Are you looking for a way to get rid of that tiresome pain that comes from sitting at work all day or working out? Then you may want to try out a back massager. In particular, the Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager. In today’s article we are going through the pros and cons of this product. Hopefully by the end you will be able to decide if it is the right back massager for you!
Things to Consider When Trying the Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager
When it comes to a new product, I like to get the scoop. I’m pretty money conscious, so when it comes to getting something for myself I want to know it’s worth it. Products like these are pretty straightforward, at least in terms of using them. But each one has different features, suits a certain part of your body, have different levels of intensity, and so on. It all depends on the product and what you’re looking for!
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Convenience: This is a very convenient product! It has straps so you can position it on a chair without worrying about it moving around or falling. That also makes it perfect for use in the office or the car. All you have to do is strap it to your chair and lean back. If you happen to move around a lot as well as sit at a desk, you don’t have to worry about forgetting about it. It has an automatic shut-off after 20 minutes.
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Intensity: Most say that this is a harder massage than most. Not only that, but the motor holds up really well when you lean against it. Most of the time if you add too much pressure, even just by simply leaning on a device, it will slow down a lot. This won’t disappoint you, it has a very hearty motor that will hold up. It also is a bidirectional device that will switch the direction of the rotation every minute.
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Affordability: This is by all means an affordable solution to back discomfort. As I’ve mentioned before, professional massages can be pretty expensive depending on where you go. If you have serious back troubles or chronic pain, you should go to someone who will really know what they’re doing. At least consult a doctor before you purchase a massager. But if you just really enjoy relaxing with a massage, this is a much more affordable option than consistent massage appointments and it will work well for you!
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Focus Area: The Pillow Massager straps to your chair. It makes it really easy to focus on your back. You can adjust it easily for your upper or lower back. It is advertised as a neck massager as well, but many said it wasn’t designed very well for that purpose. But it is a wonderful back massager and some liked to use it on their legs too after a workout.
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Uses: Home massaging devices are very useful for a lot of reasons. For one thing you can get regular massages to help relieve knots and tension and keep everything loosened up. It is a wonderful way to relax, relieve stress, and improve circulation as well. Not to mention the fact that it is affordable enough to purchase for home use without paying an arm and a leg.
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Drawbacks: The main drawback for this item is actually easily fixable. The mesh that covers the massage nodes tends to wear out after constant use for about 6 months to 1 year. The mesh is breathable and perfect for ventilation while using the heat feature, but doesn’t exactly hold up over time. I think the company knew this when they made it because they have a whole system for taking care of the issue. All you have to do is contact the company at any time and they will send you a whole new cover for free. Then all you have to do is zip the old one off and replace it. A lot of customers actually ended up not even being mad about the flaw. Not when the customer service was superb!
Who Should Buy This Product
I would recommend this for anyone who has tension in their back. I get sore shoulders when I’m working really hard on something. I also get tense when I’m really stressed, which thankfully isn’t very often. But most of all I want something for my lower back. I like the idea of the seat cushion massage chairs. It seems better because it massages your whole back all at once. But I actually think this compact pillow would be even better for my lower back because I can focus on just that one area and control the pressure. Since I occasionally have pain, I think this would be ideal for me. It might only have the one setting for speed and intensity, but you can control the pressure by how hard you lean against it.
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Who Shouldn’t Buy This Product
I wouldn’t recommend this if you intend to use it on your neck. There were quite a few customers who weren’t thrilled with the results. For one thing, the massaging nodes are too far apart for most people. Even those who thought they had larger necks were disappointed. For another thing it seems like this is too rough of a massage for most. It’s very relaxing to get a gentle neck massage and maybe a harder one if you have knots. But for most people, this is way too hard for their neck. For another thing, if you do have a sore back from top to bottom, I would recommend one of the seat cushions rather than this compact item. It works best if you use it for about 15-20 minutes in each spot you are massaging, so using this for your whole back could be a little time consuming.
Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager
The Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager is affordable and convenient. It has 4 deep kneading 3D massage nodes. They imitate a real Shiatsu massage. There is a single button. All you need to do is press it once to turn it on, a second time to turn of the heat function, and hold it down for 3 seconds to turn it off. It is compact and has straps so you can attach it to a chair. That makes it perfect to use at home, at the office, or even in the car. It is even quiet enough to use in an office without bothering anyone around you. There are two different cords that are included so you can plug it in at home or in the car. The heat function is optional and it has an overheat protection device installed as a safety feature. Another safety feature includes a 20-minute automatic shutoff feature. This item includes a 1 year warranty, a 90 day replacement guarantee, and excellent customer service if you ever has an issue. They even cover the shipping for returns if there are any problems!
Pros
- Compact and portable
- 3D deep tissue massaging nodes
- Optional heat function
- Overheat protection feature
Cons
- Mesh cover can wear out over time
- Massage nodes are far apart
- Does not work well on your neck
- Too hard of a massage for some
Features and Benefits
We might have outlined the main details in the “Things to Consider” segment of this review. But I also find it can be helpful to outline the individual details as well. It should help you compare this to other items in your search for the best massager for you!
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The Zyllion Pillow Massager is compact and portable. Very easy to pop in your bag and go! It’s around the size of an iPad but thicker. That can make it very easy to position it in the right spot as well.
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The heat function can make it easy to loosen up tension, knots, and just relax your muscles overall. I personally have only used heating pads for tension. Up until now I’ve only ever had my husband to give me a massage. But I think it would be more convenient to get a massaging device for consistent massages. The heat function will double up, using heat to loosen up my muscles and massage me all at the same time!
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This product uses 3D deep kneading massage nodes. They will imitate Shiatsu massage beautifully and give you a nice firm massage. It makes it perfect for those hard knots that can form after years of tension!
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The Zyllion Pillow Massager is bidirectional for a deep massage. It will change the direction of the rotation every minute!
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There are straps that make it very easy to attach it to a chair. That makes it even easier to use at a deck or in the car. You won’t have to focus on keeping it in the right position because the straps will do the work for you.
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The heat function can make some people nervous. My Mom can get paranoid about leaving appliances on. Luckily this product has an overheat protection device and a 20 minute automatic shutoff function. You won’t need to worry one bit about whether you forgot about this and left it running because it takes care of itself!
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This item comes with both a wall plug and a car adapter. It makes it even easier to bring this with you anywhere you want! I work from home a lot, but I absolutely love road trips and adventures. Using this along the way would make sitting in a car for long periods of time so much more bearable!
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A big problem with some of these devices is the fact that you can’t wash them properly. The mesh covering on this is removable so you can clean out any dirt and grime. That’s also nice if it wears out and you need to merely replace the cover.
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The customer service for this product is incredible! They offer 90 day money back guarantee and cover the shipping themselves. They also offer a 1 year warranty. They will replace the mesh covering that wears out easily after about 6 months to a year. If you have any issues, all you need to do is contact them and they will get everything sorted out for you!
Social Proof
The customer reviews of this product are spectacular. They loved the firm massage it offered because it loosened up their tense muscles so easily. Not to mention the strong motor! You don’t have to worry about the motor bogging down when you lean against it like some of the others. The only issue that was common for a lot of customers was the fact that the mesh portion of the cover can wear out where the massaging nodes rub. But luckily the customer service is amazing! You can fix that issue with a quick call or email. They even reached out to customers that gave it a negative review to see if they could fix the problem. That resulted in a lot of customers improving their reviews because good service makes a huge difference!
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Alternatives
Just in case this isn’t exactly the massager you were looking for, we have 10 different options on our list! There are so many on the market that it can be really hard to choose. But I wanted to give you three in particular that you might like as alternatives for this one!
Body Back Buddy Pressure Point Therapy
This is one of those massaging devices you’ve probably never heard of. It certainly looks strange, but believe it or not, this thing certainly comes in handy. The Body Back Buddy helps you reach those places that you normally need help to massage. You have full control, so no need to worry about settings or features. All you need to do is figure out where you want to use it and rub in that area. So simple! You also have complete control over the pressure which can be nice if you typically aren’t a fan of the electric powered devices. I know a lot of them might have multiple settings, but sometimes you’re really sore and they all are just too painful. With this, you can target those trouble areas without any help at all!
Who Should Buy This Product
This is the perfect thing to use at home! You can give yourself a massage without any help. That can be pretty helpful if you need constant massages to keep loose and comfortable. It can feel like you’re being obnoxious or a burden when you’re asking your significant other to rub your back all the time.
Body Back Buddy Pressure Point Therapy vs Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager Comparison
- Body Back Buddy allows you to have complete control
- Zyllion does the massaging for you
- Body Back Buddy won’t ever suddenly stop working for you
- Zyllion has a heat setting
- Body Back Buddy allows you to target any area by yourself with ease
While this might not do the work for you, the Body Back Buddy will help you reach any spot all by yourself. It will never break down on you, need plugged in, or need batteries. It’s also super easy to store and doesn’t need an auto shut off feature. But most of all, you are in full control of intensity and pressure. It is so simple and straight to the point that it’s ideal for just about anyone! If you’re interested in the Body Back Buddy Pressure Point Therapy you can also find it on Amazon!
Naipo Shiatsu Massager
This particular Naipo Massager is for your back, neck, and feet. But really it’s so versatile because it is a flexible ergonomic U-shape. It enables you to use it just about anywhere you have pain or tension. It is more affordable than the Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager and can be used on just about any part of your body! It also has three levels of intensity. But it actually has 8 deep kneading shiatsu nodes, which are those kneading balls that actually move and rotate to massage you. It also has a heating function to help loosen up your muscles as they are being massaged. It has a lot of similar benefits, like increased circulation and relief from tension and pain. But the design is much different and it is made with PU leather which makes it super easy to clean and very durable. It even comes with a removable dust proof bag that will help keep the fabric clean as well!
Who Should Buy This Product
This is best for people who need something that has more uses than a simple back massager. If you’re the kind of person who likes back, neck, foot, or even leg massages this could be much better suited to your needs! It has loops you can put your hands through when you put it on your neck so you can control the pressure of the massage by simply pulling it more firmly around your neck.
Naipo Shiatsu Massager vs Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager Comparison
- Naipo can be used for a full body massage
- Naipo is better for use on your neck
- Zyllion is perfect for a deep tissue massage
- Naipo is smaller and easier to travel with
- Zyllion can be used in the car easily
Naipo makes the perfect massager for busy people who need some relief when they get home from work or the gym. You can easily make this a gentler massage by not adding as much pressure. It can be used on any part of your body that happens to be sore or tense. If you’re interested in the Naipo Shiatsu Back, Neck and Foot Massager, you can find it on Amazon!
FIVE S FS8812 10-Motor Vibration Massage Seat Cushion
So in case you aren’t a fan of the rolling or kneading massagers, you might love this product! The FIVE S Massage Seat Cushion relies entirely on vibration to give you a massage, and oh boy is it thorough. It will massage your neck, shoulders, entire back, and thighs! It has four programs and three speeds for the perfect massage. As well as a heat setting that focuses on your lower back. I have lower back pain and cramps pretty regularly, so that sounds heavenly!
Who Should Buy This Product
I would recommend this for anyone who is too sensitive for the kneading massages. They can be way too much for some and it’s totally understandable. Someone reviewed a chair similar to this one, but with the Shiatsu massage balls in it. It actually ended up giving them bruises! So while vibrating massages aren’t for everyone, I would definitely recommend something like this to a person who has that bad of an experience!
FIVE S Vibrations Massage Cushion vs Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager Comparison
- FIVE S uses a vibration massage
- Zyllion uses Shiatsu bidirectional massage nodes
- FIVE S fits perfectly on a chair and is totally hands free
- FIVE S has 4 vibration programs and 3 speeds
- Zyllion give you a deep tissue massage
The FIVE S Massage Cushion fits in a chair regular chair, is totally hands free and is much easier on your body. If you typically find massages to be too hard and don’t enjoy them, a vibration massage might be the perfect alternative! This is great for relaxing, but probably not what you need to work out any knots or major tension. Still, it’s wonderful, gentle, and relaxing. If you’re interested, you can find the FIVE S FS8812 10-Motor Vibration Massage Seat Cushion on Amazon!
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Conclusion
The Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager is a really simple product. All it has is one simple button that turns it on and off and controls the heat function. The 4 massage nodes are 3D, deep kneading, and bidirectional. The deep kneading will help improve circulation and relieve tension. It is more of a firm massage so it really is best for your back and shoulders rather than your neck. Even though this is a firm massage, I would still use it on my lower back where I have pain on occasion. I like the fact that I can strap it to a chair and not have to worry about keeping it in place. That way I can keep it in one spot while I pay more attention to the pressure I’m applying to my back. It’s also nice because I can be entirely hands free while I work!
Last update on 2023-04-18 at 02:11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API