Best Gas Fireplaces 2026: An Installer's Picks, Backed by Reddit

Hey, Cory here from Fireplaces by Cameron.

In this post, we're reviewing some of the best gas fireplaces from the brands we install, including Enviro, Kozy Heat, Continental and Urbana, plus a few great ones we don't sell.

I've taken what we know about fireplaces from 30 years of doing installs and combined it with the top Reddit threads on the topic. So here it is: a comparison of the best gas fireplaces of 2026. Enjoy.

TL;DR

• Best value overall: Kozy Heat Chaska insert. Reddit's consensus "bang for your buck" brand, with installers reporting very few callbacks.
• Best for upgrading an old wood fireplace: Enviro E Series insert, made right here on Vancouver Island.
• Best value built-in: Continental CBX36. The blower, remote and safety barrier are included, not add-ons.
• Best statement piece: Urbana U Bay, with three-sided glass and room for a TV above.
• Top-tier brands we don't sell: Mendota, Valor and Lopi. Regency is a solid mid-tier option.
• What matters more than the brand: a good installer, a direct-vent unit (never ventless), a plan for power outages, and a fireplace that turns down low.

Want to browse first? See all our gas fireplaces.

What real owners say actually matters

The same eight themes came up again and again across Reddit, Hearth.com and other owner forums. Most of them have nothing to do with the logo on the front.

1. The installer matters more than the brand

This is the biggest takeaway from the Reddit threads. Modern gas fireplaces depend on the right gas-to-air mix, correct venting and properly wired electronics. Installers on Reddit say bad installs cause most of the complaints people blame on the fireplace.

One owner on a Toronto-area forum had a unit measured wrong that now sticks out onto the hearth. They "hate it every day" (GTA forum). Reddit's advice: don't buy any brand unless there's a certified dealer and service tech within driving distance.

2. The control system matters too

Techs on Reddit talk about ignition and control systems almost as much as brands. The SIT Proflame system (used by Mendota, Regency and others) is seen as the industry standard for reliable flame control and easy diagnostics. One installer on Hearth.com went further: "I would not recommend buying ANY gas stove/fireplace that does not use the SIT gas control system" (Hearth.com).

Valor's Mertik Maxitrol system is mechanically reliable but gets complaints about its remote. Proprietary systems like Dexen, used on some mass-market units, take the most heat from techs.

What to do: Ask which control system the unit uses, and whether your local dealer services it.

3. Always choose direct vent over ventless

Reddit is close to unanimous on this. Ventless units put combustion moisture and odours into the house. In one owner's words, the house "dripped like a rain forest." They're also banned in a number of jurisdictions. Direct-vent units pull air from outside and send exhaust back out, so your indoor air stays clean.

4. Blower noise is the number one complaint

If owners regret one thing, it's a loud fan. On one lakeside homeowner forum, several owners said they simply stopped using the blower: "The blower is loud so I do not use it," and "Noisy blowers are the most annoying part" (Winnipesaukee Forum). In a Hearth.com thread on quiet blowers, one owner called their two fans "nothing short of obnoxious," while others said low speed was barely audible.

What to do: Look for a variable-speed fan, and ask to hear the unit running in the showroom on low and high.

5. Get the fan anyway

It sounds contradictory, but owners also say: buy the blower even if you don't plan to use it. One Ontario owner said adding a fan later costs "3 times as much" (GTA forum). A fan spreads heat further into the house, and you can always leave it off.

6. Bigger isn't better

An oversized fireplace will run hot and cycle on and off. One owner said theirs gets hot enough to "chase you out of the room" in about an hour. Builders of efficient new homes worry about the same thing: most standard units start around 30,000 BTU, which can over-warm a tight house (GreenBuildingAdvisor).

What owners praise instead is turndown: how low the flame can go and still look good. On our mild coast, you'll spend far more hours on low than on high.

7. Plan for power outages

Reddit owners who planned ahead love their fireplaces in a winter blackout. One Mendota owner said, "if we lose power we still can run it as long as natural gas supply is good." Others noted that without power the fan stops and "heat output was much reduced," though the glass still radiates warmth (TractorByNet).

What to do: Make sure the unit can run without grid power, through a millivolt standing pilot, battery-powered ignition or a battery backup pack.

8. Decorative logs aren't a heater

If you have an old open wood fireplace, a gas log set alone won't heat the room. One Hearth.com member called theirs a "big mistake!" because it "makes the room colder" by pulling warm air up the chimney (Hearth.com). A sealed, direct-vent insert fixes that.

How Reddit ranks the brands

We went through commentary from 25 Reddit threads by homeowners, installers and service techs. Clear tiers came out of it. Pros judge a fireplace on metal thickness and welded seams, ignition reliability, heat output, whether it runs without power, and whether there's a dealer nearby to service it.

Tier	Brands	What Reddit says	We carry it
Top tier	Mendota, Travis Industries (Lopi, Fireplace Xtrordinair), Valor	Heavy build, best flame, reliable parts. Premium price.	No
Best value	Kozy Heat	The "bang for your buck" pick. Reliable, easy to install and service.	Yes
Solid mid-tier	Regency, Enviro	Widely sold, strong heat. Mixed reports on customer service and electronic controls.	Enviro: yes. Regency: no
Broad catalog	Napoleon (maker of Continental)	Reliable hardware and a huge range. Criticized for add-on pricing and a buggy app.	Continental: yes
Mass market	Heat & Glo, Heatilator, Majestic	Parts are everywhere. Techs are split: some like servicing them, others call the metal thin.	No
Not ranked	Urbana	A newer luxury line with too few Reddit threads to rank.	Yes

The best gas fireplaces of 2026: our top pick from each brand we install

Here's our top pick from each brand we carry, based on what Reddit owners and techs say, and what we've seen work in Comox Valley homes. Prices are in CAD from our site and can change.

Best Kozy Heat: Kozy Heat Chaska gas insert

Best for: the best value overall, and anyone worried about power outages.

Kozy Heat is a family-owned company that has made fireplaces in Minnesota since 1976 (Kozy Heat). On Reddit, it's the brand installers and hearth store owners recommend most for value.

Our pick is the Kozy Heat Chaska insert, in 25" and 29" sizes. The Chaska 25 runs from 13,500 to 26,000 BTU, and the 29 runs from 18,500 to 28,500 BTU. That suits most living rooms on the coast without cooking you out. The remote lets you switch from electronic ignition to a continuous pilot, which is handy when the power is flickering. It also handles thermostat, flame height, fan speed and lights.

What Reddit says:

"Kozy Heat all the way. My hearth store specializes in Kozy Heat solely for their reliability that we have experienced. Good flame, good heat, awesome people at the factory."

"Don't let their prices deter you. Kozy is a solid product with a great reputation... Easy to install and easy to service."

Why is it cheaper? Redditors point to simpler burner controls and chassis construction than the premium brands. But installers also say Kozy Heat's elevated burner gives an outstanding, full flame that competitors are trying to catch up to.

Runner-up: the Kozy Heat Callaway linear, in 40", 50" and 72" widths. One hearth store owner on Reddit said they've "installed upwards of 40+ Callaway's and no issues so far." Its optional Komfort Zone kit makes it easier to mount a TV above.

Best Enviro: Enviro E Series gas insert

Best for: turning an old wood fireplace into real, efficient heat.

Enviro is as local as it gets. It's made by Sherwood Industries near Victoria, which has built stoves on Vancouver Island since 1989 and added gas in 1994 (Times Colonist).

Our pick is the Enviro E Series insert. It comes in sizes from the E20 (23,000 BTU) to the E44 (42,000 BTU). The compact sizes are a big reason Reddit users recommend it for awkward older masonry openings. It ships with a surround, liner, variable-speed fan and remote, and it can vent horizontally if your old chimney is in rough shape. Pricing runs from about $3,699 to $4,199, with the premium EX models higher.

What Reddit says: Owners like the big glass and the logs. One poster comparing it with a budget insert said Enviro "will offer a superior finish and viewing area," adding, "Personally I prefer Enviro's logs to Majestic's logs."

The honest part: Enviro also gets some vocal complaints on Reddit about failed control boards. One E33 owner said: "Got an E33 with a defective controller. The installer says he had multiple customers with the same problem." Techs in the same threads point out that many "board failures" come from bad electrical wiring at install, not the fireplace itself. That's another reason to buy from a local dealer who installs and services what they sell.

Runner-up: the Enviro C Series linear for new builds and renos, from 34" to 72" wide and 15,000 to 55,000 BTU. Prefer a freestanding stove? See our review of Enviro's freestanding gas fireplaces.

Best Continental: Continental CBX36 Traditional

Best for: the best value in a traditional-looking built-in fireplace.

Continental is the value line from Napoleon, the family-owned Canadian maker based in Barrie, Ontario. Reddit techs rate Napoleon's gas hardware as reliable and easy to repair.

Our pick is the Continental CBX36 Traditional at $5,197. It puts out up to 26,000 BTU through a 28" x 21" viewing area. The safety barrier, heat-circulating blower and remote all come standard. An optional heat management kit spreads warmth around the room instead of blasting it straight out the front.

What Reddit says: The main complaint about Napoleon is pricing that doesn't include everything. One poster said the listed base price "typically doubles" once you add the parts needed to make it work: "It's like buying a car and you have to pay for a windshield, tires, and a steering wheel." With the CBX36, the blower, remote and barrier are already in. Ask us for an all-in quote with your media and trim, so there are no surprises.

Runner-up: the Continental CBL36 Linear at $4,297. At 15,500 BTU it's more about looks than heat, and the blower is optional.

Best Urbana: Urbana U Bay Series

Best for: a design-forward room where the fireplace is the centrepiece.

Urbana is a luxury gas fireplace line made in North America. It's newer and barely discussed on Reddit, so this pick leans on what we see in our own showroom and installs.

Our pick is the Urbana U Bay, from $7,199 for the U30. The three-sided, glass-to-glass design has no corner posts, so you see the fire from three angles. It can go in as a single-sided, bay, corner or floating install, and its Cool Wall design allows a TV or art above. Output runs from 22,500 BTU (U30) to 52,500 BTU (U70), so size it to your room. The U Bay Tall (from $10,669) adds taller glass and double-glass safety with no screen.

Runner-up: the Urbana U44 at $8,898. With up to 63,000 BTU and a 1,512 sq. in. window, it's built for great rooms and big open-concept spaces.

Also worth a look: four great gas fireplaces we don't sell

To keep this list honest, here are four brands Reddit installers and owners rate highly that we don't carry. If one is on your shortlist, it's a solid choice. We're happy to tell you how it compares to what's on our floor.

Mendota FV33i insert: best build quality

Mendota comes up on Reddit as the benchmark for heavy-duty build and raw heat. The FV33i insert runs from 10,000 to 31,000 BTU on natural gas, one of the widest turndown ranges we've seen. It uses the SIT Proflame control system that techs prefer.

What Reddit says:

"We have a Mendota FV33i and it is awesome: if we put it on blast it will heat both stories of our 1400 sqft house... the thing is built like a tank."

A buyer on Hearth.com called it "the most realistic fire I've seen in a gas unit" (Hearth.com).

The trade-off: Price. Redditors say Mendota often costs $2,000 or more above mid-tier brands before labour. One installer also noted Mendotas are meant to run with the blower on, and the manual says not to run it on high when it's on battery power during an outage.

Valor G4 insert: best for power outages

Valor is based in North Vancouver and designs its fireplaces to heat by radiant heat, not a fan. The G4 insert runs from 14,000 to 28,000 BTU input with a 28" x 18" viewing area. It needs no blower (a fan kit is optional), and Valor says its gas fireplaces keep heating in a power cut because the remote and receiver run on batteries (Valor).

What Reddit says:

"I've been in the industry for close to 20 years. 8 as an installer the rest as a service tech. Valor is hands down the most reliable product out there. Easy to install and even easier to service."

The trade-off: The remote. Valor's Mertik Maxitrol controls are reliable, but owners and techs on Reddit find the remote hard to program. One frustrated owner said the remote's "convoluted and difficult to follow instructions" were "once again proving to be a major frustration." Radiant heat without a fan also doesn't push warmth as far into the house.

Regency Liberty LRI4E: best all-round mid-tier insert

Regency is made in B.C. The Liberty LRI4E runs from 22,000 to 31,000 BTU input, with a variable-speed blower and remote included as standard. Regency says it works during power outages.

What Reddit says:

"We recently converted our old wood fireplace to gas and went with a Regency gas insert. Honestly, it's been a game changer... easily heats the whole level."

The trade-off: Reddit techs call Regency solid mid-grade. Because almost any shop can sell it, install quality varies more than with brands that are picky about their dealers. Its low setting is also still 22,000 BTU, so it doesn't simmer as low as some inserts.

Lopi Radiant Plus insert: best simple, no-power-needed heat

Lopi is made in the U.S. by Travis Industries, which also makes Fireplace Xtrordinair. Installers on Reddit rate Travis among the most solid direct-vent fireplaces they work on. The Lopi Radiant Plus insert is its value-priced line. Lopi says its millivolt models don't need any power to run, and its Dancing-Fyre burner is built to look like a real wood fire.

What Reddit says:

"After 17 years in the chimney business... Travis has by far been one of the most solid direct vent fireplaces I've serviced and installed. Customer support is outstanding if ever needed."

The trade-off: The Radiant Plus is a simple, manual-control unit. If you want Travis's premium features and flame, you're looking at their higher-end lines, at a higher price.

Quick comparison

Pick	Type	Heat output (BTU)	Price (CAD)	Reddit tier	Best for
Kozy Heat Chaska	Insert	13,500–28,500	Call for quote	Best value	Mid-size rooms, outage peace of mind
Enviro E Series	Insert	23,000–42,000 by size	$3,699–$4,199	Solid mid-tier	Upgrading an old wood fireplace
Continental CBX36	Built-in	Up to 26,000	$5,197	Broad catalog (Napoleon)	Best value, traditional look
Urbana U Bay	Built-in, 1–3 sided	22,500–52,500 by size	From $7,199	Not ranked	Statement design, TV above

Not sure which type fits your home? Our Fireplace 101 guide explains inserts, built-ins and freestanding units.

Buying a gas fireplace on Vancouver Island

What works in Minnesota or Ontario isn't always right for the Comox Valley. Here's what we tell customers from Nanaimo to Campbell River.

• Buy where the service is. Reddit's top advice applies double on the Island. Pick a brand with a dealer and service tech close by, not one you'd have to ship parts and techs in for.
• Pick turndown over raw power. Our winters are long, damp and mild. A unit that simmers low all day will feel better (and cost less to run) than a big one that cycles on and off.
• Go direct vent. Our wet coast is the last place you want a ventless unit adding moisture to the house.
• Plan for windstorm outages. Island power cuts are a fact of life. Ask about battery backup for the ignition, or a continuous pilot option like the Kozy Heat Chaska has. Expect the fan to stop when the power does.
• Natural gas or propane. FortisBC natural gas reaches much of the Island, but plenty of rural homes run on propane. Most models we carry come in both versions; confirm before you order.
• Check for rebates. FortisBC rebates change from year to year, so check their current offers before you buy.
• Have the chimney looked at. If you're putting an insert into an old wood fireplace, the chimney and liner need checking first. We do inspections and installs as part of our fireplace services.

Common regrets owners share

These are the mistakes that come up most in owner threads, and they're all avoidable.

1. Choosing on price alone. The cheapest unit from a shop that won't service it often costs more in the end.
2. Skipping the showroom. Owners say to judge the flame both on and off, in person. Photos don't show how the logs look at low flame.
3. Not listening to the fan. See it run on high before you buy.
4. Buying too big. A fireplace sized for a great room will overheat a den.
5. Not planning the power. Fans need an outlet. One owner said extension cords "look pretty stupid" (Sawmill Creek). Plan a dedicated outlet before the wall gets closed in.
6. Ignoring the fit. Measure the opening carefully, or have the installer do it, so the unit sits where you expect.
7. Skipping service. One owner found spiders nesting in the pilot over the summer. A yearly check keeps the glass clean and the ignition reliable.

FAQ

What is the best gas fireplace brand in 2026?

There's no single winner. On Reddit, Mendota, Travis Industries (Lopi) and Valor are rated top tier, and Kozy Heat is the go-to for value. Among the brands we carry, Kozy Heat is our value pick, Enviro is our pick for inserts, Continental for traditional built-ins and Urbana for design.

What's the best gas fireplace insert?

For most older Comox Valley homes with a wood fireplace, the Kozy Heat Chaska or Enviro E Series. Both are sealed, direct-vent inserts with a fan and remote.

Are ventless gas fireplaces safe?

Reddit owners and techs overwhelmingly say to skip them. They add moisture and odours to the house and are banned in some areas. Go direct vent.

Will a gas fireplace work in a power outage?

The burner usually can, but the fan won't. Look for a millivolt pilot, battery-powered ignition or a battery backup pack, and the glass will still radiate heat.

How many BTUs do I need?

Less than you think on the coast. In our experience, many living rooms are well served by 20,000 to 30,000 BTU, especially if the unit turns down low. We'll size it for you during a free in-home estimate.

Can I mount a TV above a gas fireplace?

Yes, with the right model and setup. Urbana's Cool Wall design and Kozy Heat's Komfort Zone kit are built for it, and Enviro's optional Cool Touch venting reduces mantel clearances.

How often should a gas fireplace be serviced?

Once a year is a safe rule. Service covers glass cleaning, inspection and gas pressure testing.

See them in person in Courtenay

The one piece of advice every thread agrees on: see the fire in person and buy from someone who'll service it. Our Courtenay showroom carries gas fireplaces from Enviro, Kozy Heat, Continental and Urbana, and we install and service what we sell.

Browse our full range of gas fireplaces, or book a free in-home estimate. You can also call us at 250-871-7555.