Quick Answer: The best outdoor electric fireplace overall is the Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim (from $2,299) — one of the few outdoor-rated models with a real 5,000 BTU variable heater instead of flame-only ambiance. For a lower-cost weatherproof option, the Touchstone Sideline Outdoor 50” ($649, on sale from $979) delivers a realistic flame with no heat, while the Touchstone Sideline Elite Outdoor 60” ($1,039, on sale from $1,949) adds Wi-Fi control and 60 flame/ember color combinations. The Amantii Panorama BI-50-SLIM-OD ($1,999, on sale from $3,259) splits the difference with a slim built-in design and 4,800 BTU of heat.
Most electric fireplaces are built for indoor use only — the housing isn’t sealed against moisture, and the wiring isn’t rated for temperature swings on a porch. Outdoor-rated models solve that, but there’s a catch most buyers don’t expect: the majority of outdoor electric fireplaces don’t produce heat at all. We compared four real weatherproof models, including two that actually heat and two that are flame-only, so you know exactly what you’re buying.
Outdoor electric fireplace picks compared
| Model | Best for | Size | Heat | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim | Best overall (real heat) | 44"–96", 6" depth | 5,000 BTU variable | ~$2,299+ | ★★★★★ |
| Touchstone Sideline Outdoor 50" | Best budget | 50", recessed/wall | None (flame-only) | ~$649 | ★★★★☆ |
| Touchstone Sideline Elite Outdoor 60" | Best smart/premium | 60", recessed | None (flame-only) | ~$1,039 | ★★★★☆ |
| Amantii Panorama BI-50-SLIM-OD | Best slim built-in with heat | 50", 6.75" depth | 4,800 BTU / 400 sq ft | ~$1,999 | ★★★★☆ |
1. Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim — Best Overall (Real Heat)
Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim Outdoor Electric Fireplace
- One of the few outdoor-rated linear fireplaces with a genuine heating element — a 5,000 BTU variable heater built for exterior installation, per Modern Flames' product specs.
- Ultra-slim 6-inch depth fits inside a standard 2x6 stud wall, avoiding the deep furring-out that larger built-ins need.
- Wi-Fi app control plus Alexa/Google Assistant compatibility, with sizes from 44" up to 96" for anything from a small nook to a full outdoor kitchen wall.
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The Landscape Pro Slim earns the top spot because it’s the rare outdoor electric fireplace that actually competes with a gas fire feature — real adjustable heat, not just a flame effect, in a housing engineered for exterior weather.
2. Touchstone Sideline Outdoor 50” — Best Budget
Touchstone Sideline Outdoor 50" Electric Fireplace (Model 80017)
- The lowest-cost outdoor-rated model in this guide, at roughly half the price of the Elite version below, per Touchstone's listing.
- No heating element — this is a pure flame-and-ember display, which is exactly why it can run at this price point and why it's a poor fit if warmth matters more than ambiance.
- Same recessed or surface-mount flexibility as Touchstone's indoor Sideline line, covered in our Dimplex vs. Touchstone comparison.
For a covered patio where the goal is a fire feature to look at rather than a heater to sit next to, the Sideline Outdoor 50” gets there for a third of what the Modern Flames unit costs.
3. Touchstone Sideline Elite Outdoor 60” — Best Smart/Premium
Touchstone Sideline Elite Outdoor 60" Electric Fireplace (Model 80049)
- 60 flame and ember color combinations with app, Alexa, and Google Home control, per Touchstone's product page — the most customizable flame display of any model here.
- Also no built-in heater, same as the smaller Sideline Outdoor above — the Elite tier buys smart controls and a larger 60" size, not heat.
- GFI plug for standard 110–120V outdoor outlets, so no special wiring beyond a code-compliant GFCI receptacle.
The Sideline Elite Outdoor is the pick for a larger patio wall that wants the smart-home flame customization from our best wall mount electric fireplace guide, scaled up to weatherproof use.
4. Amantii Panorama BI-50-SLIM-OD — Best Slim Built-In With Heat
Amantii Panorama BI-50-SLIM-OD Outdoor Electric Fireplace
- 4,800 BTU heater rated for up to 400 sq ft, per Amantii's specs — real usable warmth at a lower price than the Modern Flames unit above.
- Just 6.75 inches deep, built for shallow-wall installs, with Fire & Ice flame presentation across yellow, orange, blue, violet, and rose tones.
- Requires Amantii's optional stainless steel cover for outdoor installation to protect the unit long-term — factor that into the total price before buying.
The Amantii Panorama BI-50-SLIM-OD is the middle ground: real heat like the Modern Flames pick, but at roughly $300 less, with the trade-off of needing that separate weatherproof cover.
Buying an outdoor electric fireplace: what actually matters
- “Outdoor-rated” doesn’t mean “heated” — both Touchstone Sideline Outdoor models are flame-only. Check the heat spec directly rather than assuming an outdoor listing includes it.
- Weatherproof means covered installation, not direct exposure — every model here is rated for a covered patio or porch, not open exposure to rain or snow.
- GFCI protection is required by code, not optional — the National Electrical Code mandates GFCI-protected outlets for all outdoor receptacles, regardless of which fireplace you buy.
- Slim-depth models (6”–6.75”) fit standard 2x6 framing — the Modern Flames and Amantii picks both avoid the deeper furring-out that older outdoor fireplace designs required.
Planning the wall opening first? Our electric fireplace sizing guide covers width and recess-depth math that applies outdoors too, and our installation cost guide breaks down when a dedicated GFCI circuit is worth hiring an electrician for.
The bottom line
If real heat outdoors is the priority, the Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim is the strongest buy, with the Amantii Panorama BI-50-SLIM-OD as a solid lower-cost alternative that still heats. If ambiance is the actual goal — most covered patios already have a way to stay warm — the Touchstone Sideline Outdoor 50” is the best value, and the Sideline Elite Outdoor 60” is worth the upgrade for smart controls and a bigger flame display.