You do not need a big room to enjoy a fireplace, and the best small electric fireplace gives you real warmth and a cozy glow in a footprint that fits a bedroom, an office or an apartment.
These five compact picks from four brands range from a 21-inch stove to a 43-inch mantel, and each one lists exact sizes so you can check the fit.
| Product Name | EXNOS 23.6-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Heater | Fireside 23-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Insert | Duraflame Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove | 43-Inch White Electric Fireplace Mantel With 1400W Heater | R.W.FLAME 43-Inch Electric Fireplace Mantel |
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| Type | Compact heater | Compact insert heater | Compact stove | Compact mantel | Compact mantel |
| Heater | 750/1,500W | 5,116 BTU | 5,200 BTU | 1,400W | 750/1,500W |
| Controls | Remote, 1 to 12 hour timer | Remote and timer | Remote control | Remote, 8-hour timer | Remote control |
| Standout Feature | Thermostat 59 to 99 degrees | Freestanding or inside a mantel | Door opens to controls | 62 to 95 degree temperature control | Adjustable LED flame |
| Best For | Bedrooms and offices | Small mantels | Corners and small rooms | Apartments | Small living rooms |
| Width | 23.6″ | 22.8″ | 21″ | 43″ | 43.3″ |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 23.6″ x 6.7″ x 17.3″ | 22.8″ x 7.1″ x 19.7″ | 21″ x 10.75″ x 23″ | 43″ x 11″ x 40″ | 43.3″ x 13.7″ x 39.6″ |
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| Product Name | Image | Type | Heater | Controls | Standout Feature | Best For | Width | Dimensions (W x D x H) | Buy Now |
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| EXNOS 23.6-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Heater | |
Compact heater | 750/1,500W | Remote, 1 to 12 hour timer | Thermostat 59 to 99 degrees | Bedrooms and offices | 23.6″ | 23.6″ x 6.7″ x 17.3″ | |
| Fireside 23-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Insert | |
Compact insert heater | 5,116 BTU | Remote and timer | Freestanding or inside a mantel | Small mantels | 22.8″ | 22.8″ x 7.1″ x 19.7″ | |
| Duraflame Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove | |
Compact stove | 5,200 BTU | Remote control | Door opens to controls | Corners and small rooms | 21″ | 21″ x 10.75″ x 23″ | |
| 43-Inch White Electric Fireplace Mantel With 1400W Heater | |
Compact mantel | 1,400W | Remote, 8-hour timer | 62 to 95 degree temperature control | Apartments | 43″ | 43″ x 11″ x 40″ | |
| R.W.FLAME 43-Inch Electric Fireplace Mantel | |
Compact mantel | 750/1,500W | Remote control | Adjustable LED flame | Small living rooms | 43.3″ | 43.3″ x 13.7″ x 39.6″ | |
1. EXNOS 23.6-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Heater
The EXNOS 23.6-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Heater is one of the most popular compact fireplaces, with a 3D flame effect and a 750 or 1,500 watt heater that warms rooms of up to 300 square feet.
It measures 23.6 inches wide, 6.7 inches deep and 17.3 inches tall.
A thermostat, a remote and a one to twelve hour timer make it simple to use.
Features
- Size: 23.6″ W x 6.7″ D x 17.3″ H
- 750 or 1,500 watt heater
- Thermostat from 59 to 99 degrees
- Remote and a 1 to 12 hour timer
- Overheat and tip-over protection
Pros
- It is small enough to carry from room to room
- The thermostat keeps the room comfortable
- Overheat and tip-over protection add safety
- The 3D flame looks lively for its size
Cons
- It covers less area than the infrared stoves
- It has no mantel or storage
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
This is the one to pick if you want a small, simple fireplace for a bedroom, an office or a reading corner.
It needs no assembly and no installation.
Place it on a stable surface near an outlet.
Check its current price on Amazon
2. Fireside 23-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Insert
The Fireside 23-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Insert is a compact insert that can stand on its own or fit inside a mantel, rated at 5,116 BTU.
It measures 22.8 inches wide, 7.1 inches deep and 19.7 inches tall, and it comes with a remote and a timer.
It suits small mantels and surrounds.
Features
- Size: 22.8″ W x 7.1″ D x 19.7″ H
- 5,116 BTU heater
- Remote control and timer
- Freestanding or inside a mantel
- Compact insert design
Pros
- It works on its own or inside a mantel
- The 5,116 BTU heater is a good size for small rooms
- The remote and timer are convenient
- The slim depth suits narrow spaces
Cons
- It has no surround of its own
- Check the product page for the full specifications
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
When you already own a mantel or want to build a small hearth, this insert is a flexible way to start.
It also works alone on a console.
Measure the opening if you plan to place it inside a mantel.
Check its current price on Amazon
3. Duraflame Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove
The Duraflame Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove is a compact stove that is rated at 5,200 BTU and heats rooms of up to 1,000 square feet.
It measures 21 inches wide, 10.75 inches deep and 23 inches tall, and a front door opens to reveal the controls.
A remote control is included.
Features
- Size: 21″ W x 10.75″ D x 23″ H
- 5,200 BTU infrared quartz heat
- Heats up to 1,000 square feet
- Door opens to a control panel
- Remote control with batteries included
Pros
- It is small, yet it still heats a large space
- The front door hides the controls neatly
- Infrared heat keeps the air comfortable
- It is easy to move around the room
Cons
- The look is traditional
- The flames are simpler than on the 3D model
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
If you want real warmth from a small footprint, this little stove does a lot for its size.
It fits nicely in a corner.
Use the remote to adjust the heat from your seat.
Check its current price on Amazon
4. 43-Inch White Electric Fireplace Mantel With 1400W Heater
The 43-Inch White Electric Fireplace Mantel With 1400W Heater is a slim mantel that is only 11 inches deep, with a 23-inch insert and a 1,400 watt heater.
It measures 43 inches wide and 40 inches tall, and it has a temperature range of 62 to 95 degrees and a timer of up to eight hours.
The white finish keeps small rooms bright.
Features
- Size: 43″ W x 11″ D x 40″ H
- 23-inch fireplace insert
- 1,400 watt heater
- 62 to 95 degree temperature control
- 8-hour timer and remote
Pros
- The slim 11-inch depth suits small rooms and apartments
- Temperature control keeps the room comfortable
- The timer saves energy
- The white finish brightens a room
Cons
- The brand name is not clear on the listing
- The surround is smaller than the larger models
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
This is a good fit for apartments and bedrooms where space is tight but a bit of warmth and style would be lovely.
The white finish keeps the room feeling open.
Check the listing for the full details before you order.
Check its current price on Amazon
5. R.W.FLAME 43-Inch Electric Fireplace Mantel
The R.W.FLAME 43-Inch Electric Fireplace Mantel is a small mantel with a wooden surround, an adjustable LED flame and a 750 or 1,500 watt heater.
It measures 43.3 inches wide, 13.7 inches deep and 39.6 inches tall, and it can double as a small TV stand.
The black finish suits many rooms.
Features
- Size: 43.3″ W x 13.7″ D x 39.6″ H
- Wooden mantel surround
- Adjustable LED flame
- 750 or 1,500 watt heater
- Remote control included
Pros
- The mantel gives a small room a real focal point
- The remote controls flame and heat from the sofa
- It doubles as a small TV stand
- No wall mounting is required
Cons
- The surround is smaller than the wider options
- Check the weight limit before you place a TV on top
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
This is a dependable small mantel in a classic finish, and it slides into most living rooms with ease.
It also suits a bedroom.
Place it where you can reach an outlet easily.
Check its current price on Amazon
Buying Guide
Measure the space first, including the distance to the nearest outlet.
Compare the heater rating, the controls and the width, and decide between a stove, a heater and a small mantel.
Make sure the cord is long enough to reach an outlet.
Read each listing fully before you finally decide.
Tips for Choosing a Small Electric Fireplace
Measure the spot where the fireplace will go and the distance to an outlet before you order, because compact units usually have short cords.
Check the heater rating against your room size, since a small room often needs less heat than you might think.
Choose a model with a thermostat or timer if you plan to use it at night, because it keeps the room comfortable and saves energy.
A compact fireplace also makes a lovely gift, since it is easy to ship, simple to set up and useful all year.
A small mantel can double as a nightstand or console, which makes it useful in rooms where every inch counts.
Measure the spot where it will go and the distance to the nearest outlet, since a short cord is the most common limit with compact units.
If you are heating a bedroom or an office, a thermostat is worth having, because it keeps the room comfortable without constant adjustments.
If you want extra warmth for other rooms too, you may like our guide to the best WiFi controlled space heaters.
If you are planning the whole room, our guide to the best family sofas is a good place to look for seating that suits a cozy fireplace corner.
FAQ
How much space does a small electric fireplace need?
Most compact units need only a flat surface and a few feet of clear space in front, plus an outlet nearby.
Can a small fireplace heat a room?
Yes, many produce about 5,100 BTU, which warms a room of 300 to 400 square feet.
Can I put a small fireplace in a bedroom?
Yes, as long as you keep bedding and curtains away from the front and follow the manual.
Do small fireplaces need installation?
No, they plug into a standard outlet, though mantels need a little assembly.
Conclusion
A small electric fireplace proves that a cozy glow does not need a big room.
The EXNOS 23.6-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Heater is the best all-round pick for a simple, compact fireplace.
Choose the Fireside 23-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace Insert for small mantels, the Duraflame Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove for real heat, and the 43-Inch White Electric Fireplace Mantel With 1400W Heater for apartments.
Pick the R.W.FLAME 43-Inch Electric Fireplace Mantel when you want a small mantel with a wood surround.