A wood stove burns logs to heat a space, but it does so more effectively, efficiently, and safely because it has a closed combustion system that also reduces emissions.
Before purchasing a wood stove, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the installation and ventilation requirements. You should also consider fuel type and heat output, measured in British Thermal Units (Btu).
Keep in mind you’ll be responsible for safely cleaning out the ashes resulting from burning wood (and an ash vacuum is your best bet for sucking up the very fine dust produced by burning wood).
In addition to log-burning models, you’ll encounter alternatives, such as pellet stoves or electric wood stoves that may work better for your needs.
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This stove from Cleveland Iron Works is designed to heat a mid-sized home of around 2,500 square feet. Cleaning wood stoves can be a pain, so we love the large ash pan that makes removing ashes easy.
This top-vented wood stove can be installed anywhere with proper external venting, and it features a pedestal base that supports the brick-lined firebox. It can generate up to 80,000 Btu of heat, provided you keep it stocked with firewood. The firebox can hold logs up to 18 inches long and is lined with firebrick, which enhances heat retention and increases the temperature for more efficient burning.
We like the glass in the front of the cast-iron door since it’s relaxing to watch the flames, and also reminds you when the stove needs more wood. However, you’ll need to regularly clean the glass, as this stove lacks an air wash feature to reduce soot buildup.
The issue with this stove is that you’ll need some additional parts to complete it, such as a pipe adapter, a rack or fire grate to lift the wood, and a blower for heat distribution.
Dimensions: 22.75 inches (wide) x 28 inches (diameter) x 31.5 inches high | Material: Cast iron door with ceramic rope gasket and glass | Heat Output (BTUs): 80,000 | Area Heated: 2,500 square feet
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What We Like
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Cool, removable handle
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Fits large logs
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Two cooking plates
If you’re looking for an affordable yet effective wood stove, consider this non-catalytic model (which means that it’s better suited for hot-burning fires for short durations), which keeps spaces of 900 square feet warm and toasty. Although it’s a small stove, it can accommodate logs up to 19 inches long (an inch more than our best overall), compared to the standard 16-inch-long logs.
We love the two-piece handle, a great feature that remains cool to the touch and can also be removed when not in use as a safety measure, especially if you have children in the house. However, the rest of the stove conducts heat and becomes extremely hot, so it’s best to wear gloves when working on it. The top is very thick and features two plates for cooking on, if necessary.
Unlike our best overall, the stove interior isn’t lined with firebrick for added heat insulation. It also lacks a viewing window or an ash clean-out drawer, making it a bit more cumbersome to clear ashes from the stove. However, we believe it’s a great option for small spaces that require additional heating.
Dimensions: 18.5 inches (wide) x 33 inches (deep) x 23 inches high | Material: Cast iron| Heat Output (Btus): 54,000 | Area Heated: 900 square feet
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More like a portable heater rather than a wood stove, this vent-free electric Duraflame stove still packs a heated punch. We love the side glass panels that let the glow of the logs emanate from all sides of the unit.
We put this fireplace stove to the test in the lab and at home, and were impressed by its heat output. One of our favorite features is that the heat and flame settings can be adjusted independently, allowing you to enjoy the cozy ambiance of a fire even when you don’t need extra heat. That said, we wish the flames looked a bit more realistic.
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The programmable thermostat has a range of 62 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to find the ideal temperature for your space. We also loved that it’s equipped with a timer setting, from 30 minutes to nine hours, to prevent the heater from operating when you’re not around.
Unlike the other options on our list, this unit comes with a remote control, so you can make adjustments from the comfort of your couch.
Dimensions: 24 inches (wide) x 13 inches (deep) x 23 inches high | Material: Glass, metal | Heat Output (Btus): 5,200 | Area Heated: 1,000 square feet
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What We Like
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Easy to clean
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Quiet blower
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No assembly required
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Large hopper
Pellet stoves are similar to wood-burning stoves, although they provide heat through compressed wood pellets versus logs. There’s a lot to love about this freestanding Bayfront Pellet Stove from Cleveland Iron Works.
The EPA-approved and high-efficiency pellet stove is non-catalytic, featuring a quiet blower, a large hopper, and convenient controls for temperature and timing that can be accessed remotely or via a phone app. It is easy to use and highly efficient at warming spaces up to 2,500 square feet.
We also love the stove’s design that integrates well into any room, thanks to its attractive three-sided bay window style. Its 66-pound hopper is large to allow for extended burn times and less time spent refilling the stove.
Though cleaning the stove is easy, you’ll have to spend a little extra time removing excess soot that quickly accumulates on the glass.
Dimensions: 24.25 inches (deep) x 26.5 inches (wide) x 30.5 inches high | Material: Steel and cast iron | Heat Output (Btus): 52,000 | Area Heated: Up to 2,500 square feet
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The Canadian-made, EPA-certified Escape wood stove is certified for mobile home use and alcove installation and has a lifetime warranty. It is also non-catalytic.
The stove has a heavy-duty steel top, and the cast iron legs give this small stove style a lift off the floor for safety, and ease of use when emptying the ash pan. It accepts 18-inch-long logs in its 2.4-foot firebox and has an eight-hour burn time.
We like the fact that it emits only 1.54 grams per hour of fine particles for a cleaner burn. It also includes an airwash system, which keeps the glass clean and ash-free (A stream of hot air washes away soot from the glass.)
However, watch for the door design, which can cause some problems and not close properly all the time.
Dimensions: 26 inches (deep) x 26 inches (wide) x 30.5 inches high | Material: Metal and cast iron | Heat Output (Btus): 75,000 | Area Heated: Up to 2,100 square feet
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What We Like
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Produces a significant amount of heat
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Large, sturdy pedestal base
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No assembly required
If you hope to heat a large space with one stove, this heavy-duty, large-capacity Ashley model may be a good bet. The stove has a heavy-gauge 3/16-inch reinforced plate steel and a firebrick lining designed for durability and optimal combustion efficiency.
Due to its large capacity, the stove can fit logs up to 22 inches in length and holds up to 30 pounds of wood. The stove heats very quickly, but the blower can help control the distribution of heat. Like many of the wood stoves on our list, you can enjoy the flames through the ceramic glass window in the middle of the steel door.
It’s important to note the material of the stove you’re considering. “The materials have different thermal conductivity and heat dissipation,” says Keith Wortsmith, president of DASH Heating & Cooling Services. “For example, cast iron takes a long time to heat up, but at the same time gives out heat for a long time, and steel, on the contrary, quickly heats up and cools down.”
Based on its size and heat output, you can expect this steel model to warm spaces of up to 3,200 square feet (the largest on our list).
Dimensions: 39 inches (deep) x 24 inches (wide) x 32.5 inches (high) | Material: Steel | Heat Output (Btus): 152,000 | Area Heated: Up to 3,200 square feet
Final Verdict
Our pick for the best overall wood stove is the Cleveland Iron Works Huron Wood Stove F500110, which is easy to operate and efficiently heats a mid-sized home of approximately 2,500 square feet without any fuss, all for a reasonable cost. We also love the US Stove Company Cast Iron Wood Stove, which is our best budget option for its ability to keep up to 1,100 square feet toasty for a great price.
What to Look for in a Wood Stove
Enough Heat Output for Your Space
You will want a wood stove that’s a comfortable size for your space. You can determine if a wood stove has enough heat output for your space by considering the item’s Btu rating and the size of the space you are heating.
“On average, it will be 20 to 30 Btus per square foot (but for poorly insulated homes in cold climates, these numbers will be higher due to heat loss, you will need about 30 to 40 Btus per square foot there),” says Keith Wortsmith, president of DASH Heating & Cooling Services.
The higher the Btus, the more space the stove will typically heat. For example, the Ashley Hearth Pedestal Wood Burning Stove has a Btu rating of 152,000 that will heat up to 3,200 square feet. The US Stove Company Cast Iron Wood Stove features a Btu rating of 54,000, capable of heating up to 1,100 square feet.
Other factors to consider when picking the right size wood stove are the physical dimensions and the required safety clearances. Measure the space where you want to install the stove and also factor in how much distance you need between the stove and adjacent walls. Consult the installation guide for any model you’re considering to find out the exact clearance recommended by the manufacturer.
Features That Fit Your Lifestyle and Budget
When considering a wood-burning stove, look for features such as durable fireboxes, large and easily accessible ash bins, and airwash systems (included with the Escape 1800 Wood Stove On Legs and Black Door).
“Features such as airwash systems to maintain viewing glass cleanliness or ash drawer inclusions are not merely convenience features—burn quality is enhanced and mess minimized, and that’s important for long-term use,” says Leon Hang, CEO of RapidDirect, makers of high-efficiency home heating products.
Not every stove has its efficiency ratings posted in its description. However, the Cleveland Iron Works Bayfront Pellet Stove does state that its efficiency rating is approximately 75 percent. Other stoves, such as the Ashley Hearth Pedestal Wood Burning Stove and the Cleveland Iron Works Huron Wood Stove F500110, mention that the product is EPA certified and has high efficiency, but do not list the actual rating.
It also helps to know if the stove you’re considering is catalytic or non-catalytic. Catalytic stoves can burn wood for at least several hours longer than non-catalytic stoves. Wortsmith says catalytic stoves are more energy efficient, but the combustor requires replacement every five to seven years.
“Hybrid furnaces, on the other hand, utilize both catalytic and non-catalytic systems to maximize efficiency and flexibility in operation, but they are still also more expensive to purchase and maintain than purely catalytic furnaces,” he says. “So if energy efficiency comes first, choose a hybrid or catalytic model with the expectation that the savings will pay off.”
Installation and Ventilation
Smaller wood stoves may be easier to install on your own than others. A stove like the Ashley Hearth Pedestal Wood Burning Stove is heavy, weighing just over 360 pounds, and requires professional installation.
Professional installers can also ensure that it’s done correctly to comply with local codes and reduce the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Wood stoves need external venting. Usually, the exhaust flue is at the top of the stove, but some models might have a rear flue. When choosing a wood stove, it’s important to understand the venting and installation requirements to ensure a safe and proper installation.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Marilyn Zelinsky-Syarto is a writer and editor for The Spruce, who has worked on articles on home decor, home improvement, and gardening since 2019. She has decades of experience reviewing furniture and home goods and has authored and contributed to several books on design and furniture. Marilyn has experience writing about homesteading lifestyles and products like outdoor central boilers, wood burners, and wood stoves.
To write this article, she examined dozens of wood stove options, considering heat output, ease of cleaning, and more.
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