Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace
A heater that looks like a fireplace
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Is the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace any good?
With 6.0 out of 10, the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace ranks 17 of 47 in our comparison. Strengths: Thermostat holds the room at the temperature you set, Shuts off on its own if it overheats. Weakness: No written warranty on the Amazon listing. Best for: Heating one room cheaply while the furnace stays turned down.
In short
The Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace is a portable fireplace heater, with a 1,500 W heater. It comes with a thermostat and a 12-hour timer. It carries an ETL safety listing.
Best for: Heating one room cheaply while the furnace stays turned down
What we like
- Thermostat holds the room at the temperature you set
- Shuts off on its own if it overheats
What we don't
- No written warranty on the Amazon listing
- Uses a full 15 A outlet on high, keep other heavy loads off that circuit
Specifications
| Type | Portable heater |
|---|---|
| Size | not published |
| Heater | 1,500 W (5,118 BTU) |
| Heats up to | not published |
| Thermostat | Yes |
| Flame without heat | not published |
| Flame colors | not published |
| Crackling sound | not published |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Phone app | not published |
| Timer | Up to 12 hours |
| Fuel bed | not published |
| Fits a TV up to | not published |
| Safety listing | ETL |
| Overheat cut-off | Yes |
| Color / finish | not published |
| Weight | 19.4 lb |
| Warranty | not published |
Sources: the maker's specs and the product page on Amazon.com. Heat output and coverage are the maker's own claims. If a value is missing, we found it published nowhere.
Score: 6.0 out of 10
Worked out from the specs above. How we score.
Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace: common questions
Is the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace any good?
With 6.0 out of 10, the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace ranks 17 of 47 in our comparison. Strengths: Thermostat holds the room at the temperature you set, Shuts off on its own if it overheats. Weakness: No written warranty on the Amazon listing. Best for: Heating one room cheaply while the furnace stays turned down.
How much does the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace heat?
The heater runs at up to 1,500 W, about 5,118 BTU. That is supplemental heat for one room, not a furnace. At 16 cents per kWh, running it on full costs about 24 cents an hour.
Does the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace need a special outlet?
No. It plugs into a standard 120 V household outlet. Plug it straight into the wall, not into an extension cord or power strip, and keep it on a circuit without other big loads like a space heater or microwave.
What warranty comes with the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace?
We found no written warranty on the listing or the maker's site. Amazon's return window still applies, so test the heat, the remote and every flame setting as soon as it arrives.
How much does the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace cost?
The last price we saw was $199. Electric fireplace prices move a lot, with the biggest drops around Black Friday and after New Year, so check the current price.
Alternatives to the Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace
A TV stand and a fireplace in one piece
50 in of flame for the wall
A small stove you can carry to any room
Head-to-head comparisons
- Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace vs Duraflame Electric Log Set ($199 against $150)
- Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace vs oneinmil TV Stand, 36" Fireplace ($199 against $200)
- Dr. Infrared Portable Fireplace vs R.W.FLAME 50" Recessed ($199 against $207)