Electric fireplace inserts are the easiest way to modernize an old wood or gas firebox — no chimney sweeping, no logs, no fumes. A firebox insert slides into your existing opening and fills it with a flame display; a plug-in log insert sits inside your current firebox for an even simpler retrofit. Here are the best of 2026 for both approaches.
Top insert picks compared
| Insert | Type | Best for | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimplex Revillusion | Firebox | Most realistic | ~$1,000 | ★★★★★ |
| PuraFlame Western 33" | Firebox | Best value | ~$300 | ★★★★½ |
| ClassicFlame 3D Infrared | Firebox | Best heat | ~$350 | ★★★★☆ |
| Duraflame Log Set Heater | Log insert | Easiest retrofit | ~$130 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Dimplex Revillusion — Most Realistic
Dimplex Revillusion Electric Fireplace Insert
- Mirror-free "Revillusion" flame with a hand-finished log set and ember bed.
- Front-glass design meant to be viewed from any angle, up close.
- 1500W heater; flame runs with or without heat.
The Revillusion is the insert to buy if realism is everything. Unlike most inserts that use an angled mirror trick, Dimplex projects the flame with a randomized ember bed and a detailed log set, so it holds up even when someone’s standing right in front of it. It’s the priciest insert here, but it’s the one that makes a retrofit look like a genuine built-in. Since inserts ship heavy and you’ll want to test-fit before finishing the surround, a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial gets it to you in two days.
2. PuraFlame Western 33” — Best Value
PuraFlame Western 33" Electric Fireplace Insert
- Recessed firebox insert with a realistic log-and-ember bed.
- Adjustable flame brightness, timer, and remote.
- 1500W heat, overheat protection; also sold in 26", 30", and 36" widths.
The PuraFlame Western is our value pick and the one most people should buy. It slots into an existing opening, looks convincingly like a built-in from normal viewing distance, and comes in enough widths (26”–36”) to fit most fireboxes. You give up some of the Dimplex’s close-up realism, but you save two-thirds of the price. Measure your opening carefully and pick the width that fits with a little clearance.
3. ClassicFlame 3D Infrared — Best Heat
ClassicFlame 3D Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Insert
- Infrared quartz heat warms up to ~1,000 sq ft and preserves humidity.
- 3D flame effect with adjustable brightness and color tones.
- Digital thermostat and remote; multiple widths available.
If you actually want the insert to heat the room, the ClassicFlame 3D Infrared is the pick. Its infrared quartz elements warm a larger area faster than the fan heaters in most inserts, and they don’t dry the air as much. The 3D flame is a solid step up from flat 2D effects, and the digital thermostat holds a set temperature rather than just running full-blast. A great choice for a family room you want to keep genuinely warm.
4. Duraflame Log Set Heater — Easiest Retrofit
Duraflame Infrared Electric Fireplace Log Set Heater
- Drops straight into an existing firebox — no framing or firebox insert needed.
- Infrared heat with realistic resin logs and an ember effect.
- Remote and thermostat; the simplest way to electrify an old wood fireplace.
Have a working masonry firebox you just want to stop burning wood in? The Duraflame log set is the no-fuss answer. It sits inside your existing opening, plugs into a nearby outlet, and gives you glowing logs and infrared heat without buying a full firebox insert or doing any carpentry. It won’t look as seamless as a fitted insert, but it’s the cheapest and fastest conversion by far.
How to choose an electric fireplace insert
- Firebox insert vs. log insert — a firebox insert fills the whole opening for a built-in look; a log insert sits inside your existing firebox for a cheap, easy retrofit. Decide how finished you want it to look.
- Measure the opening — width, height, and depth, front and back (masonry often tapers). Buy to the smallest measurement with clearance.
- Realism vs. price — Dimplex Revillusion leads on close-up realism; PuraFlame and ClassicFlame look great from across the room for far less.
- Heat type — infrared (quartz) heats faster and holds humidity; fan-forced is cheaper. For a room you want genuinely warm, favor infrared.
For a wall-hung linear look instead of a firebox retrofit, see our best wall mount electric fireplace picks.
The bottom line
For a retrofit that looks truly built-in, the Dimplex Revillusion is the most realistic insert you can buy. Most people are better served by the PuraFlame Western 33”, which nails the look for a third of the price. Choose the ClassicFlame 3D Infrared if heat output is the priority, and the Duraflame log set if you just want to electrify an existing firebox with zero carpentry.