Black Friday starts now. Shop £50 off selected lines.

Appliances Direct
Laptops Direct
Drones Direct
Better Bathrooms
Furniture 123
Dehumidifiers
Outdoor Living
Aircon

How to choose the perfect fireplace for your home

Finding the right fire can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be. We’ve put together a handy guide to make your search effortless.

Fires comparison

Log Burners Electric Fires Bioethanol Fires Gas Fires
Real flame Yes Effect only Yes Yes
Heat output High Medium Low/Medium Medium/High
Installation Needs chimney/flue Plug and go Easy install Pro install only
Maintenance Ash cleaning + log storage Minimal Minimal Annual servicing
Best for Rustic, cosy living Easy fitting - plug in and go Modern, decorative Convenience & control

Fires by type

Electric Fires

Electric fires are the easiest and most versatile option for adding warmth and ambience to any room. They don’t require a chimney or flue - just a plug socket - making them perfect for all homes. Modern electric fires feature realistic flame effects, adjustable heat settings, and even remote controls for effortless use.


Pros of electric fires:

  • • Easy installation – simply plug in and switch on.
  • • No chimney or flue required – suitable for almost any home.
  • • Low maintenance – no ash, soot, or servicing needed.
  • • Safe & clean – no real flames, ideal for families with children or pets.
  • • Flexible style options – wall-mounted, inset, or freestanding designs.
  • • Year-round use – flame effect can be used with or without heat
Bioethanol fires

Bioethanol fires are a modern, stylish, and eco-friendly option that burns clean liquid fuel. They create a real flame without smoke or ash, and don’t require a chimney or flue, making them super flexible for any home. Often chosen for their sleek design, they’re perfect for adding a warm glow and contemporary feel.


Pros of bioethanol fires:

  • • Real flame effect – without smoke, soot, or ash.
  • • No chimney or flue needed – easy to install in most spaces.
  • • Eco-friendly fuel – burns cleanly with minimal emissions.
  • • Low maintenance – no cleaning of soot or ash required.
  • • Portable & versatile – can be moved around or built into feature walls.
  • • Stylish designs – ideal for modern interiors.
Log burners

Log burners are a classic choice for real warmth and atmosphere. They burn firewood inside a closed, efficient stove, giving you the charm of a real flame with better heat output than an open fire. Perfect for creating a cosy, rustic feel, they’re loved for their crackling sound and natural heat.


Pros of log burners:

  • • Real flames & cosy atmosphere – nothing beats the look and feel of burning logs.
  • • High heat output – warms larger rooms more effectively than open fires.
  • • Energy efficient – modern stoves are designed to burn wood cleanly and efficiently.
  • • Lower running costs – especially if you can source logs locally.
  • • Eco-friendly option – when using seasoned or kiln-dried wood.
  • • Focal point – adds character and style to any living space.

Fires by style

Features to consider

Heating power

Heating power

The higher the kilowatt rating on a fireplace, the better the heating performance will be. 1 kilowatt will effectively heat 100 square feet, so make sure to consider your room size when choosing the right fireplace for your home.

Sleep timer

Sleep timer

Sleep timers can help you save energy by switching the fire off after a set time. This comes in handy if you fall asleep or forget to switch the fire off when leaving the room.

Adjustable thermostat

Adjustable thermostat

An adjustable thermostat allows you to choose the rate at which your fire releases heat into your space.

Open window sensor

Open window sensor

An additional benefit to some electric fires is an open window sensing function. The fire turns off when cold air is detected from an open window, so it doesn’t waste energy and increase your bills.

Flame operation

Flame operation

AmberGlo fireplaces have a variety of flame settings for you to choose from, including the speed of flames and backlight colour.

Lights on, heat off

Lights on, heat off

Our AmberGlo fires allow you to use just the flame effect, so you can create a cosy ambience without the added cost of heating.

Controls

Controls

Some fireplaces have discreet control panels to the side or rear, others have touch buttons on the front, which dim once inactive. Many include a remote control, giving you control of the flames and heat from the comfort of your sofa. Some even use Wi-Fi to connect to an app on your smartphone, making it even easier to control your fire.

Remote control

Remote control

Some fireplaces come with a handy remote so you can change the temperature and other features from the compfort of your sofa.

FAQs

  • Do you need to vent an electric fireplace?
    • No, that’s the beauty of an electric fireplace. No vent, chimney or flue is required.
  • How much space do electric fireplaces heat?
    • On average, they can heat from 400 sq. ft. to 1000 sq. ft. They’re ideal for heating areas of the home rather than the entire home.
  • Are electric fireplaces safe?
    • They’re the safest choice when it comes to a fireplace. The fireplace itself doesn’t become hot, only the vents where the heat is released become warm. An electric fireplace is ideal for homes with pets and young children.
  • Can you install an electric fireplace under a TV?
    • Many fireplaces require at least a 12-inch gap between the fireplace and the TV mounted on the wall above. The easiest solution is to choose a fireplace with the heat vents on the bottom or front, not at the top.
  • Do you offer finance?
    • We offer several different finance options, including PayPal and Clearpay, but the terms of these will depend on the total price of your order. You can find more information on our finance options on our eligible product pages.
  • Are electric fireplaces expensive to run?
    • Electric fireplaces can save you money on energy bills as they heat the area that you’re in rather than the entire home, so you’re less likely to use your central heating. You also don’t need to pay for servicing like a gas fire, plus they’re much cheaper to install.

Need more help?

We’re always happy to help, just get in touch and our experts will be happy to help you.

Take another look



Back to top