Best Gel Fireplaces

Updated January 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Elite Flame Lenox Ventless Bio Ethanol Recessed or Wall Mounted Fireplace
Elite Flame
Lenox Ventless Bio Ethanol Recessed or Wall Mounted Fireplace
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Bottom Line

While pricey, this option offers durability and great ambiance with a clean, stainless steel look.

Pros

Great modern look. Heats up quickly and produces 18,000 BTU with a burn time of four to six hours. Durable construction. Easy installation, and easy to use.

Cons

This does go through a fair amount of fuel if you use it a lot, so consider finding a source where you can buy fuel in bulk. Instructions are a little lacking. On the expensive side.

Best Bang for the Buck
Regal Flame Eden Ventless Bio Ethanol Fireplace
Regal Flame
Eden Ventless Bio Ethanol Fireplace
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Bottom Line

A great value on a colorful, portable tabletop fireplace.

Pros

Comes in a variety of colors. Produces 2000 BTUs, enough to heat a 250 sq. ft. room. Good source of light and heat for tabletops. Easy to fill. Portability at a great price.

Cons

Only burns about 45 minutes before you have to let it cool to refill it. Buying a long, thin funnel for refilling is recommended. Some units arrive with scratches or broken parts.

Ignis Products Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert
Ignis Products
Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert
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Bottom Line

Stands out for its sturdy construction and the fact that it can go five hours between refills.

Pros

Comes by itself, or you can purchase it with a grate. Puts out 6000 BTUs and can burn for five hours between refills. Easy wipe-down cleaning. Sturdy stainless steel unit that inserts into tabletops or fireplaces.

Cons

Some buyers report issues with this option rusting within six months. Aesthetically, some find it hard to get a good-looking flame.

Real Flame Chateau Gel Corner Fireplace
Real Flame
Chateau Gel Corner Fireplace
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Bottom Line

Customers love the look and sound of this corner fireplace, although some found it to be smaller than they anticipated.

Pros

A sturdy unit with an attractive white finish look. Assembles in about an hour. Fireplace holds one to three canisters at a time, which burn for up to three hours. Sounds like a real fire. Easy to use.

Cons

Only the front of this fireplace is white; the back is bare, which shouldn't be an issue if you have it in a corner. Can be flimsy if you have to move it around at all. On the small and expensive side.

Sunnydaze Decor Copper El Fuego Ventless Tabletop Bio Ethanol Fireplace
Sunnydaze Decor
Copper El Fuego Ventless Tabletop Bio Ethanol Fireplace
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Bottom Line

An attractive option at a decent price, but buyers should take precautions when using it.

Pros

Comes in a choice of copper, stainless steel, or white finish. Has tempered glass and feet to protect tabletops. Decent price. Easy to set up and use.

Cons

Some buyers had issues with the quality of this fireplace, while others warn that it can be dangerous if used inside. Burn time is minimal, at one to two hours between refills.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

30 Models Considered
7 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
185 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

Gel fireplaces give you some interesting options for adding an accent to any room. These small stand-alone fireplaces don’t require any venting. This means you can use them anywhere or even move them to new locations. Gel fireplaces will burn gel fuel in cans, so you will have an ongoing expense for fuel. But they don’t require electricity to run. They’re made to burn clean, while giving you a beautiful looking flame behind glass. Gel fireplaces sometimes are rectangular in shape with a frame like a mini traditional fireplace. Others have a flame that pops out of a base unit that can be rectangular or round. The open flame is encased inside glass with no frame around it, so it can be seen from all sides.

The team that worked on this review
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
  • Rich
    Rich
    Writer
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Elite Flame

Lenox Ventless Bio Ethanol Recessed or Wall Mounted Fireplace

Elite Flame

Lenox Ventless Bio Ethanol Recessed or Wall Mounted Fireplace

While pricey, this option offers durability and great ambiance with a clean, stainless steel look.
$559
×

Regal Flame

Eden Ventless Bio Ethanol Fireplace

Regal Flame

Eden Ventless Bio Ethanol Fireplace

A great value on a colorful, portable tabletop fireplace.
$79
×

Ignis Products

Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert

Ignis Products

Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert

Stands out for its sturdy construction and the fact that it can go five hours between refills.
$85
×

Real Flame

Chateau Gel Corner Fireplace

Real Flame

Chateau Gel Corner Fireplace

Customers love the look and sound of this corner fireplace, although some found it to be smaller than they anticipated.
$492
×

Sunnydaze Decor

Copper El Fuego Ventless Tabletop Bio Ethanol Fireplace

Sunnydaze Decor

Copper El Fuego Ventless Tabletop Bio Ethanol Fireplace

An attractive option at a decent price, but buyers should take precautions when using it.
$49

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