LegendFlame Nora 23" EF290 Review: fake logs that actually feel like a real fireplace

I picked up the LegendFlame 23" Nora log set because my real fireplace has basically turned into a decorative hole in the wall. The chimney needs work, I don’t feel like dealing with inspections or hauling wood, and honestly I just wanted the look of a fire with some heat on cold nights. This one had a 4.7 rating and sits pretty high in the electric fireplace rankings, so I figured it was worth a shot.

Out of the box, it’s very straightforward: logs, metal frame, power cord, and a small remote with a coin battery already inside. No tools, no assembly puzzle. I literally slid it into the existing opening, plugged it into a regular outlet, and was basically done. For once, the “5‑minute install” marketing line is not completely exaggerated.

After using it several evenings in a row, the main thing I noticed is the flame effect is actually convincing when you’re sitting a few feet away. It’s not real fire, obviously, but it gives that moving light in the room that you expect from a fireplace. The crackling sound is a nice touch too, as long as you keep the volume low. On high, it starts to sound more like a cheap speaker than real wood.

Overall first impression: it’s not perfect, but it does exactly what I wanted — brings life back to a dead fireplace with decent heat and a believable fake flame, without dealing with smoke, ash, or gas. If you go in expecting a realistic vibe and secondary heat, you’ll probably be happy. If you expect it to heat your whole house or look like an actual log fire up close, you’ll be a bit disappointed.

In terms of value, I’d put this in the “good purchase if you know what you’re buying” category. You’re paying for a realistic enough flame effect, a decent space heater, and a quick install that doesn’t require an electrician or contractor. Compared to paying to fix a chimney, installing gas lines, or buying a higher‑end built‑in electric insert, this is much cheaper and way less hassle. For a dead or blocked fireplace that you still want to use visually, it’s a pretty solid solution.

Energy‑wise, a 1500W heater is standard for plug‑in units. If you run it on high heat for hours every day, you’ll definitely see it on your bill, but no more than any other 1500W space heater. The upside is you can also run just the flame effect at a much lower power draw when you don’t need heat, so you still get the cozy look without cooking the room or burning extra electricity.

Where the value feels good is the combination of ease of use + look + heat. It’s not the cheapest fake log set on the market, but the overall execution (flames, crackle, thermostat, remote) is better than the really budget ones I’ve seen. The Amazon rating (4.7 with over 1500 reviews) lines up with my experience: mostly positive, with minor quirks like the sound quality and potential remote interference.

If your goal is a showpiece fireplace with super realistic flames and a sleek glass front, you should probably spend more on a different style of insert. If your goal is to bring a non‑functional fireplace back to life quickly, with a good balance between price and result, this hits the mark. So for value, I’d say good bang for the buck as a secondary heater and visual upgrade, as long as you’re not expecting premium built‑in quality at a plug‑in price.

Design‑wise, the Nora is pretty straightforward. It’s a metal frame with resin logs on top and a reflective panel in the back to throw the flame effect up against your firebox wall. The color is basically black (they oddly list it as “Blace”), with a powder‑coated finish that blends into a dark firebox. The logs themselves look decent: from a couple of meters away they pass for real logs glowing on embers. Up close, you can tell they’re resin, but that’s expected at this price point.

The flame effect is the main selling point for the design. The flames are projected behind the logs and flicker in a fairly natural way. It’s not super high‑end like some very pricey electric fireplaces, but it’s good enough that guests commented on it without me asking. The reflection trick makes the fireplace look deeper than it really is, which helps if your firebox is shallow. With a screen in front (like one reviewer did), it looks even more convincing because it hides the mechanical parts and adds that classic fireplace look.

One design thing I liked is that nothing on the logs or frame gets dangerously hot, even with the heater running. That makes it feel safer if you have kids or pets wandering around. The hot air comes from a vent, and as long as you don’t block that, you’re fine. No glass front also means no fingerprints or constant wiping, which I personally see as a plus for a low‑maintenance setup.

On the downside, it’s still clearly an electric unit if you stare directly at it or look from the side. You can see the physical structure and the light source if you go looking for it. Also, the overall style is pretty neutral and basic — it won’t upgrade the look of an ugly or damaged firebox by itself. If your brick inside is stained weirdly, you may want to paint it or clean it up first, like some users mentioned. In short: looks good in normal use, not a showpiece if you scrutinize every detail.

The Nora uses a metal housing with a powder‑coated finish and resin logs. The metal frame feels solid enough when you move it around — no rattling panels or sharp edges on mine. The powder coating seems even and didn’t scratch easily when I slid it into the firebox, though I was reasonably careful. This is not heavy cast iron or anything like that, but for a 17‑pound electric unit, the build feels pretty solid and not flimsy.

The resin logs are where you notice the cost savings. They look good from normal viewing distance but if you tap them or inspect them up close, they’re clearly fake. That doesn’t bother me personally because the whole point is to sit on the couch and enjoy the overall effect, not to handle the logs. The ember bed glow is convincing enough for casual use. The back reflective panel is thin but does its job, and I didn’t see any warping or bending after several heating cycles.

Noise‑wise, there are two things: the fan and the crackling speaker. The fan is what you’d expect from a compact electric heater: a low hum with some air movement noise. It’s not silent, but it’s not obnoxious. If you’re super sensitive to noise, you’ll notice it, but in a normal living room with a TV or people talking, it fades into the background. The crackling sound is generated by a small speaker, and at low volume it blends in okay. At high volume, the artificial nature stands out more.

Overall, the materials and build quality feel good for the price range. It doesn’t feel like a cheap toy, but it also doesn’t feel like a high‑end built‑in fireplace costing three times more. The one‑year limited warranty and CSA certification add a bit of reassurance. If you treat it as an appliance and don’t kick it around or block the vents, I don’t see any obvious weak points that would fail quickly. Long‑term durability remains to be seen, but nothing so far suggests it’s poorly built.

I haven’t had it for years obviously, but I’ve been running it regularly in the evenings to see how it copes with real use. Typical session for me is 2–4 hours with the heater cycling on and off and the flames running the whole time. So far, no weird smells, no rattles, and no change in the brightness of the flames. The fan still sounds the same as day one. That’s a good sign that the basic components are at least decent quality.

The LED flame system should, in theory, last a long time since LEDs are low‑wear compared to halogen bulbs. The brand leans on the “100% energy saving LED” claim a lot, but practically it just means low power draw for the visuals and less heat inside the unit, which usually helps longevity. No bulbs to replace is a plus. The logs and housing haven’t discolored or warped with heat so far.

Physically, the unit doesn’t get abused much once it’s in place. You’re not moving it around all the time, so as long as you don’t hit it with logs or tools, it should stay in decent shape. The paint hasn’t chipped on mine and the cable feels like standard appliance quality, not thin or brittle. The remote still works fine, and the included CR2032 battery is holding up, though those are cheap to replace anyway.

One realistic concern with any electric heater is dust build‑up in the vents and on the fan over time. I’d plan to vacuum around the intake and exhaust occasionally to keep airflow clean. The manual doesn’t ask for much maintenance beyond basic cleaning. Given the CSA certification and the many positive long‑term reviews, I’d say durability looks promising but not bulletproof. Don’t expect it to last decades like a cast‑iron wood stove, but for several seasons of regular use, it seems like a safe bet.

On performance, I’d split it into three things: heat, flame effect, and sound. For heat, the unit is rated at 1500W max (about 5000 BTU), with a lower 750W setting. In my roughly 350–400 sq ft living room with average insulation, the high setting raises the temperature by a few degrees in about 30–45 minutes. It’s enough to make the room feel comfortable on a chilly evening, but it’s not going to replace a real furnace. One reviewer said they use it in a 700 sq ft area and it still helps, which I can believe, but then it’s more of a supplement than a main heater.

There’s a built‑in thermostat that cycles the heat on and off once your target comfort level is reached, even though you don’t see a specific temperature on the display. I did the same trick another user did: put a cheap thermometer in the room and adjusted the heater until I found a setting that kept it where I like it. Once dialed in, it’s pretty hands‑off. The fan noise is noticeable but not super loud — like a small space heater. You hear it, but it doesn’t drown out conversation or TV.

The flame effect runs independently of the heat, which is nice. You can leave the fire visuals on even when you don’t need warmth. Flame brightness is adjustable, and I found a medium setting looks best at night. Max brightness starts to look a bit fake, while too low loses the cozy vibe. Still, it’s good to have the options depending on the room light. The flames don’t repeat in an obvious pattern every few seconds, so it doesn’t immediately scream “projector” to your brain.

For the crackling sound, here’s the honest take: on the lowest volume, it’s a nice background effect and does add a bit of realism. On higher volume, it starts to sound like a cheap loop. I ended up leaving it on low or off most of the time. Also, one user mentioned interference with a TV soundbar when turning the unit on, which I can see happening if your remotes share similar signals. I didn’t hit that exact issue, but if your soundbar starts acting weird, that’s probably why. Overall, performance is solid for a secondary heater with a convincing fake fire, as long as you keep your expectations realistic.

In the box you get the log set itself, a small remote, and a manual that is actually readable and clear. The unit is roughly 23" wide, 20" high, and just under 10" deep. Mine weighed about what the listing said, around 17 pounds, so you can easily handle it alone without worrying about dropping something heavy or scratching your hearth. It’s a simple freestanding unit: no brackets, no screws, no trimming kit. You just drop it in the opening and you’re done.

The remote is basic but covers the essentials: power, flame brightness, sound on/off and volume, and heat settings. It runs on a CR2032 coin battery, which is included, so you don’t have to dig around your house on day one. There’s also a control panel on the unit itself if you misplace the remote. I used both; the remote is convenient from the couch, but the onboard buttons are handy for quick changes when you’re standing right next to it.

Function‑wise, there are two heat levels (750W and 1500W), adjustable flame brightness, and an optional crackling sound effect. You can run the flame only with no heat, which is nice if you just want the look in warmer months. It’s rated for about 400 square feet of heating, and that matches my experience in a medium‑sized living room. It’s clearly not meant to be your main heating system, and the brand even says that straight up, which I appreciate.

So in practice, what you’re buying is a plug‑and‑play fake log set with heater, not a built‑in insert with glass front and trim. If you want something super custom looking with a flush finish and a frame, this is not it. If you’ve got an existing open fireplace or a cavity and you just want something you can place in there and forget, this is exactly that type of product: simple, focused, and low effort to get running.