Best Outdoor Electric Fireplaces for Patios 2026
If you have a covered patio or screened porch and want heat without dealing with gas lines or wood smoke, an outdoor electric fireplace is one of the better investments you can make. The best ones now produce 5,000 BTUs or more, run on a standard 120V outlet, and have flame effects that fool people from across the room.
The category has gotten genuinely good in the last few years. You are no longer choosing between realistic-looking flames and actual heat. Models like the Dimplex Revillusion use real water vapor to create a three-dimensional flame while still putting out enough warmth to take the chill off a fall evening on a 200-square-foot patio.
This list covers six units across different price points and installation styles. There is something here whether you want a portable unit you can move around or a permanent wall feature that looks like it was built into the space.
1.Best Portable Electric Fireplace for Covered Patios
The TURBRO Suburbs TS33 is where most people should start if they have never owned an electric fireplace. It is a freestanding insert-style unit that sits inside a standard 33-inch mantel or stands on its own on a covered porch. At $349, it produces 5,100 BTUs on its high setting, which is enough to warm a 10x12 screened porch on a 45-degree evening without running it at full blast.
The flame effect uses a backlit LED system with five brightness levels and three color settings. It is not the most realistic on this list, but it is convincing enough that guests notice it before they realize it is electric. The thermostat is accurate and the remote works from across the porch. If you want something you can bring inside during winter or reposition to a different outdoor space, this is the one to get.
TURBRO Suburbs TS33 Electric Fireplace Insert
$349
6,200+ reviews
Freestanding 33-inch electric insert with 5,100 BTUs and five flame brightness settings, ideal for covered patios and screened porches.
Shop on Amazon →2.Best Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace Under $500
The R.W. FLAME 50-inch wall-mounted electric fireplace looks like it cost twice as much. The black tempered glass frame sits flush against a wall, and the flame effect has real depth because of the mirrored back panel that creates a layered look. On a covered patio with neutral-colored furniture, this becomes the visual anchor of the whole space.
Installation takes about an hour if you are comfortable with a drill. It mounts directly to the wall with a bracket system and plugs into a standard outlet. The heater puts out 4,600 BTUs, which is enough for a 150-square-foot covered area. The touch screen controls are responsive, and the included remote handles flame color, brightness, and thermostat settings. For a wall unit at this price, there is not much to complain about.
R.W. FLAME 50-inch Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace
$499
8,400+ reviews
50-inch black tempered glass wall unit with mirrored flame depth effect and 4,600 BTUs, fits most covered patio walls without special wiring.
Shop on Amazon →3.Best Smart Electric Fireplace for App Control
The Touchstone Sideline Elite Smart 50-inch electric fireplace is built for people who want to control everything from their phone. It connects to your home WiFi and works with Alexa and Google Home, which means you can turn on the heat and set the flame color from inside before you even walk out to the patio. For an outdoor living space with smart lighting and speakers already set up, it integrates cleanly.
The flame effect has 13 color options and can be set independently from the heat, so you can run the flames as ambiance on a warm evening without the heater running at all. At 5,118 BTUs, it handles a 400-square-foot covered outdoor room reasonably well when temperatures stay above 40 degrees. The zero-clearance design means it can be recessed into a wall for a fully built-in look, or mounted flush if you are not doing renovation work.
Touchstone Sideline Elite Smart 50 Electric Fireplace
$699
3,100+ reviews
WiFi-enabled 50-inch electric fireplace with Alexa and Google Home support, 13 flame colors, and 5,118 BTUs for large covered outdoor rooms.
Shop on Amazon →4.Best Mid-Range Electric Fireplace for Outdoor Entertaining
Napoleon makes some of the better-looking electric fireplaces at the $800-900 price point, and the Allure 50-inch vertical is a good example of why. It has a tall, slim footprint compared to most 50-inch models, which makes it easier to position on a patio without dominating the furniture layout. It puts out 5,000 BTUs and the flame effect uses three independently adjustable layers to create genuine depth.
This unit works well for setups where you want the fireplace to read as a vertical design element rather than a horizontal focal point. Think a 12x16 covered outdoor living room with a sectional and a couple of side chairs, where guests can see the flames from most seating positions. The exterior surfaces do not get hot even when running on high heat for a couple of hours, which matters if you have kids or pets on the patio.
Napoleon Allure 50 Vertical Electric Fireplace EFMTL50H
$899
1,800+ reviews
Slim vertical 50-inch electric fireplace with three-layer flame depth and 5,000 BTUs, designed for covered patios and outdoor living rooms.
Shop on Amazon →5.Best High-End Outdoor-Rated Electric Fireplace
Amantii builds some of the few electric fireplaces that are actually rated for outdoor use in partially covered spaces. The Symmetry 50-inch Smart WiFi carries an IP33 weather resistance rating, which means it handles light rain and wind without damage to the internal components. That matters if you have a pergola with a partial roof or a covered patio open on two sides.
The flame effect on the Amantii is the best on this list. The unit uses a combination of LED technology and reflective surfaces that create a 28-inch wide flame bed. Colors are adjustable from ice blue to deep red, and the intensity settings are fine enough that you can dial in exactly the mood you want. At $1,299, it is an investment, but for a permanent outdoor feature on a high-use patio, it is the most purpose-built option available.
Amantii Symmetry 50-inch Smart WiFi Electric Fireplace
$1,299
890+ reviews
IP33-rated outdoor electric fireplace with 28-inch flame bed, WiFi control, and true weather resistance for pergolas and open covered patios.
Shop on Amazon →6.Best Realistic Flame Effect for Screened Porches
The Dimplex Revillusion 30-inch Built-in Electric Firebox uses actual water vapor to create the most convincing flame effect you can get from an electric unit. The vapor mixes with LED light to produce a three-dimensional flame with real movement and depth. If you have ever had guests ask whether a fireplace is real, this is the one that will make them get up to check.
The 30-inch insert format fits inside a standard firebox opening or can be built into a custom surround on a covered porch or outdoor entertainment wall. It pulls 1,500 watts and produces enough heat to warm a 400-square-foot screened porch when it is in the low 50s outside. The Revillusion requires periodic refilling of a water reservoir to maintain the vapor effect, but for the flame quality, most people find that trade-off completely worth it.
Dimplex Revillusion 30-inch Built-in Electric Firebox RBF30
$979
2,400+ reviews
Water vapor flame technology delivers the most realistic electric fireplace effect available, fits standard 30-inch firebox openings for screened porch builds.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Outdoor Electric Fireplaces
Check your outlet first. Most electric fireplaces run on a 120V outlet and pull 12-15 amps. Do not plug them into a circuit with other high-draw appliances like a mini fridge or space heater running at the same time.
Covered only, not waterproof. Even units with weather ratings are designed for covered or partially covered spaces. Direct rain will damage almost every electric fireplace on this list over time.
Leave room for airflow. Keep at least 12 inches of clearance above and on the sides of wall-mounted units. Blocking the vent reduces heat output and can trip the thermal shutoff.
Use flame-only mode in summer. Most units let you run the flame effect without the heat. On a warm evening, this gives you the ambiance without turning your patio into a sauna.
Match the unit size to your space. A 50-inch unit in a 10x10 patio overwhelms the room. A 30-inch unit in a 20x20 covered outdoor room looks undersized. Measure your wall space first and work backward.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use an electric fireplace outside?
Yes, but only in covered or partially covered spaces. Most electric fireplaces are not rated for direct rain or sustained high humidity. The Amantii Symmetry is one of the few units on the market with an actual IP weather resistance rating for outdoor use.
How much does it cost to run an outdoor electric fireplace?
A 1,500-watt electric fireplace running for three hours costs roughly $0.45 to $0.60 depending on your local electricity rate. That is significantly cheaper than propane for a patio fire table over the same time period.
Do outdoor electric fireplaces produce real heat?
Yes. Most units on this list produce between 4,600 and 5,118 BTUs, which is enough to warm a 200 to 400-square-foot covered patio by 10 to 15 degrees on a calm fall evening.
What is the difference between an electric fireplace insert and a wall-mounted unit?
An insert slides into an existing firebox or mantel opening and sits recessed in the wall. A wall-mounted unit mounts flat on the wall surface. For patios without an existing fireplace structure, wall-mounted is the simpler installation.
Are electric fireplaces safe on a wood deck?
Yes. Electric fireplaces do not produce sparks or open flames, so they are safe on wood, composite, and vinyl decks. The exterior surfaces stay cool to the touch even when the heater runs on high for hours.