Richway Biomat vs Medicrystal Mat: You Really Do Get What You Pay For

Introduction

Many knockoff infrared mats compare themselves to Richway, including Medicrystal. It is interesting to note that they often compare themselves to the Biomat rather than to each other. They prioritize stating that they are "comparable" or better. This is because they recognize that the Richway Biomat is considered the gold standard and the original infrared therapy mat. These companies, including Medicrystal, point out the cost difference between their mats and Biomats while giving reasons for the price difference that aren't true. They think by making these comparisons, they are more likely to sell their own mats, even if their claims are false. Additionally, these companies derived their product ideas and technology from the Richway Biomat. They are not innovators like Richway; instead, they are imitators.

Why Do Richway Biomats Cost More Than Most Other Infrared Therapy Mats?

Marketing

Medicrystal and other knockoff companies claim that the higher price of Richway Biomats is due to their MLM sales model. This statement is intended to justify the price difference and convince customers that the mats are equally good in quality, with the higher price being solely attributed to larger profit margins.

All products require marketing and someone to pay for advertising. In the case of Richway, this cost falls on the sales force. However, with knockoff companies like Medicrystal, the cost is shouldered by the company itself. Therefore, their claim that Richway's distributor network is to blame for the higher price point is unfounded. Furthermore, if you examine closely, most mats sold by Medicrystal, HealthyLine, Healthy Wave, etc., are distributed through online affiliates and resellers who are compensated for their sales. The assertion that Richway's pricing is solely influenced by their chosen sales method is untrue.

Richway Biomats are priced higher due to their use of higher quality materials and stricter oversight in the manufacturing process. A comparison of the Medicrystal controller and the Biomat controller will highlight the difference. Additionally, the mats themselves demonstrate the superior quality of the Biomat, even in pictures.

But what about what you can't see?  

Heat Distribution

If we could have the customer only read one section of this comparison, we strongly recommend this one.

Medicrystal mats are manufactured using the same heating method as other knockoffs. They use a serpentine wire that is woven through the mat, providing heat to the gemstones.

The heating system used by Medicrystal is both dangerous and ineffective. Some knockoff brands claim to have more gemstones in their mats than Richway, but fail to mention that only a fraction of those stones are actually being heated. This "wire" heating method leaves a significant portion of the mat unheated and results in uncomfortable "hotspots," particularly with repeated use.

Biomats use a patented heating system based off of one developed by NASA. The system keeps the space station and shuttles warm safely. The heat is distributed evenly throughout the mat, ensuring that every gemstone is heated. This provides the most effective infrared heat therapy possible.

This difference is a huge reason why Richway mats cost more than Medicrystal.

Country of Origin

Medicrystal acknowledges that their mats are manufactured in the same Chinese factory as HealthyLine on their website. They attempt to reassure customers by mentioning that the factory is "FDA approved." However, it is important to note that this likely refers to the Chinese FDA, as the USFDA does not approve factories in China. This is how Chinese knockoff products justify claiming to be "FDA approved."

Biomats have approval from both the USFDA and the South Korean FDA. They are classified as Class II medical devices and are also approved for specific health conditions. This approval is crucial. It ensures that the product you are using is FDA approved in the United States, rather than just being approved by the factory in China and the Chinese FDA. These knockoffs attempt to deceive customers by making misleading statements.

Chinese factories lack the reputation for producing quality medical devices, whereas South Korean factories are considered the gold standard. Medicrystal does not oversee the manufacturing process nor does it own the factory. Richway, on the other hand, owns its factory. Richway's subsidiary, Fuji Bio, Inc, serves as the company's research, development, and manufacturing entity. Additionally, it owns an amethyst mine in South Korea, ensuring that they can monitor the quality of their products at every stage of production.

Its cheaper to send a design to China and have them make it.  The factories in China actively market to Americans (we've been sent their emails and messages) and state that they have infrared therapy mats ready to slap a brand name onto and that's all Medicrystal, HealthyLine and all of the knockoffs made in China do.  The factories stole just enough of the unpatented technology inside a Biomat to make a knockoff, they cut corners on things like the heating system, controllers, EMF protection, etc, and slap a brand name on it for anyone willing to buy in bulk.  We ask Medicrystal to prove us wrong.

It is more cost-effective to send a design to China for manufacturing. Chinese factories actively target American wanting to start a business and offer infrared therapy mats that can be branded with any name. Manufacturers like Medicrystal, HealthyLine, and their knockoffs in China have copied some of the unpatented technology from Biomat, but they have compromised on aspects such as heating systems, controllers, and EMF protection. They simply label these knockoffs with a brand name and sell them in bulk. 

EMF Protection

Take a closer look at the controllers. On the Biomat controller, there is a light that indicates when it is intercepting harmful EMF waves and redirecting them to the outlet grounding pin. This effectively blocks the waves from entering the mat. However, the Medicrystal controller does not have this feature.

Medicrystal states that their EMF protection is comparable to Richway's, but this is not accurate. They also claim that their heating system has minimal EMF, implying that their mats are not completely free of EMF.  Their site says their mats are "almost EMF-free".

Biomats are EMF-free because of the intercept in the controller and three layers that shield the user should any EMF enter the mat (even though it never does).  You can find videos online of Biomats being tested for EMF alongside knockoffs and see the difference. Biomats are EMF-free due to the intercept in the controller and three layers that provide protection against any potential EMF exposure. 

This added, well-thought out system for dealing with EMF is costly, but it ensures that Richway Biomats are EMF-free and providing its customers with a safe product is Richway's first priority.

Gemstones

Medicrystal and other knockoff brands promote the idea of using more crystals as a selling point. However, the truth is that amethyst is the top emitter of far infrared rays, and tourmaline is the top emitter of negative ions. This information can easily be found through a simple Google search. So, why do companies like Medicrystal, HealthyLine, and Ereada use other gemstones? The answer is simple, they are cheaper.

Jade is less costly than amethyst but it does not emit as much infrared light. No other gemstone does, for that matter. Richway chooses to use the best gemstones for these therapies. This is another reason why Medicrystal mats are less expensive.

Country of Origin

Richway Biomats are manufactured in South Korea, a country known for its stringent quality controls. Companies such as Samsung and LG also manufacture their products in South Korea. This is because South Korea has established itself as a leading country in medical device manufacturing. In contrast, China does not have the same reputation in this industry.

South Korea is also known for having some of the world's best quality amethyst.  Richway owns its own amethyst mine there.

China's medical device manufacturing has raised concerns after the Covid outbreak. While China is renowned for its inexpensive manufacturing, it is not the suitable location for producing the critical medical devices that contribute to our well-being. The absence of reputable electronics manufacturers like Samsung choosing to manufacture their products in China further emphasizes the need for caution.

It's interesting that Medicrystal claims, on its website, that it makes a quality mat from China but then goes on and on about how mats from China are dangerous and cheap.  As if they found the only factory in China that makes a decent mat, even though their mat is made at the same factory as the ones sold by HealthyLine.  These claims should tell you something.  That they know their product is not "comparable" to Biomats and are desperately trying to convince you otherwise.

Warranty

On the Medicrystal website, it claims, "Richway distributors advertise either lifetime or 3-years warranty terms. Both may be misleading."

No, both are essentially true.  Richway Biomats have a three-year warranty and after that, there is the Care Program. Whenever something goes wrong after the three-year mark, Richway will sell that customer a new mat for 30% the cost of a new one so that the customer never has to buy that Biomat again.  This isn't misleading, its industry-leading.

Medicrystal mats only have a two-year warranty.

Negative Ions

Talk about being misleading.  On the Medicrystal website, it states that their negative ions are produced by "either special anion fabrics or tourmaline and amethyst".  Well, which is it?  It also states that the "output (of negative ions) is not so large...".  

Richway Biomats are made with a patented ToCa Layer (see Biomat 17-layer construction) comprised of crushed tourmaline infused into fabric.  This allows for the maximum amount of ions to be generated throughout the entire mat and because Richway's heating system evenly distributes the heat throughout the mat, this entire layer is making negative ions while the mat is on.  

Top Fabric

The top layer of a Biomat is made of high-quality cotton.  When you are using an infrared therapy mat, the last thing you want to be doing is lying on top of synthetic fabric.  Synthetics have been proven harmful to wear, much less heat up and lay down on.  Using a synthetic fabric, to Richway, is like brushing your teeth with cake.

Medicrystal boasts a "softer" microfiber synthetic suede and says it is more comfortable.  Well, we assume most people are like us and think cake is tastier than toothpaste but we still wouldn't brush our teeth with it. 

Enhanced Functions

Medicrystal claims that its mats are better because they include other therapies not studied or proven to work well alongside infrared therapy.  It claims that Medicrystal Mats have additional functions not available in Richway Biomat. However, it fails to mention that Richway Biomat also offers unique features, such as the Quantum Energy Layer and Grape/Peach Seed fiber layer. These layers contribute to the overall experience and effectiveness of the mat and have been studied and proven to enhance infrared therapy.  

Medicrystal asserts that their mats are superior because they incorporate other therapies that have not been extensively studied or proven effective in conjunction with infrared therapy. They emphasize that Medicrystal Mats have added functionalities that are not found in Richway Biomat. However, it neglects to mention that Richway Biomat also offers distinctive features, such as the Quantum Energy Layer and Grape/Peach Seed fiber layer. These layers significantly enhance the overall experience and efficacy of the mat and have undergone thorough research to validate their impact on infrared therapy.

Conclusion

Richway focuses, and has for 27 years, on infrared therapy.  You cannot buy an infrared heat therapy mat that is more effective for this reason.  This is why Medicrystal and knockoffs like it feel the need to weigh their products against the Biomat.  

If you want to try infrared therapy, we assume you have a goal, whether it be to treat a health issue, to relax, for pain relief, to improve circulation, or get a better night's sleep. No matter what your goals are, don't you think you'd be giving the therapy a better chance of working with a mat made by a company that has been researching and developing its product for 27 years as opposed to one made by a company who slapped their label on a cookie-cutter knockoff?

If what you are looking for is the best infrared therapy mat, with infrared heat that is effective, FDA-approved and safe, you're looking for a Richway Biomat, and when it comes to infrared therapy mats, remember, you get what you pay for.