Best electric fireplace for basement – our top 5 picks in 2023

Do you have a basement in your home?

You’re not alone.

Nearly 30% of American homes have basements and it’s no surprise that many people use their basements as an extra living space for guests, or even their primary residence.

If you’ve been thinking about using your basement more often this year, but are worried about the cold winter months when it’ll be tough to stay warm down there, then read on!

We’ve compiled some of the best electric fireplace options for your basement so you can finally enjoy all those chilly nights while staying nice and cozy at home.

These fireplaces come in a variety of styles and sizes so whether you prefer something with classic appeal or something sleek with modern lines we found one to suit every taste.

In a hurry? Check out our top 3 picks for best electric fireplace for basement.

Buying guide

Will an electric fireplace heat my basement?

Yes, an electric fireplace can easily heat your basement.

Even the most basic and small of electric fireplaces can heat a room up to 400 sq. feet. while some more high-end electric fireplaces can heat a room double the size.

Size

When we talk about electric fireplaces for basements we like to use the term ‘go big or go home’.

This is because most basements feature long walls and you want an electric fireplace that will accentuate this.

You also want a fireplace that is longer than your TV for maximum aesthetics.

We would generally recommend an electric fireplace that is 100″ long for basements.

But if that’s too long for you most of the electric fireplaces recommended in this article also come in shorter lengths.

Safety

Basements are obviously, under ground level, and for that reason it’s understandable to be concerned about safety when it comes to any heat source.

However, out of all heating options electric fireplaces are the safest.

While gas heaters get hot to touch when turned on, electric fireplaces do not.

There is also no chance of an electric fireplace emitting carbon monoxide like with gas fireplaces.

So, when it comes to picking an electric fireplace for safety reasons, rest assured, they’re all safe!

Best electric fireplace for basement

1. Dimplex Ignite XL Series

The Dimplex Ignite XL series still provides one of the most realistic flame effects of any electric fireplace on the market.

The Multi-Fire XD^® technology used in the Ignite reproduces a natural flame effect and is genuinely one of the only true alternatives to a gas or real fire.

You can also enjoy the ambiance of the flames with or without the heating aspect for all-year coziness.

Speaking of ambiance, you can change the color of the flames to suit your preferences, or allow the fireplace to cycle through its range of colors at a relaxing speed.

The Ignite uses Dimplex’s patented Comfort$aver^® ceramic heating system that allows for 11% less energy usage than even the most energy efficient electric fireplaces.

The technology automatically adjusts the fan speed and heater wattage to match the heating requirements of your room.

You can change a multitude of settings with the supplied remote control or via the backlit touch screen panel on the fireplace. The touch buttons dim when not in use so that they dont affect the seamless design of the unit.

The supplied remote control offers control over most aspects of using the fireplace and is a super useful addition, unlike the remote controls supplied with more budget options. You can view a demo of the remote here.

One of our favorite features of the Ignite is its heat boost setting. This setting quickly warms your surroundings by delivering its maximum heat output for a set amount of time.

The 100″ can heat a room up to a whopping 1,000 sq. feet which is almost unheard of in the electric fireplace world.

So if you have a large basement, or a basement that struggles to get warm you can’t go wrong with the Ignite 100.

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2. Napoleon Alluravision

The Napoleon Alluravision is another top spec option for your basement.

The Alluravision features super-realistic flames and creates an aesthetic that just cannot be replicated by cheaper electric fireplaces.

The main difference between the Alluravision and the Dimplex Ignite is in both the power output and installation difficulty.

The Alluravision can be hung on the wall and plugged into a standard 120v outlet in its simplest form. However, this ease of installation means that the heat output is nothing close to that of the Dimplex.

So if you’re looking for something with powerful heat options, the Ignite is the better choice, but if you plan to use the fireplace mainly for its flame effect then the Alluravision offers a much simpler installation with equally as realistic flames.

It has four different flame color options – yellow, orange, blue, and multi-colored and five different flame speeds. So you can find the perfect flame speed and color to suit you and your family’s needs.

The supplied remote control, while not as sleek or thoughtful as the Ignite’s, offers control over practically every aspect of the fireplace.

The fireplace also features a backlit touch screen panel that dims when not in use.

So if you’re looking for an electric fireplace that has all the top specs, but don’t need to heat a large or difficult basement, the Alluravision will provide you with endless nights of warmth and entertainment.

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3. Napoleon Purview

The Napoleon Purview is a more budget friendly version of the Alluravision.

While it offers the same installation methods, equally as realistic flames, and same heat output, it doesn’t include some of the more advanced control options.

The fireplace has two color settings – orange and cool white. The flames can be turned on with or without heat for year-round use and ambiance.

It features easy-to-use controls including two heat options, blower, flame color, flame intensity, and timer. You can control these settings via the touch screen panel or included remote control.

The fireplace can be set on a timer between 30 minutes and 8 hours.

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4. Touchstone The Sideline

The Touchstone Sideline offers exceptional value for money and, honestly, it’s almost on par with our top choice Dimplex Ignite.

It has 5 flame control settings, and while some of the color options are designed to add impact rather than realism, the gentle glow of the orange flame looks nothing short of realistic.

It comes supplied with both the crystal ember bed and faux fire logs which is almost unheard of. The faux logs can often set you back a couple of hundred dollars.

You can even use both the logs and crystals together or in any combination you like.

The flames can be turned on with or without heat so you can experience the calming glow of the fireplace even in summer months.

The fireplace can be controlled via buttons on the fireplace or with the supplied remote control.

The remote allows you to control every aspect of the fireplace from color, flame intensity, heat, and timer options.

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5. Charavector 100

The Charavector electric fireplace is another budget friendly option for basements.

While the flame is not quite as realistic as the Touchstone Ridgeline it has plenty of features and settings to make up for it.

It features the most flame control options of any of the electric fireplaces. In fact, it has 9 changeable colors and 5 levels of brightness in total, so if creating something eye-catching and out of the ordinary is your thing, you’ll have a lot of fun with the Charavector 100.

The fireplace can be controlled via the touch screen on the fireplace or with the supplied remote control.

There are plenty of control options too including two heat settings, 0-8 hour timer control. independent switch of heating and flame, adjustable flame speed, color and intensity and sleep mode function.

The temperature settings on the fireplace allow you to set the temperature between 62°F to 82°F.

This is the perfect option if you’re looking for a fireplace that offers a little more fun than realism.

Check current price on Amazon