Stress is a major health problem across the globe.
Almost half of all Americans report that they lay awake at night due to high levels of physical and emotional stress.
The results are extensive, including aches, pains, fatigue, irritability, depression, anxiety, and so on.
Likewise, from smoking, poor nutrition, diabetes, to heart disease, countless groups suffer from vascular circulation problems.
The results are extensive and often quite serious.
Richway’s product lineup of infrared tech mats is directed at helping people mitigate aches and pains related to stress and circulation.
They’ve been in operation since 1997, and they’ve amassed a highly successful distribution network.
This isn’t a heat-based product that must be used with caution for elderly users and in relation to fire hazards.
One of the best therapeutic values is that Richway’s mats use radiant heat transfer, which is both safer and more comprehensive than a heating pad’s conductive heat that is only distributed locally to the skin.
This is actually a technology that was first utilized by NASA in heating up their space vehicles and stations.
Amazing, right?
In this review, we will provide you everything you need to know about the Richway Amethyst Professional 7000MX Biomat.
While the technology is going viral across the internet with everyone from celebrities and influencers to the average consumer raving about the benefits, you have a lot of different brands to consider.
It’s worth the due diligence to ensure you get the product that’s best suited to your needs and expectations.
This particular mat uses amethyst crystals, negative ions, and far infrared tech.
Yes, this complete review will cover all the ins and outs for you.
We will go over the pricing, product options, warranty, certifications, where you can buy it, and how it’s sold.
Richway’s mats are widely recognized as a quality, reliable product.
The brand’s growing popularity is in part due to the marketing platform they use, which is MLM (multi-level marketing.)
Often criticized for inflating prices, MLM marketing is a person-to-person marketing platform that turns customers into sales and marketing reps.
Are you ready to learn more about this exciting 17-layer mat by Richway with our comprehensive biomat review?
What Product Is Being Reviewed?
This review covers the various sizes of Richway International’s Biomat 7000 MX Professional.
We will also cover all the sister and brother products, which are basically the same tech in different sizes.
What Therapies Will I Get?
- Negative ions
- Far infrared
If you’re familiar with biomats, then you likely already know that different brands offer different therapies within their product.
Most offer one or two of the most popular options.
Richway’s mats does not include PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) nor red light therapy.
It’s strictly negative ions and far infrared light. To view other products with these therapies, visit our PEMF and red light therapy mat reviews.
What Crystals Does This Mat Use?
- Amethyst
- Tourmaline
Like in the case of particular therapies, all far infrared mat products use some sort of natural crystal or crystalline material as a heat conductor.
Different brands use crystals like obsidian and jade.
Richway’s mats use amethyst and tourmaline.
You Get A Mat With 17 Unique Layers:
- Layer 17 – bottom layer of brass pattern of cotton
- Layer 16 – thermal protective polyester sponge
- Layer 15 – heat preserving non-woven fabric
- Layer 14 – reflective aluminum for infrared rays
- Layer 13 – electric intermediate non-woven
- Layer 12 – Teflon and silicone for EMF interception
- Layer 11&10 – polyester and polyester fiberglass to preserve heat
- Layer 9,8,& 7 – carbon fiber, copper fiber, and nano copper fiber for electromagnetic interception
- Layer 6 – TOCA negative ions
- Layer 5 – waterproofing
- Layer 4 – thermal insulating hyron cotton
- Layer 3 – amethyst
- Layer 2 – waterproofing
- Layer 1 – top layer of cotton and silicon urethane
A lot of ingenuity and thought to customer satisfaction clearly went into the 17-layer design of the 7000 MX mats.
We like that these mats have two waterproofing layers to protect your investment from sweat damage.
One important point to note in the layering is that layer three in the Mini model differs from the other 7000 MX models.
Product At A Glance
The 7000 MX is very competitive when it comes to sizing options, pricing, and warranty.
While many competitors offer a base and possibly upgrade model, the 7000 MX has five sizing options and a belt model.
The warranty can be beat by others, but it’s not terrible.
Checkout our other mat reviews to compare and contrast how this brand’s pricing and warranty scores.
Pricing – $550 – $4,200
The 7000 MX Model comes in several options.
The starting price is the BioBelt at $550.
The other five options are all mats, and pricing is based on sizing.
The Mini mat model is $700. A Professional mat is $1,650.
The Single size is $2,700, the Queen size is $3,500, and the King size is $4,200.
This is averaging pricing across multiple vendors.
Warranty – three-year limited
Richway Is A Brand Decades In The Making
This is a brand that’s been around since the late 90s.
It has built a solid reputation and is quite popular with its consumers and affiliates.
User reviews are generally positive and praising for both the products and customer service from reputable vendors.
The amethyst 7000 MX is Richway’s flagship product.
The various sizes have all become viral sensations thanks in large part to the company’s use of MLM.
While Richway produces the product and sells it direct on their company’s website, they also sell it via an extensive third party distribution network of consumers who’ve transitioned into sellers – MLM.
The MLM feature means that it’s very easy for the product to be found.
A simple Google search will yield dozen after dozen of private sellers and online stores selling brand new biomats.
Of course, you can also find used mats on eBay, Amazon, Facebook’s marketplace, and so forth.
In any of the above cases, we highly recommend that you always consider your buyer protections when selecting a vendor.
We also suggest that you do a quick comparison between the 7000 MX and other top infrared mat products, such as our review on the Bemer and the HealthyLine.
This is the best way to ensure you get the product you need and want.
Crystal Differences In The Mats
- Mini – amethyst and tourmaline
- Pro, Single, Queen, King – amethyst
- Belt – amethyst, green jade, topaz, black tourmaline, tiger eye, quartz, citrine, elvan.
We discussed above the sizing differences between the various models.
There’s also a difference in the crystals used.
All the 7000 MX models use amethyst crystals.
However, it’s the other crystals that differentiate the products.
The Mini is a more compact version of the Pro model.
Unlike the Pro, which only uses amethyst, the Mini uses alternating rows of amethyst and tourmaline.
Of note, both amethyst and tourmaline both produce negative ions, but tourmaline does it to a higher degree.
The Pro and Mini are considered the most portable offerings in the product line.
The Single offers more room for taller and wider users.
Meanwhile, the Queen and King models offer two separate heat zones to accommodate two users.
Just keep in mind that only the Mini offers both amethyst and tourmaline whole crystals for the far infrared.
If crystal selection is the priority, then the Belt model offers the most diversity with eight unique stones.
Watch Your Consumer Protections And Perks
If you buy any Richway product, including a 7000 MX bio mat model, you’ll want to pay careful attention to your warranty and other consumer protections.
Why?
It goes back to the MLM feature of this brand.
There are a lot of vendors, many of whom don’t sell the entire Richway product lineup and don’t offer Richway’s direct to consumer perks, such as a free trial period and return options.
The customer service will vary from vendor to vendor.
The support and accuracy of product info may vary.
The warranty may vary.
While we can’t cover every Richway vendor, we can caution you to do as much due diligence on the vendor as you do the product itself.
Details On The FIR Therapy
The premise of bio mats is to deeply stimulate cells for improved blood circulation, pain management, sleep, and relaxation.
One way to achieve this is far infrared therapy.
Also called FIR, far infrared therapy with the 7000 MX line is delivered by crystals.
Keep in mind that crystals deliver various levels of wavelengths based on their makeup.
The body is able to accept more far infrared heat therapy from higher, longer wavelengths verses shorter wavelengths.
This is why quality-grade amethyst crystals are used in all Richway mats.
Much research has been devoted to how the various wavelengths of crystals are able to penetrate the body.
Amethysts generate a wavelength of 6.5-12 microns, which is considered mid to upper level in infrared ranges.
Why Is The Belt The Only Product With Jade?
As mentioned above, a plethora of studies have been conducted on the ‘best” FIR stones for biomats.
It’s a subject that you’ll find differing options and supporting data.
Several companies have stopped using jade as a FIR source.
The rationale is that amethyst offers 200 times more effective FIR than jade, which was once the main stone used in this niche of products.
Meanwhile, others have stuck with jade under the rationale that you don’t fix what’s not broken.
Currently, the only product in the 7000 MX lineup to use jade is the Biobelt.
We recommend you compare products using an array of stones.
Check out some of our other reviews, such as the HealthyLine and Bemer.
Why Does The Mat Have An EMF-Shielding Layer?
All crystals, including amethyst, generate EMF as part of their heating process.
There’s a great deal of controversy over EMF.
You’ve likely heard it mentioned in relation to electronic devices like your smartphone.
Most scientists have labeled EMF as a harmful emission.
The 7000 MX lineup includes a fiberglass layer to block the electromagnetic frequency emissions generated by the amethyst. It’s a safety feature.
Tourmaline TOCA Layer
While the Mini is the only mat with alternating amethyst and tourmaline crystals, the TOCA layer means that the Pro mats have added ion power, too – 1,500 ions per square inch
The unique TOCA layer is composed of ionized fabric.
It’s infused with several minerals, including powdered tourmaline.
Note that newer models of the Mini are also using the TOCA layer.
The brand even has a tourmaline pillow with a TOCA layer.
Again, you’ll have to carefully vet your vendor to ensure that you’re getting the newest 7000 MX models and not outdated versions.
Be aware that many vendor websites have outdated and conflicting info despite looking very official.
To distinguish the difference, specifically look for the TOCA layer (the sixth layer) in the product’s spec guide.
Does One Size Fit All?
You have five main size options and a belt offering in the 7000 MX line up.
The BioBelt isn’t a mat.
The product is worn around your waist.
It’s a good option if you’d like to use the product in a standing/sitting position verses laying flat.
The Mini mat is also a good option for sitting.
The Pro mat is considered the most versatile, user-friendly model.
It’s small enough not to be too heavy to transport.
Yet, the size is adequate for the average male or female.
If you need a little more room, move up to the Standard, Queen, or King.
Just remember that the number of crystals in the mat go up with their dimensions.
For example, at almost 75 pounds and almost eight pounds respectively, the King weighs significantly more than the Mini.
If you’re mainly using your mat on your bed or don’t need a store-and-go product, then the King and Queen sizes may be worth the extra price tag to have a wider space to do therapy while you rest or sleep.
The Pro model seems to be the top seller.
At just over 25 pounds, it’s comfy in size without being too heavy for the average person to transport when needed.
Of course, if transportability is a key feature you’re looking for in your mat, be sure to check out our reviews of other lightweight mats, such as the Healthy Wave.
7000 MX Pricing And Sizing Guide For Models
Mini 7000 MX
- $700 price tag
- 19.68″ x 33.46″ dimensions
- 7.93 pounds weight
- 2.64 pounds amethyst
- 2.64 pounds tourmaline
- TOCA layer
Professional 7000 MX
- under $2,000 price tag
- 28” x 74” x 1” dimensions
- 25.35 pounds weight
- TOCA layer
Single 7000 MX
- under $3,000 price tag
- 35” x 78” x 1” dimensions
- about 10 inches wider and six inches longer than Pro.
- 39.68 pounds weight
- No TOCA layer
Queen 7000 MX
- $3,500 price tag
- 55” x 78” x 1” dimensions
- 59.52 pounds weight
- No TOCA layer
King 7000 MX
- $4,000+ price tag
- 73” x 78” x 1” dimensions
- 72.75 pounds weight
- No TOCA layer
Of course, the lightweight Bio-Belt is also an option.
It’s price is less than $600.
It does not have the TOCA layer, and do remember that it’s not a mat.
Keep in mind that all weights are minus the controller, and that these prices are approximate.
Prices will vary from vendor to vendor.
Another factor that influences pricing is charges in the fine print or at cart checkout.
Many vendors will offer deceptively lower online prices only to charge exorbitant fees for shipping, handling, and processing.
Some vendors may even charge you fees for repair requests, warranties, and/or return shipping.
FDA Certifications And Records
Always be aware that FDA clearance and certifications are two separate processes.
Clearance simply signals that a medical device company has completed a 510(K) Class I form.
This is a requirement for all new devices coming to market in an already established category.
FDA 510(K,) also known as a pre-market notification or PMN, is a commonplace certification for far infrared mats.
The FDA checks that the device indeed falls within an established category.
If so, clearance is issued.
Since other devices of the same use and design have already had safety established, the product is cleared.
FDA approval is a completely different process.
The product in question doesn’t have an existing category to fall within or is considered high-risk.
This is usually reserved for drugs and other injected/ingested pharmaceutical substances.
Richway Biomats have not been FDA approved.
Just as Bemer and HealthyLine, it’s an FDA certified product.
However, we noticed that the FDA certification for Richway was not for the 7000 MX product line.
Richway’s certification is for “BioMat 2000,” which isn’t listed as a current offering.
Another important finding for this biomat review is that the FDA issued a warning to Richway in 2013.
It remains unresolved, but Richway did respond that the warning was related to a manufacturing company they no longer use.
By reputation, this appears to be a legitimate line of products without consumer-related controversy.
Intertek Certification
According to many of the websites selling Richway products, the Pro and Mini have been certified by Intertek.
This is an international company specializing in public safety certifications for electronic products.
Consumers should note that the FDA’s website lists certifications for public viewing.
Intertek does not have such a portal.
Certification is being self-reported by Richway distributors on their websites.
Production And Distribution
Richway is based in Hawaii, and the company uses a MLM structure to market, sell, and distribute their products.
Customers can pay a small fee to become independent agents for Richway.
They make ROI (return of investment) by making their own sales.
They can choose to keep a stock of products or order on-demand through the official Richway website.
All Richway products appear to be manufactured in Seoul, South Korea.
Again, we suggest being very cautious about your vendor and ordering process to avoid out of date, fraudulent, or overly priced products and poor customer satisfaction.
Warranties And Guarantees
In being a MLM structure, each vendor opts how and to whom they market, sell, and distribute the products.
This commonly impacts your warranties and brand guarantees.
Here’s the highlights you’ll need to know:
- Warranties are only valid for the original owner, meaning secondhand purchases will void the warranty.
- You’ll generally have a seven-day full return policy with most Richway vendors. That’s not long. Use it wisely. Past the seven-day mark, your refund is cut by half. By 30 days from receiving it, you’ll likely not get any refund. Check out our other reviews to find the best mat warranties and guarantees.
- Richway International offers consumers a three-year standard limited warranty.
- During the first year of ownership, most vendors will not charge you to repair the mat and controller if damaged through no fault of your own. This doesn’t include replacement.
- After the first year of ownership, expect fees for repairs.
- After the initial 60 days of ownership, the customer will be responsible for return shipping for repair fees.
- Take careful note of any vendor offering a 30-year limited warranty. The fine print usually reveals that this is more of a service department offering to pay a fee for repairs and shipping and handling. Ironically, it’s likely more costly than a local repair.
Buying A 7000 MX Richway Product
It’s as simple as a Google search to find online and local vendors.
We recommend including your country, state, and/or city in your search query to ensure you avoid costly international shipping and possibly even find a local supplier.
Going local may yield more responsible customer service or even an opportunity to meet the vendor to lay eyes and hands on the product(s) before purchase.
For those looking for a used Bio Mat, we recommend eBay or another similar trusted source.
You’ll have buyer protections and payment security that a vendor’s private website or social media posting won’t likely offer.
Most any infrared mat product is too expensive to take such risks with fraud, security, and defects.
Before making your vendor selection, check out their reviews.
What do other customers say?
However, it’s important to understand that user reviews aren’t always the best source of info.
Customers can be jaded by expectations that aren’t realistic, and some reviews might be paid endorsements by the brand.
Lastly, you can compare and contrast to find the best product for your needs. You now know everything about Richway’s 7000 MX offerings for infrared mats.
So, why not use our review of Healthy Wave Soft & Flexible May or the Bemer product line to see if one of them may be a better choice?
The Healthy Wave is a very similar product to Richway mats, but the Healthy Wave offers more therapies, has more consumer-friendly policies, and a lower cost.