HVAC For Beginners

Wood Fireplace Insert Ratings

A Repairman Reviews The Brands

With our wood fireplace insert ratings, you can compare wood fireplace insert models side by side using our Head To Head tool. You can compare 67 different models from 27 brands in ten categories such as warranty, heating capacity, cost, availability, & where they are made. You can also read the individual reviews of each brand below. Our simple rating system gives each brand a color code and a star rating. If the card is green, then, that is one of the top picks from HvacRepairGuy. If the card is yellow, then, that would be a budget pick from HvacRepairgGuy. If the card is red, then, the brand is not recommended by HvacRepairGuy. With our wood fireplace insert reviews, you can cut through the sales hype and find value. It truly is like you were taking a repairman shopping with you! These reviews are for wood burning heating appliances that are designed to be installed in existing masonry fireplaces.

HvacRepairGuy's 2023 Top Pick

ALDERLEA

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

These fireplace inserts are made in Canada by Pacific Energy but they are only sold through a limited dealer network. The units use floating firebox technology which allows key parts to freely expand and contract which reduces thermal stress and metal fatigue which increases the firebox lifespan. Their extended burn technology automatically adjusts the secondary combustion air to maintain the efficiency and they are non-catalytic fireplaces requiring less maintenance. The inserts have a self-sealing ash dump feature which provides for easy and hassle free ash removal. The Super Insert LE model has a more traditional look and feel to it with a 72,000 BTU heating capacity and a cast iron warming shelf as well as an air wash system to keep the glass clean for viewing the fire. The Ne02.5 Insert LE model has more contemporary styling with a larger 85,000 BTU heat output.

BLAZE KING

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Canada and is sold through dealers in North America but their guarantee is not as good as some of the other brands and they use catalytic combustion which requires more maintenance. The inserts feature dual variable speed blowers to distribute the heat into the room and large windows for viewing the fire as well as a built-in thermostat to maintain the desired room temperature. The Ashford 25 model has a 40,000 BTU heating capacity with a 77& efficiency with a more traditional look and feel to the unit while the Sirocco 25 model has more modern styling. The Princess 29 model has a 43,000 BTU heating capacity with a 75.4% efficiency and it sticks out of the fireplace opening more which allows more direct heating but does not look as good as the other units.

BRECKWELL

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is a part of Acadia Hearth LLC and the inserts are only sold through a limited dealer network. The SW1.8 model has a large 69,000 BTU heating capacity and can accept logs up to 18 inches in length. They have a large window for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean. The inserts have a variable speed blower to distribute the heat into the room and they are backed by a good warranty.

BUCK STOVE

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by New Buck Corporation but the inserts are only available through their limited dealer network and their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands. The Model 91 is a catalytic unit which requires more maintenance but it has a higher burn efficiency at 80.4 percent. The units have a large window for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean. They have a standard blower for distributing the heat with a 62,745 BTU heating capacity and can accept logs up to 21 inches in length. The Model 21 NC unit is non-catalytic with a 28,901 BTU heating capacity while the Model 74 unit has a 52,400 BTU heating capacity and the Model 81 has a large 59,500 BTU heating capacity.

CENTURY HEATING

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Canada by Stove Builder International and the inserts can be purchased directly through their website but their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands. The units are non-catalytic so they require less maintenance and they have a standard blower for distributing the heat throughout the room as well as large windows for viewing the fire. The CW2100 model has a 45,000 BTU heating capacity with a 75% efficiency and the unit accepts logs up to 17 inches long. The CW2900 model has a large 75,000 BTU heating capacity with a 72% efficiency and it accepts logs up to 20 inches long.

COMFORTBILT

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by SMG Hearth and Home and the inserts can be purchased directly through their website but their warranty is not very good when compared to other brands. The inserts are non-catalytic which requires less maintenance and they have a variable speed blower to distribute the heat throughout the room as well as large windows for viewing the fire. The Carolina 81CB model has a 45,400 BTU heating capacity with a 69.8 efficiency and a max log length of 18 inches while the Carolina 74CB model has a 40,900 BTU capacity, a 78% efficiency, and accepts a 16 inch long log. The Carolina 21CB model has a 28,901 BTU heating capacity with a 70% efficiency and it accepts logs up to 11 inches in length.

DROLET

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is made in Canada by Stove Builder International and the inserts can be purchased directly through their website. The units are non-catalytic so they require less maintenance and they have a standard blower for distributing the heat throughout the room as well as large windows for viewing the fire. The Escape 1500 models have a 65,000 BTU heating capacity with a 68% efficiency and they accept an 18 inch long log while the Escape 1800 models have a 75,000 BTU capacity, a 72% efficiency, and accepts logs up to 20 inches in length. The brand is backed by a very good warranty.

ENERZONE

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in Canada by Stove Builder International but the inserts are only available through a limited dealer network in North America. The units are non-catalytic so they require less maintenance and they have a standard blower for distributing the heat throughout the room as well as large windows for viewing the fire. The brand is backed by a very good warranty.

FIREPLACE XTRORIDINAIR

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

These units are made in the USA by Travis Industries but the inserts are only available through their limited dealer network and their warranty is only average when compared to other brands. The units offer an optional GreenStart automatic ignition system as well as rectangular or arched doors for the fireplace. The Medium Flush NexGen-Fyre models have a 55,395 BTU heating capacity with a 72% efficiency while the Large Flush NexGen-Fyre models have a 66,736 BTU capacity with a 73% efficiency.

HAMPTON

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in Canada by Fireplace Products International which is a part of Nibe Group and the inserts are backed by a very good warranty but they are only sold through a limited dealer network. The units feature large windows for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean as well as a two speed blower to distribute the heat throughout the room. The HI1150 model is a cast iron non-catalytic fireplace insert with a brick lined firebox for improved heating capacity. It has a 55,000 BTU heating capacity with a 70% efficiency while the HI2450 model has a 75,000 BTU capacity with a 67% efficiency. The HI500 model is a hybrid catalytic wood burner which requires more maintenance but has a higher efficiency at 74% with a 78,000 BTU capacity.

HEARTHSTONE

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and is available in Canada and the USA but only through a limited dealer network and their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands. The interior of the units is lined with soapstone which absorbs heat that would normally be lost and radiates it back into the room. The Clydesdale model is a catalytic insert which requires more maintenance but it has a higher combustion efficiency at 79% with a heating capacity of 60,000 BTU. The GMi70 model is a non-catalytic insert with a 70,000 BTU capacity at an efficiency of 69% while the GMi90 model has an 80,000 BTU heating capacity with a 64% efficiency.

HIGH VALLEY

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

These inserts are made by Stoll Fireplace Inc which is a part of Suppertime Stoves and the units are sold through a very limited dealer network in the USA and Canada but their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands. The inserts use catalytic combustors for clean burning and higher efficiencies but they require more maintenance than non-catalytic models. The Model 1500 has a 45,000 BTU heating capacity with an 83% efficiency while the Model 2500 has a 55,000 BTU capacity with a 75% efficiency. All the stoves have large windows for viewing the fire and a single speed blower to distribute the heat throughout the room.

HITZER

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and features "Amish craftsmanship" but is only available through a very limited dealer network in the USA and Canada. The model 983 has a boxy look and feel to the unit but it is firebrick lined which captures heat that would normally be lost up the chimney and radiates it back into the room. The insert has two 100 CFM blowers to distribute the heat throughout the room and a large 100,000 BTU heating capacity as well as a large window for viewing the fire.

IRON STRIKE

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by Innovative Hearth Products and is backed by a very good warranty but they are only sold through a very limited dealer network. They are clean burning but use catalytic combustors which require more maintenance and must be replaced regularly. They have a large window for viewing the fire and a variable speed blower for distributing the heat throughout the room but they stick out from the face of the fireplace quite a bit which is not a modern look. The Montlake models, which are a part of their Lodge Collection, feature their thermal fin heat exchanger technology which increases the surface area to provide more transfer of the heat to the surrounding air. The Country Stoves Collection featuring the Performer C210 & Striker C160 models offers inserts with very traditional styling and they are less expensive than the Lodge Collection models.

KUMA

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in America and is backed by a very good warranty but they are only available through a very limited dealer network. The inserts use catalytic combustion which provides for higher efficiencies but they also require more maintenance than non-catalytic inserts. The units do not include a blower as standard equipment but they offer an optional variable speed blower to distribute the heat throughout the room. The Alpine LE model has a 63,000 BTU heating capacity with an 81% efficiency while the Cascade LE model has an 82,000 BTU capacity with a 79.4% efficiency rating.

LOPI

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

These units are made in the USA by Travis Industries but the inserts are only available through their limited dealer network and their warranty is only average when compared to other brands. The units offer an optional GreenStart automatic ignition system as well as rectangular or arched doors for the fireplace. The Answer NexGen-Fyre model is for small homes or a single room and they do not include a blower while the Evergreen NexGen-Fyre model has a 70, 720 BTU heating capacity and offers an optional single speed blower for distributing the heat. The Medium Flush NexGen-Fyre model has a 55,395 BTU heating capacity with a standard single speed blower while the Large Flush NexGen-Fyre model has a 66,736 BTU capacity with a 73% efficiency. The Large Flush NexGen-Hybrid model uses catalytic combustion which provides for higher efficiencies but also requires more maintenance.

MORSO

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

These units are made in Denmark and are sold through dealers worldwide but their guarantee is only average when compared to other brands. The 5660B Standard Insert offers a more modern look and is also available with a blower. The units use a ribbed outer firebox for better heat transfer and an advanced combustion system with a 43,499 BTU heating output. They are non-catalytic wood burners which require less maintenance and they have large windows for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean.

NAPOLEON

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Canada and is backed by a very good guarantee but they are only available through dealers in North America. The inserts feature dual blowers for distributing the heat throughout the room and large windows for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean. The S Series models have a 65,000 BTU heating capacity with a 76% efficiency while the Oakdale Series models have a 55,000 BTU heating capacity.

OSBURN

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

These units are made in Canada by Stove Builders International and are backed by a very good warranty but they are only sold through a limited dealer network in the USA & Canada. The non-catalytic inserts feature large windows for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean as well as a blower to distribute the heat throughout the room. The Matrix 1900 model has traditional styling with a 45,000 BTU heating capacity at an efficiency of 75% while the Matrix 2700 model has an 80,000 BTU capacity with a 64% burn efficiency. The Inspire 2000 model has more contemporary styling with a 75,000 BTU heating capacity at a 72% burn efficiency.

PACIFIC

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

These fireplace inserts are made in Canada by Pacific Energy but they are only sold through a limited dealer network. The units use floating firebox technology which allows key parts to freely expand and contract which reduces thermal stress and metal fatigue which increases the firebox lifespan. Their extended burn technology automatically adjusts the secondary combustion air to maintain the efficiency and they are non-catalytic fireplaces requiring less maintenance. The inserts have a self-sealing ash dump feature which provides for easy and hassle free ash removal. The Super Insert LE model has a more traditional look and feel to it with a 72,000 BTU heating capacity and a cast iron warming shelf as well as an air wash system to keep the glass clean for viewing the fire. The Ne02.5 Insert LE model has more contemporary styling with a larger 85,000 BTU heat output.

QUADRA-FIRE

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in the USA by Hearth & Home Technologies and the inserts are backed by a very good guarantee but they are only sold through a very limited dealer network. The Expedition models are non-catalytic inserts which require less maintenance than brands that use catalytic combustion technology. They have a single speed blower to distribute the heat throughout the room and large windows for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean. The Expedition I model has a 37,400 BTU heating capacity at a 65% burn efficiency while the Expedition II model has a 56,000 BTU capacity with a 71% efficiency.

REGENCY

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This brand is made in Canada by Fireplace Products International which is a part of Nibe Group and the inserts are backed by a very good warranty but they are only sold through a limited dealer network. The units feature large windows for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean as well as a two speed blower to distribute the heat throughout the room. The Alterra CI1150 model is a non-catalytic insert which means it requires less maintenance but has a lower burn efficiency that catalytic models. It has a 55,000 BTU heating capacity with a 70% efficiency and modern styling while the Classic I1150 model has a more traditional look and feel to it and the Classic I2450 model has a 75,000 BTU heating capacity with a 67% burn efficiency. The Cascades I1500 mo0del uses catalytic combustion technology and has a variable speed blower as well as a 55,000 BTU heating capacity with a 77.7% efficiency while the Cascades I2500 model has a 78,000 BTU heating capacity with a 76% burn efficiency.

REVERSO

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

These units are made in Canada and are sold through a very limited network of dealers in the USA and Canada but their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands. The Challenger MMX-I features stainless steel secondary combustion chambers for clean burning and durability. The units have a variable speed fan to circulate the air throughout the room and an air wash system to keep the glass clean for viewing the fire. The inserts have a relatively low 38,000 BTU heating capacity with a burn efficiency rating of 73.2% thanks to their firebrick lined combustion chamber that absorbs and radiates heat that would normally be lost.

RSF

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

These fireplace inserts are made in Canada by ICC Chimney and are sold through authorized dealers throughout North America. The fireplaces feature large windows for viewing the fire and use outdoor air for combustion which saves on energy but the warranty on the firebox is not as good as many other brands. The Focus 3600i model features modern styling, a 50,000 BTU heating capacity and a 74% efficiency. The units do not include a blower to distribute the heat as standard equipment but they are offered as an add-on option.

SUPREME

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

These units are made in Canada and are sold through a limited dealer network in North America but their warranty is only average when compared to other brands. The inserts are non-catalytic which has a lower burn efficiency but the units require less maintenance and they have dual single speed blowers for distributing the heat throughout the room. They have large windows for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean.

TIMBERWOLF

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in Canada by Wolf Steel Limited and is available through dealers in North America but their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands. The Economizer EPI22 model has a firebrick lined combustion chamber which captures heat that would normally be lost up the chimney and radiates it back into the room to give the unit a 72% burn efficiency. They have single speed blowers to distribute the heat throughout the room and a 54,000 BTU heating capacity as well as a large window for viewing the fire with an air wash system to keep the glass clean.

VERMONT CASTINGS

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA by Hearth & Home Technologies but they are only sold through a very limited dealer network. The inserts feature traditional styling and firebrick lined combustion chambers which capture heat that would normally be lost up the chimney and radiates it back into the room. They have a variable speed fan to circulate the warm air and large windows for viewing the fire. The Montpelier II model has a 56,000 BTU heating capacity with a 71% burn efficiency and can accept logs up to 20 inches in length.

WILKENING

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This brand is made in the USA and is sold through a very limited dealer network but their guarantee is not very good when compared to other brands. The GranView Zero Clearance model uses outdoor air for combustion and has a refractory lined firebox which captures heat that would normally be lost up the chimney and radiates it back into the room which allows it to achieve a 72% overall burn efficiency. They offer either arched or rectangular door styles to match the home's decor but the inserts do not include a blower as standard equipment although they are offered as an option.

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