Water Vapor Fireplaces

Dimplex water vapor fireplaces compared

Prices at Dreamwood Living as of October 2026. Specifications are from each product page.

How a water vapor fireplace works

Water from a tank or a supply line feeds a reservoir in the base. Ultrasonic transducers turn it into a fine mist that rises through the log set or ember bed, and LEDs underneath light it in a traditional amber or in other colors. Because the flame is vapor and not light on a screen, it has real depth when you look at it from an angle, which is why it shows best in corner and three-sided installs. The flame itself makes no heat, so on models with a heater the heat and flame run independently, and you can run the fire in summer with the heater off.

Plan the water before you frame

Every built-in model needs its water decided before the wall closes:

• Opti-Myst Linear: hard-plumb it with the CDFIPLUMB-KIT and it never needs filling, or use the refill container for occasional use. Normal tap water is fine; Dimplex recommends a softener in hard-water areas and advises against unfiltered well water.
• RGB Pro Box: filtered or decalcified water only. Hard tap water scales the transducers, and that damage is not covered by the warranty, so plan an in-line filter or softener on the supply.
• e-MatriX: there is no tank option. It needs a permanent 1/4" water line.
• Cassettes: each has a refillable reservoir. If you link several in one wall, plumb them.
• Mapleton: a refillable bottle only, with no plumbing needed.

Fresh air and depth

A water vapor fireplace has to breathe. Built-in models need a fresh air inlet in the surround, usually below the unit: 120 sq in on the Opti-Myst Linear 66", and 80 sq in on the RGB Pro Box and e-MatriX. Sealing the unit into an airtight cavity gives a poor flame and damages the fireplace. These are also deeper than an LED linear: about 12" of framing for the Opti-Myst Linear, 16 1/4" for the Pro Box and 21" for the e-MatriX, so plan a bump-out or chase rather than a standard stud wall.

Heat: which ones warm the room

If you want a fire and a heater in one, choose the RGB Pro Box, the Opti-Myst Linear 46" or 66", or the Mapleton. The Opti-Myst Linear 86" heats only when wired to 240V; on 120V the heat control works and the fans run, but no heat comes out. The e-MatriX and the cassettes are flame-only and should not be counted on for heat. For a heater first and flame second, our linear electric fireplaces put out about 5,000 BTU on 120V.

Indoor only

All of these water vapor fireplaces are indoor appliances, and the water system rules out anywhere that can freeze. For a covered patio, look at the electric models in outdoor electric fireplaces.

Water vapor fireplace FAQs

Is a water vapor fireplace real fire?

No. The flame is cool water mist lit by LEDs. There is no combustion, so there is nothing to vent and the glass stays cool to the touch.

Do water vapor fireplaces give off heat?

The flame does not. Heat comes from a separate electric heater on the models that have one: the RGB Pro Box, the Opti-Myst Linear and the Mapleton. The e-MatriX and the cassettes are flame-only.

Can I use tap water in a water vapor fireplace?

On the Opti-Myst Linear and the Mapleton, yes, with a softener or filter recommended in hard-water areas. The RGB Pro Box needs filtered or decalcified water only.

Does a water vapor fireplace need a water line?

The e-MatriX does. The Opti-Myst Linear, Pro Box and cassettes can be plumbed or refilled by hand, and plumbing is the better choice for regular use. The Mapleton stove runs from a refillable bottle and plugs into a standard outlet.

Is Opti-Myst the same as Optimyst?

Yes. Both are Dimplex's water vapor flame technology, and Dimplex uses both spellings. The Linear and Pro 500 models are listed as Opti-Myst, and the RGB, e-MatriX and Mapleton models as Optimyst.

Talk to us before you frame

A water vapor fireplace has more to plan than other electric fireplaces: water, fresh air, depth and power. Call us at 888-486-2909 with your wall, the room and whether you want heat, and we will help you choose a model and plan the install. We are here 9am to 9pm CST.

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