Find the best gas fireplace for your home with our tried and tested reviews and comprehensive buying guide
Gas fires can be a difficult appliance to purchase and investing in the best gas fireplace can really pay off overtime. With lots to choose from and many difficult technical buzzwords to get your head around, it can be hard to find the best one to suit your lifestyle and interior styling. Make the right choice to save money on heating bills and guarantee efficient warmth that will last for years to come.
It can be a daunting experience when you’re faced with an array of black inset boxes that conform to this and not that, are balanced or conventional flue, have this heat output and are efficient to this rating. We get it. It can be confusing. Make no mistake, though: it’s impossible to choose the best gas fireplace by looks or specifications alone.
This is why we compiled a comprehensive list of some key factors to consider and some examples of budget, mid-range and high-end gas fireplaces on the market. We have thoroughly tried and tested all of the fires in this buying guide so that we can provide the best quality information.
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
The best gas fireplaces: At a glance
- The best under £1000: Gazco Logic
- The best under £2000: Legend Fires 550
- The best under £3000: Wanders Square 60G
- The best under £4000: Bellfires Smart Bell 80-60
How to buy the best gas fireplace for you
How much should you spend?
The cost of a gas fireplace can vary from a few hundred pounds to over five thousand. It is not a purchase you want to take lightly as it will be the heart of the home and you do not want to purchase a fireplace that is not reliable or not perform efficiently.
You should also take into consideration the cost of running a gas fire and installation.
Our tests of a wide range of gas fireplaces show that, in many cases, pricier fires improve the quality of the burner flame effect, the efficiency rating, heat output, warranty length and quality of after care support.
That’s not to say that you should buy the most expensive fireplace you can. Many of the big-name budget brands we’ve tested fail to impress once you drop too far below the £600 mark, you’ll often find that key qualities such as build quality, design, efficiency and flame effect start to disappear.
Do away with those features, and you’ll struggle to heat effectively, and may end up incurring expensive engineer call-out charges every time for servicing.
For reference, the best affordable gas appliance we’ve tested over the last few years is Gazco‘s logic range. However, if you’re after a large horizontal fire Legend Fires may be the best-value option.
It is recommended between £1,500 – £3,500 is a good price bracket budget for a quality inset gas fireplace that provides efficient heating.
How much will installation cost be?
Installation of your gas fireplace should always be undertaken by an approved Gas Safe Registered installer to ensure that your install is safe, has correct distance to combustibles and complies with all the latest building regulations and manufacturers guidelines.
Each installation is signed off and you will receive a certificate from Gas Safe in the post. Failure to comply will invalidate your house insurance, you could incur a costly fine and the installation might be unsafe.
You can find your local Gas Safe engineer here
A general installation cost is around £1,000 to £2,000+ depending on the complexity of your project and the appliance. You might want to also bare in mind the extras such as hearths, liners and cowls that you may require, as these will add up quickly.
What features should I look out for when buying a gas fireplace?
1. Energy efficiency
A gas fire can be fuelled with either natural gas from the mains or LPG gas which is bottled. The efficiency will determine how much your gas fireplace will cost to run per year.
Many modern gas fires, especially glass fronted fires, can offer up to 90% fuel efficiency. As of March 2021, appliances are graded from A+ down to G, with A being the most efficient.
Each label also contains a figure for the gas fires rated at kW heat output.
The energy rating changes are refreshingly sensible, and it’s now easier to compare models via the energy rating stickers and estimate energy usage for your household.
2. Heat output
Heat output is a great way to distiguish what gas fire will provide the right amount of warmth that you require for your room. Unlike solid fuel, gas appliances are calculated differently as they heat up almost instantly.
For a standard sized living room, a 4-6 kW gas fireplace would be ideal and for anything larger you will be looking for something of a higher killowatt.
3. Gas Type
The most common way of fuelling a gas fireplace is to use a natural gas supply. This is from the mains and provided by the National Grid. Natural gas is plummed into your home and fed along in pipes around your home.
Depending on how far away your gas fireplace is from the nearest gas line, it could become a costly task and will most definitely have to be considered when installing a natural or LPG gas appliance.
An alternative is to use LPG gas, otherwise known as propane gas or bottled gas. This can be purchased from your local gas supplier in bottles or tanks. It is left outside in a safe container and chained to keep them upright. This supply is then connected through a copper pipe. Bottles will have to be changed when they become empty, which can sometime be an annoyance.
4. Flue Type
Balanced or conventional flue can be used for gas fires.
Balanced flues work when a gas fire is closed, fronted with glass. Sealed from the room to let air in through vents from the room and a twin wall flue vents directly outdoors.
Conventional chimneys rely on the natural circulation of heated air up your chimney and can work with either open or glass-fronted fires. Air for combustion is supplied from the room the gas fire or stove is installed in.
What is a class 1 or class 2 flue?
A class 1 flue is a traditional flue system which are found on older properties and tend to be made from brick. For the most part their purpose was to facilitate an open fire and they would require natural circulation to take the waste gases away from the fireplace.
A class 2 chimneys are pre-fabricated with a steel flue liner which is the most popular way cinnecting a flue system. Homes with prefabricated flues are easily identifiable by the metal cowl on the roof. The flue itself is comprised of metal flue pipes which interlock.
Essentially, if your flue diameter is 7 inches, you’ll need a class 1 fire. For 5 inch flues, you’ll need a class 2 fire
What are the best brands to buy?
When it comes to gas fireplace manufacturers they tend to differ greatly on performance, build quality and after care support. It must be understood that in other appliance industries generally many brands are owned by a single parent company and pitched to different buyer markets, this is not so much the case for gas fire manufacturers.
Brands that we recommend:
As a result, we can depict the luxury, affordable and budget gas fires based on brand. In this buying guide, the gas fires have been based on quality, reliability and performance along with value for money. It is also good to look out for a lengthy warranty with good after care support from the manufacturer. Most fireplaces are built to last more than 5 years, if yearly servicing and general maintenance is fulfilled.
The best gas fireplaces to buy in 2024
Prices correct at time of publishing
1. Gazco Logic: The best budget gas fireplace
Price: £625 | Buy now from Bonfire
This is the budget gas fireplace that will cater for all of your styling needs and produce enough warmth for a standard sized living room.
Suitable for hearth or wall mounted placement, the Logic range which consists of the Logic Convector, Logic HE and Logic Hotbox has a wide variety of 11 frames to choose from so you can fully customise your fireplace to suit your home interior, whether that be contemporary or traditional styling. along with either coal or fuel beds.
This isn’t the largest of gas fires but it shouldn’t be undermined, it is ideal for a standard sized fireplace opening and making ease of installation.
Great value for money and a simple well constructed fireplace that will last for many years with regular servicing and maintenance which is backed by a 5 year extended warranty by Gazco.
Suitable for all chimney types, featuring great ease of use with non complicated controls with the upgradeable remotes so that the fire can be operated from your sofa is a massive bonus!
The simplistic nature and and large easy-to-load porthole mean this is a machine that’s simple to use – and it’s affordable, too.
Key specs – Gas: Natural or LPG; Heat Output: 4 kW; Efficiency: Up to 60%; Rated efficiency: F; Flue: Balanced & conventional flue
Buy now from Bonfire | Browse the full Gazco range
2. Legend Fires Ethos 750 Landscape: The best gas fire under £2,000
Price: £1,999 | Buy now from Bonfire
Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Ethos 750 Landscape is a modern gas fireplace that provides effective heating, a solid construction and low running costs.
When compared to other fires in this category it holds one of the highest efficiency ratings of 87% with a heat output of 4.7 kW, ideal for a standard sized living room.
Showcasing a large glass fronted opening that provides a great view of the flames, it is rare to find a gas fire at this price with this vast glass display and high quality finish.
The Ethos is very customisable with four frames and different realistic ceramic log fuel effects to suit your living room. The burners provide a deep and rich flame effect that peaks throught the realistic ceramic logs to create a beautiful camp fire in your home.
Operate your fire without having to leave your sofa via the advanced remote control. It is touch sensitive with a manual override.
The Ethos can be fitted into a Class 1 or Class 2 chimney.
Key specs – Gas: Natural gas; Heat Output: 4.7 kW; Efficiency: Up to 87%; Rated efficiency: A; Flue: Balanced & conventional flue
Buy now from Bonfire | Browse the full Legend Fires range
3. Gazco Riva2 600 Edge: The best mid-range gas fire
Price: £1,769 | Buy now from Bonfire
The largest of the Riva range offering stunning flames visuals in a landscape format. With a large 5 kW heat output and a 92% efficiency rating, this is a highly efficient fire for medium sized rooms.
Featuring a realistic ceramic log effect fuel bed with multiple burners for a real camp fire feel the Riva2 creates a stunning fire for your home.
A large array of interior linings and frame options makes this fire very customisable, easily integratable with many different types of interiors.
Key specs – Gas: Natural or LPG; Heat Output: 5 kW; Efficiency: Up to 92%; Rated efficiency: A, C; Flue: Balanced & conventional flue
The Riva2 600 can be fitted into a Class 1 or Class 2 chimney.
Buy now from Bonfire | Browse the full Gazco range
4. Gazco Studio 2 Slimline Gas Fire: The best mid-range model
Price: £2,735 | Buy now from Bonfire
If you’re wondering why this list has so many Gazco models on it, then the simple answer is that they’re really rather good. The Studio 2 is Gazco’s popular mid-ranger and ticks all boxes when it comes to a cosy warm inset fire.
Different frames complemented by a choice of sizes, linings and fuel bed effects, make this fire highly customisable to suit contemporary and traditional interiors.
Boasting an output of 7kW and an efficiency of up to 92%
The Studio range features a programmable thermostatic remote control is included for convenience when using the fire. This allows remote operation of everything from ignition to extinguish as well as incorporating the benefits of a programmable timer and thermostat.
A larger horizontal fire than the Riva2 600.
A drop down door for maintenance which isn’t common on a lot of gas fires.
Key specs – Gas: Natural or LPG; Heat Output: 7 kW; Efficiency: Up to 92%; Rated efficiency: A, C, E; Flue: Balanced & conventional flue
Buy now from Bonfire | Browse the full Gazco range
5. Wanders Lenga 800: The best high-end gas fireplace
Price: £4,100 | Buy now from Bonfire
A highly efficient gas fireplace that boasts a 90% efficiency rating with a ‘B’ energy class thanks to the Wanders Eco Wave System.
Incredible stats considering the huge size of this fire, when compared with others on the market of this level. It also produces a great 12.5 kW heat output which will warm a medium to large sized room very comfortably.
Featuring a beautiful 3-sided panoramic glass design for a contemporary and minimal feel fireplace. The glass is fairly non-reflective and takes full advantage of the flames from a large angle. A true main centrepiece for any room style.
Wanders have big claims for the Lenga 800, the fire burners provide a varied flame and span the whole length of the fuel bed for an overall good burn. They slice through the ceramic wood logs for a very effective real camp fire look, this is especially impressive as the fire can be viewed from 180°.
Operate the Lenga from the comfort of your sofa with Wanders thermostatic remote control. The remote features a timer and thermostat which are handy features to have which are not always present on all gas fires.
Available in three variants, the Lenga has great versatility when it comes to installation. It can be inset built into a classic fireplace or a wall, a corner gas fireplace or viewable from all three angles.
Key specs – Gas: Natural or LPG; Heat Output: 12.5 kW; Efficiency: 90%; Rated efficiency: B; Flue: Balanced flue.
Buy now from Bonfire | Browse the full Wanders range
6. Bellfires View Bell Large 3: The best high-end gas fireplace
Price: £5102.40 | Buy now from Bonfire
The View Bell collection is one of the most popular from Bellfires due to the large horizontal view of the flames and the huge amount of customisations that are available to choose from, so you can truely create your dream inset gas fire.
At over 1.2 metres long, the large in our opinion is the perfect size to make a statement piece along any living room wall. It provides a good 2-9 kW of heat output and holds a ‘B’ rating for energy efficiency, this gas fire is very good at what it does.
Handmade to order in the Netherlands, this stylish gas appliance boasts beautiful clean lines and a thick walled steel construction that will last you over 10+ years with regular servicing.
Ideal for building in for media walls, combined with television or furniture as the fire is visible from many different angles.
Choose between different interior linings, burners, glass and frames for a unique and personal gas fireplace that will suit your lifestyle as well as your home interior.
Key specs – Gas: Natural or LPG; Heat Output: 2-9 kW; Efficiency: 80%; Rated efficiency: B; Flue: Balanced flue.
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