I love my new electric fireplace! It is just as described. I have to figure out a solution to cover up the cord, but so far I am very happy!
I am not positive if this is in the description but you can have just the flame on with no heat or can switch to heat + flame which is great if you want just the visual ambiance without it getting too hot in the room.
I only had to put the legs on and attach the stovepipe to the top. Both were quite easy. The legs would have gone on faster with a drill, but I didn't have one and was able to get all 4 legs on with a screw driver. It was a little tedious but not bad.