Bon Charge Mini PEMF Mat Review: My HRV Went Up 15 Points Overnight

Last year, I was an open skeptic of Infrared PEMF mats. A popular product in many longevity expert's toolboxes, they combine infrared light with PEMF technology to boost recovery, sleep, focus, and cognition.

While I'm a huge fan of infrared light—you'll catch me regularly sweating it out in my infrared sauna blanket or sporting my red light therapy mask—I've always been far more dubious of PEMF.

The technology sends out tiny electromagnetic waves that mimic the Earth's natural healing frequencies. And while it sounds like pseudoscience, PEMF has been studied by NASA, with research showing it can be beneficial for inflammation1, energy fatigue2, sleep issues3, and even tissue regeneration1.

So when my coworker started raving about PEMF last year, I knew it was time to get over my bias. I was lucky enough to test Bon Charge's Infrared PEMF Mat Max when it launched earlier this year—and I shocked to see my HRV skyrocket up 15 points overnight after the first year.

Ever since, I've been obsessed with incorporating my PEMF mat into my routine, but the oversized mat wasn't always as portable or convenient as I needed.

First things first, it's important to share that I still love my Bon Charge's Infrared PEMF Mat Max. The oversized mat is great for stretching or sharing with my pup (yes, dogs can benefit from PEMF, too!) but I found the larger size wasn't always ideal for my tiny NYC apartment.

Not only does it take up a lot of space—the 74.8 inches by 31.5 inches dimension is about the same size as my couch—but the mat weighs a whopping 42 pounds.

While I didn't mind the extra square footage when I was preparing for bed or waking up in the morning, it prevented me from using the PEMF mat on the fly to support focus and creativity during a busy workday.

The best way to think of the Demi mat is like the smaller (and lighter) version of the Infrared Max Mat. It still boasts all the same technology, including:

PEMF Technology

Red Light Therapy

The PEMF mat boasts three types of red light: 660nm red light to promote blood circulation and cell repair and 850nm near infrared light to encourage deep tissue healing.

While these settings are optional, I love that they're low EMF with high irradiance.

FAR Infrared Light

Although I occasionally skip red light during my PEMF treatment, I never opt out of the Far Infrared Heat. Similar to the brand's infrared sauna blanket—another editor favorite—the mat uses infrared light to heat your body from within.

While I still love Bon Charge's Infrared PEMF Mat Max for my pre-sleep wind-down, I've found that the Dem is the perfect addition to my workday.

Whenever I can feel my focus starting to lag, I'll set up the Mini Mat at my desk. The 40-by-20 inch mat is just the right size for nestling into my office chair, and I'll turn on either the Alpha or Beta waves—depending on whether I need to focus or get my creative juices flowing.

When I'm done with my 30-minute session, I'll simply fold the 12-pound mat into the carrying bag and slip it under my desk.