Infrared electric fireplaces can be a better form of heating compared to fan forced electric fireplaces as they are typically able to provide heat more quickly, as well as typically being able to heat a larger area. However, infrared heaters are typically found in more expensive models of electric fireplace.

Infrared electric fireplaces use infrared technology to provide heat to a room, while other types of electric fireplace more commonly use a conventional fan forced heating system utilizing a heating element and blower to provide heat.

Infrared electric fireplaces can often heat a larger area and can provide heat more quickly compared to fan forced electric fireplaces, but on the downside aren’t able to retain as much residual heat within the room when turned off.

Electric fireplaces with infrared heaters are also typically more expensive compared to electric fireplaces that have fan forced heaters.

Therefore, if you’re looking to get the best heater with your electric fireplace, want to be able to heat a larger area of your home and don’t mind going for one of the higher priced fireplaces, an electric fireplace that uses an infrared heater might be the better choice for you.

If you only need to be able to heat a smaller room of up to 400sqft, don’t mind the extra fan noise, can wait a short while longer to feel the heat and don’t want to spend too much, look to get an electric fireplace that uses a conventional fan forced heating system.

We find that our electric fireplace that uses the infrared heater provides a more relaxing atmosphere compared to our other electric fireplaces that use fan heaters, but on the other hand the infrared electric fireplace was the most expensive one.