Best modern electric fireplace – our top 5 picks for 2023
A fireplace is often associated with a traditional home.
So what happens when you want the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace but a modern look?
Well, that’s where the best modern electric fireplace comes in.
Most electric fireplaces on the market today are actually catered more towards the modern home with their sleek and linear designs.
In a hurry? Here’s our top 3 picks for best modern electric fireplace.
Best all-round modern electric fireplace
- available in 50″, 60″ 74″ and 100″
- recessed only
- hardwire using 120V or 240V for powerful heating
- supplied with remote control
- can heat a room from 400 to 1,000 sq. feet depending on model and wiring
Best wall-mounted modern electric fireplace
- available in a range of sizes from 42″ to 100″
- can be wall-mounted or recessed into wall
- all sizes heat a room up to 400 sq. feet
- supplied with remote control
- can be plugged into standard 120v outlet or hardwired
Touchstone The Sideline Electric Fireplace
Best budget modern electric fireplace
- available in a range of sizes from 28″ to 100″
- recessed design
- can be plugged into a standard 120v outlet or hardwired
- supplied with remote control
- can heat a room up to 400 sq. feet
Best modern electric fireplace
1. Dimplex IgniteXL Linear Electric Fireplace
The most feature-rich and realistic modern electric fireplace
The Dimplex IgniteXL is by far the most feature-rich and realistic of all modern electric fireplaces.
It uses Dimplex’s patented Multi-Fire XD® technology to produce a super realistic and natural flame effect.
The flame color can be changed to suit your mood or there is even an option that allows the fire to cycle through all of the flame colors.
The flame effect can be turned on with or without heat so you can have the ambiance of a fire in any weather.
The Ignite features a Comfort$aver® ceramic heating system that uses up to 11% less energy and can heat a room from 400 to 1,000 sq. feet in size.
There is also a heat boost setting to quickly take a chill out of any room. The heat boost setting basically sets the fireplace to its highest temperature for a pre-determined amount of time.
The supplied remote control is one of the most sleek and advanced remotes we’ve seen in the electric fireplace space (and trust us, we’ve seen a few!).
The remote allows you to control all the same settings you can control from the touch screen on the fireplace itself.
2. Napoleon Alluravision Electric Fireplace
A high-end modern electric fireplace with stunning visual controls
The Napoleon Alluravision is another high-end electric fireplace that is designed for modern homes.
The flame offered is not quite as realistic as the Dimplex IgniteXL, but it’s ease of installation may be a lot more attractive if you are looking for something quick and simple to install.
The Alluravision, in its simplest form, can be wall mounted and plugged into a standard 120v outlet, though it can be recessed and hardwired if you would prefer to do so.
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.
It features 4 different flame color options – yellow, orange, blue, and multi-colored and five different flame speeds. You can also have the flames on with or without heat for an all-year-round ambiance.
So if aesthetics and eye-catching visuals are your main reason for purchasing an electric fireplace, the Alluravision will be sure to keep you entertained for many nights to come.
3. R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace
A super budget-friendly modern electric fireplace
The R.W Flame electric fireplace offers a modern design and controls at a budget price.
While it doesn’t offer the most realistic of flames compared to some of the other options on this list, it will definitely still add an ambiance and warmth to your room that will be a talking point to any guests who visit.
The fireplace actually comes with a tonne of features for its price including 12 different ember bed color choices and 12 different flame color choices.
So you’ll definitely have plenty of fun playing around with the options.
The fireplace can be controlled via the supplied remote or with a panel on the front of fireplace. The remote allows you to control the flame color, bed color, brightness and heat settings.
The flames can be turned on with or without the heat on.
Our main issue with this fireplace is the thick black edges that frame the fireplace. This aspect definitely detracts from its overall design and the general viewing experience.
However, its price is definitely lightyears away from the more high-end options, so if price is your main factor, it isn’t too much of a tradeoff.
4. PuraFlame Alice Electric Fireplace
A mid-range, sleek electric fireplace
The PuraFlame Alice is a super popular mid-range electric fireplace.
One of the only manufacturers to offer both white and black color options for the frame, the white is a truly stand-out choice in modern homes.
For its price range the PuraFlame Alice features a tonne of features not found in many other electric fireplaces, one of which stands out most – a thermostat.
Rather than working solely off a timer (it has that option too!), you can set the thermostat to a temperature that is comfortable for you and your home and it will heat until that desired temperature is reached.
This is a much more convenient way of heating your room than just a timer alone, so if you plan to use the fireplace for heating over winter, this is definitely something to consider.
The fireplace doesn’t have a tonne of color options, but enough to create a lovely atmosphere nonetheless. As with most electric fireplaces, the flames can be turned on with or without the heat being on.
It features a back-lit touch screen panel that turns off 10s after the last touch so that it doesn’t interfere with the view of the fireplace.
There is also an included remote that allows you to control the flame options, timer, and heat settings, as well as displaying the current temperature the fireplace is set to.
5. Touchstone The Sideline Electric Fireplace
The best budget modern electric fireplace on the market
The Touchstone Sideline offers exceptional value for money and, honestly, is almost on par with our top choice the Dimplex Ignite XL.
It features 5 flame control settings, and while some of the color options are designed to add impact and entertainment rather than realism, the glow of the orange flame looks as close to a real fire as you can get for an electric fireplace.
It comes supplied with both the crystal ember bed and faux fire logs. Most fireplaces come supplied with the crystals only, with the logs being an added extra (sometimes as costly as a couple of hundred bucks)
The flames can be turned on with or without heat so you can experience the ambience all year round.
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.
