Do you need a new electric fireplace? We've researched the latest electric fireplaces, asked the experts, and sifted through thousands of specs, features and user reviews to find the best electric fireplaces around. Here's everything you need to know about the Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console Electric Fireplace.
Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console: What is it?
The Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console is an electric fireplace within a very realistic faux stone surround that’s ideal for heating large spaces such as a living room or basement. It has infrared technology so the air in the room stays moist and operates with or without the heat, so you can have it switched on just to look at the flame effect in warmer weather. Highland manufacture several different models of fireplace. In this review, we’re looking at the Highland Media Console Electric Fireplace.
Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console: Price
Currently, you can find the Highland Media Console Electric Fireplace for $329 at Home Depot. It's also available at eBay and Amazon, but it's currently out of stock. There are cheaper fireplaces on the market, but this one has infrared technology, meaning it doesn’t dry out the air, so that’s a big plus.
Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console: Features
As for the fire itself, it has a pretty authentic flame, too. The infrared technology helps maintain the natural humidity in the room, which results in a comfortable, non-drying heat.
Spectrafire flame effect technology unusually offers three blue and three amber options, all displayed on a realistic log set and ember bed. The benefit to this model is that you can enjoy the flame effects without having to turn on the heat, so there’s scope for a nice ambiance in the room whatever the weather.
Dimensions: 40 x 39 x 11.50-inches
Heat settings: 2
Remote Control: Yes
Thermostat: Yes
Warranty: 1 Year
Self Assembly: No
The Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console Electric Fireplace has enough output to warm up a space of up to 1,000 square feet; however, do take note of user reviews further down as some say this claim is a little ambitious from the manufacturer, and that it might be better suited to smaller spaces.
The Highland Media Console Electric Fireplace is fitted with Safer Plug fire prevention technology. This continuously monitors the temperature of the plug, and turns off automatically if overheating occurs. So, you can leave the fire on without worrying about it.
Its digital thermostat allows you to set the temperature of your room, and you’ll be glad to know that it comes with a remote control, so you can set your desired temperature without leaving the comfort of your couch.
Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console: Design
This model really does look like the real deal. Rather than make the faux stone effect surround out of plastic, Highland has thoughtfully constructed theirs from plaster. This gives it an authentic touch while also making it more environmentally friendly than the common plastic counterparts.
The realistic-looking faux stone body is complemented by a brushed pine mantel. You’d be hard pushed to know this wasn’t a real fireplace if you saw this in someone’s living room; for all intents and purposes it looks on first and second glance like it’s actually built in.
You can place your television above the fireplace, so while it’s described as a ‘media console’, it’s really more of a TV stand.
Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console: Performance
The Highland Media Console Electric Fireplace is equipped with long-lasting, energy-saving LED technology that makes it cost-efficient and eco-friendly – always a plus. Designed with infrared quartz elements, this model heats effectively and efficiently.
The fireplace doesn’t get hot on the outside, so it’s perfectly safe for use around children and pets. It also scores highly on the eco-friendly front as far as performance goes, since it doesn’t give off any emissions or hazardous by-products.
Its electronic timer function allows for automatic timed shut off from 30 minutes up to nine hours, so realistically you can leave this running overnight, set it to come on before you get home on a cold day or run it first thing in the morning to warm up the room before you leave.
Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console: User Reviews
93% of Home Depot customers recommend this fireplace.
One says that it heats his 700 square foot house perfectly and ‘adds a nice ambiance’ to his living room. Other users talk about the model arriving impeccably packaged and damage-free.
Users report that the installation and set up is a breeze, although the model is on the heavy side so it’s easier to install if you have some help to lift it into place.
It’s apparently quiet compared to other models and users love the fact that they can turn on the flame effect without using the heat in warmer months.
Users cite the realistic flames as their favorite overall feature, and the fact that it comes with a remote control (which includes batteries, a nice touch) scores highly.
On the downside, some users contradict other reviews by saying that the fireplace doesn’t look realistic, and others warn that the model is actually much smaller than it looks in situ online, so be sure to check the measurements from the spec rather than how it looks in a picture.
Should you buy the Home Decorators Collection Highland 40-inch Media Console Electric Fireplace?
If you’re looking for a realistic stone effect fireplace that you can use with or without heat – and you don’t have a huge space to keep warm – yes. The Highland Media Console Electric Fireplace is sensibly priced for what it does.
Alternatives to the Highland Media Console Electric Fireplace
Not convinced that the Highland Media Console Electric Fireplace is the right fireplace for you? You’ll find plenty more options in our best electric fireplaces guide, where we've selected a range of models that excel in different situations, for all budgets. Here are our three top alternatives to the Highland Media Console Electric Fireplace.
A realistic-looking stove with temperature control that performs well in large spaces. Comes with a variable thermostat and it’s super simple to assemble.
The Razo is a great addition to any room, with its astonishing 10 color settings and realistic flame effect. It’s best suited for small spaces.
This model really is a good buy if you’re after a built-to-last fireplace with realistic flame effect and plenty of storage for your WiFi router, consoles and DVDs.
