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You’ve likely seen them in malls. Maybe you’ve even sat in one. Massage chairs are one of the best investments you can make for your body. Sit down in one, and you can get a high-quality massage without stepping outside of your home.
These units build on a tradition that has been around since the time of Ancient Greece [1]. Massage therapy has been used for centuries to help manage injury, pain, anxiety, and stress. Massage chairs are based on high-end technology, combining new design features and innovations that make these chairs therapeutic and relaxing.
Modern massage chairs use mechanical, water, or air pressure to precisely target your aching muscles and joints for fast relief. Having a massage chair in your home can help you relax, rejuvenate, and increase the blood flow to your problem areas.
There are plenty of affordable options available, so you don’t have to break the bank to find the perfect solution for your sore back and feet. We tested a series of models to find out which chairs work well for portability, gaming, and even high-tech convenience. Here are the top massage chairs under $2,000 available on the market today.
Best Overall Pick
Prime Massage Chairs Human Touch WholeBody 7.1
- 3D massage function for a smooth relaxing massage
- 3 beautiful color options to suite your home decor
- 3-year limited warranty policy, so you can buy without any worry
Our Favorite Picks for Massage Chairs Under $2000
- Prime Massage Chairs Human Touch WholeBody 7.1
- InstaShiatsu Folding Massage Chair FC-1500
- Osaki OS-4000
- InstaShiatsu MC-2100
- Nouhaus Modern
- IRest Full Body Massage Chair
- InvoSpa Chair
- Office PC Gaming Chair
Image | Product | Purchase |
|---|---|---|
Best Massage Chair Under $2,000 | Prime Massage Chairs Human Touch WholeBody 7.1
| |
Best Zero Gravity Massage Chair Under $2000  | Osaki OS-4000
| |
Best Futuristic Massage Chair Under $2,000  | Nouhaus Modern
|
Find Out All About These 8 Amazing Budget Friendly Massage Chairs
1. Prime Massage Chairs Human Touch WholeBody 7.1: Our Favorite Pick
Product Specifications and Features
- Weight: 108 lbs.
- Dimensions: 44” x 28” x 40”
- Operating Voltage: AC110-120v 60 Hz
- Power Consumption: 140 watts
Power
User Friendly
What we like
- Free from pinching and friction
- Includes a retractable ottoman with calf massager
- Customized and targetable massages
What we don’t like
- Fabric material is not very durable
Description
This unit is the single best massage chair that we could find for under $2,000. As the name implies, it’s a model that emulates a human massage while offering a reclining chair’s comfort.
It is capable of targeting your entire body, offering full-body therapy to soothe pain wherever it may be [2]. You can narrow down this range of action even more with a BodyMap PRO feature that lets you choose the area that needs the most relief. From there, it’ll automatically center its massaging efforts around the specified zone.
There’s further customization available in its 5 auto massage programs. Whether you need upper kneading, lower pressure, or simply to relax or sleep, it has a mode for you.
The retractable ottoman can pop out while you recline and has built-in calf and foot massagers along with a swivel base that rotates up to 55 degrees, offering extreme comfort and versatility in placement.
The state-of-the-art technology from Prime Massage Chairs uses a seamless orbital massager that’s been developed with the brand’s proprietary FlexGlide technology. This fully 3D system delivers your massage without the pinching or friction that other models have.
Pamper yourself at home with the ultimate luxury massage at an affordable price with this Prime Massage Chairs model.
2. InstaShiatsu Folding Massage Chair FC-1500: Most Budget Friendly
Product Specifications and Features
- Weight: 45 lbs.
- Dimensions: 29” x 24.8” x 43”
- Rated Voltage: Ac100-240V-50-60Hz
- Rated Time: 15 minutes
Power
User Friendly
What we like
- Easy to pack up and move around
- Affordable price point
- Heated massage and variable power settings
What we don’t like
- Not as comfy as a reclining chair
Description
What makes the InstaShiatsu Folding Massage Chair FC-1500 is its unique ability to fold up. Rather than imitate the luxury lazy-boy chairs like other units, it instead opts for a much more minimalist folding chair design.
As a result of this construction decision, it’s not quite as comfy as other chairs, but it provides many benefits for portability. Simply put, it’s very easy to pack up and move around. If you need to move or change rooms, it’s as simple as folding it up and carrying it with you. If you travel the country in your RV often, take this chair with you wherever you go.
It’s also considerably cheaper than other models. At a fraction of the cost, and for less than your average cell phone, you can get a chair that gives you ultimate relaxation for your living room, bedroom, or porch.
The chair features a complete Shiatsu massage function that spans from the headrest to the back, along with airbag compression for comfort. Furthermore, it has heat and variable vibration settings for even greater control. You’ll get the massage you’re looking for with this neat folding massage chair.
It has a built-in USB charging port for a more convenient usage. Just connect your mobile device to the machine and your good to go. Enjoy a relaxing session with this massage chair anytime you want. You don’t have to worry about going to your therapist every time. This massage chair has all you need to ease the pain you’ve had after a long day. Another advantage you can get from this machine is its compact and foldable for easy storage. Whether you place it in the living room or your bedroom, it wont take up too much space when its not in use.
3. Osaki OS-4000: Best Zero Gravity Massage Chair Under $2000
Product Specifications and Features
- Weight: 250 lbs.
- Dimensions: 47” x 35” 72” x 34.5”
- Rated Voltage: 110-120V
- Requires lithium metal batteries
Power
User Friendly
What we like
- Timer setting for exact control
- Lots of control over speed and intensity of massage
- Auto body scan for perfect comfort
What we don’t like
- No foot massage function
Description
The biggest selling point of the Osaki Os-4000 is its zero-gravity function. This is just a fancy term for the fact that it can recline back nearly horizontally in a way that makes you feel like you’re floating. If you have a zero-gravity beach chair, you know how comfortable this design can be. It’s perfect for enjoying massage as it aligns your back to your thighs, and is incredibly comfortable, so much so that we almost fell asleep using it.
It works exceptionally well because being reclined so far back pushes your weight down entirely on the backrest, increasing the massage’s intensity and feel.
We also appreciated the auto body scan function. This chair can map your back’s curvature and adjust its massaging to hit the key areas best. As a result, you’ll have a tailor-made experience that is sure to satisfy.
One of the other features of this unit we loved was how much control it gave us. A timer allowed us to automatically set sessions for 5 to 30 minutes automatically, and there were 5 levels of speed and intensity. Whether we wanted a rough session or a softer one, this massage chair was happy to comply. The chair seat also vibrates, providing a unique and comfy experience for your glutes and upper thighs.
4. InstaShiatsu MC-2100: Most Stylish
Product Specifications and Features
- Weight: 110 lbs.
- Dimensions: 40” x 28” x 42.5”
- Rated Voltage: AC 120V, 50 Hz
- Power Use: 105 watts
Power
User Friendly
What we like
- Great deal for all of the included features
- Sits like a sofa
- Multi-functional remote control
What we don’t like
- May have some scratches and bumps
Description
If you want a higher-end model at a more palatable price, recertified chairs are the way to go. These are used chairs, but they have been carefully fixed and restored before resale. With one of these units, you’re getting strong performance at a lower price.
Even though it’s been used, it’s still guaranteed to last with a 2-year warranty that shows the manufacturer is confident in its product, which should put you at ease.
This particular unit is constructed very nicely. It feels like a sofa when you sit in it, which, combined with massaging power near the levels of a professional masseuse, makes for full-body comfort and relaxation.
The chair uses a proprietary S-Track roller system that hits all the hard-to-reach spots on your back. It’s also equipped with 3 different massage cycles, 3 Shiatsu massage modes, and an adjustable recline, giving you lots of control over how it massages you.
Building on this idea of granular control is its remote control. In addition to controlling the features mentioned above, it gives you the ability to adjust rollers, toggle seat vibration, and adjust massage strength and width. It’s an excellent unit for a great price.
5. Nouhaus Modern: Most Futuristic Design
Product Specifications and Features
- Weight: 70 lbs.
- Dimensions: 37” x 21.6” x 39”
- Maximum Weight Capacity: 250 lbs.
- 1-year warranty policy
Power
User Friendly
What we like
- Futuristic look and design
- Great for targeting pelvic region
- Offers heat therapy
What we don’t like
- Does not recline
Description
The Nouhaus Modern Massage Chairis a very unique-looking massage chair. Where others tend to look like sofas or standard furniture you might see in your house, this unit looks like something out of The Fifth Element.
It has a smooth, contoured shape free of any jutting sections. It almost resembles a little relaxation pod for you to lounge in. It also has ambient lighting, which only serves to make it look even more futuristic. We found that it looked great in whatever room we put it in.
The chair’s L-Track massage system does a great job of soothing you where it hurts. It worked incredibly well for our pelvic and lumbar regions, which other chairs sometimes have trouble targeting.
It also offers a heat therapy function, which was particularly strong in the lumbar region. The unit massages well and warms us up to boot, which we loved.
This massage chair can carry up to 250 lbs with the hip width of 40″ maximum. You can choose the right alignment for your spine to find the most comfortable position as well as the intensity of the massage for your neck with a detachable head cushion.
One thing we were less enamored with was its inability to recline. As a result of its design, it can only really stand up, and while this works for massages, it’s not as comfortable as we would have liked.
6. IRest Full Body Massage Chair: Great Voice Control Technology
Product Specifications and Features
- Weight: 198.42 lbs.
- Dimensions: 45” x 61” x 29”
- Max Load: 330 lbs.
- Rated Voltage: 110V-120V, 60 Hz
- Rated Power: 120 watts
- Noise level: Less than or equal to 50 dB
Power
User Friendly
What we like
- Unique Thai Stretching function
- Strong 3-year warranty policy
- Bluetooth-compatible speakers
What we don’t like
- Can feel a little claustrophobic
Description
This comfortable massage chair provides 5 different massage modes. These include finger pressing, kneading, tapping, and a combination of tapping and kneading simultaneously. It’s great for customizing your experience.
If you don’t want to deal with this system’s specifics, you can also activate automatic massage settings that include traction and vertebrae massages.
On top of the many different massage techniques available, there’s also a unique Thai Stretching function [3]. It arches the body, then focuses on relaxing you while you’re stretching with a 3D robot that switches through several modes of function. We found it incredibly relaxing, and it’s a selling point of this model.
Of course, the most unique feature of this chair is its voice control functionality. All we had to do was say “Hi Alice,” similar to how we would wake up a smart home device to activate it. From there, we could control all the functions without lifting a finger.
You can also altogether bypass this system if you’d rather control it manually. The chair’s right arm has a set of shortcut keys that let you adjust everything from air pressure to chair angle.
This chair is great if you don’t mind feeling tightly enveloped. If you dislike small spaces, it may be too claustrophobic and constricting.
7. InvoSpa Chair: Top Portable Massage Chair
Product Specifications and Features
- Weight: 11.35 lbs.
- Dimensions: 29” x 18” x 7.7”
- Washable and removable cover
- Included remote control
Power
User Friendly
What we like
- Can fit on any chair in any room
- Totally adjustable intensity
- 2 directions for massage
What we don’t like
- Limited massaging area
Description
What’s great about the InvoSpa Chair is just how portable it is. Unlike other massage chairs, it’s completely detached from massive chunky sofa parts and is instead a small, lightweight cover that fits on any chair. We could put it in our bedrooms with ease since it merely goes over any existing seating.
That’s not to say that it doesn’t do a good job of massaging. It comes equipped with 16 nodes for massaging, all built to target the deepest tissue. We found it great for our neck, shoulders, and backs. Because it’s bidirectional, we were able to get an experience that felt closer to an authentic massage.
We were a bit disappointed with how far the massage extends. The nodes don’t reach the seat, and there are no leg or calf parts for further massaging. As a result, we weren’t able to get a full-body massage. A few of us prefer a more targeted lumbar spine massage for lower back disc issues. What we did get was still satisfying, especially since the unit offers infrared heat.
Combined with the Shiatsu massage technique, it made for a very soothing, albeit limited experience. We also discovered a seat vibration function that was still decently comfortable, but not on par with the actual massage sections of this model.
8. Office PC Gaming Chair: Best Gaming Massage Chair Under $2,000
Product Specifications and Features
- Weight: 28 lbs.
- Max Load: 250 lbs.
- Dimensions: 19” x 18” x 45”
- Comes with 5 color options
Efficiency
User Friendly
What we like
- Easy to set-up
- Solid support system
- Soft and comfortable material
What we don’t like
- Massagers could be stronger
Description
This chair’s the perfect affordable gift for your gamer friends and family. Any serious gamer can tell you that sitting in one position for hours of gameplay takes a toll on your back, shoulders, neck, and joints. It’s important to have a good chair that supports your posture. This model is unique in this space for being a combination gaming and massage chair, all in one package.
One thing to note is that it doesn’t come assembled. You’ll need to put it together yourself, but this is an easy process as instructions and tools are included. All told, it took us probably 15 minutes to put the thing together.
Once we sat in it, we immediately appreciated how well it supported us. The lumbar area is boosted up, following an ergonomic design that was quite comfortable to sit in for extended periods. Also included is a tilt-tension knob [4] that allowed us to adjust precisely how easy it would be to tilt back the chair. It works for people who want to lean back and those who want it to be more stable.
The massage feature is subtle but still noticeable. Two massagers are implanted in the lower back area of the chair, and they’re controllable by remote. Once turned on, they provided a pleasant vibration that helped reduce the fatigue we felt after sitting in front of our computer for extended periods.
While this chair is designed for gaming, if you work from home and spend long periods in front of your screen, this model can help you feel less fatigued at the end of your workday.
It has a tilt-tension knob control to give you a more comfortable position while having a massage. With a 360-degree swivel that allows you to access a variety of adjacent area without standing up. When it comes to fashion, this gaming chair has a lot to offer. This adds aesthetics to your room. It’s padded upholstery give you the comfort you need while playing or working.
Conclusion
Although you may want some more specialized massage chairs depending on what functions you need it to perform, the best all-around model is the Prime Massage Chairs Human Touch WholeBody 7.1.
We appreciated the seamless orbital massager and Flexglide technology. This unique blend of proprietary tech made for an incredibly comfortable experience with minimal pinching or friction.
It’s capable of massaging your whole body or targeting particular problem areas. Regardless of which mode it’s in, the experience is as close to a human touch as we’ve ever found in any chair.
It’s even got a sleep mode built-in, so you can remain in this chair all night long.
Best Overall Pick
Prime Massage Chairs Human Touch WholeBody 7.1
Find Out More About The Tech & How To Pick The Massage Chair For You
When it comes to finding a durable massage chair with the features you want, it doesn’t have to be out of your price range. These models are affordable and can provide years of comfort, relaxation, and therapeutic benefits.
Technology Explanation
At the most basic level, massage chairs contain devices that deliver massage sensations to the user. Most of these chairs tend to rely on the mechanical approach.
Using a system of gears, motors, vibrating mechanisms, and rollers, they provide physical sensations to the seated person. Often the devices will contain weighted wheels or gears that rotate rapidly to provide vibrations. Rollers may move like human hands or even be attached to robotic arms that move them vertically and laterally – microprocessors often power these.
Some massage chairs opt to go with water instead. These are units filled with water, kept inside by a waterproof membrane. Nozzles inside the chair emit jets of water that apply pressure across your back and legs.
You might also find air-pressure models. These simply use airbags that expand and compress down on parts of your body, emulating massage therapists’ gripping and squeezing.
The right system for you depends on the massage experience you are looking for. Mechanical massages are dependable and traditional. Water massage chairs usually provide a unique heating and cooling function that may be exactly what you need. Airbags provide compression therapy that work extremely well for some users, but can make others feel claustrophobic. Carefully consider these aspects before selecting a massage chair for your home.
Features
There are several features to keep in mind when buying a massage chair.
Mechanical chairs have even more subcategories, with different levels of rollers from 2D to 4D. The higher the number here, the stronger the massage and penetration levels.
You also want to consider the massage track they use. There are 2 options called S-Track and L-Track, with combinations of these available in some products. S-Track follows the curvature of your spine, while L-Tracks reach your glutes and hamstrings. Typically the S-Track will hit your neck better, whereas the L-Track will better reach your lower body.
Lastly, you want to consider if the chairs have zero-gravity functionality. This fancy term refers to how far the chair can recline. Typically, zero-gravity massage chairs allow you to recline further back, providing stronger massages and more comfort. They do tend to be more expensive.
Benefits Of Using Massage Chairs
One study by the University of Miami School of Medicine found that just 15 minutes in a massage chair increased EEG activity in the brain.
Generally speaking, massage chairs can reduce stress and anxiety while improving productivity and alertness. In turn, this may provide an increase in your mood because massages can release more endorphins, the chemical in your brain that makes you feel good.
Physiologically, massages may improve cardiovascular health, with lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and muscular tension. It’s also great for managing lower back pain. One study found that 50% of patients reported clinical improvement in their chronic back pain after being massaged consistently for 12 weeks.
Getting The Most Out Of It
This is pretty simple. Use the chair as often as you can because consistent massages show the most improvements. Also, make sure to review its feature set so that you can take advantage of all its functions. Combine this with a consideration of your problem areas, and you’ll be able to launch a targeted regimen that can alleviate your aches and pains.
Safety Considerations
Of course, you want to be safe when using a massage chair. The only factor here is how hard it massages you. Don’t run it at max intensity for long periods because this can damage your muscle tissue over time. Try to keep massages short and soft, particularly if you’re feeling sensitive. Give time between sessions to let your muscles recover.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way to comfort and relaxation.
