Electric Fireplaces · Head-to-head
Touchstone 80004 vs Touchstone 80036
The short answer
Touchstone 80004 comes out ahead overall with 7.2/10 against 7.0/10 for the Touchstone 80036. Touchstone 80004 is stronger on value. At current verified prices, the Touchstone 80004 costs about $450.00 less.
- Choose the Touchstone 80004 if: Modern living rooms where you want a slim 50-inch linear fireplace on or in the wall, controlled by app or voice.
- 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 | Touchstone 80004 | Touchstone 80036 |
|---|---|---|
| Flame realism & ambiance | 7.0Attractive linear look; some owners say the flames look unrealistic. | 7.2More color and media options than the base Sideline; no hands-on comparison found. |
| Heating performance | 6.51,500 W / 5,000 BTU with thermostat; Reviewed says it won't heat a large space. | 6.5Same 1,500 W / 5,000 BTU heater as the Sideline. |
| Installation & fit | 8.3Recessed or wall-mount at 5.5 in deep; plug-in or hardwire. | 8.3Recessed or wall-mount at 5.5 in deep; plug-in or hardwire. |
| Controls & features | 8.5App, voice, thermostat and remote; the remote is reported finicky. | 8.5App, voice, true thermostat, timer and 60 color combinations; on par with the Sideline. |
| Reliability & build quality | 6.5Established brand with phone support; 1-year warranty. | 6.5Touchstone build; 1-year warranty, with paid extensions available. |
| Safety & indoor air | 6.0Overheat protection is stated, but no safety mark is shown on the maker page. | 6.0ETL per Bob Vila only; not shown on the maker page. |
| Value | 7.5$549 for a smart 50-inch unit. | 5.0Nearly double the Sideline's price for cosmetic upgrades. |
Specifications
| Spec | Touchstone 80004 | Touchstone 80036 |
|---|---|---|
| Install type | Recessed or wall-mount linear | Recessed or wall-mount linear |
| Width | 50.38 in | 49.75 in |
| Depth | 5.5 in | 5.5 in |
| Max heater power | 1,500 W | 1,500 W |
| Heat output (rated) | 5,000 BTU/h | 5,000 BTU/h |
| Manufacturer-claimed heating area | 400 sq ft | 400 sq ft |
| Heater type | Fan-forced coil | Fan-forced |
| Adjustable thermostat | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi / app / voice control | Yes | Yes |
| Safety listing | — | ETL per Bob Vila only; not stated on Touchstone's page |
| Warranty | 1 years | 1 years |
Touchstone 80004
Pros
- Only 5.5 in deep
- Recessed or wall-mount, plug-in or hardwired
- Wi-Fi with Alexa and Google
- Thermostat, three flame colors, 10-color ember bed
- Recommended by three outlets
Cons
- Some owners find the flames unrealistic
- Remote can be finicky
- Won't heat a large space
- No safety mark shown on the maker's page
- 1-year warranty
A good-looking, well-featured linear unit for modern rooms where control and install flexibility matter more than raw heat.
Full Touchstone 80004 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.