Customer Reviews

HoMedics QRM-400 Quad Roller Massaging Cushion with Traveling Shiatsu Massage

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I bought this one after reading the reviews and of course going over the features. What I write below I hope will provide sufficient guidelines to future purchasers.
Firstly - the product itself: After receiving it, I realized it's quite heavy. Using it - it's fine. Quite like the Brooks Brother models we find in their shops. Gives excellent pressure through their 4 (quad) balls going up and down. My wife - being a thin female experienced pain upon using it, subsequently threw the provided mat on top. Then it was fine for her. What this particular model has are 4 balls, simulteneously keading up and down. The other models, i.e. 200 has 2 balls and 100 - does not have spot. Those of you, getting confused as to which one to purchase need to decide whether 4 balls are going to give a really big benefit. For me - yes. Why ? I tried the 200, after completing had that feeling - <something is amiss!>
Now, feature-wise it provides rolling message, i.e. the balls roll from bottom to top and vice-versa. With rolling you can adjust the width between the balls also. 2 on either side. With shiatsu, there's no adjustment to width. Both rolling and shiatsu provides spot messaging.
Caveat (big) - you can either go shiatsu or rolling. The manufacturers MUST include in their subsequent improvement a combination message. Why? It gets frustrating to continuously opt for shiatsu/rolling. If there was a combination then it would have been lovely! Just when you're "settling" down you feel the need to change, break out of your "bliss", switch to rolling through their attached remote. Also, they have a demo mode. That's a perfect example of what I mean - I in fact use it often. It goes from shiatsu to spot, then roll, then spot, etc. etc. This is a primary reason for the 4 stars - they should have provided the option.
Caveat (big) - there's no option to SWITCH this thing off. What I mean is that the balls are lighted blue. I have a recliner, where I have put this product. Problem is, I have to take out the plug to stop the lights! Trust me - those lights really light up!

Now, a word to the readers - if you happen to have 1 of those Staples exec. chairs/etc. and plan to use this - beware. Then seating cushion and back is thick. Once you place this you won't have much seat space and it's un-comfortable even after you've tilted the chair. Ideally, these products are suited for a recliner sofa. Go to a shop and see it yourself before purchasing. Don't assume that you'll be able to manage it. You won't since due to it's weight, lights and thickness after a few days, you'll find it's stored in a closet. Rather than taking it out every time, placing on that exec chair, adjusting height and tilt for 15 min.; placing your legs high on something, etc. while to tilt this backwards.......

All in all - it does what it claims, i.e. shiatsu and rolling pretty good. However, it could have easily have been improved by introducing some pre-programmed massage settings and taking care of those damned lights. Additionally, you need have a proper environment, i.e. a good seating furniture to use it.

Finally, those in quandry whether to opt for 200 or 400 - my suggestion is - go for 400. It's better.

Update - The product is being extensively used now for approx. 30 days almost 3 times daily. It's as good as new! Performing to exact expectations and the funny part is the sound-level has actually decreased.

I bought both the SBM-300 and QRM-400. Although the QRM-400 looks better with the black vinyl and blue lights, the SBM-300 is a much better massager and is cheaper. The rollers on the QRM-400 essentially swivel back and forth and roll up and down your back. The SMB-400 rollers spin and roll up and down your back. My wife, I, and 14 year old son compared both and all three of us determined the SBM-300 did a better massage for us.

Maybe the title doesn't sounds as enthusiastic as it should, but I've been reading reviews on Homedics massage cushions for at least a year, wondering if they're all that everyone says they're cracked up to be.

I always have back issues, and the first thing I'd do if I won the lottery would be to hire my own live-in masseuse! My husband is usually the back-rubber of note, and he's got very strong hands. Last year, though, he developed cancer, and between chemo regimens and surgery, he's not in a position to do much energetic back rubbing.

The real thing that pushed me into buying this, though, was that he has begun to have back problems - combination of stress, posture, and that he's lost so much weight. Now before, when I'd rub his back, he still didn't like as hard a rub down as I like. But now, with the weight loss, he really can't bear anything too tough.

I looked again over the various Homedics massagers and decided to go for the Cadillac because of several features, like being able to stop the massage at one spot.

Let me first warn you: this thing is HUGE, or at least the box it comes in is huge! It's also not too light, so don't expect something you can easily whip out onto a chair. This is a serious business massager, if heft is any indication.

It's easy to set up (I tried a straight-backed dining room chair for the opening ceremonies.) The top of the massager is molded plastic, the bottom soft material. This is only for back stuff; no thigh massaging (yes, there are massagers that do that.)

The back of the massager has clear plastic kneading devices that are lit up when you turn the power on. I'm not sure what the deal is with this, but I guess someone would find it fun to look at. The booklet warns to unplug the massager so you don't burn out the lights. Of course, you can't SEE the lights when you're sitting on the massager, so I can't imagine who is that bored that they want to watch the cushion lights when they could be sitting ON it and getting a massage instead.

It has two main massage modes: shiatsu and rolling. When you're tired of looking at the lights, it has a padded strip that hooks with velcro onto the back of the massager to cushion it if you think it's too hard. I put that on, cause I knew my husband would definitely not be able to take this full throttle.

I tried it first (the thing works for 15 minutes then shuts off; there is also a demo mode to give you a brief sample of what this massager can do.) Well, it was OKAY. I definitely liked the shiatsu over the rolling massage, but the whole thing wasn't nearly hard enough for me.

I didn't even stay for the full 15 minutes, so I just shut it off. Later, I went back and flipped up the padded cushion to see what it'd be like without it. Well, THAT was strong enough for the most part. Whoa! That shiatsu thing just pounds the heck out of those muscles. Very nice indeed.

My husband went to try it, and like I thought, it was still too rough on him, even with the padded cover. I folded a down throw over the back of the massager, and that provided enough padding even for his bony back. He said, "I think I could get to like this!" which is high praise indeed.

(I should note the directions say NOT to put anything over the massager, as I did with the down throw. Well, it was either that, or he'd put on a few sweaters. I couldn't see the difference since the massager wasn't being obstructed, and he didn't go the full 15 minutes.)

It's been an hour or so since I did the 15 minutes of shiatsu, and I have to say, you really feel it LATER. Maybe I overdid the hard stuff! Or maybe I just need another 15 minutes with some padding!

I have never tried one of those cool massaging chairs (damned things are always broken when I think to stop by a store in the mall that sells them), so this massager - the high end of the Homedics line - is, as those who've tried massaging chairs say, very similar.

It's a little pricey right now, but look for that to drop. I saved a few bucks by buying on Target's website. They had free shipping, and I had a 10 percent off coupon (which is largely negated by the onerous sales tax they charge.)

Since I haven't tried the lower end models, I couldn't say if this is better for the extra money. I just know the thing is way too heavy to exchange; I'd only drag this back to Target if my husband really didn't like it at all.

My advice is that this isn't bad if you like a heavy duty back rub like me. Just don't get too overenthusiastic and ignore the cushion. Believe me, you'll FEEL it later!

I JUST BOUGHT THE SBM300 AS WELL AS THE QUAD 400. THEY BOTH DO A GOOD JOB, AND THE 4 MASSAGE BALLS FEEL NICE IN THE QUAD, HOWEVER IT DOES NOT GO AS HIGH ON THE UPPER BACK AS THE SBM300! AND THE 400 IS SIGNIFICANTLY HEAVIER.

SO IF UPPER BACK/SHOULDER MASSAGE IS NOT IMPORTANT TO YOU, THEN THE 400 MIGHT BE THE BETTER MNASSAGER FOR YOU BECAUSE OF THE QUAD ACTION - BUT A LOT OF MY TENSION IS IN MY VERY UPPER BACK, WHICH THE 400 DOES NOT REACH. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE SBM 300 (even though it runs a bit louder than the 400, but it's nothing too bad). JUST A SIDE NOTE - I AM 5 FT 2INCHES TALL -- EVEN THE SBM 300 WILL NOT LIKELY REACH THE UPPER SHOULDERS OF SOMEONE CLOSE TO 6 FEET TALL, AND THE 400 EVEN LESS SO.

I HOPE THAT THIS HELPS!

HAPPY SHOPPING :)

This is the first massager I've used that actually had any effect. It's primarily the shiatsu portion that I really like. I'll present the negatives, as I see them, up front.

1) It is thick and would work best in a chair with a deep seat. 2) It doesn't quite go high enough up the back for my preference. I'm 6'1". 3) I would prefer it to be more intense. Keep in mind, when using a human for massage, I prefer the ones with strong fingers that can make various parts of my back pop or creak and work those parts until they quit popping and creaking :-) The second thing to keep in mind, I've scared a few folks when I'd flinch or make an ouch sound until I explained that it was a good flinch or a sound of good pain meaning they were working a part that really needed it.

Now for the "In all fairness" section. 1) The massager has no brain so it can't tell where to really work the back, relying on you to position the massaging balls. 2) I don't see how it could be designed much thinner. 3) If it dug in harder (I'm not sure how they would design that), somebody would probably try to sue them.

This is the "Positive Points" and "factoids". 1) When using the roller only, the width can be adjusted and makes a difference. 2) Using shiatsu allows you to position the massager at any vertical point on your back but you can't adjust the width 3) Both modes permit you to select lower back, upper back or entire back. 4) If you select upper back and slide down in your chair, the results are fairly good. 5) Since I have this connected through a power strip I turn off when not in use, I didn't even notice the blue LEDs for a day or so.

Bottom line: It feels good and helps. I concentrate on the lower back and between my shoulder blades using the shiatsu. A few passes with the roller and then the use of a seperate back stretcher has me moving around fairly comfortably for a while.

Mark H

I have owned the QRM-400 for about 2 months now and I am still very impressed. I work on my feet all day so needless to say my back can be a little sore when I get home from work. The Homedics Quad-Roller does an amazing job, and I was surprised how firm of a massage it can give.

Be warned, don't expect some type of vibrating back cushion. There are motors that kneed deep into your back, and travel up and down the length of the cushion. A remote is included that lets you select the different types of massage, as well as allowing you to pin point where you want the rollers to work on. A nice touch! You are able to choose from a Shiatsu massage or roller massage with each allowing you the option of full, lower or upper back concentration.

The first time I used this unit I nearly jumped out of the chair not expecting the force behind the rollers. But it is somewhat adjustable with the use of the included pad to ease the sensation. For first time users, you definitely do not want try out this cushion on your bare back. Start with the included pad covering the rollers, and perhaps wear a bath robe or thick shirt or sweater so you can get a feel of this powerful machine in action. After you can try it with lighter clothes or without the pad.

Once you are used to it, you will find yourself so relaxed you might even drift off to sleep. Luckily the QRM-400 has a built in 15 minute timer that will shut down automatically after a full session.

The only cons I can think of is that it can not massage your neck or tops of your shoulders.. but then again I wasn't expecting it to. I really can't see how it would be possible to incorporate this feature into a seat cushion. If that is what you would require, your only option would be to get a much more expensive reclining massaging chair.

Overall I am very pleased with the Homedics QRM-400 for what it is, and especially for the price.
Highly recommended and a big thumbs up.

I originally was looking at the SBM-200 since I had a friend that had one and had tried it and it was nice. When I went to a store to try it out again and purchase it, I spotted this model. I like the additional features (the roller width can be adjusted and it can do a rolling massage along with the shiatzu). I bought it and obviously did many others because they were sold out within 12 hours at the store I went to. All my relatives so far have enjoyed it immensely!

This wonderous rolling shiatsu is everything promised. I actually got to try a double roller at a local Ace Hardware in Bloomsburg PA and fell in love with the thing.
I ordered the Quad Roller and am very happy. My wife fought me on this and wondered where we would put it, and keep it from being "unsightly." It is in our living room, covered with a 'decorative throw' for easy access and is used daily. My only complaint is the fact that I am 6 foot one, I wish it would climb higher up the neck. I am able to pull it up to accomodate however. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I have lusted after a $3000 panasonic massage chair for years and can't afford it. This is the first unit I have tried that gave an almost identical massage, for a fraction of the price. I am an RN who does pain releif therapy and not only have one of these units myself I recommend it to my clients. Interestingly, it has dramatically helped my bone-on-bone knee pain, since when my back is in better alignment my knees don't hurt as much. I rarely get back aches but when I have "overdone" my bending, etc., activities, this takes the discomfort away immediately. Definitely a keeper.

This massage chair is amazing. It's mostly amazing when you consider the price. I own a $4000 Osim massage chair. Of course the Osim is better but not $4000 better. The QRM-400 rollers in Shiatsu mode is actually pretty comperable to the Osim in Shiatsu mode. The rollers are smaller on the QRM-400 and don't offer as deep a massage as the Osim. The QRM-400 does an amazing job for the price. If the Osim gives a $4000 massage then the QRM-400 gives a $500 massage.

I like the QRM-400 so much I bought another one as a gift.

I would recommend this massager to anyone.