(checked 2026-10-10)Very small sample: only 69 ratings (2-star 0% + 1-star 4%).
The Spruce's premium wall-mount and smart pick: a big 60-inch unit that impressed its tester with heat in a 350 sq ft basement, with realistic flames, quiet running and good app controls. But it costs about $1,000 more than The Spruce's other wall-mount pick, setup took about 2 hours, the icon-only remote is confusing, and there is little Amazon owner data.
Top complaints
- Confusing remote
Both Spruce guides say the remote isn't intuitive: its buttons only have icons, so it's hard to tell which setting each controls. The tester prefers the app. The remote gets 4 negative and 2 positive mentions on Amazon.
- Challenging, two-hour setup
The Spruce lists a challenging initial setup: about 2 hours, longer when hard-wired and recessed, and arranging the embers and logs was the trickiest part.
- Expensive; single-user app; a reliability report
The Spruce notes it costs about $1,000 more than its best wall-mount pick, and the app can't be connected to several users at once. Reliability is mixed in a small Amazon sample, with one owner saying it turned off completely after 30 seconds.
What owners love
- Real heat for a basement room
The tester was impressed by the heat in a roughly 350 sq ft basement family room, and the built-in thermostat keeps it from overheating the room. He felt heat from about 3 feet right away, though the whole room takes longer (The Spruce). Amazon owners also praise the heat.
- Realistic, highly customizable flames
It offers 10 flame colors, 10 ember-bed colors, and brightness and speed settings. The Spruce calls the flames realistic with the right settings, and Amazon owners find it realistic.
- Quiet, with a cool-touch exterior and good safety
The Spruce lists quiet operation, great safety features and a cool-touch exterior. After daily use for months, it still looks and works like new.
- You're on a budget
- You want a simple, labeled remote
- You want a quick DIY install
- A large statement fireplace on a wall or recessed
- App and voice control
- Lots of flame and ember color options
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- The Spruce: Best smart (updated 2026-08-20): realistic flames, quiet, useful app controls, and can be plugged in or hard-wired. Cons are an unintuitive remote and a challenging initial setup.
- The Spruce (heater guide): Best wall-mounted (updated 2026-09-11): sleek, powerful heater, cool-touch exterior. The con is that the app can't be shared across several users at the same time.