The best water vapour fireplaces, compared.
Top pick: 3D water-vapour insert 500 mm Best value: Dimplex Bayport Optimyst – About £419, 4.0 from 120 reviews, and a stated 2 kW heater you can leave off. Updated October 2026.
A water vapour fireplace makes the flame from a fine water mist and light, not from logs. In a flat or a room with no usable flue, you get a stove shape without a chimney or smoke-control fuel. The stoves state a 1 kW or 2 kW heater that can stay off. Judge a listing by the heater claim, the body size, whether you will refill and descale, and how many UK reviews it has. These fires do not burn fuel, so a flue is not the installation. Call an electrician for a new circuit or for work in a bathroom. Rooms with no chimney are covered on the [water vapour fireplace with no chimney](/hub/fireplaces-and-stoves/water-vapour-fireplace/sub/water-vapour-fireplace-no-chimney) page. A water vapour fireplace is either a freestanding electric stove or a recessed atomised insert, mostly sold without a familiar brand. The inserts are sold by width, often with coloured, and some bullets say there is no heat at all.
A water vapour fireplace makes the flame from a fine water mist and light, not from logs. In a flat or a room with no usable flue, you get a stove shape without a chimney or smoke-control fuel.
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
Do you want the fire to heat the room?
This 500 mm insert is listed at £266.80 as a built-in mist panel with no heat, a claimed 3 mm top and 10 flame colours by remote, touch or app. The assembly text says you must embed it and wire it, so plan for an electrician rather than a plug-in lead. Purified water and an automatic refill are claimed, with an anti-dry-burn note, and no fill time is given. The amazon.co.uk line is 5.0 from 1 rating, and that single stored review is about a refund delay after a wrong-size return. Weight, wattage and full dimensions are absent; only the 500 mm size field is stated. A one-rating line cannot carry the flame, which keeps the score at 32.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A wired 500 mm opening once you have confirmed the size with the seller
Less suitable: A plug-in stove, or a choice you want to base on flame reviews
Specifications
Common questions
Does it heat the room?
The bullets say cool to the touch and no heat.
Is it plug-in?
The assembly text says to embed it and that it requires wiring. It does not describe a simple plug-in stove.
What is the one review about?
The single stored review is about a refund after returning the wrong size, not about flame quality.
The flatpincololee insert is a 500 mm mist panel at £221.99 and a listed 11 kg, with nine colours, a remote and a smartphone app. The bullets claim an automatic refill and a humidifier function, and the installation line allows tabletop, wall or built-in use. Heat output is not stated. The listing is 5.0 from 1 rating, and that review says you can place it built-in or freestanding, with only a minor hum. Full dimensions beyond the 500 mm size field are missing. The price sits under the wired 500 mm insert, and the written evidence is still that one review.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A 500 mm insert around £222 when one placement review is enough for you to try it
Less suitable: A stated heater, or more than one written review
Specifications
Common questions
Does it include a remote?
Yes. The listing also says you can use a smartphone app.
Is a heater specified?
No heat output or wattage is in the saved listing.
How many reviews are there?
The listing shows 5.0 from 1 rating, and the file contains that one review.
The Fortrose is the large Optimyst here, 66 cm high, 62 cm wide and 39 cm deep, at 20.8 kg and £576, with 1 kW or 2 kW heat, a thermostat and a listed coverage of 20 m². It is 4.5 from 52 amazon.co.uk ratings, the highest star line among these Dimplex stoves, drawn from 19 stored UK reviews that often say the mist looks like a log burner without ash or smell. Glass doors fog, and one review cites a door sticker that says to open the doors, which the guide does not mention. Assembly is called fiddly, one unit arrived with a faulty bulb so the flame only partly worked, and one review says the flame lamps are halogen at 180 W rather than the LED in the bullets. The power field prints 130 W beside a 2 kW heater, and a bullet says graphite while the colour field says black. One review says the heat does not match a large log burner in a big room, and another mentions a chemical smell after hours. If you want the biggest body in this set, the 4.5 line sits on 52 ratings, with those catalogue clashes still on the listing.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A larger 66 cm stove when you want the 4.5 star line and a listed coverage of 20 m²
Less suitable: A buyer who needs the power field to read 2 kW, or glass that stays clear
Specifications
Common questions
Is the Fortrose flame-only?
The listing says the flame can run without the 1 kW or 2 kW heater.
How big is it?
The listing gives 39 × 62 × 66 cm and 20.8 kg, with a heating coverage of 20 m².
What do owners complain about?
In the 19 stored reviews, fogged glass doors, fiddly assembly, and water-system upkeep come up more than once.
The Gosford is a 62 cm high Optimyst stove, 30 cm deep and 48 cm wide at 17 kg, which you plug into a grounded outlet and run as a 1 kW or 2 kW fan heater or as flame only. Across 590 amazon.co.uk ratings it sits at 4.4, and in 34 stored UK reviews visitors are often said to have taken the mist for a real log burner. Owners who could not fit a chimney or a wood stove describe it as a practical stand-in, and one review calls the heat quick. The fan is too loud for television and conversation in several of those reviews, and refills are a chore, with reported fills from about 5 hours to about 10 hours against a bullet that says up to 8 hours. One heater stopped within 24 days, log pieces arrived broken, and one household said the transducer stopped making mist after about four years. At £639 it is the dearest Dimplex stove in this set, and the warranty is one year unless you register for a further year. That 590-rating sample is why it is the top pick, with the fan noise and the price still part of the judgement.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A living room without a chimney, where you want the largest amazon.co.uk review sample in this set
Less suitable: A quiet room for television, or a budget under the £639 price
Specifications
Common questions
Does the Gosford work without the heater?
The listing says you can run the flame effect without the 1 kW or 2 kW fan heater.
How is it installed?
The listing says freestanding or built-in, and to plug the lead into a grounded outlet. It is vent-free.
What do reviews repeat?
Among 34 stored reviews, the mist is often called convincing. Noise, refilling, and the odd failed heater or broken log piece also come up.
The Bayport is the lowest-priced Dimplex stove here at £419, a freestanding Optimyst 58 cm high, 44 cm wide and 28 cm deep, weighing 11.6 kg, with a listed coverage of 25 m². The mist runs with the heater off or at 1 kW or 2 kW, and you get a remote, a thermostat and a two-year warranty. It is 4.0 from 120 amazon.co.uk ratings, and 50 stored UK reviews often call the mist realistic, including buyers who paid less than a local shop price. Refills come up as daily, or every 3–4 hours in constant use, against a bullet that says up to 8 hours. Empty-tank errors with a full tank, mist that failed within days, loose feet and remote faults all appear in that sample. One review says the white lead is short and that Dimplex does not recommend an extension, and another describes support as unreachable. The power field prints 80 W beside a stated 2 kW heater, so the heater figure to follow is the one in the bullets, and at £419 with this review set it is the best value.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A freestanding Optimyst at £419 when you already accept more frequent refills than the 8-hour bullet
Less suitable: A long lead, a quiet heated evening, or a wattage field that matches the 2 kW heater
Specifications
Common questions
Can the Bayport run with no heat?
Yes. The listing states a flame-only mode as well as 1 kW and 2 kW.
How often is the tank filled?
The bullets say up to 8 hours. Stored reviews often say daily, or every 3–4 hours if it runs constantly.
What failed in reviews?
In 50 stored reviews, empty-tank errors, no mist from new, loose feet, and a transducer or remote failure all appear.
The Willowbrook is a 58 cm high Optimyst with a 36 cm depth, a 44 cm width and a listed 11.5 kg, at £454, with 1 kW or 2 kW heat and a flame-only mode. The listing quotes a 20 m² coverage, a digital display, a thermostat and a two-year warranty, and the 2 kW power field matches the heater. It is 3.9 from 59 amazon.co.uk ratings. In 27 stored UK reviews the mist is often called convincing, including by people who had a real log burner, and several short reviews say setup was easy. The glass steams up or stays wet even on a low flame, and one owner leaves the door open because of it. A tank was empty after about 3 hours in one review, against an up-to-8-hours bullet, remotes were missing or dead on arrival, and the body is called light, like a biscuit tin. At £454 you get a mid-price stove with a real review set and a recurring wet-glass complaint.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A freestanding black stove at £454 when you want a thermostat and a power field that matches 2 kW
Less suitable: A clear glass door, or a delivery you cannot check for a working remote
Specifications
Common questions
Can you use it with no heat?
Yes. The listing says the flame effect runs without the heater.
Does it include a remote?
The listing includes a remote and two AAA batteries. Some stored reviews say the remote was missing or did not work.
Why do reviews mention the glass?
Several of the 27 stored reviews say the door mists up when the steam is on.
The Evandale is a compact Optimyst, 28 cm deep, 44 cm wide and 58 cm high, at 11.6 kg and £445, with 1 kW or 2 kW heat and a flame you can run with the heat off. The listing is 3.8 from 24 amazon.co.uk ratings. In 11 stored UK reviews the smoke effect is praised, including with the heater off, and one says it reaches the set temperature fairly quickly. The water bottle needs a top-up nearly every day for a long mist session, against a bullet of up to 8 hours, and the fan is called quite noisy. More than one of those 11 reviews calls the build cheap, parts were missing on arrival, and Dimplex support is called unhelpful. The warranty length is not stated, and the power field prints 90 W beside the 2 kW heater. One reviewer described an earlier unit that caught fire; that remains a single anecdote in this file.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A compact 58 cm Optimyst at £445 if 24 ratings are enough for you
Less suitable: A large room, a stated warranty length, or a review file larger than 11 texts
Specifications
Common questions
What water does the listing imply?
The bullets say fill the bottle for up to 8 hours. One stored review says to use filtered water.
How big is the Evandale?
28 × 44 × 58 cm and 11.6 kg on the listing.
Is the review set large?
The listing shows 3.8 from 24 ratings, and the saved listing holds 11 review texts.
This generic 50 cm insert is £183.20, with bullets that claim a recessed or wall fit, a remote or touchscreen, and an automatic inlet for purified or filtered water. No heat output, wattage, weight or full dimensions are on the listing, only the 50 cm title size. There is no amazon.co.uk review line and no stored review text, so flame, noise and refill time are unknown. The colour field prints 01, which does not name a finish you can match to a room. A timer is asked on the listing and left unanswered in the file. At this price you are buying a width claim and a water claim without a customer record.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A 50 cm recess only after the seller confirms heat, finish and the full size
Less suitable: A purchase you want to base on UK reviews or a stated heater
Specifications
Common questions
Does it state a heat output?
No.
Does it have a remote?
The bullets include a remote and a touchscreen.
Are there reviews?
No customer-review line and no review text.
The 90 cm generic insert is £326.37, with bullets for recessed or wall mounting, a remote, many flame colours, and an automatic inlet that the listing says can connect to a water source. Heat, wattage and weight are not stated, and the title size is 90 cm / 35.4 in without a full dimension table. There is no customer-review line and no review text. The humidifier claim, and the line that it is safe for people and pets, are seller text only. The width is the main stated difference from the cheaper 50 cm inserts. Measure the opening before you order, because nothing in the file checks the 90 cm figure against a built opening.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A 90 cm opening only after the seller confirms size, heat and how it is wired
Less suitable: A reviewed heater, or a lower price when the insert has no ratings
Specifications
Common questions
Does the 90 cm insert state a heater?
No wattage or heat setting is in the listing.
How is it mounted?
The bullets say recessed and vertical or wall mounting, with a manual and hardware.
Are there reviews?
There is no customer-review line and no review text.
This generic insert is £198.88 and lists a weight of 7.85 kg, nine RGB colours, a remote or touch control, and filtered water. The title size is 50 × 24 × 16 cm, while the dimension table also says 14.5 × 38.5 × 2 cm, so you cannot tell which body will arrive. The power-source field says gas, and the bullets describe an electric LED mist. Installation is given as tabletop, and there is no review line. A 304 stainless tank and a 3 mm top plate are claimed, with nothing in the file to check them. Ask the seller to settle the size and the gas-versus-electric lines before you rely on the £198.88 price.
Pros
Cons
Best for: An order only after the seller confirms one size and that the unit is electric
Less suitable: An opening you have already measured to one size line, or a gas supply
Specifications
Common questions
What size is it?
The title says 50 × 24 × 16 cm. The dimension table says 14.5 × 38.5 × 2 cm. Both are on the listing. Weight is 7.85 kg.
Is it gas or electric?
The power-source field says Gas Powered. The bullets describe an electric LED water-vapour effect. The conflict is unresolved.
Are there reviews?
No customer-review line and no review text.
This 120 cm insert is the widest title in the set, at £377.24, and the bullets say the steam fireplace does not heat. A remote or touch screen, filtered water and an automatic inlet are claimed, and the bullets name 304 stainless steel. The title says 7 flame colours and the bullets also say 9, so you do not have one colour count. There is no customer-review line, no weight and no full dimensions beyond the 120 cm width. The installation method is not stated. At this price the width and the no-heat line are listing claims, with that colour clash and no reviews behind them.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A wide flame-only panel after you confirm 120 cm, the colour count and the fixing method
Less suitable: Room heat, a review record, or a single colour figure on the listing
Specifications
Common questions
Does this 120 cm model heat?
The bullets say the steam fireplace does not heat up.
Are there reviews?
The listing has no customer-review line and no review texts.
How many flame colours?
The title says 7 and the bullets also say 9. Both figures are on the listing.
The EZBHIZ insert is the lowest price in the set at £167.99, with a 50 cm / 19.7 in size, a remote and a manual. The installation field says wall mount, while the bullets also say recessed and vertical, and they claim an automatic water inlet. The material field says Wood, which you should not treat as a mist-tank specification. Heat, wattage and weight are not stated, and there is no review line. A humidifier claim is seller text only. The low sticker reflects a thin listing, with no owner comparison against the Dimplex stoves.
Pros
Cons
Best for: A £167.99 trial only after the seller confirms the material and whether it heats
Less suitable: A finished installation, or a comparison you want to make with a reviewed Dimplex stove
Specifications
Common questions
What is the listed material?
The material field says Wood. The bullets describe a water-mist fireplace.
How is it installed?
The installation field says wall mount. The bullets also say recessed and vertical.
Are there reviews?
No customer-review line and no review text.
Twelve amazon.co.uk listings were scored on 15 October 2026: five Dimplex Optimyst stoves and seven atomised inserts. No fireplace was laboratory tested. Stars, review volume, the stored UK review texts, listing fit and price sum to 100 points. A star line with fewer than 10 ratings is capped. The Gosford leads at 81 because it is 4.4 from 590 reviews. The Bayport is the best value at 79, £419, with 4.0 from 120 reviews and a stated 2 kW heater. Prices, stars and stock change.
Stars
30%Amazon stars on that amazon.co.uk listing, scaled to 30 points. Fewer than 10 ratings caps this part at 8. No review line scores 0.
Review volume
24%500 or more ratings score 24, 100–499 score 16, 50–99 score 12, 20–49 score 8, 1–9 score 2, and none scores 0.
UK written sample
15%Stored UK review texts: 40 or more score 15, 20–39 score 11, 10–19 score 8, one or two score 2, and none scores 0.
Listing fit
25%Heat, size, water and installation as stated on the listing, up to 25 points, with deductions for repeated faults and catalogue clashes. A gas line beside electric bullets scores 0 on heat.
Price for what is shown
6%A Dimplex stove under £450 scores 6. Dearer stoves score less. An insert over £300 with no review line scores 1. A hard catalogue clash limits the price points.
Start with heat, then with stove or insert, then with water and the review sample. A wide title and a low price do not replace a heater line or a set of UK reviews. The notes below are the amazon.co.uk listings and the public UK sources, not a lab flame test.
A water vapour fireplace in this set is either a freestanding Dimplex Optimyst electric stove or a recessed atomised insert, mostly sold without a familiar brand. Optimyst makes the flame from a fine water mist and light. The five Dimplex listings add a separate 1 kW or 2 kW fan heater that can stay off. The inserts are sold by width, often with coloured LEDs, and some bullets say there is no heat at all. Heat is the first split.
Two inserts say they do not heat, and several others never state a wattage. The word fireplace is not a heater claim. Read the 1 kW or 2 kW line, or the no-heat line, before you compare prices.
A 5.0 from one rating is capped in the score. On the wired 500 mm insert that single text is a refund for the wrong size. Five inserts have no rating line at all.
The UK care sheet says filtered water, not de-ionised water. A decorative pipe is not a flue, and these fires are not Defra-exempt stoves. Call an electrician for a new circuit, a wired insert or a bathroom.
The listing either states a heater or it does not. The five Dimplex Optimyst stoves name 1 kW and 2 kW, and the mist can run with the heater off. The 120 cm panel and the wired 500 mm panel say they do not heat. Several cheaper inserts leave heat and wattage blank. A blank is not a hidden 2 kW. Gosford prints 2.2 kW and Willowbrook prints 2 kW, in line with the heater. Bayport prints 80 W, Fortrose 130 W and Evandale 90 W beside the same 2 kW claim.
Every Optimyst stove here keeps water in a bottle or sump. The UK care sheet specifies filtered water, not de-ionised water, about 8–10 hours a fill, and cleaning about every two weeks, because scale stops the transducer. Stored reviews often miss the eight-hour bullet. Gosford fills run from about 5 hours to about 10 hours. One Willowbrook tank was empty after about 3 hours. Bayport owners describe daily refills, or every 3–4 hours if it runs all the time.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a stove shape and the largest amazon.co.uk review sample in this set. The Gosford is 4.4 from 590 reviews, about £639, with a 1 kW or 2 kW heater you can leave off. The fan is loud in several stored reviews, and the warranty is one year unless you register.
You want the mist more than the fan heater, at the lowest Dimplex price here. The Bayport is about £419, 4.0 from 120 reviews, and the flame can run with the heat off. Expect refills more often than the eight-hour bullet, and a power field that prints 80 W beside 2 kW.
You have measured a 500 mm opening and you do not need heat from the fire. This insert states no heat and says it must be wired, so plan an electrician. The amazon.co.uk line is 5.0 from one rating, and that review is a size refund, not a note on the flame.
Twelve amazon.co.uk listings, checked on 15 October 2026, split into five Dimplex Optimyst stoves and seven inserts. The Gosford is the top pick at about £639 because it is 4.4 from 590 reviews, with fan noise and a one-year warranty unless you register still part of the judgement. The Bayport is the best value at about £419, 4.0 from 120 reviews, with a stated 2 kW heater. Inserts under £230 have no review line, or a single review, so the lower sticker does not take that place. Measure the hearth or the opening before you order. Nothing here was laboratory tested.
Dimplex Bayport Optimyst
About £419, 4.0 from 120 reviews, and a stated 2 kW heater you can leave off.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources and the Dimplex care sheet, read with the amazon.co.uk listings on 15 October 2026.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are from the UK listings checked on 15 October 2026. We did not laboratory-test a fireplace.
