A pellet stove is a great alternative to a full-fledged home heating system. It allows you to heat your home or workshop quickly and efficiently.
To produce heat, pellet stoves burn fuel that’s specially made of compressed wood—pellets. You won’t have to waste precious time chopping wood to heat your home.
The best pellet stove costs far less to run than a gas or electric heating system and is much safer to use than a wood-burning stove. To help you find the right pellet stove for your home, here is a list of the top 10 pellet stoves on the market on the market.
Contents
Our Top Pick: [amazon link=”B00T39L4R2″ title=”ComfortBilt Pellet Stove HP22″ /]
Features
- 50,000 BTUs
- Programmable thermostat
- Large viewing area
- 55 lbs hopper
- EPA certified
Best Pellet Stove Reviews
Castle Pellet Stoves 12327 Serenity
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[amazon fields=”B00FQR70VY” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Castle Pellet Stoves 12327 Serenity” image_align=”center”]
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Features
- Hopper capacity: 40 lbs
- Heat output: 31,960 BTUs
- Size: 34” x 24” x 18’’
- Weight: 186 lbs
[amazon fields=”B00FQR70VY” value=”button” button_text=”Check Price on Amazon”]
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Pros
- 40-lbs hopper
- Simple design
- Easy to clean
- Schedule controller
- Affordable
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Cons
- The blower fans are a bit noisy
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If you value simplicity and ease of use, this affordable pellet stove may be the right choice for you. Everything from the digital controller to the shape of the pellet stove is designed to make your life easier. Compared to most other pellet stoves out there, Castle Pellet Stoves Serenity offers much more convenience.
You can set everything automatically, or you can use the scheduling controller and the automatic thermostat control. Its easy-to-use smart controller allows you to set daily, weekly, or monthly operational modes.
If you are out of the house every day or like to travel a lot during winter, but need to keep your home warm, the Serenity wood pellet stove is a great option. You won’t have to refill it more than once a day since the hopper capacity is 40 lbs.
The pan and the combustion chamber (including the burn pot) are easy to access thanks to the convenient design. Cleaning the wood pellet stove is easy—you can remove the pan and dump the ashes or you can simply vacuum it.
The Serenity can quickly and efficiently heat an area of 1,500 sq ft since it is rated at just under 32,000 BTUs. The only drawback of the model are the noisy blower fans.
If you don’t mind a bit of noise, this may be one of the best pellet stoves for your home.
ComfortBilt Pellet Stove HP22
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[amazon fields=”B00MMV0R76″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”ComfortBilt Pellet Stove HP22″ image_align=”center”]
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Features
- Hopper capacity: 55 lbs
- Heat output: 50,000 BTUs
- Size: 36” x 30” x 24’’
- Weight: 295 lbs
[amazon fields=”B00MMV0R76″ value=”button” button_text=”Check Price on Amazon”]
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Pros
- Lifetime warranty on the body
- Impressive heating capacity
- Extremely quiet
- Large ash pan
- Stylish design
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Cons
- Large footprint
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This massive wood pellet stove is the absolute favorite of many homeowners. It’s simple yet elegant design makes it a great addition to any room.
The pellet stove’s hexagonal shape is very attractive. To offer you a nice viewing area similar to that of a traditional fireplace, the front panel is fitted with bay-style glass windows.
Its 50,0000-BTU pellet stove heating capacity is hard to beat. Even in very cold conditions, the ComfortBilt Pellet Stove HP22 can heat an area of 2,800 sq ft. According to feedback from many homeowners, you can run it for a few months straight during a harsh winter and you won’t see any problems.
The HP22 comes with a 55-lbs hopper and a particularly large ash pan. You won’t have to refill the hopper more frequently than every other day. You can use a shop vac to clean the pan.
You can set the blower according to the temperature in your house by using the programmable thermostat. The pellet stove even comes with a remote controller, so you can adjust the thermostat from the comfort of your sofa.
Compared to most other pellet hoppers, the HP22 is surprisingly quiet. If you are on the opposite side of the room, you won’t even hear it.
The stove body comes with a lifetime warranty while the parts of the pellet stove come with a one-year warranty. If you go with this model, the manufacturer will assist you with the installation. They also offer help during the early phases of use.
In my opinion, the HP22 pellet stove is the best of the best pellet stoves.
ComfortBilt HP22-N Pellet Stove
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[amazon fields=”B07J1Z81RF” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”ComfortBilt HP22-N” image_align=”center”]
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Features
- Hopper capacity: 80 lbs
- Heat output: 50,000 BTUs
- Size: 24” x 26” x 40’’
- Weight: 295 lbs
[amazon fields=”B07J1Z81RF” value=”button” button_text=”Check Price on Amazon”]
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Pros
- Can heat a 2,800 sq ft area
- Easy maintenance
- Programmable thermostat
- Very large hopper
- Attractive bay view window
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Cons
- The installation can be tricky
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In terms of features and performance, the HP22-N is almost the same as ComfortBilt’s flagship model—the HP22. The major difference lies in the hopper. The HP22-N boasts an impressive hopper capacity of 80 lbs.
To accommodate the larger hopper, the HP22-N is a bit taller than it’s ComfortBilt cousin. It can burn pellets for up to 36 hours on the lowest setting—without refills. This makes it ideal for a basement application. Just like the HP22, the HP22-N is one of the most powerful pellet stoves on the market.
US Stove 5500M King Pellet Stove
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[amazon fields=”B0041NT7ME” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”US Stove 5500M King Pellet Burner” image_align=”center”]
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Features
- Hopper capacity: 120 lbs
- Heat output: 48,000 BTUs
- Size: 26″ x 25″ x 35.5″’
- Weight: 250 lbs
[amazon fields=”B0041NT7ME” value=”button” button_text=”Check Price on Amazon”]
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Pros
- Excellent mechanical ventilation system
- LED control display
- 120-lbs hopper
- Easy-to-use controllers
- Great heating capacity
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Cons
- Small glass viewing window
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The 5500M King Pellet Burner is the flagship pellet stove of the US Stove company. Considering that they’ve been in business since 1926, this says a lot.
You can leave it running for days on end without having to check up on it. Thanks to the sizable ash pan and massive 120-lbs hopper, you can load the pellets, clean the ash, and then forget about the pellet stove for a few days.
This fully-automated pellet stove is all about convenience. The model comes with an easy to use control panel and automatic ignition. To make sure the heat is spread evenly, the 5500M features a 120 CFM automatic circulation blower.
The draft controls are pretty easy to use. The pellet stove offers 5 different heat settings. During a harsh winter, the 5500M can efficiently heat a 2,200-sq ft home.
To prevent the smoke from leaking into your room or stoking the flame, the 5500M uses a highly-efficient ventilation system. The exhaust blower completely eliminates smoke spillage. The pellet stove has quite a large footprint given its output, which is the model’s only considerable downside.
The manufacturer offers a solid warranty policy on the 5500M. The stove body comes with a lifetime warranty while the mechanical and electrical components come with one-year protection.
Napoleon TPI35 Pellet Stove Insert
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[amazon fields=”B01MU6P0WK” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Napoleon TPI35 Pellet Stove Insert” image_align=”center”]
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Features
- Hopper capacity: 45 lbs
- Heat output: 38,250 BTUs
- Size: 30″ x 26″ x 21.5″’
- Weight: 210 lbs
[amazon fields=”B01MU6P0WK” value=”button” button_text=”Check Price on Amazon”]
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Pros
- Lifetime warranty on the pellet stove
- 120 CFM blower
- Can burn up to 30 hours
- Large black flashing
- Burns corn waste as well as pellets
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Cons
- Pricey
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The TPI25 Pellet Stove comes with a unique wall guard that allows you to put the unit right against a wall. The feature certainly makes up for the model’s large footprint.
The TPI25 looks like a traditional wood stove. The viewing window is small, but it is still aesthetically pleasing. This model is an excellent choice for people who have an average-sized home or live in a moderate climate.
Its 38,250 BTUs of heating capacity will allow you to quickly heat an area of 2,000 sq ft. Even during the coldest months, you won’t have to fill the hopper more than once a day.
Do know that the TPI25 Pellet Stove can burn corn waste as well as wood pellets. Moreover, the pellet stove can burn for 30 hours straight if you fill the hopper with a pellet mixture of wood and corn waste. The model comes with a digital control panel that allows you to easily adjust the temperature.
The TPI25 pellet stove does a great job of distributing the heat around the room thanks to its 120 CFM blower. The model comes with an auto ignitor, so you won’t have to start the fire yourself. The generous lifetime warranty is quite a nice perk. It covers the entire pellet stove.
Cleveland Iron Works PS20W-CIW
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[amazon fields=”B07MY6TKF8″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Cleveland Iron Works PS20W-CIW” image_align=”center”]
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Features
- Hopper capacity: 20lbs
- Heat output: 25,000 BTUs
- Size: 20″ x 34″ x 22″’
- Weight: 142.7 lbs
[amazon fields=”B07MY6TKF8″ value=”button” button_text=”Check Price on Amazon”]
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Pros
- Attractive price point
- Smart Home Technology
- Includes remote control
- Easy to operate
- Easy to install
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Cons
- Small hopper
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If you are looking for an inexpensive but highly energy efficient, small pellet stove, the Cleveland Iron Works PS20W-CIW may be your best option. This unique little pellet stove is equipped with smart home technology. You can control it remotely via Cleveland’s smartphone app.
The app will give you complete control over the operation and the settings of the pellet stove. If you don’t want to connect it with your phone, the unit comes with a remote controller.
The advantage of such small units is the fact that they are relatively easy to install. Since it is rated at only 25,000 BTUs, it’s not a great solution for areas larger than 800 sq ft. However, if you have a smaller home, you can rest assured that it will heat it quickly, efficiently, and with ease.
Even though it is more affordable than most other models, it is certainly not “cheap”. The Cleveland Iron Works PS20W-CIW is EPA certified and boasts a solid steel and cast iron construction. Its only downside is the small hopper.
If you are looking to save a bit money, the Cleveland Irown Works is one of the best pellet stoves for you.
US Stove 6041HF Multi Fuel Stove
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Features
- Hopper capacity: 60 lbs
- Heat output: 45,000 BTUs
- Size: 28″ x 29″ x 31″’
- Weight: 309 lbs
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Pros
- Multi-fuel stove
- 45,000 BTUs
- Easy to clean
- Auto mode
- Easy to operate
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Cons
- The stove is a bit noisy
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The Us Stove 6041HF isn’t your average pellet burning stove. On top of being able to burn wood pellets and corn waste, the 6041 can burn olive pits, cherry pits, soybeans, processed silage, and biomass fuel grains.
It’s one of the most economical home heating systems out there. This multi-fuel stove has 5 heat settings and 5 blower speed settings.
The startup and operation are simple and easy thanks to the LED readouts and the built-in diagnostics. There’s also the auto mode that will automatically adjust the fan speed and thermostat according to your preferred heat setting.
You don’t have to feed it premium wood pellets or fuels since its one-of-a-kind auger eliminates burn back. The capacity of the hopper is 60 lbs, so you won’t have to refill it more than once a day.
According to the manufacturer, the 6041HF can efficiently heat an area of 2,000 sq ft. The ash pan is quite large. To allow for easy cleaning, it’s easy to open and easy to remove.
If you would like to install the 6041HF by yourself, do know that the installation materials are not included, so it may be best to have it professionally installed instead. The only considerable downside of the 6041HF is the noise it makes.
Drolet High Efficiency ECO-55 ST
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[amazon fields=”B01NCV3ZLG” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Drolet High Efficiency ECO-55 ST” image_align=”center”]
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Features
- Hopper capacity: 80 lbs
- Heat output: 45,000 BTUs
- Size: 25″ x 29.5″ x 14.6″’
- Weight: 286 lbs
[amazon fields=”B01NCV3ZLG” value=”button” button_text=”Check Price on Amazon”]
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Pros & Cons
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Pros
- Large hopper
- Great heating capacity
- Easy maintenance
- Affordable
- Includes an ash vacuum
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Cons
- Requires premium wood pellets
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The Eco-55 ST is an affordable and efficient pellet stove that can deliver an impressive amount of heating power. The model boasts a large 80-lbs hopper. According to the manufacturer, one full load of premium pellets can last up to 69 hours.
While this claim may seem a bit bold, it’s safe to say that you won’t have to refill the hopper every day. In fact, If you buy the optional hopper extension, you won’t need to refill the hopper more than twice a week.
The easy access hatches and side panels make cleaning a breeze. They are very easy to remove. Even the installation is easy. You should be able to install it without any professional help.
Even though it’s a budget-friendly pick, the model is made of high-quality materials and components. For instance, it uses German ceramic glass and top-rated Canadian steel. The Eco-55 ST can quickly heat an area of up to 2,000 sq ft.
Best Pellet Stove Buying Guide
What Are Pellets?
Pellets are the main reason why pellet stoves are more environmentally friendly than wood stoves. Pellets are made from unusable lumber such as pine trees affected by mountain pine beetles, waste wood that comes from the lumber industry and furniture manufacturers, or compressed sawdust from sawmills.
To make the most of agricultural byproducts, some types of pellets are even made from agricultural waste. If it weren’t for pellet stoves, this excess wood would otherwise end up in a landfill. But, if you use wood or want to buy a wood stove, have a look at the best types of wood for stoves.
How Does a Pellet Stove Work?
Pellet stoves look almost the same as fireplaces or wood stoves, but the similarity ends there. Unlike wood stoves, pellet stoves do most of the work for you.
To fire up a pellet stove, first, you need to fill the hopper with the fuel (pellets). The pellets don’t go directly into the combustion chamber and the burn pot.
Each pellet comes with a motorized device that looks like a long screw—also known as an auger. The auger feeds the combustion chamber with pellets.
The amount of heat a pellet stove puts out depends on the feed rate. So, you are essentially controlling the feed rate when you are using the thermostat on your pellet stove.
Some units require you to manually ignite the pellets, but most have automatic ignition. To heat your room safely, the heat exchanger draws the cool air from your room and circulates it around the combustion chamber and burn pot, and then blows the heated air back into the room.
Size of Pellet Stove
No matter what model you decide to go with, it will take up a decent amount of space in the room you put it in. So, for many homeowners, the size of a pellet stove is an important factor. Before you decide on a particular model, you need to make sure it will fit comfortably in the central room of your house.
For instance, if there is not enough space between the pellet stove and the surrounding walls, the walls will overheat. If you think space might be a problem, consider getting a tall small pellet stove.
However, larger pellets do have their advantages. The larger the unit, the more heat it can put out.
Consider how large an area you want to heat. If you want to heat the entire house, a larger unit is your best bet. But, if you want to heat just one room, or if your house is small, a large pellet stove will leave you sweltering.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
The capacity of a pellet hopper can vary widely, from 25 lbs to 120 lbs. The larger the hopper, the less frequently you will have to refill it. If you get a pellet stove with a smaller hopper, you may need to fill it up to twice a day during the colder months.
A stove with a large hopper capacity is a better solution if you need to keep your home warm when you are away. If you get a pellet stove with a particularly large hopper, you will only need to fill it every other day.
Top-fed or Bottom-fed Hopper
A pellet hopper can be bottom-fed or top-fed. Bottom-fed units have a horizontal auger. This type of auger doubles as a cleaning mechanism.
A horizontal auger automatically removes clinkers (lumps of hardened ash). Bottom-fed pellet stoves are pricier than top-fed pellet stoves, but you don’t have to feed them premium pellets since they automatically move clinkers into the ash pan.
Top-fed pellet stoves use a different mechanism. The hopper and auger of a top-fed pellet stove are located at the top of the unit, hence the name. To transfer pellets from the hopper to the burn pot, a top-fed stove uses an inclined surface.
This design helps prevent the auger from catching fire and igniting the pellets in the hopper. However, because of the design, clinkers and ash can end up in the combustion chamber. If you don’t clean the combustion chamber with a fire poker, clinkers can impede ventilation.
Type of Pellet Fuel
Different types of pellet stoves burn different types of pellets. Generally, top-fed units require high-quality low-ash pellets that are usually more expensive.
Lower-quality pellets can lead to combustion chamber blockage. So, even though bottom-fed pellet stoves are more expensive, they are usually cheaper to run.
Heating Power
We use BTUs (British thermal units – per hour) to measure the maximum amount of heat that a pellet stove can produce. The size of your home as well as the climate you live in will determine the amount of heat you need.
A unit that puts out 40 BTUs per hour per square foot is enough if you have relatively mild winters. It’s best to go with a unit that can put out at least 60 BTUs per hour per square foot if you live in a particularly cold climate.
Keep in mind that the manufacturers are the ones who calculate the maximum heating capacity of their units. To determine the heating output rating, they usually burn the optimal (typically the highest-quality and most expensive) type of pellet.
To ensure that you’ll be happy with your new pellet stove, go with a unit that has a slightly higher heating power rating than you think you’ll need. When it comes to heating power, pellet stove ratings range from 24,000 BTUs to as much as 50,000 BTUs.
Material
The durability of the pellet stove and its ability to transfer heat partially depend on the material it is made from. When in function, almost every pellet stove gets hot on the outside.
So, when your stove is one, you must keep kids and pets away from it. To ensure durability under extremely high temperatures, the exterior of the pellet stove should be made of quality cast metals.
Venting
A pellet stove needs to efficiently vent away smoke and noxious gases outside your home, so it’s ventilation system is very important. The ventilation system also provides air to the combustion chamber and the burn bot. Pellet stoves can be vented horizontally through a wall or vertically through the roof.
To allow for mechanical venting, most pellet stoves come with draft fans. Direct ventilation is also an option. This type of ventilation expels smoke vertically through a chimney or a pipe. Keep in mind that the ventilation system of your pellet stove needs to comply with your local housing codes.
Automatic Features
If you prefer a set-it-and-forget-it approach to heating your home, automatic features are a huge plus. Such features may include automatic thermostat control that adjusts the blower speed and automatic pellet ignition.
Conclusion
Due to its impressive heat output, great performance, and excellent quality, [amazon link=”B00T39L4R2″ title=”ComfortBilt Pellet Stove HP22″ /] is the best pellet stove for the money. The programmable thermostat makes it super easy to use and the large view window makes it a great addition to any home.
And, considering all the features this model has to offer, the price point is more than fair. If you like the HP22 but prefer a larger hopper, you can get the HP22-N. If you prefer pellet stove inserts, there’s also the [amazon link=”B00T39L4R2″ title=”ComfortBilt Pellet Stove HP22i” /].
You might want to check out my post on the best quiet portable air conditioner as well.
If you are looking for ways to cool your home as well as warm it up, check out our heat pump vs AC comparison as well.
