Quick Answer: Not every electric fireplace has a built-in crackling sound — it’s a specific feature that only some brands build in. Touchstone’s Sideline Elite Pro (from $999) and Dimplex’s Opti-Myst line both ship with an adjustable-volume crackle speaker synced to the flame, and SimpliFire, Amantii, and Napoleon all sell at least one model with the same feature, per Electric Fireplaces Depot’s own dedicated crackling-sound-effect collection. If your fireplace doesn’t have one — most R.W.Flame, PuraFlame, Duraflame, and ClassicFlame models don’t — the Comfort Smart Fire Crackler Sound System (~$20-$40, battery-powered, 3 volume settings) is a standalone add-on that works near any fireplace, electric or not.
A crackling sound is one of the easiest features to miss when comparing electric fireplaces, because it isn’t tied to width, price tier, or heat output the way most specs on this site are — a $999 unit and a $2,500 unit from different brands can land on opposite sides of it. Here’s which brands build it in, and what to do if yours doesn’t.
Sound-effect coverage across this site’s brands
| Brand | Built-in crackle speaker? | Example model | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touchstone | Yes | Sideline Elite Pro | Adjustable volume, synced to flame speed |
| Dimplex | Yes | Opti-Myst line | Remote-controlled, independent of heat |
| SimpliFire | Yes (select models) | Listed in Electric Fireplaces Depot's sound-effect collection | Check the specific model page |
| Amantii | Yes (Bespoke line) | Tru View Bespoke 45" | Confirmed via manufacturer spec sheet |
| Napoleon | Yes (select models) | Listed in Electric Fireplaces Depot's sound-effect collection | Check the specific model page |
| R.W.Flame / PuraFlame / Duraflame / ClassicFlame | Generally no | — | Add the Comfort Smart speaker instead |
1. Touchstone Sideline Elite Pro — Best Built-In Speaker
Touchstone Sideline Elite Pro Smart Electric Fireplace
- Built-in crackle speaker with adjustable volume, layered on top of the 6 flame colors/13 ember-bed colors already covered in our Touchstone roundup — the sound can be muted independently of the flame and heat.
- Same core spec as the rest of the Sideline Elite family: 1,500W, up to 400 sq ft, app plus Alexa/Google Home control.
- Sold in 5 widths (42", 50", 60", 72", 100"), so the speaker feature carries across the whole size range, not just one SKU.
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2. Comfort Smart Fire Crackler Sound System — Best Add-On for Any Fireplace
Comfort Smart Fire Crackler Sound System (CS-FC)
- A standalone battery-powered speaker that loops a pop-and-crackle audio track — works near any fireplace, electric or otherwise, since it isn't wired into the unit at all.
- Manual on/off with high/medium/low volume settings, no app or remote pairing required.
- Not synced to the flame animation the way a built-in speaker is, but it's the cheapest way to close the gap on a brand that doesn't offer the feature natively.
If your R.W.Flame, PuraFlame, Duraflame, or ClassicFlame unit didn’t come with a speaker — see our R.W.Flame, PuraFlame, and ClassicFlame roundups for the models this most often applies to — this is the fastest fix, and it costs less than the price difference between a speaker-equipped and non-speaker-equipped unit in the same size class.
3. Amantii Tru View Bespoke 45” — Best Multi-Sided With Sound
Amantii Tru View Bespoke 45" 3-Sided Electric Fireplace
- Built-in speaker for crackling fire sound sampled from real fires, confirmed directly on the manufacturer's spec sheet for this model, already covered in our Amantii roundup.
- The speaker feature is specific to Amantii's Bespoke line — the standard Symmetry XT does not carry the same confirmed spec, so check the exact model before assuming it carries across the brand.
- Rated for indoor and covered-outdoor use, same 1,500W/5,000 BTU/400 sq ft heating spec as this site's other plug-in picks.
Don’t confuse this with thermal expansion noise
A built-in crackle speaker is an intentional feature you choose to buy — and can usually mute. It’s a different thing entirely from the ticking or popping some fireplaces make during the first few minutes of heat-up, which is just the metal housing expanding, not a speaker at all. If your unit is making noise you didn’t expect and want to know whether it’s normal, see our electric fireplace crackling sound guide for how to tell the two apart.
The bottom line
If a built-in crackling speaker matters to you, buy it deliberately — Touchstone, Dimplex, SimpliFire, Amantii, and Napoleon all sell at least one model with the feature, while budget-focused brands like R.W.Flame, PuraFlame, Duraflame, and ClassicFlame generally don’t include it. Either way, the feature never changes the underlying 1,500W/400 sq ft heating spec covered across this site’s brand roundups, so it’s safe to pick on sound alone without trading off warmth. And if you already own a non-speaker unit, the Comfort Smart Fire Crackler Sound System closes the gap for under $40.