Touchstone Sideline Elite 50-Inch Freestanding Electric Fireplace with White Mantel vs Real Flame Crawford Slim 48-Inch Fireplace

The Touchstone Sideline Elite is the better fireplace for most people. Its firebox is far wider (46-inch viewing area vs 27.5-inch), it has 60 flame and media combinations with driftwood and crystals included, and it works with Alexa and Google Home. The Real Flame Crawford Slim is a smaller, narrower unit, but it heats a larger claimed area, has a 10-minute to 9-hour timer, and its slim 9.5-inch mantel fits tighter spaces. Owners rate the Crawford well, and both are freestanding plug-in units with no cutting.

• Choose the Touchstone Sideline Elite if you want a wide linear fire, app and voice control, and the most flame and media looks out of the box.
• Choose the Real Flame Crawford Slim if you need a narrow mantel for a tight wall, a long programmable timer, and a unit that heats a large room.