Duraflame Freestanding Electric Fireplace Stove Heater with 3D Flame Effect for 1,000 Sq. Ft. Room, Black

A cold, dim corner of my living room is now the coziest spot in my home thanks to the Duraflame electric stove. It’s a freestanding infrared space heater dressed up as a classic stove, and it nails the balance between form and function better than most “decor heaters” I’ve tested.

Design and build

This unit is compact enough to fit a variety of spaces yet substantial enough to read as furniture, not a gadget. At roughly 13.1 inches deep, 24 inches wide, and 23.4 inches tall, it tucks against a wall or into a nook without overwhelming the room. The black finish is clean and understated, and the brick‑style back panel and side viewing windows make the firebox look deeper and more architectural than its size suggests.

The body is sheet metal with glass windows; trim and legs are plastic. That’s a common cost trade‑off in this category. The plastics don’t look cheap and they’ve held up, but if you expect cast iron heft, know that this isn’t that. The upside is portability—light enough to move without a second person, especially if you like to shift heat sources between rooms.

Small touches I appreciate:
- An opening front door adds to the illusion without being gimmicky.
- The front top grille directs heat forward and upward, which keeps hot air off flooring and helps circulation.
- Side windows do more than decorate; they add depth to the flame effect.

Setup and controls

Out of the box, assembly was a five‑minute job: screw on the feet and plug it in. No venting, no hardwiring, just a standard 120V outlet. I recommend a dedicated wall outlet—no power strips or extension cords—for any 1,500W class space heater, including this one.

Controls are behind the front door: power, thermostat, flame intensity. There’s independent control of flame and heat, which matters because the ambiance is useful year‑round. The flame dial has multiple levels, from a gentle night‑light glow to a brighter, livelier flame.

The included remote is basic. In my unit, it handles power and flame adjustments; I still adjust the thermostat on the front panel. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth noting if you expect full armchair control.

Flame effect and ambiance

The 3D flame effect is better than it has any right to be at this size and price. It isn’t a hologram, but from across the room the combination of glowing logs, ember bed, and layered flame patterns reads as “fire” rather than “screen.” The side windows amplify that effect at night, and the brick‑style backdrop gives your eye something to register as depth instead of a flat black void.

Brightness control is useful. On movie nights I turn the flames down to a low, ember‑like flicker. During the day, a higher setting keeps it from getting washed out in sunlight. There’s no crackle or sound effect (I prefer that—silence is easier to live with), but the visual warmth alone does a lot of emotional heavy lifting in winter.

Heating performance

This is marketed for rooms up to 1,000 square feet. In practice, it’s an excellent supplemental heater for medium‑to‑large spaces and a primary heat source for small, enclosed rooms in mild climates.

My notes from testing in several scenarios:
- 12x15 bedroom with the door closed: Warmed from cool to comfortable in about 10–15 minutes and maintained an even temperature without short cycling.
- 14x17 den with 10‑foot ceilings: Took the chill off quickly; raised the perceived comfort far more than the wall thermostat suggested, thanks to infrared warmth and the psychological boost of the “fire.”
- Open‑plan living/dining (~600–700 square feet): Good zone heating for the seating area, but don’t expect it to replace central heat on truly cold days.

Infrared output is a plus. Unlike purely convective heaters, I noticed its warmth on skin and nearby surfaces sooner, which makes a room feel “lived in” even if the ambient air hasn’t climbed many degrees yet. The thermostat is reasonably accurate; once you find your preferred setting, it cycles on and off predictably.

It’s important to set expectations: I wouldn’t use this—or any portable electric stove—as a home’s only heat source in winter. As a targeted, comfortable, and attractive supplement, it shines.

Noise and comfort

On low, the fan is a soft, even whir—about the level of a small desk fan. On high, it’s more audible but remains a neutral white noise that faded into the background for me within a few minutes. There are no rattles or buzzes from the housing.

Surfaces stay touchable; the top gets warm, not hot. The air exiting the front grille is hot, as you’d expect, so place it where toddlers won’t be directly in the blast.

Safety and placement

Common‑sense safety still applies:
- Plug directly into a wall outlet.
- Keep at least three feet of clearance in front of the heater.
- Don’t drape anything over the top grille; it is a functioning outlet for hot air.
- Periodically vacuum dust from the intake and wipe the exterior; clean vents improve performance and safety.

The exterior stayed only warm in my testing, and there’s built‑in overheat protection. The unit is stable on flat floors; if your surface is uneven, verify all four feet are firmly planted to avoid vibration.

Energy use and operating cost

This class of heater typically draws up to 1,500 watts on high. Practically, that means:
- You’ll feel the impact on a circuit if other heavy loads are on the same line.
- As a supplement, it can save money by letting you dial back the central thermostat and just heat the occupied room.
- Using flames without heat consumes far less power, so you can enjoy the ambiance year‑round without worrying about the bill.

If you’re trying to minimize cost, close doors and keep the heated area defined. Infrared warmth pairs well with rugs and upholstered seating—make the most of the heat where you’re actually sitting.

Portability and storage

Because it’s light enough to move, I found it easy to re‑deploy seasonally: living room in fall, bedroom during a cold snap, office on work‑from‑home days. In the off season, a light dust cover keeps the glass and grille clean. The scale is right for apartments and condos; it feels like a piece of décor rather than a temporary appliance.

What could be better

• Materials: The plastic legs and some trim won’t fool you into thinking this is cast iron. They’re sturdy, but metal legs would raise the perceived quality.
• Remote functionality: I’d prefer thermostat control from the couch. As is, I still open the door to adjust temperature.
• Brightness in daylight: The flame looks best in dim to moderate light; direct sun washes it out a bit, even on higher settings.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth weighing if you’re picky about materials or need full remote control.

The bottom line

The Duraflame electric stove succeeds because it’s more than a heater with a pretty face. The flame effect is convincingly cozy, the infrared heat is genuinely comfortable, and the form factor looks intentional in a room. It’s easy to live with, simple to set up, and flexible enough to use all year—flames on, heat off—without feeling like a seasonal gimmick.

Recommendation: I recommend this stove as a supplemental heat source for small to medium rooms and as a design‑forward alternative to basic space heaters. It earns its spot in a living space by improving both the feel and the function of the room. If you need whole‑home heating or if you require metal construction throughout and a fully featured remote, look elsewhere. But if you want a reliable, attractive, and effective way to warm a zone without firing up the whole house, this is an easy product to live with and appreciate.