I love the look of a log burner, but don’t want the hassle or expense of installing one — this beautiful electric heater is the alternative I’ve been searching for
The VonHaus Electric Stove & Log Store is an ideal option if you want the log burner look on a budget
This electric stove heater may not have the most sophisticated controls around, but man, does it have a whole load of benefits that make up for it. Firstly, it is beautiful to look at, and the real flame effect evokes a lovely cosy feeling. Secondly, it's quick to heat up, and can warm large rooms with ease. And lastly, the set up is so easy - simply plug it in and turn it on. It may seem expensive to other electric heaters, but compared to a real log-burning stove, it's an absolute bargain!
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Beautiful log burner alternative
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Super simple to set up
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Kicks out decent heat
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Effective in large rooms
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Flame effect is lovely and can be used without heat
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Not as easily portable as other models on the market
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It's not silent
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You could be forgiven for thinking that electric heaters should be felt rather than seen. After all, models of old were definitely more functional than attractive.
While the best electric heaters have improved over the years, with sleeker and more contemporary designs becoming the norm, there are few that are genuinely beautiful enough to become features of your home in there own right.
In a nutshell
I love the idea of a log-burning stove, but for a multitude of reasons, it's never really felt like a feasible option for my home. And so I was thrilled to test out the VonHaus Electric Stove & Log Store, that evokes a similar feeling, without any of the installation hassle or the price tag in the thousands.
And it didn't disappoint! Friends and family have oo-ed and ahh-ed over it, and I love that it feels like a characterful focal point in my home. I was impressed with the heat output, and even though it's not silent in operation when you have the heat on, it's definitely not obnoxiously loud.
While you could technically move this into different rooms as and when you wanted to, it's quite heavy and there are no easy handles, so you'd need a couple of people. And with it's sizable dimensions, you might prefer to pick a suitable spot for it and leave it there.
As well as being Ideal Home's Renovation Editor, I also look after all of the website's Home Energy content, which means I'm well versed in what it takes to keep your home warm in winter and how you can do that in the most energy efficient way possible. I tested the VonHaus Electric Stove & Log Store on the ground floor of my 1970s three-bed home every day for more than two weeks.
Specification
- Type of heater: Fan heater/ electric stove
- RRP: £229.99
- Weight: 11.5kgs
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 44.5cm x 74.5cm x 32cm
- Wattage: 1,000-2,000W
- Running costs per hour: 27.69 – 55.38p/kWh
- Room size suitability: 28m2
- Smart features? N/A
- Dual functionality: None
- Oscillation: None
Unboxing, setting up and first impressions
I was a little bit daunted when I saw the size of the box that landed on my doorstep when the Vonhaus Electric Stove arrived, but fortunately there was a smaller box inside, along with some polystyrene supports that meant it arrived in pristine condition. The packaging in mostly cardboard, all of which is easily recycled.
At 11.5kgs, it's quite heavy to remove from the box, so I carefully put the box on it's side and gently manoeuvred it out of the packaging. There's not really any suitable hand-holds to grab on to near the top, so to set it the right way up, I felt I was using the tips of my fingers to try and carry it, which I wouldn't recommend. Definitely try and get a helping hand to aid you in moving it to your desired spot.
Looks-wise, the stove is beautiful. It's a matt black with three glass panels, one on each side and one on the front, with a faux door handle for decoration. Underneath the subtle grill where the heat comes out, there is a shelf where you can add logs (not included) to really lean in to the log-burner aesthetic. I've left mine empty for the time being as I have a curious and stick-loving puppy who would love nothing more than a decorative log to chew on.
In terms of set-up, I loved how easy it was. Especially after I was testing this after testing a smart electric heater that involved a fair amount of digital set up. For this one, I could simply plug it into the wall and switch it on! The power cable is of a decent length, although while the official specs state that this is 1.9m, when I measured it, it was more like 1.7m.
What’s it like to use?
The flame effects look pretty in the daytime, but really come into their own when the sun goes down
Although the VonHaus Electric Stove can't be controlled by your smart phone (unless you use it a smart plug), it is really easy to use. The controls are so simple, you really can't go wrong.
The control panel for this electric stove heater is located on the back. There are three switches; one to turn on the flame effect, one to turn on 1,000W of heat, and another which will kick the heat output up to 2,000W. In addition, there's a dial to adjust the temperature.
First off you can turn on the flame effect without having the heat on, which creates a lovely ambience whatever the weather. It's a realistic flicker, and the three glass panels on the heater mean you can see it from multiple angles which is a lovely touch.
When you turn the heat on, there is a noticeable hum of the fan, but my decibel reader measured this to be between 51 and 54dB which it states is the equivalent of gentle background noise. When I put the heater on while I was watching the TV, I didn't have to adjust the TV's volume to compensate.
Flip the second heat switch on along with the first, and the heat output kicks up a notch (although I didn't notice a change in the sound of the fan, which I thought was impressive).
The heat comes through quickly, so it's not long at all before the whole room is feeling toasty.
I located the stove heater in the corner of the room, with nothing above it, so I found it quite easy to flip the switches, but a couple of times I had to shift if forward to adjust the dial. That was easy enough for me. But should you want to site it in a nook or alcove with anything above, then you may find it a bit more fiddly to reach the controls.
From a safety point of view, this model has an auto-shut off function that prevents it from overheating, which gives added peace of mind. It feels sturdy when in place (on my LVT floor), so it doesn't feel like it will easily topple, but as it isn't designed to be fixed to a wall, I'd keep an eye on kids and pets around it as it's quite heavy.
I also appreciated that the unit itself doesn't get hot when the heat is on, staying cool to the touch. The grill where the heat comes out does get warm, and is warm to the touch for a few minutes afterwards.
Running costs
As with any device or appliance that is powered by electricity, how much it costs to run will depend on how much power it uses, how long you use it for and how much you pay for your energy.
For the sake of this review, I'll use the January 2026 energy price cap figure of 27.69p per kilowatt hour as the cost of electricity, which is correct at the time of writing.
If you were to use the VonHaus Electric Stove & Log Store on it's highest power setting for one hour, it would cost you just over 55p. Use the lower power setting, and it'll cost just over 27p. Just use the flame effect lights and it will cost you even less.
With all electric heaters, they are not designed to be used as a primary heat source, so consider them boosts to your central heating rather than a replacement. If you're home is particularly draughty, it's a good idea to address the draughts before you buy this heater so that you can get maximum benefits in the most cost-effective way.
Cleaning and maintenance
Apart from getting a bit dusty and maybe showing the odd fingerprint, there's not a lot of cleaning or maintenance required for this stove heater. A quick dust with a clean cloth is all that I've needed to do so far.
For it's longevity, I make sure to keep liquids away from it, keep the cable tucked away so it's not a trip hazard and check that there's nothing around that could fall on or against it (it's sturdy, so I don't think it would crumple like a piece of paper, but I love it so much I wouldn't want to chance it).
Who should buy the VonHaus Electric Stove & Log Store?
If you want an electric heater that delivers on both the looks and heat front, then I don't think you can go wrong with the Vonhaus Electric Stove & Log Store. Similarly, if you love the look of a log burning stove but can't afford one or it wouldn't be suitable for your home, then this really is the next best thing. You'll get the realistic appearance (especially with the log-store feature) without the hassle or price tag, plus a decent heat output.
This is also a characterful choice for those who live in period homes and where a super sleek modern style heater would stick out like a sore thumb.
However, if you want something you can easily move from room to room, then I don't think this is the option for you. While it is technically portable, the large dimensions mean it's more of a hassle to move around than something like the Dreo Smart Whole Room Heater 714S. It's also not the option if you are after a space-saving model — instead the Morphy Richards HeatFlux Ultra Thin 2kw Ceramic Tower Fan Heater might be more suitable.
Finally, while you could of course pair the VonHaus Electric Stove with a smart plug, if you want something with more smart capabilities, then you could try the Mill WiFi Max 1500W portable heater, which has a similar price point, instead.