Expert Review of Touchstone Electric Fireplaces

Touchstone is one of the leading brands of electric fireplaces. Touchstone electric fireplaces have been among our best selling electric fireplaces since we started working with them in 2014.

Touchstone electric fireplaces are innovative, high-quality, and affordable which explains their popularity. In this article we review all the lines of Touchstone's electric fireplaces and break down how they work for different applications.

About Touchstone

Touchstone was founded in 2005 with the main focus on TV Lift Cabinets. They introduced electric fireplaces in 2012. The company takes pride in their craft and customer satisfaction is their priority. Modern Blaze is an authorized Touchstone dealer, so everything here carries the full one-year manufacturer warranty.

The brand has a wide selection of wall-mounted, recessed, single-sided and three-sided fireplaces as well as free standing fireplace + mantel packages. Most of their fireplaces are for indoor use, and they also make two models rated for outdoor use.

Here is a bit of history: the fireplace Touchstone launched in 2012 was the Onyx, a wall mount. It has since been retired, and the range today is built around the recessed Sideline.

Watch our conversation with Evan Bradley, VP of Sales of Touchstone Home Products:

Get to know the brand. We discuss all the product lines mentioned below as well as some of the behind the scene of what goes into developing their products:

The series at a glance

Every model here is electric and ventless, runs 1,500 watts on high with a lower setting under it, and ships with both a log set and crystal embers. What actually separates them is the shape, the wall they need, and whether they take app control.

Series	Shape and size	Where it installs	Controls	Best for
Sideline	Linear, in the widest range of sizes	Recesses into a 2x6 wall or a build-out at 5 1/2 inches deep, or hangs on the included bracket	Remote on every size, plus app and voice on all of them except the 28-inch	The straightforward wide linear look
Sideline Elite	Linear, with a slimmer frame	Same 5 1/2 inch depth as the Sideline, so a 2x6 wall or a build-out	Remote, app and voice	A noticeably bigger flame at the same outside width
Sideline Elite Pro	Linear, with the deepest firebox	6 5/16 inches deep, so a 2x6 wall or a build-out. Partially recesses into 2x4 with the Spacer Kit	Remote, app and voice	The widest viewing area, more visual depth, and crackling sound
Sideline Fury	Linear, and the slim one	4 1/2 inches deep, the only model Touchstone rates for a 2x4 wall on its own	Remote, app and voice	A flush built-in where the wall is only 2x4
Forte	The compact size, 40 inches wide by about 26 tall, sold in several styles	5 5/8 inches deep, so a 2x6 wall or a build-out	Remote, app and voice, except the mesh-screen Steel version which is remote only	A smaller wall, or a shape closer to a traditional fireplace
Chesmont	Three-sided, with a mantel built around it	Hangs on the wall at 7 1/8 inches deep. No framing and no drywall work	Remote, app and voice	Three sides without building anything
Infinity PRO and Forte Infinity Pro	Three-sided, in a long size and a compact 40-inch size	9 1/4 inches deep, so the wall has to be built out for it	Remote, app and voice	Flames from more than one angle, on a peninsula or a room divider
Fireplug Pro	An insert rather than a built-in	Drops into a fireplace opening you already have, at 7 7/8 inches deep	Remote, app and voice	A wood fireplace you stopped using
Outdoor models	Linear, in two sizes	Rated for a covered patio, recessed or surface mounted	The Sideline Outdoor is remote only. The Elite Outdoor adds app and voice	The fire outdoors. Neither one has a heater
Mantel packages	A Sideline Elite or Forte Elite in a freestanding mantel	Assemble it and plug it in. No installation at all	Remote, app and voice	Renting, or not wanting to build anything

General Info: Electric Fireplaces by Installation

• Wall-mounted fireplaces are the best choice for easy installation, just hang them on the wall like a picture.
• Recessed fireplaces require a bit more effort since they're built into the wall for a sleek look.
• There are models that can be installed into a 2x4 wall and there are models that require a bump-out.
• With deeper fireplaces you usually get better looking flames though.
• Add a freestanding mantel and there is no installation at all, you just assemble it and plug it in. Touchstone does this with the Forte Elite and the Sideline Elite.
• Either way it is electric, so there is no gas line and no chimney. Every Touchstone model plugs into a standard household outlet.

Touchstone Wall Mounts: The Chesmont Is the One Built for It

If you are not ready for a big project and want a quick and easy fireplace solution - a wall mounted electric fireplace is the way to go. Hang it on almost any wall and plug it in.

Almost all Touchstone electric fireplaces come with a wall mount bracket so you always have this option.

Something to pay attention to: even though you could technically wall mount almost all of their electric fireplaces doesn't mean you should.

Be mindful of the firebox. That's the part of the fireplace that is behind the flames. It will stick out so a side view might be awkward.

Chesmont

The best wall mounted electric fireplace that Touchstone currently offers is Chesmont. It comes with a mantel that frames the flames. This addition gives a fireplace a finished look and hides the firebox.

Note: Chesmont is often photographed with purple or blue flame, but it does have natural flame colors as well. Check out our customer's photos here: Chesmont Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace

Touchstone Built-Ins

When it comes to built-in electric fireplaces, Touchstone covers all the bases. From 2x4 installation to a deep 3-sided fireplace.

Only the Fury Fits a 2x4 Wall on Its Own

Let's start with a 2x4 installation. A 2x4 stud wall gives you about 3.5 inches to work with, which rules out most of the range. Here you have the Touchstone Fury at 4 1/2 inches deep, featuring impressive flames for how slim it is. Touchstone is the one rating it for 2x4 walls, and it works because the drywall adds the rest of the depth rather than the studs alone.

Another option for a 2x4 wall from Touchstone is the Sideline Elite Pro with the Spacer Kit (sold separately). The Spacer Kit lets the Elite Pro recess partway into a 2x4 wall and covers the part that still sticks out, so the look is more finished. Touchstone's own advice is that a bump-out is still the better job if you can build one.

Everything Else Needs a 2x6 Wall or a Build-Out

Most of the range runs about 5 1/2 inches deep, which is what a 2x6 wall gives you. The three-sided models are deeper again at 9 1/4 inches and need the wall built out for them.

Touchstone is really one line, the Sideline, sold in different shapes and depths:

• Sideline is the long linear shape, and the most popular one for the modern look.
• Forte is the compact 40" size. Touchstone calls it a size rather than a separate line, and sells it in several styles. It reads closer to a traditional fireplace, especially the steel model with mesh screen.
• Three-sided models let you see the flames from more than one angle.
• Fireplug Pro is the insert, made to drop into a fireplace opening you already have rather than into new framing.

Let's take a closer look.

Touchstone Sideline

The Sideline series is one of the most popular electric fireplaces from Touchstone. They come with wall mount brackets but they are really designed for a built-in installation. You will either need a thicker wall or a bump-out to install these fireplaces.

Sideline electric fireplaces currently have 3 categories:

• Regular Sideline: has a slightly thicker frame and is an introductory model.

• Sideline Elite: has a slimmer frame, so a larger viewing area at the same outside width, plus smart features and more flame color options.

• Sideline Elite Pro: has everything Elite has plus a deeper firebox, a wider viewing area, realistic logs, more flame colors, downlighting and crackling sound.

Watch videos to compare the 3 different Sidelines:

Specialty Sideline Models

Touchstone made other Sideline models available to customers who want or need something visually different.

• Sideline Steel: features black matte steel frame as opposed to standard glossy glass frame. The mesh-screen Steel models are remote only, with no app.
• Sideline Stainless Steel: features silver color stainless steel frame.
• Deluxe Gold: features brushed gold frame.

• Sideline Outdoor has a black steel frame designed for outdoor use or installation in moist spaces like bathrooms. There is a Sideline Elite Outdoor too, and both ship with no heater.

Forte Is a Size, Not a Separate Line

Touchstone Forte is a narrower and taller version of the Sideline, 40" wide and about 26" tall. Touchstone's own wording is that the Forte "offers a classic fireplace size," available in several Sideline styles, so it is a shape rather than a different product family. Designed for recessed installation, Forte has almost all the features the Sideline series has, but because of its proportions it looks more traditional.

If you want to get even closer to that traditional fireplace look, check out Forte with Steel Frame and Mesh Screen.

Three-Sided: Flames From More Than One Angle

Infinity PRO is the three-sided Sideline. You can view flames from multiple angles. It looks impressive and will make a beautiful focal point in a living room. There is a Forte Infinity Pro in the compact 40" size as well.

These come with all the latest features including multicolor flames, Wi-Fi and smart controls.

As most 3-sided fireplaces, Infinity has 4 installation options: three glass sides, left side visible, right side visible or front only visible.

These can technically be wall mounted and they come with wall mount brackets, but at 9 1/4 inches deep they are the heaviest thing in the range. Check that your wall and your hardware can carry it, and get the weight for your size off the product page before you buy the fixings.

Fireplug Pro: The One That Drops Into a Fireplace You Already Have

Everything above goes into a wall you build or open up. The Fireplug Pro is the exception: it is an insert, built to sit in an existing masonry opening. If you have a wood fireplace you stopped using, this is the one to look at, because there is no framing and no drywall work involved. A trim kit is sold separately to close the gap between the unit and the opening.

If you want the look without replacing anything, Touchstone also makes the Burnbrite, a plug-in electric log set that sits straight into the opening of a fireplace you already have.

Touchstone Fireplace + Mantel Packages

Touchstone has been investing in accessories that make it easy for customers to set up beautiful fireplaces in their homes.

Just a simple addition of a free standing mantel turns their popular fireplaces into free standing electric fireplaces that don't require any installation at all.

Simply assemble, plug in and enjoy.

Free Standing Touchstone Sideline Elite

Get the beautiful flames and all the features of the Sideline Elite so loved by customers without any installation. This mantel package has a more contemporary look and is easy to assemble.

Free Standing Touchstone Forte

For a more traditional look, Touchstone Forte Elite with a Free Standing Mantel is a great choice.

The Heater Is Supplemental, and It Switches Off

Every heated Touchstone runs 1,500 watts on high with a lower setting underneath it. That is roughly 5,000 BTU, rated for about 400 square feet. Think of it as taking the chill off a bedroom or a living room on a cool evening, not as the thing that heats your house in January.

The part worth knowing: the flame runs on its own with the heater off. That is what makes one of these worth having in July.

These heat by fan-forced convection, the same way a fan heater does, which warms the air in the room. They are not infrared. That distinction matters the moment you take one outside, and it is why the outdoor models are built the way they are.

Something to pay attention to: if a TV is going above it, Touchstone's current manuals ask for at least 8 inches of clearance from the top of the glass to the TV. Older Touchstone paperwork said 12 inches, so check the manual that came in your box rather than an older copy online. Our own rule of thumb is to make the fireplace at least as wide as the screen, or the proportions look off.

The Outdoor Models Have No Heater, on Purpose

Touchstone's two outdoor-rated fireplaces ship with the flame and nothing else, and that is honest design rather than a feature they left out. Outdoors, warmed air drifts away before it reaches anyone sitting down, so an outdoor electric fireplace earns its place on looks.

If you want people to stay comfortable on the patio after dark, that is a job for an infrared patio heater. Infrared warms people and objects directly, the way sunshine warms you on a cold day, so it keeps working in a breeze. The two pair well together: the fireplace is the thing you look at, the heaters overhead are what keep the whole seating group warm.

See the Sideline Running Before You Buy

Stills flatter every electric fireplace. These are ours, filmed in our own space, and they are the honest version. Note that Touchstone's flame is an LED flame effect, which means the flame is made out of patterned light rather than a recording of a real fire. It reads as fire across a room and reads as light up close, and video is the only fair way to judge that.

The same fireplace with a log set and with crystal glass media. Both ship in the box, so this is a decision you make after it arrives, not before:

Flame colors, running through the range:

Here is what the install actually involves:

• Frame the wall and run the receptacle inside it, if your local code allows that.
• Insert the fireplace in the opening.
• Secure the fireplace to the wall with screws.
• Insert crystals or log set.
• Install the glass front panel.

Always check your local electrical code and use a licensed electrician for the wiring. Every Touchstone plugs into a standard outlet, and nearly all of them can be hardwired instead if you would rather not have an outlet in the opening. Two cannot: Touchstone’s manual says the 28-inch Sideline cannot be hardwired, and the Burnbrite log set has to be plugged in. Check the manual for your own model before you plan the wiring.

Customer Reviews

We've summed up what our customers had to say about Touchstone products. See their actual reviews below.

One thing to know before you read the numbers: the original Sideline sizes share a single review count, because they are the same fireplace in different widths. That is deliberate, not a glitch.

Sideline Series

Touchstone's best selling series got a rating 4.9 out 5 stars from 151 reviews.

PROS: Simple to install, comes with decorative media, no mess, no installation cost, low operation cost, realistic flames, reasonable price, can be used without heat, silent heater, timer, great for supplementary heat, with remote, safe for kids, ventless

CONS: Only 3 flame colors, no crackling sound, not enough heat, flames can be taller, loud beep when changing modes

Sideline Elite

This is an improved version of the Sideline series, customers gave this fireplace 4.9 out of 5 stars, 57 reviews.

PROS: Looks fantastic, easy to install, easy to operate, great value for the price, realistic flames, quiet heater, lots of color options, comes with decorative media, no smoke, feels like real fire

CONS: Can't tell if heater is on low or high, flames can be taller, no pulsating log, noisy heater

Forte 40

Customers rated this 4.8 out of 5 stars, 19 reviews.

PROS: Traditional proportions, fits a smaller wall, easy to install, good flame for the size, quiet, comes with both log set and crystals, no venting needed

CONS: Only 40 inches wide so it does not suit a large media wall, mesh screen version is remote only

Chesmont

Customers rated this 4.9 out of 5 stars, 39 reviews.

PROS: Realistic flames, looks great, modern chic, elegant, easy to install, produces good heat, no assembly needed, front heat vent, on-demand heat, good quality

CONS: Flimsy mount, flames do not look realistic, pricey

Final Thoughts

To sum up, here are the important notes about Touchstone fireplaces:

1. Touchstone has a variety of models to offer their customers at competitive prices. All are quite easy to install.
2. All Touchstone electric fireplaces provide approximately 5,000 BTUs of heat. According to some of the customer reviews, that isn't enough heat for cold winter nights.
3. Customers in general were quite happy with their purchase. At best, these electric fireplaces are good for supplementary heat and are not meant to be the primary heating solution.
4. This is a value brand and it is fair to say what that buys and what it does not. You get smart control, a wide range of widths and a genuinely easy install at a price the premium brands do not reach. What you do not get is a flame that holds up to being studied from two feet away, because an LED flame effect is patterned light rather than filmed fire. If close-range realism is the thing that matters most to you, look at water vapor and virtual flame models too.
5. Most of the range is WiFi enabled and works with Alexa and Google Home through the Touchstone Fireplace app. A few of the simpler models, including the mesh-screen Steel versions, are remote only, so check the product page before you plan a smart home routine around one.
6. Touchstone makes two electric fireplaces rated for outdoor use, the 50" Sideline Outdoor and the 60" Sideline Elite Outdoor. Just remember that neither one provides heat, but they do look fantastic and will bring that warm and cozy feel outdoors.
7. Touchstone's three-sided fireplaces are stylish and functional accents for any wall. If you want a fireplace with a gorgeous view from any angle, get the Chesmont for a wall mount installation or Infinity PRO for a built-in.

We hope this handy guide helps you decide which Touchstone fireplace best suits your needs.

Did we cover everything? Comment below or get in touch with our team of fireplace experts: (866) 713-2399 or support@modernblaze.com. We'll be happy to answer all your questions!

Continue Reading:

• The Best Electric Fireplaces of 2026, Ranked by What Sells
• 3 Types of Electric Fireplaces to Install in a 2x4 Wall
• Best Outdoor Electric Fireplaces

Shop Touchstone Fireplaces:

• All Touchstone Fireplaces
• Touchstone Sideline Electric Fireplaces
• Touchstone Recessed Electric Fireplaces
• Touchstone Forte Electric Fireplaces
• Touchstone 3-Sided Electric Fireplaces
• Touchstone Wall Mounts

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