10 Best Tabletop Fireplaces Reviews and Buying Guide
Table of Contents
Why You Need a Good Tabletop Fireplace?
Tabletop fireplaces have been taking up more and more spaces in our homes. Mostly powered by bioethanol, they are appreciated for their ecological mode of operation, their performance, but above all their authentic designs. Rather used as a decorative object, the table fireplace often has a small size. So it is easier to install than those used as real heating solutions. The biggest advantage of this accessory is that it produces very real and clean flames. Great, isn’t it?
Quick Summary
- Editor’s Choice: The BRIAN & DANY Portable Ethanol Fireplace
- Best Bioethanol Fireplace: BRIAN & DANY Table Top Bioethanol Fireplace
- Best Easy to Use Fireplace: ATR ART TO REAL Rectangle Tabletop Bio Ethanol Fireplace
- Best Round Portable Tabletop Fireplace: BRIAN & DANY Ventless Tabletop Fireplace
- Best Clean Burning Fireplace: Danya B. Portable Tabletop Fire Pit
- Best Open Flame Fire Place: Colsen Tabletop Rubbing Alcohol Fireplace
- Best Corner Fireplace: Gel + Ethanol Moskau White Ethanol Fire-Place
- Best Electric Fireplace: DONYER POWER 1500W Mini Electric Fireplace
- Best Value for Money: Mr.Ton Tabletop Fireplace Bio-Ethanol Fire Pit
- Longest Burning Fireplace: HOMCOM Portable Table Top Ethanol Fireplace
Editor Picks Tabletop Fireplaces Reviews
1. Editor’s Choice: The BRIAN & DANY Portable Ethanol Fireplace
With a burning time that can reach one hour, this is a 2000 BTU/hour device that can be installed both inside and outside the house. The BRIAN & DANY table fireplace has a modern, simple and elegant design thanks to which it can be placed on a terrace, near a swimming pool, in your dining room or patio.
It has a very solid steel base and the protective feet allow it to be installed in these different places. It also has panels that are made of tempered glass.
You won’t have to put in much effort to use this equipment. All you have to do is fill it with bioethanol and then turn it on. It is easy to use, ecological and has good value for money.
2. Best Bioethanol Fireplace: BRIAN & DANY Table Top Bioethanol Fireplace
This model has left the public very surprised because models that are so well designed and with such high performance at such a reasonable price are not normally found. Its stylized and elegant design also makes it a perfect recommendation for homes that we want to give an additional touch of decorative magic.
The fireplace has a 2000 BTU per hour burning capacity for a 250 square feet room. It is very well designed both on the outside and inside. The base is made of metal and is supported by the use of panels made of tempered glass. Then, there is the durable wick for the fire and a fire killer when you want to stop the fire and a funnel for adding biofuel. You can use it with total peace of mind inside the house and the operation is very simple.
3. Best Easy to Use Fireplace: ATR ART TO REAL Rectangle Tabletop Bio Ethanol Fireplace
This portable fireplace is designed to be placed in the center of the table. It is very manageable, so you can move it between rooms when you need it. The rectangular bioethanol table fireplace is ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
Its design is committed above all to safety, which is why two tempered glass panels that protect the flame from the sides are included. Although it provides an authentic fire flame, the fireplace does not cause any smoke or odors. It is open, but it also does not produce stains, ash, and other problems found in other models. It is highly effective as it has a fiberglass wool wick that ensures that the alcohol does not evaporate quickly.
4. Best Round Portable Tabletop Fireplace: BRIAN & DANY Ventless Tabletop Fireplace
The design of this model is both aesthetic and portable. The tempered glass that surrounds the burner allows you to admire the flames. This gives you endless possibilities for setting it up. You can put it on a table, a piece of furniture, take it to your second home, or even outdoors or your patio.
As it weighs just 2.2 lbs or 1kg, it is easy to take it here and there, to take it out for your barbecue parties or your dinners on the terrace. It can even be used in a car, truck, or motorhome to keep you warm on the roads in case of extreme cold.
Its 120 ml or 4-ounce capacity tank will save you bioethanol but still burn for 45 minutes up to one hour. The fuel source is isopropyl alcohol. The fireplace will be suitable for a small room that’s no bigger than 250 square feet. Finally, the fireplace has a fire killer for dousing the fire.
5. Best Clean Burning Fireplace: Danya B. Portable Tabletop Fire Pit
The Danya B. Firepit is the best for those looking for a clean-burning ventless fireplace with a portable round tempered glass body. The fact that the flames are surrounded by thick transparent glass accentuates the safety side of the model. You can turn it in all directions without harming its aesthetics. It uses bioethanol, a clean-burning, and very ecological energy source. You won’t notice any smoke or ash.
A nomadic fireplace, the fire pit accompanies its owner everywhere, on vacation, in his motorhome, anywhere given its lower weight. You only need to take precautions not to damage the glass structure. You have the necessary equipment to operate the fireplace, install it properly and even extinguish it. You only need to get fuel. The fire extinguishing tool is provided.
6. Best Open Flame Fire Place: Colsen Tabletop Rubbing Alcohol Fireplace
Want a tabletop fireplace that has no glass by the sides? The Colsen tabletop has no tempered glass and makes the room even brighter and more aesthetic. This model has a concrete bowl. The bioethanol fireplace can be placed on a table and a flat floor.
It doesn’t come with a snuffer that helps put out the flames. There is no shut-off system too. You just need to let the fuel burn out or cover it with a steel cover. We also wish a funnel that makes it easy to fill the fuel is provided. We liked the simple and practical design of this model, however, and that it has a good fuel burn time of up to 50 minutes.
Buyers point out that it does not generate smoke or odors and that it offers a nice view of the flames. We recommend it for those who are looking for a cheap and accessible living room bioethanol fireplace. Be careful however, kids love to look at the brightly burning flame and would love to get close in no time.
7. Best Corner Fireplace: Gel + Ethanol Moskau White Ethanol Fire-Place
This medium-density fiber corner fireplace is extremely graceful and can be easily placed in any corner of your home. The white color and the simple and clean design make it particularly suitable for modern styles and environments.
It arrives disassembled but is simple to assemble and immediately creates a pleasant atmosphere with warmth around it. The fireplace has a weight of 61 pounds and heating power of up to about 3.5 kW. The burn time is about one hour.
You simply need to put the bioethanol inside its container, turn it on and enjoy the experience. It will provide any house with the opportunity to feel like in a fairy tale.
8. Best Electric Fireplace: DONYER POWER 1500W Mini Electric Fireplace
This fireplace mantel is designed in wood and glass. It arrives already assembled and comes with remote control as it uses electricity.
The style of this fireplace is suitable for every corner of your home, the material makes it solid and robust as well as aesthetically harmonious and elegant; it can be a valid complement in heating an environment, to which it gives an immediate touch of style and atmosphere.
The firebox has an LED flame. You can adjust the flame intensity from 750 watts to 1500 watts and vice versa. The box is made of sturdy wood and there’s a see-through tempered glass front. The firebox is applicable for a room size up to 400 square feet.
9. Best Value for Money: Mr.Ton Tabletop Fireplace Bio-Ethanol Fire Pit
If you have a small space or want to decorate your dining table subtly on special occasions, this could be the best tabletop fireplace for you. Many also use it outdoors to bring a touch of elegance and luxury to their garden party.
A few buyers have even used it to warm up in their motorhomes and camper vans. Despite its size, the fireplace heats well. It can produce up to 2,000 BTU of heat to warm a room of around 250 square feet. Although the glass crystals that frame it look thin, they are however tempered and perfectly resistant to extreme temperatures. So you don’t have to worry about them shattering in the event of big flames with you eating around the table.
Moreover, with its 0.5 l tank burner filled with bioethanol, you will find something to use over a fairly long period. Fans of contemporary decoration will also appreciate the steel and stainless steel used as the main material of this model.
10. Longest Burning Fireplace: HOMCOM Portable Table Top Ethanol Fireplace
A versatile and small fire pit, the Homcom model can be used in all weathers and indoors for an opulent atmosphere. You can also put it outside for a most pleasant evening. Due to its size and weight, it is easy and light to carry.
Made of sturdy and tempered glass, which is installed at both sides, and stainless steel, you can be reassured that this model will protect the whole household. Thus the risks that the ethanol spills, or that an incident occurs are almost nil.
The burner box of this model is larger this time around. It can hold up to 1.5 liters of bioethanol. The ethanol can burn for three hours non-stop. The fuel burns clean. No smoke or ash is produced while it burns.
Top 9 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Tabletop Fireplace
Based on research and analysis, we have summarised the top 9 factors that help to choose a good tabletop fireplace.
1. Tabletop Fireplace for Indoor or Outdoor Use?
To buy a fireplace with better value for money, you will need to identify the type of model suitable for your uses. You have to opt for the type of tabletop fireplace according to their location of use. This can be either indoor or outdoor.
Indoor Types Tabletop Fireplace
These types can be used in the living room, both for decorative purposes and as a heating solution. This can either be in the living room for both purposes or in the bedroom for heating purposes. All types of tabletop fireplaces, however, can be used in the living room.
Outdoor Types Tabletop Fireplace
Tabletop fireplaces have one major advantage. They can be deployed outside their original location of use – indoor – for outdoor uses. Outdoor, these types are suitable for uses both in open and enclosed spaces. You can take them out for use during a wintertime camping trip or during relaxation moments in the gazebo, terrace or patio. They can even eliminate the uses of patio heaters. For this purpose, what you need is a very compact round or oval-shaped fireplace.
However, if you want versatility, and would like to switch between living room uses and evenings in the patio, choose outdoor types. Or specifically, you may choose models specified by the seller as an “outdoor/indoor” model.
2. What are the Right Product Dimensions?
There are different sizes of table fireplaces. Although they are all quite compact, they do not necessarily have the same dimensions. This type of fireplace is only intended for auxiliary heating. So ensure you adapt it according to the dimensions of your room. For this, you have circular, square and rectangular shapes to choose from.
This type of fireplace is usually compact. However, some are a little smaller than others. Our recommendation is that you choose a model within the dimensions of 18 x 18 x 20 cm and 22 x 22 x 29 cm. Other products with a longer length which can add more decoration to the table are also welcomed.
However, if portability and compactness are what you really want, then choose the circular ones. They are the smallest in size and can be easily taken outdoors for use.
3. Propane or Bioethanol-fueled?
Bioethanol, or simply, ethanol, is the most used fuel for tabletop fireplaces. However, propane-fueled fireplaces are also popular. Each type has different possibilities in terms of safety, heating efficiency and cost of running. Just the same way as propane-powered patio heaters aren’t used indoors; you should not choose propane fireplaces for indoor uses. This is for clear reasons. Instead, bioethanol fireplaces are the most suitable for indoor uses. They are safe to use and may be cheaper than propane gas, depending on the season and location. Another reason why you should choose bioethanol-fueled models for indoor use is that the fuel is cleaner. And, hence, it is more ecologically safe.
However, propane-powered fireplaces are suitable for outdoor spaces. This is because you’ll need a more efficient heating solution. And in this, propane trumps bioethanol-powered fireplaces.
4. Certification/Compliance to Safety Standards
As we are talking about a flame-producing device, the safety aspect is very important. Hence, always choose models backed by certifications by safety organizations. To avoid any potential danger, bioethanol and gas fireplaces are usually subjected to draconian tests.
Models that pass the safety tests are usually certified by safety organizations such as NFPA, EFSA, CFPA, or FSEU. These safety standards certify that the device can be used safely and that you are protected from the risk of burns and fires.
5. Design: Choice of Color, and Shape
These types of equipment are more decorative elements than the traditional hearth heaters. This is why we recommend that you also focus on the design/aesthetics of your device of choice. On review sites and e-commerce stores, you will see that these materials are available in several shapes and colors.
Shape of Tabletop Fireplace
The shape to choose is a question of finding the aspect which corresponds most closely to your interior ornament style. The models with geometric figures are the most popular ones. Round, oval or rectangular is renowned for its versatility and the classic looks that make them adaptable anywhere.
Color and Style of Tabletop Fireplace
You can choose products with original or personalized aesthetics for a distinctly special touch. As for its finishes, you have a wide choice between rustic, trendy colors or even bright colors. Still again, you have to select according to the style of the room.
The best option is to choose an ornament that integrates perfectly with your interior decoration. You may choose black for a minimalist decoration. Meanwhile, trend colors (red, anise green, aluminum, stainless, or white) will go with a more refined and modern design. And bright colors (blue, raspberry, yellow, etc.) are great for a custom look.
6. Construction Material and Your Style
Lovers of natural and traditional materials will favor the wooden finish to achieve a rustic style. Fans of contemporary design, for their part, will prefer the modern look of materials such as iron, stainless steel or glass crystals. Design lovers will choose contemporary materials such as wrought iron, concrete or stainless steel. For a refined and bourgeois style, it is best to opt for a bioethanol fireplace made of stone or marble.
7. The Type of Burner
You have two main types of burners to choose from. You will have the choice between a fireplace with a secure burner or an ethanol fireplace with a goblet fireplace.
- Secure burner fireplace: As its name suggests, the fireplace with a secure burner fireplace is highly secure. The use will only be pleasant and reassuring.
- Goblet fireplace: This is usually found in a type of hearth with a rather low burn time. It is, therefore, a type of hearth for short and rapid heating.
8. The Power Rating
Before asking yourself where to buy a new tabletop fireplace, you will need to settle the question of power. In general, the power and heating capacity of a fireplace depends on the size and number of burners present on the model. The room size is also a determining factor.
You will need to choose the power of the fireplace depending on the size of the room where you are going to install it. If it is for a surface of 10 m2, 1 kW will be more than enough. But these are auxiliary heaters and we often couple the device with more traditional heating equipment. So, the ideal is to opt for a device between 0.5 kW and 1.5 kW. Moreover, it is rare to find table fireplaces with powers above 1.5 kW.
9. Burn Time and Heating Capacity/Area
Burn Time
The burn time depends on the type and quantity of the fuel and the heat output of the product. Models with a 1.5-liter tank can develop a thermal intensity of 2 kW to 2.5 kW per hour. They will be able to take charge of a 215 square feet room. It, however, depends on the heating output of the device. However, fireplaces with fuel tanks of 1.5 liters are rare. The common range is between 0.05 liter to 1.5 liters. With a heat output of 1400 BTU per hour, a small-sized fireplace can handle a room measuring 300 cubic feet and last for an hour.
Meanwhile, a 1.5-liter model can handle a room of 175 square feet at 4000 heating output and last for 4 hours. However, note, it depends on your needs. If you want a very compact and portable model you can transport easily, you’ll have to sacrifice it for a smaller tank. This is to say that the fuel tank, more often than not, determines the size of the fireplace.
Heated Area
Finally, you need to know that every fireplace is classified according to its heated area or heating capacity. This can range from 150 to 500 square feet. If you need something for a small bedroom, 170 sq. feet will be enough while, for a living room, you’ll need something close to the latter in the range.
Wrapping Up
The tabletop fireplace is a very useful device that allows you to enjoy the pleasure of the flames at home without the constraints of a traditional fire pit. It doesn’t need wood or other smoke or ash-producing fuel source.
Our favorite model is the BRIAN & DANY Portable Ethanol Fireplace. We’ve chosen this because it used a clean-burning bioethanol fuel and can produce heat of up to 2,000 BTU and will burn up to an hour. Those on a budget can however choose the Mr.Ton Tabletop Fireplace Bio-Ethanol Fire Pit which is sold for an under $50 price.
When choosing a tabletop fireplace stove, the design is one of the factors to consider, since it is the distinctive feature of this type of heating appliance. There are many different models to choose from, although the materials set the tone. You can opt for bioethanol stoves made of wrought iron, stainless steel, concrete, stone, etc.
As for the shape, this depends on the style. You have a choice from more classic fireplaces to more minimalist, or more original. Some of them look like real sculptures. You can also choose from a wide range of colors, from common colors such as black, white, steel, etc., to other more special ones. You can also choose a more personal design for your stove.
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