The Dimplex Opti-Myst electric fireplace creates its flame effect from water and light instead of a heating element behind a plastic ember bed. It is the linear built-in version of Dimplex's water vapor lineup, sold in 46", 66", and 86" widths, and it is meant for anyone who wants a realistic-looking flame with the option of running it with no heat at all. This guide covers how the technology works, where it fits best in a home, and how it compares to a standard electric fireplace insert.
TL;DR
Standard electric fireplaces project a flame image with LEDs onto a mirror or screen. The Opti-Myst instead heats water into an ultra-fine mist with an ultrasonic transducer, then lights that rising mist with LEDs positioned behind the driftwood and crystal media. The result is a three-dimensional flame and smoke effect with real depth and movement, not a flat projection. Because there's no combustion, the glass front stays cool to the touch and the unit produces no emissions.
Flame color is adjustable across 8 preset themes, from a traditional amber to blue, purple, and green, and brightness is adjustable independently of heat output. Controls run through hidden touch buttons on the unit, the included remote, or the Dimplex Flame Connect app. An integrated crackling sound effect and a top light for the media bed round out the ambiance features, and all of it can run with the heater fully off.
Installation is 120V or 240V hardwired, depending on size and local electrical code, and should be run by a licensed electrician alongside whatever surround or media wall framing the fireplace sits in. Because the water system and electrical connection both need to be roughed in before the wall is closed up, this is a plan-ahead purchase rather than a drop-in replacement for an existing electric insert. Dimplex sells several water vapor models beyond the Linear; the full water vapor fireplace collection covers freestanding and insert formats for anyone comparing options before committing to a built-in.
Our Top Pick: Dimplex Opti-Myst Built-In Linear Vapor Fireplace
The Opti-Myst is built for a fully recessed, built-in installation, either as the focal point of a media wall or framed into a custom surround. Because it runs flame-only with no heat, it also works in rooms where a heating fireplace would be impractical, such as a covered porch on a mild day, a bedroom in summer, or a bathroom near a soaking tub. The 46" size fits a standard living-room wall, while the 66" and 86" widths are sized for larger great rooms or a full media-wall build.
The main planning consideration is water. The unit is designed for a continuous hard-plumbed water line for extended, low-maintenance operation, with an optional plumbing kit for that setup. If a hard plumb isn't practical for the install location, factor manual refills into the ownership decision before buying.
Sizing follows the room. The 46" fits a standard fireplace-wall opening and pairs well with a single seating area. The 66" suits a wider media wall behind a sectional or a larger great room, and the 86" is built for a full architectural feature wall or a commercial lobby-style space where the fireplace needs to read as the room's anchor point from a distance. Because all three share the same 11-7/8" depth, the size decision comes down to width and the scale of the wall, not how much the unit protrudes into the room.
Worth Considering: a water vapor fireplace in a bathroom, where a standard electric heater would need to run near water
A standard electric fireplace, such as the Dimplex Ignite XL, produces its flame with LED light and a reflective medium, needs only a power connection, and has no water system to plan for. That makes it simpler to install and maintain. The tradeoff is realism: the Opti-Myst's water-vapor flame has physical depth and drifts and dissipates the way real smoke does, which a flat LED projection can't fully replicate.
Heat output is also different by design. The Opti-Myst is built around ambiance first, with heat as a secondary function, while most standard electric inserts are built to heat a room efficiently with the flame effect as the visual layer on top. Buyers choosing between the two should weigh whether the priority is heating performance or flame realism, since the Opti-Myst leans toward the latter.
Every Opti-Myst Linear ships with the firebox, front glass, acrylic ice and driftwood media, a spare transducer, suction cup, remote control, flame baffles, a bubble level, hardware kit, and the owner's manual.
Pricing scales with width: the 46" lists at $6,349.99, the 66" at $8,729.99, and the 86" at $9,749.99. That's a meaningfully higher entry price than a comparable standard electric insert in the same size class, which is the tradeoff for the water-vapor flame effect and the plumbing work behind it.
It's designed for a continuous hard-plumbed connection for extended operation. Check the installation manual for the exact plumbing kit requirements before finalizing a build.
Yes. Flame-only operation is available on all three sizes, which is why it works in rooms where running a heater doesn't make sense, such as a bathroom or a covered outdoor space rated for the unit.
No. Since the flame effect comes from lit water vapor rather than combustion, the glass stays cool, which is part of why Dimplex markets it as safe around kids and pets.
46", 66", and 86" wide. All three share the same 11-7/8" depth and are designed for a fully recessed, built-in installation.
It needs more upkeep than a standard electric insert. Beyond keeping the water supply filled or the plumbing line functioning, the transducer and media occasionally need cleaning or replacement, which is why the unit ships with a spare transducer in the box.
Check the installation manual and local electrical code for the specific model before planning an outdoor build. Availability of an outdoor-rated version depends on the exact model and installation type, so confirm compatibility before purchase rather than assuming it applies across the full Opti-Myst lineup.
Flame running but no heat coming out? Work through these checks, from thermostat settings to blocked vents, before assuming your electric fireplace needs a repair.
The Dimplex Opti-Myst Linear Vapor Fireplace uses water and light instead of combustion to create its flame effect. Here's how the technology works, what rooms it suits, and how it compares to a standard electric fireplace.
{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}
Leave a comment