The Best Ventless Gas Fireplace to Heat Your Home or Patio

Although fireplaces have fallen out of favor as the main heating choice for homes, many homeowners still love the atmosphere a warm fireplace can create. Ventless gas fireplaces are easy to use and very clean, and this makes them a favorite with homeowners in small and large houses. You may also hear them called vent-free or unvented, but ventless gas fireplaces work by piping propane or natural gas into a gas unit and they have flames running through artificial logs. Since it can be challenging to install a traditional fireplace due to venting, a ventless gas fireplace is a welcome alternative.

This is an excellent solution to your problems. Not only are ventless gas fireplaces much easier to install than vented gas or wood fireplaces, but they’re also powerful enough to heat smaller rooms in your home while giving you that warm and cozy ambiance you want. No matter if you’re building your new home or looking to remodel, here are 10 of the best ventless gas fireplaces available on the current market. You can take a look, compare products, and pick the one that works the best for your needs. 

Dual Fuel Ventless Gas Fireplace – Top Pick

This ventless gas fireplace by BWB Products offers 26,000 maximum BTU that effortlessly heats up to a 1,350 square-foot space. This makes it perfect for that small garage or extension you’re building to keep you comfortable while you work. It comes equipped with patented dual-fuel technology that allows you to run it on either liquid propane or natural gas without worrying about anything breaking down. It comes with an oxygen depletion sensor built into the design that automatically switches it off if it senses something is wrong, and this allows you to easily leave the room and leave it running without worry.

You’ll get a battery-assisted Piezo ignition switch with this ventless gas heater that makes it very quick and easy to start it without any fuss. You can install this product flat against the wall or horizontally in a corner of the room to help save space, and you get a corner adapter when you purchase it. There are five realistic hand-painted ceramic fiber logs that give you the illusion of real burning wood, and it has a sleek apple spice furniture grade polish that looks sharp and won’t crack or dull.

PROS:

• Sleek and shiny finish
• Heats up to 1,350-square feet
• 26,000 BTU
• Dual fuel technology
• Corner adapter included
• Piezo ignition switch
• Automatic shutoff

CONS:

• Price – expensive for the size

Duluth Forge Ventless Gas Stove – Runner-Up Pick

Duluth Forge’s ventless gas fireplace offers an impressive 26,000 BTUs with dual-fuel technology that allows you to run it on liquid propane gas or natural gas without having a problem. Once you turn it on, this fireplace will quickly heat up a room up to 1,200 square-feet in size, and this is perfect for a smaller family room, living room, or entertainment area. You get six hand-painted detailed logs that use durable ceramic fiber material that can withstand a lot of heavy use without breaking down, and the chic black coloring with the glossy finish is a very eye-catching outer layer that is sure to attract welcome attention.

You’ll get a thermostat remote control included in the purchase of this ventless gas fireplace that allows you to control your log set and change your desired heat temperature using a remote control. It does need four AA batteries and two AAA batteries to run. It has a 99.9% efficiency rate the entire time it’s running, and you get a push-button ignition with a pilot oxygen depletion sensor built into the design to help enhance the safety of the product. You get a full year limited warranty when you buy it too.

PROS

• 26,000 BTUs
• Dual fuel technology
• 1,200 square-feet heating technology
• Hand-painting
• Sleek black with a glossy finish
• Thermostat remote control
• 99.9% efficiency rate

CONS

• Directions are unclear

Pleasant Hearth Vent Free Stove – Mid-End Budget Pick

You can easily place this ventless gas fireplace next to your outdoor movie screen on your porch or patio to create a warm and inviting setup for movie night or gatherings of friends and family. You’ll get a 32-inch stove in classic black when you order, and it doesn’t include a blower. You do have to sit it at least five inches from the wall, but it has a sleek profile that ensures it doesn’t stick out too much into your room and create a tripping hazard to anyone that walks by it. When you switch it on, it can easily heat a room up to 1,000-square feet without an issue.

This ventless gas fireplace puts out up to 30,000 BTUs per hour to keep the room temperature at your desired setting, and it has a built-in thermostat that you can check at a glance. The overheat sensor will shut the product off if it senses a problem to keep you safe, and this allows you to leave it running for hours at a time. There are two full rows of flames from the dual burner to make it look more real when it’s on, and it uses natural gas or propane to run.

PROS

• 1,000 square feet of heating capabilities
• Sleek profile
• Built-in thermostat
• Dual rows of flames
• Runs on LP and NG
• Overheat sensor included
• Very solid base

CONS

• Controls are under the heater

HOMCOM Ventless Fireplace – Bargain Budget Pick

For those on a budget, this slick ventless gas fireplace features a stylish and elegant design with a 19.75-inch long flame effect that can create a romantic and warm atmosphere in your home. You won’t need a ventilation system, and it uses clean-burning ethanol to run. The fuel tank is made out of a durable stainless steel material that won’t rust or corrode, and the baffle uses tempered glass that won’t chip or crack with repeated use while staying at a comfortable temperature. The wall-mounted design ensures that this product won’t take up a huge amount of space in your home.

This ventless gas fireplace can easily hold up to 2.8-liters of fuel at one time, and this will power the product for up to four continuous hours. It’ll cover an area between 270 and 323-square feet, and this is perfect for people on a budget with smaller rooms. There are no harmful chemicals, smoke, or ashes when this product runs, and this makes it safer to be around. It’s non-toxic, and it comes outfitted with a guarantee that it’s safe for your health because it throws off no carbon emissions.

PROS

• Very sleek design
• Low profile
• Tempered glass
• Stainless steel fuel tank
• Burns up to four hours per fill
• Non-toxic
• Wall-mounted

CONS

• Only heats a very small room

Monessen Louvered Circulating Firebox – Best for Upscale Interiors

Anyone who has a nice seating area or a more classic and elegant decor will appreciate this ventless gas fireplace from Monessen. It’s perfect if you’re considering taking on a kitchen remodel and you want to create an eye-catching space, or it’ll fit nicely in the bedroom or seating area. It has a sleek wide viewing angle that allows you to appreciate the flame effects, and it puts out radiant warmth that will fill the room each time you have it on. The faux stonework offsets from the white background to give you a hint of luxury when you see it, and it fits nicely into a broad range of decors.

This ventless gas fireplace gives you an economical application that is healthier for both you and the environment because it puts out no emissions or chemicals when it runs. You can choose an optional blower installation with this product because it comes equipped with heat circulating air ducts to give it a broader application range. You get refractory firebrick and mesh curtains on this product that give it an authentic fireplace appeal with a fraction of the work. It weighs in at 135 pounds, so this is a slightly larger model.

PROS

• Wide viewing angle
• Faux stonework
• Heat circulating air ducts
• Refractory firebrick with mesh curtains
• Sleek design
• Room-filling heat
• Easy to install

CONS

• Heavier design

Duluth Forge FDF300T Ventless Fireplace  – Best for Large Rooms

This ventless gas fireplace from Duluth Forge allows you to choose from nine different color combinations that will fit into any decor and look like it was meant to be there. It uses dual fuel technology to run that allows you to switch between liquid propane and natural gas. The hand painted logs give it a very realistic and stylish look and feel that imitates a real fireplace, and it will heat up to a 1,350 square-foot area without leaving drafts or chilly areas along the back walls. It offers 26,000 BTUs of power that will keep you nice and warm for hours at a time without any extra work.

There is precision thermostat control on this ventless gas fireplace that will automatically cycle your product’s burner on or off to keep  your room at the desired temperature. This makes it great for higher heat flow that creates a warm atmosphere. The Piezo ignition is battery-assisted to make starting it a breeze, and you get a pilot oxygen depletion sensor that will shut down if it detects a lack of oxygen or carbon monoxide to keep you safe. There is a one-year limited warranty attached to help protect you against part failure.

PROS

• Nine color options
• Dual fuel technology
• Hand painted details
• 1,350 square-feet of heating capabilities
• 26,000 BTUs
• Thermostat control
• Push-button ignition

CONS

• Can be challenging to light

ProCom Ventless Stove – Best for Precise Temperature Control

If you’re looking for a fun patio idea to upgrade your space, take a look at ProCom’s ventless gas fireplace. This product offers an impressive 25,000 BTUs that can heat up to a 1,100 square-foot area. This makes it great for enclosed patios where you want your friends or family to gather and entertain. It uses dual fuel technology to run to make it more flexible, and it has thermostat control that will cycle your burner on or off to keep your desired temperature. In turn, you won’t get too hot or too cold and you sit and relax, and you won’t spend time manually adjusting the temperatures to keep it comfortable.

There are five newly improved logs on this ventless gas fireplace that come with a space-saving design that gives this product a more realistic look and feel. It has a 99.9% efficiency rate with a vent-free gas burner that means you won’t need an outside chimney or duct to keep it running and safe. The built-in oxygen depletion sensor and the battery ignition both work to enhance the safety of this product when it runs, and the one-year limited warranty can protect you from defects or damage. The customer service team is very responsive to questions or concerns.

PROS

• 25,000 BTUs
• Oxygen depletion sensor
• Automatic on/off
• Temperature control
• 99.9% efficient
• Battery ignition
• Responsive customer service

CONS

• Can’t replace the wood burner

Pleasant Hearth Gas Log Set – Best for Apartments

If you don’t have the space for a full ventless gas fireplace, Pleasant Hearth’s gas log set is an excellent compromise that allows you to stay warm, set your desired mood, and have a clean-burning fireplace without taking up feet of space. This smaller product works well in apartments, and it’ll heat a 1,100 square-foot space using 33,000 BTUs when you switch it on. There is a hand-held thermostat remote that lets you program your desired temperature, temperature range, or switch it on and off without having to get up and manually do it when you’re in the middle of something.

There is a dual burner system to make this ventless gas fireplace look more authentic, and you get a third burner and an ember fire rock with a burning pan. In turn, these components give you the same effect as you’d get with a real fireplace with a glowing ash bed. There are eight hand painted logs on this product, and it doesn’t require electricity to run. This makes it a great emergency backup heating option, and it has a full two-year warranty attached from the date of purchase.

PROS

• Gas log set design
• 33,000 BTUs
• No electricity required
• Three burners
• Mimics burning embers
• Eight hand-painted logs
• Hand-held remote

CONS

• Can sputter

PuraFlame Electric Fireplace Insert – Small Spaces

Anyone who has a small space and wants to look into a smaller heat source should look at PuraFlame’s ventless gas fireplace. It’s meant to slip inside an existing fireplace insert and fit snugly, but it gives you real-life log resin that will sit on a grate above an ember bed to give you the full fireplace experience when you have it on. It comes designed to mimic a traditional wood fireplace without any of the chemical emissions or harmful pollutants, and this makes it safer to use in your enclosed space without worrying about your air quality.

There are triple flame settings on this ventless gas fireplace that allow you to easily adjust the brightness and intensity, and you can use it without or with heat all year round. IT can heat up to 400 square-feet without an issue, and it has a remote control to make switching the intensity, brightness, and between heat settings quick and easy. It has a flat bottom that makes it easy to install, and you can plug it into any outlet that is less than 120-volts without worrying about damaging it. There is also a one-year warranty from the date of purchase with this fireplace.

PROS

• Small room heating capabilities
• Plugs in quickly
• Remote included
• One-year warranty
• Three flame settings
• Use with or without heat
• Easy to install

CONS

• Doesn’t get very bright

ProCom Ventless Dual Fuel Stove – Best for Rustic Looks

The final ventless gas fireplace on the list comes from ProCom. This is a dual-flame system that will run using liquid propane or natural gas, and it can put out up to 25,000 BTUs. This makes it powerful enough to heat a room up to 1,100 square-feet without leaving cold spots, and it has a 99.9% efficiency rate to ensure that it won’t fail. This efficiency rate also allows it to run for longer periods on a single fill without you having to check and refill the tank. In turn, you can sit back and relax much easier when you have it on, and it allows you to create a warm environment.

The built-in thermostat on this ventless gas fireplace will automatically turn the product off or on as it monitors your desired temperature range. It offers energy conservation and environmental protection because it doesn’t put out chemicals or fumes when it runs. This product will automatically and immediately shut down if it detects a lack of oxygen or an increase in carbon monoxide to keep you safe. Finally, it comes equipped with a simple push-button start to make it user-friendly.

PROS

• 1,100 square feet spread
• 25,000 BTUs
• 99.9% efficient
• Dual-flame system
• Eco-friendly
• Automatic shut off
• Sleek and efficient design

CONS

• Logs have a cheap look

Best Ventless Gas Fireplace Buying Guide

When you start sifting through products to find the best ventless gas fireplace, what do you really want to keep an eye on? How does this product work and it is a good idea for you to invest in one? No matter if you have a large or small room to heat, making sure that you pick out the best product for your wants and needs is critical to ensuring how efficient it is.

Understanding How Ventless Gas Fireplaces Operate

Contrary to popular belief, you won’t need a lot of time, effort, or tools to install a ventless gas fireplace in your home, and this is the beauty of this product. With this product, the gas unit comes with its own control panel that controls both the flames and the pilot light. It features noncombustible artificial logs with holes drilled into them that slot together in a precise manner. Instead of venting like a traditional fireplace would through a tube or chimney to the outside, this type of fireplace will direct the spent gasses into the room.

The ventless gas fireplace directs the oxygen in a U-shaped path, and the oxygen will then enter through the bottom of the fireplace before venting back into the room through the top. This will help to feed the flames, and there are no emissions to worry about when it runs.

What to Look for in Your Ventless Gas Fireplace

When you start shopping for your new ventless gas fireplace, there are several key features you want to consider. Doing so will ensure that it is powerful enough to heat the area size you want, and that it fits nicely into your space.

Credit: IMG_1062 by Adam Wakeford / CC BY-SA 2.0

BTUs

The BTUs are a measure on how powerful the fireplace is. The higher the BTUs are, the more powerful your unit is. It’s common for ventless gas fireplaces to have BTUs somewhere in the 20,000s, and it’ll usually list the proper room size right on the box. You can match this to your room and see if it’ll provide enough heat to keep you comfortable.

Room Coverage 

Most fireplaces list the room coverage capabilities in square feet, and it’s relatively easy to find this measurement for your room. All you’ll have to do is measure the width and the length of the room. Multiple these two numbers together to get the total square footage, and compare what you find to the recommendations on the box. This will give you a good idea on whether or not one product will work for you, and this helps you narrow down your options much quicker.

Remote with Temperature Control Suite 

Not all ventless gas fireplaces come with remotes, and this makes it harder to set your desired temperature and control the fluctuations in the room. Look for a unit that has a temperature control suite with a built-in thermometer and a remote that lets you change or set it from anywhere in the room. Check and see if it needs any batteries to run and make sure you buy them when you get your fireplace so you’re not stuck and waiting when you want to use it.

Credit: Fireplace by drpavloff / CC BY-NC 2.0

Ease of Installation 

Most of the products on my list are very easy to install once you get them. Pay attention to the width and height when you shop, but also pay attention to the depth. You don’t want a product that sticks way out into your room and creates a tripping hazard. It also shouldn’t be too large. If you want to put it in your teen boy’s room, make sure you have adequate space around it for ventilation to prevent fire hazards.

Safety Features

The safety features on your ventless gas fireplaces are key, and this is especially true if you plan to leave it running when you’re not in the room to monitor it. Look for things like an oxygen depletion sensor because this will shut the product off when it senses a lack of oxygen or carbon monoxide buildup. A push-button ignition switch is nice too because it keeps your hands away from the fire.

Bottom Line

Ventless gas fireplaces are a nice alternative for anyone who doesn’t have the space or time to install and maintain a traditional fireplace. I’ve showcased 10 great options that will effortlessly heat a broad range of room sizes, and they feature different colors, styles, and sizes. Look and see which one will work best for you, compare products, and have your final choice shipped straight to your door to keep you warm all season long.