Touchstone Forte 40 Electric Fireplace Insert Reviews
The Touchstone Forte 40 is a smart electric fireplace insert for a recessed or existing opening, with a realistic flame and 1,500 W of heat. It fits a living room that wants a flame look and some heat, not a main heater.
On this page (13 sections)
- Is the Touchstone Forte 40 a good electric fireplace insert?
- How big is the Forte 40, and how deep does the wall need to be?
- How much heat does the Forte 40 put out?
- What do the flame, log and crystals look like?
- How do the app, remote and Alexa controls work?
- Can you plug in the Forte 40, or does it need hard-wiring?
- Can you put the Forte 40 under a TV?
- What comes in the box, and what do you still need?
- Can the Forte 40 go into a recessed wall or an existing fireplace?
- Is the premium price worth it?
- Who should buy the Forte 40, and who should skip it?
- How we scored the Forte 40
- Pick the Touchstone Forte 40 electric fireplace insert if your wall fits
The Touchstone Forte 40 is a good electric fireplace insert for a wall deep enough for it. It has a realistic flame, 1,500 W of heat and WiFi control.
Touchstone designed it for a recessed, in-wall install and says it can also go into an existing fireplace opening.
This page reviews what the Forte 40 gives you, where it falls short and who should buy it. We compared the specs and Touchstone's own notes.
If you're still choosing between recessed and wall mounted, see wall mounted vs recessed electric fireplace, and for the bigger picture, our wall mounted and recessed electric fireplace guide covers every type.
Is the Touchstone Forte 40 a good electric fireplace insert?
Yes, if you want a 40-inch unit with a realistic flame, some heat and smart control. It's a weaker pick if your wall is shallow or you need the unit to heat a whole room.
Touchstone describes the Forte as a recessed unit that also fits existing fireplace openings, so it works as an electric fireplace insert in either setup.
It suits a living room wall with enough depth for a 5.5 inch chamber, or an existing opening you want to fill with a flame.
The flame is the main draw, with a glass front, a faux log and crystals. It also heats, with a 1,500 W heater and a thermostat, so it's more than a flame display.
How big is the Forte 40, and how deep does the wall need to be?
The Forte 40 is 40 inches wide, and Touchstone gives its chamber depth as 5.5 inches. That depth decides whether your wall takes the unit.
Touchstone electric fireplace size and depth
The unit is 40 inches wide, 26.5 inches high and weighs 45 pounds. Touchstone gives the unit's depth as 5.1 inches and the chamber depth as 5.5 inches, so plan the cavity around the larger number.
Measure the opening's height, width and depth, and compare them with the cutout numbers in the manual.
For the right width for your room, read what size electric fireplace do you need.
How much heat does the Forte 40 put out?
Touchstone rates the heater at 1,500 W, which is about 5,100 BTU per hour. The company also says it gives supplemental heat up to 400 square feet, so think of it as extra warmth for a room, not a main heat source.
Touchstone electric fireplace heat settings
The unit has two heat settings, high and low, and a thermostat that runs from 68°F to 88°F. Touchstone says the thermostat has auto-off overheat protection.
The built-in timer runs from 1 to 8 hours, so you can set the unit to shut off on its own. Touchstone also says it can take the edge off a cool room, but it won't replace a primary heat source.
What do the flame, log and crystals look like?
The flame sits behind glass, with five flame settings from a soft ember glow to an intense blaze. Touchstone also names 30 ember color and flame options.
A faux log and clear crystals come in the box, and Touchstone says you can use the log, the crystals or both. The remote controls the flame color and intensity, the heater and the shut-off timer.
Touchstone says the flame works with the heat off, which suits warmer weather or a room you want lit but not heated. The heater pushes warm air out through front-facing vents.
How do the app, remote and Alexa controls work?
The Forte 40 runs from its app, Alexa, Google Home or an infrared remote. It's WiFi enabled, and the remote handles the heat, the flame and the timer.
Smart control helps most if you already use a phone or a voice assistant every day. The remote covers the basics if you don't.
Connect the unit to your home WiFi where it will sit, and check that the signal reaches that spot before setup. The wireless remote takes AAA batteries, which aren't included, so buy them before you set up the unit.
Can you plug in the Forte 40, or does it need hard-wiring?
Touchstone says it can be plugged in or hard-wired, and it comes with a 6-foot cord for a 110 to 120 V outlet. A hard-wired install belongs with a licensed electrician, and the manual sets the rules for both setups.
Touchstone electric fireplace circuit notes
Touchstone says the unit draws a maximum of 12 amps, so it can run on a 15-amp circuit. It may need a 20-amp circuit, depending on what else shares that circuit.
Have a licensed electrician check the circuit before you plug in or hard-wire the unit. Plan the outlet location before the unit arrives, so the cord has a clear route.
Can you put the Forte 40 under a TV?
Only after you read both makers' notes. Touchstone recommends at least 8 inches between the top of the unit and a TV or mantel.
Read that note next to your TV maker's heat and clearance notes before you mount anything above the unit. Neither note settles the layout alone, so follow both manuals.
For wall layouts, our how to plan a TV wall guide walks through the steps in order.
What comes in the box, and what do you still need?
The box holds the unit, a faux log, crystals, a remote, drywall anchors and screws, and an installation guide. Touchstone says it also includes a wall-mount bracket if you don't recess the unit.
You still need a suitable opening, a plan for the outlet or circuit, and a clear route for the cord. The manual sets out what the opening needs, so read it before you cut or frame anything.
Can the Forte 40 go into a recessed wall or an existing fireplace?
Yes, Touchstone says it can attach to framing studs in a recessed opening and can be installed in an existing fireplace opening. Plan any new opening around the studs, and never cut into a load-bearing wall or a wall with wires or pipes.
If you're new to recessed installs, our how to install a recessed electric fireplace guide covers the steps at a high level. If you use an existing fireplace, Touchstone says a licensed professional should make sure unused gas lines and vents are secured.
The unit is ventless, so you don't need a chimney for it.
Is the premium price worth it?
It's worth it if you'll use the app and voice control, which the premium tier adds to the flame and the heater. If you want a flame look with only a little heat, a simpler unit may cost less.
Touchstone gives the Forte 40 a 1-year limited warranty. If you'd rather hang a unit than recess one, see our best wall mounted electric fireplaces roundup.
Who should buy the Forte 40, and who should skip it?
Buy it for a living room wall with room for a 5.5 inch chamber, or an existing opening you want to fill with a flame. It fits someone who wants app or voice control and a plug-in or hard-wired install.
Skip the Forte 40 if your wall is shallow, you need a main heat source for a whole room, or you don't want any wall work.
A recessed or existing-opening install means the opening has to fit the unit first, which is real work before the unit ever powers on.
Skip it too if you don't need smart control. You'll pay the premium for the app and voice features whether or not you use them.
If you want a shorter unit, Touchstone's Sideline 40 is also about 5.5 inches deep but 21.4 inches high.
How we scored the Forte 40
We gave the Forte 40 an 8.5. Its controls, heat settings and plug-or-hard-wire choice score well, while its depth and premium price pull the score down.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Touchstone Forte 40 Inch Recessed Electric Fireplace
- 40 in wide, 5.5 in chamber depth
- 1,500 W heater with high and low settings
- WiFi, Alexa and Google Home control
- Faux log and crystals included
- Can plug in or be hard-wired
A smart 40-inch recessed unit with a realistic flame, supplemental heat and app control. It suits a living room with a deep enough wall and a need for some heat, not a main heater.
Pros
- Works with WiFi, Alexa and Google Home
- Flame can run with the heat off
- Plugs in or hard-wires, per Touchstone
- Thermostat with auto-off overheat protection
Cons
- Premium price tier
- 5.5 inches deep, so a shallow wall may not fit
- Remote needs AAA batteries, not included
Pick the Touchstone Forte 40 electric fireplace insert if your wall fits
Pick the Forte 40 if you want a smart, 40 inch unit with a realistic flame and 1,500 W of heat, and your wall is deep enough for a 5.5 inch chamber.
Skip it if your wall is shallow or you need a main heater for the whole room.
To compare recessed options at this width, see our best recessed electric fireplaces roundup. Touchstone's own site covers the full range of its units if you want to compare other models in the same line.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Touchstone Forte 40 plug in?
Yes, Touchstone says the Forte 40 comes with a 6-foot power cord for a 110 to 120 V outlet, and it can also be hard-wired. A hard-wired install should be handled by a licensed electrician, so check the manual for the setup that fits your wall before you buy.
How much heat does the Forte 40 give?
Touchstone rates the heater at 1,500 W, which is about 5,100 BTU per hour, and it says the unit gives supplemental heat up to 400 square feet. It isn't a main heat source, but the flame can run with the heat off.
Can you put the Forte 40 under a TV?
Touchstone recommends at least 8 inches between the top of the unit and a TV or mantel. Read that note next to your TV maker's heat and clearance notes, because neither set settles the layout alone, and check both before you mount anything above the unit.
Does the Forte 40 work with Alexa?
Yes, Touchstone says the Forte 40 is WiFi enabled and works with Alexa and Google Home, and it also has its own app. The separate infrared remote uses AAA batteries, which are not included, so buy them before you set up the unit.
Is the Forte 40 a premium pick?
Yes, it sits in the premium tier, and you get smart controls, a realistic flame with a log and crystals, and a 1,500 W heat setting. If the flame is all you want, a simpler unit may suit you better and cost less.
