Electric Fireplaces

Touchstone 80036

#4 · Best Flame Customization
7.0 /10 Our score
Lowest verified price $999.00 Amazon
Our verdict
A design-first choice for buyers who want to customize the look and are paying for appearance rather than warmth.

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

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Last reviewed October 31, 2026
Review

What to know about Touchstone 80036

Touchstone's upgraded 50-inch linear unit. It has 6 flame colors with 10 media-bed colors (60 combinations), log, driftwood and crystal media, a 68–88°F thermostat with constant-on option, and Wi-Fi app plus Alexa/Google control. Bob Vila's best smart fireplace.
Editorial notes

Why it stands out

Why we like it

Bob Vila calls it its best smart fireplace. Touchstone lists 60 flame and bed color combinations, a 68–88°F thermostat with a constant-on option, and three media types, so you can tune the look to your room.

The install options match the standard Sideline: recessed or wall-mounted, 5.5 inches deep.

What to know

Skip it if you care about heat or value. The heater is the same 1,500 W as the cheaper Sideline, and the price is premium. This pick rests mainly on a single reviewer's recommendation.
Performance

Score breakdown

Flame realism & ambiance

How convincing the flame, ember bed and logs look (color warmth, depth, adjustability), the main thing testers and owners judge.

7.2
More color and media options than the base Sideline; no hands-on comparison found.
Heating performance

Real room and spot heating, thermostat accuracy, heat settings and fan noise. Rated wattage/BTU only, not marketing 'sq ft' claims.

6.5
Same 1,500 W / 5,000 BTU heater as the Sideline.
Installation & fit

Ease of setup and the range of installs supported (recessed, wall-mount, freestanding, existing firebox, hardwire option), plus weight and depth requirements.

8.3
Recessed or wall-mount at 5.5 in deep; plug-in or hardwire.
Controls & features

Remote and panel usability, true thermostat vs high/low, timer, flame-only mode, smart/app/voice control.

8.5
App, voice, true thermostat, timer and 60 color combinations; on par with the Sideline.
Reliability & build quality

Owner-reported failures (heater, remote, thermostat), materials and construction, warranty length.

6.5
Touchstone build; 1-year warranty, with paid extensions available.
Safety & indoor air

Safety listing (UL/ETL/CSA), overheat/tip-over protection, cool-touch glass, first-use odors, recall history of the maker. Combustion-free operation is shared by all.

6.0
ETL per Bob Vila only; not shown on the maker page.
Value

Performance and features relative to the typical street price.

5.0
Nearly double the Sideline's price for cosmetic upgrades.
Specifications

Touchstone 80036 specs

Design

Install type
Recessed or wall-mount linear
Width
49.75 in
Depth
5.5 in

Heating

Max heater power
1500 W
Heat output (rated)
5000 BTU/h
Manufacturer-claimed heating area
400 sq ft
Heater type
Fan-forced

Controls

Adjustable thermostat
Yes
Wi-Fi / app / voice control
Yes

Safety

Safety listing
ETL per Bob Vila only; not stated on Touchstone's page

Support

Warranty
1 years
Shopping

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Prices are checked periodically. Older amounts are labeled with their last verification date.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial rankings.

Prices and availability may change. The retailer's price and availability at checkout govern the transaction.

RetailerPriceAvailability
AmazonLowest $999.00 $1,499.00 In Stock View deal
Lowest verified price $999.00
30-day low $999.00
90-day average $999.00
90-day low $999.00

Based on 2 retailer price observations captured during the last 90 days.

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