Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

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.