Will this winter find you without a reliable source of heat?
Well, if you are searching for a fast, efficient yet reliable way to keep warm over the cold season, a pellet stove will do the trick.
They come with heat coverage enough for a room as large as 1200 sq. Ft. Check out our top 6 best pellet stove reviews.
Summary
After looking at all the available units, we settled for the Castle 12327 Serenity Wood Pellet Stove as our top pick. Apart from its efficient use of pellets, it comes with smart controls that make operations easy. For a budget-friendly option, the US Stove 4840 makes a decent pick, but its performance has nothing against our premium pick i.e. the US Stove 5660.
Top Rated Pellet Stove Reviews of 2021
1. Castle Wood Pellet Stove with Smart Controller– Quietest Pellet Stove
Pros
- Attractive design
- Easy to clean
- Comes with a thermostat
- Easily programmable
Cons
- Small hopper
- Temperature controls could be better
At its price range and with a capacity to heat up a room as large as 1500 square feet, it is clear why this is our top pick.
Design
It is popular simply because it’s built for reliability. It features a programmable controller that lets you adjust the heating levels to fit your needs. With an overall design that is easy to clean, it does not require tedious disassembly to get rid of the ashes.
Features
It’s a programmable controller with a built-in thermostat that can be set to a 24-hour program so that you set it to automatically adjust to your daily schedule. Plus, thanks to its innovative heat exchanger, it allows you to heat up a larger area with less fuel.
Performance
The smart programmable controller on the Castle 12327 Serenity Wood Pellet Stove can give you a huge boost when it comes to heating up your home efficiently. Basically, you can set it up so that the house is always warm and cozy when you enter. Furthermore, it’s an EPA certified stove and boasts of an impressive 31,960 BTU.
Flaws but not deal breakers
Even though this product is well rated for its energy efficiency and its smart programmable controller, its hoper is rather small. But thanks to the fact that it has an easy to clean design means you won’t need to empty the hopper constantly.
2. US Stove 4840 Wall Mount – Best Small Pellet Stove
Pros
- Easy to maintain
- Efficient use of pellet
- Easy installation
- Affordable
Cons
- It doesn’t feature a thermostat
With an output capacity of 24,000 BTUs, the US Stove 4840 Wall Mount Direct Vent Pellet Heater can heat up a 1000square feet room without even breaking a sweat.
Design
It boasts of a design that is best suited for those with small spaces but it will also heat up a larger room and end up saving you money while at it. This unit also features a direct vent design that makes installation much easier.
Features
When it comes to its most convenient feature, you cannot miss the automatic ignition and diagnostic controls unit. This feature alone comes with a maximum of 5 heat settings that enable easy customization to make this stove suit your lifestyle. Installation is also simple since the package comes with all the mounting brackets and stove adapters you will need.
Performance
When you start to use the US Stove 4840 Pellet Heater you will be surprised by how efficiently it eats up pellets. You can either use it as a backup heat source or your main one. With its 5 heat setting, you can customize it to fit your preference which is great.
Flaws but not deal breakers
The US Stove 4840 Wall Mount Direct Vent Pellet Heater does not have a thermostat. While this may be a deal breaker for some users, it’s not entirely a huge deal since the 5 heat setting easily provide an alternative.
3. US Stove 5660 Bay Front – High End Option
Pros
- Ample hopper capacity
- Reliable heat coverage
- Affordable
Cons
- It’s not EPA certified
The US Stove 5660 Bay Front Stove is another product from US Stove Company that delivers on its promise.
Design
This unit comes with a 6 heat setting that is designed to give you easy adjustability. In fact, the unit is designed with an LED display to make it easy for you to set it to your best temperature.
Features
If you are looking for a pellet stove that will heat up the room and also enable sufficient air circulation, the US Stove 5660 is a great choice. It comes with a capacity of 34,000 BTU with 1800 sq ft heat coverage.
Performance
It is the one you need for winter. It has a simple design that is easy to operate. The 120 CFM blower does a good job to circulate the hot air around the room. plus the large bay window design offers a decent display for the living room.
Flaws but not deal breakers
Thanks to the digital controls on this unit, adjustments are as easy as a one touch. However, the US Stove 5660 Bay Front is not EPA certified. This can be a gamble for those living in states like California that prohibit non-EPA stoves. However, for most users, this is not a big deal.
4. Ashley AGC500VFBLP Vent – Most Efficient Pellet Stove
Pros
- Attractive design
- Highly efficient
- Affordable
- Doesn’t need a vent
Cons
- Installation manual could be better
Thanks to its high-glass enameled porcelain finish the Ashley AGC500VFBLP Vent-Free Stove goes beyond keeping you warm to add a dashing display in the room.
Design
This unit comes with a classic black cast iron build with a glossy finish that is eye-catching. Simply put, the Ashley AGC500VFBLP Vent-Free Stove is an American classic. Plus it is simple to use and can even be hooked to a standard thermostat.
Features
From pleasing aesthetics let’s look at how much heat this stove produces. The Ashley AGC500VFBLP Vent-Free Stove comes with a 31,000 BTU that easily heats up a 1000square feet room.
Performance
In terms of efficiency, this unit comes with a 99 percent energy efficiency which is one of the best in the game. Although it lacks smart controls like others on this list, it boasts of a premium handcrafted design which is a plus.
Flaws but not deal breakers
Although it does not come with a thermostat, it is designed for compatibility with a millivolt thermostat. It’s also among the most affordable units we found.
5. Comfortbilt Pellet Stove HP22-N – Best Window Pellet Stove
Pros
- Capable of heating up a large room
- Comes with a thermostat
- Attractive aesthetics
- Reliable performance
Cons
- Hopper size might not be enough for some users
Design
The design of the Comfortbilt -HP22-N is simply impressive. Weighing about 300 lbs, this unit is heavy but boasts of a durable build that is also aesthetically pleasing. The overall angular design combined with the bay window adds an industrial look that still manages to look modern.
Features
The unit comes with an 80 lbs hopper capacity which is more than enough for daily use. It also features a programmable thermostat that lets you control the heat to your liking. With a 50000 BTU capacity, this stove will easily keep you warm even in a large room.
Performance
We had to tested it and needless to say the results were impressive. Apart from the large viewing area and the angular design add to its aesthetics. It’s an EPA certified stove making it energy efficient and safe to use anywhere.
Flaws but not deal breakers
Although the Comfortbilt HP22-N comes with a hopper that can accommodate a large number of pellets, some users complain that it’s not sufficient for their needs. However, if your house is no larger than 1200 sq. ft, this should not be a problem.
6. Summers Heat 55-SHPEP Evolution
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Elegant design
- Energy efficient
- Large hopper capacity
Cons
- Temperature controls could be better
- Does not work well with low-quality pellets
Lastly, we have the heavy built Summers Heat 55-SHPEP Evolution Pellet Stove.
Design
This stove can heat up a room as large as 2000 square feet and features a one-touch ignition design that most users find super convenient. The bay design comes with a large viewing glass for an aesthetically pleasing display like no other.
Features
While it increases heat output, this stove is built to emit the lowest amount of emissions. It comes with a 45-pound hopper that is sufficient for multiple users.
Performance
This is stove is among the easiest to maintain in our list. Thanks to the air wash system, the large bay window will stay clean for a long time. Apart from the large bay window, the decorative nickel trim on the body of the stove also adds to the aesthetics.
Flaws but not deal breakers
When it’s allowed to run on low-quality pellets this stove might not deliver at optimal efficiency. However once its well maintained and with quality pellets, it runs at full capacity for your convenience.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Pellet Stove
One of the most efficient ways to add some warmth to your house is through the use of a pellet stove. Electricity bills easily skyrocket when you decide to use most heat appliances. But before going about to make a purchase, there are some important considerations you need to keep in mind.
Price
Although pellets stove looks similar to insert fireplaces or other wood stoves, the price of the pellet stove is usually higher and for a good reason. Compared to an electric fireplace or even a wood stove, they offer a ton of convenience hence the higher price. With them, you get what you pay for and the pricier the pick the higher the quality and heat coverage.
Stove’s Efficiency
The efficiency of a heating appliance has to do with the amount of fuel converted to heat. Compared to most appliances, pellet stoves boast of a higher level of efficiency typically in the 70 to 90 percent range. Also, check to see how the stove performs in term so circulating that hot air across the room.
Heating capacity
The standard unit for measuring the heating capacity of a pellet stove is in British Thermal Units (BTU). We recommend going with a pellet stove whose heating capacity is in the 8,000 BTU to 50,000 BTU range. At higher BTUs, you might need a much larger area due to the intensity of the heat.
Insulation
Apart from the size of the space, you want to heat up another important consideration is the insulation of that space. A well-insulated room will enable energy efficiency since the pellet stove will use minimal power to heat up the room. With a poorly insulated room, energy efficiency cannot be achieved easily.
Operational and safety tips
When used inappropriately, they can be dangerous. It is important to read through the manual to know exactly how to use your pellet stove. Also, be sure to ensure your pellet stove is well ventilated. Maintenance is also an important matter when it comes to pellet stoves. Be sure to clean your stove regularly for optimal performance.
Conclusion
Quality pellet stoves are hard to come by. There are a bunch of home appliances that can be an alternative but that just makes the decision-making process even more difficult. If you are on a budget, we recommend going with the US Stove 4840 Wall Mount Direct Vent Pellet Heater. This stove has a modern design that is convenient and its performance is decent enough for a small room. For those who need value for their money, our top pick i.e. the Castle 12327 Serenity Wood Pellet Stove is both efficient and highly reliable
