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With the busy, fast paced lives we live today, we all need a chance to take a break and relax; easier said than done, right? Actually there is a great way to do this and right in the comfort of your home by using a massage chair. It has so many health benefits such as relieving pain, anxiety, stress and even lowering blood pressure. Some people hire a professional massage therapist or go to a spa for a massage, but not everyone has the money or time to do that on a regular basis. Owning your own massage chair is a more cost effective alternative that provides many of the same health benefits.
7 Massage Therapy Benefits for Human Body
Reduces anxiety and stress
Stress has many negative effects on the body and is one of the most common problems most people face daily. Studies have proven that stress can cause increased heart rate, insomnia, fatigue, nervousness, restlessness and even high blood pressure. One of the best solutions to these common problems is to have a massage chair at your disposal every day. Massage chairs focus on the head, neck and shoulders by using heat therapy.
Relaxes muscles
If you spend a lot of time driving or sitting at a desk all day, this can lead to stiff and sore muscles. Just think what a ten minute massage would do? By using rollers and air bags, massage chairs can relax the muscles therefore eliminating the pain. Simply by making adjustments, you can control the intensity of the massage and use different techniques such as percussion, compression and kneading.
Increases blood circulation
When you increase your blood flow, your body becomes warmer which results in good color to the skin. Good blood flow also helps keep you focused and your brain sharper. A Swedish massage is highly effective to increase blood flow, especially for those that suffer from diabetes as their blood pressure is typically low.
Better sleep
As mentioned earlier, insomnia affects thousands of people partly due to anxiety and stress. A relaxing ten minute massage before bed will force your mind to get rid of stress and worry, helping you to fall asleep peacefully.
Immune system improves
Studies have proven that getting a regular massage improves human capacity in order to fight bacteria and infection. It actually increases growth of cells which are considered the first line of defense to fight infections and bacteria.
Cures headaches and migraines
Hundreds of thousands of people suffer from migraine headaches which can cause nausea, vomiting and blurred vision. A relaxing massage on a regular basis can relax muscles spasms and trigger points which in turn decrease migraine attacks. The focus of the massage is on the head, neck and shoulders which will relieve the pain.
Relieves back pain
Along with stress and anxiety, back pain is very common to many. Would it surprise you to know that an average of three million people in the US alone have registered with back pain? The benefits of a massage regularly have proven to be a highly effective treatment and the benefits can last up to six months. Deep tissue and Swedish massage are typically used for back pain.
Best Massage Chair Reviews – Editor’s Top 10 Picks
With such a variety of massage chairs available, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for you. To help you, we have compiled a list of the top 10 massage chairs with a comparison to their functions, features and prices.
| BestMassage EC06C | Luraco iRobotics 7 | Panasonic EP1285KL | Forever Rest Premium | BestMassage EC01 |
| Airbags: 20 | Airbags: 104 | Airbags: 14 | Airbags: 20 | |
| Massage Programs: 4 | Massage Programs: 6 | Massage Programs: 8 | Massage Programs: 6 | Massage Programs: 6 |
| Weight: 300 lbs | Weight: 217 lbs | Weight: 144 lbs | Weight: 320 lbs | Weight: 400 lbs |
| Warranty: 1 year | Warranty: 2 years | Warranty: 3 years | Warranty: 5 years | Warranty: 1 year |
| Price: $$ | Price: $$$$$ | Price: $$ | Price: $$ | Price: $$ |
| Click for Best Price | Click for Best Price | Click for Best Price | Click for Best Price | Click for Best Price |
1. BestMassage Electric Full Body Shiatsu Massage Chair Review
This one is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a massage chair that is reasonable priced. It offers many of the same features as higher priced chairs. It provides the best shiatsu experience using percussion, compression, power rollers, tapping, flapping and kneading. The Electric Full Body Shiatsu 06C has a sleek look and is made really well providing a whole body massage, even your feet with the heated footrest.
With 30 built in airbags and 20 of those distributed to the lower body, this massage chair helps to relieve neck stress. With a vibration motor to help relax muscle stress it targets the calves, thighs and buttocks.The chair provides different programs to improve flexibility, reduce fatigue, rejuvenate the mind and body and stimulate stressed nerves.
The overall customer reviews are satisfied with the Electric Full Body Shiatsu 06C, commenting on the added footrest and its functionality. However, there were some comments regarding support service not being so supportive, but generally those that purchased this massage chair were satisfied with the massage it provided.
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Shiatsu-Massage-Recliner-Vibrating/dp/B007XA04P6
2. Luraco iRobotics 7 Ultimate Medical Massage Chair Review
The second review is the first robotic massager chair that was assembled in the US as a full body massage chair, iRobotics 7. Using top notch innovative features such as Luraco, (named after the company) providing a total body massage, advanced body stretching technique, zero gravity which proves to enhance the state of relaxation and a self diagnostic system.
It provides 104 robotic arms and airbags and adjusts to fit the height of shoulders and length of legs.
iRobotics 7 provides six specifically designed program modes: Swedish, Japanese, night, morning, deep tissue and health care. This massage chair can relieve stress and pain from the entire body and can be customized to fit your preference to individual body parts.
The method and intensity of massage such as tapping, vibration and kneading is fully adjustable.
iRobotics 7 comes equipped with a MP3 player with speakers built in and it is Bluetooth compatible to control smart phone applications and tablets enabling you to control settings from your tablet or phone viewed on the integrated display.
https://www.amazon.com/Luraco-iRobotics-Medical-Massage-Chocolate/dp/B00BPE533E
3. Panasonic Massage Chair Urban Collection Review
Panasonic EP1285KL is part of the Panasonic Urban Collection and is rated one of the best massage chairs. It offers therapeutic muscle relaxation and can help improve blood flow by its quad style technology.
This massage chair is a full body massage equipped with modes for all body parts and types.
Panasonic EP1285KL provides eight manual massage modes such as regional and full roll, tapping, compression, kneading, Hawaiian, Swedish and soft shiatsu.
This massage chair can deliver a massage similar to movements of a rotating hand and wrist by its floating mechanism. It features a rubber massage which mimics other techniques such as heel rolling, palm strokes and thumb kneading.
Panasonic EP1285KL is equipped with 14 airbags, targeting the lower body and Air Ottoman system which works the legs with focus on the feet and calves.
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-EP-1285TL-Urban-Collection-Massage/dp/B001J6OBNG
4. Forever Rest Premium Zero Gravity S-Track Massage Chair Review
The Forever Rest massage chair features several different modes such as humanized massage mechanism, powerful motor and a jade heating system.
The back of the chair is the S-type containing two layers of back padding and one additional removable pad to provide extra comfort.
The Forever Rest Premium comes equipped with a body scan that provides a human like massage mechanism feeling similar to a therapist hands. The human like mechanism imitates manners as tapping, kneading, scratching, swatting, pressing and walking.
It is fully equipped to customize each massage session by selecting one of the six programs: combination of kneading and flapping, knocking and vibrating, rolling and shiatsu.
It can also take a reclined position of zero gravity to provide a deeper massage while the arm rests recline automatically with the chair. This enables you to have an arm massage in both the upright and reclined positions.
https://www.amazon.com/I-Spirit-S-Track-Massage-Gravity-Saving/dp/B07QK1BWLS
5. BestMassage Full-Body Zero Gravity Soft 3D Massage Chair Review
This massage chair provides power rollers to relax muscles, relieving stress and rejuvenates your body and mind.
With the various settings this chair provides, you can have a simple massage effect by using the rolling setting. You can also use the kneading effect to work on any muscles. The EC01 massage chair will also work the legs flexibility and mobility to improve overall posture by choosing the percussion and compression functions.
This massage chair is equipped with four different programs; recovery, present relaxes, recovery and preset extend. It can be easily adjusted to focus on specifics parts of the body you may need massage on.
The Massage EC01 is a full body massage chair allowing you to massage neck to feet. Air pressure and vibrations are used for the buttocks and the airbags will work the calves and thighs. With the air squeeze, your arms will not be left out.
https://www.amazon.com/Gravity-Shiatsu-Massage-Chair-Recliner/dp/B007X94B5Q
6. Kahuna LM6800 Zero Gravity Massage Chair Review
If you have a limited budget, but you want as many features as possible, the Kauna Massage Chair LM6800 with heating therapy might just be the perfect choice. This chair includes an innovative yoga program, L-track rollers which continuously roll from your head to your hamstrings along with an array of features that are only available in more expensive models.
You will experience a revitalizing, relaxing massage similar to a hand on therapist as it uses shiatsu therapy of kneading/tapping, rolling, kneading and tapping. Kahuna uses the whole body massage like you have never experienced before. It provides a deep yet gently massage that will stimulate and renew your body.
This massage chair is a must have for a holistic method to heal and balance every aspect of your being. It will provide the same experience as Tai Chi and Hula techniques used by therapists.
The total body scan technology with two zero gravity massage positions will amaze you. It features 4 automatic programs and a 36 airbag system to obtain a massage just the way you want. The 3 level speed and pressure are adjustable. You may want to take a nap in this massage chair as the back is heated and provides a twisting buttock feature along with a foot roller. Also included is the Yoga mode which will stretch your entire body.
Kahuna Massage Chair LM6800 Features:
- Yoga mode
- Shiatsu therapy
- Space saving design
- Zero gravity positioning
- Body scan
- Calves and lower body heat therapy
- L-track massage system
- Foot and calve massage
- Arm massage
- Dual foot roller massagers
It is UL listed and plugs into a grounded USA standard 3three prong 110/120 volt outlet. A converter will allow usage of 240 volts if you live outside the US.
The Kahuna offers a 3 year limited warranty covering the framework, labor and parts.
https://www.amazon.com/Full-Body-Kahuna-Massage-Chair-LM6800/dp/B01M24RKQY
7. BestMassage Full Body Zero Gravity L-track Shiatsu Massage Chair Review
This massage chair provides a terrific massage with its built in heated air bags. It is easily moveable as it has a carbon fiber panel making it very lightweight. It provides a L-tracking massage system which supports your neck, back and buttocks. This allows each spine disc to separate and decompress apart from each other.
Sensors scan and measure the length your spine to provide the message where you need it the most. It’s not necessarily a good thing to have several airbags as most chairs do. This message chair will cover almost your entire body with the least amount of airbags.
Your body will twist and stretch at your back, hips, thighs, shoulders and lower back as the airbags inflate and deflate individually. It allows you to use them all at the same time or separately depending on what you desire all with just one button; complete relaxation.
This massage chair features a full body massage. The air bags keep you in place as the chair moves to slowly and gently stretch the back and leg muscles for an exhilarating massage. It provides two airbags, one for each arm for a deep lower arm and wrist massage. The lower back will use two heating pads for a amazingly soothing experience.
It will feel as though you’re neck and shoulders are getting a slow kneading style massage from a person. All the tight muscles and knots in your neck and shoulder area will be gone. Multiple airbags are used for the calves and feet to feel a compression massage in those areas. Also, the spinning rollers at the foot bottom will provide a relaxing kneading massage.
This Shiatsu Chair comes with four different programs, three manual techniques such as kneading, tapping and a combination. You are also able to choose from three levels of intensity as the rollers provide pressure along the back as it moves down. When using the zero gravity position, you will remove stress from your spine, improve circulation and become more relaxed. This is an ideal massage chair for small spaces as the seat is 29×50 inches, 65 inches long, 30 inches wide and 40 inches high.
https://www.amazon.com/BestMassage-Gravity-Shiatsu-Massage-Recliner/dp/B07QFQH99M
8. Real Relax Full Body Pain Relief Massage Chair Recliner Review
The Real Relax Chair Recliner set a new standard on affordable massage chair for sale and has been quite successful in doing so.
Even though it is relatively new, it’s been selling like crazy. This is because it comes with features that were only available in more expensive chairs. Here’s how it keeps beating its competitors that sell for the same price.
Zero Gravity Massage
Because most of the relief by massage is due to relaxation, the zero gravity feature enables the body to obtain deeper levels of relaxation by feeling weightless.
Foot Massage Rollers
There is a lot of healing energy stored in your feet. Real Relax has foot rollers that massage accupoints in your feet.
Heat Therapy
This chair is not only a relaxing massage chair, but also provides many medicinal usages. This is perfect for those that suffer from back pain as it features heating modules in the lumbar region to relieve pain. It has been clinically proven that heat therapy alleviates or eliminates back pain.
Waist Airbags and Foot Massager
Real Relax provides a full calf and foot massager. While the feet are being massaged by the foot rollers and airbags, the calves are massaged by four airbags increasing blood circulation through the entire body.
VR Headsets
To make this chair even more popular, they are giving away Google Cardboard Virtual Reality 3D headsets. It is used for playing Smartphone games and cannot be used with the chair itself.
- Real Relax Pros
- Foot rollers
- Zero gravity massage
- Back roller massage
- 8 targeted points of massage
- 3 massage programs
- Foot rest
- Easily moveable
- VR headset
- Full body massage
- Heat therapy
- Best value
Real Relax comes with a 3 year manufacturer warranty which shows the confidence of the product by the manufacturer.
https://www.amazon.com/Real-Relax-Warranty-Approved-Affordable/dp/B06WRNTQX4
9. Top Performance Superior Kahuna SM-7300 SL Track Massage Chair Review
This chair is one of the most valued chairs by Kahuna. It comes with nine massage programs which five out of the nine are commonly found in other massage chairs, whereas the other four are considered premium programs.
With the manual massage selection you can customize massage programs to align with your mood. Three of these massage settings are knocking, tapping and kneading. Users can also choose which body part is going to receive the massage created.
Air cells massage technology is part of the Kahuna SM-7300. It provides an extensive coverage area as it contains a vast number of air cells integrated within.
This Kahuna comes with a highly advanced SL track system with six rollers that work together. This provides deep tissue massage from the neck to the buttocks and thighs.
This technology works towards the aid in recovery along with relaxation to get rid of any tension or strain within the vertebrae.
The zero gravity technique significantly enhances the physical recovery of its users. Similar to astronauts prior to take off, the body parts are lifted off the ground similar to a 180 degree position neutralizing the spine resulting in a relaxing posture.
The fully covered leg extensions of the Kahuna Massage Chair wraps around the calves along with the feet to provide a complete massage experience.
https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Kahuna-Superior-Massage-Chair/dp/B077416M4M
10. BestMassage Electric Shiatsu Heated Massage Chair Recliner Review
This quite affordable Shiatsu Massage Chair is rated one of the best on the market today. The Full Body Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner is equipped with many features and extras. Massage chairs provide a variety of benefits to your overall well being and are especially beneficial to those that suffer back pain and poor circulation. They are designed to loosen tight or sore muscles and improve blood flow which are the main reasons of having pain.
As a full body massage recliner, it covers the entire body. It also features a neck massage that targets some tsubo points, which are known to be relieve pressure areas. This massage chair has 30 airbags of which 20 are located in the lower part of the chair providing an optimal massage to the thighs, legs and calves. It contains finger like rollers that distribute an ultra long range massage from the neck down to the tailbone.
Its many massage types provides options for the best type of massage for you. Shiatsu uses power rollers to reduce fatigue, rejuvenate the mind and relax muscles. Percussion and Compression are what improves the range of motion, mobility of legs and improves flexibility. Some other types of massage offered are Chop Action which uses flapping and tapping to relieve stiff, tense muscles and soreness from over used muscles. For muscle pain, kinks and knots, Kneading type massage is an option as well.
There are also several types of massage programs such as:
- Refresh program
- Relax program
- Extend program
- Recovery program
Each program was designed to create a different massage based on what you need and is adjustable to the intensity levels to provide either a gentle massage to help unwind and relax to a more intense, deep massage to get deep into the tissue.
There are also some added features such as a high powered vibration motor that delivers air pressure to provide an effective massage to the buttock area. It comes with 30 airbags which are incorporated with the built in heat roller system to soothe your back with heat while the rollers refresh and loosen. All these features are easily accessible within the control panel. It is fully automatic to raise and lower the backrest and foot ottoman with just one button.
This particular Shiatsu Massage Chair comes with a one year limited warranty. All parts are fully covered, but does not include the labor.
Shiatsu Massage Chair Pros
- Comfortably accommodates tall individuals
- Instructional video included
- Easily assembled
Shiatsu Massage Chair Cons
- Easily maneuvered but heavy
- Product support is lacking
- Does not provide zero gravity
https://www.amazon.com/Shiatsu-Massage-Chair-Recliner-Stretched/dp/B0093HW0H2
Massage Chair Buying Guide – Seven Things to Consider When Buying Massage Chairs
1. Where to put the massage chair?
Do you have a space available? They can be bulky and need to recline, so against a wall will not work. Measure the space you are considering and choose a chair accordingly. You can always ask the sales representative how much space you will need for the chair to fully recline and will the one you are interested work in the space you have in mind.
2. Who is using the Massage Chair?
Typically, massage chairs are designed for people approximately 5’10”. If you are much taller or shorter, take it for a test drive. Some chairs are designed to instantly adapt to the height of the person using it, measuring from the top of the shoulders. If you are not the only user, everyone that is going to use the massage chair should inspect it for themselves. Also the height of the seat is important to consider as some chair seats are low to the ground and may cause a problem if you’re not tall or have hip, low back or knee pain.
3. What Features and Functions do you Need?
Even though most massage chairs typically come with many features and functions, make sure it has exactly what you need and will provide all the benefits in relieving your pain. Also be mindful to compare the pressure and strength of the massage. Some chairs give strong massages, while others use a lighter pressure. It is also a good idea to consider a chair that has a memory massage series. This is especially important if you are sharing the massage chair as it will make it more convenient to go right to your settings rather than have to set up your series every time.
Another good feature to consider is the foot rest; it will allow you to sit with your legs raised. It is recommended that you try the chair for about 15 minutes to feel the pressure and fit of the chair.
4. Durability
Make sure the chair is resilient and heavy duty. Take a look at the optimum body weight capability. Typically, massage chairs will have a capacity of around 300 pounds. Also check out the optimum duration of each session and any maintenance it may require.
5. What is the Warranty?
How long is the warranty and what exactly does it cover? It is important for it to cover labor and parts. Also, there should be at least a one month cash back guarantee without any loopholes or conditions. Many manufacturers offer a 60 to 90 day money back guarantee. This will assure you the company offers good customer support and stands behind their product.
6. Your Budget
The prices of massage chairs vary from hundreds of dollars to thousands. It depends upon the features and what you need to and want the chair to provide. A more expensive chair doesn’t always mean it’s best to suit your needs. Comparison shopping will afford you a high quality chair that also fits your budget. It is important to know what it is you need from the massage chair and maybe not need all the bells and whistles.
7. Customer Service
Good customer service is important to any company selling a product or service. Make sure there is a toll free number and an email address to contact customer service for any questions or concerns. Many times companies supply an online chat system for any questions or concerns. You can always take a look at the customer reviews on the particular massage chair you are contemplating on purchasing to see what customers are saying about the chair and their customer service.
Final Thoughts
Massage therapy has been a practice since ancient times. Today, the technology is far more advanced with so many innovations regarding overall health. One such innovation is a massage chair. Many of the chairs use techniques that closely represent the human touch.
Full body massage chairs offer so many health benefits such as reducing stress and pain. Because of all the advanced technologies regarding massage chairs, you can now get the best massage to target your specific needs. The choices of style of massage, intensity level and specific body parts are now offered through different types of massage chairs. Using our massage chair reviews and the comparison chart of the top ten models you will be able to decide which one is best for you. The models listed above are the most popular and have the highest ratings as well as the best functionality, price and value.
