Dimplex and Modern Flames are the two electric fireplace brands we get asked about most, and the question is nearly always some version of "which one is better?" They overlap more than their marketing suggests. Both build slim linear electric fireplaces that recess into a wall, most models in both lineups offer app control, and both have models rated for a covered patio. The real differences are in the details: how deep your wall needs to be, how the flame is made, how much heat you can wire in, and what the warranty covers.
This guide compares Dimplex and Modern Flames using the numbers in each manufacturer's own manuals and spec sheets, not brochure copy. If you are still deciding between electric and other fuels, start with our electric fireplace buying guide or gas vs. electric comparison, then come back here to pick a brand.
The short answer
Neither brand wins across the board. Choose Dimplex if flame realism, a deeper product family (including Opti-Myst water vapor) and a manufacturer-certified outdoor line matter most. Choose Modern Flames if you want a shallow, color-rich linear with Wi-Fi control, long single-sided, corner and bay builds up to 120 inches, and usually a lower cost at the same width. On a standard 120V circuit both put out about 5,000 BTU, so neither replaces a real heat source.
Key takeaways
- Heat is close to a tie at 120V: about 5,000 BTU from either brand. Dimplex IgniteXL adds a 240V option up to 8,530 BTU. The Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim is 120V only.
- Both make shallow units. The Landscape Pro Slim firebox is 5-3/8 inches deep and the Dimplex Ignite Evolve is 5-3/4 inches deep overall.
- Dimplex IgniteXL, Bold and Evolve are certified for covered outdoor use. Landscape Pro Slim and Multi are rated for a covered patio too. Dimplex Ultra, Aspire and Quest are indoor only.
- For the most lifelike flame, Dimplex is the only one of the two with a water vapor tier (Opti-Myst). Modern Flames leans on color range and layered LED or screen effects.
- Warranty terms differ: Dimplex lists 5 years indoors and 1 year outdoors on its outdoor-certified Ignite units. Modern Flames lists 5 years when you register the product and 2 years when you do not.
- The Modern Flames Orion shows its flames on an LCD screen. It is a different product from the Landscape Pro, and it is not the same thing as an LED linear.
In this guide
- Dimplex vs. Modern Flames at a glance
- Which models does each brand actually make?
- Which has more realistic flames?
- Is the Modern Flames Orion a real fireplace or a screen?
- Does Dimplex or Modern Flames put out more heat?
- What does each one need from your wall?
- Which brand is better for a media wall?
- Can either brand be installed outdoors?
- Which has the better warranty, controls and service?
- Our recommended models
- Which should you choose?
- Frequently asked questions
Dimplex vs. Modern Flames at a glance
Spec figures below come from the Dimplex and Modern Flames manuals and spec sheets for the linear lines we sell most. Model details vary by size, so treat this as a first filter.
| Question | Dimplex | Modern Flames |
|---|---|---|
| Main linear lines | Ignite Ultra, Evolve, XL, Bold, plus Aspire (portrait) and Opti-Myst water vapor | Landscape Pro Slim, Landscape Pro Multi, Spectrum Slimline, Orion (LCD screen) |
| Heat at 120V | 1,500 W, 5,118 BTU (IgniteXL) | 1,465 W, 5,000 BTU (Landscape Pro) |
| Heat at 240V | 2,500 W, 8,530 BTU (IgniteXL) | Landscape Pro Slim: 120V only. Landscape Pro Multi manual lists 2,930 W, about 10,000 BTU |
| Slimmest option | Ignite Evolve, 5-3/4 inches deep overall | Landscape Pro Slim, 5-3/8 inch firebox |
| Outdoor (covered only) | IgniteXL, Bold and Evolve certified; Ultra, Aspire and Quest indoor only | Landscape Pro Slim and Multi rated for use under a patio cover |
| Flame approach | Multi-Fire XD LED layers, mirror and frosted panel effects, Opti-Myst water vapor | Full RGB LED color range on Landscape Pro; LCD video flames on Orion |
| Warranty as published | 5 years indoor, 1 year outdoor (Ignite outdoor-certified models) | 5 years registered, 2 years unregistered; 1 year on integrated screens |
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Which models does each brand actually make?
Dimplex organizes its modern electrics under the Ignite name. Ignite Ultra offers the most flame adjustment. Ignite Evolve is the edgeless, ambient-light-sensing model. IgniteXL is the frameless, edge-to-edge glass unit with no app, just a remote and hidden touch controls. IgniteXL Bold is the deeper one built for corners, bays and linking several units. Dimplex also sells the Aspire portrait firebox, and the Opti-Myst water vapor line sits above all of these for realism.
Modern Flames splits its linears into two families. The Landscape Pro Slim is the shallow, recessed unit. The Landscape Pro Multi is the deeper one for single-sided, corner and bay builds, and it runs up to 120 inches on the manufacturer's site. Around those sit the Spectrum Slimline, the Redstone for traditional openings, and the Orion series, which we cover separately below. Modern Flames does not list a water vapor line.
From our install team
In our showroom, the brand conversation usually flips once we put a tape measure on the wall. People walk in saying "Dimplex" or "Modern Flames" and walk out choosing by depth, outdoor needs and how many sides will be visible. Know those three answers before you compare brands.
Which has more realistic flames?
Realism is partly taste, and every honest comparison we have read, including ones from retailers that sell both brands, ends up saying neither is objectively more real. What we can tell you is how each one builds the flame, because that predicts how it looks in your room.
Dimplex uses Multi-Fire XD on the IgniteXL and Bold, layering color to give the flame depth, with a mirror effect on Bold that Dimplex says adds depth. Ultra adds adjustable style, color and brightness. At the top is water vapor: Opti-Myst lights a fine mist from underneath, and it is the closest an electric gets to the movement of a real fire. Our water vapor vs. electric guide goes deeper on that tier.
Modern Flames leans into color and control. The Landscape Pro lets you set the flame, ember bed and downlighting independently across the full RGB range, adds a hand-painted driftwood log set and runs Wi-Fi control through its app. Published comparisons commonly credit Modern Flames with the wider color range and Dimplex with more natural tones. Our advice is the same for both brands: start with the natural orange presets and judge the look in person before you buy.
Dimplex Opti-Myst Water vapor fireplaces All electric fireplaces
Is the Modern Flames Orion a real fireplace or a screen?
It is a screen, and Modern Flames says so in its own manual. The Orion V2 manual describes the flame as a video display on an LCD, with four flame styles in six colors, plus an illuminated log set and a lit ember bed in front of it. The Landscape Pro is a different build: LED lighting and a mechanical flame image, not a video panel.
The screen approach has real upsides. Modern Flames describes consistent image quality from different viewing angles, and the app can swap in a custom flame style. The tradeoff is an extra software layer that an LED linear does not have. Modern Flames publishes a reset guide for the case where an Orion shows no flames, and if the display reads "USB PATHWAY NOT FOUND" the company sends a replacement USB. Its warranty statement also warns that cutting power during Wi-Fi pairing or an update may void coverage, so let those finish.
We do not currently list Orion fireplaces on our site, so ask us about availability if the screen look appeals to you. If you want a flame that is not a display, look at the Landscape Pro or a Dimplex Ignite instead.
Does Dimplex or Modern Flames put out more heat?
On a standard plug-in circuit it is a tie. The Dimplex IgniteXL 50 spec sheet lists 1,500 watts and 5,118 BTU at 120V, and the Modern Flames Landscape Pro manuals list 1,465 watts and 5,000 BTU. Both are fan-forced ceramic heaters that warm a room. Neither is a substitute for a furnace, and Modern Flames says as much in its manual: supplemental heat only. Our do electric fireplaces heat a room guide covers what to expect.
The gap opens at 240V. Dimplex lists 2,500 watts and 8,530 BTU for the IgniteXL, and the Aspire and Ultra sheets show the same pairing. The Landscape Pro Slim manual lists 120V only. The Landscape Pro Multi manual lists an optional 240V setup at 2,930 watts, about 10,000 BTU, though that manual has a wiring section that does not match its own heading, so have your electrician and Modern Flames confirm the diagram before anyone opens a wall.
Circuit size matters more than most people expect. Dimplex lists the IgniteXL at 12.5 amps on 120V, while the Landscape Pro manuals call for a dedicated 20 amp circuit. For a new build that is nothing. For a prewar apartment with an older panel, it can decide the project. Our cost to run guide shows what that heat costs per hour.
What does each one need from your wall?
Depth decides more electric fireplace purchases than brand. These are the figures published by each manufacturer.
| Model | Depth | Framing opening | Wall note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimplex IgniteXL 50 | 5-1/2 inch recess in 2x6; 3-1/2 inch recess in 2x4 | 50-5/8 inches wide | Fully recessed in a 2x6 wall. In a 2x4 wall it is partially recessed and needs the optional trim kit |
| Dimplex Ignite Evolve 60 | 5-3/4 inches deep overall | 60-5/8 x 16 inches | Dimplex lists it as recessing into a 2x6 wall |
| Dimplex IgniteXL Bold 60 | 11-5/8 inches minimum framing depth | 62-1/4 x 24-1/4 inches | Deeper box for front, corner or bay builds |
| Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim | 5-3/8 inch firebox, 6 inch framing | 44-1/4 to 96-1/4 inches wide x 24-1/8 inches high | Optimized for 2x6 full recess; partial recess for 2x4 with a custom facade |
| Modern Flames Landscape Pro Multi | 11-9/16 inch firebox, 12 inch framing | 44-3/8 to 120-3/8 inches wide x 25-1/4 inches high | Half recess is optimized for a 2x4 wall; the manual also covers full recess, corner and bay builds |
| Modern Flames Orion Slim V2 | 6-5/16 inches deep | Recess at least 6 inches (6-1/2 built in) | Screen-based; opening about 19-1/8 inches high |
The IgniteXL detail trips people up, so here it is plainly. In a 2x6 wall the unit recesses fully. In a 2x4 wall it can only be partially recessed, and Dimplex's installation instructions point you to the separate trim kit for the portion that sticks out. It does not disappear into a 2x4 wall. The Landscape Pro Slim works the same way: full recess is optimized for 2x6, and a 2x4 wall gets a partial recess with a facade built around it.
From our install team
Most of the surprises we see come from what is behind the finished wall: plaster and lath in a prewar building, a metal-stud partition in a condo, or a shared wall you cannot open. Before you pick a model, find out what the wall is made of and how deep the cavity really is. If you cannot open it, a partial-recess unit with a built-out surround is often the easier path.
Not sure what fits your space? Send us the wall depth, the width of the run and whether a TV is going above. Book a free design consultation and we will help you narrow it down before you order.
Which brand is better for a media wall?
Both work, and neither manual we reviewed gives a number for how close a TV can sit above the unit, so do not rely on a rule of thumb from a forum. Dimplex does give a mounting height: it recommends the IgniteXL sit 30 to 40 inches off the floor when there is no TV above, which puts the flame near eye level from a sofa. Our fireplace under a TV and mantel and media wall guides cover heat and clearance questions in detail.
Where Modern Flames has the edge is the accessory ecosystem. It sells matching wall-mounted cabinets and mount suites, like the LPM-5616 premium cabinet, a trim kit for the Landscape Pro Multi, a wireless wall control and optional non-glare mesh screens for the Landscape Pro Slim. If you want one brand to supply the whole wall system, that is a point for Modern Flames. Dimplex has the cleaner, trimless look in the IgniteXL and the wider flame range for a wall where the fireplace should be the focal point.
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Can either brand be installed outdoors?
Yes, with limits, and only some models. Dimplex's outdoor page lists the Ignite Evolve, Bold and XL as tested and rated for covered exterior installation. Ultra, Aspire and Quest are indoor only. A Modern Flames letter citing an Intertek test report says the Landscape Pro Slim and Multi models passed outdoor testing under UL 2021 and are considered outdoor rated. Its Orion V2 manuals also carry outdoor language for built-in installs, but the Intertek letter we read does not name Orion, so confirm with Modern Flames before ordering one for a patio.
The rules are almost identical across both brands. The unit must sit under a patio cover, away from direct water and direct sunlight. Modern Flames spells out the geometry: the roof overhang in front and the distance to the side must each be at least half the height (H) measured from the bottom of the fireplace, so a unit with 6 feet to the roof needs 3 feet of cover, and the base must be at least 2 inches off the floor. Wiring must meet local code.
The warranty changes outdoors. Dimplex drops from 5 years indoors to 1 year outdoors on its Ignite models. Modern Flames' warranty statement excludes any product not listed for outdoor use that is installed outdoors, and its manual says installs outside its outdoor definition void the warranty.
From our install team
On Long Island and in the Palm Beach, Jupiter and Stuart corridor, a covered patio is not always the same as a protected one. Neither brand's outdoor rating says anything about salt air or direct rain from a blown-in storm. For shoreline and oceanfront patios, ask us before you order, and check with your board or town about electrical and fire rules for the terrace.
Outdoor electric fireplaces Linear electric fireplaces
Planning a bigger outdoor fire feature? Our outdoor fireplace buying guide compares electric with gas and wood-burning options.
Which has the better warranty, controls and service?
Warranty. Dimplex states a limited 5 year warranty indoors and 1 year outdoors on the Ignite Evolve, Bold and XL. The XLF50 sheet lists the unit at 5 years and the trim kit at 1 year. Modern Flames' warranty statement gives 5 years if you register the product and 2 years if you do not, a one-year labor credit with a cap, and one year on an integrated screen. Our store listing for the Landscape Pro Slim quotes 24 months, so read the current statement for your model. Register either brand the day you plug it in.
Controls. Dimplex's Bold, Ultra and Evolve use the Flame Connect app. The IgniteXL has no app, only a remote and hidden touch controls. Modern Flames offers Wi-Fi control through its own app on the Landscape Pro, a pro series remote and a wireless wall touch control. If a lost remote is your worry, our electric fireplace troubleshooting guide explains how to reset the common faults on both brands.
Service. Both brands handle warranty claims through the manufacturer, and you will need your proof of purchase. We install and service what we sell across NYC, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida, which means you have one call to make instead of two.
From our install team
A hardwired fireplace is a small electrical project: a dedicated circuit, a licensed electrician and, in a co-op or condo, usually board sign-off. We plan the electrical run before we order the unit, because the circuit size is usually what limits which model fits.
Our recommended models
We picked these to cover both brands, three wall depths, indoor and covered outdoor use, and a range of budgets. Each one is available to order on our site.
Which should you choose?
Choose Dimplex if:
- Flame realism is the priority and you may want Opti-Myst water vapor.
- You want a 240V option up to 8,530 BTU on an IgniteXL.
- You are planning a covered patio and want Evolve, Bold or XL with manufacturer outdoor certification.
Choose Modern Flames if:
- You want full color control, Wi-Fi and a matching cabinet or trim system.
- You are building a corner, bay or long single-sided run up to 120 inches.
- You want a shallow, outdoor-rated linear at a lower cost per width.
Our recommendation: for a main living room or media wall where people will actually look at the fire, we steer buyers to the Dimplex IgniteXL or Evolve. For a bedroom, den or covered patio where budget, color control and install flexibility matter more than flame realism, the Landscape Pro Slim is the better value. If realism is non-negotiable, skip both linears and go straight to Opti-Myst.
Frequently asked questions
Is Modern Flames better than Dimplex?
Neither is better across the board. Dimplex has the deeper product family, including Opti-Myst water vapor, and a 240V option up to 8,530 BTU on the IgniteXL. Modern Flames offers shallow outdoor-rated linears with full RGB color control, Wi-Fi and a wide accessory range, usually at a lower cost per width.
Which has more realistic flames, Dimplex or Modern Flames?
Dimplex has the edge at the top end because Opti-Myst uses water vapor, which Modern Flames does not offer. Among LED linears the two are close, and it comes down to taste: Dimplex favors natural layered color, Modern Flames favors a wider color range. Look at both in person.
Does Dimplex or Modern Flames put out more heat?
On a standard 120V circuit they are about equal at roughly 5,000 BTU. On 240V the Dimplex IgniteXL lists 2,500 watts and 8,530 BTU, while the Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim is 120V only. The Landscape Pro Multi manual lists an optional 240V setup at about 10,000 BTU, which should be confirmed with Modern Flames before wiring.
Which brand is better for a media wall?
Either works. Modern Flames offers matching wall-mounted cabinets, trim kits and wall controls, so it suits a full system. Dimplex offers the cleaner IgniteXL look and recommends mounting that unit 30 to 40 inches off the floor when there is no TV above. Neither manual we reviewed gives a TV clearance number, so confirm with the manufacturer.
Is the Modern Flames Orion a real fireplace or a screen?
It is a screen. The Orion V2 manual describes the flame as a video display on an LCD, with an illuminated log set and ember bed in front. The Landscape Pro is a different unit that uses LED lighting rather than a video display.
Which has a better warranty, Dimplex or Modern Flames?
Dimplex lists 5 years indoors and 1 year outdoors on its outdoor-certified Ignite models. Modern Flames' warranty statement lists 5 years when you register and 2 years when you do not, with a one-year labor credit and one year on integrated screens. Check the current document for your exact model.
Can Dimplex and Modern Flames fireplaces be installed outdoors?
Only specific models, and only under a roof. Dimplex IgniteXL, Bold and Evolve are certified for covered outdoor use, while Ultra, Aspire and Quest are indoor only. Modern Flames Landscape Pro Slim and Multi are rated for use under a patio cover, away from direct water and sunlight.
Can I install an IgniteXL in a 2x4 wall?
Partly. In a 2x4 wall it is partially recessed, about 3-1/2 inches deep, and needs the optional trim kit for the part that protrudes. A fully recessed install needs a 2x6 wall.
Talk to a specialist
Let us match the brand to your wall
We have been designing, selling, installing and servicing fire features and outdoor kitchens for over 30 years across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida. Send us your wall depth, width and power details and we will tell you which Dimplex or Modern Flames model fits.
Book a free consultation Call 718-326-4328Showroom: 58-30 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, Queens.
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Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.
Sources: Dimplex Ignite series, Dimplex Ignite outdoor models, Dimplex Ignite Evolve sell sheet, Dimplex IgniteXL Bold spec sheet, Dimplex Aspire ASP48 spec sheet, Modern Flames resources and manuals, Landscape Pro Slim installation manual, Landscape Pro Multi installation manual, Landscape Pro outdoor requirements, Modern Flames outdoor rated letter, Orion Multi V2 manual, Orion no flames guide, Modern Flames warranty statement. Specifications change; always confirm with the manufacturer's current installation manual.