How much do you like a good massage? Each of us probably asks our loved ones for a back rub every once in a while. There is your comfortable recliner, but there is only so much a recliner can do. Well, nowadays, there are solutions for any problem or obstacle. We found the best massage chairs to buy in 2021.
Our Top Picks
- Electric Full Body Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner
- Real Relax Full Body Zero Gravity Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner Our Top Pick
- ideal massage Full Featured Shiatsu Chair
- Space-Saving Zero-Gravity Full-Body Kahuna Massage Chair Recliner
- Ogawa Active SuperTrac Massage Chair
- LURACO TECHNOLOGIES iRobotics 7 Medical Massage Chair
Electric Full Body Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner
If you’re looking for a bang-for-buck massage chair, well, you’ve found it. The Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner nails the balance of price and feature set. It strikes at the heart of customers looking for all the introductory features while not looking to break the bank. It boasts a total of 20 airbags for massaging everything below the waist. This beauty will send high-powered vibrations through your buttocks, thighs, and calves. We especially enjoyed taking this chair to a full 180-degree recline—a rare opportunity in this massage recliner price range.
On arrival, we found it super easy to put together. This was after waiting only 9 days for it to land on our doorstep. This chair falls into the entry-level airbag massage category. The airbags do give a good massage but do not surround your body parts like the more expensive chairs. However, to compensate for this, Shiatsu threw in some pretty nifty options when choosing the remote. The range of options allows for massaging everything from a sore bum to chronic aches.
This is the chair for those who are wanting to dip their toe into the massage chair world. All while sticking to a tight budget. Be sure to look at a warranty as we have read of some breaking down after a year. Also, put a power surge board between the chair and the socket in the wall.
Real Relax Full Body Zero Gravity Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner
Stepping it up a notch from the previous massage chair reviews, we now start to focus on massaging more body parts. Real Relax has upped the airbags and added arm massage to their offering. With 50 airbags for both the upper and lower body, this chair will give you one serious massage.
On top of the manual setup, the massage chair comes with 4 preset programs. A feature we did enjoy was the rollers on the feet. This gave a more satisfying massage than the airbags on other models.
Shipping was very quick with this chair; it arrived within the same week we ordered it. When using the chair, make sure that you keep a good posture. Slouching may cause the airbags to miss the mark. Most importantly, though, do not panic when the pressure of the airbags is too much! The pressure is normal, especially at the beginning when the chair is initializing to your body. This gave us a surprise too when first using the chair, but the feeling afterward is well worth the journey.
There were a couple of quirks to report on. Firstly, while in recline mode, you cannot pause the preset massage programs. Secondly, the strength of the massage pressure is not adjustable. And thirdly, we found the controls to be a little dated.
Overall, a great chair for the price. Maybe Real Relax was trying to hit too many body parts in this price range. Or maybe they nailed it; that’s for you to decide. But we’re leaning more to the latter after every massage session.
ideal massage Full Featured Shiatsu Chair
The ideal massage chair has passed the test of time and keeps improving yearly. It’s been on the market now for a couple of years and maintain positive reviews to date. That’s especially impressive as it lies in the price range where customers are very picky about their choices.
Right off the bat, we want to state that the massage on this chair was excellent. Almost similar to what massage chair reviews mention in the $4k and above the range of chairs. Similar to the previous chair reviewed, this has 4 preset programs for your massage pleasure. We loved the relaxation mode (setting 2). The most interesting feature was the body scan. The scan occurs before the massage begins. The scan optimizes the inflation of the airbags to suit your body shape.
Some other features that really stood out on this model were vibration and heating. We found these to be relaxing as well as massaging at the same time. Combine that with the back roller that managed to cover the whole back right down to the buttocks.
An interesting design decision was not to allow independent control over the reclining of the chair. We could not find a way to recline the back of the chair independently from the legs. The chair can make it to zero gravity position. Yet, it would have been nice to set the reline exactly how we wanted it. Some massage chair reviews have also questioned the balls used for the foot massaging functionality. On the more expensive models, they tend to lean towards rollers instead of balls. Foot massaging balls are generally on the cheaper massage recliners.
Space-Saving Zero-Gravity Full-Body Kahuna Massage Chair Recliner
Welcome to the next level! Kahuna has arrived, and they are here to stay with their LM 6800 massage recliner. This beauty takes you up a notch with 6 preset programs and 3 stages of zero gravity. The computer body scanner built-in is the best we’ve seen on a massage chair at this price.
From the moment we sat in this chair, we knew it was a winner. It even comes with shoulder pads! That’s right; you won’t find those on other models in this price range. After jumping straight into the preset programs, it became noticeable how effective the massage was on this chair. There is even a handy yoga mode that stretches your whole body. It feels almost like you were lying on a gym ball.
The chair can handle any body shape and size. Yes, there are some plastic parts, but the steel frame can withstand anything you throw at it.
The chair arrived on our doorstep 7 days after ordering. There was a little more installation and setup than we would have liked. But the instructions are easy to follow.
This is the price point where massage chair reviews start to see rollers for massaging the feet. Engineering good foot massage rollers aren’t easy, but Kahuna seems to have accomplished a pass mark here.
On the last note, it’s important to point out the 3-year warranty on this item. That’s a great show of artistry by Kahuna. Unlike the cheaper chairs, it means you can really trust your purchase with this massage recliner.
Ogawa Active SuperTrac Massage Chair
In many ways, this chair speaks for itself. Landing in the pricier bracket of the massage recliner range, it boasts the features to keep it there. The rollers on this chair are simply another level. The feeling these rollers give puts them above the models we reviewed earlier. They can find all the correct spots to place the perfect amount of pressure. This results in a perfect massage of the muscles.
Ogawa’s “super track” technology works overtime to ensure the rollers exactly meet the curvature of your spin. In the end, it’s a full-body massage that you may find yourself becoming addicted to. We especially enjoyed the two different stretching modes.
The most notable feature is its ability to work so many body parts at one time. For example, the massage recliner can work its magic all while you’re lying in zero gravity mode. Adjustable massage intensity means any mood or muscle ache doesn’t stand a chance. Customization is a stand-out feature on the Ogawa Active SuperTrac Massage Chair.
This is the massage recliner for those who don’t mind spending a little more. Because for those who do, they know it’ll deliver massages with precision accuracy. Not only that, the accuracy is customized to your body shape with the ability to change the intensity. Ogawa, stop teasing and take our money already!
LURACO TECHNOLOGIES iRobotics 7 Medical Massage Chair
Welcome to the best of the best in the US researched, developed, and manufactured massage recliners. Yes, there is a high price tag, but boy, do you get what you paid for with this chair. Straight off the bat, the 9 built-in automatic programs are ready to impress you. But to have you really excited, the iRobotics 7 allows you to build and store your own custom programs. This includes positions, intensities, heat level, and massage technique. That’s all while your favorite tunes play in the background via a customizable playlist. The playlist runs from a very stylish-looking remote control.
When relaxing for a massage, one thing you will not notice is the sound. The massage recliner is near silent. This allows you to really drift off during the time on the chair. It seems that the quality of parts used through the entire massage recliner is state of the art. An industry-leading warranty period supports this idea.
The only quirk we could find was that you need to make sure that you give yourself sufficient knee bend when reclining. This will ensure that all rollers are in the right position when reclining to zero gravity.
If you have the money to spend and want the best massage on the market, don’t overlook this chair. It will deliver on all fronts and last you a lifetime. It’s always a satisfying feeling knowing you have spent your money well. Well, in this case, you will have the feeling and the relaxed muscles to accompany it.
Finding the Needle in all the Massage Chair Reviews
Remember those reclining massage chairs located in the middle of the concourse at the shopping mall? They had those special features, like rubbing your feet for free. All while you are waiting for your friends or boyfriend/ girlfriend to finish shopping. And when they finally come to see where you are, well… you don’t really want to go. The massage feels so excellent. But here is what you can do now: take one of these chairs home. Then you can have your body stretched and massaged to the fullest any time you want.
When Did the Massage Chair Come Around?
For many centuries, therapy included giving a massage. It originated in countries like India, Rome, China, Greece, and Egypt. The massage chair as we know it today has not been around as long. It first started in the late 1950s with wooden solutions using wheel crank systems to roll the back.
Innovations and scientific progress, of course, pushed the technology forward. Now, automation has taken over the need for a mechanical system requiring physical. Robotic massage chairs that will stretch your muscles with a push of a button.
Now, What Are The Pros and Cons of a Massage Chair?
There are many different advantages of having one of these chairs at home. We came up with a small list of the most common things people consider when browsing massage chair reviews. Check it out.
Relaxation at any time you want
Trust us when we say that regular massages will never become dull. It is a relaxing and stress-relieving way to end your day perfectly. Or even to start one, whatever you like. Having a massage chair at home allows you to get a massage at any time you want. That’s regardless of whether your loved one is at home or not. Besides, you’re not dependant on what they feel like at the time. Just get in the chair and relax while the chair does its thing.
Size and dimension
Many massage chair reviews will talk about the chair not taking up more space than a simple chair. That’s right: the chair boasts such great add-ons as an automated massage and heat. All while not taking any more space than a regular chair would. Place it wherever you want: whether in front of a TV enjoying your favorite shows. Or in front of a fireplace where you can cuddle with your loved pet. The point is, it won’t take much space, and you can squeeze it pretty much in any room you want.
User-friendly interface
User-friendly interfaceCutting a balance between the tech-savvy crowd and those who stray away from tech isn’t easy. Well, in the case of modern massage chairs, the balance is perfect. Almost all of them have an intuitive computer control system. The systems are easy to comprehend, and you will figure it out within several minutes from the purchase without spending a couple of hours reading a manual. Moreover, most buttons will have clear pictures describing a massage setting. This way, you will have a clear idea of what it does before even trying it out.
Multiple settings and positions
As you already know, most chairs have several different massage settings. Yet, did you know that they could also transform into a bed? Some chairs out there can recline to up to 180 degrees, elevate your feet while still rubbing them as well as spin in any direction you desire. Moved your TV? No need to move your chair; spin it around in the direction of the TV. Problem solved.
Watch this video on one of the better massage chair reviews of an Osaki OS-4000T. Take note of the insides of the chair and all the built-in features:
Courtesy of Adam Wiedner.
With that, we cannot really think of any disadvantages at all. In some cases, the price can be a little high for the most sophisticated chairs out there. However, you can still find a massage chair that ‘does wonders’ and does not cost a fortune. Whatever price you pay, you will love your new massaging ‘friend.’ Guaranteed.
How Do You Choose a Perfect Massage Chair?
With gazillions of options out there, you might feel overwhelmed by the variety of different chairs. The challenge begins with deciding the better chair for around the same set price. To help you do that, we have come up with a few things to consider when choosing your new chair.
Design
Well, duh, you may think. And you will be right. Everybody likes cute-looking things. Whether you are buying a massage chair – the product mustn’t look too shabby. That it catches the eye of other people, that’s just in your human nature. However, working off of electricity, a massage chair is an indoor thing. Therefore it must fit the interior of your house. With millions of offers out there, it is easy to find one that will be to your liking. Just browse, look at pictures, or better yet – come down to the local store. Most likely, they will have some chairs stock for you to test out.
Comfort
ComfortSurely, the whole point of buying a massage chair is to be comfortable sitting in it. Some chairs may even adjust to your body. The chair achieves this with air pillows that inflate and deflate automatically. Computers control the adjustments of the seat to your body.
Material plays another factor in the choice of chair. Some exotic materials can cause allergic reactions that you might not even know you are allergic to. Therefore, it is best to know what you are dealing with to achieve maximum comfort for your money.
Price
Definitely consider the price of the chair. The trick is finding the best chair with the maximum amount of features for maximum comfort. Some massage chair reviews mention that chairs can go up in cost due to the number of functions. At the same time, others can be costly because of their materials. Choose the one that you find more important and make your decision based on that.
Read testimonials and reviews.
It is always a good idea to see what other people think of that or another chair. Some have owned one or tried it out at the local store without buying. Generally, however, they may have an idea of what they experienced using it. You do not have to trust their opinion, but it never hurts to see what they think. Who knows, maybe they found out something that will turn you completely off about buying the chair. Also, be sure to check out some written and video reviews of the best massage chairs on the market. We’ve prepared the list of our TOP-5 massage chairs found on Amazon. Check them out!
Our massage chair reviews are based on our opinion of the best chairs for the price asked. There are many video reviews available for these chairs due to their popularity. We recommend that you check them all out. Combine this with our helpful tips on how to choose the best massage chair.
At Homewares Insider, we love questions, especially regarding our tips we gave or the massage chair reviews. Please do not hesitate to contact us in any way you like with feedback. We love your comments! Thanks for reading.
