We researched the best wood stoves available online and evaluated them based on their burn rate, user friendly features, coverage area, and design. Our favorite is the Ashley Hearth Products AW2520E-P 2,500 Sq. Ft. Wood Burning Stove, which meets all of the 2020 EPA Step 2 requirements for wood and pellet stoves, and it also has a classic design with a firebrick burn box to offer efficient combustion. Here are the best wood stoves on the market. As mentioned, this wood stove is EPA-certified and meets all of the 2020 guidelines for Step 2 of requirements for wood stoves and pellet stoves, which means it emits only 2.5 grams of particulate matter per hour, when burning cordwood (firewood). This wood stove is a single burn-rate wood stove, so it cannot be adjusted; however, the maximum log size and firebrick-lined interior help to reduce how often you have to fill the stove. We also appreciate that this wood stove can be used in mobile homes as an alternative heat source. Keep in mind that you do have to purchase the blower separately. We recommend opening the door or removing the ash pan with gloves on, as nickel is a strong conductor of heat. Price at time of publish: $1,499 Equipped with a 5,200 BTU heater, this electric wood stove can warm rooms up to 1,000 square feet in area. Its lower heat capacity and compact design make it great for smaller spaces, plus it has a flame-only option, so you can enjoy it year-round. This stove also has an adjustable thermostat, five flame levels, a timer, and a remote control. Our tester found the remote slightly confusing to operate, especially given the directions offered little operation guidance. The stove’s plug has a built-in thermometer, so the unit will shut off automatically if it overheats—a great safety feature for added peace of mind. However, our tester noted that the upper part of the unit and the front grill get quite hot, so you shouldn’t set things on top of it. This stove is also very quiet while its turned on, which could be a positive or negative factor, depending on the experience you’re looking for. Our tester really appreciated this stove’s size, noting that it’d be great on a screened-in porch or in a smaller room that maybe doesn’t receive as much heat from your home’s HVAC system. Price at time of publish: $300 A blower is included with this wood stove and it has an adjustable speed that can spread warm air throughout 1,800 square feet at a rate of 100 cubic feet per minute. We do wish this wood stove had adjustable heat settings, which are now a popular feature on most models, but the firebrick lined burn box should offer an efficient combustion. This wood stove can hold logs up to 18 inches long, which is slightly smaller than some of the other options in this roundup, but we don’t consider this a drawback, as it has to fit within an existing fireplace hole. Price at time of publish: $1,000 This stove is EPA-certified, and it’s one of the cleanest wood-burning stoves on the market. It not only has a primary and secondary combustion source but also features a tertiary combustion and a catalyst to take care of any unburned smoke particles and gases. Keep in mind that the Hearthstone Heritage may have a higher upfront cost, but it uses less wood and heats more efficiently, which saves you money in the long run. Price at time of publish: $4,299 This pellet stove is safe to use in mobile homes, which is a huge plus, especially if you’re looking for an affordable way to heat your mobile home. This stove also claims to be low-ash producing, so you should only have to empty the ash tray every three weeks, but this could vary based on how often you use it. The igniter and blower motors can be plugged into a standard 110-volt house current, plus the burn pot and exhaust design allow for EPA certified 81 percent burn efficiency. Although we don’t love the overall aesthetic of this wood stove, its compact design and overall effectiveness make it a great option, especially if you don’t want to burn wood. Price at time of publish: $1,787 However, the Drolet HT-3000 is backed by a lifetime warranty to ensure customer satisfaction. Extra accessories such as a fresh air intake kit, firescreen, blower, and thermodisc are also available for this stove, but at an additional cost. Price at time of publish: $2,199 Keep in mind that this stove is not recommended for indoor use. If you plan to use it in a garage or workshop, the unit must be properly ventilated. It’s also pretty heavy, despite its petite size, so you may need to have an additional person nearby to help carry it to your desired location. Price at time of publish: $150 In order for a stove to provide adequate heat in your home, the heat output and coverage area must also be taken into consideration. If you are heating 1,500 square feet or less, a wood stove with a firebox between 1.5 and 2 cubic square should be sufficient. Larger spaces (up to 2,500 square feet) typically require a wood stove with a firebox measuring 2.5 cubic feet.
Fuel Type
With the exception of the Duraflame, which is an electric model, all of the stoves included in this roundup burn wood or pellets. Burning firewood is usually more cost-effective than heating with gas or electricity. However, the cost of fuel will vary by region. Pellet stoves and wood-burning models with an integrated blower usually require an electrical supply to operate. With an open fireplace, the majority of heat is lost up the chimney. Wood-burning stoves, particularly newer models that meet EPA standards, can operate at up to 80 percent efficiency. Since they provide low-carbon and low-emission heating, a wood stove might also appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. For a wood-burning stove to run efficiently, firewood should be properly seasoned. Logs should be cut to an appropriate length for your stove—about three inches shorter than the firebox.
Wood Heat vs. Pellet Heat
A pellet stove is an eco-friendly alternative to a traditional wood-burning stove. Instead of logs, they burn pellets—compact pieces made from recycled wood waste. Because pellets are denser and contain less moisture than wood, they burn more efficiently and create less smoke and ash. Pellet stoves are also a great option for consumers who don’t want to fuss with chopping firewood or feeding a stove throughout the day. All wood-burning stoves must meet stringent EPA requirements that were set in 2015. Wood stoves that have adjustable heat outputs are allowed to emit 2.0 grams of particulate matter per hour, while wood stoves with non-adjustable heat output can emit 2.5 grams of particulate matter per hour. These standards were set in 2015 to be met by 2020, and there are requirements that apply to pellet stoves.
Heat Output
An important thing to consider before buying a wood stove is the amount of heat it produces. A stove’s heating power is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). For example: A stove rated at 60,000 BTU can heat a 2,000 square-foot home, while a unit with 42,000 BTU can warm about 1,300 square feet of space. Generally, a higher BTU rating means that the stove is capable of effectively heating a larger space.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a freelance writer who covers home appliances for The Spruce. A native of New England and no stranger to cold weather, she’s thoroughly researched space heaters, heated blankets, and more in the home heating sector. For this roundup, Sage considered dozens of wood stoves, evaluating each model’s heat output, functionality, and features. To find the highest-rated products on the market, she consulted user reviews, third-party reviews, and tester feedback. Cleaning your flue, stove pipe, or chimney is a more complicated job. During the winter, experts recommend burning your stove on high for at least 30 minutes per day. Not only will this help clear the flue, it should also burn off any residue that has collected on the glass. You can use a wire brush to remove build-up on the inside of the flue. The most popular way to clean a chimney is from the top down using a brush and rod–but you will have to climb up onto the roof. You also need to seal off the fireplace or wood stove beforehand. Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, also assisted in adjusting this roundup to reflect the latest models of wood stoves available. Additional lab testing was also conducted for our best electric pick, the Duraflame Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove, so Emma also updated that product’s description to reflect our latest first-hand experience. While researching additional picks in this roundup, Emma considered not only popular brands of wood stoves, but also look at each model’s heat output and certifications to ensure that this roundup was inclusive to all types of homes. Emma’s parents have had a Vogelzang fireplace insert in their home for over five years now, and it still performs well at warming their living room every winter.
