Sens.ai Review for 2024
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Learn moreBrain training and neurofeedback devices have become accessible and widespread. In fact, the neurofeedback systems market is expected to grow to $1.9 billion by 2029, according to research by Mordor Intelligence. Even now, new devices are debuting on the market, including the Sens.ai brain training headset.
Sens.ai is a neurofeedback system that aims to provide brain training technology from the comfort of your own home. Sens.ai claims to improve your focus, sleep, and relaxation with regular use of its device.
But can Sens.ai’s science back up its claims? How does it compare to other brain training devices? In this review, I evaluate Sens.ai based on its design, technology, user experience, and value for money.
How I evaluated Sens.ai device
Sens.ai is billed as an easy-to-use at-home brain training device. It works by reading your brain signals and heart rate and then using this data to provide light stimulation and audiovisual cues.
For this Sens.ai review, I evaluated the device based on the following criteria:
Design | Comfort, visual appeal, and sturdiness |
Technology | Neurofeedback, transcranial photobiomodulation, and heart coherence feedback |
User experience | Setup of the device and user-friendliness of the app |
Value for money | Pricing and subscription plans |
- Design. I evaluated user feedback to see if Sens.ai is comfortable and durable enough for frequent use.
- Technology. I studied the scientific claims behind the technology employed by Sens.ai to see if it can actually work.
- User experience. I looked into customer reviews to see how easy the Sens.ai device and app are to set up and use.
- Value for money. I checked how Sens.ai compares to similar devices on the neurofeedback market.
Pros and cons of Sens.ai
How does Sens.ai headset work?
The Sens.ai brain training device looks similar to a pair of headphones. However, instead of playing music, Sens.ai uses sensors that may measure your brainwave activity and provide you with real-time feedback through audio and visual cues (a process known as “neurofeedback”).
Sens.ai uses your data to provide personalized brain training sessions called programs and missions. It looks at the fluctuation of electrical activity in your brain, which happens when the brain processes light, sound, or thoughts. These electric signals are called event-related potentials (ERPs).
Sens.ai also monitors your heart rate variability (HRV), which is a proxy measure of stress resilience. It aims to provide heart rate coherence biofeedback, which, together with breathing techniques, may be used for stress management.
To deliver feedback to your brain, Sens.ai uses transcranial photobiomodulation (tPMB), a process that involves stimulating different areas of the brain with non-invasive near-infrared light. Studies cited by Sens.ai suggest that tPMB may improve cerebral blood flow and metabolic activity.
How can you benefit from using Sens.ai
Sens.ai claims that it can improve cognitive function. Its app comes with different programs and missions, with goals like enhancing your focus, concentration, or calmness.
Below, I look at the benefits that may be observed by using this neurofeedback device.
Outcomes of using Sens.ai will vary from person to person. Consulting a healthcare professional is highly advised before using any neurofeedback devices.
Improved cognitive function
In fast-paced work environments, staying alert and present may prove to be challenging. Sens.ai has programs that can improve several brain functions.
Sens.ai cites several studies to show that neurofeedback improves cognitive functions, such as recall performance, semantic working memory, and attentional processing. There’s also a 2016 study suggesting that quicker reaction times were observed in research subjects who received neurofeedback training focused on the enhancement of the sensorimotor rhythm.
Improved motor and inhibition control
Need to let go of bad habits? Neurofeedback training suggested improved inhibition control in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as shown in a 2018 study.
Sens.ai also has programs that can help improve presence of mind and concentration. This claim may be supported by the study that suggests a 20% reduction in motor skill errors after neurofeedback training.
Better mood regulation and stress management
Looking for a meditation companion? Sens.ai uses biofeedback to achieve heart rate coherence. A 2018 paper concluded that biofeedback is an effective intervention tool for reducing stress. Another study suggested that breathing at resonance frequency may help with more positive moods and lower systolic blood pressure.
How to use neurofeedback system
I found Sens.ai to be fairly easy to use. Although you have to connect the device twice through Bluetooth, every other step in the setup process is straightforward.
Here’s how to set up and use the Sens.ai device and app:
- Download and open the Sens.ai app. Go on the App Store or Google Play Store to download Sens.ai’s official app.
- Connect the Sens.ai device to the app. The Sens.ai app will guide you through the connection process, which involves connecting to Bluetooth twice (first for data and the second for audio).
- Prepare the Sens.ai headset. Take the included water brush and fill it with drinkable water. Next, apply a few drops of water to the sensors. The sensors should be damp to the touch before wearing. Make sure you remove earrings and other jewelry before proceeding to the next step. Hair should also be parted in the middle and tucked behind your ears before wearing the headset.
- Wear the Sens.ai headset. Raise the Sens.ai headset above your head and slowly bring it down until the sensors cover your ears. The headset should nestle your head comfortably. While wearing the device, avoid blinking, swallowing, jaw clenching, and other movements, as they might weaken signal quality.
- Complete your first Sens.ai session. The first session you can access on the Sens.ai app is “Calm Heart,” which aims to train heart rate coherence. In total, the app has three modes: train, boost, and assess.
- Complete your first assessment. Sens.ai recommends getting a GeniusPulse™ assessment (which takes around 15-20 minutes). In this process, Sens.ai will combine its data on you with your responses to a short series of questions. Afterward, it will recommend your first mission.
- Track your progress. You can monitor your progress on the Sens.ai app, which collects biometrics like your brainwave signals and heart rate variability. Tracking your progress over time can show you which areas you want to improve and will help you decide which Sens.ai programs to try.
While you can share your Sens.ai headset among a total of five users, I don’t recommend doing so as it may affect program personalization. This can prevent you from making full use of the device’s benefits.
Sens.ai neurofeedback device cost
Sens.ai costs a considerable amount upfront and only comes with a 1 year warranty. You also have to pay for an on-going subscription to keep using all of the device’s features.
Here’s a breakdown of Sens.ai’s upfront pricing and what comes with the purchase:
Product | Sens.ai headset, 60-day free membership, GeniusPulse™ controller, hard-shell travel case, charger with regional adaptors |
Price | $1,500 |
Return policy | 30 days |
Warranty | 1 year |
Sens.ai offers a 30-day refund if you’re not happy with the device. You also get free shipping in the US and Canada and a 1-year warranty.
However, once your 60-day free membership is up, you’ll need to subscribe to Sens.ai’s membership program to continue using the device’s full functionality. Here are the different Sens.ai membership plans available:
- One month: $75/month
- One year: $25/month (Billed at $300 annually)
You can keep using Sens.ai without a subscription, but you’ll lose some valuable features. Here’s a comparison of Sens.ai’s functionality with and without a subscription:
Members | Free Accounts | |
Boosts | ✅ | ✅ |
Train - Heart Coherence Biofeedback | ✅ | ✅ |
Assessments | ✅ | |
Train - Neurofeedback | ✅ | |
Meditations | ✅ | |
Guided Missions | ✅ |
Does using Sens.ai have any drawbacks?
Using the Sens.ai neurofeedback headset may be safe, considering that the biofeedback techniques used in this device are generally regarded as safe. However, if you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any emotional vulnerability, consider consulting with a mental health professional first to ensure the device doesn’t cause you any harm.
It should also be noted that Sens.ai’s headset and app do not have FDA clearance or approval. Sens.ai is not a medical device and was not designed to treat, prevent, or cure any conditions on its own.
Additionally, research about neurofeedback training remains inconclusive and ongoing. Although neurofeedback devices may be effective for certain patients, these are not yet considered a mainstream treatment within the mental health industry.
Another drawback of the Sens.ai device is its pricing. Its upfront cost of $1500 only includes a 60-day membership with your headset. If you want to make full use of Sens.ai’s features for longer than 60 days, you need to subscribe to its membership program ($75/month or $300/year).
Sens.ai compared to other neurofeedback devices
How does Sens.ai compare to other popular neurofeedback devices? Check out this comparison table:
Devices | Sens.ai | Mendi | Muse | BrainTap |
Price | $1500 | $299 | $494.98 | $907 |
What’s included | Sens.ai headset, 60-day free membership, GeniusPulse™ controller, hard-shell travel case, charger with regional adaptors | Mendi headband, charging cable | Muse S headband, 1 year free subscription | BrainTap headset, 1-year free subscription |
Main technology | EEG and tPBM | fNIRS | EEG and audio feedback | Audio-visual brain entrainment |
Battery life | Unspecified | 60 sessions | 10 hours | 5 hours |
Warranty | 1 year | Unspecified | 1 year | 1 year |
Key: EEG – electroencephalogram, tPBM – transcranial photobiomodulation, fNIRS — functional near-infrared spectroscopy
BrainTap is not a neurofeedback device but a “brain fitness” device that, according to the brand, uses audio and visual stimuli to influence your brain activity.
Sens.ai customer reviews
Sens.ai has mixed reviews on Reddit forums dedicated to neurofeedback and biohacking. Many users applaud its ease of use, battery life, and build quality. Users have also reported feeling more focused and present after regular, continuous use of the device.
On the other hand, some users noticed the lack of raw EEG data visualization, which can be valuable information to have when determining which of Sens.ai’s programs to use. Some users report occasional software bugs when using the app. A user also pointed out that they found no clear way of unlocking all of Sens.ai’s modes aside from progressing through missions.
Overall, however, users are enthusiastic about the device and are willing to keep trying Sens.ai despite its negatives. Reviewers consider it a comprehensive system, offering multiple brain training technologies in one device.
Sens.ai review: conclusion
Sens.ai is a promising newcomer in the neurofeedback industry. I like that the device is portable, comfortable, and easy to use, even for buyers who have never tried neurofeedback in the past. The app is also easily navigated and comes with plenty of brain training programs and missions to suit a wide variety of customer needs.
However, I’m not enthusiastic about how the product’s most advertised benefit (neurofeedback training) is locked behind a paid subscription. This subscription cost comes on top of an upfront payment for the device. I would also like to see user complaints be addressed, such as the lack of raw EEG data and confusion about how to unlock all of Sens.ai’s modes.
Despite these concerns, Sens.ai remains a considerable choice for potential buyers who want a neurofeedback device to use at home. Compared to its competitors, Sens.ai has a more comprehensive and robust brain training system, which may be well worth the hefty price tag for those who want to try and improve their everyday life.
Other guides you may also be interested in:
Mendi review: does it improve brain function?
Muse S review: your personal sleep assistant
FAQ
How much does Sens.ai cost?
Sens.ai has an upfront cost of $1500, which includes the Sens.ai headset, a 60-day free membership, a GeniusPulse™ controller, a hard-shell travel case, and a charger. You also get free shipping if you’re from the US or Canada. Note, however, that to keep using all of Sens.ai’s features after 60 days, you need to subscribe to its membership program ($75/month or $300/year).
Can you do neurofeedback on your own?
Yes. With Sens.ai, you can benefit from neurofeedback technology from the comfort of your own home and without any assistance. All you need to do is connect the Sens.ai headset to the official app.
What are the benefits of Sens.ai?
Sens.ai claims to be able to improve your sleep health, focus, presence of mind, concentration, and more (with regular, continuous use of the device).
How does neurofeedback change the brain?
There are studies that suggest improved cognitive function after the use of neurofeedback. However, there is no FDA-approved medical use of Sens.ai, and it should not be treated as a means to cure, prevent, or treat any mental health conditions.
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