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You need the perfect solution that can provide serious relief for your aching body, as well as relaxing you and improving the alignment of your spine [1] with zero-gravity positioning. A high quality chair has heat to regulate blood flow and circulation and relax aching muscles. While you expect to make a significant monetary investment for powerful relief, you can’t spend the ten grand that some models cost.
Massage chair prices range from $100 to several thousands. A lot of the models claim to offer the same features. But they are not all created equal. So we have put together a guide to help you weed out the noise and pick the best rated massage chair for your needs.
How To Pick The Best Massage Chair For Your Relaxation
If you are shopping for the perfect model, you take relaxation seriously, and are probably also trying to combat back or neck pain. You want a model that will make you feel comfortable while providing the depth and intensity that fits your needs. It comes with a wide range of different presets and adjustments to customize with your needs. Keep in mind what kinds of controls and customizations matter to you.
Some models can recline while others come with ottomans or other kinds of leg rests. Zero-Gravity allows your body to rest in the ultimate healing position to improve blood circulation and realign the spine.
Some even provide to relieve tension down your legs and to your feet as well, or wrap around your body for gentle squeezing in the hips. This motion also acts as a great neck and shoulder massager. Think about what kinds of positions you want your chair to provide. Do you want to recline to zero-gravity to nap in, or do you want a portable model to bring to work with you?
You will also want to consider how the chair will look in your space, as well as how much you have in your budget. It ranges dramatically in price as well as function, so choose one that meets your needs at a price you are comfortable with.
OUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE CHAIR
Kahuna Space-Saving Zero-Gravity
- A bang for buck equipment with three levels of maximum comfort that hits all the right spots.
- Space saving technology allows it to fit anywhere in your home
- Foot rollers for optimal relaxation and quick pain relief
Our Favorite Picks for Massage Chairs
- Space-Saving Zero-Gravity Massage Chair
- Real Relax Recliner
- Rock & Recline Shiatsu
- Medical Breakthrough 4 Recliner
- Inada DreamWave
- Human Touch Forti Full-Body Shiatsu
- Snailax Shiatsu Cushion Massage Chair
- Shiatsu Seat Cushion Massage Chair
- 2021 Full Body Massage Chair
- Full Body Shiatsu Recliner
- Electric Full Body Shiatsu
- Ideal Full Featured & Massage Chair
- Relaxon Full Body Zero Gravity & Massage Chair
- Kahuna LM-6800S & Massage Chair
- 3D Kahuna Exquisite Rhythmic Hubot
- IT-8500X3-EB 3D Massage Chair
- Human Touch WholeBody 7.1 Massage Chair
- Brookstone Cordless Shiatsu
- Ootori N500 Pro
- Panasonic MAJ7 Real Pro
Reclining
Reclining model take the armchair recliner to an entirely new level. Most will blend into your home like a traditional recliner being made of aesthetically pleasing materials like leather or artificial leather.
If you are shopping for a recliner anyways, getting one with features makes good sense, and doesn’t need to cost much more than a traditional recliner would.
Zero Gravity
Zero gravity massage chairs use space-age technology and they look like it. They suspend your body in the same position astronauts use for going into space.
This position and the accompanying massage get rid of pressure that collects over time and leads to pain. Your spine will be able to stretch and realign, enabling a restoration of good posture and alleviation of back pain while you enjoy your massage.
The best zero gravity massage chairs are very effective at massaging away pain while relieving pressure, but you will pay more for this high tech equipment.
Full Body
Full body massage chairs soothe from your head to your toes. These elaborate models are expensive, but you will know that every inch of your body can experience ultimate relaxation. Enjoy relaxation in your feet, up your legs, into your neck, and even at the base of your skull. Top full body massage chairs feature wrap around massage to gently squeeze the stress away.
Air
Air massage uses hundreds or even thousands of air-bags that expand and contract to provide customized, gentle massage.
Many chairs use air bags in addition to other massage techniques. Air-bags can be used for hands, arms, or legs, while other types of massages are used on larger muscle groups in the back. Heat therapy is an age old technique for alleviating pain in muscles and joints and promoting healing and blood circulation.
Heat Therapy
A heated massage at home offers ultimate relaxation and comfort. What could be better than settling into a warm, cozy massage at the end of a hard day? Some chairs offer heat throughout while others focus heat only in the small of the back. Consider how much heat you want in your chair as you shop.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu models offer the value of a shiatsu massage in a convenient chair. Shiatsu massage uses rolling, kneading, tapping, and other motions to clear channels of energy in your body called “chi-flow”.
Shiatsu massage chairs may be entirely shiatsu or offer a shiatsu setting. If you have enjoyed massage performed by a shiatsu massage therapist, you may enjoy the at-home shiatsu massage delivered by these chairs.
Portability
You don’t have to go all in on a full-size unit. Choose a pad that can offer the relaxing power of a massage chair that can be put over your office chair or taken with you on the go, making it the best portable massage chair. Pads offer a variety of features, as well as degrees of portability.
Image | Product | Purchase |
|---|---|---|
Best Zero Gravity  | Real Relax Recliner
| |
Best Shiatsu  | Rock & Recline Shiatsu
| |
Best Deep Tissue  | Medical Breakthrough 4 Recliner
| |
Best Japanese  | Inada DreamWave
| |
Best Full Body  | Human Touch Forti Full-Body Shiatsu
|
We have researched several massage chairs over the course of several weeks to bring to you the best chairs on the market. What we found during our research is that, although we have our very favorite chairs, most of the chairs are designed for specific users and their needs. Keeping that in mind, we wanted to give you these options so that you can pick the best one that meets all your needs. We have organized the massage chairs under 3 broad categories to make navigation easy for you. If you are specific about one of the above, you can quickly navigate to it and find your favorite. If you are still unsure about what kind of chair to get, continue reading this article to get all your questions answered.
Top Massage Chair Reviews By Type Of Chairs
1. Best For Home: Space-Saving Zero-Gravity Massage Chair
The Space-Saving Zero-Gravity Full-Body Kahuna Massage Recliner is one of the best home massage chair since it has an L-track frame and four rollers paired with air-cell massage chair relief to aching muscles in your shoulders, arms, hips, and waist.
It will support your neck and back, all the way to the buttocks.
- The Zero Gravity position is offered in three stages, and brings relief to compressed spine vertebrae and improves the effects of massage.
- The space saving technology of this Kahuna means that you can put it only three inches from a wall and still recline fully.
- Heating therapy for the back and legs improves circulation and relieves muscle soreness.
2. Best Zero Gravity: Real Relax Recliner
The Real Relax Recliner, SL-Track System with Robot Hands, Zero Gravity, Full Body Shiatsu is a top of the line massage chair model that offers everything you are likely to need in this equipment.
If the spaceship look of a zero gravity appeals to you, it has the look you like. Sit down, lie back, and drift off into deep relaxation.
- The space saving technology allows you to position it less than two inches from the wall, so it won’t take up too much of your space.
- The footrest extends for taller individuals, making this good for people up to 6.2 feet tall.
- It offers a variety of heating modes to improve blood circulation, as well as full body wrapped air-bags so you will feel thoroughly relaxed.
- It offers a bluetooth music player and USB charger so you can relax with entertainment.
3. Best Shiatsu: Rock & Recline Shiatsu
The Rock & Recline Shiatsu offers superior shiatsu in a compact design.
It won’t look out of place in your living room, and you can recline and rock with ease while receiving a powerful, deep shiatsu.
We have a dedicated page with more reviews on the best Shiatsu massage chairs if you need more options.
- Four auto programs plus manual control give you customized control over your experience, while the optional heat improves blood circulation and increases relaxation.
- Get a powerful, deep, relaxation in a slim, compact, design with this product by Brookstone.
4. Best Deep Tissue: Medical Breakthrough 4 Recliner
The Medical Breakthrough 4 Recliner is the only model designed by doctors, chiropractors, surgeons, and pain specialists.
It uses four wheel driven hands that are vertically movable. The L shaped track fits the curves of your spine [2], and you can choose to go into the zero gravity position for ultimate back relief.
It is programmed with shiatsu, kneading, knocking, flapping, and simultaneous flapping and kneading, as well as six combined automatic programs, so you can experiment until you find the exact massage you need.
- The Smart Body Scan detects your body and customizes to fit your shape.
- Deep tissue heals muscle, it doesn’t just relieve pain.
- Air pressure gently with three adjustable intensity levels.
- A foot and calf massager is attached and offers rolling to cover the bottom of the foot and two pairs of massaging units for toe root massage.
5. Best Japanese: Inada DreamWave
The Inada DreamWave offers natural whole body healing through the power of shiatsu massage.
Air-cells provide rhythmic, soothing compression on feet and calves, while dream-wave technology provides undulating figure 8 motion to balance your body and provide complete relaxation.
If you have kids who would like to use your chair, you will be glad to know the Inada offers youth sessions for a gentle experience for children.
This quality Japanese model isn’t cheap, but you can know you are buying the right technology.
- Patented technology scans your body to locate shiatsu points so each one is customized to your body.
- There are 16 programmed sessions in the Inada chair, as well as 1000 possible manual combination so you can experiment until you have the perfect choice for you.
6. Best Full Body: Human Touch Forti Full-Body Shiatsu
The Human Touch Forti Full-Body Shiatsu offers a full body relaxation, from the upper back all the way down to your feet.
The powerful 3D FlexGlide 360 stimulates expert techniques in a massage customized for you.
Every contour of your body will be relaxed with care due to the FlexGlide.
Choose from three intensity levels to get the right pressure.
- It offers targeted muscle benefits with four mode options that let you customize your relaxation.
- Foot and calf massage features CirQlation technology for the most relief possible.
- Dual motors allow you to adjust the back and leg area separately for perfect positioning.
7. Best Portable: Snailax Shiatsu Cushion Massage Chair
The Snailax Shiatsu Cushion with Heat Pad Kneading Back Massager offers four shiatsu nodes, three customizable massage areas, and a deep-kneading relaxation to relieve pain, reduce tension, and eliminate muscle fatigue, all in a convenient, portable pad.
You can also visit our Portable massage chairs review if you need more options.
Try different settings until it is exactly what you need, and adjust it depending on what muscles are sore.
- You can adjust shiatsu point positions to customize your body needs.
- The optional heat feature in this portable model soothes aching muscles with gentle warmth and improves blood circulation.
- This can be especially important if you suffer from bad blood flow and want a model that can help at the office or on the go
8. Best For Office: Shiatsu Seat Cushion Massage Chair
The Back Massager, Shiatsu Seat Cushion with Heat and Vibrating offers best neck and back massaging in a convenient pad that can be laid over your office chair.
The acupressure chair gives you control so your massage will be customized for you.
You can use the remote controller to vertically adjust the neck nodes to just the right height for your neck.
- Four deeply penetrating nodes work to relax your back in the direct spots you need.
- It offers a soothing heating function to improve blood circulation and relieve pain and pressure.
- It offers a breathable, durable, mesh back design so you can sit in it all day. The seat is made of attractive and reliable PU leather.
9. Best For Tall People: 2021 Full Body Massage Chair
The 2021 Full Body has the latest ergonomic design so you know you are buying the newest technology.
The upholstery of it will fit in any space, and is soft and comfortable.
Zero gravity designs hold you weightlessly, allowing for your spine to relax and heal.
- The footrest extends for taller people, and the design allows for taller people to receive a relaxation customized for their muscles.
- Eight massage points in the backrest work with fifty air-bags around the shoulders, arms, seat, and legs to provide full body massaging power.
- A roller will effectively relaxes your feet, while pulsed massage soothes arm muscles.
- Enjoy entertainment from a built in music player, bluetooth, and USB.
Top Massage Chairs Reviews By Price Range
Best Under $500: Full Body Shiatsu Recliner
The Full Body Shiatsu Recliner offers powerful all body relaxation and reclining power for under $500.
It can sit comfortably upright or recline all the way back to a horizontal position for relaxed napping.
- It uses vibrators in the feet, calves, cushion, and back to stimulate blood flow and remove toxins from your blood.
- A rolling feature gives direct and effective massage action while relaxing muscle stress and fatigue.
- One of the cheapest massage chairs on the market that does justice as a great massage chair
Best Cheap Massage Chair Under $1000:
Electric Full Body Shiatsu
The Electric Full Body Shiatsu Brown Recliner offers massaging from high in the neck to down into the tailbone for under $1000.
- 20 air-bags for the legs, feet, and thighs, promoting blood circulation into the legs.
- Air massage is adjustable, ranging in intensity from a very strong to a very gentle.
- This electric massage chair reclines fully, and has an easy to use control panel.
- Rolling features provide direct and effective masseuse while kneading reduces pain in muscles and works out knots.
Best Under $1500: Ideal Full Featured & Massage Chair
The Ideal Full Featured Shiatsu with Built in Heat is a stylish chair that offers a lot for under $1500.
It offers 30 minutes of uninterrupted relaxation.
It provides relaxation from head to toe, and offers humanized masseuse hands with 3D technology to detect the exact shape of your body. You will feel like you are being pampered on a massage table at a relaxing spa.
- It is quiet and offers four auto programs to choose from.
- Enjoy shiatsu, kneading, spinal rolling, and vibrating modes. Choose from automatic sessions or take complete control with manual control of speed, intensity, which air-bags are activated, and other features.
- Built in heat therapy relaxes the muscles and improves circulation. Even the feet are equipped with six kneading balls to add powerful relaxation for the soles of your feet.
Best Under $2500: Relaxon Full Body Zero Gravity & Massage Chair
The Relaxon offers some of the same features bragged about by much more expensive brands.
The innovative rollers conform to the shape of your spine, gliding from the top of the back all the way down to the gluteus muscles.
- The L-Track innovation is good for people with lower back pain or tight glute muscles.
- Relaxon model offered a deep and human-like, and provides a stretching function they call the spinal decompression program.
- A computerized body scan means that it will be perfectly customized for you.
Best Under $3000: Kahuna LM-6800S & Massage Chair
The Kahuna LM-7000 is a sleek, space saving model that offers powerful, customizable, relaxes.
Kahuna offers a five year limited service coverage package to put your mind at ease.
The premium bluetooth speakers enable you to relax and be entertained.
It can scan your body to customize your massage to your exact body shape.
- The L-track frame enables four rollers and an air-cell system to powerfully relieve tension to your back, hips, shoulders, waist, and arms.
- The premium bluetooth speakers enable you to relax and be entertained.
- The space-saving technology in this stylish chair mean that you only need to put it three inches from a wall.
Best Under $5000: 3D Kahuna Exquisite Rhythmic Hubot
The 3D Kahuna Exquisite Rhythmic Hubot is a beautiful model exquisitely crafted with attention to detail.
This zero gravity model offers up to an hour of continuous relaxation, which is much longer than the other average product in the market.
- It is highly customizable, offering precise control with individually controlled areas, five intensity levels, and three foot roller speed levels.
- The HSL-track uses powerful 3D to match your needs exactly and improve blood circulation and increase oxygen levels.
- Space saving technology enables you to put it near walls.
- The Kahuna provides heat to the upper and lower back, as well as the legs and feet.
Best Massage Chair Brands
IT-8500X3-EB 3D Massage Chair
Infinity Therapeutics belongs to Infinite Creative Enterprises, a company with a 20 year record of excellent product design and manufacture, along with creative, innovative design.
The Infinity IT-8500X3-EB 3D is a prime example of Infinity’s innovative concepts.
The 3D technology is state of the art, offering five intensity levels that perfectly fit your body so you can choose how deep it will be, as well as 3D auto-programs for shiatsu for deep relaxation option, Healthy Breath program for gentle relaxation, and stretching with the Extend program.
Another model that you might be interested, check out Infinity IT 8500.
- It offers zero-gravity to reduce heart rate and encourage circulation, as well as relieving pressure on the spine.
- The 3D programming in it even extends to a neck feature. Gentle heat relaxes muscles and gradually reduces pain
Human Touch WholeBody 7.1 Massage Chair
Human Touch believes that wellness solutions shouldn’t be a financial burden or difficult to use. They aim to make high quality, innovative products to improve your lifestyle without breaking your budget.
The WholeBody 7.1 Perfect Fit is a great example of Human Touch’s ability to provide a quality chair at an affordable price.
This sleek model looks good in any space. While its appearance is modern and sleek, it doesn’t look like something about to launch into space like many models.
Another great model is called Human Touch Novo, check out the link for more details.
- It doesn’t compromise on power to provide a good looking chair. The WholeBody 7.1 simulates hand techniques from expert physical therapists, including Glide, Stretch, and Orbit style masseuse.
- All styles are designed to provide a soothing relaxation without ever pinching or creating friction, due to the FlexGlide feature
Brookstone Cordless Shiatsu
Brookstone is a well known name in quality life-improving gadgets. Brookstone focuses on providing specialized tools you won’t find anywhere else, and is committed to a high level of quality so you can feel confident that whatever new and unique tool you get from them will perform the function it was made for with precision and long-lasting quality.
The Brookstone Cordless Shiatsu features Brookstone’s innovative design skills and their commitment to making products that fit into and improve your lifestyle.
- Turn any chair into one of the best chair massagers with this sleek, portable massaging seat topper.
- Shiatsu and rolling nodes run down your entire back and can be customized to exactly where you need them.
- The dynamic squeeze uses air chambers at the hips and waist to gently squeeze and improve circulation.
Real Relax Recliner
Real relax has only been around for a few years, but in that time they have taken a good chunk of the chair massager market. Real Relax offer lots of features for a lower price than competition.
The Real Relax Recliner is a great example of a feature packed chair for under $800.
Rollers relieve the tension in feet acting as an ultimate foot massager.
A heater in it improves blood circulation, and a VFD display screen and remote make programming easy.
- It features back rollers that go around instead of up and down, and a roller for the neck.
- Over 50 air-bags in the legs, seat, arms, and shoulders relaxes gently and can be customized in a manual program.
- It comes equipped with wheels for easy moving and is upholstered with artificial leather that looks sharp and is easy to clean.
Ootori N500 Pro
Ootori aims to provide innovative products that are designed with wellness and individualized comfort in mind, while keeping manufacturing costs as low as possible without compromising quality, so as to provide the better one at the lowest price possible.
Ootori has been making products for over 20 years, and believes that relieving tension is a necessity for healthy living, not a luxury for relaxation.
Inada Dreamwave
Inada has been perfecting these chairs since 1962. They strive to rise above and beyond all other models, and believe that these are a cultural health product for Japan to pride in, rather than a luxury.
Inada offer a wide range of chairs to fit different needs, budgets and space.
The Inada Sogno Dreamwave is a gorgeous chair that incorporates the knowledge of shiatsu masseuse experts to craft a model that will leave you utterly relaxed after being cradled and relaxed in this luxurious chair.
An undulating, figure eight motion mimics how the physical therapists balance your body during shiatsu massage.
- The high quality synthetic leather feels good and is easy to clean.
- It soothes your neck, back, shoulders, calves, and feet with a multi-directional systems through rollers that operate together to stretch, soothe, and relax your muscles.
- The 3D system moves rollers up and down and back and forth to relax muscles and improve blood flow.
Panasonic MAJ7 Real Pro
Panasonic is a massive company that has been exploding in growth since the early 1900s. It is now one of the leading companies in all electronics. Panasonic’s are no exception to the general commitment to continuing innovation and lifestyle improvement.
The Panasonic EP-MA73KU Real Pro Ultra Prestige 3D Luxury Heated offers a professional feeling of relaxation and stretch in a stylish chair.
- The high quality synthetic leather feels good and is easy to clean.
- It soothes your neck, back, shoulders, calves, and feet with a multi-directional systems through rollers that operate together to stretch, soothe, and relax your muscles.
- The 3D system moves rollers up and down and back and forth to relax muscles and improve blood flow.
Conclusion
The Space-Saving Zero-Gravity Full-Body Kahuna offers a wide range of features for under $2000.
The L-track design of this has four rollers and an air-cell massage system to effectively massage shoulders, waist, hips, and arms. There are three stages of zero gravity positioning for ultimate comfort. The computer scan will customize each to your shape, while space-saving technology fits smoothly into your living room, requiring only three inches between it and the wall.
The unique air-cell system inflates separately, creating a more effective stretch and massage. Pamper your feet and give them the much needed break with the foot rollers that provide powerful relaxation and pain relief for your feet. Heating therapy improves blood flow and circulation. Six auto programs and five manual techniques make it fully customizable.
Best Overall Pick
Kahuna Space-Saving Zero-Gravity
For more massager options, check out our massage table reviews.