Quick Picks
Short on time? Here are the best smart electric fireplaces for 2026:
- Touchstone Sideline Elite Pro 50” (~$1,000) — Best overall
- Westinghouse 50” Electric Fireplace (~$480) — Best value
- PuraFlame Bernice 60” Linear (~$600) — Best modern design
- Touchstone Sideline Elite 60” (~$1,040) — Best for large walls
- Touchstone Fireplug 33” Insert (~$930) — Best for existing fireplaces
- Manastin 50” Smart WiFi Fireplace (~$225) — Best budget
An electric fireplace gives you the part of a real fire most people actually want: the glow, the cozy focal point, and a bit of extra heat, without a chimney, gas line, ash, or smoke. The smart versions add something a wood fire never could. You can switch the flames on from the couch with your voice, start the heat from your phone on the drive home, and put the fireplace on a schedule so the living room is warm and glowing when you walk in on a winter evening.
Electric fireplaces have also gotten far more convincing. The flat orange ribbon of a decade ago has been replaced by layered LED flames with adjustable speed, color, and brightness, glowing ember beds, and on some models, a built-in crackle sound. Paired with WiFi and Alexa or Google Assistant, a good one is a genuine centerpiece for a TV wall or a bedroom.
For this guide we only considered fireplaces with real smart control — WiFi, an app, and voice assistant support — not just an infrared remote. We verified every listing on Amazon and mixed in options for different installs: wall-mounted, recessed into a wall, and inserts that slide into an existing masonry fireplace. These are big purchases, so measure first and read the installation notes below before you buy.
What to Know Before You Buy
Installation type. Most linear smart fireplaces can be either wall-mounted (hung flat on the wall like a TV) or recessed (built into a framed wall so it sits flush). Recessing looks best but requires building or cutting into a wall. An insert is a box designed to slide into an existing wood-burning fireplace opening — the easiest way to modernize an old hearth.
Heat output. Nearly every plug-in electric fireplace maxes out at 1,500 watts on a standard 120V outlet, about the same as a space heater. That’s enough supplemental heat for a room up to roughly 400 square feet. It won’t heat a whole house, but it can let you turn down the central heat and warm just the room you’re in. Most also run flames-only with no heat, so you can enjoy the look year-round.
Power. A 1,500W fireplace should be on its own outlet, ideally its own 15A circuit, and plugged directly into the wall — never into an extension cord or power strip. Several of these can also be hardwired by an electrician for a cleaner recessed install. Because they have WiFi built in, you don’t need (and shouldn’t use) a smart plug to automate them.
Clearance above. If you’re mounting a TV above the fireplace, check the manufacturer’s clearance: typically 8–12 inches between the top of the unit and anything above it. The heat vents usually blow out the top front.
Measure twice. For recessed and insert models, the opening dimensions matter to the half inch. Measure your wall cavity or fireplace opening before ordering.
The Best Smart Electric Fireplaces for 2026
Touchstone Sideline Elite Pro 50” — Best Overall
Touchstone’s Sideline series is one of the most popular electric fireplace lines on Amazon, and the Elite Pro is the best version of it for a smart home. It connects over WiFi and works with Alexa, so you can adjust flame color, temperature, and timers from your phone or by voice. Unlike many linear fireplaces, it supports both wall-mount and recessed installation, so you can hang it now and build it into a wall later.
What sets the Pro apart is realism. You get 6 flame colors with 5 speeds and intensities, an ember bed with 13 colors and a pulsing setting, 13-color down lighting, and enhanced ember bed media including painted crushed glass. A built-in crackle sound with adjustable volume completes the effect. The 1,500W/750W heater has a thermostat from 68 to 88°F, heats rooms up to about 400 square feet, and has a programmable timer from 30 minutes to 9 hours. It can be plugged in or hardwired. It’s a newer model with fewer reviews than the classic Sideline, but early ratings are excellent.
Pros:
- WiFi app and Alexa voice control
- Wall-mount or recessed installation
- Built-in crackle sound
- Highly customizable flames, embers, and down lighting
- Plug-in or hardwired
Cons:
- Premium price
- Newer model with fewer reviews
- Voice support is Alexa-focused
Westinghouse 50” Electric Fireplace — Best Value
For about half the price of the Touchstone Elite Pro, the Westinghouse 50” gets you most of what matters. It works with both Alexa and Google Home, plus the Westinghouse app and an included remote, so it fits more smart homes than the Alexa-focused Touchstone. It can be wall-mounted or recessed flush into a wall.
The flame display is impressively flexible for the price: up to 144 flame and ember color combinations, 5 brightness levels, and 5 flame speeds, with both faux log and crystal ember beds included so you can switch looks. The 750W/1,500W heater has a built-in thermostat adjustable from 62 to 82°F, and a 24-hour timer. For recessed installs it fits a 49” x 15” x 6” opening. Westinghouse recommends about 12 inches of clearance above it and putting it on its own 120V 15A circuit. With hundreds of reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it’s the best balance of price, features, and compatibility here.
Pros:
- Works with Alexa and Google Home, plus an app and remote
- Wall-mount or recessed
- 144 flame and ember color combinations
- Includes log and crystal ember sets
- 24-hour timer
Cons:
- No crackle sound
- Needs about 12” of clearance above
- Should be on its own circuit
PuraFlame Bernice 60” Linear — Best Modern Design
If you care about the look as much as the flames, the PuraFlame Bernice is the cleanest-looking fireplace in this guide. Its heater vents are concealed, so there’s no visible grille breaking up the front, and a slim 2-inch aluminum trim frames the long 60-inch display. The result looks closer to a high-end built-in than a heater, perfect for a modern TV wall.
It’s also the most flexible to install: recessed into a framed wall, mounted flat on the wall, or freestanding. Control comes via the app, Alexa or Google Assistant, or a remote. You get 9 flame and fuel-bed colors, a crackling sound with adjustable volume, and both driftwood and crystal media. The heater has low and high settings with a thermostat from 60 to 84°F, warms up to about 400 square feet, and works with or without the flames on. It can plug into a 120V outlet or be hardwired.
Pros:
- Hidden vents and slim trim for a clean, modern look
- Recessed, wall-mount, or freestanding
- Alexa and Google Assistant support
- Crackle sound
- Driftwood and crystal media included
Cons:
- Fewer flame color options than Westinghouse
- 60” width needs a large wall
Touchstone Sideline Elite 60” — Best for Large Walls
The Sideline Elite 60 is the proven classic of smart electric fireplaces. With hundreds of reviews averaging 4.7 stars, it has the best track record of anything in this guide. It’s WiFi-enabled and designed specifically for recessed in-wall installation, where its minimal black frame sits flush for a built-in look across a big living room wall.
You get 6 flame colors and 10 independently controlled media colors for 60 combinations, plus 3 flame speeds and 5 intensity settings for the flames and fire bed. It includes faux logs, driftwood, and crystals. The heater has high and low settings, a thermostat from 68 to 88°F, and a 1–8 hour timer, and it remembers your flame settings so it can be switched on by a light switch or smart device. It can be plugged in or hardwired. Touchstone recommends at least 8 inches between the top of the unit and the ceiling or anything mounted above. If you’re building out a feature wall and want a fireplace with years of happy owners behind it, this is a safe bet.
Pros:
- Best review track record in this guide
- WiFi-enabled smart control
- 60 flame and media color combinations
- Logs, driftwood, and crystals included
- Remembers settings; plug-in or hardwired
Cons:
- Recessed installation only — requires a wall cavity
- No crackle sound (that’s the Elite Pro)
- Premium price
Touchstone Fireplug 33” Insert — Best for Existing Fireplaces
Have an old wood-burning fireplace you never use because it’s drafty, smoky, or just a hassle? The Fireplug is designed to drop right into an existing masonry fireplace and turn it into a smart electric one, no construction required. Its front face measures 33” wide by 26” tall to fill the opening, and it’s a freestanding firebox, so it slides in and plugs in.
It’s a full smart fireplace: Alexa, Google Home, and app control over WiFi, plus a built-in control panel and remote. You get 6 flame colors with 5 speeds, an ember bed with 13 colors and a pulsing mode, 13-color down lighting, and a built-in crackle speaker. The 1,500W/750W heater has a 68–88°F thermostat, warms up to about 400 square feet, and has a 30-minute to 8-hour timer. It’s a newer model with only a small number of reviews so far, but it’s the best way to put a dead fireplace back to work.
Pros:
- Slides into an existing masonry fireplace
- Alexa, Google Home, and app control
- Crackle speaker and 13-color embers
- No wall construction needed
Cons:
- Must match your fireplace opening size
- Very few reviews yet
- Premium price
Manastin 50” Smart WiFi Fireplace — Best Budget
You don’t need to spend $1,000 to get a smart fireplace. The Manastin 50” costs a fraction of the Touchstones and still gives you WiFi with Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, plus an app and a remote. At just 3.9 inches thin, it works fully recessed or mounted flat on a wall, which makes it a great fit for a bedroom, basement, or apartment-style living room.
The display is surprisingly flexible: 13 flame colors, 12 ember colors, and 6 levels of brightness and flame speed, with both faux log and crystal media included and a flame-only mode for no-heat ambiance. The 750W/1,500W heater has a digital thermostat from 60 to 99°F. For households with kids, there’s a child safety lock and a 12-hour auto-shutoff timer. With hundreds of reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it’s a strong performer for the price.
Pros:
- Lowest price with real WiFi and voice control
- Alexa and Google Assistant
- Ultra-thin 3.9” profile
- Child lock and auto-shutoff timer
- Log and crystal media included
Cons:
- Lesser-known brand
- Flames less realistic than the Touchstones
- No crackle sound
Smart Electric Fireplace Comparison
| Model | Best For | Price | Size | Install | Voice Control | Crackle Sound |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touchstone Sideline Elite Pro | Overall | ~$1,000 | 50” | Wall or recessed | Alexa | Yes |
| Westinghouse 50” | Value | ~$480 | 50” | Wall or recessed | Alexa, Google | No |
| PuraFlame Bernice | Modern design | ~$600 | 60” | Wall, recessed, freestanding | Alexa, Google | Yes |
| Touchstone Sideline Elite 60 | Large walls | ~$1,040 | 60” | Recessed | WiFi / smart device | No |
| Touchstone Fireplug | Existing fireplaces | ~$930 | 33” insert | Masonry insert | Alexa, Google | Yes |
| Manastin 50” | Budget | ~$225 | 50” | Wall or recessed | Alexa, Google | No |
How to Choose
Start with your install. Have an old masonry fireplace? Get the Fireplug. Building a feature wall? Choose a recessed model like the Sideline Elite 60 or PuraFlame. Want it up this weekend with no construction? Pick a wall-mount model: the Westinghouse, Elite Pro, Manastin, or PuraFlame.
Match your voice assistant. If you use Google Home, choose the Westinghouse, PuraFlame, Fireplug, or Manastin. Alexa households can choose anything here.
Decide how much realism matters. In a main living room where the fireplace is the focal point, the Touchstone Elite Pro’s crackle sound and layered embers are worth the money. For a bedroom or basement, the Manastin or Westinghouse will look great for much less.
Plan the heat. At 1,500W these are supplemental heaters. Use them to warm the room you’re in while turning the main heat down. For heating other rooms efficiently, see our guide to smart space heaters, or, if your home has electric baseboards, our picks for smart baseboard thermostats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do smart electric fireplaces actually heat a room?
Yes, as supplemental heat. A 1,500W electric fireplace puts out about the same heat as a space heater and can warm a room of roughly 400 square feet. It won’t replace central heating, but it’s great for warming the room you’re using.
Can I run the flames without the heat?
Yes. All of these let you run the flame effect with the heater off, so you can enjoy the ambiance year-round, even in summer.
Can I mount a TV above an electric fireplace?
Usually, yes. Check the manufacturer’s clearance: Touchstone recommends at least 8 inches above the Sideline Elite, and Westinghouse about 12 inches. Since most heat vents blow from the top front, leaving that space protects your TV.
Do I need an electrician?
Not for plug-in installs. Most plug into a standard 120V outlet, ideally on its own circuit. You’ll want an electrician if you’re hardwiring a recessed unit or adding a new outlet inside a wall.
Can I use a smart plug to automate a regular electric fireplace?
We don’t recommend it. A 1,500W heater draws close to the limit of many smart plugs, and fireplace makers want them plugged directly into the wall. A fireplace with built-in WiFi is safer, and it gives you control over flames and heat, not just on and off.
The Bottom Line
The Touchstone Sideline Elite Pro 50” is the best smart electric fireplace for most living rooms. It has realistic flames and embers, a crackle sound, WiFi and Alexa control, and supports both wall-mount and recessed installs. The Westinghouse 50” is the best value and adds Google Home support, the PuraFlame Bernice looks the most like a high-end built-in, and the Touchstone Fireplug is the easy way to bring an old fireplace back to life. On a budget, the Manastin 50” delivers real smart features for a fraction of the price.
Building out a smart living room this winter? Pair your fireplace with one of the best smart soundbars for movie nights.