Innoflame 23" Electric Fireplace Insert Review: a simple heater that looks like a real fireplace and just works

I picked up this Innoflame 23" electric fireplace insert to replace an old dead unit in a TV stand. I wasn’t looking for anything crazy, just something that fit the opening, looked like a normal fireplace (no purple or blue flames), and could actually heat about 300–400 sq ft without sounding like a jet engine. On paper, this one checked all the boxes: 1400W, 5000 BTU, remote, 4 flame brightness levels, and a pretty standard 23" x 19 3/4" insert size.

After using it daily for a couple of weeks in the living room, I can say it does what it says. The flames look decent, the heat output is enough for a medium room, and the fan noise is low enough that you forget it after a few minutes. It’s not some luxury piece you show off, it’s more like a solid appliance that quietly does its job in the background.

What I really paid attention to was: does it actually fit standard openings, does the thermostat work properly, and does it cut out randomly because of overheating like some cheap inserts. So far, no weird shutoffs, and the thermostat behaves in a predictable way. It’s pretty much “set and forget” once you’ve dialed in the temperature you like.

It’s not perfect: the build is mostly thin metal, the flame effect is good but not mind-blowing, and the remote feels basic. But for the price level it sits in, and compared to other electric fireplaces I’ve used, I’d call it a practical, no-drama heater that gives you a nice fake-fire look and enough warmth for everyday use.

Looking at the feature set and how it performs, I’d say this Innoflame insert sits in a good value zone. You get 1400W of heat, a 5000 BTU rating, thermostat control, 4 flame brightness levels, an 8-hour timer, overheat protection, and a remote, plus a pretty standard 23" x 19 3/4" replacement size. It covers up to about 400 sq ft, which matches what a lot of people need for a living room, bedroom, or office. For the price bracket these usually sit in on Amazon, that’s a solid package.

Compared to cheaper no-name inserts I’ve seen or used, this one feels more consistent and better thought out. The flames look more realistic, the fan noise is lower, and the thermostat behaves more reliably. Some budget units either roar like a fan heater or shut off constantly because they overheat in a cabinet. This one seems to manage airflow better, which matters if you’re dropping it into an existing entertainment center or mantel with limited ventilation.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to spend quite a bit more, you can find models with multi-color flames, app control, higher-end logs, or thicker glass and trim. If that kind of extra polish or visual customization is important to you, this Innoflame might feel a bit basic. It’s more about practicality than showing off. The 1-year warranty is acceptable but not impressive; some higher-end brands give longer coverage.

Taking everything into account—features, performance, build, and the very positive user ratings (4.7/5 from over 200 reviews)—I’d call it good value for someone who wants a reliable, simple-looking heater insert. It’s not the cheapest on the market, but you’re paying a bit extra for something that fits standard openings well, looks decent, and just works without a lot of drama. If you’re replacing a dead built-in unit or finishing a DIY mantel, it’s a sensible choice that won’t blow your budget.

The design is pretty straightforward: a rectangular black metal box with a glass front and a fake log set inside. No fancy trim, no weird chrome accents, just a flat black painted finish that blends into most mantels or media centers. It’s clearly designed to let your surround or furniture be the star and for the unit itself to just look like a regular modern fireplace opening.

The flame effect is focused on being realistic rather than flashy. No color-changing modes, just orange/amber flames with 4 brightness levels. On the lowest setting, it’s quite soft and background-like, more of a glow than a flame show. On the highest setting, it’s bright enough to feel like an active fire but still not cartoonish. Compared to some cheap units I’ve seen where the flames look like a spinning Christmas light, this one is pretty solid visually, especially at normal viewing distance (6–10 feet away).

Controls are minimal and practical. There are buttons on the unit, but in day-to-day use you’ll mainly use the remote: power, flame brightness, temperature setting, and timer. The display and indicators are not overly in-your-face; once you’ve set your temperature, it just cycles quietly. The air outlet is at the front, so you feel the heat right away when you stand in front of it, which makes sense for a recessed install.

If I had to nitpick, the design isn’t going to impress anyone up close. The logs are clearly fake when you’re right next to them, and the black metal doesn’t feel premium. But in a living room, once it’s installed into a mantel or entertainment center, it looks clean and normal, which is basically what you want from something you’re going to stare at every evening. No weird reflections, no odd LED colors, just a basic fireplace look.

In terms of comfort, this fireplace insert mainly changes how a room feels in two ways: the warmth and the visual effect. Heat-wise, it doesn’t blast you with super hot air like a cheap ceramic heater; it’s more of a steady warm flow from the front vent. If you stand right in front of it, you feel a nice warm stream, but it’s not scorching. After 20–30 minutes in a 300–400 sq ft room, you notice the overall temperature has climbed, and it feels more evenly warm instead of just having hot legs and a cold back.

The flame effect adds a lot to the comfort factor, even if you know it’s fake. In the evening, with the room lights dimmed, the glow from the logs and dancing flames does give a cozy vibe. It’s not on the level of a real wood fire in terms of charm, but compared to just having a dull space heater in the corner, it’s a big step up. The 4 brightness levels help you tune it: I found the second or third setting best for most evenings, while the lowest level is good if you’re half-asleep on the couch.

Usability-wise, the remote control is what keeps it comfortable to live with. Being able to adjust the temperature, flame brightness, or turn the heat on/off without getting up is exactly what you want in winter when you’re under a blanket. The buttons are basic but clear. The 8-hour timer is handy at night: set it for a couple of hours so the room warms up while you fall asleep, and you don’t have to worry about it running all night.

One thing to note: like any electric heater, it will dry the air a bit if you run it for long stretches in a closed room. That’s normal, not a defect. If you’re sensitive to dry air, a small humidifier nearby solves that. Overall, from a comfort perspective, it’s pleasant to live with: the heat is steady, the sound level is acceptable, and the fake fire gives the room a nicer feel than just cranking the central heating.

Physically, the unit weighs about 19 pounds, so it’s not super heavy, but it’s not flimsy either. The frame is painted metal with a tempered glass front. When you handle it during installation, you can tell it’s made to be built into something, not displayed as a standalone centerpiece. The metal panels are on the thinner side, which is normal for this price range and for an insert that’s supposed to sit inside a cabinet or wall opening.

The painted finish is uniform and matte enough that fingerprints don’t scream at you, which is nice. Once installed, you don’t really touch it much, so I’m not worried about the finish wearing off quickly. The glass front feels solid and cleans easily with a basic glass cleaner or microfiber cloth. The fake log set is obviously plastic/resin, but once you step back a few feet and the flames are on, it does its job visually. Up close, you see it’s not high-end, but that’s expected here.

The remote is probably the cheapest-feeling part: lightweight plastic, basic buttons, nothing fancy. It works, the range is fine across a typical living room, but it doesn’t feel premium. That said, for something you mostly toss on the coffee table, it’s acceptable. Internally, you’ve got a standard electric heater element and fan setup; nothing exotic, which is actually a plus when it comes to long-term reliability and potential repairs.

Overall, I’d rate the materials and build as decent and in line with the price. It’s not luxury-grade, but it doesn’t feel like a toy either. Once it’s screwed into place, it feels stable and solid. If you expect thick metal and super detailed logs, you’ll be a bit underwhelmed. If you just want a sensible, safe metal-and-glass box that looks like a fireplace and moves warm air, this fits that description.

In daily use, this thing behaves like a solid space heater with a decent fake-fire bonus. It’s rated at 1400W and 5000 BTU, which in real life is enough to keep a medium room up to about 400 sq ft comfortable, as long as your insulation isn’t terrible. In my case, in a living room that’s roughly 300 sq ft, it can take the chill off pretty quickly and then just cycle on and off to maintain the temperature. It’s not going to heat your whole house, but as a zone heater where you actually sit, it does the job.

The built-in thermostat (64°F–82°F) is what makes it actually practical. You set your target temp with the remote, and the unit cycles the heater element and fan while keeping the flame effect running. It doesn’t feel hyper-precise to the degree, but it’s consistent enough: set it to, say, 72°F, and the room hovers around a comfortable range without you babysitting it. I didn’t have issues with it shutting off randomly due to overheating, which can happen with poorly ventilated inserts. The built-in overheat protection is there, but in normal use it never tripped.

On the noise side, the fan is there, you hear it, but it’s not obnoxious. I’d call it low to moderate. You can watch TV comfortably with it on; you’ll notice a soft whoosh in quiet scenes but it doesn’t drown out dialogue. Compared to some budget heaters that sound like a hairdryer, this one is definitely quieter. The flame motor itself is barely noticeable under normal living room noise.

The flame-only mode (no heat) is nice if you just want the ambience in the evening without cranking the temperature. The 4 brightness levels actually matter: lowest is a faint glow for late night, mid levels are good for regular use, and max is for when you want it to stand out more. Overall, the performance is reliable and predictable: it heats as expected, noise stays reasonable, and the thermostat plus timer make it something you can comfortably leave running without constantly fiddling with it.

Out of the box, this is a pretty straightforward product. You get the fireplace unit itself, a simple remote control (needs 2 AAA batteries), a manual, and a small hardware pack with screws. No fancy extras, no decorative stones or multiple media options, just a wood log style insert with a black painted metal frame and tempered glass front. It’s clearly designed to slide into an existing opening: TV stand, mantel, or an old fireplace cavity.

The product dimensions are roughly 5" deep x 24" wide x 20.2" high, but the important part is the opening size it’s meant to fit: 23" wide x 19 3/4" high. If your cutout is close to that, it should drop in with very little hassle. Several people mention it as a direct replacement for old entertainment center units, and I had the same experience: measure twice, slide it in, four screws, done. No electrician, no venting, just plug it into a standard outlet.

In terms of features, you get 4 flame brightness levels, a built-in thermostat that you can set from 64°F to 82°F, an 8-hour timer, and basic safety features: overheat protection and a fuse. Heat coverage is listed at up to 400 sq ft, which matches how it performs in a medium living room or bedroom. It’s rated 1400W / 5000 BTU, so think of it like a decent space heater with nicer visuals.

Overall, the presentation is very utilitarian. It’s clearly focused on being a replacement insert more than a decorative showpiece. If you want tons of colors, sound effects, or app control, look elsewhere. If you want a heater that looks like a simple wood-log fireplace and fits standard cabinetry, this one is aligned with that use case.