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It was truly stressful to test and review all the possible picks for best massage chair. We’re kidding.
This was the best assignment ever. While our staff could not really decide on just a single model, it was an absolute treat to test over 30 massage chairs.
It’s hard to go wrong with any of our picks, and you will simply have to decide how much you want to spend. No matter which model you go with – you’re going to be comfortable.
Our Top Pick
Top Performance Kahuna Superior Massage Chair with SL-Track 6 Rollers – SM-7300
The Kahuna SM-7300 is our pick for best massage chair. Our staff loved the experience of sitting in the SM-7300, and we could not get enough of the shiatsu specialized therapy. Every relaxing mode is here – kneading, tapping, shiatsu, and knocking. Put simply – you’ll never want to get up.
Other Great Picks
RELAXONCHAIR [MK-II Plus] Full Body Zero Gravity Shiatsu Massage Chair with Built-in Heat and Air Massage System – Chocolate
This massage chair was impossible to get up from. The built-in heat will make you never want to go back to work – or even crawl into bed. Truthfully, two of our reviewers fell asleep in this chair (no joke). The near-perfect online scores from over 200 customers – agree with us, on this pick.
Human Touch Novo XT Zero-Gravity Ultra High Performance Full-Body 3D L-Track Massage Chair
This egg shaped chair is another personal favorite of our staff. There are multiple settings for intensity (a total of 5), and 3 deep tissue settings as well. Great after a workout, this massage chair can even get down to your glutes. While certainly high-end – we think it is worth every penny.
Infinity Massage Chairs IT-8500 Massage Chair, Chocolate
The IT-8500 from Infinity is another great luxury massage chair. There are two different zero gravity settings, and our staff loved the built-in heat effect. We also loved that the speaker system (built into the chair) allows for USB connectivity.
Osaki OS-4000 Zero Gravity Executive Fully Body Massage Chair, Black
This beauty from Osaki is another great zero gravity massage chair. For the uninitiated, the zero gravity setting moves your knees above your chest, so you can remove all stress from your spine, and sit in an astronaut-like position. Some reviewers have noted (and we felt this too) – that the massage could stand to be a touch firmer. So if you are looking for a very hard massage, you may want to go with another option on our list.
Full Body Electric Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner with Built-in Heat Therapy Air Massage System Stretch Vibrating for Home Office Living Room PS4, Brown
We were pleasantly surprised by this chair. Coming in at a lower price point, the experience felt surprisingly luxurious. Almost as good as models 3-4x the cost. While there are not quite as many options as some of the more advanced chairs – this is a great budget pick.
Massage Chair By OOTORI, Deluxe S-Track Recliner with 3D Robot Hand, Zero Gravity Full Body Air Massage, With Stretch Heating Vibrating Function (style-1)
We love the heating and zero gravity features of this chair – which is a great purchase for anyone looking to save money, and still end up with a great massage experience. One of our staff fell asleep in this chair – and it’s hard to blame him. Because of the lower price point, this also works as a great joint gift to give.
Luraco iRobotics 7 PLUS Medical Massage Chair (Black)
This massage chair is made in America, and boats a plethora of beneficial functions. From neck massage to foot massage – it truly does it all. While it is a bit pricier than some chairs, over time the extra relaxation will likely make this chair feel like it paid for itself.
Real Relax Full Body Zero Gravity Affordable Shiatsu Electric Massage Chair with Armrest Linkage System, Heat and Foot Roller, Black
If you are looking to spend less money, but still get a great massage chair – this is the pick for you. With a near-perfect score after over 500 customer reviews online – the data doesn’t lie. We liked the zero gravity mode, as well as the built-in heat – and the air bags are another great function.
Zero Gravity Full-Body Kahuna Massage Chair Recliner LM6800 with Yoga & Heating Therapy (Brown)
This is the best massage chair for anyone on a budget. Featuring glowing reviews from over 300 online customers, a zero gravity mode, and heating therapy – it’s a great package for less cost. There are chiropractor and yoga options, as well. Simply unbeatable – especially for the price. We may or may not have this in our office right now – just saying.
What Is A Massage Chair?
Simply put, a massage chair is a chair designed to give massages. Say goodbye to calling up your masseuse and driving to the spa or wellness center — the mechanisms in these chairs are actually designed to mimic the movement and techniques of licensed massage therapists!
With one of these fabulous inventions, you can get a massage anytime, all within the convenience of your own home. Sounds pretty dreamy, right?
Massage chairs typically look similar to recliner chairs, and you sit so that your head, neck, shoulders, and back all make contact with the chair. The chair contains a series of electronic vibrators and motors beneath the stuffing, which work together to provide you with a state of the art massage.
Are Massage Chairs Good For You?
You might be thinking that massage chairs seem too good to be true. We were skeptical, too, so we did some background research on the effects of massage chairs. And we found that massage chairs actually ARE as amazing as they seem!
A massage chair can work wonders in terms of easing pent-up muscle tension and stress. Owning a chair gives you the freedom to relieve your muscle pain in a consistent manner — with frequent chair massages, you can prevent the build-up of knots and chronic pains. However, the benefits don’t end here.
Massage chairs can also boost the levels of all of the body’s feel-good hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. If you are prone to depression, anxiety, or mood swings, a massage chair could actually help with your mental health.
How Often Can You Use A Massage Chair?
Physical therapists and specialists recommend using a massage chair between 3 and 5 times per week, with each session lasting a maximum of 20 minutes. Massage chairs are designed to give efficient massages, and sitting in a chair for a prolonged period of time can actually worsen your pain. Additionally, using your chair too frequently can have adverse effects on your body.
You know how your muscles become sore after an intense workout? Well, the same can happen from overusing a massage chair. Because the motors within a massage chair interact directly with your muscle tissue, you need to gauge the right balance for your body in terms of session length and frequency.
Does A Massage Chair Burn Calories?
Massage chairs can assist you in burning calories, but they should not be used as a substitute for working out and eating healthy if you are trying to lose weight.
Here’s how massage chairs work:
Massage chairs stimulate your muscles in a manner that helps fluid move throughout your body. Basically, this means that when you regularly use massage chairs, they can help the fluid in your body stay in the right places — which is critical in preventing problems such as poor circulation.
By maintaining a steady rate of blood circulation, your metabolism can maintain an ideal rate. And, as we all know, high metabolism rates assist in burning more calories, and keeping muscles toned.
Can I Use A Massage Chair While Pregnant?
The short answer to this question is yes! We all know that pregnancy can lead to lots of aches and pains throughout the body. No wonder you’d be tempted to indulge in a massage chair as you wait for the 9 months to pass…
Here’s the thing: Some massage chair manufacturers place warning labels in their product guides, recommending that pregnant women not use these chairs. They are concerned that stimulating certain pressure points on the back could cause premature labor. However, there’s no scientific evidence that supports this claim, so we say massage away.
Can I Sleep In A Massage Chair?
This is a tricky question. In our previous section – “How Often Can You Use a Massage Chair?” – we stated that massage chairs are best used in short increments (a maximum of 20 minutes per session). So, if you’re planning on bringing your pillow and blanket and spending the night slumped in your massage chair…this probably isn’t the best idea.
BUT — this says nothing about naps! If you take power naps (short 10 or 15 minute naps to energize yourself during the day), then it is completely safe to power nap away from the confines of your massage chair!
How Much Electricity Does A Massage Chair Use?
Of course, this question depends on the specific brand and model of the massage chair that you are using. But, there is a general ballpark by which you can estimate how a massage chair will affect your electric bill.
Massage chairs typically use between 150 watts and 300 watts. This is not as much power as the average refrigerator or laundry machine. For comparison, this watt range is roughly the same amount used by a desktop computer.
If you abide by the guidelines in the above sections — a maximum of 5 sessions per week at 20 minutes per session — this isn’t very much power at all. Think of how many hours you spend working on a computer per week! Your massage chair will barely use any power, compared to your other home electronics.
How Much Does A Massage Chair Cost?
Again, the cost of a massage chair can vary dramatically. It all depends on the specific brand and chair type that you select. Within our selection of best massage chairs, the prices range from roughly $1,000 to $10,000.
Contrary to popular belief, you can get a REALLY high quality massage chair on a budget! For instance, the Zero Gravity LM6800 is an excellent affordable choice from our list, and it has over 300 positive online reviews.
If you suffer from chronic pain, or if you carry a lot of stress and tension in your body, then a massage chair might just be the perfect investment for you. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars every month for sporadic appointments with a masseuse, you can opt to take care of your health consistently at home.
How Do I Clean A Massage Chair?
If you take the plunge and choose to invest in a massage chair, then you’re probably gonna want to take the right steps to take care of it! Luckily, it’s pretty easy to clean and care for a massage chair.
Most massage chairs are made with a synthetic leather or vinyl upholstery, and this requires special consideration when choosing your cleaning products. You’ll want to use a mild soap — similar to diluted dish detergent — rather than anything with harsh chemicals or bleach.
When cleaning your chair, first remove any cushions (if possible) to clean them away from the electronics within the chair. This way, you can make sure that your cleaning doesn’t damage the inner mechanisms of the chair.
Then, lightly spray your cleaning solution onto the chair. Do not soak the material, as you only want to lightly clean the surface material (plus, leather and vinyl don’t hold up well with water). Gently wipe the surfaces of the cushions dry after spraying.
Lastly, if your massage chair is made of genuine leather, treat it with oil after cleaning. Genuine leather requires consistent oil treatments — otherwise, it will crack. You can purchase a special leather oil, or use regular oil from your kitchen pantry.
The Best Massage Chair
There you have it – our picks for the best massage chair. To be honest – all of them look pretty great to us. The world of relaxing home accessories is certainly not limited to just these – make sure to take a look at our other picks, in the home category.