Today, we will be performing a comparison review of two products we have previously looked at: the emWave Personal Stress Reliever and the RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device. I should start by telling you that both products are very good at delivering on their claims and much effort has been used to produce an objective report. Both the emWave and RESPeRATE devices are similar in some primary respects – albeit, very different in others. Regardless, both of the devices do an excellent job at helping to relieve stress, which in turn also helps to lower blood pressure.

The Similarities

I guess it will be easiest if I first tell you about how the two devices are similar. Both the emWave and RESPeRATE devices allow you to lower blood pressure and stress levels by helping you learn to control and slow your breathing pattern. The concept is nothing new and is one that has been taught in Yoga and other self meditation disciplines for centuries.

The idea is simple – if you can breathe in and out in a slower and more relaxed manner, your heart does not work as hard and you become calmer. The result is a much lower blood pressure and stress level. Although the process is simple enough to understand, many people find it hard to achieve without aid or instruction, and therein lies many people’s need for these types of devices.

Similar – But NOT Twins

Although both devices help you attain lower blood pressure and reduced stress by encouraging a more relaxed rate of breathing, the way the two machines handle the task is very different.

The emWave Way

The emWave device has a built in thumb sensor and the device converts the signals into blinking LED lights in order to help users control breathing. In order to use the device, a user must place his/her thumb on the sensor so that the machine can then detect the pulse rate of the user.

Once the device has accurately detected your pulse, it will begin to signal you – via the LED lights – when to breathe in and out, which will help you slow your breathing and enter a more relaxed state. Of course, when you begin to relax, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard and your blood pressure is lowered. For times when using the thumb sensor is not practical, the unit also has an ear sensor that you can use as an alternative.

The RESPeRATE Way

With the RESPeRATE device, you don’t use lights to help control your breathing. The RESPeRATE device detects your pulse by means of a sensor belt and guides your breathing with a series of musical tones.

To use the RESPeRATE device, you first place a sensor belt around your chest or waist that will detect your heartbeat and pulse. Next, you simply don the included headphones, and the machine will start to play two different musical tones. The first tone signals when you should breathe in and the second: when to breathe out.

Once the music starts playing, the RESPeRATE device will incrementally increase the duration of the tones until you are taking only about 10 breaths per minute – which is about the number of breaths you take when your are very relaxed or  asleep. Once the user has achieved the more relaxed breathing state, they will notice that stress is lowered as is blood pressure (just like the emWave device).

The Conclusion

Due to the fact that both machines are effective in relieving stress and lowering blood pressure, choosing which one is better is not that easy. Nevertheless, a comparison usually calls for a decision – so, this is mine:

If the $250 – $300 price of the RESPeRATE device doesn’t put you off, then you will probably find it easier and more convenient to use. The headphones and musical melodies will be more naturally relaxing for most versus a thumb or ear sensor and having to constantly stare at flashing lights. On the other hand, the $150 price tag of the emWave device makes it a much more attractive value in terms of affordability.  For some, the appeal of $100+ saving might be the decider.