Over the past few weeks, I have been evaluating a few Sharper Image products that I believe would be worthy of giving as gifts (see the Smartphone Telephoto Lens and Charging Valet). However, I need to be a little bit selfish here on this next product, specifically The Sharper Image Air & Shiatsu Massage Cushion. In fact, as I write this, I’m using it to relieve all of the stress and tension and backache that I managed to accumulate during the Thanksgiving holidays.

If you are like me, any time that you wander into The Sharper Image, one of the first things that you do is sit in one of the multi-thousand dollar massage chairs. They always have those front and center in the store and especially during the holiday shopping season, there are many a wary shopper lined up to get a quick relaxing massage. I always leave the store thinking someday, I’ll get one of those massagers and my life will be better. Well, let me tell you, at a fraction of those full massage chair prices, you can get one that does a pretty darn good Shiatsu massage!

This particular massager retails for about $199 and I must say that it is totally worth it, especially if you keep it for yourself! It has some pretty great features:

• Air compression around the side lumbar area
• Varying intensity (low, medium or high) for the air compression
• 2 Shiatsu massage “hands” on either side of the spine
• Deep “kneading” Shiatsu massage
• Shiatsu area has heated balls to relax the massaged area
• 3 areas for Shiatsu massage: lower back, upper back & full back

The nice thing is, you can put this massager on any office chair. It is built to fit just about anywhere as there are two Velcro-fastened straps that hold the massager to the chair. Sharper Image recommends that you don’t attach it to wood though as there are zipper on the back that could scratch the wood.

Also included is a lighted remote that lets you control the type of massage that you want.

The massager shuts off (unfortunately) after 15 minutes – I would have liked to have had it go for much longer – but it is designed to do that in order to not overheat. The massage itself is surprisingly strong and can actually work the knots out of your back. My youngest daughter, who is very ticklish, could barely sit in it as she couldn’t stop laughing.

Speaking about heating, when you have the head mode on and you lift up the cover, you can see the heated Shiatsu balls in action (which is a little creepy looking with the lights off):

HighTechDad Ratings

I must say that this massager is a pleasure to use and if you are going to gift it to someone, you either need to be sure that you can get time on it later, or pick up one for yourself! It’s super easy to connect to a chair (I do recommend doing it to a soft, office-type chair and elevating your feet a bit off the ground on a stool or something). The controls are very straight forward (my kids figured it out in a matter of seconds). And the price point is reasonable at about $200 (if you can get it for less, go for it).

EASY TO GEEK FACTOR – is the device easy to get up and running

FAMILY FRIENDLY – does the device fit well into family environments

RECOMMENDABILITY– would I recommend it to others (more means “yes”)

PRICE POINT – does the price reflect the product function

OVERALL – my general rating

…and watch out for those evil Shiatsu eyes at night!

Disclosure Text : I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration in preparing to write this content and/or monetary compensation. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. All opinions within this article are my own and are not subject to the editorial review from any 3rd party. More information can be found in my About page as well as here.

HTD says: Be selfish this holiday season and get yourself a gift – the Sharper Image Shiatsu Massager!