The Dimplex Ignite XL electric fireplace and the Dimplex Revillusion firebox are made by the same manufacturer but designed for different spaces and different buyers. The Revillusion is a traditional-format built-in firebox that replicates the look of a masonry fireplace, available in five sizes from 24" to 42". The Ignite XL Bold is a wide, three-sided linear fireplace built for feature walls, open-plan rooms, and architectural installations. Both are premium products, but they occupy separate categories with different aesthetics and a significant price gap. If you are choosing between them, the decision comes down to your space, your budget, and the look you want. Here is how they compare.
Upfront Cost
The Revillusion covers a wide range of budgets. All five models include the Realogs media set and your choice of interior finish at the listed price:
The Dimplex Ignite XL Bold starts at $4,199.99 for the 50" model and reaches $6,249.99 for the 100". Most XL Bold installations also require hardwiring and, for full heating performance, a dedicated 240V circuit. Those electrical costs add to the unit price.
The Largest Revillusion: Dimplex Revillusion 42" Built-in Electric Firebox in Herringbone Brick
Running Cost and Energy Use
Both units draw 1,500 W at 120V and up to 2,500 W at 240V. At the same voltage setting, electricity costs are identical regardless of which product is running. Neither requires gas, venting, or consumables.
Both the Revillusion and the Ignite XL Bold support flame-only operation, meaning you can run the visual effect without any heat output. In practice, running costs depend entirely on how you use the heater, not on which product you own. If you run both units at 120V on medium heat for the same number of hours, the monthly electricity cost will be the same.
Heat Output and Room Coverage
The Revillusion 24" produces 5,118 BTU at 120V/1,500W. The 30" model produces up to 8,794 BTU across its voltage range and is rated for spaces up to 800 sq ft. The 36" and 42" models produce up to 8,794 BTU and are rated for spaces up to 1,000 sq ft.
The Ignite XL Bold produces 5,000 BTU at 120V/1,500W and 8,530 BTU at 240V/2,500W, also rated for up to 1,000 sq ft. On raw heating numbers, the two product lines are essentially equivalent at comparable voltage settings. The XL Bold does not heat a larger area just because the unit is physically wider. Both are designed as supplemental zone heaters, not primary heating systems.
Installation and Venting
The Revillusion is designed for clean, straightforward installation. All five sizes fit a framed wall niche or an existing masonry fireplace opening. The 24" model plugs directly into a standard 120V outlet and can optionally be hardwired. Larger models support multiple voltage options and may require hardwiring. None of them require venting, gas lines, or a dedicated circuit for 120V operation.
The Ignite XL Bold is a more involved installation. It requires framing into a wall and direct-wire connection. For full 8,530 BTU heat output, a dedicated 240V circuit is necessary. The 3-sided glass construction means the unit protrudes about 12 inches into the room, which must be planned for during framing. An optional plug kit allows 120V operation, but heat output drops to 5,000 BTU at that voltage.
The Architectural Option: Dimplex Ignite XL Bold 3-Sided Smart Electric Fireplace
The XL Bold also supports four installation configurations from a single unit: front-facing, left corner, right corner, and bay. Up to five units can be linked end-to-end with an optional linking kit (excluding the 100" model), which is relevant for commercial feature wall projects. The Revillusion is not modular and does not support corner configurations.
Aesthetics and Flame Technology
This is where the two products differ most. The Revillusion is built to look like a traditional masonry fireplace. It uses life-size hardwood-cast Realogs with a partially frosted acrylic rear panel that eliminates reflections and adds visible depth. The flames appear to rise from within the log bed rather than sitting in front of it. You choose from four interior finishes: Herringbone Brick, Weathered Concrete, Neutral Brick, or Black. The result reads as a traditional built-in fireplace, not a product you purchased.
The Ignite XL Bold uses Dimplex's Multi-Fire® XD flame technology across a wide, low profile with three-sided glass. The visual effect is contemporary: horizontal, vivid, and architectural. Five flame color options are available with adjustable brightness and speed. The media bed includes acrylic crystals and driftwood. Wi-Fi control via the Flame Connect App lets you adjust settings remotely, set schedules, and save presets. The Revillusion does not offer app control.
Neither effect is objectively superior. They serve different interiors. The Revillusion suits traditional, transitional, or farmhouse-style rooms where a fireplace should look like it belongs. The XL Bold suits modern, minimalist, or open-plan spaces where a fireplace is intended to be noticed.
Maintenance and Safety
Both products are ventless, require no chimney maintenance, and produce no ash or combustion byproducts. Routine care is limited to cleaning the glass and keeping air intake vents clear. The Revillusion's Realogs are decorative components that can be swapped out. The XL Bold's crystal and driftwood media can be rearranged or replaced.
The Ignite XL Bold features cool-touch glass on all three sides, which is a safety consideration in homes with children or pets. The Revillusion's front glass also stays at a relatively safe surface temperature given its contained design.
Warranty coverage is a meaningful differentiator. The Revillusion carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty. The Ignite XL Bold carries a 5-year in-home service and parts warranty. In-home service means Dimplex dispatches a technician for covered repairs rather than requiring you to ship a heavy unit back to a depot.
The Entry Point: Dimplex Revillusion 24" Built-in Electric Firebox in Neutral Brick
Which Is Right for You
Choose the Revillusion if you want a traditional fireplace look, are working with an existing opening, or need a plug-and-play installation on a 120V circuit. It is the right fit for bedrooms, living rooms, and any space where a conventional fireplace aesthetic works. With five sizes from 24" to 42", it covers everything from a small bedroom niche to a full living room focal point.
Choose the Ignite XL Bold if you are building a new feature wall in a large or open-plan space, want a modern architectural aesthetic, or need installation flexibility across multiple configurations. The XL Bold is a project purchase that requires planning, framing, and typically a dedicated 240V circuit. In the right space, it produces a result the Revillusion is not designed to replicate.
Both product lines are available in The Fireplace USA's Dimplex collection. For a broader look at all built-in options, see our guide to built-in electric fireplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Revillusion replace a gas fireplace in an existing opening?
Yes, provided the opening dimensions match. The Revillusion is designed for retrofit into existing fireplace openings as well as new framed installations. No venting is required. Sizes range from 24" to 42" wide, so measure your opening before selecting a model.
Does the Ignite XL Bold work on a standard 120V outlet?
It can, using an optional plug kit sold separately. At 120V/1,500W, heat output is 5,000 BTU. For the full 8,530 BTU output, a 240V/2,500W hardwired connection is required. Most installations choose 240V for full heating performance.
Which has more realistic-looking flames?
They replicate different types of fire. The Revillusion places flames within a log set with a frosted rear panel adding depth, which reads as a traditional wood fire. The Ignite XL Bold's Multi-Fire® XD produces layered flames over a crystal and driftwood media bed, which reads as a contemporary linear fire. Which looks more realistic depends on what you expect a fireplace to look like in your space.
Can the Ignite XL Bold be used without heat in summer?
Yes. Both the Revillusion and the Ignite XL Bold support flame-only operation. The visual effect runs independently of the heater on both products, so you can use the fireplace year-round without adding heat to the room.
What sizes does the Revillusion come in?
Through The Fireplace USA, the Revillusion built-in firebox is available in five sizes: 24" (RBF24), 30" (RBF30), 36" (RBF36), 36" Portrait (RBF36P), and 42" (RBF42). The 36" Portrait has a taller, narrower proportion than the standard 36". If you want a Dimplex electric firebox wider than 42", the Ignite XL Bold (starting at 50") is the product to consider.
Is the Ignite XL Bold warranty transferable?
The Ignite XL Bold carries a 5-year in-home service and parts warranty covering labor and components. Warranty transferability depends on Dimplex's current terms. Contact Dimplex directly for specifics if purchasing for a rental or commercial property.
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