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.
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, but they also have an electric fireplace for outdoor use.
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:
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 2"x4" wall and there are models that require a bump-out.
- With deeper fireplaces you usually get better looking flames though.
Touchstone Wall Mounts
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 wall mounted bracket so you always have this option.
Onyx
Touchstone knows how to do wall mounts. In fact Touchstone's original fireplace, the one they launched in 2012 was the Onyx, wall mounted electric fireplace. They still have it: Onyx Collection
Onyx Stainless
Onyx Stainless is just like the original Onyx fireplace, but with a stainless steel frame. A slight difference between this 50” wide stainless steel model and the original Onyx and Ivory is its depth. Onyx stainless is only 5” deep. 
In photo: Touchstone Onyx Stainless - 50" Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace
Mirror Onyx
If you value style above other features, Mirror Onyx might just become your best friend. It has a glass frame with a mirror finish that will make a strong design statement in your living room, family room, or any room in your home.
In photo: Touchstone Mirror Onyx - 50" Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace
This stylish and functional fireplace doubles as a large mirror when not lit, concealing the decorative media. It also features realistic flames with 5 flame settings, and optional heat function.
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. Onyx models manage to hide it with larger frame.
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 basis. From 2"x4" installation to a deep 3-sided fireplace.
2"x"4 Wall Installation
Let's start with a 2"x4" installation. Here you have a 4" deep Touchstone Fury featuring impressive flames for how slim it is. It perfect width to fit popular TV sizes: 46", 57", and 65".
Photo: Touchstone Fury
Another option for a 2"x4" wall from Touchstone is Sideline Elite Pro with Space Kit (sold separately). Space kit allows to nicely cover the part that sticks out from the wall after you recess the fireplace making the look more finished.
Photo: Sideline Elite Pro
For 2"x6" installation or build-outs
For deeper walls or build-outs / bump-outs, Touchstone offers 3 different lines of fireplaces: Sideline, Forte, and Infinity.
- Sideline is the most popular one for the modern linear fireplace look.
- Forte is available in 40" size and looks closer to a traditional style fireplace. Especially if you pick the steel model with mesh screen.
- Infinity is a gorgeous 3-sided model that allows to view flames from multiple angles.
Let's take a closer look at these 3 models.
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.
Photo: Sideline 72"
- Sideline Elite: has slimmer frame, smart features, and more flame color options.
Photo: Sideline Elite
- Sideline Elite Pro: has everything Elite has + more realistic flames, pulsating ember bed, realistic logs, more flame colors and downlight.
Photo: Sideline Elite Pro
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.
- Sideline Stainless Steel: features silver color stainless steel frame.
- Sideline Gold: features brushed gold frame.
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Sideline Outdoor has a black steel frame designed for outdoor use or installation in moist spaces like bathrooms. It is the only Sideline electric fireplace with no heat.
In photo: Touchstone Sideline Outdoor - 50" Recessed / Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace, No Heat
Touchstone Forte
Touchstone Forte 40” is a narrower and taller version of the original Sideline electric fireplace. Designed for recessed installation, Forte has almost all the features that the Sideline series has, but because of it's 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.
Photo: Forte with Steel Frame and Mesh Screen.
Infinity 3-Sided Electric Fireplace
Infinity a 3-sided electric fireplace by Touchstone. You can view flames from multiple angles. It looks impressive and will make a beautiful focal point in a living room.
Infinity comes with all the latest features including multicolor flames, Wi-Fi and smart controls. This 3-sided electric fireplace is an amazing deal.
Photo: Infinity
As most 3-sided fireplaces, Infinity has 4 installation options: three glass sides, left side visible, right side visible or front only visible.
This fireplace can technically be wall mounted and it comes with wall mount brackets but it is pretty heavy, so you need to make sure that your wall and hardware can support the heavy weight:
- 50" Wide Model: 90 lbs
- 60" Wide Model: 110 lbs
- 72" Wide Model: 123 lbs
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 dont 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, is easy to assemble and the price point is unbeatable for what you get.
Photo: Touchstone Sideline Elite Free Standing Electric Fireplace with Mantel
Free Standing Touchstone Forte
For a more traditional look, Touchstone Forte Elite with a Free Standing Mantel is a great choice.
Customer Reviews
We've summed up what our customers had to say about Touchstone products. See their actual and honest reviews below.
Sideline Series
Touchstone's best selling series got a rating 4.9 out 5 stars from 147 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, 52 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
Infinity
Onyx
Customers gave it 4.9 out of 5 stars, 65 reviews.
PROS: Affordable, easy to install, looks great, nice flames, remote, zero maintenance, easy to change decorative media, blower is quiet not silent, on demand heat, timer, low operating cost
CONS: Loud heater, insufficient heat, basic remote, orange flames only, can’t use the log set and crystals at the same time, flames can be taller, no thermostat, top vent
Chesmont
Customers rated this 4.9 out of 5 stars, 38 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, plug-in only, flames do not look realistic, pricey
Final Thoughts
To sum up, here are the important notes about Touchstone fireplaces:
- Touchstone has a variety of models to offer their customers at competitive prices. All are quite easy to install.
- 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.
- 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.
- The reviews reveal that a lot of people want a thermostat with their fireplace. If you want this feature, you can choose between Sideline Elite, Sideline Elite Pro and Infinity. All are top of the line. These are the only two Touchstone fireplaces that have more than three flame colors as well.
- Touchstone does have one electric fireplace for outdoor use, the 50” Sideline Outdoor. Just remember that this model does not provide heat, but it does look fantastic and will surely bring that warm and cozy feel outdoors.
- Touchstone’s three-sided fireplaces with modern mantels are stylish and functional accents for any wall. If you want to have a fireplace with a gorgeous view from any angle, get the Chesmont for a wall mount installation or Infinity 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!
Related Articles:
- Best Electric Fireplaces to Buy This Year
Shop Touchstone Fireplaces:
- All Touchstone Fireplaces
- Touchstone Wall Mounts
- Touchstone Built-Ins
- Touchstone Sideline
- Touchstone Onyx
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