The choice of a quality massage chair can, sometimes, be challenging as you have to look for several factors. We completely understand this concern. Therefore, while creating this buying guide, we have made sure that we explain everything from terminologies to technologies. But our prime intent is to select more therapeutically active massage chairs over any other things.

Besides this, we have arranged things in order so you can have a sequence to follow. Also, in each selection, we have placed questions. It is better if you answer these questions and categorize yourself. We hope that all these things will make the choice of the best massage chair much more comfortable.

*If you don’t feel comfortable reading the text, we made this “Best Massage Chair infographic” for you to sort things readily.

Budget:

Unlike other therapeutic equipment, for massage chairs, budget is the prime thing. In massage chairs, all the things ultimately end in the question, what is your budget? We’ll ask you the same, keep your budget in mind, then go with selection and features.

One question you should always ask yourself, what is the intent behind buying the massage chair? If you want a massage chair, for either commercial or home use, you will somehow fall in the same category, you will just have to go with the chair that has more durability. But if you want a massage chair for some therapeutic purpose like full back massage, or back pain to improper posture, you will need something different. Hence, your purpose leads to a budget that ultimately helps in your choice.

Coming to budget, there are three categories.

Average Class Chairs, Up to 2000$:

Massage chairs in this range are the mixture of some advance, and many old features. A few noticeable things are either they occupy a reasonably good space, hard to assemble, or have no S or L track. Hence, for a beginner level therapy or general home-use, this is the best category

Mid-Range Chairs, Up to 6000$:

In our opinion, this is the ideal category for anyone looking for a massage chair. In this category, most of the massage chairs will be good enough to be called the best. Therefore, the vast majority of Best massage chair reviews revolve around this category. Massage chairs from this category can lack only when you expect additional advanced features at this price. Otherwise, this category is perfect.

High-end chair more than 6000$.

Massage chairs in the category are the ones either for commercial or for additional customizable features. Most people don’t go in this range. But the massage chair of this range can give you an exceptionally high level of massage with luxury.

While reviewing each chair, we have time to time mentioned purpose as well as the price. Now, you knew your budget as well as purpose. You can proceed with the specifications.

Recommended Read: How Much Do Massage Chairs Cost?

Massage Track:

Massage track includes an apparatus used to give massage therapy. It has both roller’s type and position or movement of these rollers in a massage chair. This thing is essential as it lays the foundation for your Therapy. Various types of massage tracks are in the market; some noticeable are:

Fixed-Frame Massage Track:

Some inexpensive massage chairs have a fixed massage track. This means that the massage roller is fixed at one point, and they provide massage by remaining in that position. An excellent example of such a fixed frame is Lernonl Massage Chair that only costs 799$, but its rollers don’t go up and down instead, remain in the same place. Such massage chairs with fixed-frame and not so popular, and only comes in starter level products.

S-Track:

This is the most popular massager track currently in the market. You might know that our spine is curved, not straight. First, there an inward hump in the cervical region, then in the thoracic region, there is outward bulging, opposite of thoracic in lumber. Hence our back is somehow an S-shaped.

The rollers in S-track type massage chairs adjust with the contours of our back. In this way, they provide the ultimate level of Therapy for back pain massage. A good number of mid-range chairs and many luxury ones come with an S-type massage track.

L-Track:

This is one step ahead of S-track. Usually, every massage chair with L-track has a hybrid L/S-track system. In this track, in addition to providing massage to the back, the tracker moves under the glutes. This provides Therapy to the buttock by an L-shaped pattern of rollers. For a good massage session, L-track is preferred over its competitors.

Other Massage track:

Besides having massage rollers, some remarkably inexpensive massage chairs also have rolling balls. These rolling balls though a good source of Therapy but not to the level of massage chairs. The rolling balls in these chairs comparable with neck massagers that are used to mild neck pains. Massage chairs have such technology low-priced and can come in the 200-400$ price range.

Now, you know about the massage track, you should choose which one will be appropriate for you. S-track works fine for most people, but if you want more deep massage goes with the S/L Hybrid.

The massage track consists of rollers. If a masseur is giving a massage, he will use his finger to apply pressure. Rollers are the fingers of the massage track. Rollers not only differ in numbers but also in their movement.

Rollers Numbers:

There are four or five standards of roller number. The most inexpensive is dual-rollers. As you can guess from the name, some two-rollers provide massage. Similarly, rollers can be three (rare), quad, and six-rollers. Besides that, some high-end massage chairs have more than six rollers. There is a general rule; greater is the number of rollers better is the massage.

2D, 3D and 4D massage track.

Besides moving up and down, rollers move around their circumference, and this determines the dimension of the massage track. 2D track means that rollers move up and down and on the sides. 3D track along with up and down movement shows inward movement. The 3D track is an industry-standard, and adequate enough to give a soothing massage. 4D Track is not any additional thing, but a 3D track with speed control.

3D tracks are enough to provide a quality massage, and most chairs come with it. However, if you want a hard massage in one area and a lighter on the other, you can use the 4D massaging chair.

Roller Adjustment

This feature is also called body scan technology, but we call it roller adjustment as the ultimate result is controlling the position of rollers. Basically, what this roller adjustment is, the massage chair has a built-in feature to scan your body and pinpoint pressure points, and then it adjusts the rollers in a way to make Therapy more effective. In roller adjustment, there may be many variations:

No Adjustment:

Only Highly inexpensive chairs come with scan technology; hence it is not therapeutically good. The rollers just move, and you have to adjust yourself for the right message.

3D Scan and manual Adjustment:

3D scans are the most common in massage chairs. Whenever you sit on a massage chair, it detects your body and adjusts its rollers accordingly to provide the massage. A lot of massage chairs move one step forward; the chair detects the body and allows you to adjust the rollers as per your requirements manually. However, manual adjustment can be difficult, as many people can’t adjust appropriately.

Along with this, some massage chairs have both a manual as well as 3D scan technology. You can switch between these both choices by your controller.

Body scan technology is an essential thing if you look at a massage from a therapeutic point. You should ask yourself which scan technology is right for you. Most massage experts recommend that either go with auto roller adjustment or both manual and automatic adjustment.

Air Massaging System:

The thing that people are now more focusing is the air massage system or the presence of airbags. By squeezing and decompressing, the airbag provides calmative massage therapy. Now many massage chair comes with more than 50 airbags located at various positions. These airbags, along with rollers, take the massaging experience to the next level.

So whenever you buy a massage chair, make sure the chair has a good number of airbags. Greater will be airbags better will be the efficiency of massage. But there is an exception to this in chairs that offer more significant airbags to compensate for the numbers.

Massaging Types:

For some people massaging types are of more concern than many of the things mentioned above. Yet, we think it is appropriate if you prefer other things like track and roller adjustment over this one. However, you should make sure that the massage chair you’re going to buy provides which sort of massage. Commonly Massage chairs give these types of massage.

Kneading:

Kneading massage focuses on stretching the tight muscles. In massage chairs, the roller goes in a hoop-shaped order to provide this massage. Chairs from almost every price range come with kneading massage. However, the level of Therapy is different in every price range.

Besides using rollers, some models like Real Relax Massage chair uses airbags to squeeze the tense and hence provide kneading. Whether you should use rollers or airbags for kneading depends upon your level of Therapy. If you want to relieve muscle aches, go with airbags and better go with rollers for deep tissue massage. All in all, you can have both.

Shiatsu:

This is the most widely used Japanese method of massage. Not only massage chairs but also massage pillows, massage guns use this technique to provide effective Therapy. Shiatsu massaging technique is like the Chinese acupuncture to pinpoint the pressure points, and then rollers move to enhance the massaging experience.

A lot of Massage chair has technique covert in their roller adjustment. The majority of massaging chairs you will see will be working on the Shiatsu principle. But some chairs are more advanced than others, especially those with calf massagers. This Calf massaging gives you a more soothing experience than others. So, make sure your massage chair is providing you an appropriate level of massage.

Tapping:

This massaging technique is comparable to the percussion massaging technique. In tapping, the roller will rapidly compress your skin and then come out. But all this tapping happens sequentially. The difference between kneading and taping is, tapping is just compression while kneading is multi-directional Therapy. So, that’s why airbags can also do tapping but not as effectively as rollers. Taping is useful when it is done alternatively with other massaging techniques.

Rolling:

Massage Track either S or L having rollers on them provide the basis for the rolling massage. Rolling tracks not only offer massage on the back, but in many full-body massage chairs, you also get rollers in the foot but rarely in calves. Rolling, by far, is considered the highly efficient massage you get via massage chairs.

It is better if you choose full body massage chairs over the ones for the back only. Rolling, when combined with air therapy, makes the massage very curative.

Deep tissue:

Usually, deep tissue massage is a manipulation technique for a high level of Therapy. This deep tissue massage is related to price. Usually, high-end chairs, with rollers and airbags mixture, provide an excellent deep tissue massage. Generally, it is said that higher a massage chair mimics the masseur greater is its ability to provide deep tissue massage.

Other Massage Techniques:

There are other massaging techniques like gripping, heat massage, and Swedish type of massage. There are unique massage chairs based on the Swedish massaging technique. However, a lot of people don’t know about such massaging chairs and go with Shiatsu ones. However, for more significant rubbing massage, they are excellent.

Control:

If you have advanced yet easy controls for a massage chair, this can make your life much more comfortable. There are three types of control a massage chair offers. Most massage chairs come with either remote or touchpad.

We prefer touchpad as it is more easily customizable. But some chairs like Infinity IT-8500 let you control your massage chair via an app. One thing you should always keep in mind that never to underestimate control while buying a massage chair. In the long run, easy controls are behind the long-life of a massage chair.

Therapy Standards:

Therapy is among the primary incentive to buy a massage chair. All massage chairs provide Therapy one way or the other. You should keep a close eye on the therapeutic features you’re getting. Some crucial standards are:

Heat:

A significant number of massage chair uses heat as a therapeutic standard. Since heat increases the energy of your muscles, it works brilliantly. But massage chairs differ by a provision of heat to particular areas. The specific heat therapy areas include Lumber heat [almost every massage chair have it], Calf heat, Back, and full-body heat.

The majority of chairs from mid-range [up to 6000$] offer complete back heating, but it rare to have full body heating in this price range. Full body heating chairs are expensive as well as rare.

What heating standard will work for you? Usually, the chairs with full back heating also have calf heating features. Both of these are enough to give a soothing therapy. That is one of the reasons chairs of Real Relax are so popular.

Zero-gravity:

This is an elite standard of Therapy, yet present in a good number of chairs. Though having Zero-gravity feature in any massage chair classifies it in a different type, it is still considered a Norm of Therapy. In Zero-g chairs, you feel an effect similar to free-falling as your legs are above the level of your heart.

There are myriads of therapeutic benefits of any zero-gravity feature. The two most important are: Your heart is relaxed as it won’t feel the same pressure; hence circulation got better. Secondly, your posture improves a lot due to the strengthening of spine muscles, and unloading of spinal discs.

So, if Therapy is your intent for buying a massage chair, prefer zero-gravity chairs.

Stretching:

This feature is rare among massage chairs and is highly therapeutic. In stretching, your body will be in a horizontal position, and you will get an effect of squeezing the spine by up and down movement of the back and ottoman. Also, rollers work to press your back. This stretching works brilliantly for immediate pain relief and reducing tension on the spine.

However, for people with low back issues stretching might be obtrusive. While as a general therapy procedure, it works like a charm. This stretching is a distinctive feature of chairs like Kahuna 6800 and Human Touch HT-7120.

So, if you want an additional effective therapy, consider a massage chair will stretching feature a worthy choice.

Comfort:

All massage chairs are comfortable, but what does this comfort mean? Everything from features to the ambiance that soothes the massaging experience come under the comfort. These are the few things, you can take into account while buying a massage chair.

Space-Saving:

For those space is an issue, there are a variety of chairs that save you from the trouble of space. Chairs like OS-4000 can occupy not only a good space but also require almost 20 inches clearance from the wall. This is essential to recline fully. However, others like Human Touch’s Novo XT2 require only 2-inch clearance from the wall. This can be a space-saving feature.

Besides that, there are many other chairs like infinity genesis that have a sliding base. This feature allows the chair first to slide, and then incline back.

So, if space is an issue for you, look for the chairs with space-saving features. For you, while reviewing each chair, we have mentioned this feature repeatedly.

Ottoman Retractable/Extendable:

If you don’t know, “Ottoman is a lower portion of massage chair containing foot and calf massager.” Many massage chairs come in an extendable ottoman feature, which means you can extend the foot and calves massager. This feature comes into play when you’re a tall person usually greater than 6’2”. This extendable feature is present is many massage chairs, including Kahuna 6800, Luraco robotics 7, and Novo XT2. Consider it an important feature while purchasing a massage chair for tall persons.

While the retractable ottoman feature is a little different if you want a massage chair, a part of your living room [when not using it] retraceable ottoman feature will help you. Chairs like Osaki Pro Maestro offer this feature. Just press a button, and the ottoman will fold and retract, and your massage chair can be used as an ordinary chair.

LED lights:

A few years back, not many chairs offer it, but this feature is becoming more and more popular. Lights of different colors glow and make your surrounding aesthetic and massaging experience highly pleasant. It is called chromo-therapy [Therapy with colors]. It will be better if the massage chair offers this feature; however, don’t consider it an ultimate determiner for buying a massage chair.

Memory and Music:

Music proves benefit in upgrading the therapeutic effect of massage. The updated model of massage chairs has Bluetooth compatible sound system that lets you enjoy music while taking massage therapy. Along with that, a rare feature in the massage chair is the setting storage option. You can adjust the setting that will suit you and save it for later use. Both Music and Memory are an additional feature, not a key one for a massage chair.

Brands:

Brands possess absolute importance, as, after years of hard work, they have built their names. Here are the few brands that are rocking the massage world in 2020.

Osaki/Titan:

This brand is among the masters of electric massage chairs. Being in the business for more than two decades, Osaki offers massage chairs in every price range and with every feature you can expect. The reasons for being among the “Best Massage Chairs brands” are innovative products being highly comfortable and attractive.

Besides that, they work with top massage experts to make their products better. Their products come with a good warranty and the best customer support. Anyone looking to buy his first massage chair should trust Osaki.

Luraco:

USA-Based top-notch manufacturer of industrial products “Luraco” also creates the best medical massage chairs. Their iRobotics 7 plus is still the best-selling massage chair in the market. Luraco focuses on providing the best massaging experience using advanced technology.

Moreover, they offer features rare in the market like advanced scanning technology, and full-body stretching, and noise reduction. Besides that, the quality of their products is paramount.

Besides being reliable and therapeutic, they offer good warranty and sale support. Also, their massage chairs are medically graded to provide health benefits. However, they come to our high-end price range. If anyone wants a commercial or a therapeutic massage chair, this is the perfect brand.

Kahuna Chairs:

Founded in 1997 and disturbing as the name of AJX.inc, Kahuna chairs have become one of the most popular massage chair brands in 2020. Besides being highly therapeutic, they offer a great depth of products and prices. The reason for being highly popular is offering advanced features at a compelling price.

Kahuna Chairs engages innovative design, advanced technology, good warranty, and high diversification. The FDA approves all of its massage chairs. Additionally, they offer the best massage chairs in the average-price range.

Whether you’re looking for a massage chair as a hobbyist, or for therapeutic purposes, Kahuna Chairs has an effective solution for every problem.

Human Touch:

Being in the massage chair industry for more than 40 years, Human Touch has evolved as a leader. They focus on providing high-performance, brilliant quality ergonomic massage chairs. The thing that makes them unique is their exclusive design.

With the exclusive design, they also merge engineering innovations with medical applications to create a masterpiece like Novo XT2. Also, from a space-efficient point of view, their chairs manage to beat any other brand.

However, most of the Top-Quality Human Touch Chairs come in the high-end price chairs. If you want to be looking for the most trustworthy massage chair brand, Human Touch will prove best for you.

Many other Brands:

These brands mentioned above are currently the leaders in the massage industry. But the massage chairs are not limited to these brands only.

There are many good ones like Inada, TruMedic, and Real Relax, Ogawa. All these brands, although among the manufacturers of best massage chairs, yet their overall brand performance lacks things to be called among the best.

Other Features to look for:

Warranty:

You won’t buy a massage often, that’s you should be conscious your brand offers a good warranty. Most massage chairs come with a 3-5 year warranty, including a one-year in-home and two-year warranty for parts. Having a good warranty makes a good impact on your choice of purchasing a massage chair, but beware of some inexpensive brands that offer lucrative ten years formal warranty with some covert details.

As mentioned in brands, we have only selected those models that are both well-reputed and trustworthy, so you need not worry about the warranty.

Weight and Height:

Though you might say this thing should be placed earlier but being not a technical option, it is better to be placed in the end. Majority of massage chairs for made for 250-280Ibs and up to 6’1’’. However, the variations in weight can be from 220-350Ibs, and for height up to 6’7’’.

*That’s all you need to know while buying a massage chair, the rest of the content is based on benefits and guide to using a massage chair.

Benefits of Massage [Health & Therapeutic]:

History of Massage is as old as civilization. But with years of human experience and advancement of medical knowledge, massage therapy got tremendously improved.

Now hundreds of researches are conducted every year to enhance our knowledge of the benefits of massage. Fortunately, we have studies that have shown the positive effects of massage. Some of these health benefits include:

Anxiety relief: Massage lessens your anxiety by playing with your hormones. A lot of studies show the effectiveness of massage in relieving anxiety.

Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief: Supported by studies, massage is done by therapist decrease tension in neck massages, and hence account for relieving neck pain. Besides that, many neck massagers exist that serve not only neck and shoulder pain, but also for tension headaches, and migraines.

Lower Back pain: By research, it is concluded that to some extent, massage helps in releasing lower back pain.

Osteoarthritis: Short-term benefits can be gained by massage.

Other benefits of massage include reducing stress, helping sleep better, and help in sports injuries. However, the benefits of massage are not limited to these; you can read more about the Benefits of Massage.

How does Massage Chair work?

Depending upon the type of massage chair, working can vary. However, the central working principle is the same. In an electric massage chair, three massage methods are used: vibration, rolling, and air therapy. Rollers serve the function of providing vibration and rolling. By moving up and down along their tracts, they act to give a sensation of pleasure.

Along with that, these rollers show vibratory motion, mimicking masseur hands. When the numbers of rollers increase, massaging action becomes better. Besides, rollers, you will also see vibrational pads that do the same purpose. Thus, the combination of these vibratory and rotating motions help you provide the right massage.

Another component of massage chair that has a crucial role in is the airbags. Through squeezing and decompressing action, these airbags energize your muscles and give you a paramount physical therapy.

Benefits of Massage Chair [Health & Therapeutic]

Nobody denies the benefits of massage. But setting your schedule to get a massage from a masseur is both time-consuming and expensive. On the other hand, massage chairs allow you to have a customized experience of massage at any time you want. Besides this, massage chair help in reducing mental fatigue, and studies prove it. Here are some of the core benefits of having a massage chair.

Your Personal Masseur: The most significant benefit anybody can get from a massage chair is having your persona masseur available 24/7. You can take massage beyond the limitations and duration of time. With the new massaging technologies, you can get expensive massaging experiences with in the budget.

Improve your Posture: Massage chairs have a body scanning system that scans your body when you start using them. This body scanning system then guides the rollers and airbags to apply suitable pressure on your muscles and spines. By getting a massage, your stiff back muscles start getting proper nutrition and remodel themselves in better shape.

Also, getting Therapy like stretching amends improper bulges in your spines, and hence account for a better posture.

Mitigate pain: A massage chair is the source of superlative pain relief. Pain in muscles is used caused by the storage of excess compounds that need to break down. Massage galvanize your muscles without any additional support from you. This breakdown chemical and let you feel better.

Additionally, the muscles also get an adequate supply of nutrients, and as a result, they work correctly. Ultimately, your body starts feeling better.

Help release stress: Stress is an awful thing, especially if it is long term. One of the biggest benefits of massage chairs is it relieves stress and anxiety. It does by decreasing your cortisol levels and increase dopamine and serotonin levels. In fact, a study is done that massage decreased 30% of cortisol levels.

Hence, by increasing your anti-stress hormones, a massage chair will make you feel very relaxed.

Improve circulation and build a healthy immune system: Having a massage chair can give a good body circulation, and also a good immunity. As massage therapy decreases stress, it enables your heart to function properly. Thus, under relaxing body conditions, your heart performs many times better, and your body gets an adequate circulation.

Additionally, having a good circulation means that your lymphocytes are going to each body viscera and protecting it —also, your cytokine increase in the number that generates an immune response. Thus, using a massage chair can make you immune to germs and unhealthy conditions.