The best inset electric fires – The good news is that you don’t need to chop logs and fire up a wood-burner to get that toasty feel.
The best inset electric fires can instantly warm up your lounge and add a cosy ambience to your home. Inset electric fires are sometimes known as recessed electric fires, and they can be easily turned on with the flick of a switch.
There are a host of designs available on the market, many with interchangeable fuel beds featuring a pebble bed effect, authentic-looking coal etc.
You can even change the lightness and brightness to suit your mood! The realistic dancing flames can be turned up or down and you can switch between a variety of hues.
With so many options, how will you choose from the best inset electric fires to compliment your home? Each product has its own features and a price tag to match. Allow us to give you a helping hand with your decision making.
Take a look at our handy guide, showcasing the best inset electric fires in the UK.
The Best Inset Electric Fires Currently On The Market
We’ve Featured In:
Take a look at our top picks to see which style of fire offers the best performance overall for the least money.
#1: TruFlame 2020 Electric Fire
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
Features:
- 91 cm black tempered glass
- Pebble, crystal or log fuel effect
- Heat radiates from the front
- Two heat settings to choose from – 750w or 1500w
- 30-minute interval heat timer (settings of between 30 minutes and 7.5 hours)
- Remote touch panel control
- 3 colour LED flames – choose from amber, blue or a mix of both
- 4 brightness levels
- Wall-mount via the bracket or insert for a flush finish
- Safety thermal cut-off device prevents product from overheating
- Space between fire and edge of glass for plug socket and to hide wires
- Comprehensive manual featuring fitting instructions and illustrations
Anything You Should Know?
- For flush mounting you will need a depth of 14cm
#2: Hawnby Recessed Electric Fire
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
Features:
- Specially designed for recessed mounting in walls
- Voltage 220/240Vac 50hz 1 and 2 kW
- Black toughened glass
- 100% LED lighting with realistic flame effect
- 2 log bed options – choose from log set or crystal stones
- 4 flame settings
- 5 levels of brightness
- Flame effect can be operated without heat
- Produced with optimum energy efficiency in mind
- Digital LCD remote featuring 7-day programmer
- Thermostat (temperature room sensor) with display
- Programable and adaptive start control
- Easy to install with 1.7 m cable
- Cost efficient – uses less than 90w per day
- ECODESIGN 2018 Compliant
- Front outlet so you can mount a TV above
Anything You Should Know?
- The remote control will automatically turn the fire on and off (between 1 & 2 KW) based on the room temperature
- Minimum 300mm clearance required between the top of the glass panel and any object
#3: Adam Colorado Electric Inset Fire
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Features:
- A moulded coal effect fuel bed
- Realistic LED flame effect
- 1kW & 2kW settings for heat
- Sturdy, modern design
Anything You Should Know?
- 58mm recess required. Spacer can be removed to fully inset the fire
#4: Endeavour Fires Egton Wall Mounted Electric Fire
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
Features:
- 1&2kW
- 7-day programmable remote control
- A choice of surround colour – back or white available
- LED lighting with realistic flame
- Designed and manufactured with energy efficiency in mind
- Thermostat featuring
- Adaptive start control (automatic switch on to pre-heat your home).
- 5 levels of brightness
- 13 colour mood lighting options.
- Economic to run (less than 11w per hour) at 5 hours a day, that’s £4 per year
- Designed to be eco-friendly and energy efficient
Anything You Should Know?
- Dimensions W 910mm x H 580mm x D 180mm
- Min 400mm clearance required
#5: Dimplex DKT20 Dakota Electric Fire
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
Features:
- Fits 16” & 18” fireplace openings
- Fits all conventional flues
- 230 W, 2kW fan heater – choice of two heat settings
- Uses patented Optiflame technology for a warm glow
- White pebble effect fuel bed
- Flame only setting available – 2 bulbs included
- Brushed stainless steel finish
- Product dimensions: 16 x 46.3 x 61.5 cm
- Inset depth of 70mm
- Safety cut off system for peace of mind
- Tested to BEAB standards
- 1-year manufacturers guarantee
- 1.5m power cord
Anything You Should Know?
- Can be installed flush to wall using a Dimplex spacer (SPA-OF1)
Alternative Options (Often Out Of Stock)
Wärme Firebox Designer Electric Fireplace
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
Features:
- 12 different flame colours and 5 brightness options
- 8 side LED light options
- Heater with internal fan
- Patented haze flame technology provides a 3D flame effect.
- Remote control
- 1Kw and 2Kw heat output settings
- Switch on flame without the heat.
- 2-year warranty
Anything You Should Know?
- Dimensions: 127 cm W x 15.1 cm D x 46 cm
- Leave a minimum of 30-60 cm of space between the electric fireplace and the floor, ceiling, and any furniture
Endeavour Fires Roxby Inset Electric Fire
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
Features:
- 220/240Vac
- 1&2kW
- 7-day programmable remote control varies temperature automatically
- Flames can be turned on without the heat
- 100% LED realistic looking flames.
- 5 brightness settings
- 1 Year Guarantee
Anything You Should Know?
- Dimensions W 510mm x H 605mm x D 197mm
- Dimensions of fire rear(inset): W 405mm x H 556mm x D110mm
Unionline In-Wall Recessed Mounted Electric Fireplace
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
Features:
- Choose from an inset fire or a wall-mounted design
- Two heat settings for your comfort – 1800W high and 900W low settings
- Flame only setting if you don’t want any heat
- A timer can be set (for between 1 hour and 8 hours)
- Attractive glass frontage
- 9 LED colour flames and 6 levels of brightness
- 2 interchangeable beds (faux logs and crystal stones)
Anything You Should Know?
- The manufacturer recommends this fireplace is situated at least 30 cm below the ceiling.
- Choose between a 92cm long version or 127cm long version.
Which Is The Best Inset Electric Fire For You?
The five products we have looked at above all have their merits. Whether you are seeking a sleek and modern design, a fire that’s easy to install, or one offering a multitude of choice in terms of flame colour and LE lighting, you’re sure to find a product that suits your needs.
The TruFlame 2020 Electric Fire certainly has plenty in the way of features, as does the Endeavour Fires Roxby Inset Electric Fire.
If you’re keen on the idea of having the option of mounting your fire on the wall then take a look a the Wärme Firebox Designer Electric Fireplace or the Endeavour Fires Egton Wall Mounted Electric Fire.
Think about what type of inset electric fire will complement your living space. Do you want the fire to primarily provide a source of heat? Or more for aesthetic purposes? Perhaps you are looking for a combination of the two – a stylish electric fire with a choice of flame-effect that warms your home at the same time.
How Is an Inset Electric Fire Installed?
An inset electric fire needs to sit in a cavity within the wall. This could be an existing fireplace or a cavity that’s been created specifically to accommodate your new electric fire.
The wall needs to be flat to ensure the surround sits flush against it. The inset fire can then be placed carefully into the cavity. You need to make sure the power cable freely runs to the mains socket (you don’t want the cable to get caught underneath).
The Benefits of Installing an Inset Electric Fire
The best inset electric fires have a streamlined and stylish look, giving your home a modish feel and updating the space. As the fire sits snugly inside a cavity you won’t get lots of loose wires or cables dangling and trailing around the room – not a good look at all! With all the “working bits” hidden away from view, you just get a nice view of your neat looking fire.
Inset electric fires are also a great option if you’re a little short on floor space. You won’t waste precious room trying to find a spot for a freestanding fire, instead you can fix it into the cavity, giving your room a more spacious feel.
Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, an inset electric fire is also considered a safe option. If you have young children and pets at home you need to take extra care when choosing home appliances. Wood-burners and the likes look attractive but can be dangerous.
Electric fires can provide the authentic-looking dancing flames without the same element of risk. You don’t have to worry if you don’t have a chimney or flue – you just need a flat wall and a space for your cavity.
There’s also the maintenance element to take into account. Electric fires are very easy to fit and look after. Installation is usually fuss-free and won’t cost the earth. Electricity is clean and readily available. Plus, you don’t have to worry about sourcing fuel for a wood burner or paying a professional to sign off your gas fire following installation.
Does an Electric Fire Look Realistic?
The best inset electric fires have manufacturers who put plenty of thought into the design of the product.
Realistic flames tend to come as standard, but producers are now going one step further by designing fires that have multiple flame design options, coloured LED lights and different levels of brightness.
You can choose the flame that best suits the space, the season and your mood!
Are Wall Mounted Electric Fires Expensive to Run?
Modern-day electric fires are geared toward energy efficiency and are therefore relatively inexpensive to run. The heat flows straight into your room (no lost warmth escaping up the chimney or flue), so you aren’t wasting money.
You will pay approximately 30 pence per hour to run a 2KW model fire, if you switch on the lighting effects too you can add approximately another 5p per hour to the cost.
The Best Inset Electric Fires In The UK
