Foreword: Xiaomi TENS massager
What is a TENS massager?
Before we deal with the actual product, let's take a look at what “TENS” actually means. The abbreviation "TENS" stands for "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation" and is assigned to the field of electrical stimulation therapy. Electrical impulses that the TENS device emits on the surface of the skin are intended to influence the nerve tracts and alleviate the sensation of pain. The effectiveness of TENS is controversial.
Xiaomi - yes or no?
The Xiaomi “Magic Touch” TENS massager - at least that's what it's called on the packaging - is delivered in a simple cardboard box that, apart from a lot of Chinese, doesn't provide any information about Xiaomi as the manufacturer. In fact, the packaging shows a completely different manufacturer that offers its products under the “Leravan” brand. You might now ask yourself whether you have fallen for a simple advertising lie, because the Magic Touch massager is described as a Xiaomi product by pretty much every online shop.
Many import shops are not so specific about product names. After all, Xiaomi products sell much better. The online shops with the Xiaomi add-on are not completely wrong either. Xiaomi is now part of a huge group with numerous subsidiaries. In addition, Xiaomi has many third-party companies produce under its own brand. It is the same with the (Xiaomi) Magic Touch massager. The device is produced by Xiamen Mofa Li Technology (Group) Co., Ltd. , a company that specializes in massage equipment. The product is financed and sold directly by Xiaomi, including via the official Mi-Store.
Design, workmanship and delivery
The design of the Xiaomi TENS massager is extremely modern. On the one hand, you get the compact TENS unit with dimensions of 4.40 x 4.40 cm and a thickness of just 1.05 cm, as well as the exchangeable electrode unit. The TENS unit is available in black, green and white. The exchangeable electrode unit is available with different patterns, for example in camouflage or with the Kumamon mascot, as well as in plain white.
The processing quality leaves nothing to be desired. The scope of delivery includes the TENS unit, two electrode units, a plastic zipper for safe transport, a protective cover to keep the electrode adhesive surface, a micro-USB charging cable and a Chinese operating manual.
Usage
For use, the charged TENS unit only needs to be connected to the electrode unit via two push buttons on the underside. Then the electrodes, which are equipped with a gel-like adhesive layer, are glued to the desired location. The Magic Touch massager is switched on by pressing the power button (press it for 2 seconds) on the TENS unit. A signal tone and a green glowing or flashing LED indicate that the massage device is active. The intensity can be adjusted in 10 levels using the plus and minus buttons. A short click on the power button enables you to switch between a total of 5 massage modes. A signal tone confirms the change in intensity and massage mode.
Practice
Wearing comfort and adhesiveness
Glued on and off you went. The Xiaomi Magic Touch massager can be easily glued to almost any part of the body. Due to the compact size and the low weight of only 20g, the Xiaomi massager is barely noticeable. The gel pads stick well, as long as you don't choose a hairy part of the body. Even after about 30 uses, the electrode pad did not have to be replaced and stuck almost as it did after the first use. The manufacturer speaks of an approximately 50 use. To preserve it, you should stick the adhesive pad onto the protective pad supplied after use.
Intensity
When switched on, the Xiaomi TENS device starts right away. The intensity level always starts at level 1 after switching on. There is no memory for the modes or the intensity level. You have to click through until you have reached the desired mode or the desired intensity. The frequency is in the low frequency range. The manufacturer does not provide any more precise information. The pulse width (pulse duration) is up to 200 microseconds. The output voltage is below 80V.
Sensations and successes
Depending on which part of the body you stick the Xiaomi massager, you experience the electrical impulse as completely different. For particularly sensitive parts of the body, level 3 is already sufficient to feel a distinct muscle twitch. In less sensitive parts of the body, you can safely set the device to level 5 in order to feel anything at all. The electrical impulses range from pleasant to painful. The feeling is comparable with a slight tingling sensation up to a stinging, followed by a real twitching of the muscles. How to set the device, everyone has to find out for themselves.
Of course, it is also decisive whether the TENS device actually helps to relieve or prevent tension and relieve pain. Who does not wake up in the morning and have it back or neck for several days? That's exactly what happened to me during the test phase. Throughout the day I applied the massager approximately 3x to the strained area. The pain relief occurred and even 1-2 hours after the application, the pain was noticeably relieved. One should not expect miracles, however, and one should always keep in mind that the effectiveness of TENS is controversial. Nevertheless, the tension has felt solved faster and was already gone after a day.
massage modes
The 5 different massage modes are interesting. Each mode has a different pulse train designed to simulate different massage techniques. Mode 1 is the automatic mode, which plays through a bit of everything and switches between powerful and high-frequency impulses. There is also a "massage", a "kneading", a "pressure" and a "tapping mode". After exactly 15 minutes, the Xiaomi Magic Touch massager switches off automatically.
Battery
The TENS unit is equipped with a 40 mAh battery. A conventional micro USB socket is used for charging. This means that the massager can be charged on a PC, laptop or a conventional smartphone charger, for example. The charging time is an impressive 2 ½ hours. The battery status is indicated by a status LED which, depending on the status, lights up or flashes green or flashes red if the battery is almost empty. One battery charge is sufficient for approximately 15 uses.
Xiaomi Magic Touch TENS massager
Attractive design
Compact and portable
Pleasant wearing comfort
Interchangeable electrode pads
10 intensity levels
5 massage modes
Rechargeable battery instead of batteries
High loading time
Comparatively expensive
Electrode pads from China only
Even if the Xiaomi Magic Touch TENS device is not a price boaster, because in this country there are similar products for the same price, could convince especially this TENS device in the test. Above all, the massager can score points in terms of its compact size, low weight, unusual design, exchangeable electrode pads and its ease of use or extensive range of functions. As already mentioned, the price, as well as the availability of the electrode pads, which are only available from China, are again critical. The load time of more than 2 hours is quite high. If these circumstances do not bother you, the Xiaomi TENS massager will provide you with a product in the usual Xiaomi quality.
