In short
Bioethanol fireplaces come in four types. Freestanding stoves need nothing but a floor and give the most heat for the money. Wall-mounted fires save floor space and work in small flats. Built-in burners disappear into a wall, media wall or furniture and are planned with clearances and ventilation. Tabletop fires are portable mood lights. For most homes the decision is simple: renting or unsure where the fire goes, choose freestanding; renovating or building, choose built-in; small room, choose wall-mounted.
Key takeaways
- Freestanding: zero installation, movable, 2.5 to 4 kW, the best choice for renters and first-time buyers.
- Wall-mounted: no floor space used, same burner technology, fixed to a solid wall with the clearances from the manual.
- Built-in: the cleanest look, planned with an architect or our project department, burner inserts from 2.5 kW upwards.
- Tabletop: 1 to 2.5 kW, portable, for atmosphere rather than heat.
Before you compare models, decide the type. It settles installation, budget and what the fire can do for the room, and it is where most buyers go wrong by falling in love with a photo of a built-in flame in a flat where only a freestanding stove makes sense. Here is how the four types compare and who each one is for.
Comparison table
| Type | Installation | Heat | Floor space | Can move with you | Typical buyer | Planika examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding stove | none; socket for automatic models | 2.5 to 4 kW | footprint of the stove | yes | renters, flats, first fireplace | Arcticon, Vertis |
| Wall-mounted | brackets into a solid wall | 2.5 kW | none | yes, with refitting | small rooms, modern interiors | Bubble (wall or floor) |
| Built-in burner | niche, clearances, ventilation plan | 2.5 kW and up, any length | none visible | no | renovations, new builds, hotels | Senso Burner, built-in inserts |
| Tabletop | none, no power | 1 to 2.5 kW | a table | yes | dining table, terrace, gifts | Lotus, Chantico Glassfire |
Freestanding bioethanol stoves
A freestanding stove is the no-regret choice. Unpack it, place it on a level floor with the clearances from the manual, fill, light. It gives the most heat of the four types because the burner and tank can be large: Arcticon carries 5 litres for up to 20 hours of fire at 3.5 kW. It moves with you to the next flat and it can stand in the middle of a room as a divider. Automatic BEV stoves need a power socket; that is the whole installation. Browse the freestanding collection.
Wall-mounted bioethanol fireplaces
Wall-mounted fires hang like a picture and are popular in small flats because they use no floor space. The requirements: a solid wall (not plasterboard alone), the clearance above the flame given in the manual, and nothing flammable within the distances specified. Bubble is designed for both wall and floor, so the decision can be made after delivery. Heat is the same as a freestanding model with the same burner; what changes is the viewing height and the look.
Built-in bioethanol burners
Built-in is the architect's option: a burner insert in a wall, a media wall under the TV, a kitchen island or a piece of furniture, with only the flame visible. It needs planning: the niche dimensions, non-combustible materials around the burner, heat clearances above, and an airflow concept so the heat does not build up in the cavity. Planika's project department does this with you before you order, free of charge. Built-in burners are also where the big outputs live: linear burners can be specified at any length for hospitality and large open-plan homes. Senso Burner is the compact 2.5 kW insert for furniture and small walls.
Tabletop bioethanol fires
Tabletop models are small manual burners under glass. They need no power and weigh a few kilograms, so they travel from dining table to terrace. Heat is modest, 1 to 2.5 kW, and the point is the flame at eye level during dinner. Place them on a stable, heat-resistant surface and keep them out of children's reach. Our guide to tabletop fireplaces indoors and outdoors covers the details.
How to decide in three questions
- Can you change the wall or furniture? No: freestanding, wall-mounted or tabletop. Yes: built-in becomes an option.
- Do you want heat or atmosphere? Heat: freestanding stove or a built-in burner of 3 kW and up. Atmosphere: any type, tabletop included.
- Who lives in the house? Children or pets: automatic BEV model with child lock, flame behind glass; a manual tabletop fire stays out of reach.
FAQ
Which type gives the most heat?
Built-in linear burners, then freestanding stoves. Wall-mounted and tabletop models are mood fires with some warmth.
Can a freestanding fireplace be placed anywhere?
Anywhere with a level floor, the clearances from the manual and the minimum room volume; not in a corridor used as an escape route and not directly under a shelf.
Is a built-in bioethanol fireplace expensive to install?
The burner costs from roughly the price of a freestanding stove; the surround is normal carpentry or drywall work, with no chimney, gas line or building permit.
Can I switch from wall-mounted to freestanding later?
With Bubble yes, it is designed for both; other models are built for one position.
Planika Team, October 2026. All types above are available in the official shop; built-in projects start with a message to planika@planika.com with a photo and the dimensions of the niche.
