I finally broke down and bought this massager recently, since I was tired of purchasing
Homedics HHP-350 Percussion Action Massager
(usually the ones you see at retailers like Walgreens and Walmart) that never seemed to really have much percussion to them. While those are good for a gentle massage, they weren't deep tissue enough for my back and my beloved knots that never want to leave. So my review will largely be a comparison between the two, since that's my point of reference. It will also be specifically focused for back massaging.
I'd been aware of the Hitachi Magic Wand for years along with its "recreational abilities," but I wasn't sure I wanted to spend that much money on something that might be just another overpriced weak massager. I received a gift certificate though and decided to take the risk of trying the Magic Wand to see if maybe it would allow me to stop throwing money on Homedic products. There's good news and more bad news.
The Good News: No, GREAT news - is that the Hitachi Magic Wand has a much, much more powerful percussion which allows for a deeper tissue massage to help unravel knots in my shoulders, upper back and lower back. There are two settings, and both are impressively powerful. (The lowest setting is stronger than the Homedic on its highest setting.) So if you've ever tried the Homedic's and found them quite lacking, I would recommend this. It is substantially stronger, and almost painful at its highest setting. I find it a one of those "good" borderline painful feelings though. Anyone with a knotty back will know exactly what I mean. If you think that Homedic massagers have been just the perfect amount of massage, then I would not feel comfortable recommending this product to you.
The Bad News: In almost every other respect, I like the Homedic more. How tragic is that?
Let's start with Design! The design of the Hitachi is rather simplistic. It basically looks like a big immersion blender with a tennis ball at the end. Its obvious it was designed before ergonomics was really a consideration which is annoying. Its amazing how the Homedic massager is both bigger and heavier but is more comfortable to use than the Hitachi, and I think its because of the gentle curving (and longer) handle of the Homedic that makes the biggest difference when trying to reach the upper or lower back. The Hitachi is awkward to use with its shorter, straight handle and requires more adjusting to hit all the spots on the back. Homedic even makes a massager with an extending handle!
There are usually three speed variables on the Homedic while the Hitachi only has two. Now while I would mostly use the top two speeds, it would be nice to have a gentler speed on the Hitachi just to have that choice. I understand though there's a way to put a variable speed controller on the Hitachi, but I don't know how to do that. I don't know if its really safe either. And really at this price point, I think it should be done by Hitachi anyway.
The cord length on the Hitachi is shorter and therefore more annoying. I would need an extension cord anyway for either when sitting and watching TV, but the shorter cord on the Hitachi just seems to get in the way more. Maybe its due to all the fussing you have to do to move the massager around your back. Usually I wedged the Homedic between my back and the back of the seat in a lazy a la mode style, since it does get tiring to hold that weight (which you have to do longer due to the weak percussion.) Also the difference in size even when compared with the single-head Homedic massagers makes it harder to wedge the Hitachi between chair and back without it flopping around or falling over. You really have to apply pressure back against the massager which while fine on the Homedic is painful on the much more powerful Hitachi. There's no middle ground here.
I'm torn on whether or not it was worth buying this product, although I must find it marginally worthwhile since I didn't return it. I couldn't make up my mind! The difference in percussion though is amazing enough to just barely overlook all the bad points of the Hitachi in comparison.
Now I haven't used the Hitachi or the Homedic really on any other parts than the back and feet, so the Hitachi might work well on the calves and such. Certainly on applications like that its probably a lot easier to maneuver the smaller Hitachi than the bigger Homedic. Ease of use for the back definitely goes to the Homedic though.
I can't comment yet on the durability of the Hitachi, since I haven't had it long enough yet. However being familiar with other Hitachi products, its probably really decent. I'll update this review when I find out.
I know many of you use the Hitachi as a sexual aid, but I can't comment on that other than to say I wish Hitachi and Homedic could mate up and make the perfect back massager. :)
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From the manufacturer
High quality design straight from Japan provides this massager with a 2.5 inch soft head and bendable neck to apply the pressure you need and relieve any type of stress.
Magic Wand Massager
The Magic Wand Original, formerly known as the Hitachi Magic Wand, has been One of the best selling massager/vibrator for over 30 years. This wand always takes care of business when you need it the most and will never let you down. The Hitachi Massager is known as the 'King of Vibrators' and has gained major worldwide popularity through years of consistent design and durability. This plug in type massager is super strong compared to weak chargeable massagers.
The Hitachi Wand comes with a 2-speed motor that is powerful enough to satisfy your mind blowing needs yet calm enough to cater to those gentle intimate moments.
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Customer Review: Definitely not waterproof
Mollei rose
THIS IS A KNOCKOFF MASSAGER. I HAVE PROOF IN MY PICTURES. This seller is 100% selling counterfeit knocks offs. I've reached out to the sole USA distributor Vibratex.A while back I purchased two of these massagers. In my pictures, the one on the left is the good quality real one; the massager on the right is the knock off.The quality is apparent as soon as you handle both massagers. The real one has a certain heft to it; not too heavy but not too light. It feels solid! THIS MASSAGER, HOWEVER, DOES NOT FEEL QUALITY. The knockoff massager is light and top heavy. Moreover, the quality discrepancies continue as you check out each piece. They were not expecting someone to have a brand new legit one and do a side-by-side, I can guarantee that.One of the biggest apprehensions I had about purchasing this was the numerous reviews showing weird wear and tear on the heads of the massager. Smudging like the product slightly melted, and then some pictures of what appeared to be outright melting. I don't doubt it! As soon as I touched the head of mine I noticed the entire head felt distinctly different. Whereas the real one feels very solid and is stiff, this knockoff is flimsy and has a rubbery feel to it. To my extreme displeasure, I also noticed a very large divet/trench going vertical across the head. I started poking and proding and to my astonishment, THIS KNOCKOFF JUST HAS FOAM AROUND THE HEAD. That's right folks:THIS KNOCKOFF LITERALLY HAS A FOAM PIECE TAPED AROUND THE TOP, WITH A FAKE, FLIMSY COVER PULLED DOWN OVER IT. 100% different than the real, original. What a disgrace!DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT! IT IS NOT LEGITIMATE! I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH VIBRATEX AND AMAZON TO HAVE THIS SELLER REMOVED!!! Spend the extra bucks and get yourself a real one! You won't be dissatisfied (not to mention the real ones that come in a pack with the variable speed control box thing are amazing, and the variable speed is a great addition).
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