Infrared Fireplace vs Electric Fireplace

February 11, 2026

There’s more and more interest in the infrared fireplace vs electric fireplace comparison. We want to help you cut through the noise. So which is better, infrared or electric fireplace? One isn’t necessarily better than the other.

An electric fireplace creates flame effects without combustion using LED lighting and built-in heaters. It’s the easiest way to transform the vibe and elevate the comfort in a living room, condo, office, or bedroom where venting isn’t practical.

Infrared fireplaces are a specific type of electric unit. These rely on quartz or infrared heating elements to warm objects and people directly rather than pushing hot air through a fan.

We’ll take a closer look at the infrared vs electric fireplace comparison below to help you feel more confident choosing between the two options. Most of our customers end up going with a traditional electric fireplace for what it’s worth, though.

Our team at The Great Fire Company can walk you through the most important things to consider when choosing a new fireplace. Get in touch today for one-on-one support!

Electric Fireplace vs Infrared Fireplace (Fast Facts)

Fast Fact	Electric Fireplace	Infrared Fireplace
What it is	LED flame display + electric heater (fan-forced).	Electric fireplace with an infrared/quartz heating element.
How it heats	Warms air and circulates it (common on wall units and built-ins).	Warms objects/people more directly; less “blown air” feel.
Best for	Most homes - big selection of sizes, styles, and install types.	Buyers who care most about the heat feel and room comfort.
Typical install	Wall-mount, recessed, built-in, insert, mantel packages.	Often mantel-style units and inserts; depends on the model.
Cost	Lower.	Slightly higher.

Benefits of Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplaces are the simplest option for homeowners and businesses that want to change the look in their space and add supplemental warmth at the same time.

You’ll find many types of electric fireplaces. Linear built-ins work well in media walls or feature walls, inserts slide into existing fireplace openings, and wall-mount electric fireplaces are common in condos, offices, or bedrooms where framing depth is limited. Mantel packages plug into a standard outlet without construction work.

Across all these styles, there is a common theme: most pair LED flame systems with either fan-forced or infrared heating elements, depending on the design. Here are some benefits of electric fireplaces:

Simple installation: Most plug into a 120V outlet. Others can be hardwired for a cleaner finished look.
Year-round flame use: Flames can run with or without heat, so you can enjoy the vibe in warmer climates or summer months.
Wide size range: From compact 30-inch inserts to 100-inch linear designs, there’s a fit for nearly any wall or room layout.
Low maintenance: No venting, ash cleanup, or fuel storage. Just occasional dusting and filter checks.
Design flexibility: Adjustable flame colors, media beds, lighting effects, and remote or app controls are common features.

Choosing the right electric fireplace just comes down to heating style and how warmth feels in the room. That’s where the other half of our electric fireplace vs infrared fireplace comparison comes into play…

What is an Infrared Fireplace?

An infrared fireplace is a very niche style. It’s technically a type of electric fireplace.

These units are powered by a quartz or infrared heating element instead of a traditional fan-forced heater. They don’t push hot air into a room. Rather, infrared heat radiates outward and warms nearby surfaces and people directly.

Infrared heating elements are often found in mantel-style electric fireplaces or insert designs. They’re not the most common style on the market, but they do bring some unique benefits to the infrared fireplace vs electric fireplace comparison:

Direct radiant heat: Warms furniture, floors, and people instead of circulating warm air.
Quieter operation: Infrared heaters make less fan noise than standard electric heaters.
Larger room coverage: Some infrared models are rated for spaces up to 800-1,000 sq. ft., depending on layout and insulation.
Flame-only flexibility: Like other electric units, most infrared fireplaces let you enjoy flame effects without running the heater.
Plug-in convenience: Many infrared mantel fireplaces can be installed without gas lines or venting.
Zero impact on humidity: They don’t blow air, so they won’t dry the air in a space at all.

It’s worth noting that these types of fireplaces are a lot less accessible than their traditional electric counterparts, but they have their place. Let’s take a closer look at infrared vs electric fireplace styles side-by-side below.

Infrared Fireplace vs Electric Fireplace: Key Differences

There’s some pretty clear similarities between an infrared fireplace vs electric fireplace. Both use LED flame technology and plug into household power. Neither requires venting, gas lines, or chimney systems.

So what’s the difference? It comes down to how they heat a space and how much design flexibility you get across different models. Here’s what you need to know about electric fireplace vs infrared fireplace styles.

Heat Output

Standard electric fireplaces use a fan-forced heater rated around 1,500 watts on 120V power. They can typically produce up to 5,000 BTUs, heating spaces up to 400 square feet. They’re definitely “supplemental” heat sources.

On the other hand, infrared fireplaces use a quartz heating element. Although these also operate around 1,500 watts on 120V, the radiant heat warms people and the space as a whole directly. It’s a more efficient type of heat.

That’s why these models are sometimes rated for spaces between 800-1,000 square feet. Be clear, an infrared fireplace is still a supplemental source of heat - but it can warm a bit larger of a space, all else equal.

Ambiance

There’s not too much of a difference between the infrared fireplace vs electric fireplace as far as flame effects go. Both use LED lighting, flame projection systems, media beds, and adjustable color settings. The difference comes down to installation styles.

Infrared fireplaces are usually sold as freestanding mantel packages or traditional insert-style units that sit against a wall and plug into a standard outlet. They quite honestly look fake.

In contrast, electric fireplaces are available in a much wider range of styles - long linear built-ins, three-sided feature walls, recessed media walls, and wall-mounted formats that sit flush with drywall or stone finishes. They look more sophisticated and seamless in a space.

Cost Comparison

Upfront costs for a fireplace vary pretty dramatically based on size, brand, model, and where you’re buying it. But in general, traditional electric fireplaces are a little more affordable than their infrared fireplace counterparts.

Our most affordable wall-mount fireplace is only $750. But we have very high-end Modern Flames electric fireplaces that cost over $10,000. It’s quite the extensive range, though you’ll probably find yourself paying somewhere between $1,500-$3,000 for your electric fireplace.

We don’t carry any infrared fireplaces here at The Great Fire Company. However, these are usually marginally more expensive than electric units. Operating costs are pretty comparable as well.

The Safety Side of Things

Neither option involves combustion, open flames, or carbon monoxide risk. There is no ash, pilot light, or fuel storage involved, either. So both are considered “safe” when installed correctly. Glass surfaces on electric fireplaces stay cool to the touch most of the time, though heating vents themselves can become warm.

Air Quality

This is an important difference between the infrared fireplace vs electric fireplace. Because infrared heating elements don’t blow anything out into the room, they have no impact on humidity.

In contrast, electric fireplaces involve a blower. And circulating warm air in a space can technically dry it out a bit. It’s not a massive impact to air quality, but it is worth noting.

Like we just said above, neither burns gas or wood - so you won’t have to stress about smoke, soot, or exhaust.

Accessibility

Standard electric fireplaces come in the widest range of formats: linear built-ins from 30 to 100 inches, inserts, three-sided units, and wall-mounted designs. Infrared models are mostly offered in mantel packages and certain insert configurations, so they’re less flexible in terms of layout.

So Which is Better - Infrared or Electric Fireplace?

You should feel more confident in choosing between an infrared fireplace vs electric fireplace at this point. In summary, though, which is better - infrared or electric fireplace? Most homeowners find a traditional electric unit offers more size options, installation styles, and design flexibility.

Infrared can make sense if you want radiant-style warmth in a plug-in mantel format. But standard electric fireplaces cover more scenarios for overall versatility and room integration.

Elevate Your Space With Warmth and Style at The Great Fire Company

The Great Fire Company connects homeowners, designers, and builders with fireplaces that actually fit the way people live and install today. You’ll gain access to the most trusted brands like Dimplex, Napoleon, Majestic, Montigo, Superior, Modern Flames, and more.

We offer price matching, free shipping, and hassle-free financing. More importantly, though, you get real product knowledge, clear sizing guidance, and help comparing models without the guesswork. You can narrow it down based on some of the most popular sizes we carry below:

Or, simply connect with our customer service team for one-on-one support. We’ll talk over your needs and give you a personalized recommendation. Shop now!

Final Words on Our Infrared vs Electric Fireplace Comparison

That does it for our infrared fireplace vs electric fireplace comparison. Ultimately, this debate comes down to how you want heat delivered and how you plan to install the unit in your space.

Electric fireplaces tend to give homeowners more flexibility with linear designs, recessed builds, and modern flame presentations, while infrared heaters bring you more direct radiant warmth for larger spaces. Both have their place, but electric tends to be the better fit most of the time.

Whether you’re looking for a multi-sided electric fireplace or a see-through electric fireplace, your search ends here at The Great Fire Company. Explore our collection or get in touch with our experts for personalized support today!

Related Resources

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Frequently asked questions

What are the downsides of infrared heating?

Infrared units heat people and nearby surfaces directly, so warmth drops off faster in large or open-concept rooms. These fireplaces have fewer installation styles compared to modern electric fireplaces, too.

What is the downside of an electric fireplace?

They don’t deliver the same whole-home heat that a traditional fireplace can. But, they offer supplemental heat and a sophisticated ambiance without the cost, complexity, and maintenance of real fireplaces.

What is the difference between an infrared and an electric fireplace?

Electric fireplaces (in the traditional sense) rely on fan-forced heaters paired with LED flame systems. They’re available in tons of design options. Infrared fireplaces use quartz or infrared elements to deliver radiant heat. They’re a type of electric fireplace.

Is infrared better than electric, or vice versa?

Infrared can feel warmer at close range, but electric fireplaces offer more size options, installation flexibility, and visual customization. They’re the more common choice for finished living spaces.

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