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10 Best Wood-Burning Stoves to Snuggle Up to This Winter

A range of stove designs for every type of abode.

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woodfire stove
Best Products; Courtesy Ashley Hearth

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Wood stoves used to be the primary source of warmth in the average American home. Today, they are enjoying a resurgence, thanks to their ability to efficiently and quickly warm up rooms, their cozy vibe, and their new stylish designs.

The first metal wood-burning stove is believed to have appeared in Europe in the 1500s but didn’t become mainstream until during the Industrial Revolution, two centuries later. By the early 1900s, an estimated 40 million American homes were heated with wood stoves. Their popularity waned over the course of the next century, but their practical assets and recent technological upgrades to their function and design are creating a new crop of wood stove aficionados.

Many modern homeowners are finding that wood stoves are a wonderful option for homes without fireplaces, and they’re also more efficient and cost-effective than open hearths, oil, natural gas, and electricity. Newer models — and all of the ones we feature here — meet standards set by the EPA, which means they can operate at up to 80% efficiency.

The Best Wood Stoves

What to Consider

The perfect wood stove for you is going to depend on your lifestyle, the size of your home, your design preferences, and your budget. Keep all of that and the following details in mind and you’ll land on a great stove that reflects your heating needs and matches your style and budget, too:

  • Dimensions and Weight: Think carefully about where you want to put your wood stove, and if and how often you’ll need to move it. Our lightest stove is 28 pounds and several in this roundup are well over 300 pounds. Also, measure your space carefully to ensure that it will fit into — and not overwhelm — your space.
  • BTUs: A stove’s heating capacity is measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. A higher BTU rating generally means it will heat a larger space, but pay attention to both the BTUs and the square footage for the best idea of a stove’s power.
  • Area to Be Heated: Are you looking to heat one room, a mobile home, or a big, spacious house? We have several options that heat 1,000 to 1,400 square feet and one that heats up to 3,200 square feet. We also offer one specifically designed for staying warm in the great outdoors.

We feature the best wood stoves on the market in a range of designs and sizes, suitable for any style of home at any scale. Get ready to get cozy!

1
Best for Big Spaces

Ashley Hearth Products 3,200-Square-Foot Wood Stove

On Sale
3,200-Square-Foot Wood Stove

Pros

  • Great for big houses
  • Nice contemporary design
  • Built to last

Cons

  • Expensive

This well-designed, solidly built Ashley Hearth stove earns rave reviews for its effectiveness and style. This wood stove cranks out 152,000 BTUs, heating up to 3,200 square feet. The heavy-gauge 3/16-inch reinforced plate style is lined with firebrick for combustion efficiency and long-term durability.

This wood stove also has a cast-iron feed door with a large ceramic glass window for fire peeping, an adjustable high-speed blower for even heat distribution, and the space to take logs that are 18-22 inches long. The large ash drawer makes cleanup easy, and the brushed-nickel door handle and pedestal base offer a touch of elegance.

Key Specs

Dimensions39x24x32.5 inches
Weight340 pounds
Area Heated3,200 square feet
Heat Output152,000 BTUs
2
Best for Smaller Spaces

Ashley Hearth 1,200-Square-Foot Wood-Burning Stove

1,200-Square-Foot Wood-Burning Stove

Pros

  • Great value
  • Great design
  • Cleanup is easy

Cons

  • Wood box is on the small side

This Ashley Hearth wood-burning stove is a great option for small spaces. It puts out 68,000 BTUs of heat and warms up to 1,200 square feet. The stove is lined with firebrick, which makes for a long life and combustion efficiency.

You can use logs that are up to 18 inches long in this stove. The brushed-nickel spring door handle, together with the pedestal base, make this stove a great fit in contemporary and traditional settings. It should be noted that you must buy the blower separately for this model.

Reviewers say this stove does a “great job” heating their home, adding that the wood “lasts anywhere from 1 to 3 hours depending on the species of the tree.”

Key Specs

Dimensions21x22.5x31.7 inches
Weight224 pounds
Area Heated1,200 square feet
Heat Output68,000 BTS
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3
Best Outdoor Wood Stove

Guide Gear Outdoor Wood-Burning Stove

Best Seller
Outdoor Wood-Burning Stove

Pros

  • Durable
  • Light enough to take camping
  • Great for cooking

Cons

  • Too small to build a big fire

This is Amazon’s number-one best-selling outdoor wood-burning stove, and it’s easy to see why. This compact stove is perfect for use in your background or on the road when you’re camping.

Whether you want to snuggle up and get warm or you want to cook a meal (or both), the galvanized steel firebox is ideal. The front door is made from cast iron and features vent holes.

The top platform can be used to keep pots and saucepans hot, boil water, or cook bacon and eggs on a griddle. The camping stove is designed to be portable with five interlocking stove pipes and detachable legs, all of which can be stashed inside when you’re on the move.

More: This Solo Stove Smokeless Fire Pit Is Exactly What’s Missing From Your Backyard

Key Specs

Dimensions20x11x13 inches
Weight42.2 pounds
Area HeatedN/A
Heat OutputN/A
4
Best Pellet Stove

United States Stove Company King Wood Pellets Stove

King Wood Pellets Stove

Pros

  • Large glass viewing window
  • Adjustable thermostat
  • Relatively lightweight
  • 3-year warranty

Cons

  • Assembly can take some time

This compact wood stove is designed to burn wood pellets, which are made from compressed sawdust and burn cleaner than wood logs. With the United States Stove, you get the look and design of a classic wood stove, but it’s more efficient and can easily fit into smaller spaces.

It heats up to 2,200 square feet, but can also be used in mobile homes. The upgraded digital controls and remote control make it easy to tweak the heat without leaving your cozy spot on the couch.

Reviewers love the ceramic glass window so they can watch the fire, and the 25-pound hopper provides up to 24 hours of burn time in one go. A blower is included, which helps circulate warm air around your house. A 3-year warranty is included.

Key Specs

Dimensions30.3x18.5x23.8 inches
Weight131 pounds
Area Heated2,200 square feet
Heat Output48,000 BTU
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5
Best Value

Master Forge 2,500-Square-Foot Wood Stove

Best Seller
2,500-Square-Foot Wood Stove

Pros

  • 5-year warranty
  • Approved for mobile homes
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Logo is featured prominently on pedestal base

This wood stove offers incredible value, churning out 112,800 BTUs and heating 2,500 square feet efficiently and quickly. The price is right, and you get an EPA tax credit if you buy it, making it a double win.

The brick-lined firebox features a glass door so you can watch the fire. You’ll be able to fit logs that are up to 17 inches long in this stove. Reviewers say this wood stove is a “good price” and the “perfect size,” adding that they would “definitely” recommend it.

Key Specs

Dimensions28x22.8x31.5 inches
Weight357 pounds
Area Heated2,500 square feet
Heat Output112,800 BTUs
6
Best for Medium-Sized Spaces

Pleasant Hearth 2,200-Square-Foot Direct Vent Wood Stove

2,200-Square-Foot Direct Vent Wood Stove

Pros

  • Nice design
  • Good value
  • Durable

Cons

  • Attractive, but best suited for farmhouse and more rustic settings

Want a nice-looking stove to warm your medium-sized home fast? This Pleasant Hearth non-catalytic wood-burning stove gets the job done with effective and efficient zone heating. The firebox is brick-lined, the handles are chrome, and an air-wash system automatically maintains the cleanliness of the glass window so you can watch the flames of your fire dance.

A variable speed blower is included with this stove for quiet, powerful heat distribution. The Pleasant Hearth stove includes a 5-year limited warranty. Reviewers love this “heavy duty” but “beautiful” wood stove, especially for “farmhouse” settings.

Key Specs

Dimensions30.9x31x27 inches
Weight267 pounds
Area Heated2,200 square feet
Heat Output70,000 BTUs
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7
Best Automated

Vogelzang 2,200-Square-Foot Pellets Stove

2,200-Square-Foot Pellets Stove

Pros

  • Fully automated
  • Easy-access top-mounted controls
  • Comes with 1-year warranty

Cons

  • Vertical, rectangular design may not fit with all décor styles

This fully automated pellet stove comes equipped with automatic ignition and the ability to control the heat output with top-mounted digital controls. The 60-pound hopper extends burn time and reduces the number of trips you have to take to refuel the stove.

The straightforward, streamlined design will appeal to minimalists, and the open window creates a perfect opportunity for fire-watching. It also comes with a variable-speed blower, which circulates warm air around your home.

This wood-burning stove requires some assembly, but it’s easy to do and install yourself. Reviewers “love” this stove, and say it “looks beautiful” in their home.

Key Specs

Dimensions39.8x24x20 inches
Weight245 pounds
Area Heated2,200 square feet
Heat Output48,000 BTUs
8
Most Eco-Friendly

ComfortBilt Pellet Stoves 2,400-Square-Foot Direct Vent Pellets Stove

On Sale
2,400-Square-Foot Direct Vent Pellets Stove

Pros

  • Eco-friendly
  • Mobile home approved
  • Compact size

Cons

  • 40-pound hopper requires a few refills a night

If you want an effective wood stove with clean lines, give this ComfortBilt Stove a shot. This streamlined wood stove is capable of heating up to 2,400 square feet but is also approved for mobile homes.

It comes with a blower that does a good job of circulating warm air effectively around your home, and its efficiency rating of 83% makes it the most eco-friendly wood stove on our list.

Reviewers say it “works well” and keeps their “house nice and warm.” Others say that “assembly is easy” and they love saving money on gas and oil by using this.

Key Specs

Dimensions33x24x24 inches
Weight242 pounds
Area Heated2,400 square feet
Heat Output44,000 BTUs
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9
Best with Wood Finish

ComfortBilt Pellet Stoves 2,200-Square-Foot Direct Vent Pellets Stove

On Sale
2,200-Square-Foot Direct Vent Pellets Stove

Pros

  • Can burn for 24 hours
  • EPA- and CSA-certified
  • Programmable thermostat

Cons

  • Can take a minute to get the hang of programming

This wood stove is perfect for folks who love the heat they throw off but aren’t fans of the black steel look. The EPA- and CSA-certified wood stove calls for wood pellets, which burn cleaner than wood.

The built-in ash drawer is easy to empty and only needs to be cleaned every few weeks, even with daily use. There are five power settings in this wood stove, allowing up to 24 hours of continuous burning if you park it at the lowest setting.

This wood stove also features a thermostat that can be programmed, allowing for a steady temperature, which cuts down on waste and boosts efficiency. Reviewers love this “great product,” saying it is “priced to perfection.”

Key Specs

Dimensions36x21x25 inches
Weight320 pounds
Area Heated2,200 square feet
Heat Output42,000 BTUs
10
Best Electric Option

Duraflame Electric Infrared Quartz Stove

Electric Infrared Quartz Stove

Pros

  • Great price
  • Lightweight
  • Compact

Cons

  • Will never be quite the same as a “real” wood stove

If you love a wood stove but don’t want to bother with chopping wood or cleaning up ash, give this Duraflame a look. The heater cranks out 5,200 BTUs, which will heat up to 1,000 square feet.

The patent-pending 3D flame effect technology of this stove features surprisingly realistic flames, glowing logs, and five adjustable brightness settings.

The infrared quartz heat helps maintain natural humidity for warmth that doesn’t dry out the air in your home. This stove is also safe to use around children and pets. Reviewers love this “perfect fireplace” for heating up small rooms.

Key Specs

Dimensions23.4x24x12.9 inches
Weight28 pounds
Area Heated1,000 square feet
Heat Output5,200 BTUs
Headshot of Kathleen Willcox
Kathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine. Her work appears in a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics, Wine Enthusiast and SevenFifty Daily. She is based in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where she lives with her husband and twins.
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