unit works recessed in a wall, surface mounted, freestanding on a mantel, or dropped into an existing firebox. For a rented flat or a room with no chimney at all, that versatility removes the need to find a fireplace opening in the first place.
Control is simple and complete: three flame color options with five brightness settings, an adjustable thermostat from 62F to 82F, and a 0-8 hour timer, operated by remote or a manual touch panel. Heat runs at 750W low and 1500W high, the unit is ETL certified with overheat cut-off, and at 25.7 pounds it is easy to move between rooms.
When the GIANTEX is the right size match
Measure first, then buy narrow. If your firebox is 30 inches wide or less, several inserts in this list will not pass through the opening at all and this one will. It also suits prefab fireplaces, converted coal chutes and shallow built-in hearths, and one appliance can cover both a recessed living room wall and a freestanding spot in a sunroom.
What the GIANTEX does not solve
At 6 inches deep it can look small inside a deep masonry firebox, leaving visible brick or liner around it. The flame effect is decorative rather than photoreal, heating is supplemental only, and the remote runs on a coin-cell lithium battery that is not always included in the box.
7. PuraFlame Klaus Insert with Glass Door: Best Traditional Wood-Burning Look
PuraFlame Klaus Electric Fireplace Insert with Fire Crackling Sound, Glass Door and Mesh Screen, 750/1500W, Black, 33 1/16 Inches Wide, 25 9/16 Inches High
4600 BTU
400 sq ft coverage
35.04 W x 26.96 H x 8.78 D
Glass door
Pros
- Glass door and mesh screen give the most traditional look in the group
- Three flame settings with variable intensity
- Operates with or without heat for year-round use
- Flat bottom can sit on the hearth floor
- Energy-saving LED flame technology
Cons
- Plug-in only and cannot be hard wired
- Supplemental heat up to 400 sq ft
- Heaviest unit in its class at 25.9 kg
- 8.78 inch depth needs a deep firebox
The Klaus is the one to buy if the complaint about electric inserts is that they look like televisions. It has a glass door and a mesh screen across the front, which frames the resin log and ember bed the way a sealed wood stove frames a real fire. Owners switching from a working wood fireplace say it is the closest the category gets without refitting the hearth for combustion.
Size is effectively identical to the Western at 35.04 inches wide by 26.96 inches high and 8.78 inches deep, and the three-sided interior brick wall wraps the firebox on three sides. Heat output is 4600 BTU for supplemental coverage up to 400 square feet, split across 750W and 1500W.
Three flame settings with variable intensity and brightness run with or without heat, and the flat bottom means it can sit directly on the hearth floor if the firebox is too shallow to recess it. The door, log, remote and manual are all in the box along with two AAA batteries, and the ember bed stays lit independently of the heat at minimal running cost.
Where the Klaus earns its higher rating
At 4.7 stars across 1580 reviews, satisfaction is concentrated on appearance rather than heat, with an 85% five-star share that is unusually high for the category. If the fireplace sits in a traditional room with brick, millwork or a carved mantel, matching that style matters more than a frameless modern look.
What to consider before choosing the Klaus
It is plug-in only, so an outlet has to be reachable, and at 25.9 kilograms it is the heaviest unit here, which makes repositioning a two-person job. Heating is explicitly supplemental rather than a primary heat source, and the 8.78 inch depth will leave the face proud of a shallow surround.
8. Dimplex Revillusion 20 Inch Log Insert: Best Authentic-Looking Log Set
Dimplex Revillusion Electric Fireplace Log Insert – 20 Inch Faux Wooden Logs, Plug in Electric Heater; Remote Control Included – Supplemental Zone Heat | Model #RLG20
5118 BTU
23.75 W x 12.5 D x 19 H
11 pounds
Requires 24 W x 14 D x 22 H
Pros
- Realogs Plus glowing logs read as the most authentic set available
- Revillusion flame projects off the included Mirage panel
- Lightweight at 11 pounds
- Flames run independently of heat
- Multi-function remote with batteries included
Cons
- Ash mat not included
- 1500W zone heat is supplemental
- Needs a 24 W by 14 D by 22 H opening with clearance underneath
- Seal existing fireplace drafts before placing
Dimplex solves the realism problem differently from full inserts: instead of a brick surround, it uses a log set with a reflective panel behind it. The Realogs Plus logs sit on a durable metal base, and the Revillusion flame effect projects off the included Mirage panel, so the fire reads as larger and brighter than a flat LED panel can manage.
It measures 23.75 inches wide by 19 inches high and 12.5 inches deep, and needs a 24 inch wide by 14 inch deep by 22 inch high opening with clearance for air circulation underneath. At 11 pounds it is the lightest full option here, and placement in an existing firebox takes no tools.
Heat is 5118 BTU from a 1500W ceramic element, sold as infrared zone heating up to 1000 square feet, a figure that assumes heating near the unit rather than whole-room output. Flames run independently of the heat so the fire stays lit through summer, and Dimplex backs the unit with a 2-year parts and 1-year service limited warranty.
Why the Dimplex looks the most like a real fire
Across 1162 reviews the praise is almost entirely about appearance rather than heat. Owners who replaced gas logs report the upgrade is visible in daylight, and at 11 pounds with no fixed mounting you can move the unit to a second fireplace in another room, which doubles the value across a house with two dead hearths.
What the Dimplex log insert does not include
The ash mat is not included, so add one before setting the unit down or the metal base will mark a hearth floor. The required 24 by 14 by 22 inch opening is a real constraint in shallow fireboxes, and sealing existing drafts and vents before placement is a step owners skip and then regret when the flame effect flickers.
9. LegendFlame 23 Inch Electric Log Set: Best Compact Log Set for Small Rooms
LegendFlame 23″ W Free Standing Electric Fireplace Log Set (EF290), Fireplace Insert, Heater 750W/1500W, Crackling Sound, Remote Control
5000 BTU
23 W x 20 H x 9.5 D
750W and 1500W heat
6 sound settings
Pros
- Most realistic log and ember look among budget log sets
- Rolling flame effect reflects off the back of the firebox
- 1500W heat throws warmth across the space
- Installs in 5 to 10 minutes with no structural changes
- Remote controls 6 crackle and wind settings
Cons
- Crackle audio is tinny on higher settings
- Thermostat only adjustable on the unit
- Remote sensor sits under the grate
- Wind sound effect is not useful
The LegendFlame log set, model EF290, is 23 inches wide, 20 inches high and 9.5 inches deep, so it fits small and large existing openings or a plain cabinet. Installation is five to ten minutes of placing it in the opening, with no brackets, no wall work and no masonry, which for a first fireplace purchase is exactly the experience you want.
The flame effect is projected rather than flat, and because it reflects off the back of the firebox it gains depth from the masonry behind it. Owners who fitted the optional plexiglass screen report a visible improvement in how the flame projection reads, which is a free upgrade most people skip.
Heat runs at 750W and 1500W with a side thermostat dial, and owners describe the high setting throwing warmth across a large seating area. It is CSA certified, runs on a standard 120V polarized plug on a 15-amp circuit, and ships with a one-year limited warranty and a CR2032 remote battery included.
Sound is the feature owners engage with most, with six crackle and wind settings from the remote. A fair number of reviews are simply advice to set the crackle to its lowest level, where the audio is genuinely good, rather than leaving it at the default.
What the LegendFlame gets right in an existing firebox
It is the best balance of size and presence in the log-set category, fitting openings a 26 inch set will not while still being tall enough at 20 inches to fill a low brick firebox. Owners in rental homes and basement rooms rate it highly for that reason, and six sound levels let you match the audio to a room rather than live with a default.
Where the LegendFlame falls short
Controls are split awkwardly. The thermostat is adjustable only on the unit, never from the remote, and the remote sensor is tucked under the grate so it has to be aimed at from a low angle. The crackle is tinny or hollow above the lowest setting, the wind effect is widely considered useless, and at 9.5 inches deep it still needs a reasonably deep hearth.
10. Masarflame 36 Inch Retro Electric Insert: Best Retro Styling at a Standard Depth
Masarflame 36” Electric Fireplace Insert, Retro Recessed Fireplace Heater with Fire Cracking Sound, Remote Control & Timer, 750/1500W, Black
5100 BTU
400 sq ft
35.6 W x 8.84 D x 27.3 H
Fits 32.6 to 32.7 W openings
Pros
- Slides into a standard 36 by 27 inch opening
- Three-sided retro brick interior
- Five flame intensity levels and three light colors
- 1500W setting raised room temperature in owner tests
- Timer up to 8 hours
Cons
- Crackling audio sounds like static or crinkled paper
- Power cord exits from the right side
- Some units arrive with a bent side panel
- Heavy at 51.6 pounds
The Masarflame sits in the same dimensional slot as the Valuxhome at 35.6 inches wide by 8.84 inches deep by 27.5 inches high, with an insert body of 32.6 to 32.7 inches wide by 8.5 to 8.7 inches deep by 26.4 to 26.5 inches high. It drops straight into a standard 36 by 27 inch opening and is ready to use out of the box.
Styling is the draw. The three-sided retro brick interior reads as a 1970s hearth that was built well, a different look from the painted-brick or weathered-concrete treatments elsewhere in this roundup, and it slots into a period room without looking like a screen bolted to a wall.
Heat is 5100 BTU across 750W and 1500W, and owners report that the top setting measurably raised room temperature in their own tests, which is more than most owners of a 400 square foot insert bother to document. There is a top front air vent, an 8-hour timer, and auto-heat kill overheat protection, with a 6-foot cable and remote included.
When the Masarflame suits a retro room
Choose it when the house has original 1970s or 1980s interior styling and a brick hearth, because it is the only unit here that leans into that period rather than modernising around it. It also suits owners who want a full 36 inch face with a deep 8.84 inch cabinet for better heat throw than the ultra-thin models.
What reviewers dislike about the Masarflame
By a wide margin it is the crackling audio, described by multiple buyers as static or crinkled paper, and the remedy is to turn it off. The power cord exits from the right side rather than the back, some buyers report a bent side panel in the box, and at 51.6 pounds it is one of the heavier units.
11. RICHFLAME Edward 33 Inch Insert: Best for Contemporary Fireplaces
RICHFLAME Edward 33 Inches Electric Fireplace Insert
4600 BTU
400 sq ft coverage
35 W x 27 H x 8.8 D
Weathered concrete interior
Pros
- Fits the existing firebox in minutes with no brackets
- Weathered concrete and embers modernize the room
- Runs flame-only for ambience or with automatic heat
- Hidden control panel keeps the face clean
- Replaces gas logs at a fraction of a gas insert
Cons
- Weak heater for larger living spaces
- Crackling sound is not convincing
- Power cord exits on the right side
- Heaviest unit here at 55.7 pounds
The Edward takes the opposite approach to the PuraFlame models. Instead of brick or traditional styling, it uses a weathered concrete interior that reads as current, and owners describe it transforming a decommissioned fireplace into the focal point of a modern room. It also has the highest five-star share of any insert here at 86%.
Dimensions are 35 inches wide by 27 inches high and 8.8 inches deep, and the insert fits an existing firebox in minutes with no brackets or screws. Heat output is 4600 BTU from 750W and 1500W settings, with overheat protection and energy-saving LEDs, running on 120V on a 15-amp circuit.
Three flame settings come with a log burning crackling sound, and the unit can run flame-only for ambience or switch to automatic heat. The hidden control panel keeps the front face clean, which is the detail that makes the concrete interior read as a design choice, and several owners bought it specifically to replace gas logs they had stopped using.
Where the RICHFLAME Edward works best
Contemporary interiors, mid-century houses, and any room where brick would look inherited rather than chosen. The concrete finish and glowing ember bed read as intentional design, and owners place one in a room where appearance matters while relying on a log set elsewhere for heat, a sensible split given the heating limits of a 400 square foot unit.
What the Edward will not do for you
Heating is the honest limitation, described as good for looks and supplemental warmth but weak for anything larger. It is the heaviest unit in the roundup at 55.7 pounds, the cord exits on the right side, the crackling audio is not convincing, and if your firebox is smaller than the 35 inch face some owners had to enlarge the opening, which means masonry work.
12. TURBRO Eternal Flame 26 Inch Log Heater: Best for a Tight Hearth and Small Budget
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 W x 14 H x 8.8 D
Fits roughly a 29 inch opening
16.7 pounds
Pros
- Most affordable way to make a decommissioned fireplace usable
- Five LED flame colors with separate brightness levels
- Breathing sleep mode for bedrooms
- Memory function restores prior settings
- Quiet on light-only mode
Cons
- Weak heater for large rooms
- Crackle audio is thin and high-pitched
- 1500W claim overstates open-plan coverage
- 2 AAA remote batteries not included
The TURBRO is 26 inches wide, 14 inches high and 8.8 inches deep, and it fits a roughly 29 inch wide fireplace opening. That makes it the narrowest log set here, and it is the one to look at when a 30 inch opening is all you have or when you want a second fire in a room too small for a full insert.
Installation is placement. You put it in the hearth and plug it in, and it runs from a remote or an on-unit digital display, with a memory function that restores your previous flame and heat settings. It is CSA certified with automatic overheat protection, and at 16.7 pounds it is easy to carry between rooms.
Customization is unusually good for a compact set. There are five flame options and five brightness levels including a gentle breathing mode that works as a night light, plus a thermostat adjustable from 70F to 95F and a 30-minute to 8-hour auto shutoff timer. On light-only mode it is quiet enough to ignore, and the LED pinewood logs do more for a dark room than the price suggests.
When the TURBRO is the sensible pick
Budget is the honest reason, and it is a good one. If the goal is a working-looking fireplace with modest zone heat, this delivers it for less than any full insert here with no brackets, wiring or venting work, which suits apartments, rentals and dorm-style rooms. The narrow footprint also clears a raised brick hearth that a full insert could not.
What buyers flag as problems with the TURBRO
Heat is the recurring complaint, with reviewers reporting needing to run it at maximum to notice a temperature change. The crackle audio is thin and high-pitched, remote batteries are not included, the cord exits on the right side, and you need to peel the protective film off the rear glass before use.
How to Choose a Fireplace Insert for an Existing Fireplace
How to measure your fireplace opening before you buy
Most returns in this category trace back to one mistake: measuring only the front of the opening. Tap out the numbers that actually decide the fit, and check the back before you order anything.
First, the front width and height of the opening, measured at the narrowest point including any brick or liner lip. Second, the depth from the front face of the surround to the back wall, which is where most standard inserts fail on old masonry hearths. Third, the rear opening width and height, because fireboxes narrow toward the back and the rear figure is frequently a full inch smaller than the front.
Then check three things the spec sheet will not tell you. Where does the power cord exit, side or back, and does the side clearance exist? Is there an outlet within reach, or are you running a new circuit? And how much vertical clearance is above the unit, since several inserts require 8 inches to protect a mantel or television?
Do fireplace inserts need a chimney, and what about the flue liner
Electric inserts and log sets do not need a chimney, a flue liner or venting of any kind, because nothing is burned. That is the single largest practical difference between them and combustion inserts, and it is the reason they are the fastest retrofit for a dead fireplace.
That said, a fireplace originally built for wood still has a flue to deal with. Owners on homeowner and fireplace forums raise two points consistently. A disconnected fireplace flue should be sealed or capped if you are no longer using it for combustion. And an 8 inch liner installed for a furnace conversion is usually not what a combustion insert needs, which is a job for a hearth professional.
Sizing by room and heat output
Every insert in this roundup is rated around 4600 to 5118 BTU and every one describes its coverage as supplemental. That is not marketing hedging. A 1500W forced-air heater is a room supplement, and the honest sizing rule is to match it to the room you sit in rather than the square footage on the box.
As a working guide, a living room or den of roughly 300 to 400 square feet is the realistic target for a unit at this level, with the doors to the rest of the house closed. Open plans are where buyers most often oversize or overpromise, and running a small insert at maximum in a large space costs more electricity than it returns in comfort.
Room size also drives the other choices. A deep masonry firebox can take any unit here, a shallow one limits you to the 3.86, 5.1, 6 and 9.5 inch depth options, and a narrow one limits you to the 23, 26 and 28.5 inch wide sets. Fit first, then decide on output, because a 5100 BTU unit you cannot get into the firebox is worth nothing.
Which fuel type you should rule in or out
Wood, gas, pellet, ethanol and electric are the five insert fuels, and they differ on three axes that matter more than features: venting, efficiency and how much of the work you do yourself.
Wood inserts are the most efficient at 75% or better on EPA-certified models, and owners on woodstoving forums consistently name Jotul, Harman, Regency, Quadra-Fire, Vermont Castings and Osburn as the quality tier, with several qualifying models cited for the 30% residential clean energy credit. Gas inserts reach around 70% efficiency and need a licensed professional for gas line work. Pellets sit between the two and need hopper servicing. Ethanol is decorative-leaning. Electric needs only an outlet.
None of those four combustion or ethanol categories appear in the analyzed product set, which is why every unit in this guide is electric. That means this roundup answers appearance, fit and zone-heat questions well, and leaves flue liner and efficiency questions to your installer.
What real owners report, including what they wish they had checked
The most useful signal from homeowner forums is that experienced owners check the rear wall depth and the liner situation before falling in love with a model. Measurement mistakes are the most common complaint we found, and the pattern is consistent: people order a standard-depth insert, it arrives, and the rear wall stops it.
The second pattern is the crackling sound. Across the reviews in this roundup, owners repeatedly disable it, with tinny, hollow, static-like or compressed-foil audio described on five separate units. The third is cord placement, since several units exit the cord from the right side rather than the back, and in a tight firebox that decides whether the unit sits flush.
How we evaluated these twelve
We compared all twelve units in the analyzed set on published specification data and owner review patterns, with four criteria carrying the most weight. Fit and depth, because a measured mismatch ends the purchase. Real heat output against claimed coverage, because the gap between the two is the most common complaint. Control accessibility, separating units you can adjust from the couch from those you cannot. And build detail, including cord position, included accessories, warranty length and safety certification.
What we did not do matters too. We did not lab-test room temperature rise, we did not measure noise with a meter, and we did not install any of these. Every specific claim about a unit in this guide comes from its published specification and its owner reviews, and the star ratings and review counts are the marketplace figures rather than our own scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brand of fireplace inserts?
For electric inserts for existing fireplaces, the strongest owner feedback in our set comes from PuraFlame, Touchstone, Valuxhome, Dimplex and RICHFLAME. PuraFlame leads on rating and volume, Touchstone on smart-home control and shallow depth, Valuxhome on standard 36 inch masonry fit, and Dimplex on the most realistic log appearance. For combustion inserts, owners on woodstoving forums name Jotul, Harman, Regency, Quadra-Fire, Vermont Castings and Osburn as the quality wood tier.
Can I install a fireplace insert in an existing fireplace?
Usually yes, and an electric insert or log set is the easiest case because it needs only a 120V outlet and no venting work. Wood, gas and pellet inserts can also go into existing fireplaces, but they need a sound flue liner, the correct clearances and, for gas, a licensed professional to run and test the gas line. Check the rear wall depth of your firebox before ordering anything deeper than about 6 inches.
What type of fireplace insert is most efficient?
An EPA-certified wood insert is the most efficient, clearing 75% of the fuel energy into the room. A gas insert follows at roughly 70%, compared with about 15% for a traditional open fireplace. Electric inserts convert electricity at the power plant, so they are better treated as zone heat than as an efficiency story. Pellets sit between gas and wood, and vented ethanol units lose heat up the flue.
What dimensions should I measure for a fireplace insert?
Measure the front width and front height of the opening at its narrowest point, then measure depth from the front face of the surround to the back wall. Critically, also measure the rear opening width and rear height, because fireboxes often narrow toward the back by an inch or more. Note where the power cord exits, how far the nearest outlet is, and how much clearance you have above the unit for a mantel or television.
What size room will a 30000 BTU fireplace insert heat?
A 30,000 BTU gas insert is sized for roughly a 1,200 to 1,500 square foot space in a well-insulated home, or a smaller 800 to 1,000 square foot room in a drafty one. The inserts in this roundup are far smaller at 4600 to 5118 BTU and are rated for about 400 square feet of supplemental heat. Oversizing an insert is a common mistake that wastes fuel and makes a small room uncomfortable.
What are the best electric fire inserts for existing fireplaces?
The PuraFlame Western is the best overall electric insert here, rated 4.7 stars across 4589 reviews with a drop-in flat bottom and a three-sided brick interior. The Touchstone Forte is best for smart homes and shallow fireboxes, with a 5.5 inch cabinet and Alexa and WiFi. The Electactic is best value, with a 3.86 inch depth, 12 flame colors and a 45 dB sleep mode. The Dimplex Revillusion and LegendFlame EF290 cover the log set category.
Do fireplace inserts need a chimney?
Electric inserts and electric log sets do not need a chimney, a flue liner or venting, because nothing is burned. That makes them the fastest retrofit for a fireplace whose flue is unusable or lined for a furnace. Wood, gas and pellet inserts do need a working flue and a liner of the correct diameter, and an 8 inch furnace liner usually has to be changed. Seal or cap a disconnected flue if you no longer use it for combustion.
Conclusion: The Best Fireplace Inserts for Existing Fireplaces in 2026
The PuraFlame Western is the best fireplace insert for existing fireplaces in 2026 for most people, because it combines a 4.7 rating across 4589 reviews with a drop-in flat bottom and the most convincing traditional presentation in the category. Measure your rear wall depth before you order, because that single number decides more of these purchases than any feature ever will.
If your firebox is shallow, the Electactic at 3.86 inches or the Touchstone Forte at 5.1 inches will fit where the Western will not, and the Forte adds smart-home control. For a hearth too narrow for a full insert, the Dimplex Revillusion and the LegendFlame log sets are the fastest route to a working fireplace, with no installation at all. All twelve are one click away, and the comparison table above lines up the depths side by side.