Dimplex and Touchstone are the two brands most electric-fireplace shoppers end up choosing between. Dimplex is the premium name with the most realistic flame; Touchstone is the value leader with more color options at a lower price. Both are legitimately good — the “right” one depends on how much flame realism is worth to you. Here’s how they actually compare in 2026.
Head to head at a glance
| Dimplex | Touchstone | |
|---|---|---|
| Flame realism | Best in class (layered, no loop) | Very good from a distance |
| Flame colors | Fewer, focused on realism | Multiple colors + brightness |
| Price (comparable width) | Premium (~$900+) | Value (~$430–$600) |
| Install | Recessed/wall + strong insert line | Recessed/wall, incl. 3-sided |
| Build & glass | Excellent | Excellent for the price |
| Best for | Realism as a focal point | Value, color, everyday rooms |
Flame realism
This is the clearest difference. Dimplex owns flame realism. Its layered flame effect with a genuine ember bed and randomized flicker doesn’t loop the way LED units do, and it’s the only one that reliably holds up when you’re standing right in front of it. Touchstone looks great too — from a normal viewing distance across a living room, most people can’t tell — but its flame follows a more repeating pattern that a picky eye will catch up close. If the fireplace is a centerpiece people gather around, Dimplex’s flame is worth the premium.
Colors, features, and control
Here Touchstone pushes back. Its Sideline line offers multiple flame colors, an ember-bed color choice on some models, and fine brightness control — fun, flexible ambiance that Dimplex’s realism-first approach doesn’t chase. If you like changing the mood (cool blue one night, orange fire the next), Touchstone gives you more to play with.
Touchstone Sideline Elite Electric Fireplace
- Frameless "infinity" glass, multiple flame colors, brightness control.
- Recessed or wall-mount; 1500W heat to ~400 sq ft.
- Strong build and support for the price.
Either way you’ll be moving a heavy, bulky unit — a free 30-day Amazon Prime trial gets it delivered in two days so you can plan the install around a free weekend.
Price and value
Touchstone is the value brand. A comparable-width Sideline typically runs 30–50% less than a Dimplex IgniteXL, and it doesn’t feel cheap doing it — the glass and frame quality are genuinely good. Dimplex is premium and charges for its flame technology and reputation. If your budget is the deciding factor, Touchstone gives you 90% of the everyday experience for meaningfully less.
Dimplex IgniteXL Linear Electric Fireplace
- Patented layered flame with real ember bed — the realism benchmark.
- Recessed or wall-mount; sizes up to 100" wide.
- 1500W heater runs independently of the flame.
Install options and inserts
Both brands do recessed and wall-mount linear units, so for a standard feature wall it’s a wash. Two differences matter: Touchstone offers a 3-sided (peninsula/room-divider) model that Dimplex doesn’t emphasize, while Dimplex has a much stronger insert line (the Revillusion) for retrofitting an existing masonry firebox. If you’re converting an old wood fireplace rather than building a new wall feature, Dimplex is the safer bet — see our best electric fireplace insert guide.
The bottom line
Choose Dimplex if flame realism is your priority — it’s the most convincing fire in the category and the better choice for a focal-point fireplace or a firebox retrofit. Choose Touchstone if you want the best value, more flame-color options, or a 3-sided install — you’ll spend a lot less and, from across the room, most people won’t know the difference. Both are excellent; you’re really deciding how much that last bit of realism is worth. For the full field, see our best electric fireplace rankings.