HoMedics Mcs-360h Swedish Massaging Cushion

Purchased this and a Sharper Image 100 model massager. I set them up, side by side and used them for a few hours over a couple of days. Here's the rub:

Homedics and Sharper Image unit are both made by Homedics but both were different in their results.

Homedic vs. Sharper Image

First you must remove the screw on the back of both units. This is located at the bottom of the back portion, and must be removed before plugging in and using. There is a small allen (hex) wrench provided to remove the screw. If you do not remove screw, you will most likely break the unit on start up.

1. The Homedics remote has less options on the remote than Sharper Image. Fewer options, but sufficient. Homedics has 4 options, Sharper Image 6. The 4 options seem to be sufficient.

2. The Homedics massaging balls that move up and down and rotate on your back are more spread out, and do not run up your back, as close to your spine they massage a little further out on your back than the Sharper Image.

3. The top of the massage balls on the Homedics have a smaller flat spot, thus they give a firmer, harder massage (which I prefer). The Sharper Image was a softer massage as the flat spots on the massage balls are larger and thus do not press as hard on your muscles.

4. The Homedics massage balls stick out farther on the back portion than the Sharper Image unit. Thus by sticking out farther, they provide a deeper, harder massage.

5. The heating aspect is better on the Sharper Image, but sufficient on the Homedics. Wear a T-Shirt and the heat will be enough on the Homedics.

6. I adjust the unit in the chair to massage a larger area. I raise it up in the chair to reach higher on my back and run it for 15 minutes, then lower it in the chair to reach the lower back area. This works well and is a simple fix. Both units have a stretch strap with velcro to keep it attached to the chair back. I put my massager in a office chair. It is easy to remove and replace.

7. Sharper Image goes up a little higher on the back as it is a slightly taller unit.

8. Both units run for 15 minutes, then shut off, but you can turn unit off at any time, or the heat on/off at any time.

9. Price: Homedics $100 at Bed Bath and Beyond, but I showed an internet price from Amazon (exact model) for $83 from my phone to the manager and he said they accept price comparisons, even from the phone. Or you can get a 20% off coupon by going to the Bed Bath & Beyond web site and signing up for their ads and they will have you print a 20% off coupon. So you can get it for $80. The Sharper Image was $119 and i used a BBB 20% coupon and got it for a little less than $100 (before taxes).

Final Decision: I preferred the Homedics, and my wife preferred the Sharper Image. I liked the harder massage, she liked the softer massage. I did like the massage closer in to the spine that the Sharper Image gave on the lower back, but preferred the wider Homedics massage in the wing bone area, since that is where most of the muscle knots are located on my back. I typically use the Homedics massager on my back for about an hour to an hour and a half as it feels great, working those knots out. I am a little sore the next day or two, but I prefer that as I know it is working.

Only thing I wish the Homedics did: Went higher up on back. But since it does not, I simply move the back piece up higher on the chair. Problem solved 20 seconds.

So the bottom line: If you prefer a softer message, that feels great, you will like the Sharper Image 100 unit. If you need or like a harder massage, then the Homedics may be better for you. For the money, it is worth having. A 1 hour deep massage will cost $80. This is not the same, but is pretty good for the $.

A benefit: If you want to add an extended warranty go to squaretrade.com and you can most likely get and extended warranty for about $12-15. Not too bad. If it breaks after the factory warranty, within the extended time frame then they replace it with the next upgraded unit.

Hope this helps. I looked at a lot of reviews and comments and was happy to try these two units side by side. Happy with my purchase.

This reviewer is a 57 YO male, Former LMT, Back Surgery patient. I suffer fror back pain chronically. This review is as objective as I can. People everywhere have differing opinions, and expectations. FOR ME, this device works very well, and I will begin with the positive. In the lower back setting, it ranges from my sacral area to just below my shoulder blades. Upper back setting goes from mid back to just below my neck. The slow, steady motion provides much needed relief. Even when it sits in the OFF position, the balls provide pressure where needed. The controls are illuminated in a pleasent blue light. Set up is quick, and, straight forward. The DOWNSIDE for many, would be as acknowleged in the manual, there IS the smell....... It takes about 48 hours to dissapate. For those who claim it "Pinches", or is too "Aggressive", again, the MANUAL suggests using a towel between you and the cushion. AND!!!!! by READING THE MANUAL......, Where along with a BIG STICKER, advises there is a screw in the back that needs to be removed with the supplied allen wrench.

There is some motor noise, and squeaking against the fabric as the balls move within. This lessens as you use it. I subtracted one star, due to the fact that there should be 12V socket for In-Car use, at this price point, it should be included. Also, I may add, it could be heavy and cumbersome for some. When in pain, this can be a factor. Shop around for % off coupons, and in-store pickup, which I was fortunate enough to do.

Buy HoMedics Mcs-360h Swedish Massaging Cushion Now

I am a 25-year old male and got this massager to help relieve constant muscle tension in my back and shoulders due to stress. As I had a LOT of tension in my shoulders and lower back, I wanted something that would be very strong, even harsh, on my muscles. This was perfect. I had tried this model, which a friend of mine had, and I determined to buy one at that time. I should note, however, that my friend's mother couldn't use the massager as it was too painful so beware that it may hurt for some.

The shiatsu knobs in this massager will dig into your back pretty hard (assuming you use it without a towel as I did). If you use a towel behind your back, it may be a softer massage (i think that's recommended). But if you are looking for some heavy back massage therapy, this is an incredible buy. I was amazed at how strong it was, and how it would grab muscles in my back and almost "move" them as the rotating massage heads moved on their track. The heat is nice and the massager has helped me to reduce my muscle tension by helping stimulate the muscles, reduce knots, and better notice when I am tensing up.

Bottom line if you want a STRONG massager, more for *therapy* not relaxation then this is a terrific buy. It is strong and durable and I love it. If you are looking for a massager that is gentle and relaxing, find something else, or use this with a towel.

Five stars for incredibly strong massage, and durability. I should note however that after heavy daily use (30+ minutes a day, 4+ times per week, for 6 weeks) I am noticing the strength of the massager getting weaker, as I think I've worn out some of the parts. However, I use it much more than recommended, and I lean pretty hard into it so that it digs into my back. Overall, it's much more durable than my Brookstone percussion massager, for the price.

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After reading many reviews I choose to purchase this massage cushion for my husband for a gift. He found that while using the cushion the piece that went up and down your back to give you the massage was very hard, causing a very intense massage almost hurtful at times. Other people in the family tried it too and said they didn't like it either. We like to leave this type of cushion on the chair so he can use the heat feature when he wants. Not with this cushion. That piece that stuck out made it too uncomfortable. So he would have had a feature he couldn't use.

If you like a very intense massage this is the one for you. If you like to remove your cushion once done with the massage and have a place to store it, this is for you too.

I've returned the cushion. We decided that these types of things are best purchased in the store where they can be tried out first!

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I bought this massage cushion because my previous Homedics one quit working after 2 years and they don't have that model in stock anymore (sbm-300h I think). I really liked my old one because the massage was very strong and it had a pretty good range. I'm 5'8" and it reahed the top of my shoulders. It's hard to gauge the strength of a massage cushion by reading reviews. There are so many people that think a lot of shiatsu cushions are too strong. I wouldn't dream of putting anything between myself and my cushion. I'm not a big girl and I love the strong shiatsu, therefore I think a lot of cushions would be too mild for me. That includes THIS one. It seemed very weak to meI was very disappointed. It also had limited range and didn't even reach my lower back. The heat was also very weak. I was so disappointed with this one that I turned it off, didn't even let it finish it's cycle, and packed it back up in the box to be returned. Paying $13 for return shipping isn't fun, but I loved my other massager so much that I want to find one I love again... it's so relaxing! So if you know you like a stronger massage and want it to reach both top and bottom of your back, don't waste your time with this one.

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