The best electric fireplace in NZ overall is the Maxkon 40-inch Wall Recessed Electric Fireplace, thanks to a slim 12cm depth that lets it hang on a plasterboard wall like a TV or sit fully recessed into a cavity. For the many Kiwi homes without a chimney, it delivers the focal point of a fire with none of the flue work.
Looking for the best electric fireplace in NZ for 2026? The best electric fireplace overall is the Maxkon 40-inch wall recessed model, thanks to its slim 12 cm profile, five flame brightness levels and 900/1800 W of adjustable heat that suits most Kiwi living rooms.
Electric fireplaces have become a favourite winter upgrade here because they add the glow of a real fire without smoke, venting or a wood pile, and they cost far less to install than a gas or wood burner. This guide compares seven models that are actually available now, from a slim recessed insert to freestanding stoves and a complete mantel suite, with the real dimensions, heat outputs and honest trade-offs of each. If you are still weighing up heating types, it is worth reading alongside our guide to the best home heaters before you commit.
Quick comparison
| Model | Best for | Type | Heat (W) | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxkon 40-Inch Wall Recessed | Best overall | Recessed / wall | 900/1800 | 5 brightness levels + remote |
| Electric Fireplace Stove Heater 2000W | Large rooms | Freestanding stove | 900/2000 | Fan-forced, 30 m2 |
| Maxkon Stove Fireplace | Log-fire look | Freestanding stove | 900/1800 | Retro stove, fully portable |
| 16-Inch Panoramic Stove | Compact spaces | Portable stove | 1800 | 3-sided view, 7.5 kg |
| Lenoxx LF190 | Flame-only ambience | Freestanding | 1000/2000 | 3-sided glass, 4.5 kg |
| TSB Living Mantel Black | Traditional style | Freestanding mantel | 750/1500 | Bold black suite |
| Maxkon Portable Fireplace | Budget buy | Freestanding | 2000 | Cheapest, movable |
1. Maxkon Wall Recessed Electric Fireplace – Best Overall
The best electric fireplace in NZ overall is the Maxkon 40-inch wall recessed model, a slim insert that sits almost flush thanks to its 12 cm depth. It suits the widest range of Kiwi homes: hang it on a plasterboard wall like a TV, or recess it into a cavity for a fully built-in look. The face measures about 101.5 cm long and 47 cm high, so it reads as a genuine focal point rather than a plug-in box.
Testers highlight the digital LED display and touch panel, backed by a remote that works from up to 9 metres away. Five brightness levels shift the flame and fuel bed from a soft evening glow to a bright centrepiece, and the temperature is adjustable from 16 to 30 degrees with a 1 to 8 hour timer. Heat runs at two stages, 900 W for taking the chill off and 1800 W for real warmth, with an overheat cut-off and a front that stays cool enough to sit near. With 33 buyer reviews it is also the most road-tested pick here.
The trade-off is installation: recessing means cutting into a wall, and at 15.8 kg it is heavier than a freestanding stove, so it is less grab-and-go. Anyone who wants a heater they can carry between rooms should look further down the list.
Pros
- Slim 12 cm profile for wall-mount or recessed fitting
- Five flame brightness levels
- Remote plus touch panel control
- Strongest review history in this guide
Cons
- Recessed fit needs wall work
- Not portable at 15.8 kg
Key specs: 900/1800 W; 101.5 x 47 x 12 cm; 15.8 kg; timer 1-8 hrs; 16-30 degrees; model WF-40S.
2. Electric Fireplace Stove Heater 2000W – Best for Large Rooms
For larger living spaces, this freestanding stove-style fireplace steps up to a 2000 W maximum, with a lower 900 W setting for milder nights. It has a black metal body on angled legs and a realistic LED log flame behind the glass door, and it is rated to heat rooms of up to 30 square metres, which covers most NZ lounges.
Heat is fan-forced, so warm air circulates through the room rather than just radiating from the front, and the element reaches temperature in about 30 seconds. Controls are three simple manual switches rather than a remote, and safety is covered by a thermal cut-off and overheat protection.
The trade-off is that simplicity: there is no remote, thermostat or timer, so you switch it on and off yourself. Assembly is limited to screwing on the four feet, and the 180 cm cable gives reasonable freedom to position it.
Pros
- 2000 W output for bigger rooms
- Fan-forced heat with a 30-second warm-up
- Freestanding, so no wall work
- Thermal cut-off and overheat protection
Cons
- Manual switches only, with no remote, thermostat or timer
- Higher power draw on maximum
Key specs: 900/2000 W; 42 x 25.5 x 56.5 cm; up to 30 m2; cable 180 cm; fan-forced, manual controls.
3. Maxkon Freestanding Stove Fireplace – Best Log-Fire Look
Buyers who want the character of an old cast-iron wood burner without the mess should look at the Maxkon freestanding stove. It mimics a traditional pot-belly stove, with a glass door framing an LED log-fire effect, and it stands about 59 cm wide, 56 cm high and 28 cm deep. At just 10.2 kg it is light enough to move between rooms, and it plugs straight into a standard wall socket, so there is no installation at all.
Heat comes from a quiet fan-forced element at two stages, 900 W and 1800 W, and the flame brightness adjusts to suit the mood. Owners describe it as lovely looking and say it makes a room feel cosy and welcoming, which is exactly the brief for a decorative stove. The body stays cool to the touch during use and there is automatic overheat shut-off, so it is reasonable around children and pets. With 31 reviews it is a well-proven pick.
The trade-off is the retro styling itself: in a sleek modern apartment the stove shape can look out of place next to the flush glass inserts higher up this list. It is also a radiant-plus-fan design rather than a large-format flame wall, so the flame picture is smaller than the panoramic and recessed models.
Pros
- Authentic cast-iron stove styling
- Genuinely portable at 10.2 kg
- No installation, just plug in
- 31 positive owner reviews
Cons
- Retro look will not suit every room
- Smaller flame display
Key specs: 900/1800 W; 59 x 56 x 28 cm; 10.2 kg; fan-forced with cool-touch body.
4. 16-Inch Panoramic Fireplace Stove – Best Compact Pick
The 16-inch panoramic stove is the pick for small rooms, bedrooms and renters who want warmth and ambience without committing to anything permanent. Its standout feature is the three-sided viewing window, so the LED rolling-flame effect is visible from the front and both sides, which is unusual at this compact size of roughly 25 cm wide, 43 cm high and 58 cm deep.
The ABS, glass and steel cabinet keeps the net weight down to about 7.5 kg, and the 183 cm cord plugs into any household socket, so it moves from lounge to bedroom easily and sits safely on most floor types. It runs at 1800 W with an adjustable thermostat and flame brightness, and the cabinet stays cool to the touch.
Being the smallest unit here, it is best treated as a supplementary heater for one room rather than a whole-space solution, and the controls are manual dials rather than a full remote-and-app setup. It is also marked as almost sold out with only five reviews, so availability may be limited. For a first electric fireplace, a study, or a caravan-style space, though, it is the easiest and most affordable way in.
Pros
- Three-sided flame view
- Light and truly portable at 7.5 kg
- Cool-touch cabinet
- Sits in the budget price bracket
Cons
- Small heat footprint
- Limited stock and manual controls only
Key specs: 1800 W; 25 x 43 x 58 cm; about 7.5 kg; 183 cm cord.
5. Lenoxx LF190 Electric Fireplace Heater – Best Flame-Only Ambience
The Lenoxx LF190 is a compact freestanding fireplace heater with glass on three sides, so the log fire effect can be seen from across the room rather than only straight on. It measures 46 cm wide, 36 cm deep and 24 cm high and weighs about 4.5 kg, small enough for a sideboard, hearth or bedroom corner.
Two heat settings, 1000 W and 2000 W, cover background warmth or a quick boost, and there is a flame-only mode with adjustable brightness for the look of a fire on mild evenings or in summer. Overheat protection with automatic shut-off is built in.
It is a plug-in unit with no wall work, and it has a solid early review record. The compact firebox gives a smaller flame picture than the mantel suite below, and heat is best suited to a single room.
Pros
- Three-sided glass for a wide flame view
- Flame-only mode for year-round ambience
- 1000/2000 W heat settings
- Light and compact at about 4.5 kg
Cons
- Small flame picture compared with the mantel suite
- Best as a single-room heater
Key specs: 1000/2000 W; 46 x 36 x 24 cm; about 4.5 kg; three-sided glass; flame-only mode; overheat shut-off.
6. TSB Living Mantel Fireplace in Black – Best Traditional Style
This black mantel suite offers all-in-one convenience with a darker, more classic look that hides marks and anchors a room. The black MDF surround and black tempered-glass insert measure 99 cm wide, 25 cm deep and 82.5 cm high.
Inside, a realistic 3D LED flame runs across four brightness settings, with a rapid 30-second heat-up, an adjustable thermostat and quiet fan-assisted warm-air circulation. The two heat stages of 750 W and 1500 W cover rooms of 18 to 30 square metres, temperature is adjustable between 16 and 28 degrees, and a 0.5 to 7.5 hour timer plus remote handle day-to-day use. Overheat protection is built in.
The honest trade-off is that it needs assembly out of the box and a 160 cm cable, so plan the position around a power point. The black finish is bolder and can dominate a small or light-coloured room, where a lighter piece would sit back more; choose this one when you want the fireplace to read as a statement piece.
Pros
- Same suite convenience in bold black
- Dark finish hides marks
- 30-second heat-up
- Thermostat and timer with remote
Cons
- Assembly required
- Dark finish can dominate small rooms
Key specs: 750/1500 W; 99 x 82.5 x 25 cm; 16-28 degrees; timer 0.5-7.5 hrs; MDF frame with glass insert.
7. Maxkon Portable Freestanding Fireplace – Best Budget Buy
Rounding out the list, the Maxkon 2000 W freestanding fireplace is the value option for shoppers who want maximum warmth for the lowest outlay. It is a portable, plug-in unit with a 3D flame effect and an adjustable thermostat, designed to be carried between rooms and set down wherever the chill needs chasing. Being freestanding, there is no installation and no wall damage, which makes it a sensible choice for renters.
Maxkon rates it at 2000 W, putting it among the warmer picks here despite the budget positioning, and the smokeless, odourless operation means no ventilation or fuel to manage. The flame picture is a front-facing display rather than the three-sided view of the panoramic stove and the Lenoxx LF190, so it is more about heat and a warm glow than a wraparound spectacle.
It is listed as a new arrival, so it carries no buyer reviews yet, which is the main caution: there is less owner feedback than the well-reviewed Maxkon stove at number three. For a straightforward, movable heater that still throws in a convincing flame effect at the sharpest price, though, it is hard to fault.
Pros
- 2000 W output despite budget price
- Genuinely portable, no install
- Smokeless and odourless
- Keenest price in the guide
Cons
- No buyer reviews yet
- Front-only flame display
Key specs: 2000 W; freestanding portable; adjustable thermostat; 3D flame effect.
How to choose an electric fireplace
Format first. Recessed and wall-mounted inserts like the Maxkon 40-inch give the cleanest, most built-in look but need wall work. Freestanding stoves and mantel suites simply plug in, which suits renters or anyone avoiding installation.
Match the wattage to the room. Most models here run at 1500 to 2000 W on full heat, which comfortably warms a space of roughly 18 to 30 square metres. A small bedroom or study is well served by an 1800 W portable stove, while open-plan lounges suit the 2000 W freestanding stove heater or the 2000 W Lenoxx LF190. Electric fireplaces are best thought of as room heaters rather than whole-home systems, so for a cheaper way to stay warm in bed an electric blanket makes a sensible companion buy.
Flame and controls. Look for adjustable brightness, multiple flame colours and a remote or timer. The mantel suite adds a remote, thermostat and timer, while the budget stoves keep to simple manual dials.
Running cost and comfort. Because they are 100 percent efficient and vent-free, all the energy goes into the room, and running the flame effect on its own costs very little for pure ambience. Fan-forced heat can dry the air over long evenings, so some homes pair a fireplace with one of the best humidifiers for balance.
If you would rather have a single appliance for year-round climate control, it is worth comparing an electric fireplace against portable air conditioners that include a heating mode.
Safety. Every pick here includes overheat protection and most stay cool to the touch, but in a family home it is worth checking for a child lock and keeping small children back from the glass.
Verdict
For most NZ homes the Maxkon 40-inch wall recessed fireplace is the best all-round choice, balancing a slim built-in look, five brightness levels and 900/1800 W of heat with the strongest review record here. Choose the 2000 W freestanding stove heater for a large lounge, the Lenoxx LF190 for a three-sided flame you can run without heat, the black mantel suite if you want a finished furniture piece with no wall cavity, and the 16-inch panoramic or Maxkon portable stoves when budget and portability matter most.
FAQs
Are electric fireplaces cheap to run in NZ?
Fairly cheap for what they do. A 1500 W fireplace uses about 1.5 units of power an hour, or roughly 45 cents at typical NZ rates, and only when the heater is switched on. Run the LED flame effect on its own for ambience and it costs just a few cents an hour.
Do electric fireplaces give off real heat?
Yes. Most models here output 1500 to 2000 W of fan-forced warmth, enough to heat a room of about 18 to 30 square metres. They are designed as supplementary heaters for the room you are in, rather than a central heating system for the whole house.
Are electric fireplaces worth it?
For most homes, yes. They deliver the look of a fire without smoke, venting or a wood pile, install far more cheaply than gas or wood, and let you enjoy the flames year-round with the heat switched off. They suit heating single rooms best rather than a whole home.
Can an electric fireplace be recessed into a wall?
Many can. Slim inserts like the Maxkon 40-inch are built to be either wall-mounted or fully recessed into a cavity. Recessing gives the cleanest built-in finish but involves cutting the wall, so freestanding stoves and mantels are easier if you want no building work.
Do electric fireplaces look realistic?
Modern LED flame effects are convincing, especially the 3D and three-sided designs that show flames from several angles. Premium units add adjustable flame colours, brightness levels and ember-bed tones. They will not fool you up close, but from across a room the effect is genuinely cosy.
What size electric fireplace do I need?
Match the heater output to the room. Around 1500 W suits a bedroom or study of up to 20 square metres, while 2000 W is better for open-plan lounges up to 30 square metres. For the flame display, choose the widest unit your wall can take for the best visual impact.
