Customer Reviews

Thermophore Heating Pad, Petite, 4" x 17"

5 star:		(135)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

This is our second Thermophore 14 x 27, first one lasted about ten years or so, and we liked it enough to replace right away.

With temperatures up around 165 degrees, this will get in deep to your muscles and joints. A few rounds of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off will work wonders.

One of the best features is that this pad is weighted all over with many flat metal weights that make it conform to your body for great contact and heat transfer.

Use with caution and read the instruction manual for warnings. See the Thermophore web site for more details.

Seems a bit expensive compared to standard heating pads, but it's in a class by itself and worth the investment.

Note, Don't be confused by the "Automatic" wording, it has a hand operated normally OFF switch. The Automatic refers to the moist heat since you don't have to wet it at all.

They now make the same unit with an automatic timer shut off switch if you might like that better than the manual switch that this one has. This one you have to hold the switch down to keep it hot, that way if you doze off it shuts it off.
The other is called "Automatic" with "Automatic switch"

BTW, the shipping service by 'The Therapy Connection at HPMS, Inc' was outstanding and it arrived in just a few days time. I'm sure that can vary, but my order shipped fast!

Definitely much better than any other heating pad I have used as nothing is able to match this amount of heat. I'm not fond of the manual switch and I use a small strap to keep the switch down.

I've been looking for a heating pad that would actually get hot enough to do some good, after waisting my money on several of them that claimed to be the best I finally found one. Thermophore Moist Heating Pad is absolutely the best I've every used. I just wish they would make one that gets this hot in an automatic version.

I bought my thermophore eight months ago. I always took care of it, and thought of it as a valuable investment --in terms of money, but also because it is very useful in my medical care.

It worked very well... at first. Then it started to warm less and less. Till one day, it warmed no more.

I did not worry. The manual stated that the manufacturer stood behind their products and that they had a shop in US soil full of workers willing to fix their products for free if under warranty, or repair them for $30 if past warranty.

My thermophore was well within its warranty period. I sent it well packed with a copy of my original receipt.

I was then, in shock, when I received a form letter that informed that my warranty did not apply because my thermophore had been manufactured over three years ago. Yet at least as far as a consumer can tell, the date of manufacture is not written anywhere in the original box, its manual, or the device itself. And, if the device spent over three years in an Amazon warehouse, is that reason to declare a product ineligible for warranty coverage?

Why was this requirement never documented anywhere in the manual, in the warranty text, or the website of the manufacturer? And what about that $30 offer to fix the thermophore? I was instead, offered to be charged $40 instead.

Needless to say a disappointment! This company and its product might have at some point manufactured excellent products, but seems that the pernicious temptation to destroy customer loyalty by saving a few bucks has seeped in...

This is a manufacturer in decline. Look elsewhere for a good heating pad.

Comparing this pad to an ordinary drugstore pad is like comparing a rowboat to a battleship. I became aware of this product by visiting a friend who said to me "you are walking as if you are really in pain". I acknowledged that I was and he said "try this". Within 15 minutes I was searching for one for me on my phone internet browser while I was still using has pad...if you like a deep heat on your sore shoulders, don't even hesitate.
You will notice that the information says it has a "trigger" switch you have to hold down to have the unit on. Trust me, within 3 minutes you will understand and appreciate that switch.
Simply, it's more money, but it is worth it.

I was all excited to receive this heating pad based on the good reviews. Oh boy, was I in for a big disappointment. First of all, this pad cannot be used underneath the body, which is not mentioned anywhere, as I recall. Yes, I read the manual, and found out that you have to place this pad ON TOP of the area you wish to treat, do not lay on top of it, or something terrible may happen I guess. One strike, because I like to put a heating pad under my sore back, but this is a no no. Strike two is the fact that there is no way to control the temperature; it comes with just the one setting it has and that is that. Strike three, it lacks a timer, so you cannot set it to auto shot-off. To summerize my impression of this product, it seems to be lagging still in the last century based on looks, feel and function. The only positive is the fact that the cover is made out of some kind of a felt material, which absorbs moisture from the air and then releases this moisture back out and into your body during the heating cycle. One last thing, this pad is much heavier than anything I have ever seen. Sadly, I'll have to send it back. Had I known all the little details prior to purchasing, I would have ordered something else. Lesson learned: heating pads should never be purchased online, unless you know exactly what you are in for.

It's not Amazon or another company, but beware of Battle Creek Equipment! I purchased this product on February 17, 2011 and used it the same way I did with my first Thermophore heating pad. After about 6 months the light stayed on, but the heating pad did not heat up. After paying almost $9.00 to ship back to the company(Battle Creek Equipment-that's where you need to send it back to) they said it wasn't a manufacturing problem and wouldn't repair or replace the heating pad. I could buy another one to replace the unit that I had for $40.00. I then called to ask why? They were not very nice on the phone and said something I did made the heating pad not work. Well, since my original heating pad lasted about 4 or 5 years before it went bad(Battle Creek- Thermophore) why was it something I did this time if I used it the same way? Be very careful if you do want to go with a Thermophore. According to the customer service representative, if you don't use it according to their directions specifically, you can't get your unit repaired OR replaced and you lose more money trying to send it back!

I purchased the model BC-076 14"x14" w/manual switch along with the optional Stupe pad with a waterproof internal pouch for use with a damp cloth. The pad itself is made of a very substantial canvas cloth material and the cover is soft fleece. It all has a satisfying weight to it and feels like it will last a lifetime. It is also made in the good old USA. You can get this pad with two different switches.One is a four stage switch that cuts the pad off when the desired
heating level is reached. The other is a manual switch you must hold down constantly until your preferred heating level is reached and then release it. According to the manufacturer, the four stage switch will reach a maximum temperature of 160 degrees. The manual switch will go up to 180 before the internal thermostat cuts it off. Having to hold the switch down was not nearly the inconvenience I thought it would be.It is for this reason I would recommend getting the manual switch and don't bother with the optional stupe cover. The standard feece cover provides plenty of moisture by itself when placed directly on the skin. I found the best deal including shipping was with Pro Therapy Supplies. They ship fast.

The product states that it has an auto switch, but did not say that it only lasts for 20 minutes. Because I do massage therapy that is not long enough. I returned the items and had to pay a 20% restocking fee. I have ordered the manual switch heat pads numerous times. This product was not good for my purposes. It should state the time limit on the ad for it!!! I was very unhappy with this purchase.

The heating pad really works well and the moist heat penetrates deep! It feels great to be able to just relax and not have to worry about the timer also as this unit has the 20 minute cycle and will shutoff if you do not reset the cycle again.
The processing and delivery of the product was excellent as Isokinetics was able to give me the Fedex tracking info when I called and they delivered it that day! Thanks Amazon, my back thanks you too!