Dimplex Revillusion Review: Worth It?

Out of all the electric fireplace inserts I looked at, I ended up installing the Dimplex Revillusion in my own home. It wasn’t an impulse buy—I compared wood, gas, pellet, and electric, and I really wanted something that looked “real enough” to feel like an actual fireplace, not a glowing space heater.Here’s why I chose it, how the install went, what it’s like to live with day-to-day, and the small tweak I made that improved the look a lot.

Why I Went with an Electric Fireplace Insert

I originally had an ancient wood-burning insert that was… honestly ugly. And worse, it didn’t even function well. I wanted to replace it, but I didn’t want to sign up for a big renovation or ongoing maintenance either.

I weighed a bunch of factors: install cost, operating cost, how much mess I’d deal with, how easy it is to use, and (big one) whether it would actually look good. The more I compared options, the more electric made sense for my house.

1. Practically Zero Maintenance

With electric, there’s no soot, no ash, and no “I should probably schedule a chimney sweep” guilt. The only real upkeep is a quick dusting once in a while—mostly on the faux logs and the surround.

2. Install Is Faster (and Usually Cheaper)

Electric inserts don’t need venting, a gas line, or chimney work. That removes a lot of the expensive steps (and the scheduling headaches). In many cases, you can skip permits too—but of course, local rules vary.

3. No Smoke or Fireplace Emissions

LED flames don’t put smoke into the air. If you live somewhere that has seasonal burn bans or strict air quality rules, that alone can push the decision toward electric.

4. Flames With or Without Heat

This is one of the best parts. You can run the “fire” for the vibe without turning on the heater. I do this constantly—especially in warmer months—because the ambiance is there, but the room temperature stays comfortable.

But Could I Find One That Looked Real?

That was my deal-breaker. A lot of budget models look fun, but they don’t fool anyone. I wanted a unit that would look convincing from across the room, especially at night.

I watched videos, asked sellers annoying questions, and spent time in showrooms because photos alone don’t tell the whole story.

What I chose: I landed on the Dimplex Revillusion insert. Here’s the 30″ version. From a few feet away, the flame effect looks surprisingly legit. From about 8–10 feet away, it blends in so well that people assume it’s gas.

One more thing I liked: you can install it inside an existing fireplace opening or build it into a wall. Add a mantel (store-bought or DIY) and it really nails that built-in look.

This model gave me the traditional logs I wanted and a herringbone-style brick interior that adds depth—even when the unit is off.

And yes, it includes a built-in heater and fan, which is handy when you want a quick temperature boost in the room.

Fireplace Size Options:

• 30″ wide
• 36″ wide
• 36″P (taller version)
• 42″ wide

My Dimplex Revillusion Review After Installing It

Now that I’ve lived with it, I can say this plainly: I’m really happy I chose it.

1. Was the Installation a Pain?

Not at all. The insert and wiring come ready to go, plus you get a remote. The process is basically: connect wiring, slide the unit into place, secure it, and you’re done.

If you want to avoid hardwiring, you can use an accessory that converts the wiring into a standard plug. Here’s the plug-in kit. (I still recommend a dedicated circuit if you’ll use the heater regularly.)

2. Do the Flames Look Realistic?

From normal viewing distance, yes—especially at night. Up close (like 1 foot away), you can tell it’s an LED system because you can see down between the logs. But that’s true for basically every electric unit.

What impressed me is how “random” the flicker feels. It doesn’t look like a looping animation, and that’s what makes it convincing.

Dimplex uses a mirrored/frosted panel approach that makes the flames appear to come from within the firebox instead of just projecting onto the back wall. That’s a big reason it looks more natural than many inserts.

Quick tip: The weakest visual spot for me was the ember bed—it can read a little “molded.” I fixed that with a bag of lava rock from Lowe’s around the edges. It upgraded the look immediately and cost under $10.

3. Heater Pros and Cons

The heat kicks on fast (about 30 seconds) and blows warm air from the top front vent. The air moves upward, so you feel it more in the room than directly on your legs if you’re sitting low right in front of it.

The vent is subtle, and the heater doesn’t glow red like some infrared units. The tradeoff is fan sound. It’s not obnoxious, but you do hear it. If I’m going for “maximum realism,” I run flames-only and skip the heater.

The best “cost hack” is flames-only mode. Then you’re basically paying for LED lighting, which is typically pennies per hour, and you can enjoy it any season.

4. What About the Price?

It costs more than many inserts in the same size range. But between the flame tech and the heater performance, I get why. For me, the realism was worth the premium.

And it saved money elsewhere:

1. No gas line extension (and no permit dance for that).
2. Electrical work was quick instead of a multi-day project.
3. Using flames-only most of the time keeps operating costs low.

5. Should You Add Glass Doors?

I skipped the glass doors because I like the open look (and I didn’t feel like spending the extra money). But if you want a more finished fireplace vibe—or you’re trying to reduce dust on the log set—adding doors can make sense. Here are the optional glass doors.

Reputable Resources for More Information

• Dimplex Revillusion Owner’s Manual
• NFPA: Home Heating Safety Tips
• CPSC: Heater & Home Safety Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Revillusion look real in daylight?
It looks best at night or in dim lighting. In bright daylight, it still looks good, but the flame effect doesn’t “pop” as much.

Can I run it without heat?
Yes—this is one of the best features. Flames-only mode gives you ambiance with very low operating cost.

Is it loud when the heater is on?
It’s not loud like a shop fan, but you will hear airflow. If you want the quietest experience, run flames-only.

Can I plug it in instead of hardwiring?
Yes, with the optional plug-in accessory kit.

What size should I buy?
Match the insert to your existing opening (or your planned framing). If you’re between sizes, go with the one that fills the space properly—too small can look “floating.” Here are the common sizes again: 30″, 36″, 36″P, 42″.

Conclusion

If you want an electric fireplace insert that feels “shockingly close” to a real fire from normal viewing distance, the Dimplex Revillusion is one of the strongest options I’ve used. Installation is straightforward, flames-only mode is cheap to run, and the unit looks good even when it’s off. If you want an even more believable ember bed, the simple lava rock trick is an easy upgrade that makes a big difference for very little money.

More info:

• Order the Revillusion 30″ Online
• Owner’s Manual