Our top pick, the Duluth Forge Dual Fuel Ventless Gas Fireplace Insert, has an oxygen depletion sensor and remote control and can heat a large room. Enjoy heat and flames on demand with one of these top gas fireplace inserts. You can slide the Duluth Forge Vent Less Gas Fireplace into your existing masonry fireplace (with appropriate ductwork) or build a fireplace to suit this insert exactly. Its remote control makes starting a fire as simple as pushing a button: Unlike a wood-burning fireplace, there are no matches or fire starters needed. Price at time of publish: $1,000 For an affordable gas fireplace insert, choose the Pleasant Hearth Vent Free Gas Firebox, which is priced several hundred dollars cheaper than many other popular models. It offers zero-clearance installation options and a fire screen for safety, and it can be used with either natural gas or propane log sets. While you still need to purchase the log set to make this gas fireplace insert functional, you’ll be able to choose components that fit your style and budget. Price at time of publish: $451 The Empire Tahoe Deluxe NG Millivolt Fireplace provides up to 20,000 BTU of heat using a natural gas supply. It features a brick liner and six ceramic logs for an authentic fireplace look. The glass front provides a sealed chamber for combustion, but take note that the glass can become very hot to the touch. You’ll need to buy a barrier screen or door set for protection against touching the hot glass. This fireplace insert measures 37 inches wide but only 16 inches deep, allowing it to fit into shallow fireplace openings. Price at time of publish: $1,800 The Empire Keystone Deluxe B-Vent Fireplace measures 37 inches wide, while the B-vent is just four inches in diameter. This fireplace includes a brick-look liner and a set of logs for a cozy ambiance all year long. It has an output of 21,000 BTU using a natural gas supply. Generally speaking, natural vented gas fireplace inserts are ideal for heating smaller rooms. They provide warmth while exhausting fumes but won’t overpower a room with too much heat like some direct vent models. Price at time of publish: $1,580 This set is available in 18-, 24-, and 30-inch widths, so be sure to pick the set of gas logs that fits your firebox or fireplace. All sizes feature a battery-assisted Piezo ignition with a built-in pilot oxygen-depletion sensor (ODS), so it will immediately turn off if it detects carbon monoxide or lack of oxygen. Price at time of publish: $369 The Ashley Hearth Vent Free Fireplace Insert puts out up to 34,000 BTU—enough to warm spaces up to 1,200 square feet in size. The included artificial log set provides a classic fireplace vibe, but keep in mind that ventless gas fireplaces do lack realism when compared with a natural vent or direct vent fireplace. Though this unit is considered to be 99 percent efficient when burning natural gas, it does release a small amount of exhaust back into the room. An oxygen-depletion sensor is included with this model for an alert if oxygen levels fall. However, it’s important to note that ventless gas fireplace inserts are prohibited in certain states or municipalities. (Check your local codes before purchasing.) Price at time of publish: $1,442
Fuel Type
Gas fireplace inserts require a natural gas line, or a propane tank. Natural gas units often produce more heat (measured in BTU per hour), but they need to have a gas line installed. Propane tanks avoid the need for gas line installation, but they require regular replenishment. The tanks can be unsightly, depending on where they’re placed.
Heating Efficiency
Most gas fireplace inserts operate with 99 percent efficiency, but there are variations, largely dependent on the unit’s venting type. Natural vented fireplace inserts have the lowest heating efficiency, since heat is lost through the open damper or flue. Direct vent fireplace inserts have better heating efficiency because they draw in outside air and use smaller ductwork for exhaust. Ventless gas fireplace inserts have the best heating efficiency, since they have no ductwork.
Why Trust The Spruce?
With more than five years of researching the best products for indoor and outdoor living, Erica Puisis is familiar with the features and benefits that matter the most to homeowners. Her areas of expertise have included home heating and cooling systems and appliances. To find the best options for gas fireplace inserts, she compared the venting type, maximum BTU output, and fuel type of each model considered. All of the options considered provide at least 20,000 BTU of heat, and most are available for natural gas or propane connections. Keep in mind that heating efficiency is an important factor to consider, since this percentage determines how much of the heat reaches the room and how much is lost to the venting process.
