Built-in electric fireplaces are a type of electric fireplace designed to be more of a permanent solution for your home compared to other types of electric fireplace, such as plug-in electric fireplaces or electric fireplace log sets.
Built-in inserts are the perfect solution if you’re looking to install an electric fireplace either in a wall, in your existing fireplace or in a new entertainment center.
We’ve therefore put together this guide to bring you the best built-in electric fireplaces, as well as what you will need to consider when buying a built-in insert.
This guide is for built-in electric fireplace inserts that are ventless and direct wired and so are designed to be installed within existing walls or new entertainment centers.
Other types of inserts include plug-in electric fireplaces, which need to be plugged into a standard electrical outlet in your home rather than hard wired, and can be a better solution when you want to turn your existing wood burning fireplace into an electric fireplace. You can read our guide to the best plug-in electric fireplace inserts here.
There are also electric fireplace log sets, which simply imitate logs inside a fireplace grate, and are the easiest option for an insert into your existing fireplace. Our guide to the best electric fireplace logs can be found here.
Top 5 Best Built-In Electric Fireplaces
In summary, the best built-in electric fireplaces are:
- ClassicFlame Traditional Builders Box Insert
- Dimplex Synergy
- Dimplex Built-In
- Napoleon Allure
- Dimplex PuriFire
1. ClassicFlame Traditional Builders Box Insert
This ClassicFlame Traditional Builders Box Built-In Electric Fireplace Insert is a brilliant all-round electric fireplace that will look great when built-in to any fireplace, wall, mantel or entertainment center.
It has flames and logs that users say how real it looks, and is able to provide supplementary heat thanks to an integrated heater. There are 5 brightness settings for the flames and you can use either the included remote or wall-mounted controls to use the fireplace.
This fireplace comes as a direct-wire unit but comes with a plug-in kit if required at no extra cost, and is also available in 120 and 220-volt options.
Click here to find more information and to see the latest price for this ClassicFlame Insert.
Specs
Brand: ClassicFlame
BTUs: 4400
Heating Area: 400sqft
Dimensions: 36” Width 24” Height 7.62” Depth (36-Inch Version)
Mounting Option: Fully Recessed
Wiring: Direct-Wire or Plug Kit
Sizes: 36-inches
- Direct wire or use included plug kit
- Fade out screen function indicators
- 5 flame brightness settings
- Wall-mount controls and remote included
- Self-trimming design
Verified Buyer Review Comments:
“Easy to install and use”
“Transformed old wood burning fireplace”
“Beautiful”
“Looks like a real fire”
“Fulfills all expectations”
“Looks totally built-in”
Read all the reviews on this ClassicFlame fireplace insert here.
Check the latest price and buy the ClassicFlame Traditional Built-In Electric Fireplace Insert here.
2. Dimplex Synergy
The Dimplex Synergy is a brilliant built-in electric fireplace with realistic patented technology and a stunning glass ember bed.
The heater can be used independently from the flames with high or low heat options, and you also have the option to mount the unit partially recessed into a wall or on the surface.
Specs
Brand: Dimplex
BTUs: 4198
Heating Area: 400sqft
Dimensions: 50.28” Width 19.45” Height 7.04” Depth (50-inch)
Wiring: Direct Wire or Plug Kit
Mounting: Fully Recessed / Partially Recessed / Surface Mount
Sizes: 50”
- Patented and realistic flame effects
- Integrated heater
- Remote control included
- Can use flames without heat
- Optional wood surround
- Direct wire or use optional plug kit
Verified Buyer Review Comments:
“Beautiful”
“Very modern”
“Looks so real”
“Heater extremely quiet”
“Does not look like a fake fireplace”
“Easy to operate”
“Easy install”
Read all of the reviews on the Dimplex Synergy here.
See the latest price and buy the Dimplex Synergy Wall Mount Electric Fireplace here.
3. Dimplex Built-In Insert
This Dimplex insert has all the features you’d want from a built-in electric fireplace, including dual voltage, patented flame technology and both manual and remote controls.
Click here to find more information and to see the latest price for this built-in Dimplex fireplace.
This built-in insert is available in 33-inch, 39-inch and 45-inch versions.
Specs
Brand: Dimplex
BTUs: 4915/7170/9220
Heating Area: 400/800sqft
Dimensions: 44.7” Width 32.7” Height 15.3” Depth (45-Inch Version)
Mounting Option: Fully Recessed
Wiring: Direct-Wire or Plug Kit (Not Included)
Sizes: 33 / 39 / 45-inches
- Realistic patented ember bed and logs
- Dual voltage heater
- Manual controls
- Use flames without heat
- Optional thermostat and remote
- Door and trim options
Verified Buyer Review Comments:
“The perfect electric fireplace”
“Exceeded our expectations”
“Looks real”
“Beautiful”
“Hassle-free”
Read all the reviews on this Dimplex insert here.
Check the latest price and buy the Dimplex Built-In Electric Fireplace Insert here.
4. Napoleon Allure
The Napoleon Allure is a stunning linear electric fireplace that can either be fully built-in or mounted on the surface of a wall.
An attractive crystal ember bed compliments its modern design, and the realistic flames can be operated in orange or blue or a combination of the two.
The Napoleon Allure Insert is available in 32-inch, 42-inch, 50-inch, 60-inch, 72-inch and 100-inch models.
Specs
Brand: Napoleon
BTUs: 5000
Heating Area: 400sqft
Dimensions: 60” Width 21.625” Height 5” Depth (60-inch)
Wiring: Direct Wire or Plug Kit
Mounting: Surface Mount or Fully Recessed
Sizes Available: 32” / 42” / 50” / 60” / 72” / 100”
- Heat with 400sqft heating area
- Modern Crystal ember bed with glass display
- Touch screen controls
- Remote control included
Verified Buyer Review Comments:
“Gives the room a high end look”
“Gives the effect and warmth we were anticipating”
“Easy to install”
“Very nice quality fireplace”
“No complaints”
“Exactly what we wanted”
Read all of the reviews on the Allure electric fireplace here.
Check the latest price and buy the Napoleon Allure Built-In Electric Fireplace here.
5. Dimplex PuriFire
The PuriFire is another great built-in electric fireplace by Dimplex, and you can enjoy the realistic flames effects with log set and ember bed with or without the dual voltage heater being on.
Specs
Brand: Dimplex
BTUs: 4915/7170/9220
Heating Area: 400/800sqft
Mounting Option: Fully Recessed
Wiring: Direct-Wire or Optional Plug Kit
Sizes: 39-inches
- Dual voltage
- Realistic ember bed and log set
- Use the flames without the heat
- Integrated thermostat
- Glass door or decorative trim kit finish
Verified Buyer Review Comments:
“Beautiful unit”
“Amazing”
“Looks so real”
“Excellent quality”
“Great experience”
“Very pleased ”
Read all the reviews on this Dimplex fireplace insert here.
Check the latest price and buy the Dimplex PuriFire Built-In Electric Fireplace Insert here.
What To Consider When Buying A Built-In Electric Fireplace
Built-in electric fireplaces are more of a permanent solution to your home, and can be installed directly into walls of your home or your existing open fireplace.
Built-in units are zero-clearance and ventless meaning that they are the best solution if you’re looking to have an electric fireplace installed in a wall.
Less permanent solutions include plug-in inserts and log set inserts.
Plug-in inserts are designed to be installed within more open areas such as existing fireplaces and entertainment centers, and need to be plugged into one of your standard home electrical outlets to work. They are a good alternative to built-in electric fireplaces if you’re looking to have an insert installed within your traditional open fireplace. You can read our buyers guide to the best electric fireplaces for your existing fireplace here.
Log set inserts only come as the logs set and ember bed with no larger unit. These are the easiest to install as they simply need to be placed on a flat surface. The downside is that they don’t mask any visual imperfections of an existing fireplace. Our guide to the best electric logs sets can be found here.
When buying a built-in electric fireplace insert you’ll need to consider the following:
- The size of the unit
- Power supply
- Flame effects
- Heater
Size of Fireplace Unit
Different models of built-in electric fireplace come in different shapes and sizes. The size of the unit typically denotes the width. For example, a 60-inch unit will be approximately 60 inches wide.
When installing a built-in electric fireplace in your home you’ll therefore need to consider what size best fits its intended location.
Power Supply
Built-in electric fireplaces need to be direct wired into your home electrics, but some can come with included or optional plug kits that allow you to plug them into a standard electrical outlet, instead of having to wire them in.
Flames & Heat
Each manufacturer and model of electric fireplace will have their own style and realism of flame effects, but most of the electric fireplaces on the market today provide very realistic looking flames and so the choice of unit can come down to preference of type of ember bed and log set, as well as color options for the flames.
The heaters will be able to heat at least 400sqft of area, while some models will be able to heat larger areas. Depending on the area of your home you intend to heat you’ll need to choose accordingly.
Other Buying Guides
Electric Fireplace Heaters
Small Electric Fireplace
Wall Mount Electric Fireplace
Electric Fireplace TV Stands
Electric Fireplace Mantels
Electric Fireplace Stoves
Electric Fireplace Log
Corner Electric Fireplace
Electric Fireplace Inserts For Existing Fireplace
The Complete Electric Fireplace Buying Guide