18 Months using CalmCarry: My Honest Review

I've been truly overwhelmed with the response to my original CalmCarry review, which I wrote in December 2023, and which you can read here.

It's still the best performing page on this website, and to everyone who's taken the time to read my thoughts, I thank you. I sincerely hope that if you've purchased a CalmCarry off the back of my review, you've got as much out of it as I have. 

With that in mind, and with the original review still doing well, I thought it might make sense to write an update on my experiences with the device. After all, I wrote the original review pretty soon after purchasing it, so over a year later, what do I really think about the CalmCarry?

Before I start, here's my personal pros and cons list:

Pros:

It's gets me to sleep incredibly quickly

I use it pretty much daily, so it's turned out to be brilliant value for money

Long battery life

Quick to charge

Fully adapted to how CalmCarry feels in my hands

Helps with focus

Helps with general feelings of anxiety

Very relaxing

Cons:

I still don't use the wrist strap

Device sometimes falls out of the cover

Device doesn't always turn off automatically 

Non USB C charging

As you can see, the amount of pros is double the amount of cons, and some 17 plus months after purchase, I am still firmly on the CalmCarry hype train. It lives in my bed, besides the times I use it in focus mode, so as soon as I put my phone down, and turn the light off, I grab my CalmCarry (I’m still using the same one I bought last year), and I'm normally off to sleep in around 10/15 minutes or so. 

I will go through all of the pros and cons above in more detail now, and at the end of this, if you were on the fence about purchasing a CalmCarry device, you'll hopefully be convinced.

CalmCarry Discount Code

I couldn't expect you to sit through thousands of words without a reward, so if you want to use my custom CalmCarry discount code, which gives you an extra 15% off any order, click the link here, and enter the code ANXIOUSTRAVELGUY at checkout! This code also works in conjunction with any site-wide discounts CalmCarry are running!  

It's gets me to sleep incredibly quickly:

I wrote in the original review that I am normally able to get to sleep relatively quickly, and that hasn't changed. As mentioned above, CalmCarry forms part of my nightly routine, and if I don't have it when I go to sleep, I definitely miss it. I've found a power setting that works for me, and definitely get more of that 'heartbeat' feeling that CalmCarry talks about in their marketing for the device. 

It's an incredibly soothing sensation, and it really does help me feel super relaxed as I head to sleep.

Of course, I don't fall asleep easily every night, but CalmCarry is there when it does take longer, or if I wake up, and struggle to get back to sleep. I'm your classic overthinker, and these can sometimes include intrusive thoughts. Anyone who has experienced this knows how horrible it can be, and CalmCarry has been a welcome distraction when these thoughts do come into my head. 

I'm not going to pretend the thoughts disappear, but having the CalmCarry acts as a distraction of sorts. I'd normally allay the intrusive thoughts by playing on my phone, turn on the PlayStation etc, but these aren't exactly great routines for bedtime, or trying to sleep. So, what I will do is focus on the CalmCarry, how it's making me feel, the sensations (even turning up the power if I feel the need), and this has proved extremely helpful. 

Everyone has different sleeping habits, and I don't want to make any false promises that this will definitely help you get to sleep easier. I can only speak of my experiences though, and for me, it has been a big help.

I use it pretty much daily, so it's turned out to be brilliant value for money:

I paid £40.55 for the CalmCarry device when I ordered it in November 2023, and to say this has offered value for money would be the understatement of all understatements.

There are so many things I buy, use a couple of times, and rarely use again (I’m looking at you, electric keyboard), so I’ve been delighted to see myself using the CalmCarry so frequently. Of course, it helps that it works, and if the product wasn’t up to par, it would be joining the keyboard in the cupboard in the bedroom.

At the time of writing this, it’s been 500 days, more or less, since I started using CalmCarry. Even taking 100 days off for nights I didn’t use the device, which honestly, feels like way too much, the cost I paid, divided by days used, comes to around £0.10 per night. 

Considering how CalmCarry has impacted my life, I’d seriously consider this one of the best purchases I have ever made. This may sound like hyperbole, but it has honestly made a huge difference to my nightly routine, and it’s actually with me now as I write this from Vietnam. When I travel, the CalmCarry comes along.  

I won’t be replacing my device until I need to, so the cost per use is just going to decrease, making the CalmCarry incredible value for money. 

Long battery life: 

I’d say I typically charge my CalmCarry every week or so, although this has increased in frequency a bit more recently, because as I’ll explain in the cons section, my device doesn’t always automatically turn itself off. 

Normally though, I notice the CalmCarry has a very long battery life. I can’t ever remember the device completely dying, even when it has been left on all night. For me, the two main signs that I need to charge the device are as follows:

Lack of pulsing when the device is in your hand, even when power has been turned all the way up

The lights on the device (they illuminate the buttons) are faded

This is not (at least for me) a device you have to charge daily like your phone. One or two times a week should be plenty for your CalmCarry.

Quick to charge

This is heavily linked to the last CalmCarry positive, but as well as not having to charge the device often, it’s also extremely quick when you do have to charge. 

I normally charge the device when it’s in one of the states I mentioned in the last section, and it usually takes just over an hour to fully charge. Bear in mind, this is after using the CalmCarry for most of the last 18 months, so the battery will not be as optimal as it will be in more recent purchases. 

When the device is fully charged, you’ll see that the lights stop blinking. You then should be good to go for at the very least, a few days. I’ve always felt like it feels that the CalmCarry should be charged more often, considering it pulses away in your hand, and uses energy, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how little I have had to power up the device. 

Fully adapted to how CalmCarry feels in my hands

Okay, this was a big one for me, and this sentence from my original review will explain why:

‘As mentioned, it definitely takes some getting used to, as to me, it initially feels like a minor electric shock, which doesn’t scream relaxation’

The first couple of times you use the device, it will almost certainly feel strange. It does feel like you’re being zapped, but if I was to offer just one bit of advice to take away from this post, it would be to KEEP AT IT! 

I was worried I’d wasted my money, that this was a Facebook scam I had fallen for, but I promise you, your body will adapt, or at least mine did.  

The CalmCarry has buttons that let you adjust the strength of the pulsing, so start off low, and work yourself to a level that you feel comfortable with. For me, I like to turn it up high so I can really feel it, and then bring the level down a little bit, and this is where the device is at its most effective for me. 

It does feel like a heartbeat at times, which is beyond relaxing whist you’re drifting off to sleep. It might take you a bit of time to figure out the best position to place your CalmCarry in your hand, but the official website has some great advice on placement, so I’d recommend checking that out as well here. 

I’m very thankful that I didn’t give up after the first couple of times when it did feel a bit uncomfortable, because as you’ve probably guessed, it’s become a vital part of my sleeping routine.

Helps with focus:

I wrote in the original review that I originally didn’t know that there was a focus mode as part of the CalmCarry device. I bought it to help with anxiety and relaxing, as I am sure a lot of you also did. 

This was a nice addition though. All you need to do to activate it is to press the power button again, and it flips between a low-frequency and high-frequency mode.

I’ll be honest, I don’t use the focus mode as much as I perhaps should, because the CalmCarry mostly lives in my bed. When I have used it, you can definitely feel the pulsing, and it did leave me focused despite only using it for a short while. 

I am thinking of purchasing another device to solely use for focusing purposes, and to keep by my laptop, so I will let you know if and when I do, and report back. 

Helps with general feelings of anxiety

I bought the CalmCarry to help with anxiety, and I'd hazard a guess that a lot of the people reading this article will purchase it for similar reasons. This blog is named ‘The Anxious Travel Guy’ after all.

Does the CalmCarry help with feelings of anxiety? For me, yes. I mostly use it whilst heading to sleep as discussed, and when I don’t sleep well, lord do I feel it the next day. 

I’m one of those that needs at least a solid 7 hours per night, and if I don’t get it, I really feel it the day after. Using the CalmCarry to help me get to sleep means I feel better the day after, which helps with my anxiety. 

If I am sleep deprived, or stressed, then my feelings of anxiety heighten. It’s all connected for me, so more sleep = a happier anxious travel guy. 

It’s also useful for easing anxiety and feelings of panic during the day. As I have mentioned, for me it’s a distraction, and distractions during times of panic are super important. I take the CalmCarry with me on flights (where it actually helped me sleep, which never happens - read my article on this wonderful experience here), long journeys, and during other situations where the risk of stress is higher. 

Just knowing I have the CalmCarry with me helps relax me, it’s a crutch akin to medication, so I can say in all caps, that YES, CalmCarry helps with anxiety.

Very relaxing

I know, I know, a lot of these pros are pretty closely connected. I just wanted to end my list of CalmCarry pros by saying that this wonderful little device does leave you feeling very relaxed.

Whether it’s with helping you sleep, or calming you during the day, the CalmCarry will help increase your general feelings of relaxation. I’m incredibly thankful I made this purchase, and I’m sure you will be too.   

Reminder, you can get a 15% discount off your CalmCarry, even on top of sales and discounts offered on the CalmCarry website, by clicking here, and then entering the discount code, ANXIOUSTRAVELGUY. Any sales made through this link or by using the code will help with costs associated with running this website, so in advance, thank you! 

I want to make this review as fair as possible, and I can’t pretend the CalmCarry is completely perfect, even if it’s pretty damn close. Here is a list of the issues I have with the device. 

CalmCarry Cons:

I still don't use the wrist strap:

It’s been over 16 months since I wrote my original review, and here is what I wrote regarding the wrist strap/hoop. 

‘I’m not the biggest fan of the hoop that you use to put your wrist through, as it all felt a bit tight. I have pretty small wrists, and instead, I have been holding the CalmCarry loosely in my hand, which means you might lose it in the night (shouldn't go too far if you're in bed), but this was far more comfortable for me.’

Fast forward 15 months, I still have small wrists, and I still don’t use the hoop! I have tried it a few times, to see if I was missing something, or if I would get used to it etc, but it’s not for me. It feels a bit constrictive, and as mentioned, this is not an act that screams relaxation before sleep.

I still hold it loosely in my hand, but it still does the job for me with regards falling asleep. When I wake up in the night, it’s normally fallen from my hand, but at that stage, 9 times out of 10, it’s done its job.

For future device releases, I’d like to see the CalmCarry come with more than one wrist size. As I’ve talked about, I have small wrists, but it was still too tight for me, and I think a lot of people would be in a similar boat. I still get a lot out of the device, but I think being able to keep the device where you get optimal results on the hand, would help take my experience to another level.

Device sometimes falls out of the cover:

Sticking with the cover theme, my CalmCarry device occasionally pops out of my device. It’s not a big deal, like at all, but it’s a minor annoyance. The cover feels a bit loose/baggy, and I’m intrigued to see if it gets worse as the months go by.

As mentioned, I have been using the device consistently for over a year, so I put this down to general wear and tear etc. I did read about some people having issues with the cover, and with the wrist strap breaking etc, but mine is in really good condition all things considered. 

Device doesn't always turn off automatically:

This is probably the biggest issue I have with the CalmCarry after 16+ months of use, and that is the device doesn’t always turn off automatically after 20 minutes, which is one of its best features in my opinion.

This has only started happening more recently, and again, I’m not too annoyed about it, considering how much I use it. I usually always wake up in the night, so I’ve started checking my device, and if the lights are still on (meaning the device is still on), I have to manually turn it off. 

There are times I’ve woken up in the morning with the device still on, which looking at it from a positive angle, is a good indicator on how long the battery lasts. But it means I do have to charge the device during the day, which isn’t strenuous by any means, but it is an additional task. 

Thankfully as discussed in the pros section, charging is quick, so it doesn’t take too long, but ideally I don’t want to get to the stage where I am charging the device daily. 

There are times when the device turns off automatically as it is meant to, and in a weird way, there are times I don’t mind that the device doesn’t shut off as planned. 

Sometimes, knowing that the CalmCarry will turn off relatively quickly can cause me anxiety. You’re on a timer, you know the device turns off in 20 minutes, so you have this added pressure of trying to fall asleep as quickly as you can. I was the same when I used to listen to meditations on YouTube etc. 

I would often tense up half way through, knowing that at any moment, I might be listening to a random advert, or a completely different video. I’d still rather the CalmCarry device turn itself off automatically, but there are times, when I am particularly stressed, where I don’t mind having a longer session.

Non USB C charging

The CalmCarry device does charge quickly, but annoyingly, it uses a non USB C charger to restore its power (I believe it uses a micro USB charger). Again, it’s not a huge deal, but if I did lose the wire, I’d have to order that specific type to be able to charge the device.

Update: I did lose the wire! But thankfully, I found another one in my collection that worked, so I am using that.

It would be great to see a USB C option, or maybe an ‘Android’ and ‘Apple’ CalmCarry, and you could then charge your device the same way you would your phone. We all have enough wires, and I think CalmCarry is missing a trick by not having universal charging.

Here’s what the (not the original) charger and charger port look like:

This brings to an end my list of the pros and cons after 16-ish months of usage, and without further ado, let’s jump into the conclusion.

Conclusion:

You may think I’m overly enthusiastic about the CalmCarry, and by and large, this is absolutely the case. I use it almost daily, and it is genuinely part of my nightly routine. 

I don’t know the exact science behind how it works, but I do know that it has had a positive impact on my life, and that is why I wanted to write this update, so you can get a clearer idea of how the CalmCarry can help you. 

I think for the price (I will include a discount code underneath as promised), the CalmCarry is 100% worth the outlay. There are always sales on the CalmCarry website, at least when I check it, and with the further 15% you’ll get off for using my link or code, it becomes the price of a takeaway, or a meal out with friends. 

Go for it. If it doesn’t work, CalmCarry offers a 100-day refund, so you honestly have nothing to lose.   

If it does work, like it has with me, you’ll wonder how you coped so long without it. I have been honest throughout this update, and if anything changes in the future regarding my feelings on the device, I will of course let you know.

I remain confident in the CalmCarry though, it’s still very effective for me 16 months after purchase, and I sincerely hope it helps you with your anxiety, and any sleeping issues. 

If you have any other questions regarding the product, just let me know in the comments, and I will answer as soon as I can! It’s heart-warming to me that so many people have read the original review, and gone on to purchase the device, and I hope this follow-up piece has a similar impact.

Happy CalmCarrying! 

CalmCarry Discount:

Click the link here and then enter the code ANXIOUSTRAVELGUY at the checkout to receive your exclusive 15% CalmCarry discount!

As mentioned, this discount code works on top of any existing discounts/sales run by CalmCarry, so you can really bring the cost down.

Here is the current cost of the device for users in the UK: £43

And here is the cost when you apply my unique discount! A nice little saving, I am sure you’ll agree :)  

Using my GCSE in Maths, that's a saving of £6.45, and remember, you can use my discount on top of any that the CalmCarry website are offering.

Disclaimer: I want to point out that I wasn’t paid by CalmCarry to write this article, and these are my independent views. I paid for my CalmCarry device, and the words above represent my honest thoughts after over one year of use.