Bioethanol vs Electric Fireplaces: Which Suits Your Lifestyle Best?

In contemporary Australian homes, fire no longer hides behind brickwork or conforms to rigid cavities. It’s now architectural.

Clean-burning, ventless, and design-forward, modern fireplaces centre a room while quietly complementing it. With the shift away from traditional wood-burning fireplaces, bioethanol and electric fireplaces have emerged as two of the most elegant ways to bring warmth into homes. However, choosing between them is more than a practical decision; it’s about how you want your space to feel, function, and flow.

Let’s explore the differences between bioethanol and electric fireplaces and which is better depending on your lifestyle.

Bioethanol Fireplaces: Real Heat Without the Smoke

A bioethanol fireplace runs on renewable, plant-based fuel made from crops like sugarcane or corn. There’s no need for a chimney, and it produces zero smoke, soot, or ash – just a golden flame that flickers with warmth. As it burns, it emits heat, water vapour, and a trace amount of carbon dioxide, offering a real flame experience that can be installed in almost any space without needing hardwiring or venting.

Because these fireplaces don’t require a chimney or gas line, they’re particularly well-suited to apartments, heritage homes, or contemporary interiors where structural changes may not be possible or desired.

Some of the most compelling aspects of a bioethanol fireplace include:

• Genuine flame with beautiful, natural movement and texture
• Clean-burning, uses renewable fuel, and requires low maintenance
• No hardwiring, gas lines or vents needed
• Portable and highly versatile, it can be wall-mounted, freestanding, or built into furniture
• Integrates beautifully into open-plan spaces and sculptural forms

But as with all considered design decisions, there are trade-offs.

• Requires ongoing fuel refills
• Typically heats smaller areas, best for rooms up to 50m²
• Higher running costs than electric
• Heat output is ambient, making it less ideal for whole-home heating

Electric Fireplaces: Seamless & Sleek

Electric fireplaces are modern, efficient, and effortless. They are powered by a standard outlet and use LED technology and a hidden heating element to simulate firelight while still offering warmth. These models don’t produce a real flame, but they do offer clever styling and functionality. Many can operate with or without heat, allowing year-round ambience.

Their versatility makes them an excellent choice for smaller homes, family residences, or commercial projects needing reliable, stylish heat.

• Simple plug-and-play installation, and can be up and running within moments
• Minimal upkeep with lifelike flame effects
• Ideal for homes with children or pets, where open flame isn’t practical
• Can operate with and without heat, allowing you to enjoy the glow of firelight anytime
• Efficient for heating smaller spaces

Some of its downsides include:

• Lacks the tactile warmth and movement of a real fire
• Dependent entirely on electricity and are non-functional during outages
• Eco-credentials are only as strong as your power source
• Limited portability as it requires a plug point

Finding the Right Fit

Lifestyle & Location

When considering electric vs bioethanol fireplaces, your choice should support your everyday rituals and the layout of your home.

For off-grid homes, remote cabins, or areas prone to outages, bioethanol fireplaces provide reliable heat without a power source. They’re also ideal for renters and heritage homes. Electric fireplaces are better suited to apartments, high-rises, and family spaces where safety and ease of use are priorities.

Style & Interior Design Integration

Both options come in refined, architectural forms: frameless inserts, suspended domes, and minimalist freestanding units.

Bioethanol models are often paired with raw materials like concrete, timber, and steel. Electric fireplaces, meanwhile, favour sleek modernism with clean lines, soft light, and refined visual control.

Whether you’re leaning toward minimalism or embracing a more sculptural aesthetic, bioethanol vs electric fireplaces each bring unique advantages to spatial design. Whichever you choose, Oblica’s range is curated to complement thoughtful architecture and design.

Safety & Compliance

It is essential to choose a fireplace that meets local safety standards. Electric fireplaces usually feature cool-touch surfaces and remote control options, while bioethanol models include safety-tested burners and child-lock ignition systems.

Before installation, check local building codes and speak with your designer or installer about the best placement and smoke alarm requirements.

Bioethanol and Electric Fireplaces, Which is Better for Your Space?

That depends on what better looks like to you.

If you’re seeking real fire, atmospheric warmth, and flexibility in design, a bioethanol fireplace may be the right fit. If you want effortless installation, steady heat, and ambient flame with minimal upkeep, an electric fireplace could suit you beautifully.

Oblica offers both, each selected for its beauty, performance, and alignment to different lifestyles. Explore our full range of fireplaces or get in touch with our team to find the right fit for your space.