Contemporary

Contemporary electric is the fastest-growing corner of our floor, and the reason is simple: it delivers a wide, modern ribbon of flame on a wall that could never take a gas line. No venting, no chimney, no permits, no TSSA visit. It plugs in.

What is here

Wide linear fireboxes and wall-mounted units from Dimplex, Amantii and Modern Flames, including the Landscape Pro multi-sided series and Amantii's TRD and TRV Signature models. The most convincing flame in the category is Dimplex's Optimyst, which lifts a fine water mist and lights it from below so the flame has real depth and movement.

Who it suits

Condos, feature walls, rental units, and any renovation where the budget or the structure will not carry venting. Most units include a heater of around 1.5 kW that runs on a thermostat, and you can run flame-only with no heat in summer. Our gas vs electric comparison is honest about the heat trade-off, and the Toronto condo guide explains why electric is almost always the condo answer.