Antarctic Star 60" Electric Fireplace Review: Big visual impact, modest heater

I’ve been using this Antarctic Star 60-inch electric fireplace for a little while now in my living room, mainly for the look and as a backup heater. I didn’t buy it expecting it to replace a real wood-burning fireplace or to heat my whole house. I wanted something that looks decent under a wall-mounted TV and gives a bit of ambiance at night. On that front, it mostly does what I hoped, with a few quirks you should know about before you buy.

The first thing you notice is the size. At 60 inches wide, it really fills the wall and immediately becomes the focus of the room. If you’re used to the little 30–36 inch units, this feels much more like a real “fireplace wall” setup. It doesn’t feel tiny under a big TV, which is what bothered me with my old unit. Out of the box, it comes with the glass front, crystals, wall bracket, screws, and the remote, so you’re basically ready to go once you find the studs and a nearby outlet.

In day-to-day use, I mostly run it with flames on and heat off. It’s basically a big light show with a heater attached. The flame colors are pretty flexible, from basic orange to blue, purple, and weird mixes that look a bit like a nightclub. Some combinations look nice and cozy, some look a bit tacky, but at least you can pick what you like and forget the rest. Heat-wise, it’s fine for a bedroom or a smaller living room, but if you’re thinking it will warm a big open-concept space on its own, that’s optimistic.

Overall, my first impression is: visually, it does the job and looks more expensive than it is, but you need to be realistic about the heating power and the install. It’s not perfect, the mounting system is a bit annoying, and the heater is basically like a decent space heater built into a big glass panel. If you’re okay with that, it’s a pretty solid option for the price bracket.

For what it costs (especially if you catch it on sale or from Amazon Warehouse like some buyers did), I’d say the value is pretty good. You’re getting a 60-inch unit, which already puts it in a different category than the smaller 30–40 inch fireplaces that often look too small under a big TV. Visually, it delivers that “feature wall” look without having to spend the kind of money a built-in gas fireplace would require. If your main goal is to make a living room or bedroom look more finished and cozy, it’s money reasonably well spent.

Where you have to temper your expectations is the heating side. If you mentally price it as: “a decent-looking 60-inch wall feature that also happens to be a 1500W space heater,” then the value makes sense. If you’re thinking, “I’ll save on heating bills and this will warm my whole open-plan area,” that’s not realistic. It’s a supplemental heater with decent visuals. The energy use is typical for 1500W heaters – not cheap to run for hours every day, but no worse than any other electric heater of the same rating.

Compared to some other brands I’ve seen in big-box stores, this one sits in a nice middle ground. You can find cheaper, but they usually look cheaper, with worse flame effects and clunkier frames. You can also spend a lot more on premium brands for better realism and build, but for many people, that price jump isn’t worth it. The Antarctic Star hits that “good enough for most people” zone: solid visuals, acceptable noise, okay heat, and a big size that makes a difference visually.

So in terms of value, I’d say: if you’re after atmosphere first and heat second, it’s a good deal. If you want serious heating performance or super high-end realism, you’ll need to spend more or look at other technologies. For a normal living room setup under a TV, on a regular budget, this is a pretty sensible purchase.

Design-wise, this thing leans hard into the modern, linear look: long black frame, full glass front, crystals instead of fake logs. If you’re into a farmhouse or rustic style, you’ll probably end up adding some wood trim or a mantle around it to soften the look. As it is out of the box, it fits best with a clean, minimal TV wall or a more contemporary living room. Personally, I like that it doesn’t have a chunky frame. The 3.86" depth helps it not feel too bulky when surface-mounted.

The flame display takes up most of the front, with a narrow black border. The glass is reflective, so if you have bright lights or a window directly opposite, you’ll see reflections. At night or in lower light, it looks much better. The crystals at the bottom give a more modern vibe than fake logs. You can rearrange them however you want, and if you hate the look, you could probably swap them out for different media (like small stones or darker glass) if you’re a bit handy.

Where the design is less friendly is the mounting system and vents. The wall bracket itself is simple, but getting a 60-inch, roughly 50-pound unit lined up and securely hooked on the bracket is a bit of a workout if you’re alone. It’s doable, but I’d recommend two people. Also, there are small gaps in the top corner holes that, like one Amazon reviewer mentioned, kids can poke things into. That’s not a deal-breaker, but you do have to keep an eye on it if you’ve got curious little ones around. The heat blows out the front, which is good for not cooking the wall or your TV, but you still need to respect clearance recommendations.

Overall, I’d say the visual design is pretty solid for the price, and once it’s on the wall, it looks more expensive than it is. But the practical side of the design (mounting, small gaps, reflective glass) is where you notice the cost-cutting. It’s not a disaster, it just feels like a typical mid-range product: looks good from a distance, a few small annoyances up close.

From a comfort standpoint, it does what I wanted: it makes the room feel less bare and adds a bit of warmth when needed. I mostly run it with flames on and no heat while watching TV or reading. The remote and touch controls make it easy enough to tweak settings without getting up. The timer function (1–8 hours) is nice if you tend to fall asleep on the couch and don’t want it running all night. The independent flame/heat control is essential – you can have just the visual effect in summer without turning the room into an oven.

Noise-wise, when the heat is off, it’s basically silent except for a very faint hum from the electronics, which you only notice if the room is really quiet and you’re close to it. When the heater is on, you get the fan noise. It’s not whisper-quiet, but it’s also not like a hair dryer. I’d put it at a level where you can still hear dialogue on the TV without turning it way up. If you’re very sensitive to background noise, you might only use the heat occasionally. For me, it’s acceptable and in line with other electric fireplaces I’ve used.

In terms of actual warmth, sitting within 6–8 feet of the unit, you can feel the hot air blowing straight at you, which is nice on cold evenings. It doesn’t heat the whole house, but it makes the seating area more comfortable. In a bedroom, it’s enough to raise the temperature a few degrees over an hour or so on the 1500W setting. If you already have central heating and just want a boost, it’s fine. If you’re trying to rely on this as your only heat source, that’s where you’ll be disappointed.

Day to day, the main comfort win is the ambiance. When the lights are down, the fake fire actually makes the room feel cozier, even if you know it’s just LEDs and glass. It’s not magic, but it does change the vibe compared to a blank wall. Just keep in mind that the glass front does get warm with the heater on, not scorching like a real fire, but warm enough that I wouldn’t let small kids press their hands on it for long. Overall, in terms of living with it, I’d say it’s comfortable to use, easy enough to control, and does what you’d expect from a mid-range electric fireplace.

Build-wise, this is not some heavy-duty, industrial piece of gear, but it doesn’t feel super flimsy either. The frame is decent, the glass front feels solid, and once it’s on the wall or recessed properly, it feels secure. Mine didn’t have any rattles or weird noises out of the box. The paint finish is basic but fine – it’s not something you’re touching all the time anyway. The main thing that will decide how long it lasts is probably the fan and the electronics that drive the LEDs and heater.

Electric fireplaces in this range usually live or die by two things: the fan motor and the control board. So far, I haven’t had any issues with random shut-offs or flickering lights. The CETL certification and built-in overheat cut-off are reassuring, at least on the safety side. One Amazon reviewer mentioned a dead remote on arrival, but customer service sent a replacement quickly, which is a good sign. I haven’t had to deal with support yet, so I can’t say more than that. The included warranty is listed as “limited,” which usually means they’ll cover obvious defects but not abuse.

Physically, I don’t see much that would break easily once it’s installed. The main risk is during installation or moving: it’s a big piece of glass, and if you drop it or bang it hard into a corner, you’ll regret it. So get a second person for the install if you can. The crystals are just decorative; if you lose a few, it won’t affect function. The touch panel and remote buttons feel standard – not luxury, but not terrible either. Over time, I’d expect the remote to be the first thing to feel worn, like with any cheap remote.

Overall, for the price, I’d rate durability as pretty solid but not bulletproof. It feels on par with other electric fireplaces in this price bracket. If you install it properly, don’t block the vents, and don’t run it 24/7 on high heat, I don’t see any obvious reason it wouldn’t last several years. Just don’t expect the same tank-like build you’d get from a high-end gas insert that costs three times as much.

In terms of performance, I’d split it into two parts: flame effect and heating. For the flames, for a unit in this price range, I was actually pleasantly surprised. Are they like a real wood fire? No. But if you keep your expectations realistic, the LED effect looks pretty decent, especially on the standard orange/amber settings. The flames have some height and movement, and they don’t look like a cheap screensaver. The 12 color options are a mixed bag: some look cozy (orange, orange/blue mix), some look kind of odd (bright blue, purple, pink), but at least you can cycle through and find a couple you like.

The adjustable flame speed is more useful than I expected. Slower speeds feel calmer and more “fireplace-like,” while faster speeds look more artificial but give more movement if you like that. I ended up setting it to a medium speed and just leaving it there. The brightness is strong enough to be seen in a lit room, but it definitely looks better in the evening with the room lights dimmed. For pure ambiance, I’d give it a solid score: not mind-blowing, but very acceptable for a fake fireplace, especially at 60 inches wide.

On the heating side, the 750W/1500W modes are roughly what you’d expect from a small space heater. In my roughly 300–350 sq ft living room, the 1500W setting takes the edge off on a cold evening, but it doesn’t make the room toasty if it’s really cold outside. It’s more like a comfort boost than a full-on heater. In a bedroom or smaller room, it does better. The manufacturer claims up to 400 sq ft, which is fair if you’re not expecting sauna-level heat. Noise-wise, the fan is audible but not crazy loud – about like a small box fan on low/medium. You’ll notice it in a quiet room, but it doesn’t drown out a TV.

After using it for a while, my conclusion is: as a heater, it’s fine, not special. It’s basically a built-in space heater with a nice front. As a visual piece, it does a good job of making the room feel cozier, especially with the right flame color. If your priority is looks + occasional heat, you’ll probably be happy. If you’re buying this mainly to heat a big area, you’ll be underwhelmed.

On paper, the Antarctic Star 60-inch fireplace is pretty straightforward: it’s a wall-mounted or recessed electric fireplace rated at 750W/1500W with a claimed heating coverage of about 400 square feet. The model number is 860C3, it’s CETL certified, vent-free, and it weighs around 50–56 pounds depending on which listing you read. It comes in black with a glass front and uses LED lights to create the flame effect and glow on the crystals. No batteries needed; it’s a corded electric unit that you plug into a standard outlet.

In the box, you get the fireplace body, glass front (already attached in my case), a bag of clear crystals, mounting bracket and screws, basic instructions, and a remote. The remote controls power, flame color, flame speed, heat levels, timer (1–8 hours), and a sleep mode. You also have a touch panel on the front of the unit that mirrors the remote functions, which is handy when the remote inevitably disappears into a couch cushion. Everything is pretty basic, no app, no Wi-Fi, no smart home stuff – which I actually prefer for something like this.

Feature-wise, the selling points are: 12 flame colors, adjustable speed, independent flame/heat control, two heat settings (750W & 1500W), and the option to install it recessed, semi-recessed, or just hung on the wall. Realistically, most people will either surface-mount it or do a simple framed-out wall to recess it. The dimensions are about 60" W x 18.1" H x 3.86" D, so it’s pretty slim and doesn’t stick out too much when wall mounted. The front heater blower pushes warm air out from the bottom-front area, not the top, so you can put a TV above it if you leave a reasonable gap.

In practice, you’re buying this more for looks + supplemental heat than as a serious primary heating solution. It’s closer to having a big, wide space heater with a light show built in. Compared to smaller units I’ve owned, the main difference is the width and how much more “finished” the wall looks when it’s on. Functionally, the heating power and options are pretty standard for this kind of product, but the overall package feels like decent value considering the size and feature set.