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The novelty of a wood burning fireplace wears off when you have to trudge outside to grab a bundle of logs. Installing a wood burning stove can be expensive, and once it’s running, it produces ash that needs to be cleaned out. Pellet stoves, however, are an efficient, convenient option for heating a room while appreciating the glow of a live fire.
Powered by compressed hardwood pellets stored in a hopper that can hold over 100 pounds, pellet stoves can provide a fire that burns for dozens of hours without needing to be tended. Those pellets drop into a combustion chamber where they are burned to produce heat. Exhaust is then vented through a flue pipe out a sidewall or your roof.
A pellet stove offers consistent, reliable heat without a lot of fuss. More expensive models will cost several thousand dollars, but often come with programmable digital thermostats and larger hoppers that allow a fire to burn longer without the need for additional pellets being added.
Wood stoves require a bit more effort and knowledge—you’ll have to learn about the different burn rates of wood and clean out ash more regularly. Still, wood burning stoves are typically quieter and may last longer than pellet stoves because they don’t have electronic components.
As for installation, freestanding pellet stoves need an available outlet with an open plug and a vent to the outside, which may require the installer to cut a hole in the wall. If your power goes out often during storms, that means your pellet stove won’t work without a generator or separate power source. Pellet stoves that insert into your fireplace require a chimney liner, a pipe that vents gas outside.
Pellet stoves are designed to warm up everything from your patio to your rec room. Different models can stand on their own, be mounted to the wall, or inserted into a fireplace. Here are the 10 best pellet stoves to buy now that bring the heat.
Best Pellet Stoves
- Best Overall: Comfortbilt HP22 Pellet Stove
- Best Budget: PelPro Pellet Stove
- Best Wi-Fi Pellet Stove: Cleveland Iron Works PSBF66W-CIW Bayfront Pellet Stove
- Best for Small Spaces: Cleveland Iron Works PS20W-CIW Mini Pellet Stove
- Best Non-Electric Pellet Stove: US Stove Company GW1949 Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove
The Expert: I’ve been a product tester and reviewer for 8 years. In that time, I’ve learned to critically evaluate appliances and home goods to check their performance in relation to their price tag and advertised features. I have cooked with hardwood pellets—see my guide for pellet grills— and appreciate the convenience wood pellets offer as a readily available fuel source. And, since you didn’t ask, one vision for retirement is a cozy cabin with a pellet stove.
What to Look for in a Pellet Stove
A pellet stove can be a big investment—multiple thousands of dollars to cover the stove and installation—so it’s important that you find one that fits your room and heats it efficiently.
Types
Pellet stoves come in three main styles: freestanding, wall mounted, and insert. A freestanding stove—which can be larger or more powerful than the other options—evokes a classic cabin feel and sits on the ground or on feet. A wall-mounted stove hangs free of the floor and kicks out heat like the heads of a mini split. Inserts are meant to slot inside your fireplace and could take a non-functioning fireplace and make it a focal point of your room once again.
More Cozy Options to Consider: Best Electric Fireplaces • Best Space Heaters • Best Heated Blankets
Efficiency
Pellet stoves are efficient, producing less creosote (the tarry byproduct of burning wood) and ash than wood stoves. The compact pellets—thanks to their small size and low moisture content—burn hot and quickly. Pellet stoves that receive certification from the United States Environmental Protection Agency typically offer between 70 and 83 percent fuel efficiency. In some cases, certification comes with a tax credit so check before you purchase a given model.
Burn Time
Pellet stoves often have multiple settings. Higher settings release more pellets so the stove can burn hotter, whereas the lowest setting will enable you pellets to last longer, but you might not get as much heat. A stove with a smaller hopper running outdoors may only last 6 hours per full hopper, like the Even Embers Pellet Stove, which is fine if you’re looking to gather in the backyard at night. Larger pellet stoves can burn unattended for more than a day, like the PelPro Pellet Stove which can run for 40 hours.
Hopper Capacity
The larger the hopper, the longer the burn time, and the longer you can go between pellet refills. Most hoppers will need to be refilled once a day. But larger hoppers (60 pounds and up) typically mean bigger stoves, so you’ll have to consider whether or not it will fit your space. Likewise, it can be cumbersome to pour heavier bags—50 pounds at a time—into the hopper.
BTUs
The heating ability of pellet stoves is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. The higher the BTUs, the easier it will be for a stove to heat a room or multiple rooms. If you’re considering heating multiple rooms or a whole home, a pellet stove rated at 60,000 BTUs can heat approximately 2,000 square feet.
How We Selected Pellet Stoves
I’ve worked with pellet grills and wood stoves to get through Midwest winters, so I know the differences and potential benefits of different stoves. To discover popular pellet stoves, I dived into articles on Field & Stream, The Spruce, and Wirecutter. I considered which models did well in tests and cross referenced them with reviews on Amazon. Also, I delved into message boards and talked with pellet stove owners to understand what was frustrating and what was delightful about owning one.
I also weighed the cost and size of each model, as well as the warranty. Finally, I relied on some of the previous research done for this article by writer Camryn Rabideau. Here are the 10 pellet stoves that will warm your heart and your living room.
1
Best Overall Pellet Stove
ComfortBilt HP22 Pellet Stove
Pros
Heats large area- Easy to clean
- EPA-certified
Cons
- Small hopper opening
For a sizable pellet stove that can heat a large area, this model from ComfortBilt is a top choice. The EPA-certified design can provide heat for up to 2,800 square feet thanks to its 50,000 BTU output.
It offers a large window where you can watch the fire burning inside. With a 55-pound hopper, the ash from the fire falls down into a removable pan that only needs to be emptied every 2 weeks. The stove offers five power settings, and on the lowest setting, you can get up to 20 hours of continuous heat.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 26 x 24 x 40 in. |
|---|---|
| BTU | 50,000 |
| Heating Area | 2,800 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 55 lb |
Pros
- Large hopper for its size
Cons
- Only 1-year warranty on parts
The PelPro Pellet Stove is an efficient option that gives you plenty of heat for your buck. The EPA-certified stove has a large hopper (the manufacturer says the stove can run for 40 hours before needing to be reloaded) and convenient features like an automatic ignition at a lower price point.
The main compromises are a manually controlled dial thermostat and only a 1-year warranty on parts.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 22 x 22 x 33 in. |
|---|---|
| BTU | 35,000 |
| Heating Area | 1,500 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 60 lb |
Pros
- Heats large area
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Quiet blower
Cons
If you like the ability to control your appliances remotely, this pellet stove has built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to adjust its settings, create a heating schedule, and more, all from your smartphone.
The stove has a three-sided bay window that makes it a great focal point for your living space, and it can heat up to 2,500 square feet. It has a large hopper that can hold up to 66 pounds of pellets, providing a long run time between refills, and the unit’s quiet blower won’t disturb your family while it’s running.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 22.25 x 21.75 x 33.25 in. |
|---|---|
| Heating Area | 2,500 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 66 lb |
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4
Best Pellet Stove for Small Spaces
Cleveland Iron Works PS20W-CIW Mini Pellet Stove
Pros
- Compact design
- Wi-Fi enabled
Cons
- Small hopper
A large pellet stove would be overkill for a small home. Instead, you may want to opt for a smaller model like this one, which takes up less space.
The compact design can heat up to 800 square feet, and the blower is quiet. The stove's hopper can hold up to 18 pounds of pellets, and the unit has built-in Wi-Fi, allowing you to adjust the programmable thermostat and stove settings right from your phone.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 20 x 18.25 x 28.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Heating Area | 800 square feet |
| Hopper Size | 18 lb |
5
Best Non-Electric Pellet Stove
US Stove Company GW1949 Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove
Pros
- No electricity required
- Long runtime
Cons
- Manual controls
One of the downsides of pellet stoves is they require electricity to operate their augers and inner fans, and this means you’re left without heat when the power goes out. However, this pellet stove from US Stove Company is one of the few designed to work without electricity. Instead, it uses a gravity-fed hopper and manual start.
With a tall, narrow form and a pellet feed that zigzags down to the burning chamber, this stove can heat up to 2,000 square feet. You can adjust its temperature by opening and closing the fresh air intakes on the front of the stove, and the 60-pound hopper holds enough fuel to run for up to 30 hours.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 24 x 15 x 52 in. |
|---|---|
| BTU | 40,000 |
| Heating Area | 2,000 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 60 lb |
Pros
- Able to heat large space
Cons
- Shorter runtime
If you’re hoping to heat a large area or even your whole house, this pellet stove can warm up to 3,000 square feet when temperatures are mild.
The EPA-certified stove has a unique heat exchanger design and powerful blower that help to produce maximum heat from pellets, and there are five power settings and a programmable thermostat that let you adjust the warmth to your liking.
On the lowest setting, the 51-pound hopper has enough fuel to run for up to 19 hours, and the stove is reasonably priced considering its high heat output.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 24 x 30 x 35 in. |
|---|---|
| BTU | 50,000 |
| Heating Area | 3,000 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 51 lb |
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Pros
- Compact design fits lots of spaces
- Remote control operation
Cons
- No ash pan
The Ashley Pellet Space Saver Stove is like a genie in a bottle—lots of power in an itty bitty living space. With a small profile thanks to thoughtful curves and an efficient design, this steel stove can heat up to 2,200 square feet for 32 hours.
Adjust the temperature and heat output via remote control and the side panels pop off for maintenance. A large glass window lets you enjoy a lovely view of the fire.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 22.3 x 20.8 x 37.2 in. |
|---|---|
| BTU | 48,000 |
| Heating Area | 2,200 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 45 lb |
Pros
- Remote control
Cons
If you don’t have space for a freestanding pellet stove, this unique model can be mounted to your wall instead. It’s ideal for spaces up to 1,000 square feet and has a direct vent design that doesn’t require the traditional chimney installation.
The unit comes with everything needed for installation, including the mounting bracket, and its 28-pound hopper delivers up to 35 hours of heat between refills on the lowest setting. It has digital controls and a remote control for easy adjustments, and it’s even approved for use in mobile homes.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 36 x 12.4 x 27 in. |
|---|---|
| BTU | 24,000 |
| Heating Area | 1,000 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 28 lb |
9
Best Insert Multi-Fuel Stove
US Stove Company Multi-Fuel Stove
Now 26% Off
Pros
- Heats up sizeable space--to 2,000 square feet
- Can run on alternative fuels
Cons
The US Stove Company Multi-Fuel Stove transforms your fireplace into the focal point of your living room. The efficient stove not only burns wood pellets, but can also run on corn, soybeans, or cherry and olive pits.
With five settings, a digital control board, and manual damper in front, this stove is easy to operate and quick to heat up to 2,000 square feet.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 31 x 27.75 x 23.75 in. |
|---|---|
| BTU | 52,000 |
| Heating Area | 2,000 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 60 lb |
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Pros
- Wheels make it easy to move
- Glass windows on the sides and front
Cons
- Smaller hopper
The Even Embers Pellet Patio Heater turns your patio or backyard into a hangout space even in winter. The sleek black heater can keep up to 100 square feet toasty—more than a fire pit—and glass windows on the side and front offer a view of the fire inside that will burn for up to 6 hours.
Manually adjust the flow of pellets to feed the flames or wind it down for the night. As a bonus, the heater has built-in wheels to make it easy to store or move.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 22.4 x 25.6 x 83.9 in. |
|---|---|
| BTU | 70,000 |
| Heating Area | 100 sq ft |
| Hopper Size | 25 lb |
Our Expert Jonathan Bender On Warranties, Heat-Up Time, and Why Choose Pellets Over Wood as a Fuel Source.
How important is the warranty when I buy one of these?
Warranties typically cover parts and repairs for several years. A well-maintained pellet stove should last longer than the warranty—a decade or more if properly maintained; but it’s a comfort to have some financial coverage in the first few years after investing a decent amount of money in a pellet stove.
How often do I need to clean a pellet stove?
Empty your ash pan and clean the firebox once or twice a week. If your pellet stove has baffles, clean them every few months. And you’ll need to do a deep clean of the venting probably once a year.
Check your manual for the specific instructions, but cleaning can follow a simple rule—if you see ash build up, clean it out once your stove has cooled.
How long does it take for a pellet stove to heat up?
Pellet stoves heat up quickly—it’s one of their best features. They’ll be raising the temperature of your room often inside of 30 minutes.
Pellets or Wood?
Pellets may be more expensive; but they’re convenient. Pellets take up less space and produce less ash than firewood. Wood stoves can be used for cooking (even if it’s just s’mores) and require tending that you’ll either see as a nice part of the ritual or a chore that you’d rather not do.
Jonathan Bender
Contributing Writer
Jonathan Bender is a food writer who lives in Kansas City, Missouri. He regularly tests kitchen appliances for national publications and recipes on his children. He's also the author of a pair of cookbooks: Stock, Broth & Bowland Cookies & Beer.
