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Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove vs Modern Ember Highmark 60" Smart Linear Electric Fireplace
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on heat output, easy install. Modern Ember Highmark 60" Smart Linear Electric Fireplace wins on quietness.
The biggest complaint about the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove is front grill gets hot; for the Modern Ember Highmark 60" Smart Linear Electric Fireplace it's confusing remote. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove | Modern Ember Highmark 60" Smart Linear Electric Fireplace | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in electric fireplaces | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Freestanding | Wall-mount / recessed |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 7% | 4% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 3.9 |
| Flame realism | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Heat output | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Quietness | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Easy install | 5.0 | 2.5 |
| Durability | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $200 · $$ $200–600 · $$$ over $600. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove
- Front grill gets hot
Both Spruce guides list a hot front grill as the main con. The grill sits right in front of the infrared element, and the top gets too warm to display items, though the sides stay cool.
- Hidden controls, basic remote, fiddly temperature control
The control panel is behind the door, and the remote has no display, so you have to open the door to check the timer, heat or thermostat (The Spruce). On Amazon, temperature control gets more negative than positive mentions (259 vs 338), and the remote is mixed (312 vs 236), with some owners saying it only turns the unit on and off.
- Fan noise and clicking for some owners
Noise level is mixed on Amazon (368 positive, 221 negative): some find it very quiet, while others report loud fans and constant clicking. The Spruce measured it as 'pretty quiet' with a decibel meter.
Modern Ember Highmark 60" Smart Linear Electric Fireplace
- 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.
Who should pick which
Pick the Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove if
A plug-in stove look with no installation
Real supplemental heat for a living room or basement
Running the flames without heat
Skip it if: Small kids or pets might touch the front grill; You want to see settings at a glance or use an informative remote; You want colored or adjustable-speed flames
Pick the Modern Ember Highmark 60" Smart Linear Electric Fireplace if
A large statement fireplace on a wall or recessed
App and voice control
Lots of flame and ember color options
Skip it if: You're on a budget; You want a simple, labeled remote; You want a quick DIY install
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