Best Recessed Electric Fireplaces
The best recessed electric fireplaces include the Touchstone Sideline 50 Inch In-Wall Recessed for a wall you may want hardwired, the R.W.FLAME 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted for a 50 inch wall with 2 x 6 studs, and the Touchstone Forte 40 Inch Recessed Fireplace for an existing fireplace opening.
On this page (18 sections)
- How we picked these seven recessed units
- Side by side: depth, width and heat for recessed units
- The 7 best recessed electric fireplaces in detail
- How deep does your wall cavity need to be?
- Which stud width does each unit need?
- Can you recess these fully, partly or not at all?
- Hardwired or plug-in: who does the power work?
- What heat and room size do these units claim?
- What comes in the box and how do you control it?
- Can you put a TV above a recessed unit?
- Flame look and the bed under the flame
- How loud are these recessed units?
- Smart control on recessed units
- Warranty and support on recessed units
- Measure the opening before you order
- How heavy are these recessed units?
- What to ask a pro before you recess a unit
- Picking the best recessed electric fireplace for your wall
The best recessed electric fireplace in this roundup is the Touchstone Sideline 50, with the R.W.FLAME 50 and the Touchstone Forte 40 next. We compared seven units on depth, stud fit, power options and controls, since each one sits inside a framed wall.
Recessing is a bigger job than hanging a unit. It takes framing, a stud fit and often a drywall cut, so the maker's manual and a pro should lead the work.
If you're still choosing between the two types, read wall mounted vs recessed electric fireplace first. For units that hang on the wall, see best wall mounted electric fireplaces.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a wall you may want hardwiredTouchstone Sideline 50 Inch In-Wall Recessed
8.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a 50 inch wall with 2 x 6 studsR.W.FLAME 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for an existing fireplace openingTouchstone Forte 40 Inch Recessed Fireplace
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itTehanld 50 Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed
Best for a shallow 50 inch recess - 5
Check itXbeauty 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted Insert
Best for a plug-in unit on a 2 x 4 wall - 6
Check itEUHOMY 36 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted
Best for a narrow 36 inch recess - 7
Check itRealSmart 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mount
Best for a 50 inch recess with three install options
How we picked these seven recessed units
We checked each unit's depth, width, stud fit, power notes and controls, then ranked them for a wall that is already framed. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Side by side: depth, width and heat for recessed units
The Tehanld 50 is the shallowest at 3.5 in deep, and the Sideline 50 is the deepest at 5.5 in, with a 6.2 in chamber. The Forte 40 is also 5.5 in deep.
| Product | Best for | Size | Depth | Heat | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touchstone Sideline 50 Inch In-Wall Recessed | a wall you may want hardwired | 50 in wide | 5.5 in (6.2 in chamber) | 1,500 W (5,000 BTU) | 8.7 |
| R.W.FLAME 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted | a 50 inch wall with 2 x 6 studs | 50 in wide | 3.86 in | 1,500 W | 8.6 |
| Touchstone Forte 40 Inch Recessed Fireplace | an existing fireplace opening | 40 in wide | 5.5 in | 1,500 W | 8.5 |
| Tehanld 50 Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed | a shallow 50 inch recess | 50 in wide | 3.5 in | 1,500 W | 8.3 |
| Xbeauty 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted Insert | a plug-in unit on a 2 x 4 wall | 50 in wide | 3.86 in | 1,500 W | 8.2 |
| EUHOMY 36 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted | a narrow 36 inch recess | 36 in wide | 4 in | 1,500 W | 8.1 |
| RealSmart 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mount | a 50 inch recess with three install options | 50 in wide | 4.1 in | 1,500 W | 7.9 |
The 7 best recessed electric fireplaces in detail
The Touchstone Sideline 50 scores highest because it's built for an in-wall recess and can be hardwired or plugged in. Each card below is followed by a short write-up on depth, framing and power.
Touchstone Sideline 50 Inch In-Wall Recessed
- 50.4 in wide, 5.5 in deep (6.2 in chamber)
- Hardwired or plug-in
- 1,500 W and 750 W settings
- Remote with 1 to 8 hour timer
- Drywall anchors and screws in the box
Built for an in-wall recess, and it can be hardwired or plugged in. At 59 lb it's the heaviest pick here with a stated weight, so plan the lift.
Pros
- Hardwired or plug-in power
- Built for an in-wall recess
- Remote with flame, heat and timer control
Cons
- 59 lb is heavy to lift into a wall alone
- The chamber is 6.2 in deep, so it needs more wall depth than the slim units
The Sideline 50 is 50.4 inches wide and 5.5 in deep, with a chamber that measures 6.2 in deep. That extra depth means it needs more room in the wall than the slim units on this list.
Touchstone says it can be hardwired or plugged in, and that choice decides who does the install. Touchstone includes drywall anchors and screws in the box, and the unit is built for an in-wall recess.
Touchstone gives 5,000 BTU and a thermostat from 68 to 88 F, and it says the unit covers up to 400 sq ft. That coverage figure is a claim about room size, not a promise for your room.
The remote controls the flame color and intensity, the heater and a shut-off timer from 1 to 8 hours. Touchstone also gives a 1-year limited warranty.
R.W.FLAME 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted
- 50 in wide, 3.86 in deep
- Fits 2 x 6 studs
- 750 W and 1,500 W settings
- Touch screen and remote
- 12 flame colors
A slim 50 inch unit for a 2 x 6 stud wall. At 3.86 in deep it needs less wall depth than the two 5.5 in Touchstone units.
Pros
- 3.86 in deep
- Touch screen and remote
- Adjustable flame color and speed
Cons
- Fits 2 x 6 studs, so check your cavity before you plan a 2 x 4 wall
- No unit weight is given, so confirm it before you plan the lift
The R.W.FLAME 50 is 50 inches wide and 3.86 in deep. R.W.FLAME says its older style was 6 in deep, so this unit is much thinner in the wall.
R.W.FLAME says it fits 2 x 6 studs, which is the framing detail to check first. It's sold for both recessing and wall mounting, so you can frame the wall for it or hang it on the surface.
The touch screen and remote set 12 flame colors, 5 speeds and 5 brightness levels. It runs at 750 W or 1,500 W, and R.W.FLAME says it covers up to 400 sq ft.
R.W.FLAME says it's ETL approved and has an auto heat-kill against overheating. Check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired before you plan the wall, and send any hard-wire work to a licensed electrician.
Touchstone Forte 40 Inch Recessed Fireplace
- 40 in wide, 5.5 in deep
- 1,500 W heater
- 6-foot cord and hard-wire ready
- Remote, app, Alexa and Google Home
- Logs and crystals included
A 40 inch recess that Touchstone says can go into an existing fireplace opening. It has a 6-foot cord, is hard-wire ready and works with an app, Alexa and Google Home.
Pros
- Touchstone says it can go in an existing fireplace opening
- 6-foot cord and hard-wire ready
- App, Alexa and Google Home control, per Touchstone
Cons
- 5.5 in deep, so it needs more wall depth than the slim units
- Touchstone advises a licensed pro to secure unused gas lines and vents in an old fireplace
The Forte 40 is 40 inches wide and 5.5 in deep, and it runs at 1,500 W. Touchstone says it's designed for in-wall mounting and can be attached to framing studs.
Touchstone says the Forte can go into an existing fireplace opening. It also advises a licensed professional to check any unused gas lines and vents, and the unit is ventless.
It has a 6-foot power cord for a 110 to 120 V outlet, and it's hard-wire ready for an in-wall install. Touchstone says it draws up to 12 amps, so a 15-amp circuit works, though other electronics on the same circuit may call for a 20-amp one.
The box includes logs, crystals, a remote and a wall-mount bracket for use if you don't recess it. Touchstone says it's WiFi enabled and works with Alexa, Google Home and a smartphone app.
Tehanld 50 Inch Ultra-Thin Recessed
- 50 in wide, 3.5 in deep
- 0, 750 W and 1,500 W settings
- Digital thermostat from 60 to 99 F
- 12-hour auto-off timer
- Child lock
The shallowest pick here at 3.5 in deep. Tehanld says it fits standard wall cavities for fully recessed, semi-recessed or flat mounting.
Pros
- Shallowest pick at 3.5 in
- Digital thermostat and three heat settings
- Child lock and auto-off timer
Cons
- At 46.3 lb it needs a helper for a wall install
- Tehanld gives no stud size, only that it fits standard wall cavities
The Tehanld 50 is 50 inches wide and 3.5 in deep, the shallowest unit in this group. Tehanld says it fits standard wall cavities and supports fully recessed, semi-recessed and flat wall-mounted installs.
It has three power settings, 0 W, 750 W and 1,500 W, and a digital thermostat that runs from 60 to 99 F.
A child lock, a 12-hour auto-off timer and overheat protection come built in. Tehanld calls its LED screen cool-touch.
The remote adjusts the temperature, flame and timer from across the room, and the box includes faux logs and crystal stones.
Tehanld backs the unit with a 1-year limited warranty. At 46.3 lb, it's heavy for one person, so plan a helper for the wall install.
Xbeauty 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted Insert
- 50 in wide, 3.86 in deep
- Fits 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 studs
- Plugs into a 120 V outlet
- 750 W and 1,500 W modes
- Weighs 39.4 lb
A 50 inch unit that fits a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 stud wall. It plugs into a 120 V outlet, but the manual still sets the rules for placing it.
Pros
- Fits 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 walls
- Plugs into a 120 V outlet
- Touch panel and remote
Cons
- Draws 12.5 amps, so read the manual's circuit notes first
- The recess box is only 30.35 in wide, so check it against your framing
The Xbeauty 50 is 50 inches wide and 3.86 in deep, and it's built for a wall mount or a recessed install. Xbeauty says it fits 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 stud walls.
It plugs into a 120 V outlet and draws 12.5 amps, so read the manual's circuit notes before you place it. Xbeauty gives the recess box as 30.35 in wide, 16.54 in tall and 3.86 in deep.
It runs at 750 W or 1,500 W, and the top setting is about 5,100 BTU per hour. Xbeauty says it covers up to 400 sq ft, which is a claim about room size.
The touch panel and remote adjust 12 flame and crystal hearth colors, plus the speed and brightness. Xbeauty says one person can hang the 39.4 lb unit, and that it's ETL certified.
EUHOMY 36 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted
- 36 in wide, 4 in deep
- 750 W and 1,500 W modes
- Thermostat from 62 to 82 F
- 1 to 8 hour timer
- Remote and touchscreen
A 36 inch unit for a narrow recess, at 4 in deep. EUHOMY says it can be fully recessed or wall mounted, with 2 years of technical support.
Pros
- Narrow 36 inch width
- Remote and touchscreen
- Two years of technical support, per EUHOMY
Cons
- At 4 in deep, it's a little deeper than the Tehanld 50
- No weight is stated, so ask the brand before you plan the lift
The EUHOMY 36 is 36 inches wide and 4 in deep, which suits a narrow recess. EUHOMY says it can be fully recessed or wall mounted.
It runs at 750 W or 1,500 W, and its thermostat holds a setting from 62 to 82 F. A 1 to 8 hour timer sets how long it stays on.
You can use the remote or the touchscreen, and the flame has 12 colors, 12 bed colors and 5 brightness levels. EUHOMY says the unit runs at 45 dB.
EUHOMY says it includes 2 years of technical support, a carbon log, crystal stones and the hardware. It also says the unit is ETL approved and shuts the heat off automatically as a safety feature.
RealSmart 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mount
- 50 in wide, 4.1 in deep
- Recessed, partly recessed or wall mounted
- Thermostat from 65 to 95 F
- 1 to 12 hour timer
- Remote and LED touch screen
A 50 inch unit with three install options and a 1 to 12 hour timer. RealSmart says it covers up to 600 sq ft, which is a maker's room size claim.
Pros
- Three install options
- 1 to 12 hour timer and a 65 to 95 F thermostat
- Quiet at 38 dB, per RealSmart
Cons
- The 600 sq ft figure is RealSmart's own claim, higher than the 400 sq ft most makers give
- At 4.1 in deep, it takes more wall depth than the 3.5 in Tehanld
The RealSmart 50 is 50 inches wide and 4.1 in deep, and it can be fully recessed, partly recessed or wall mounted. RealSmart says it's built for a 2 x 6 stud wall.
It runs at 750 W or 1,500 W, with a thermostat from 65 to 95 F and a timer from 1 to 12 hours.
RealSmart says it covers up to 600 sq ft. That's more than the 400 sq ft most makers claim here, but it's still the maker's room size figure, not a promise.
The flame has 12 colors, 12 bed colors and 5 speed and brightness levels. RealSmart says the unit runs at 38 dB, and the package includes a remote, crystal stones and an installation manual.
How deep does your wall cavity need to be?
Depth decides whether a unit fits your wall, and the picks here run from 3.5 in to 6.2 in deep. Measure the cavity depth before you choose, since a deeper unit needs more room inside the wall.
Recessed electric fireplace depth at a glance
The Tehanld 50 is the slimmest at 3.5 in. The R.W.FLAME 50 and Xbeauty 50 are 3.86 in, and the EUHOMY 36 and RealSmart 50 run 4 in and 4.1 in.
The Forte 40 is 5.5 in deep, and the Sideline 50 is 5.5 in deep with a 6.2 in chamber. Depth sets how far the unit sits into the wall, so it's the first number to check.
Which stud width does each unit need?
Xbeauty says its unit fits 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 walls, while R.W.FLAME and RealSmart say theirs fit 2 x 6 studs. Touchstone, Tehanld and EUHOMY give no stud size, so confirm the framing with the brand before you order.
Never cut into a load-bearing wall or a wall with wires or pipes. Have a pro check the framing, and follow the maker's manual for every step.
Can you recess these fully, partly or not at all?
Most of these units can also hang on the wall surface, so you don't have to recess every one. Tehanld says its 50 supports fully recessed, semi-recessed and flat wall-mounted installs, and RealSmart says the same for fully recessed, partly recessed and wall mounted.
EUHOMY says its 36 can be fully recessed or wall mounted, and Xbeauty says its 50 is made for flush recessing or wall mounting. The Forte 40 is designed for recessed in-wall mounting, and its box includes a wall-mount bracket if you don't recess it.
Hardwired or plug-in: who does the power work?
The Sideline 50 can be hardwired or plugged in, the Forte is hard-wire ready with a 6-foot cord, and the Xbeauty plugs into a 120 V outlet. Check which type you have before you plan the wall.
A hard-wired unit goes to a licensed electrician, and so does any new outlet you need. For Touchstone's full range, see its website.
What heat and room size do these units claim?
Most picks top out at 1,500 W, which is about 5,100 BTU per hour. The room sizes are maker claims, not measured results for your room.
At 1,500 W, a unit draws about 12.5 amps on a 120 V circuit, so read the manual's circuit notes. Touchstone, R.W.FLAME, EUHOMY and Xbeauty claim 400 sq ft of coverage, and RealSmart claims 600 sq ft.
An electric fireplace warms the zone it sits in, so think of it as supplemental heat rather than a whole-house heater.
What comes in the box and how do you control it?
The Sideline 50 and Forte 40 ship with a log, crystals, a remote and drywall anchors and screws. The Tehanld 50 includes faux logs and crystal stones, and the EUHOMY 36 comes with a carbon log, crystal stones and hardware.
Thermostats sit on the Tehanld 50, EUHOMY 36 and RealSmart 50, and both Touchstone units run a thermostat from 68 to 88 F. The R.W.FLAME 50 and Xbeauty 50 have touch panels as well as remotes.
Can you put a TV above a recessed unit?
Don't assume so. Read both the fireplace maker's and the TV maker's heat and clearance notes before you put a TV above or beside any unit here.
Touchstone says to allow at least 8 in of space above the Sideline 50 and Forte 40, and for the Forte it names a TV, mantel or ceiling. Check the full note in the manual before you plan the TV height.
Flame look and the bed under the flame
The Tehanld 50 goes furthest on flame choice, with up to 144 color combinations between the flame and the bed. It comes with both faux logs and crystal stones, so you can switch the look.
The EUHOMY 36 and RealSmart 50 each offer 12 flame colors and 12 bed colors, and Xbeauty offers 12 flame and crystal hearth colors. Touchstone says the Forte's 5 flame settings run from a soft ember glow to an intense blaze.
The R.W.FLAME 50 adds 5 speeds and 5 brightness levels. The Sideline, Forte, Tehanld, EUHOMY, Xbeauty and RealSmart all say the flame can run with the heat off.
How loud are these recessed units?
Only three of these units give a noise figure. Tehanld says its 50 inch unit runs at 40 dB, RealSmart says its 50 inch unit runs at 38 dB, and EUHOMY says its 36 inch unit runs at 45 dB.
R.W.FLAME calls its 50 inch unit low noise but gives no number. The Sideline 50, Forte 40 and Xbeauty 50 don't name a noise figure either, so ask the brand before you pick if a quiet room matters.
Smart control on recessed units
The Touchstone Forte 40 is the one pick here with app and voice control. Touchstone says it works with Alexa, Google Home and a smartphone app, alongside the remote.
RealSmart calls its controls smart too, but it describes a touch screen and a remote rather than an app. The Sideline 50, R.W.FLAME 50, Tehanld 50, EUHOMY 36 and Xbeauty 50 use a remote and, on some, a touch panel, with no app.
Warranty and support on recessed units
Touchstone gives the Sideline 50 and Forte 40 a 1-year limited warranty, and Tehanld gives its 50 inch unit a 1-year limited warranty too. EUHOMY's 36 inch unit comes with 2 years of technical support instead.
R.W.FLAME, Xbeauty and RealSmart don't state a warranty length, so check with each brand before you buy.
Measure the opening before you order
Touchstone's chamber sizes show how much room each unit needs. The Sideline 50 chamber is 50.4 in wide, 21.5 in tall and 6.2 in deep, and the Forte 40 chamber is 39.25 in wide, 28 in tall and 5.5 in deep.
Measure your own opening the same way, at the top, middle and bottom, and check the depth in more than one spot.
Note any trim, outlet or cord reach that sits in the way, and check the exact sizes in the maker's manual before you order.
How heavy are these recessed units?
Four of the seven give a weight. The Sideline 50 is the heaviest at 59 lb, then the Tehanld 50 at 46.3 lb, the Forte 40 at 45 lb and the Xbeauty 50 at 39.4 lb.
R.W.FLAME, EUHOMY and RealSmart give no clear weight for these sizes. Confirm the weight before you plan the lift, and consider a second person for any of them.
What to ask a pro before you recess a unit
A pro can check the wall's structure, the wiring and the pipe locations before any cut is made. Ask them to confirm the stud fit against the unit's width, and to check where the outlet or hard-wire point will sit.
Ask the pro to read the maker's manual with you, especially the clearance and framing notes. For a hard-wired unit, a licensed electrician should make the connection, and that work is separate from the framing.
Picking the best recessed electric fireplace for your wall
Pick the Sideline 50 if you want a hardwire or plug-in choice, and the Tehanld 50 if your wall is shallow.
Pick the Xbeauty 50 for a plug-in unit on a 2 x 4 wall, and the Forte 40 for an existing fireplace opening or app control.
Pick the R.W.FLAME 50 for a slim 2 x 6 wall, the EUHOMY 36 for a narrow recess, and the RealSmart 50 if you want a partly recessed option.
Before you order, measure the cavity and read how to install a recessed electric fireplace. For a fuller plan on size, see best 50 inch recessed electric fireplaces and what size electric fireplace do you need.
If the Forte fits your opening, our Touchstone Forte 40 review goes deeper on that model. The wall mounted and recessed electric fireplace guide covers the rest of the choices.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for a wall you may want hardwired
Touchstone Sideline 50 Inch In-Wall Recessed
8.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a 50 inch wall with 2 x 6 studs
R.W.FLAME 50 Inch Recessed and Wall Mounted
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for an existing fireplace opening
Touchstone Forte 40 Inch Recessed Fireplace
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
Can you recess an electric fireplace into any wall?
No, a recessed unit needs a wall cavity that fits its depth and stud width, and it should never go into a load-bearing wall or a wall with wires or pipes. Bring in a pro for the framing, and follow the maker's manual step by step.
What stud size does a recessed electric fireplace need?
It depends on the unit. Xbeauty says its 50 inch fits 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 walls, while R.W.FLAME and RealSmart say their 50 inch units fit 2 x 6 studs, so measure your cavity and match the fit before you buy.
Are recessed electric fireplaces hard-wired?
Some are and some plug in, so check which type you are buying. Touchstone says the Sideline 50 can be hardwired or plugged in, and the Forte is hard-wire ready with a 6-foot cord, but hard-wiring is a licensed electrician's job.
How deep should the wall be for a recessed unit?
Check the unit's depth against your cavity, since the Tehanld 50 is 3.5 in deep while the Touchstone Sideline 50 and Forte 40 are 5.5 in, with a 6.2 in chamber on the Sideline. The R.W.FLAME 50 and Xbeauty 50 sit at 3.86 in.
Does a recessed electric fireplace heat a whole house?
No, these are zone heaters that warm only the room they sit in, so a whole house needs other heat. The 400 and 600 square foot figures are maker claims about room size, so check them against your own floor plan.
