EXTERNAL CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
Market Rating
5.0/5 (1)
Modern Flames
Modern Flames Challenger Electric Fireplaces
From $949.00
Modern Flames · Challenger
Modern Flames Challenger 50-Inch Electric Fireplace
Give the room a linear flame presentation with Challenger CEF-50B. Glacier crystals, ten flame and ember-bed colors, and remote or touch-panel operation let you change the presentation from day to day.
$949.00
NO SALES TAX on this itemExcluding FL and CA
In Stock
FREE ShippingShipping details
Hassle Free ReturnsReturn details
Speak to an Expert
Choose the way the fire meets the wall.
Challenger offers recessed, partially recessed and wall-mounted installation paths. Choose the installation method with the installer before planning the electrical connection and wall finish.
The supplied glacier crystals create the ember-bed presentation. Cycle the flame and ember-bed color together, adjust flame brightness, or turn the heater off while leaving the flame effect on.
Controls within reach
The color button changes the flame and ember-bed color through ten choices. Brightness has its own flame control.
Use the included remote or the touch panel at the lower right corner of the fireplace.
The heater has 750W and 1500W settings and an off setting. The flame must be on for the heater to operate.
The shutoff timer runs from 0.5 to 7.5 hours in half-hour steps.
Plan the installation before the wall is finished.
Have your installer plan the opening and clearances for the chosen installation method before construction. The nominal fireplace size is not the framing size.
Use the manual for the chosen installation method. Confirm the exact model and opening with the installer before cutting or finishing the wall.
Fully recessed installation requires removal of the power cord and a hardwired connection. For cord-connected operation, use a dedicated grounded 110–120V, 15A outlet; do not share that circuit with other appliances.
| Reference | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | CEF-50B |
| Installation paths | Recessed · partially recessed · wall-mounted |
| Electrical rating | 120V · 60Hz · 1500W · 5,000 BTU |
Included with your fireplace.
The fireplace includes glacier crystals, a plastic tray, a remote and installation equipment. Choose the installation method with your installer before preparing the wall.
Your installer will determine the wall fixings and electrical preparation needed for your chosen installation method.
| Reference | Details |
|---|---|
| Appliance and media | Fireplace · glacier crystals · plastic tray |
| Control | Remote control |
| Installation equipment | Wood screws · drywall anchors · metal bracket · rear wall bracket · hardware kit |
Questions to settle before installation.
Can Challenger be installed on the wall?
Yes. The same fireplace supports wall-mounted, recessed and partially recessed installation. Choose the size when ordering, then plan the installation method with your installer before preparing the wall. Fully recessed installation requires hardwiring.
What decorative media is included?
Challenger includes glacier crystals and a plastic tray for the ember bed.
Can I use the flame without the heater?
Yes. The heater can be switched off while the flame effect remains on. The heater requires the flame effect to be on when heating is selected.
How many color choices are there?
The color button cycles the flame and ember-bed presentation together through ten choices.
How is it controlled?
Use the included remote or the touch-on control panel at the lower right corner of the fireplace.
What heater settings are available?
Select 750W, 1500W or heater off. The appliance is rated 120V, 60Hz and 1500W; its stated heat output is 5,000 BTU. Follow the manual’s circuit and connection requirements.
Does it have a timer?
The timer ranges from half an hour to seven and a half hours, in half-hour increments.
Can the flame brightness be adjusted?
Yes. The flame control makes the flame effect dimmer or brighter.
Who should make a hardwired connection?
Have a qualified electrician remove the cord connection and connect the fireplace directly to the household wiring. Follow the complete manual and applicable electrical codes.
RATINGS & OWNER INSIGHTS
A closer look at the Modern Flames Challenger.
What owners report. What our research finds.
Modern Flames Challenger family
OUR PRODUCT ASSESSMENT
Hearth Outpost Score
7.7/10
Challenger makes sense in a guest room or den where someone wants to walk in, pick up a remote and enjoy the fire. The clear acrylic bed takes on the selected light color, and dimming lets you keep the display low after dark. We would choose between the 50- and 60-inch versions by marking out the visible width first. Decide whether the fireplace will sit on the wall or within it before the electrician places the connection.
See the score breakdown
Performance7.8
Build & materials7.6
Design & finish7.8
Features7.4
Ease of ownership8.1
Durability7.1
Warranty & support7.8
What owners are saying
A shopper who bought the Challenger without seeing it in person said it arrived as described and they were pleased with the fire. The same account appears under both sizes and gives little detail about noise, flame motion or longer-term use.
What stands out
The remote and controls on the appliance give a guest a practical way to use the fire. Adjustable brightness is particularly useful where the fireplace shares a wall with a TV.
What to weigh before buying
A wall-mounted installation projects into the room. A recess trades that projection for framing work. Compare both from the doorway, where the side profile tends to be most visible.
Value Consideration
We would choose this for straightforward operation and spend the rest of the budget on a neat wall finish. A more elaborate flame system is worth comparing if realism from close range comes first.
Sources & Methodology
About the Market Rating
The 5.0/5 Market Rating is based on 1 eligible customer rating reviewed by Hearth Outpost. The star breakdown distribution shows how those customers rated the product. These are aggregated customer reviews across the market and not random sampling. We display a single rating of four or five stars. At every other star level, we display the average once there are at least two eligible ratings.
About our research
The family assessment pools sizes, fuel types, generations and colors. Equipment differs by configuration. The HOP score is a price-independent research assessment. Owner themes summarize the accessible sample.
Research updated November 10, 2026.
Reviews & Ratings MethodologyCONFIDENCE BEYOND THE FIRST FIRE
Made to enjoy. Backed for the years ahead.
Register the appliance for five-year coverage; the standard period is two years. Original-purchaser, purchase and other written conditions apply. Read the complete limited warranty for eligibility and exclusions.
Manuals & documents
Challenger installation and owner’s manualA real person. Useful advice.
Speak to an Expert
We can help you compare fireplace width, wall depth, power supply and trim before you order.
From our outpost to your home
Delivery & returns, made clear.
Shipping
Read our shipping policyHassle Free Returns
Read our returns policySimilar items
The Modern Flames story
A new perspective on the fireside.
Designed and developed in Phoenix, Arizona, Modern Flames brings electric flame technology into different kinds of rooms. Its range spans traditional fireboxes, slim linear fireplaces and multi-sided feature designs, with a choice of flame presentations and installation approaches.
At Hearth Outpost, start with the room you want to create, then compare viewing angles, wall depth and power supply. Check the supplied media, optional finishing choices and exact installation requirements before deciding how the fireplace will become part of your home.
Visit the Modern Flames Shop by Hearth Outpost