Bob & Brad ThermoRed Review: Cordless Heating Belt with Red Light, Near-Infrared and Vibration

The Bob & Brad ThermoRed is a cordless heating belt for the lower back and lumbar area. It combines four heat levels with red light, near-infrared light and a gentle vibration function. I took a closer look at what is in the box, the adjustment options, the temperature development and the comfort during a working day.

Key takeaways

• The ThermoRed combines four heat levels, red light, near-infrared light and four gentle vibration modes.
• The heating surface warms up quickly and reached almost 50 °C on the high level when measured lying open.
• A belt extension and Velcro tabs allow flexible adjustment up to about 132 cm (52 in) waist circumference.
• The built-in battery makes cordless use easy while sitting and working at the desk.

What is in the box and first impressions

The package includes the heating belt itself, a detailed manual, a USB charging cable and a separate belt extension. Before the first use in particular, you should read the safety and usage instructions in the manual.

The belt is mostly black with a blue border. On the front sits the integrated control unit with display. Battery and controls are built directly into the belt, so no cable to a power socket is needed during use.

The material feels flexible and adapts well to the body. To put it on, the ThermoRed is wrapped around the lower back and closed at the front with Velcro. It sits close to the body and is not too bulky under normal clothing.

Controls and functions of the ThermoRed heating belt

The control unit positioned at the side is still easy to reach while wearing the belt. The raised buttons set the individual functions, while the display shows the chosen settings.

Four temperature levels for heat therapy

Four levels are available for the heat function:

• 40 °C (104 °F)
• 45 °C (113 °F)
• 50 °C (122 °F)
• 55 °C (131 °F)

The heat is noticeable quickly after switching on. You do not have to wait several minutes for the heating surface to warm up pleasantly. On the higher levels in particular, the belt gets clearly warm and spreads the heat over a relatively large area of the lower back.

Red light and near-infrared light

In addition to heat, the belt has red light with a wavelength of 660 nanometres and near-infrared light at 850 nanometres. A total of 50 light points are built into the middle section so that the lumbar area is covered as evenly as possible.

The red light is visible, the near-infrared light is not detectable by the human eye. According to the manufacturer, both types of light are meant to complement the heat therapy. Medical or scientific claims about the effect of this function were not verified under laboratory conditions here.

Four vibration modes

As a third function the ThermoRed offers four vibration modes. Depending on the mode, the type or intensity of the vibration changes. The two motors are clearly noticeable in the back area but remain gentle overall.

If you expect an intense or deep massage, keep your expectations realistic. The vibration is not comparable to a massage gun. It works more as a pleasant addition to the heat therapy and is meant to provide extra relaxation.

Fit: belt extension and adjustable contact pressure

The main belt is around 115 cm (45 in) long. The included extension adds about 39 cm (15 in) and is simply attached via the Velcro surfaces between the two ends of the main belt.

With the extension the belt can be opened much wider and set more loosely. According to the manufacturer, the ThermoRed is thus suitable for a waist circumference of up to about 132 cm (52 in).

There are also Velcro tabs on the back that let you adjust the fit further. These tabs can be released and fastened tighter or looser. That way the contact pressure of the middle section can be adapted better to your own body shape.

Temperature test with the infrared thermometer

To assess the heat development, I checked several heat levels with an infrared thermometer. Already at the 40 °C setting the heating surface became noticeably warm after a short time. At 45 °C the measured surface temperature rose accordingly.

On the highest level the manufacturer specifies up to 55 °C. In my test the belt surface, lying open on the table, reached almost 50 °C.

This value is not automatically the same as the actual temperature when worn, though. An infrared thermometer measures the outer surface and can show deviating values depending on material, distance and emissivity. In addition, the belt spread out openly gave off heat directly to the surroundings during the measurement.

On the body the heating surface sits closer and is additionally covered by clothing and the belt material. The heat can therefore spread differently and escape more slowly. The most important result of the test remains: the belt heats up quickly and reaches a clearly noticeable warmth.

Everyday test at the desk

In everyday work at the desk, the advantage of the built-in battery becomes particularly clear. No cable hangs from the belt and you are not tied to a power socket. Standing up, moving the chair or changing your sitting position works without having to take the belt off first.

While sitting, the ThermoRed rests comfortably on the lower back. The flexible material does not get in the way much when leaning against the backrest either. The heat spreads over a larger area of the lumbar region and becomes quite intense on the high levels.

The vibration is audible at the workplace but not overly loud. It stays a gentle extra function and does not replace a strong massage. If you mainly want heat for a more relaxed work session, this is the more practical combination of freedom of movement, heat and light vibration.

Safety notes for use

The ThermoRed is intended for heat and relaxation and does not replace a medical examination or treatment. In case of pain, injuries, known conditions or uncertainty, use should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.

• Do not use the belt directly on bare skin.
• Especially at high temperatures there should always be a thin layer of clothing between the heating surface and the skin.
• Do not use the belt while sleeping.
• Do not use on wet skin or in a damp environment.
• Pregnant people, people with pacemakers and people with certain health conditions should pay particular attention to the notes in the manual.

The automatic shut-off after 15 minutes is practical. It ends the session on its own and reduces the risk of forgetting the switched-on belt for a longer time.

Charging the battery via USB-C

After use, the ThermoRed is charged via the USB-C port on the side. The matching charging cable is included. The other end connects to a suitable USB power adapter.

A power adapter is not included. You can use an existing USB adapter instead.

The adjustment options are sensibly solved as well: the belt extension gives more leeway in circumference, while the contact pressure can be fine-tuned via the Velcro tabs. While sitting at the desk, the belt was comfortable and did not get in the way much.

The vibration function should be seen as a light addition, though. It is not designed for a strong massage. If you are looking for a flexible back warmer for short relaxation phases and want to use the additional light and vibration function, the ThermoRed is a well-rounded package.

You can find more reviews in the massagers category. For a strong kneading massage I tested the EZBack massage cushion, and the EyeOasis 3 brings heat to tired eyes.

Frequently asked questions about the Bob & Brad ThermoRed