Solbasium S2 and Optix universal pad review: Red light therapy at home
Interesting concept that is well executed.
The Solbasium S2 massage gun combines red light therapy and the benefits of targeted massage into one device. The Optix pad combines red light therapy and a heat pad without tethering you down.Vineet Washington Published 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 ...
Verdict - One time investment for potential long-term benefits
The effectiveness of red-light therapy depends on a lot of factors. There are studies to show its benefits for both aesthetic conditions and deeper muscle issues. Both the Solbasium S2 massage gun and the Optix Universal pad operate in the effective range for red-light therapy. The S2 massage gun provides relief to sore muscles as advertised but the effectiveness of the red-light therapy attachment is more subjective. Personally, I did not notice any clear improvement in back pain with the universal pad, though the massage gun did provide immediate yet temporary relief. Your experience may vary.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The Solbasium S2 is more expensive than regular massage guns, particularly for the red-light therapy attachment. It is priced at $415 and is available via the official website. There aren’t too many options like this, but a cheaper alternative does exist. The Optix Universal pad is priced at $277, and Solbasium offers knee, back, and ankle pads as well for targeted treatment.
Specifications: Solbasium S2 massage gun
| Motor | Customized 24V brushless |
| Battery | 2,000 mAh |
| Claimed battery life | 3-4 hours |
| Charging time | 4-5 hours |
| Amplitude | 13 mm (fixed) |
| Stall Force | 57 lbs |
| Speed settings | 20 Hz, 25 Hz, 30 Hz, 35 Hz, 40 Hz, 47 Hz |
| Red Light wavelengths | 660 nm and 850 nm |
| Red Light Irradiance | 100 mW/cm2 |
| Attachments | Red light therapy, spinal, flat, bullet, round |
| Weight | 907 grams |
Specifications: Solbasium Optix Universal pad
| Wavelengths | 633 nm ± 5 nm and 830 nm ± 5 nm |
| Irradiance | 30 mW/cm2 |
| Session time | 15 minutes |
| Battery | 10,000 mAh Li-ion |
| Heat levels | 40.5, 42.7, and 47.2 degree C |
Unboxing and accessories
The Solbasium S2 massage gun and Optix universal pad are independent products, and come in their own packaging. The massage gun comes with a carrying case that makes traveling with it quite handy. There are compartments for the accessories as well. The universal pad doesn’t have a carrying case. It does come with a power bank that sits in the pocket on the back of the pad.
Solbasium S2 massage gun:
- Travel case
- S2 percussion massage gun
- 5 attachments, including red light attachment
- Power adapter
- USB Type-C charging cable for red light attachment
Solbasium Optix universal pad:
- Optix universal pad
- Power bank
- Type-C charging cable
Build quality and features
Despite the few small scratches and a tiny chip present on our review unit, the S2 feels solid in hand. The stem is quite long, which makes it easy to hold even when trying to hit hard to reach spots on the back. Twisting the bottom turns it on, and there is a power button to change the speed between 20 Hz and 47 Hz, and there are LEDs to indicate the speed level. This button only switches speeds and does not turn off the massager. The amplitude is fixed at 13 mm, which is considered ideal for deep muscle penetration. The massage gun also has a USB Type-A port to charge other devices in case of emergencies.
The attachments need to be shoved in hard for them to stay in place, and there’s no locking mechanism or click sound indicating proper insertion. Even still, they are fairly easy to swap out. The red-light attachment, which is the selling point of the S2, has its own on-off switch and charging port.
As for the universal pad, it has a 10x7 grid of LEDs with a plastic cover in front. The compression-style strap is comfortable with a small Velcro hook patch on one end. The entire surface can be used to attach the Velcro path, so a wide range of waist sizes can be accommodated, if you want to use it on your back. On the back side of the LED grid is a small pocket where the power bank slots in, as well as the two control buttons – power and heat level. When using the Solbasium Optix universal pad on the back, the buttons become hard to access in case you want to stop the session or adjust the heat level.
Performance
Red light therapy is something that only shows effect after several weeks or even months of consistent use, and results vary depending on your treatment goals. Furthermore, not all kinds of aches and injuries can be treated with red light therapy. The massage gun, on the other hand, shows more immediate effects. It can improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and help with soreness after intense workouts. Those who maintain a highly active lifestyle will see the most benefits from a massage gun. The Solbasium S2 and its attachments can target all parts of the body, and the different strength levels have plenty of power to treat affected muscle groups. The battery is also plenty at 2,000 mAh, and can last over a week depending on how often you use it.
Coming to the Solbasium Optix universal pad, it has three heat levels, and the first two feel quite mild, with the third being ideal. The heating takes about two minutes to kick in, but stays consistent throughout the session. The 10,000 mAh battery pack connects to the USB Type-C port on the pad using the included USB Type-C to Type-C cable. There are two USB Type-A ports on the battery pack, along with the USB Type-C port. The power button is on the side, and the small screen shows the battery percentage. It can give you 10 sessions at the maximum heat level in a single charge.
For a more objective analysis, we used a spectrometer to measure the wavelengths. Solbasium claims 660 nm and 850 nm Near-Infrared (NIR) for the S2, and 633 nm (±5 nm) and 830 nm (±5 nm) for the Optix Universal pad. We found that S2’s attachment has a peak of 658 nm - 660 nm and registers 855 nm for NIR. The Optix Universal pad measures 636 nm and 833 nm for NIR, meaning both are within spec. The higher the wavelength, the deeper the penetration.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
Add as a preferred source on Google
