Renpho Eyeris Zen review: This eye massager doubles as my meditation tool

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As someone who suffers from headaches and migraines, I have an arsenal of devices I use when one strikes. I have a massage gun, a shoulder massager, a foam roller, posture correctors, and more, but the one device I keep coming back to is the Renpho Eye Massager. 

That’s why, when Renpho debuted a new, upgraded version of its basic eye massager, the Renpho Eyeris Zen, with built-in meditations, I jumped at the opportunity to give it a try. 

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The Renpho Eyeris Zen Massager is thinner, quieter, and lasts longer on a single charge than my older Renpho Eyeris 1 device. It has three massage modes (temples only, eyes only, and eyes and temples), three heat settings, and two air pressure intensities. One thing this eye massager lacks, unlike older models, is vibrations, but I never liked that setting as much as the massage modes. 

However, what really sets this new model apart from other Renpho devices is the built-in mediations. Meditation is consistently cited for benefits such as stress and anxiety reduction, improved sleep, and, yes, headache relief. Some studies suggest that the frequency of migraine headaches has the potential to decrease in people who consistently practice meditation. 

You can choose from nine built-in meditations from Headspace (the viral meditation app), from unwinding and letting go of tension to relaxing the muscles and breathing to self-soothe. Listening to the meditations while having a headache helped me to focus on my breathing and body, rather than the fact that my head was pounding. 

You can also connect the mask to your phone via Bluetooth to play your own music or sounds, depending on what helps with your headache pain. 

I used the Renpho Zen every night for five nights to replace my scrolling-before-bedtime habit, and it made all the difference in how quickly I fell asleep and how my eyes felt at the end of the day. I didn’t wake up with a headache in the mornings as I usually do. 

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When you buy the Renpho Zen, you get a free two-month subscription to the Headspace app with access to the app’s full library of guided meditations. (You will have to pay $13 per month for the subscription after the two-month trial ends.) 

Even though this is an upgraded version of the original Renpho Eye Massager, I found my original one a little easier to control. For the Renpho Eyeris Zen, you control the power, meditation type, volume, and Bluetooth mode all with the main Power button, which can be tricky to maneuver (especially while wearing the mask). I wish it had come with a remote instead to control these features, but after a couple of sessions, I became accustomed to the controls. 

The Renpho Zen retails for $130, making it the most expensive device in Renpho’s expansive lineup of eye massagers. 

ZDNET’s buying advice 

The Renpho Eyeris Zen Massager is my new favorite tool for headaches and a nighttime essential for relaxing my eyes after a screen-straining day. The built-in meditations have helped me develop a better meditation routine and technique, something I have been meaning to do but hadn’t found the time or way to do so. 

I recommend this eye massager to any wellness enthusiast who needs pain relief and relaxation. However, if you want a cheaper model, or meditations aren’t your jam, the Renpho Eyeris 3 is a more basic model that still helps with headaches and eye strain, and is currently on sale for $80.