Tested: HoMedics PM-30BX On-The-Go Mini Massager

Posted by Levi on April 22, 2008 in Product Reviews and massager

homedics mini massager

In my search for something that would help soothe my sore muscles (other than getting a professional massage each day,) I came across two neat hand-held massagers from HoMedics. The one I’m reviewing here is the HoMedics PM-30BX On-The-Go Battery Operated Mini 3 Node Massager, because it looked like something I could carry around to my races.

Actually it looks more like a UFO than anything, but it’s called a massager, so I’ll take their word for it.

This is just a cheap little massager that you hold in your hand and glide over your body, letting it do all the work. Or so I thought.

Functionality

It looks like a novelty item, so I wasn’t expecting a miracle… but I was expecting it to work. It does move, but it is more of a vibration than a massage. I couldn’t even feel it on my quads and calves. (There’s only one speed, so you can’t change it to a harder setting.)

Even worse, the vibration really wears out your hand. So your muscles get no relief and your hand gets sore.

It’s not very flexible either. For example, if you use it on your feet or forearms, it sucks because only one or two pods hit at one time. The three “pods” are only good on a surface like your back or hamstrings, but there is not enough power to do anything to those areas anyway.

It is quiet, though. A vibrating cell phone is louder than this.

using homedics mini massager

Portability

As for transporting it, that’s not a problem. I can throw it in my car or gear bag and leave it there, ready to be used after I finish a race. It doesn’t take up much space, and it’s battery operated, so you can use it anywhere.

It’s not small enough that you can carry it in your pocket, though.

Price

I got mine at Amazon.com for $10, although some of my friends have seen it for $5 at discount retailers like Big Lots, Building 19, etc.

Possible uses

While you don’t feel much at all on your muscles, this thing does vibrate your head or face. Perhaps it would soothe a headache? And maybe it would work for children. Maybe.