10 Best Small (Portable) Electric Fireplace Heaters 2022: Reviews & Guide

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Looking for a small or portable electric fireplace heater?

You’ve come to the right place.

Compact electric fireplace heaters are great for small rooms and apartments. The best part is that most of these small electric fireplace heaters have the same heating capability (usually 1500W or 5100 BTU) as bigger models.

So by choosing a smaller electric fireplace, you don’t have to sacrifice heating performance.

Another reason to choose a small electric fireplace heater is if you need easy portability. If you’d like a heater you can use in the home office during the day, the living room in the evening, and your bedroom at night, a small fireplace will provide the best portability.

Of course, not all small electric fireplace heaters are portable. Once you install it, you cannot easily move an electric fireplace insert or a wall-mounted electric fireplace to another room.

What’s In This Buying Guide?

In this buying guide, we review and compare the top 10 small and/or portable electric fireplace inserts. Most of our picks are around two feet wide or narrower, so they should work well in space-limited rooms.

If you are looking for a different kind of fireplace, see our top electric fireplace reviews.

The 10 Best Small Electric Fireplace Heaters

1. Best Overall: TURBRO Suburbs TS20 Compact Electric Fireplace Stove
2. Best Log Set for Small Fireplaces: Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 20-Inch Electric Fireplace Log Set
3. Best for Multiple Rooms: XtremepowerUS 1500W Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Heater
4. Best Desktop/Bedside Electric Fireplace Heater: Comfort Zone CZFP20M 350/700 Watt Infrared Desktop Fireplace Heater
5. Best Wall-Mounted/Recessed: R.W. FLAME 30 inch Recessed and Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace
6. Best Small Electric Fireplace TV Stand: Northwest 80-FPWF-4 Electric Fireplace TV Stand
7. Budget Pick: Duraflame DFS-500-0 Thomas Electric Stove with Heater
8. Best for Extra Small Rooms (<200 sqft): DONYER POWER Mini Electric Fireplace Tabletop Portable Heater
9. Best Space-Saving Corner Design: Walker Edison Wood Corner Fireplace TV Stand
10. Best Compact Electric Stove Heater: R.W. FLAME Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove

Fireplace	Award	Heater	Coverage	Size	Thermostat	Timer	Remote control
Turbro TS20	Best overall	1400W	1,000 sq. ft.	17”W x 20”H x 10”D	Yes	No	No
Dimplex Revillusion RLG20	Best log set for small fireplaces	750W/1500W	400 sq. ft.	23.7”W x 19”H x 12.5”D	No	No	Yes
XtremepowerUS	Best for use in multiple rooms	1500W	Approx. 600 sq. ft.	28”W x 23”H x 10.7”D	Yes	Yes	Yes
Comfort Zone CZFP20M	Best desktop/bedside	350W/700W	Personal space/small rooms	14.5”W x 12.2”H x 7”D	No	No	No
R.W. FLAME Electric Fireplace	Best small wall-mounted/recessed electric fireplace	750W/1500W	400 sq. ft.	30”W x 18.1”H x 3.8”D	No	Yes	Yes
Northwest 80-FPWF-4	Best small electric fireplace TV stand	1500W	400 sq. ft.	27”W x 29”H x 11.2”D	No	No	No
Duraflame DFS-500-0	Best budget	1500W	400 sq. ft.	17”W x 22”H x 9.5”D	Yes	No	No
Donyer Power	Best for extra-small rooms	750W/1500W	200 sq. ft.	14.8”W x 13”H x 8”D	No	No	No
Walker Edison	Best space-saving corner design	1500W	400 sq. ft.	48”W x 32”H x 20”D	No	No	No
R.W. Flame Electric Stove	Best compact electric stove	1500W	400 sq. ft.	16.3”W x 12.2”D x 22.8”H	Yes	No	Yes

1. Best Overall: TURBRO Suburbs TS20 Compact Electric Fireplace Stove

Measuring 17 inches wide, the Turbro Suburbs TS20 offers powerful heating performance and a realistic look in a small space-saving package.

Pros

• Compact design.
• Heats rooms up to 1,000 sq. ft.
• Lightweight – easy to carry from room to room.
• Quiet infrared heater with thermostat heat control.
• Cool to the touch-safe for kids and pets.

Cons

• Logs look cheap and bit unrealistic.
• No remote control.
• Legs are difficult to attach.

Our Review

It surprises the amount of heat that comes out of the compact TS20 electric stove. The 1400W infrared heater quickly warms large rooms up to 1,000 square feet.

Now, we are usually skeptical when manufacturers of electric fireplaces claim their built-in infrared heater can warm 1,000 sq. ft. Most customers find the actual coverage to be about half that.

But in the case of Turbro TS20, that claim is true. Some customers have set up the TS20 in a basement measuring over 1,000 sq. ft. It still manages to keep the chill at bay.

For smaller rooms, the TS20 will have no trouble keeping you warm. Another good thing about the infrared heater is that it is very quiet and doesn’t dry out the air.

There’s a dial thermostat on the control panel, allowing you to set a comfortable heating level.

Beyond the heater, the stove itself looks great. It resembles traditional wood-burning stoves, just without the chimney and crackling wood.

The body is made of metal with glass viewing windows at the front and on the sides. Inside are fake flames and logs.

While they do not look quite as realistic as in pricier electric fireplaces, they add a nice ambiance to a room.

Similar to most electric fireplaces, you can enjoy the flames without the heater for all-season use.

Issues & Limitations

The main complaint from customers is that the logs look a bit cheesy and unrealistic. That’s likely because they are made from plastic instead of resin or ceramic-like other faux logs.

Though still not as realistic as what you get with bigger and pricier electric fireplaces, the flames look better.

Another complaint is regarding assembly. The predrilled holes for the legs are slightly too small; you have to force the screws in.

Also, the Turbro TS20 doesn’t come with remote control.

Overall, we still think the TS20 is the best compact electric fireplace heater for most people. It looks great, and heating performance is better than expected.

2. Best Log Set for Small Fireplaces: Dimplex Revillusion 20-Inch Electric Fireplace Log Set

If you have a small wood or gas burning fireplace, the Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 log set is the best way to add ambiance and heat to the room.

It fits through tight fireplace openings and features a heater powerful enough to warm medium size rooms.

Pros

• Perfect for small fireplaces.
• review design maintains the charm of your fireplace masonry.
• Realistic flames and logs.
• Fast-heating 1500W heater with adjustable heat levels.
• Adjustable flame brightness.

Cons

• The remote control is a pain to use.
• Requires an existing fireplace.
• The heater is ideal only for small rooms.

Our Review

The Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 does a great job replicating the look and feel of a real wood-burning fireplace.

The real-looking logs appear as if they are smoldering, and they are set on a grate, just like real wood. The flames dancing from amidst the logs also look real.

To make the flames as realistic as possible, they are projected onto a frosted acrylic panel fixed to the back of the grate. The panel not only makes the flames more realistic; it also makes them brighter and easier to see during the day.

Because the panel is not as reflective as a mirror, it doesn’t show any reflections and is almost impossible to notice when you look at the fireplace.

Some people say there’s sometimes a glare from the edges of the panel. If you have the same problem, use a black sharpie to color the edges. This will eliminate the glare.

We love the acrylic panel because you can still see partially through it to the masonry of your fireplace. If you love the brickwork on your fireplace, you’ll still be able to enjoy it after installing the Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 log set.

As for the heater, it’s a ceramic fan-forced heater. It has a max output of 1500W, enough to warm a space up to 400 square feet.

Using the included remote control, you can set the heat to high or low (750W). You can also adjust flame brightness and control the flame effects and heat independently, meaning you can enjoy your fireplace in any season.

Issues & Limitations

If you plan to use the Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 in a large room, the heater won’t be very helpful. It works best in medium-size rooms up to 400 sq. ft.

The RLG20 is also not ideal if you don’t have an existing fireplace. You can certainly set it on the floor, but it’ll look weird.

One complaint many customers have is that the remote control for the Dimplex Revillusion RLG20 is a pain to use. It’s supposed to make it convenient to operate the log set, but you have to be right in front of the fireplace for the remote control to work. Using brand new batteries doesn’t seem to help.

3. Best for Use in Multiple Rooms: XtremepowerUS 1500W Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Heater

If you need a portable electric fireplace heater that you can easily move from room to room, we recommend the XtremepowerUS 1500W Infrared Quartz freestanding electric fireplace heater.

It comes with removable wheels for easy mobility.

Pros

• Easy to move between rooms.
• Realistic flames and logs.
• Large room infrared heater with adjustable heat levels.
• Adjustable flame brightness.
• Beautiful oak finish frame.

Cons

• It cannot be used as a TV console.

Our Review

The XtremepowerUS heater is one of the few electric fireplaces with wheels. This makes it the best choice for folks who want an electric fireplace heater to move from room to room quickly.

The wheels roll easily on hard flooring as well as carpeting. You can remove the wheels if you’ll be keeping the fireplace in one place for long.

In addition to its easy mobility, the XtremepowerUS also features a compact space-saving design. It’s hard to tell that it’s small from the pictures on Amazon. But it’s only 28″ wide, 10.7″ deep, and 23″ high. If you have a small bedroom, living room, or home office, the XtremepowerUS electric fireplace will fit just fine.

This is a freestanding type of electric fireplace heater. The metal firebox is set within an oak-finished frame with a storage surface on top. You don’t need an existing fireplace, nor do you need to mount it on the wall.

The heater is an infrared-type heater good for medium and large rooms up to around 600 sq. ft. (not the 1,000 sq. ft. the manufacturer claims).

The heater has thermostat control to set a specific temperature, and the heater will maintain it.

Using the included remote control, you can also adjust flame brightness and set an auto shut-off timer.

As for the flames and logs, they are close to a real wood fireplace in appearance. They add a nice look and ambiance to the room. And you can enjoy them all year long. When it gets warmer, just turn off the heat and leave the flames and logs burning.

Issues & Limitations

The XtremepowerUS electric fireplace heater looks like one of those electric fireplace TV consoles that you can place a TV on. Unfortunately, this one is too small to use a TV console. We are also not sure whether it’s designed to support the weight of a TV.

While you cannot put a TV on top of the fireplace, you can place decorative items like a flower vase or pictures.

4. Best Desktop/Bedside Electric Fireplace Heater: Comfort Zone CZFP20M 350/700 Watt Infrared Desktop Fireplace Heater

As electric fireplaces have gotten bigger (see the 100-inch DIMPLEX IgniteXL), they’ve also gotten much smaller.

Now, you can get an electric fireplace heater for your desk or bedside. One of the best ones is the Comfort Zone infrared fireplace heater. The 700W heater is perfect for warming up your personal space or a small room.

Pros

• Ultra-compact desktop or tabletop electric fireplace heater.
• The idea of heating a personal space or small room.
• Over-heat and tip-over protection.
• The flames and logs look great.

Cons

• Not ideal for heating an entire room.

Our Review

The Comfort Zone mini fireplace heater measures 14.5″ wide and 12.2″ high. It fits easily on a table, desk, or bedside cabinet. You can also place it on a shelf.

As expected for something this small, the heater is small as well. There are two heater elements, each with an output of 350W. You can switch on just one of the elements or both (700W) when you need more heat.

At max power, the heater can warm a small room. The heater features a tip-over safety switch as well as overheat protection.

It is an infrared heater (though it has a fan to help distribute the warm air), so it is very quiet and doesn’t dry the air.

The 3D flames and faux logs are surprisingly realistic, adding a warm and cozy feel to any space.

There are separate switches for the heat and flames, so you can turn off the heat when it’s warm and just enjoy the flames.

Issues & Limitations

We do not recommend the Comfort Zone electric fireplace for room heating. It’ll warm small rooms when you turn on both elements, but the heater is most effective within your personal space.

That’s why we recommend it as a desktop or bedside electric fireplace heater.

If you want an electric fireplace heater to keep the entire room warm, get a 1500W model.

5. Best Wall-Mounted/Recessed: R.W. FLAME 30 inch Recessed and Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace

One advantage of getting a wall-mounted electric fireplace is that you can afford to use more wall space than floor space.

The 30″ R.W. FLAME adds plenty of warmth and ambiance to the room without taking up precious floor space. You can recesses it into the wall for a clean look or mount it on the wall if you are in a rented home. It looks great either way.

Pros

• It can be wall-mounted or recessed.
• Slim design.
• Adjustable flame speed, color, and brightness.
• Heater with two levels.
• Includes remote control.

Cons

• No logs for those who want a traditional look.

Our Review

The R.W. FLAME electric fireplace is for those who prefer a modern style. The black trimming, glass front, and touchscreen button give this fireplace a very modern feel.

Even the flame effects are modern. Instead of traditional faux logs, the fireplace contains rocks on the ember bed.

The slim design of the fireplace reinforces its clean, modern styling. If you want an even cleaner look, you can recess the fireplace in the wall. But if your only option is to mount it, it still looks good since it doesn’t stick far out from the wall.

The heater is a fan-forced type with two power levels – 1500W and 750W. At max power, it quickly warms spaces up to 400 square feet.

One thing we love about the R.W. FLAME electric fireplace is its versatility. There are so many ways t adjust how it looks.

Using the included remote control or the touch control panel, you can select five flame speeds (intensity), five flame brightness levels, 12 flame colors, and 12-bed colors. You can adjust the fireplace depending on the time of day, occasion, or mood.

Issues & Limitations

The rocks’ modern look is great, but we wish the manufacturer had included a log set option for those who prefer a traditional style.

6. Best Small Electric Fireplace TV Stand: Northwest 80-FPWF-4 Electric Fireplace TV Stand

If you are looking for an electric fireplace TV stand that doesn’t take up much room, we recommend the Northwest 80-FPWF-4 TV console. It consists of an 18″ wide electric fireplace set within a 27″ wide wood console that can hold televisions up to 32 inches in size.

Despite its small size, the Northwest TV stand has a built-in heater that can warm rooms up to 400 square feet.

Pros

• Best TV console for compact spaces.
• Media storage shelf.
• Separate heat and flame switches for year-round use.
• Powerful heater.
• Realistic logs and flames.

Cons

• No thermostat or adjustable heat levels.
• Only ideal for small TVs.

Our Review

The entire console measures 27″ wide, 29″ high, and 11.2″ deep. It’s perfect for small dens, bedrooms, and living rooms.

The fireplace itself is also pretty small, measuring just 18″ wide. The logs and flames look pretty realistic. Unfortunately, there are no controls to adjust flame brightness or intensity. You can only turn them on or off using a switch at the front of the fireplace.

Another switch controls the heat. Because these switches are separate, you can opt to have the flames on with no heat or the other way round, making the Northwest electric fireplace ideal for all-season use.

The heater is rated at 1500W and can warm rooms up to 400 square feet.

Being a compact TV console, the Northwest 80-FPWF-4 can only hold small TVs up to 32 inches.

It has no side cabinets as most large electric fireplace TV consoles do. Instead, you get a shelf at the top for your media devices. A slot at the back of the shelf makes cord management easy.

Expect to spend an hour or two assembling the Northwest TV console. But once it’s assembled, you only need to plug it into a standard outlet – no recessing, mounting, or hardwiring necessary.

Issues & Limitations

The controls for the Northwest 80-FPWF-4 electric fireplace are pretty basic. There are only two switches for heat and flames.

You cannot adjust the flame effects, nor can you select different heat levels.

Another limitation is in regards to TV size. If your TV is bigger than 32″, the Northwest TV console is not for you, unless you are planning to place books, vases, or other decorations pieces on top of it instead of a big TV.

7. Best Budget: Duraflame DFS-500-0 Thomas Electric Stove with Heater

Shopping on a budget? The Duraflame DFS-500-0 is one of the cheapest electric fireplace heaters with a 1500W heat output. It is a stove-style electric fireplace with a metal body and a glass viewing window.

Pros

• Budget price.
• Powerful 1500W heater with thermostat control.
• Adjustable flame brightness.
• Compact and easy to move around.
• Overheat protection.

Cons

• No timer.
• You cannot set an exact temperature.

Our Review

The 17″ width of the Duraflame DFS-500-0 means it can fit even in the smallest of rooms. You set it up in a corner, under the TV or by your bedside.

And because it is relatively light, you can move it around to where you want it. For instance, you can place it closer to where you are sitting to get more warmth.

The metal and glass exterior of the DFS-500-0 electric stove stays cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about kids or pets getting hurt.

The 1500W heater blows heat from the bottom of the stove. It quickly warms rooms up to 400 square feet.

The heater has built-in overheat protection, so you don’t have to worry if you forget to turn it off or if you prefer to leave it on when you go to sleep.

The control panel of the Duraflame DFS-500-0 has a pleasant surprise – a thermostat dial. Most small and low-budget electric fireplace heaters have just an on/off heat switch or two selectable heat levels.

With the thermostat dial, you can gradually increase or decrease heat, and the heater will maintain the set heat level. This is especially helpful for small rooms that can easily get too warm without automatic temperature control. It also cuts electricity consumption.

Another surprising feature that we normally don’t find in low-cost electric fireplaces is flame brightness adjustment. A second dial on the control panel dims or brightens the flames and logs.

The flames and logs add a nice ambiance to the room, though they wouldn’t fool anyone. But, taken together with the room, it feels like you have an actual wood-burning stove.

Issues & Limitations

The thermostat control is nice to have, but it has a limitation. The dial has no temperature markings, so you cannot set a specific temperature. You have to experiment with different dial settings to know which one feels most comfortable.

Another limitation with the Duraflame DFS-500-0 is the lack of a timer. Sure, overheat protection is great if you forget to turn the heater off, but it won’t stop the stove from wasting electricity. A timer would have been especially handy for those who want to use the electric stove in their bedroom.

But these are not deal-breakers, especially considering the low price of the Duraflame DFS-500-0 electric fireplace stove.

8. Best for Extra Small Rooms (200 sq. ft. Max): DONYER POWER Mini Electric Fireplace Tabletop Portable Heater

If you need to heat a small bedroom, home office, or living room, the Donyer Power tabletop electric fireplace heater is a great choice.

The 1500W heater also works great for RVs, tiny homes, and other small enclosed spaces.

Pros

• Quickly heats small rooms.
• Ultra-compact tabletop design – saves space, and it’s easy to carry around.
• Silent operation.
• Overheat protection.
• Two heat levels.

Cons

• No timer.

Our Review

The Comfort Zone CZFP20M that we reviewed earlier is a great tabletop electric fireplace heater. But with a max output of 700W, it only warms your personal space.

If you need a tabletop heater to heat an entire room, we recommend the Donyer Power electric fireplace heater.

It has a 1500W heater, just like regular-sized electric fireplaces. However, the heating coverage is slightly lower at 200 square feet, probably because it has a smaller fan to distribute the warm air.

You can select a lower 750W heat setting, or completely turn the heat off and just enjoy the realistic flames and logs.

The Donyer Power is designed to sit on a table or desk. It measures 14.8″ wide, 8″ deep, and 13 inches high.

Weighing only 12.6lbs, you can easily carry the Donyer Power electric fireplace around the house to provide heat and ambiance wherever you are.

Issues & Limitations

A timer would have been a useful addition, especially for those planning to use the Donyer Power electric fireplace at their bedside.

But don’t worry if you forget to turn the heater off or want to sleep with it on all night. An overheat protection feature ensures it doesn’t get dangerously hot.

9. Best Space-Saving Corner Design: Walker Edison Wood Corner Fireplace TV Stand

Most electric fireplace TV stands for small rooms can only hold small TVs. A good example is the Northwest 80-FPWF-4 (reviewed earlier) that supports flat-screen TVs up to 32″.

If you have a bigger TV but no space for a large electric fireplace console, we recommend a space-saving corner design TV stand. One of the highest-rated ones on Amazon is the Walker Edison corner fireplace TV stand that supports TVs up to 55″.

Pros

• Space-saving design that fits in a corner.
• Holds large TVs.
• Plenty of extra storage space.
• Realistic flames and logs.

Cons

• No heat and flame adjustments.
• Assembly takes time.

Our Review

The Walker Edison TV stand is a great choice if you want a console for a large TV without giving up a lot of floor space. The TV stand fits neatly into a corner.

You can place up to a 55″ TV on top of the console and store books, vases, and other objects on the side shelves. An additional shelf at the top provides space for media items with a cable management slot at the back.

The electric fireplace looks realistic with dancing flames and glowing logs. The built-in 4,600 BTU heater provides supplemental heating for rooms up to 400 sq. ft.

Issues & Limitations

The functionality for the Walker Edison electric fireplace TV stand is very basic. You can only turn the flames and heat on or off using two switches. You cannot adjust flame brightness, nor can you adjust the heat level.

Another downside of the Walker Edison TV stand is that it is tedious to assemble. Expect to spend 2-3 hours putting it together.

10. Best Compact Electric Stove Heater: R.W. FLAME Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove

Measuring just 16.3″ wide, this R.W.Flame electric fireplace stove is one of the smallest you’ll find without getting into tabletop fireplace territory.

Its compact and lightweight design allows you to set it up just about anywhere and move it around the house whenever you need to.

Pros

• Compact design.
• Powerful 1500W infrared heater with thermostat control.
• Front and side viewing windows.
• Overheat protection.
• Adjustable flame brightness.

Cons

• No timer.

Our Review

Despite its compact size, the R.W.Flame electric fireplace stove has a similar heat output to larger electric fireplaces.

The 1500W heater can warm rooms up to 400 square feet. It includes a thermostat dial that maintains the set temperature. Overheat protection ensures the heater doesn’t get too hot.

We love the design of the R.W.Flame, particularly the addition of side viewing windows. You can enjoy the flames whether you are seated directly in front of the stove or on the side.

The flames and logs won’t fool anyone, but they add a nice relaxing ambiance to the room. You can adjust flame brightness using a dial on the stove.

Issues & Limitations

The R.W.Flame electric fireplace stove doesn’t have an auto-off timer, meaning you can’t have it turn off automatically after you go to sleep.

If you really want an auto-off feature, consider using a programmable smart plug.

Buying Guide: How To Choose Best Small Electric Fireplace Heater

Consider the following when you are shopping for a small or portable electric fireplace heater.

Size

Small electric fireplace heaters come in a range of sizes, from mini tabletop units to bigger floor fireplaces.

If you can’t spare any space on the floor for an electric fireplace heater, get a tabletop unit. Otherwise, look for a floor unit that will fit the available space you have.

Small electric fireplaces range from around 16″ to 30″ in width and about 8 to 12 inches in depth. The width is what you need to be most careful about.

If you want a big electric fireplace without sacrificing much floor space, get one with a space-saving corner design.

If you absolutely have no extra floor space and you’d rather not get a tabletop electric fireplace heater, get a small wall-mounted or recessed unit. The only thing you have to give up is portability.

You can get wall-mounted electric fireplace heaters as small as 30″ wide.

Portability

Simply because a particular electric fireplace is small doesn’t mean that it’s easily portable.

If you plan to move the fireplace around your home a lot (or between homes), check the unit’s actual weight. You should be able to lift it on your own and carry it over short distances.

Tabletop electric fireplace heaters provide the best portability. You can also find compact electric fireplace stoves that are light enough to carry from room to room.

If you want an electric fireplace TV console, you probably won’t be able to lift it since the wood frame can be pretty heavy. In that case, look for a TV stand with casters. That way, you can roll the entire unit on the floor.

Heater Type and Capacity

Generally, small electric fireplaces have the same heater capacity as bigger ones – 1500W. Most can heat spaces to 400 square feet.

However, tabletop units tend to have a lower heat output and cover a smaller area.

Also, check the type of heater. Infrared heaters are better than fan-forced heaters. They heat a larger area, are quieter, don’t dry out the air, and use less energy.

Don’t forget to check the heat controls. Is there a thermostat? If there isn’t one, can you at least select a lower heat output?

Overheat protection is also important for safety.

Flames and Logs

Our research has noticed that smaller electric fireplace heaters don’t look as realistic as big electric fireplaces. It’s easy for someone to tell the flames and logs are fake.

Thankfully, the faux logs and flame effects don’t look cheesy at all. They add a nice feel and ambiance to the room.

That said, some models appear more realistic than others. Check the product pictures, look for a video if you can find one, and look through Amazon reviews to see what customers have to say about how the fireplace looks like in real life.

Something else you’ll have to give up by choosing a smaller electric fireplace is the ability to switch among multiple flame effects. Most small electric fireplaces offer zero options – just an on and off switch for the flames. Others let you adjust flame brightness, but that’s all.