Napoleon Fireplace vs Heat N Glo is one of the most common debates we hear from homeowners shopping for a new fireplace. Both brands have been around since the mid-1970s, both build reliable gas units, and both have loyal followings.
But the gap between them gets wider than you might expect once you start digging into the details. So, we created this Napoleon Fireplace vs Heat N Glo comparison to cover everything you need to know to pick the right brand: styles, specs, technology, pricing, warranty, the works.
We carry the full Napoleon fireplace lineup here at The Great Fire Company, and we work with these products daily. You’ll gain access to the lowest prices online, hassle-free financing, and world-class customer service from A to Z. Call us now, and a specialist will match you with the right model!
Napoleon vs Heat N Glo At a Glance
|
Category |
Napoleon |
Heat N Glo |
|
Gas Fireplaces |
10+ series (Vector, Ascent, Elevation X, Luxuria, Altitude X, High Definition, more) |
7+ series (6K/8K, Mezzo, Cerona, True, Cosmo, SlimLine, more) |
|
Electric Options |
5 series (Elevation X Electric, Astound, Alluravision, Entice, Ascent Electric) |
SimpliFire sub-brand (Scion Trinity, Format, Forum) |
|
Wood-Burning |
High Country series |
Exclaim + outdoor models |
|
Outdoor |
Galaxy + Riverside series |
Limited (Twilight, Villawood, Cottagewood) |
|
Smart Control |
eFIRE (Bluetooth) + Napoleon Home (WiFi) + Alexa/Google |
IntelliFire Touch + WiFi Module + Alexa/Google |
|
Cool Features |
NIGHT LIGHT, Glass Guard (safe-to-touch), Heat Management, PHAZER logs, MIRRO-FLAME |
FireBrick (+25% radiant heat), Anti-Reflective Glass (89% less glare) |
|
Warranty |
Limited Lifetime |
Limited Lifetime (20 years for gas) |
|
Gas Price Range |
$2,900 - $8,900+ |
$1,600 - $4,200+ |
|
Buy Online |
Yes (authorized online dealers) |
No (brick-and-mortar dealers only) |
Overview of Napoleon Fireplaces
Napoleon was founded in 1976 in Barrie, Ontario, but the brand has come a really long way from making gas stoves. Today, they specialize in all things home heating - from electric to gas models alike.
One thing immediately separates Napoleon Fireplace vs Heat N Glo: this is the largest privately owned fireplace manufacturer in North America, with around 80% of production still managed from their Barrie headquarters.
Popular Styles
Napoleon’s gas lineup goes deep. The Vector series covers linear and modern looks in sizes from 38” to 74” (up to 48,000 BTU). Elevation X and Altitude X handle traditional and transitional homes. Luxuria is the premium model with Triple-pane Glass Guard (safe to touch) and no safety screen blocking your view.
Then there are five electric series to choose from:
- Elevation X Electric uses LCD flame technology with built-in speakers
- Astound goes up to 96” with FlexMount installation options
- Alluravision is just 4.25” slim
- Entice offers wall-mount options in five sizes
- Ascent Electric handles plug-in inserts
They also build wood-burning fireplaces (High Country) and outdoor units (Galaxy and Riverside). Basically, there’s a fireplace for you under the Napoleon family - and you can trust that we have it at the lowest prices online!
Costs and Considerations
Napoleon isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for. Expect to spend $2,900 for a standard Ascent gas unit and over $8,900 for the High Definition 81. Electric models range from roughly $700 (Entice) to $3,800+ (Elevation X Electric).
There is a practical advantage in the Napoleon Fireplace vs Heat N Glo comparison, though. Napoleon sells through authorized online retailers, including us. You can browse specs, compare models, and order without driving to a showroom.
Not sure which Napoleon model fits your space? Our specialists can walk you through it - just give us a call or hop on live chat. You can learn more about Dimplex vs Napoleon electric fireplace or Montigo vs Napoleon fireplace in our blog if you’d like.
In the meantime, let’s look at the other half of our Napoleon vs Heat N Glo fireplace comparison…
Overview of Heat N Glo Fireplaces
On the other side of the Napoleon Fireplace vs Heat N Glo comparison, this manufacturer was founded in 1975 out of a garage in Minnesota. Similar humble beginnings, similar 50-year history of making incredible products. That’s shared between the two brands.
Heat N Glo’s claim to fame is pioneering direct vent gas technology in 1987. This lets homeowners install gas fireplaces virtually anywhere without a traditional chimney. That was a genuine industry breakthrough.
Today, Heat N Glo is part of Hearth & Home Technologies (HHT), a division of publicly traded HNI Corporation. It’s the same company that owns brands like Heatilator, Quadra-Fire, and SimpliFire.
Popular Styles
Gas fireplaces are Heat N Glo’s bread and butter. The 6K/8K Series is their best-seller, with traditional and modern versions at 36” and 42”. They’re capable of producing up to 45,000 BTU.
The Mezzo linear fireplaces range from 36” to 72”, and the SlimLine models fit spaces only 16” deep. The Twilight is an indoor/outdoor see-through unit, and the Pier gives you a three-sided peninsula. The brand makes corner models, too.
As for electric fireplaces, Heat N Glo routes everything through SimpliFire - technically a separate brand under the HHT umbrella. SimpliFire has a few decent options (Scion Trinity, Format, Forum), but it’s a fraction of what you’d get from a brand that puts electric front and center.
Costs and Considerations
Heat N Glo gas inserts generally fall between $1,600 and $4,200, with mid-range fireplaces like the 6000CL around $3,800-$4,000. The premium Stellar custom line (where they build units from 4 to 22 feet wide in custom shapes) requires a dealer consultation and gets expensive fast.
The bigger factor in the Heat N Glo vs Napoleon decision is distribution: Heat N Glo sells exclusively through brick-and-mortar dealers. No authorized online retailers. You need to find them at a local showroom. That’s a headache you don’t have to deal with if you choose Napoleon fireplaces instead.
Napoleon Fireplace vs Heat N Glo Fireplace: Side-by-Side Comparison
Honestly, both brands make exceptional fireplaces. Picking between Napoleon Fireplace vs Heat N Glo just comes down to what you’re looking for, how you want to buy it, and what you’re willing to spend.
Fireplace Styles Available
Napoleon vs Heat N Glo is not a particularly close contest in terms of variety.
Napoleon covers gas, electric, wood-burning, and outdoor across more than 15 product series. Whether you want a linear gas unit, a wall-mount electric fireplace, or a stainless outdoor model built for the elements, they have it.
On the other hand, Heat N Glo leans more heavily into one category: gas. The brand itself doesn't make any electric models, as that falls under the umbrella of SimpliFire (a sister brand).
Design and Aesthetic
Both brands build traditional and modern fireplace styles, but like the electric vs gas conversation, Napoleon vs Heat N Glo tilts in Napoleon’s favor on customization as well.
Napoleon’s Fireplace Design Studio lets you preview different interior panels (10+ options, including MIRRO-FLAME porcelain reflective panels), decorative fronts, and media beds before you commit.
Heat N Glo gives you 14+ decorative fronts and several interior panels to choose from, but no comparable online visualization tool. After all, you’re not meant to purchase these yourself online. They’re meant to be purchased through an in-person dealer.
Napoleon also tends to push bigger viewing areas on their linear models. For instance, the Tall Linear Vector gives you a 26.8” tall glass panel at widths up to 76”. That’s just not a level of flexibility you’ll find through Heat N Glo.
Control Capabilities
The Heat N Glo vs Napoleon matchup is genuinely tight as far as how you can control your fireplace.
Napoleon uses eFIRE (Bluetooth) on gas models and the Napoleon Home app (WiFi) on electrics. Heat N Glo uses IntelliFire Touch with an optional WiFi module. Both support Alexa and Google Assistant.
Both offer programmable thermostats. Napoleon pulls ahead on the electric side, though. The Elevation X Electric and Astound connect through the Napoleon Home app with full voice control, while SimpliFire models stick to more basic remote operation.
Unique Features
Both brands in the Napoleon fireplace vs Heat N Glo comparison have come a long way from their initial models. Napoleon loads their fireplaces with proprietary tech.
- NIGHT LIGHT casts a soft ambient glow when the fire is off.
- PHAZER logs are hand-painted ceramic that look genuinely convincing.
- The Luxuria’s Glass Guard is triple-pane and safe to touch — no safety screen cluttering the view.
- The Heat Management system directs warmth away from the wall above, so you can mount a TV closer to the fireplace than you’d expect.
In contrast, Heat N Glo’s FireBrick is a patented one-piece ceramic interior that puts out 25% more radiant heat than a standard metal firebox. Their anti-reflective glass cuts glare by 89%. And the Stellar custom program is something Napoleon flat-out doesn’t have: fully custom gas fireplaces from 4 feet to 22 feet wide, with curved, round, and even zigzag flame configurations.
So, it just comes down to what you care about most as far as features and technology go.
Cost Comparison
Pinning down Napoleon Fireplace vs Heat N Glo on price is tricky since neither brand publishes MSRP. We can tell you how much our Napoleon fireplaces cost, though, as an authorized dealer. Napoleon gas starts around $2,900 (Ascent) and tops out past $8,900 (High Definition 81). Electric models stretch from roughly $700 (Entice) to $3,800+ (Elevation X Electric).
We’ve done some digging into Heat N Glo gas inserts, too. They tend to land between $1,600 and $4,200, with standard fireplaces up to $4,000+. But it’s hard to say what you can expect to pay since your local dealer will set their own pricing.
What we can tell you for sure - you’ll get the best deal on Napoleon fireplaces online at The Great Fire Company thanks to our price-matching policy. We also let you choose from simple financing options!
Brand Support/Warranty
Napoleon backs every fireplace with what they call the President’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. Heat N Glo’s “Limited Lifetime” warranty for gas means 20 years per their documentation, plus 3-year coverage on stainless steel burners and 1 year on general components.
The difference? Napoleon’s warranty is accessible through their online dealer network, us included. Heat N Glo warranty claims go through your local dealer, which assumes you live near one.
Wrapping Up Our Heat N Glo vs Napoleon Fireplace Comparison
Heat N Glo invented direct vent gas technology, and their FireBrick interiors are legitimately impressive. But Napoleon covers more ground in the Heat N Glo vs Napoleon comparison - wider product range, a way stronger electric fireplace lineup, deeper customization tools, and the convenience of buying through an authorized online retailer instead of hunting for a local showroom.
We carry the full Napoleon lineup here at The Great Fire Company at the lowest prices online, backed by free shipping and specialists who actually know these products inside and out.
Whether you need a Napoleon electric fireplace, a Napoleon outdoor fireplace, or a gas unit from any series, we’ll help you find the right one. Take the next step today by connecting with our customer service team!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Napoleon fireplaces good quality?
Absolutely. Napoleon has been building fireplaces for over 50 years and is the largest privately owned fireplace manufacturer in North America. Every product ships with the President’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Are Heat and Glo fireplaces good?
They make solid gas fireplaces. Where they fall short is electric. The dealer-only distribution means fewer buying options, too. We think the choice between a Napoleon fireplace vs Heat N Glo fireplace is clear.
What other fireplace brands are worth looking into?
Depends what you need. Dimplex is the other heavyweight in the electric category. You can’t go wrong with a Montigo fireplace, Superior fireplace, or Majestic fireplace, either. We carry all the top brands at the lowest prices online.
Why shop at The Great Fire Company?
Authorized dealer for Napoleon and 19 other brands. Lowest prices online. Free shipping to the Lower 48. And actual humans on our support team, not bots. What more could you ask for? Take the next step towards elevating your home’s comfort and vibe today.