Is Dimplex the Best Electric Fireplace?

On this page (8 sections)

1. What actually makes an electric fireplace the best one?
2. Where does Dimplex fit against other electric fireplace brands?
3. What should you look for in a recessed wall unit?
4. Who should choose an insert instead of a wall unit?
5. Is Dimplex or a rival better for a feature wall?
6. How much does an electric fireplace cost to run?
7. Do smart controls and flame options change the decision?
8. Is Dimplex the best electric fireplace for your room?

Dimplex is a strong, established brand, but it is not the best electric fireplace for everyone. The best pick depends on your opening size, how you want to install it and whether you can hardwire it.

So when someone asks is Dimplex the best electric fireplace, the fair answer is that Dimplex is one good option among several good ones, and the fit matters more than the name. This guide walks through what actually decides a good electric fireplace buy, and it uses real models to show how the choice works in practice.

What actually makes an electric fireplace the best one?

The best electric fireplace is the one that fits your opening and your wiring, not the one with the most famous name. Size, install method and control options decide whether a unit looks built in or bolted on.

Start with the firebox dimensions. A recessed wall unit has to match your framed opening, and a bigger model needs more clearance above a TV or mantel.

An insert, by contrast, has to slide into an existing fireplace opening and look right from the front.

Next comes power. Some units hardwire into a wall circuit, and others only plug into a 120V outlet.

If you can't run a dedicated circuit, a plug-in model is the practical choice.

Then check the controls. Remote, app and smart-home control don't change the heat, but they change how you use the fireplace day to day.

Flame-only operation matters too if you want the look in summer.

Where does Dimplex fit against other electric fireplace brands?

Dimplex is a recognized brand with a wide range, and it earns a place on most shortlists. It is not the only name worth comparing, though, and plenty of buyers end up with a different unit because the fit was better.

The brand has built its reputation on flame realism and a broad catalog that runs from inserts to wall units. That range is useful when you have a specific opening to fill.

What it isn't is a guarantee of the best buy. A smaller rival can beat a Dimplex model on the exact thing you need, such as a recessed design that suits your wall studs or a lower power draw.

Judge any brand the same way: read the opening size, the install type, the heater output and the controls. When a Dimplex model wins on those, buy it.

When it doesn't, don't pay extra for the name.

What should you look for in a recessed wall unit?

Look for a unit that matches your stud spacing and leaves room above a TV. A recessed fireplace has to attach safely to framing, and the heat has to clear whatever hangs above it.

Touchstone's Forte 40 shows how a strong recessed pick works. It measures 40 in wide, 26.5 in tall and 5.1 in deep, and it attaches to framing studs for a built-in look.

The sides and back stay cool to the touch with the heat on.

Touchstone says to leave at least 8 in between the top of the fireplace and your TV, mantel or ceiling. The Forte also runs on flames alone, and it pulls a max of 12 amps, so a 15-amp circuit can carry it.

For a wider wall, compare the thin electric fireplace options that keep depth down without cutting into the room. Measure twice before ordering, since a recessed unit is hard to return once the drywall is open.

Who should choose an insert instead of a wall unit?

Choose an insert if you already have a fireplace opening and want to skip major construction. An insert drops into the old firebox with little framing and gives you a working fire without venting.

The PuraFlame Western is built for that job. It's 35 1/16 in wide overall, with a firebox opening about 32 1/8 in wide and 25 9/16 in high, and it sits on a flat floor so you can slide it in and pull it out again.

It plugs into 120V and cannot be hardwired, so you need an outlet near the old hearth. PuraFlame backs it with resin logs, a three-sided brick interior and three flame levels, and the flames run with or without heat.

PuraFlame calls it a supplemental heater for up to 400 sq ft, not a main heat source. For more room for wider openings, the linear electric fireplace picks suit a long, low wall.

Is Dimplex or a rival better for a feature wall?

A feature wall comes down to the trim and the flame effect, so both brands can win depending on the look you want. Dimplex models are known for a realistic flame, while some rivals lean on a crystal or log mix for a more modern showpiece.

If you want a fire that reads as three-sided or see-through, look at the flame layout first. A 3 sided electric fireplace gives you a view from more than one angle, which changes how the room feels.

Watch the TV clearance either way. A unit with front-facing vents can sit closer to a screen, and one that vents from the top needs more space.

Both facts decide where on the wall the unit can go.

Then match the surround. A black steel or glass frame is easy to blend, and a brick interior looks more traditional.

Dimplex has options in both directions, which is why it stays on shortlists.

How much does an electric fireplace cost to run?

A fireplace on flames alone costs very little, because the lights are LEDs. The heater is where the power goes, so the running cost depends on how often you use the heat.

A 1,500W heater pulls about 12 amps at 120V, which is close to the limit of a 15-amp circuit. If other electronics share that circuit, you may need a 20-amp line.

The heat itself is supplemental. Touchstone rates the Forte at up to 400 sq ft, and PuraFlame gives its insert a similar 400 sq ft.

Neither replaces a main heating system, so plan for the fireplace to take the edge off.

A power monitor turns this into a real number instead of a guess. The P3 Kill A Watt plugs in between the wall and the fireplace and logs usage by day, week, month or year.

Plug it in for a week of normal use, then compare the total with your usual bill. For a cheap way to cut the bill, run flames only on mild evenings and save the heat for the coldest ones.

Do smart controls and flame options change the decision?

Smart controls make a fireplace easier to live with but don't change its heat. The flame and thermostat matter more, and a good app is a bonus rather than the reason to buy.

The Touchstone Forte is Wi-Fi enabled and works with a remote, a phone app and Alexa or Google Home. That range of control suits a wall unit that sits high and is awkward to reach.

Flame options are the more visible difference. The Forte offers 5 flame settings and a choice of log, crystal or both, which lets you set a traditional or modern look.

PuraFlame's insert keeps it simpler, with three flame levels and fire crackling sound.

The sound suits a room where you miss the noise of a real fire, and both units let you run the flame with no heat. If remote control matters most, check that the remote is included.

The Forte includes one, and the PuraFlame ships with a remote in the box.

Is Dimplex the best electric fireplace for your room?

Dimplex is a solid brand, but the best electric fireplace is the one sized and wired for your space. Answer those two questions before you compare names, and you'll end up with a unit that looks built in and runs the way you want.

Pick a recessed wall unit like the Touchstone Forte if you're framing a new wall and want smart controls. Choose an insert like the PuraFlame Western if you have an old fireplace opening and an outlet nearby.

Either way, run a power monitor for a week so you know what the heat really costs.

Before you settle, read are electric fireplaces tacky to weigh the looks honestly, then measure your opening and check your circuit.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Dimplex fireplace put out real heat?

Most Dimplex electric fireplaces are supplemental heaters, not a main heat source. They take the chill off a room and can run as flames only in warm weather, so check the rated output before you count on one to warm a whole space.

Can you use an electric fireplace without the heat?

Yes. On the models that split flame and heat controls, you get the look all year with no warm air.

Both the Touchstone Forte and the PuraFlame Western run flames alone, which suits summer use and rooms where the home heating already works.

Is Dimplex a good brand to start with?

Dimplex is one of the well-known names in electric fireplaces, with a long record of flame designs. Being established is not the same as being best for your room, though.

Compare the opening size and install type first.

Do electric fireplaces raise the electric bill?

Flames alone cost very little because they are LED lights. The heater is the big draw, since a 1,500W unit pulls up to 12 amps on a 120V circuit.

Meter the fireplace for a week to see the real cost.