This $200 Electric Fireplace Might Be the Ultimate Stress-Relief Gadget

What if the most effective wellness tool isn't a high-tech wearable or a meditation app, but a $200 box that fakes a fire? That's the surprising discovery after testing Turbro's Suburbs TS25 Smart Electric Fireplace. It began with an unintended hour-long nap and led to a deeper look at how simulated nature can genuinely calm our nervous systems.

An Accidental Dose of Relaxation

As someone who doesn't nap, falling asleep on the sofa was unusual. The only new variable was the TS25, with its cartoon-like LED flames flickering and a soft crackling sound. It seemed the simulacrum of fire—the glowing logs and gentle sounds—had bewitched me into a state of rest. This 32-pound device is more than just a heater; it's a relaxation box.

The fireplace is controlled via the SmartLife app, which is far more intuitive than the clunky physical remote. The app offers three brightness settings for the flame and three volume levels for the crackling sound. Its infrared heater also effectively warmed up a 200-square-foot room.

The Science of a Simulated Fire

This calming effect isn't just a placebo. Research has explored the psychological benefits of watching a fire. Christopher D. Lynn, a professor of anthropology at the University of Alabama, studied the impact of viewing fire on blood pressure. His research found that watching a fire with sound led to “consistent blood pressure decreases.”

According to Lynn, he replicated his original study using an electric fireplace and found similar results, though the paper is not yet published. This suggests our brains can receive the soothing benefits without the real thing. Crucially, a simulated fire is the healthier choice, as it doesn't cause indoor air pollution like a real wood-burning fireplace.