Cheap or pricey electric 'woodburner' style fire what's the difference

[Ruralbliss]

About to move house will eventually get an actual woodburner but not until next year.

In the meantime I'm going to copy the vendors and bung an electric lookey-likey electric stove in the inglenook fireplace

The prices for similar kilo wattage (eg 2KW) seem to vary from £150 to £850+

They all look approximately the same

What do you get with a more expensive one or are the cheaper ones just as good?

in terms of heat per pound, all electric heaters are equally efficient.

they take 1kWh of electrical energy, and deliver 1kWh of heat energy.

If you have gas-fuelled radiators in the room, they are a much cheaper source of heat.

The electric "stove" is an ornament, so buy the one that you think gives the most ornamentation value.

If the chimney is open, find some way of restricting heat rushing up it as hot air to warm the birds.

Thanks so much @PigletJohn so now difference in heat from the cheap ornament

Really appreciate that and good advice to assess whether the chimney is sealed. I'll ask.

It might also be an idea to check the emissions of any woodburners you're considering. They may surprise you

www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/09/eco-wood-stoves-emit-pollution-hgv-ecodesign