Top 10 Best massage chair Reviews – Buying Guide 2019
You and I would agree that nothing feels as relaxing as a good old massage – whether just for your own relaxation, or to deal with various tension and pressure points in the body.
Massages are generally considered to be a form of alternative and complementary medicine, often offered along standard treatment for various conditions. Studies have shown that it works as a highly effective method for reducing pain, stress and muscle tension.
Massages are also helpful in dealing with:
– Anxiety
– Digestive disorders
– Fibromyalgia
– Headaches
– Insomnia related to stress
– Myofascial pain syndrome
– Soft tissue strains or injuries
– Sports injuries
– Temporomandibular joint pain
Aside from helping provide relief for specific medical conditions, most people simply enjoy massage because of the feelings of comfort, caring and connection that it produces. This therefore means that massage is not just limited to being an alternative means of medical care, you can also make use of it as a feel good factor.
MASSAGE CHAIRS
One of the most popular massage devices currently is the massage chair. Developed in the 1960’s as a means to perform chair massages safely without the client falling to one side or the practitioner having to hold them up, the chairs now come electronically enabled with vibrators that can massage a person just by sitting on it and turning it on.
While there are numerous types of massage, the massage chair is designed to offer an experience that can most closely be compared to Shiatsu or Swedish massage. Shiatsu uses pressing, sweeping, rolling, rotating, and patting movements and focuses on releasing tension in specific points of the body.
Swedish massage is typically comprised of long strokes and kneading motions, aiming at encouraging strong and proper circulation.
Massage chairs are generally designed around three main components that are meant to match these two techniques of massage as closely as possible. These are:
1. Massage chair nodes and rollers:
These are designed to emulate fingers and hands. The larger the rollers and nodes, the more general the massage approach. Smaller rollers and nodes tend to give a more specific and targeted experience. These are generally adjustable to fit the user’s’ needs
2. Massage Chair motors:
Are the most essential and mechanical aspects of the chair, and are used to power and move the nodes and rollers to the necessary areas. Most chairs come with pre-programmed patterns and programs, but still allow for the user to modify these as the may feel necessary.
3. Computer assisted adjustability:
This is a very essential factor that allows the chair to automatically adjust to the users’ weight, height and width. It also locates specific areas on the anatomy of the back, making the necessary adjustments for the height and width of the user.
Here is Why You Should use a massage chair?
– Cost saving: give you the same massage at a fraction of the price.
– Helps reduce muscle tension
– Increases blood circulation and relaxation
– Helps to relax your back and neck
There are so many different types of massage chairs in the market, giving you a wide variety of choice. Each chair comes with its own unique design, style and features, and the choice you make would be greatly determined by what your needs are, as well as how much money you have to spend.
Below is a list of the top 10 best massage chairs to guide you in your search. This list is based on each chairs design, features, convenience and ratings by users.
TOP 10 BEST MASSAGE CHAIR REVIEWS IN 2017
1
Special 2016 Best-Valued Massage Chair
This beautiful massage chair, comes in black, beige, brown and red. It is designed to give you a head to toe Shiatsu massage for 5-30 minutes. The massage has the feel of human hands leaving you feeling fully relaxed and refreshed.
The chair has 4 automatic modes, with 14 different massage type combinations. It also has an inbuilt heat system in the backrest, 2 air pumps, 4 motors, and comes with a seat vibrator, remote control and holder, as well as wheels to allow for easy movement.
Of the four automatic modes – activate, deeper relaxation, upper back and lower back are ideal for working on various pressure points of your body.
The deep relaxation mode is excellent if you are looking to wind down after a long day, while the upper and lower back modes are great at massaging any aching areas on your back.
For those who would prefer to be in control of their massage, this best valued chair comes with a manual mode allowing you to adjust the back rollers, speed, strength, width, airbags and vibrator in 3 different speed options. It is also worth noting that this massage chair is a smart chair, and is designed to automatically scan your shoulders and back area to verify your body size and adjust your massage to give you a tailor made experience.
In incorporating the Shiatsu technique of massage by using kneading and vibrations, this functional chair ensures that the varying massage combinations work on your whole body, as well as isolated parts such as your shoulders, neck, back and waist.
The kneading relieves muscle pains and aches, while the rolling technique works to simulate fingers working on various pressure points.
This chair is electric powered, and plugs into a USA standard 3-prong grounded 110/120-Volt outlet. It also comes with a User’s Manual and instructions in the box, along with a 3-year Warranty on parts.
2
Osaki OS-4000 Zero Gravity Shiatsu Massage Chair
This solid chair is made of synthetic leather and comes in a stylish design that offers exceptional performance.
It has an intelligent massage robot that will scan the whole body and make micro adjustments, giving special focus to the neck, shoulder and lumbar regions.
The chair provides zero gravity positions allowing you to either recline or angle the chair depending on the kind of massage you want.
This smart chair is designed to give you a full body massage, allowing you to choose between 6 auto programs and 6 massage styles.
The auto programs include smart, circulation, relax, healthcare, demo and therapy, while the massage styles are Swedish, kneading, rolling, shiatsu, clapping and combo.
You can also further select among 5 speeds and intensity levels. These various options ensure you will receive a thorough full body massage from your neck, shoulders, arms, buttocks, calves, and feet.
With 32 strategically placed airbags, the Osaki OS-4000 also allows you to enjoy heat therapy on your lower back, vibration for the buttocks, air squeeze massage for the neck and an air massage for your hips, back and shoulders.
3
Inada® Sogno Dreamwave Massage Chair
This luxury massage chair is one of the most advanced and expensive chairs in the market.
It is designed to mimic the actual movements and motions of shiatsu massage professionals, as well as the back mobilisation movements used by physical therapists and chiropractors.
The Inada Songo Dreamwave comes with 8 programs of massage sequences, along with pre-programmed settings that allow for stretch, morning and nighttime, which allow you to customize your massage experience.
It cradles the whole body, massaging your back, neck, hips, calves, thighs, back and feet.
It also has a coverage of about 1200 square inches, which is the one of the broadest coverages of any massage chair.
The chair also begins each session by scanning your body type and detecting various pressure points, and customizes the massage for one out of 106 different body types.
The chair is available in black, red, black leather and dark brown
4
Full Body Shiatsu Chair Recliner Bed EC-69
This versatile and high performing chair is one of the best budget friendly options currently available.
It also transforms into a recliner bed, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a full body shiatsu massage, It offers various settings such as kneading, rolling, percussion and compression.
These work to help de-stress and relax knots, while also improving the flexibility of the leg area and offering relief to soreness and aches.
The full body Shiatsu massage chair EC-69 has strategically placed rollers and vibrators for full effect all over your body.
This helps to reduce muscle stress and stimulate circulation. It also comes with a heating system for the lumbar and neck section.
It comes in three colors – black, brown and burgundy. It also comes with a remote control and user friendly interface for ease of use.
5
Authentic Beautyhealth Shiatsu with Jade Heat Therapy
The Authentic Beautyhealth Shiatsu is a robotic massager that gives an outstanding massage that focuses on particular parts of the body and gives effective heat therapy using state of the art technology that gives the benefits of a full body massage.
It comes with 69 airbags, which mostly focus on the lower body.
It also comes with 5 options of massage methods and 6 pre-programmed massage modes, which include kneading, shiatsu, flapping, kneading and flapping, knocking and vibrating.
The chair also allows you to choose your preference between various programs such as prescription, fatigue, health care, relax, physical therapy and awake.
The Authentic Beautyhealth is also able to recline to 170 degrees, allowing you a more relaxed massage.
It will begin by scanning the shape and contour of the upper body before adjusting accordingly. The chair also has an option of using Jade thermotherapy which works to relax sore and fatigued muscles.
6
Human Touch iJoy-2580 Premium Robotic Massage Chair
The iJoy-2580 is an exceptionally comfortable massage chair, due to its utilization of the patented human touch massage technology.
It provides a massage that replicates techniques and movements used by back and spinal care professionals. The chair is also quite affordable, for those who are looking for a quality chair that won’t break the bank.
It comes with 3 programed massages which each run for 15 minutes.
These programs include refresh you back (massages entire back), relieve your neck and shoulders (relief for upper back tensions) and release your lower back (soothing lower back soreness)
The robotic rollers used by this chair feel like human hands, and the rollers use methods such as kneading, rolling, compression and percussion.
These different methods work to relax your back, lift and stretch muscles, improve circulation, and relieve pressure on the back. You can use the in built control panel to adjust the programming settings, which allows you to recline the chair and increase intensity.
This stylish and affordable chair is available in two colors – espresso and black.
7
BestMassage Electric Full Body Shiatsu 06C
The Best Massage 06C is a chair worth considering if you are in the market for a reasonably priced massaging chair.
It’s a modern massager that offers features that are quite similar to more pricey models.
It uses percussion, compression, power rollers, tapping, kneading and flapping to provide an ultimate shiatsu experience. It also has a heated footrest to get your feet relaxed.
The chair generally comes with very high reviews, and customers have also commended the customer and support service they have received whenever they had any issues with the chair.
8
iRobotics 7 Ultimate Medical Massager
This chair is the first robotic chair to be assembled in the US by the Luraco Company.
It is designed with some very innovative features such as zero gravity, advanced body stretching, Luraco total body massage technology, and intelligent self-diagnostic.
These features work to provide an improved state of relaxation.
It is programmed with 7 special modes, and comes with 104 airbags and robotic arms.
It can also be adjusted to provide a better fit to the length of legs and height of shoulders. The 7 modes include Swedish, Japanese, morning, night, deep tissue and healthcare.
The chair also allows you to choose the method of massage (kneading, vibration, tapping), as well as adjust intensity thus catering to various body parts.
The chair can be adjusted to fit the height of shoulders and length of legs. The massage of the chair is provided by 104 airbags and robotic arms.
It also comes with an inbuilt MP3 player for enhanced relaxation, and has a bluetooth control and tablet that allows you to control it using an application on your smartphone or Android tablet.
9
Panasonic EP1285KL With Chiro Mode, Leather Urban Collection
This chair comes from Panasonic’s Urban Collection. This sleek, black leather chair is equipped to leave no part of your body untreated by giving you therapeutic muscle relaxation.
It offers 8 manual massage modes, as well as 4 pre-set programs.
The pre-set programs are Shiatsu, Swedish, Quick (5 minutes of the 8 manual modes) and Chiro (a technique designed for relaxing fatigued muscles) The manual modes are tapping, kneading, Swedish, soft shiatsu, compression, Hawaiian, full and regional roll.
These all work together to soothe your shoulders, neck, legs, hips, thighs and lower back.
The Panasonic EP1285KL also includes a Float Mechanism technology designed to mimic a human-like massage such as movements of a rotating wrist and hand or thumb kneading, palm strokes, and heel rolling.
It also has 14 airbags specifically targeted to the lower body parts and an air ottoman system targeted to the calves and feet.
10
Forever Rest Premium Massage Chair
This chair is designed to ergonomically fit into any kind of house decor.
It comes with several top features such as a powerful motor, multiple modes, humanized massage mechanism and jade heating system, designed to give you a relaxed massage.
It also provides significant comfort thanks to the 2 layers of back padding, of which one is removable.
It also features a body scan that feels like real hands performing the massage, thanks to its humanized massage mechanism which imitates manners such as swat, knead, walk, tap and sweat.
Forever Rest Premium also allows you to customize your massage session, giving you the opportunity to pick from one of 6 programs namely flapping, kneading, combination of flapping and kneading, shiatsu, rolling and a combination of vibration and knocking.
The chair also reclines, allowing you to experience a deeper zero gravity massage, and its armrests also automatically recline. The jade heat system emits adjustable infrared heat for an even more soothing massage.
TOP 5 MASSAGE CHAIRS UNDER $500
We’ve looked through the various benefits of massage, and how having a massage chair can provide you with all those benefits from the comfort of your home, all the while saving you money.
The good news is, there are actually some great chairs available that you can get without having to break the bank!
Below is a breakdown of the 5 top rated massage chairs that you can buy for under $500
Relaxzen 60-078011 Leisure Massage Reclining Chair with Heat
For the price range it falls under, this chair comes with a good amount of features and functions.
Made by the Comfort Products company, it comes in thick padded faux leather upholstery in a chocolate brown color.
The chair allows you to chose from 9 pre-programmed massage modes and 5 intensity levels, providing you with a customized massage.
It also allows you to choose a massage for an independent zone to work on particular parts of your body. The chair is powered by 8 integrated motors, causing vibrations that massage the thighs, calves, and upper and mid back.
The chair’s ottoman also has vibrations, massaging your lumbar area too.
The chair has a solid construction and wooden base, allowing it to swivel and recline to a comfortable angle. It also features recline tension settings.
Comfort Products 60-0582 Heated Massage Recliner and Ottoman
This is another chair from Comfort Products which is one of the best chairs in the below $500 range.
The chair comes in a set with an ottoman and hand controller, made using simulated leather in black.
It’s thick foam cushions gives extra comfort while the massage functions works to soothe pains and sores in the upper, mid and lower back and thighs.
This great value chair is powered by 10 motors that work beautifully to release stress and tension from your muscles.
The chair also features a heating system to add more relaxation to your lumbar area. The combination of heat and massage will melt away any stress and tension you may be experiencing in one sitting.
It also comes with 3 modes and 3 levels of intensity, which you can easily select using the hand controller allowing you to customize your massage experience.
Kings Brand Cream White Massage Recliner Swivel Chair and Ottoman
This Kings Brand chair is one more massage chair in the affordable price range that allows you to experience the soothing effects of a massage chair without breaking the bank.
It comes in a set that includes the recline swivel chair and an ottoman. It’s is made is a stylish, sleek design in a creamy white color which allows it to fit into any home or office.
Unlike the previous 2 models we have looked at, this chair doesn’t come with too many features.
It has an 8-way heat and massage function, and the massage function is executed through vibrations which target your hips, thighs, back and lumbar area. The chair can also swivel and recline to give you extra comfort.
The chair also has side pockets that allow you to stack any necessities while you enjoy your massage.
T&D Enterprises BT-7600P-MASSAGE-BK-GG Massaging Recliner and Ottoman
This T&D Enterprises BT-7600P-MASSAGE-BK-GG is a great option for a relaxing home or office massage.
It comes as a recliner and ottoman set, with intense massaging power using vibrations that knead your whole body from your lumbar and back areas, to your legs and thighs.
You can select the intensity of each of the 5 settings for both the chair and the ottoman. The chair is very comfortable, and also comes with side pockets that you can use to store your accessories while getting your massage.
Relaxzen 60-425111 Leisure Massage Reclining Chair
This is another affordable Comfort Products chair. It comes in chocolate brown, with soft upholstery that feels and looks like top quality leather.
It’s construction is solid, incorporating steel and metal materials in the frame.
The massage function of this chair is powered by 8 vibration motors, as well as heat for the lumbar area of your body. This combination of vibration and heat is designed to completely relax you and provide utmost comfort.
You can also customize your massage session by selecting one of 9 provided modes and 5 intensity levels. YOu can also choose to have specific areas of your body massaged by selecting independent massage zones.
You have easy control over all these options by making use of the remote control that comes with the chair.
The chair also comes with a programmable timer which you can use to set the duration of each of your massage sessions. This timer also comes with an automatic shutoff feature that will turn the unit off after 30 minutes.
The chair can also swivel or manually recline for your comfort.
Tips On How To Choose the Top Massage Chair
There are many factors that come into play when you are making the decision as to whether to buy a massage chair or not. And even once you have made the decision to buy, you still need to weigh more options in a bid to help you decide which chair would be best suited for you.
In order to avoid making the wrong decision and to ensure you select a chair that is most suitable to your needs, I would advise you go through the below tips that we’ve put together for your to help you make the best decision:
1. Consider and identify your priorities.
Granted you have made the decision to buy your own massage chair, but have you figured out what your exact need is? Do you need it to treat specific ailments? Do you need it to relax after a stressful day? Do you just want one because everyone has one? It is important that you remain objective when trying to make sense of your needs, and to rank your priorities accordingly. This will help you decide whether your should focus on functionality or aesthetics, and ultimately to decide what model would be best suited for you.
2. Set your budget.
This is also a very important factor to consider, because your choice of chair is highly dependent on how much money you have at your disposal to spend on it. Once you have determined what your budget is, it will be much easier for you to narrow down your choice of chairs. In case you are on a really tight budget, there are some great chairs which are equipped with basic features for under $500 that you can purchase (check out our top 5 chairs under $500 here). If you are able to spend more money on the chair, you can also check out our top 10 recommendations for some of the best chairs in the market. Always remember that price doesn’t always equate quality – that is, the most expensive chair is not necessarily the best chair and looking through reviews would help you narrow this down.
3. Choose the brand.
Generally, it is advisable to pick a chair from a recognized brand. The reason the brand is recognized is because they have proven their products over time and you are therefore more likely to be guaranteed of a quality chair.
4. Read reviews.
It is important to take time and read through reviews, especially of real customers who have actually used the chairs. These are likely to give you a more objective review of the chair than reviews prepared by the company as those may be highly subjective. A good place to check for reviews is on Amazon, and other independent massage product reviews sites. such as massagehub.org.
5. Warranty
Another important factor to consider is whether the manufacturer of the chair offers a warranty for the chair and its parts. In an ideal world the chair would work perfectly for a long time, but you always want to ensure your investment is protected in case some parts of the chair don’t work too well
6. Research, Research, Research!
When planning to make such an investment, it is in your best interest to ensure that you do as much homework as possible. Some of the points we have mentioned above, such as reading reviews, are included your obligation to do your homework. Some of the other factors that you can look into while doing your research include
- Construction and design. It is important to find out how sturdy the chair is because you want it to last as long as possible. While looking into this it’s also important to consider how much space you have at your disposal as massage chairs are not small. You also want to be sure that the chairs design and color fit into the decor scheme of the room where you’d like to place it.
- Massage coverage. Consider what areas of your body you want to be worked on as different massage chairs offer massages targeted to various body parts, while some can work on the whole body. You therefore need to identify what your problem areas are and identify the chair that would work for you accordingly
- Massage styles and programs. Various chairs offer different massage styles such as rolling, kneading or shiatsu. This is another factor to consider while trying to choose a chair. The more expensive chairs also tend to come with various pre-programmed settings.
- Customization. This is also another feature to look out for. Most of the pricier chairs will allow you to adjust the massage settings to suit your preferences and needs, as well as allow you to adjust intensity levels.
These factors should greatly simplify the process of selecting your chair and make the process of choosing a lot easier. It is also important to try to remain as objective as possible in order to make the best decision. It’s important to take the time to think through this important investment and the right choice can last you for many years to come.
Benefits of Chair Massage
A good massage can work wonders for your system if you are suffering from tension or back pain, or even if you are just looking to relax after a long day or week. However, not many people are able to visit a massage therapist whenever they’d like to. This makes massage chairs a great substitute as it can provide you with all the benefits of a human touch massage from the comfort of your home or office.
The massage chair has been around for over 30 years, and its designs and functions have greatly changed and improved through the years, providing you with a massage that feels as close to human touch as possible. Many people still believe that a massage chair is a luxury, but I can assure you that the benefits you receive from the chair far outweigh the cost. The chair helps you relieve tension and stress, and provides various health benefits such as treating anxiety, depression and treating headaches.
1.Helps sore muscles.
Most often, the aches and pains you feel in your body are as a result of strained and overworked muscles. A massage chair will help reduce and even eliminate the discomfort. This is especially useful for people who work out regularly and athletes as well who require regular massages to keep themselves flexible. A massage chair is therefore quite convenient for them as they can get these massages from the comfort of their homes. It also helps speed up recovery of injured muscles, as well as improve circulation.
2. Pain Relief
Massage chairs work on painful and stiff joints by increasing their flexibility and thus improving the health of your skeletal system. This is a result of the various techniques that massage chairs combine and use to work on the problem. These techniques include rolling, knocking, and rubbing among others. One of the most effective pain relief that massage chairs offer is for back pain, though most full body chairs will offer relief to various parts of the body.
3. Reduces Stress and Tension
The popularity of massage chairs has greatly increased over the years as a result of their ability to provide relaxation after a long and stressful day. Nothing quite beats the soothing massage that you receive to help relieve stress and tension in your system. In fact, as a result of this, many people are even beginning to see the benefits of having a massage chair at work.
4. Improves blood flow.
People who suffer from impaired blood flow can greatly benefit from massage chairs. As blood carries all the important nutrients It is important for your overall health that your blood circulation system functions properly. The massage chair helps boost the production of red blood cells, and provide correct blood flow by helping the blood vessels dilate. This works to relieve hypertension thus reducing risks of stroke and cardiovascular disease. The massage also helps improve lymphatic circulation, thus helping remove more toxins from your system
5. Improves your posture.
If you find yourself suffering from bad posture, a massage chair can work to fix that. Bad posture can cause you to have breathing difficulties and affect your bloodstream. The massage will work to relax your muscles and therefore improve their flexibility and restore your posture. This can be especially helpful if your job has you constantly sitting at a desk or in front of a computer. The more sessions you have in the chair, the more energized and rejuvenated you will feel.
How Do Massage Chairs Work?
The principle and idea behind massage chairs is quite simple actually – the chairs have various special devices in built that work together to provide you with a soothing and relaxing sensation when you sit in it. Depending on the brand and cost, some chairs are very simple while others are more complicated and offer more versatility. The various techniques that the chair makes use of include:
Vibrations- The simpler massage chairs use a vibrating surface to give you the massage. The vibrators are generally made of small devices that contain a weighted level or a gear. The devices motor will push and rotate the wheel at high speed, causing vibrations. This is a similar technology to what you would feel with a cellphone vibrator.
Airbags – Airbags will mostly be found in the more high end massage chairs. The chair would make use of multiple airbags that will squeeze your larger muscles, offering you a form of massage. When the massage chair is switched on, the airbags are inflated by a compressor during the massage session.
Rollers – This is another feature that is typically found in the more high end chairs. The rollers work to create a more human-like hand massage. In some chairs the rollers move up and down, while in more complex ones they can move laterally, vertically and even in circular motions
Recliners – Chairs that have the recliner feature can also sometimes offer a zero gravity position to give you a deeper massage. The reclining feature is often motorized and only requires you to press a button on the control system that would automatically change its position. SImpler chairs would however require you to pull a handle and physically push the chair back.
In addition to the massage techniques that these chairs employ, many of them also offer various massage styles. Some of these include:
Kneading – In the kneading technique, the rollers in the chair move in either up and down or circular movements, with specific focus on pressure points. This method is particularly helpful for increasing blood circulation.
Rolling. In this method, the rollers move up and down along the spine massaging the spinal area. This technique is especially useful for those struggling with back aches and pains, and helps to relieve pressure on the spinal discs.
Shiatsu – This Japanese technique is similar to acupuncture as it uses the rollers to simulate fingers stimulating pressure points/acupoints resulting in a soothing deep tissue massage.
Swedish. This technique focuses on muscle relaxation by replicating the feeling of long strokes made by the palm of the hand. This massage style mostly focuses on blood stimulation and muscle relaxation.
Tapping – In this style, the rollers will push in and out of the backrest in rapid movements, in a manner to simulate the “karate chop” technique. This method works to relieve muscle tension and reduce stiffness.
In Conclusion
Massage therapy has been practiced for years since ancient times. As times have changed and technology evolved, many advances have been made in the field of massage therapy.
One of the biggest advances made is the massage chair which has grown and has come really close to replicating human touch. This works to the advantage of many who can’t afford to constantly visit a massage therapist, or who may not have the time to do so.
A massage chair is a long term investment, especially for those who visit massage spas regularly as in the long term it will save you money. It also allows you the convenience and comfort of getting your massage from your home or office.
For those who may feel like a massage chair may be out of their price range, you can opt to get a foot massager, massage cushion, or a back/shoulder massager. These products are cheaper and more portable than massage chairs, and are great for those who are looking to soothe specific target areas of their bodies.
Massage therapists and professionals are also not left behind – you can consider getting a portable massage chair or table to help you grow your business by enabling you to move around and go to your clients rather than solely relying on them coming to you.
The health benefits of massages are endless, as we have seen above. And in this time when technology has made massages readily available to us through various products such as the massage chairs, foot massagers, massage cushions etc, there has never been a better time to invest in your health by purchasing a massage product. All the models reviewed in this article have the highest ratings in the market and you will be sure to get value for your money.