R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U) vs Touchstone 80036
R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U)
The short answer
R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U) and Touchstone 80036 finish almost level in our scoring (7.0 vs 7.0 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U) is stronger on safety & indoor air and value. Touchstone 80036 is stronger on flame realism & ambiance, controls & features and reliability & build quality. At current verified prices, the R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U) costs about $639.01 less.
- Choose the R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U) if: Buyers who want a big 68-inch flame in a 2x6 stud wall or on the wall surface, on a mid-range budget.
- Choose the Touchstone 80036 if: Design-focused buyers who want the most flame, ember and media options in a smart linear fireplace and will pay for looks rather than heat.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U) | Touchstone 80036 |
|---|---|---|
| Flame realism & ambiance | 6.5Big multicolor linear display; modern rather than lifelike. | 7.2More color and media options than the base Sideline; no hands-on comparison found. |
| Heating performance | 6.51,500 W with thermostat; heat doesn't scale with the 68-inch width. | 6.5Same 1,500 W / 5,000 BTU heater as the Sideline. |
| Installation & fit | 8.5Fits 2x6 studs or mounts on the surface; the 67 lb weight needs a solid wall. | 8.3Recessed or wall-mount at 5.5 in deep; plug-in or hardwire. |
| Controls & features | 7.5Thermostat, timer, sleep mode and touch panel; no smart control. | 8.5App, voice, true thermostat, timer and 60 color combinations; on par with the Sideline. |
| Reliability & build quality | 6.0Series reports of a finicky remote, grinding noise and units damaged on arrival. | 6.5Touchstone build; 1-year warranty, with paid extensions available. |
| Safety & indoor air | 7.5ETL with heat kill switch (Bob Vila, PopSci). | 6.0ETL per Bob Vila only; not shown on the maker page. |
| Value | 8.0$360 for a 68-inch ETL unit. | 5.0Nearly double the Sideline's price for cosmetic upgrades. |
Specifications
| Spec | R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U) | Touchstone 80036 |
|---|---|---|
| Install type | Recessed or wall-mount linear | Recessed or wall-mount linear |
| Width | 68 in | 49.75 in |
| Depth | 3.9 in | 5.5 in |
| Max heater power | 1,500 W | 1,500 W |
| Heat output (rated) | — | 5,000 BTU/h |
| Manufacturer-claimed heating area | 400 sq ft | 400 sq ft |
| Heater type | Fan-forced | Fan-forced |
| Adjustable thermostat | Yes | Yes |
| Flame-only mode | Yes | — |
| Wi-Fi / app / voice control | No | Yes |
| Safety listing | ETL | ETL per Bob Vila only; not stated on Touchstone's page |
| Warranty | — | 1 years |
R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U)
Pros
- ETL certified with overheat shut-off
- 3.9 in deep; fits 2x6 studs
- 12 flame and 12 bed colors
- 68–88°F thermostat and 8-hour timer
- Mid-range price for its size
Cons
- 67 lb, so the wall must be solid
- Series owners report remote and noise issues
- No smart control
- Heat is the same 1,500 W class as smaller units
The best way to get a large, slim, certified linear fireplace without paying smart-home money.
Full R.W.FLAME 68" Recessed & Wall Mounted (ZYHD-868C3U) review →Touchstone 80036
Pros
- 60 flame and bed color combinations
- Log, driftwood and crystal media
- Wi-Fi with Alexa and Google
- Thermostat with constant-on option
- Recessed or wall-mount
Cons
- Premium price for the same heater as the cheaper Sideline
- Touchstone's page names no safety mark
- Limited independent testing
- 1-year warranty
A design-first choice for buyers who want to customize the look and are paying for appearance rather than warmth.
Full Touchstone 80036 review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Electric Fireplaces of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.