Electric Fireplace Buying Guide: Built-In, Linear or Insert

This electric fireplace buying guide is for anyone choosing between a wall-mount unit, a built-in linear fireplace, a three-sided model or an insert. The right pick depends on four things: how you will install it, how wide it should be, how much heat you want and where the power comes from. Below we walk through each decision using real specs from the Amantii fireplaces we sell, explain what the heat numbers actually mean, and give an honest answer to whether an electric fireplace is worth it for your room.

Electric fireplace buying guide: the four decisions

1. Installation style: wall-mount, recessed (built-in), three-sided, indoor/outdoor or a firebox for an existing opening.
2. Size: the viewing width that suits your wall, furniture and TV.
3. Heat: whether you need supplemental heat, and whether a 240V option matters.
4. Features: flame colors, media (logs, glass or stones), remote, app control and thermostat.

Get the first decision right and the rest usually fall into place, because the installation style limits which models and sizes you can use.

Types of electric fireplace

Wall-mount or built-in (either way)

Some units are designed to hang on the wall with brackets or be fully recessed later. The Amantii WM-FM Series 50-inch ($1,199 at the time of writing) is a good example: its page says it can be mounted with the included brackets or fully recessed, and it lists 4,800 BTU of supplemental heat for areas of 400 to 500 sq. ft. The WM-FM Series runs from 34 to 100 inches wide. This is the easiest route for renters or anyone who does not want to open a wall now.

Built-in linear fireplaces

Linear fireplaces are long and low, and they are the modern look most people picture. They are recessed into a wall or a built-out chase so the glass sits flush with the finished surface.

• Symmetry XtraSlim: the 42-inch Symmetry XtraSlim Smart WiFi ($1,299) can be mounted or recessed into any 2 x 4 wall and is controlled from an app. Its heater is listed for spaces up to 400 sq. ft.
• Symmetry Lumina: the 60-inch Symmetry Lumina ($2,599) is the updated Symmetry with blended multi-color LED flames, a heater fan Amantii says runs 4 dB quieter than the original Symmetry, and WiFi app control of flame color, speed, brightness, tray lighting and heat. Sizes run from 34 to 100 inches.
• Symmetry Bespoke: the 60-inch Symmetry Bespoke ($2,899) adds a full-color thermostatic remote and app control, and its page says it is rated for indoor and covered outdoor use. It ships with a grate and glass media; log kits are sold separately.
• Symmetry Extra Tall: taller viewing glass for a bigger flame picture, such as the 60-inch Symmetry Extra Tall Lumina ($3,599).

Three-sided fireplaces

Three-sided units show the flame from the front and both ends, which suits peninsulas, room dividers and corners. The 40-inch TruView Slim ($2,399) is listed at just 4 inches deep and designed for a standard 2 x 4 wall, and it can be installed four ways: all three sides open, left open, right open, or front only. The larger TruView XL 50-inch ($2,999) has a heater rated for 400 to 500 sq. ft.

Indoor/outdoor fireplaces

If you want a fireplace on a covered porch, pick a unit whose page specifically says it is rated for outdoor use. The Panorama Series 60-inch Slim ($2,599) is just under 7 inches deep and can be installed indoors or outdoors, and matching stainless steel outdoor covers are sold separately. The Panorama 50-inch Deep XT ($3,599) is rated for indoor and covered outdoor settings and includes driftwood logs, stones, pebbles, black fire glass and embers.

Traditional fireboxes and inserts

If you want a classic square or arched firebox look, the Amantii Zero Clearance Series is the place to start. The Zero Clearance 26-inch ($968) comes with a traditional log set and your choice of ember or ice media, can be plugged in or hardwired, and lists 4,800 BTU of heat. Arched and square 31-inch versions and flush-mount models are also available.

A true electric fireplace insert is a unit sized to slide into an existing wood-burning or gas fireplace opening. If that is your project, measure the opening’s front width, rear width, height and depth, and call us before ordering so we can check a specific model against your numbers. Never assume a built-in firebox will fit a masonry opening without checking.

Electric fireplace types compared

Type	Example	Install	Listed heat	Best for
Wall-mount or built-in	WM-FM Series	Brackets or recessed	4,800 BTU, 400 to 500 sq. ft.	Renters, quick installs
Slim linear	Symmetry XtraSlim	Mounted or recessed in a 2 x 4 wall	750W low, 1500W high (Traditional XtraSlim), up to 400 sq. ft.	Standard walls, app control
Premium linear	Symmetry Lumina and Bespoke	Recessed	Up to 400 to 500 sq. ft.; 240V on Extra Tall models	Living rooms, TV walls
Three-sided	TruView Slim and XL	Recessed; 4 in deep (Slim)	Up to 400 sq. ft. (Slim)	Room dividers, corners
Indoor/outdoor	Panorama Slim, Deep, Deep XT	Fully recessed	400 to 500 sq. ft.	Covered patios and porches
Traditional firebox	Zero Clearance Series	Built-in; plug-in or hardwire	4,800 BTU	Classic mantel look

Electric fireplace heat output explained

Most electric fireplaces use a fan-forced heater of about 1,500 watts on high. One watt equals about 3.41 BTU per hour, so 1,500 watts is roughly 5,100 BTU. That lines up with the numbers on our Amantii pages, which list either 4,800 BTU or “5,000 BTUs (1500W)” depending on the model.

That heat is supplemental. It takes the chill out of a room of roughly 400 to 500 sq. ft., as the product pages state, but it is not designed to replace your furnace. Think of it as zone heating for the room you actually use in the evening.

120V vs 240V

A 1,500-watt heater on 120 volts draws about 12.5 amps, which is why installation manuals usually call for a circuit that is not shared with other heavy loads. Check the manual for your model and use a licensed electrician for hardwired installs.

Some premium models can run on 240V for more heat. The Symmetry Extra Tall Lumina pages list a 240V upgrade (included) delivering 3,000W and 10,230 BTU for areas up to 900 sq. ft., and the Symmetry Extra Tall Bespoke pages list the same 240V upgrade as optional. If you want your fireplace to be a real heat source in a large open room, that 240V option is worth planning for before the wall is closed up.

What it costs to run

Running cost is simple math: kilowatts times hours times your electricity rate. At 1.5 kW on high, one hour uses 1.5 kWh. At an example rate of $0.17 per kWh, that is about $0.26 per hour; at $0.30 per kWh it is about $0.45. Check your own bill for your rate. The flame effect alone uses LED lighting and draws far less than the heater; our product pages do not list flame-only wattage, so we will not guess a number. Most models let you run the flames with the heater off, so you can enjoy the look year-round.

Are electric fireplaces worth it?

For many homes, yes, with clear limits. Here is the honest trade-off.

Reasons they are worth it

• No venting or gas line. You can put one on an interior wall, in a condo or in a bedroom where a gas or wood fireplace would be impractical.
• Heat is optional. Flames and heater work independently on the models we sell.
• Flexible design. Sizes run from about 24 to 100 inches, with slim units for standard 2 x 4 walls.
• Low upkeep. No ash, no chimney sweeping, no fuel to buy beyond electricity.

Reasons they may not be

• Heat is supplemental. It will not heat a whole house.
• It is not a real flame. LED flames have improved a lot, and Amantii’s Panorama page is candid that its flames “may not look like traditional flames”. Some people prefer that artistic look; others want a real fire.
• Built-in installs cost more than the unit. Framing, drywall, finishes and electrical work add to the budget.

Which brand of electric fireplace is the best?

There is no single best brand for every home, and we should be upfront: in this category we sell Amantii, so weigh our view with that in mind. Rather than trust any seller’s ranking, compare brands on things you can verify:

• Installation fit: depth, 2 x 4 wall compatibility and whether the unit can be mounted, recessed or both.
• Heat options: listed BTU or watts, a real thermostat, and whether 240V is available.
• Controls: a remote, app control, timer and independent flame and heat settings.
• Media and looks: flame colors, ember lighting and media options you like in person or on video.
• Outdoor rating: only use a unit outside if its page says it is rated for outdoor or covered outdoor use.
• Parts and support: Amantii’s Lumina pages mention a built-in QR code linking to product information and replacement parts, which is a useful touch for long-term ownership.

Browse the full Amantii collection to compare series side by side.

Choosing the right size

Pick the width after you know the wall. A few practical rules:

• Measure the wall or chase width and leave a comfortable margin of finished wall on each side, so the fireplace does not look squeezed.
• If a TV will hang above, sketch both to scale. Many people like the fireplace and TV to look balanced in width.
• For three-sided units, check how the open ends line up with seating and walkways.
• Recessed units need framing depth: about 4 inches for TruView Slim and just under 7 inches for Panorama Slim, per their pages. Check the installation manual for exact rough-opening dimensions.

Media: logs, glass or stones

The media sits in the ember bed and changes the whole look. Traditional log sets such as the 10-piece birch log set ($299) give a cabin feel; fire glass, such as black small bead fire glass ($119 per 5 lb), suits modern rooms. Check what each unit includes before buying extra media: some ship with glass or logs and some do not.

Installation checklist

• Confirm the installation style (mount, recess or both) on the product page.
• Download and read the installation manual before framing.
• Plan the power: plug-in outlet location or a hardwired circuit, and whether you want 240V.
• Follow the manual’s clearances for mantels, TVs and combustible materials above the unit.
• For outdoor units, confirm the outdoor rating and consider the matching cover.
• Use a licensed electrician for hardwiring and any new circuit.

Planning an outdoor living space as well? Our fire pit buying guide and patio heater buying guide cover the other ways to add warmth outside. Questions about a specific model? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight; below that shipping is a flat $200. Returns follow our return and refund policy.

Frequently asked questions

Which brand of electric fireplace is the best?

The best brand is the one whose models fit your wall, heat needs and style. Compare depth, heat output, controls and outdoor ratings. We sell Amantii, which offers linear, three-sided, indoor/outdoor and traditional firebox styles in sizes from about 24 to 100 inches.

Are electric fireplaces worth it?

They are worth it if you want ambiance and supplemental heat without a gas line, venting or chimney. They are not a replacement for central heating, and the flame is an LED effect rather than a real fire.

How much heat does an electric fireplace put out?

Most standard models produce about 4,800 to 5,000 BTU on high, enough to supplement a room of roughly 400 to 500 sq. ft. Some Amantii Symmetry Extra Tall models can run on 240V for 10,230 BTU and up to 900 sq. ft., per their pages.

Can I install an electric fireplace in a 2 x 4 wall?

Yes, with the right model. The Symmetry XtraSlim and TruView Slim pages both say they fit a standard 2 x 4 wall. Deeper units need a built-out chase.

Can I put an electric fireplace outside?

Only if the page says it is rated for outdoor or covered outdoor use, such as the Panorama Series or Symmetry Bespoke. Indoor-only units should stay inside.