After a long, tiring day spent hunched over a screen, the best massage chair can give you the deep-tissue kneading, acupressure, and heat therapy that you crave. Just lean back in La-Z-Boy style, press a few buttons to start the massage sequence, and let yourself relax into the pummeling sensation of a disembodied massage on demand.
According to David Weintraub, owner of Bodyworks DW Advanced Massage Therapy, the best massage chair can act as catharsis physically and mentally. They provide a dedicated space for people to “unplug their brain.”
Living with daily pain due to stress and tension can impact your quality of life and be debilitating. Unfortunately, not all of us have the time and consistent resources to book multiple sessions per week with a massage therapist. If you’re someone who experiences pain from occupational stress, an injury, or a musculoskeletal disorder, melt away all these pressures with the best massage chair you’ll look forward to using.
You should feel like you’re in a tropical paradise in a massage chair—not sitting in the middle of a mall, worrying about people watching you trying to get a few moments of peace. It should be equal parts functional and stylish: you want something that will look good in your living room and make your back feel like it’s being pummeled into blissful oblivion.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Massage Chair
Regular massage therapy has numerous benefits for your mind and body, including reducing anxiety, improving circulation, relieving pain, and increasing relaxation. With regular sessions, you will start to notice positive changes in your overall wellbeing – you may even find yourself sleeping better and having more energy during the day.
“A massage chair’s primary purpose is to help you relax and provide a brief respite from your day-to-day challenges,” says Mary Thiel, MPT, clinic manager at Michigan State Health Care’s physical and occupational therapy practice. According to Thiel, daily stress can cause tension-related pain, such as headaches and body aches. Massage chairs can help ease these issues by providing relief to the tight muscles that are causing discomfort.
If you want to use massage chairs for improving circulation and relieving pain which increase your productivity during work, you can also check the Best Under Desk Treadmills to Boost Your Brain and Metabolism.
How We Chose the Best Massage Chairs
With such an abundance of options on the market, it can be tough to choose a massage chair. So, we did the hard work for you and researched dozens of chairs from the most reputable brands. We considered function, targeted areas, heating/reclining abilities, comfort levels, and price points. Plus looked at reviews and user impressions to get a well-rounded idea of what each product has to offer. In short – this guide is your one-stop shop for finding the perfect massage chair!
Whichever massage chair you choose, remember to stick with a brand that offers warranties, as well as a hassle-free return policy or exchange program.
Familiarize yourself with common massage chair terms:
We should mention that our list will include a few terms related specifically to massage chairs. Here’s a quick guide to help you find the features you need.
- 2D massage: The massage rollers move in two dimensions, up and down from your neck to your lower back, and they can also move side to side.
- 3D Massage: Not only can it move up and down and side to side, the rollers can also push out further into your back as well.
- 4D Massage: 4D massage chairs provide the same level of motion as 3D chairs, plus more strength adjustements and roller speed control.
- Airbags: Typically located in areas that don’t have rollers, airbags provide a compression massage
- Air Ionizer: Located in the headrest, this technology clears the air of dust, dander and other irritants.
- Body Scanning: The massage rollers will be able to hit your unique pressure points by adjusting and tailoring the rollers to your body.
- Bluetooth: Connect to the speakers in the chair to enjoy music or guided meditation.
- Chromotherapy: This light therapy technique helps balance physical, mental, spiritual and emotional energy.
- L Track: The rollers in an L Track travel from the neck down to the glutes. Sometimes they may even extend down to your hamstrings.
- S Track: An S Track massage chair follows the curve of your body and spine from the neck to the lower back.
- Memory Settings: You’ll have the ability to save a certain number of custom massages.
- Space Saving: You can set up your massage chair against a wall and when it’s powered on, it will move forward.
- Voice Control: Control your massage by telling your chair which program option you want. Some of the best massage chairs also have Alexa capabilities.
- Zero Gravity: This technique extends your knees and elevates them above your heart, creating a sense of weightlessness that also helps the spine decompress.
The 13 Best Massage Chairs on the market today
The following massage chairs will quickly become your favorite relaxation destination. With the ability to vibrate, knead, roll, and warm on command, these chairs will soothe tired muscles in no time. Pick one that best suits your needs!
1-Best Overall: Real Relax 2022 Zero Gravity Massage Chair
With a push of a button, recline into zero gravity position and let 50 airbags cushion your body. Full-body airbags provide compression wherever you need them instead of a select few places like just your arm or your legs. They inflates and deflates to target deep-seated muscle pain with a gentle squeezing sensation.
With its dual-core S-track rollers that follow the natural curvature of your spine, it feels like the movements of a real massage therapist, giving you a professional-grade massage in the comfort of your own home.
S-track rollers target the neck, back, and shoulders with shiatsu, kneading, or knocking massage modes, while airbag massagers handle the legs, arms, and feet. Its intensity, heat features, and massaging types can be customized to your liking.
Switch quickly between six auto programs, heating, reclining, and leg compression using your voice or the large LCD remote controller. The zero-gravity tilt—which can recline up to 145 degrees—turns this chair into a cloud of comfort that can handle 400 pounds easily.
Additionally, the chair is Bluetooth equipped so that it can be linked to a phone. This allows users to relax listening to their favorite music.
Real Relax massage chair has an extendable footrest, which makes it a comfortable choice for users of all heights. The built-in wheels make it easy to move the chair around, which is great if you want to use it in multiple rooms.
The Real Relax was picked as the best massage chair by Men’s Health and The Spruce. Also, 81 percent of 5,827 Amazon reviewers rated it 4 stars or higher. Experts recommend the Real Relax massage chair for first-time consumers because with a reasonable price it offers a little bit of everything to most users without sacrificing style or comfort.
Pros
- Dual track rolling
- Large LCD remote control screen
- Voice controls
- Zero-gravity recline
- Heating function
- Bluetooth speakers
- Wide range of massage settings & auto modes
Cons
- Powerful (could be too intense for some!)
View on Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair
Price at time of publication: $969
2-Best Cheep: Comhoma PU Leather Recliner Massage Chair
Comhoma Massage Chair is the affordable solution to your massage needs. It offers reclining, rocking, heated massage and 360-degree swivel features. It reclines more than 151 degrees, contains an eight-point massaging system, four vibration modes, and heat therapy—all of which work together to help relax your muscles and knead out tension.
With soft vegan leather upholstery and ultra-plush padding in all the right places, this massaging armchair is sure to become your new favorite chair. It comes in three neutral hues that will blend effortlessly with the other furniture in your den or living room, and it features a reclining function as well as 360-degree swivel capabilities. Although assembly is required, the affordable price point more than makes up for this minor downside.
Pros
- Affordable
- Versatile appearance
- 360-degree swivel
- leg rest
Cons
- Assembly require
Price at time of publication: $369,99
3-Best premium chair: Kahuna EM Arete Superior 3D Elite SL Track Massage Chair
The Kahuna elite massage chair, EM ARETE, is inspired by the Athenian building, Parthenon which is the masterpiece of the Greek classic embraces your whole body into utmost comfort. ARETE will bring you the best possible satisfaction in all aspects of functionality performance.
This is an excellent choice if you’re looking to spend a little extra on a quality massage chair. This model doesn’t hold back when it comes to delivering a relaxing and tension-relieving experience, featuring six versatile massage modes with 3D technology massage rollers system, 29 auto massage programs, 5 roller speed adjustments and 5 airbag inflation strength, precision pressure-point relief and three zero-gravity recline positions.
The tablet-like touchscreen remote with a memory function makes it user-friendly to control and personalize your experience. Other great features include calf and foot rollers(Reflexology Massage), whole-body heating, and Bluetooth speakers.
It is made with high quality durable vegan leather to suit your elegant sense and taste along with surrounding Bluetooth speakers to deliver you to the celestial place during the massage.
Even though the price is considerably high, it is a hassle free fully assembled chair and has a two-year manufacturer warranty for buyers’ peace of mind.
Pros
- Zero-gravity recline
- Whole-body heating
- Bluetooth speakers
- Arrives fully assembled
- Foot Extention for taller individuals
Cons
- Expensive
Price at time of publication: $6999
4-Best massage chair for Zero-Gravity: Favolcano 2022 Zero Gravity Full Body Massage Chair
The Favolcano Massage Chair comes with three zero-gravity positions that you can access at the push of a button. You’ll feel like you’re floating while experiencing relaxing acupressure. In terms of massage functions, there are six automatic programs as well as manual settings for eight fixed rollers that target various areas on your body.
Favolcano 2022 offers full body airbag massage, air squeeze massage, shoulders, arms, calves can enjoy the experience like Shiatsu massage. The lower back has a heating function to speed up blood circulation and relieve fatigue.
Although assembly is required, but this 2022 new edition, comes in 2 boxes, which easier to assemble and reduce the risk of transportation damage. Back wheels are also included so you can easily move it around your home as needed.
Pros
- Three zero-gravity recline positions
- Bluetooth speakers
- Built-in wheels
- Footrest unit will automatically extend to suit taller individuals.
Cons
- Assembly required
View on Amazon
5-Best Looking Massage Chair: Nouhaus Modern Chair with Ottoman
The name of Nouhaus’ “Modern” massage chair says a lot: it’s got a trendy midcentury design that is similar to an Egg Chair and an Eames recliner. We chose this not just for its style, but also because it has multiple settings for heat, and different speeds to give you the perfect deep tissue massage. The chair uses spine rollers along with air bags that inflate and deflate to massage your hips and glutes.
If you’re only looking for relief in your legs, this may not be the ideal choice for you. However, it is perfect for those seeking a low-key way to melt away muscle tension and stress. It’s also much lighter than expected, weighing only 72 pounds. Just make sure to ask someone for help when putting it together.
Pros
- Multiple Setting Control for Spot or Full Body Massage
- Triple Airbags Massage Hips and Glutes
- 45 Degree Swivel, and Ottoman
- Heating Functionality
Cons
- Doesn’t have leg-specific massage
View on Walmart
Price at time of publication: $1,799
6-Best massage chair for Small Spaces: Synca Wellness CirC Premium SL Track Heated Massage Chair
Don’t let a lack of space deter you from enjoying a top-notch massage. The CirC Massage Chair by Synca Wellness is small (39 x 37 x 22 inches) and lightweight (70 pounds), but it still provides an excellent massage with its four-way rollers, built-in kneaders, and air compression features. Plus, it comes fully assembled so you can start relaxing right away!
The 16-inch seat width is unfortunately narrower than other models available on the market, offering no massage function for your arms and legs. Although SL track does target neck muscles down to your hamstrings. This chair also has several great features like a heat therapy function, an adjustable headrest, and a remote control with customizable programs included.
Pros
- SL track
- Heat therapy
- Arrives fully assembled
Cons
- Somewhat narrow seat
- Doesn’t massage limbs
Price at time of publication: $999
7-Best massage chair with SL Track: Inner Balance Wellness Jin 2.0 Deluxe Heated SL Track Massage Chair
The Jin 2.0 is designed to provide a full-body massage, targeting all of your major muscle groups. The SL track combines the benefits of an S-track design with the L-shaped kneaders of an L-track model, for a comprehensive massage that unsurpasses any other on the market today.
The Jin 2.0 conducts a full-body scan to ensure the SL system follows your spine and body contours. There are also leg/arm compression massagers, plus zero-gravity reclining, lumbar heat therapy, an extendable leg rest (for taller users), and Bluetooth speakers. The downside is it’s on the pricier side + requires assembly; however, you can order expert assembly through Amazon.
Pros
- Scans spine and body contours
- Zero-gravity recline
- Lumbar heat therapy
- Bluetooth speakers
Cons
- Expensive
- Assembly required
View on Amazon, Lowes, Homedepot
Price at time of publication: $3499
8-Best Massage chair for Additional Features: iRest 4D Massage Chair Recliner with AI Voice Control
With the IRest A710 Shiatsu Massage chair with AI Voice Control, you can enjoy a technologically advanced massage without spending a fortune. We love the chair’s AI voice control system because it makes your massage more relaxing by letting you focus on enjoying it instead of fidgeting with buttons. Simply say “start massage,” “stop massage,” or “change mode” to control your session. Or, if you prefer, use the touchscreen panel to select from 23 auto massage programs and 17 techniques.
With zero-gravity feature, your body reclines as the massage chair shifts to evenly distribute your weight and relieve pressure on your spine. The automatic body scanning feature guarantees that the airbags and massage rollers will provide a custom-fit experience by detecting the contours of your figure and adjusting the massage intensity accordingly.
In addition to an incredible massage, this chair also features total body heat therapy. The full-body warmth relaxes tense muscles and joints, improves blood circulation, and helps the healing of tissue—from your shoulders all the way down to your feet.
Pros
- This model features three control methods, including an AI voice control system that responds to commands.
Cons
- The rollers in the lumbar region can be a bit intense for some.
Price at time of publication: $3,699.00
9-Best massage chair for Spa-like Experience: Osaki OS-4D Escape Massage Chair
The Osaki OS-4D Escape washes all your stress away with a hypnotherapy hood and chromotherapy lighting to give you the most relaxing experience.
The Osaki OS-4D Escape 4D massage rollers feature S-Track ergonomic mapping, which follows the curvature of your back with precision. You can choose from two zero gravity settings to enjoy a weightless feeling that will benefit your body.
With its specially positioned airbags, this massage chair can deliver a satisfying shoulder and arm massage. The extendable footrest works on your feet, while the powerful heating settings loosen muscles in your lumbar and calves.
One of the best features this massage chair has is an aromatherapy option that utilizes healing essential oils to promote relaxation. Simply place an aromatherapy capsule inside the machine and it will circulate blissful scents around your room. The only significant downside in comparison to similar models on the market is that it cannot be used as a normal seat– you would need a dedicated space for it since it’s one of the biggest chairs we’ve reviewed.
Pros
- 4D massage rollers
- Features chromotherapy lighting
- Add aromatherapy capsules for beautiful scents
Cons
- Expensive
- Large in size
Price at time of publication: $4,499.00
10-Best Customizable Massage Chair: Insignia 2D Zero Gravity Massage Chair
When you get a massage chair instead of visiting a professional masseuse, you lose out on customized treatment based on your unique aches and pains. Insignia’s massage chair uses high-quality sensors to perform a body scan, detecting the user’s height and weight metric in order to deliver a more personalized experience. This won’t be able to fix all of your problems, but it’s an impressive feature that makes this particular model stand out from its competitors.
As the “Cadillac” of our list, this chair provides many of the benefits on our other chairs while also including a foot massage–something that is rare for massage chairs. The only downside is its design might be too over-the-top for some people’s taste.
Pros
- Multiple recline settings, including zero-gravity option
- Body-scan feature
- Adjustable massage speed and massage ball width
Cons
- Remote is not backlit
View on Best Buy
Price at time of publication: $2,499.00
11-BEST portable: HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion
Transform any chair into a professional massage chair with this easy-to-use cushion. The MCS-845HJ neck and shoulder massager comes with a two year warranty, making it a great choice for at home or on the go use.
The HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion (MCS-845HJ) is not as good as our other picks because it massages only the neck and back, doesn’t have an adjustable reclining feature, and must be strapped onto an existing chair to function. But if you want a massage chair that you can fold up and carry with you, it’s your best bet.
In addition to a multitude of massage styles and intensities, this model is designed to be easily packed away for travel or tucked out of sight. The heating feature on the MCS-845HJ emits consistent warmth that can actually be felt, and the chair is easy to set up and use. Sleek in appearance compared with other portable models, it is also comfortable and sturdy.
Pros
- Affordable
- Straps to most chairs
- Kneading and rolling massage options
Cons
- Very limited massage rangeView on Amzaon, Bed Bath & BeyondPrice at time of publication: $208
What to consider when buying the best massage chair?
Before you invest in a massage chair, it is crucial that you understand how they work and what to look for when making your purchase. With varying sizes, features, and prices, knowing what factors to consider before buying will help save both money and time.
Some cheap models only offer vibration and heat, whereas other more expensive ones have zero-gravity and full-body programs. To make sure the chair offers your desired type of massage, look at the specs. Other factors include how far back it reclines, what extra comfort features it has, and its settings/programs.
A good massage chair will have features that address the specific areas of tension relief that you need.
Most massage chairs come equipped with kneading rollers, but for people who are extra sensitive, these can be too rough. To offset this, see if your chair has different intensity levels that you can adjust to fit your body’s needs.
Aesthetics are important for a piece of furniture that will be in plain sight in your house. If you don’t want it to look out of place, choose something that will complement its surroundings rather than clash with them.
Here are the most important features to consider when shopping for a massage chair:
Variety of intensity levels
It’s recommendable to pick chairs with adjustable intensity levels. If you’re looking for a light touch to ease neck tension or a deep-tissue massage to work out knots in your back, having different pressure settings allows you to customize your session without extra discomfort. Also, it’s beneficial if you want to share your chair with others who may have different size and tolerance preferences.
Function and massage techniques
Depending on the model, massage chairs can offer basic functions like vibrations or full-body deep tissue massages. Many also come with a variety of programmed massage types that use different motions, such as kneading, tapping, or compression. These can imitate popular massages like Swedish, shiatsu, or deep tissue to focus on the areas of tension that are bothering you most.
Users can choose different massage types, zones, and intensity levels . They can also control other features like chair recline and heat functions.
Programs take the guesswork out of choosing each massage function and reduce repetitiveness so users can fully relax.
Shiatsu massage chairs have “fingers” that move in a circular motion to mimic human hands, while rolling massages use a rolling pin to travel up and down your body.
The type of massage you receive depends on the roller heads used, which include 2D, 3D, and 4D.
The massage chair should be easy to control with one-touch buttons, touch screens, remotes, and voice controls. This is important because users are there to relax.
Targeted Massage Areas
The main focus of smaller massage chairs that look like regular furniture is generally your lower back. These are the cheapest type of massage chairs, but the rollers and fingers may not reach your feet or neck/shoulders, depending on how tall you are and how you’re sitting in the chair.
Full-body massage chairs can work on every part of your body–from your head all the way down to your toes! They also have targeted settings for specific areas, like calves or shoulders.
When you have a massage chair with multiple points of contact, it can help address more areas at once. This can be helpful if you suffer from pain or tension in different parts of your body.
The massage functions are created by placing vibration pads, air bags, massage heads, and rollers throughout the chair. A higher-quality chair will have tracks that allow massaging nodes to travel along different areas of the body for a better massage. The type of track will give some idea of how much coverage the roller has (although other areas such as the back and legs can still be massaged using airbags or vibrating nodes). Common massage track types include S-track, L-track, and SL-track.
- S-track massage chairs fit the S-curve shape of the spine, from the neck to lower back.
- L-tracks massage chairs work similarly to S-track chairs but have an extended track covering the lower body parts
- J-tracks(SL-track) combines the best of L and S-Tracks with the track opening up some upon recline while allowing the mechanism to continue down to the gluteus region. The result is superior spinal decompression and full-length neck-to-glutes massage.
Size and assembly
Moving a bulky, heavy massage chair that weighs 300 pounds isn’t easy- whether it’s across a carpeted living room or down a flight of stairs. You’ll probably need a shoulder rub afterwards from all the strain!
Most large chairs come with small wheels on the back legs to help make them easier to tilt and push around. Even so, they can still be tricky to maneuver and you may need a second person to get everything into place. Before making your purchase, take measurements of your space and leave yourself some extra room for reclining.
Your massage chair will come to you in one or two shipping boxes. While it’s not complicated to put together, give yourself some free time on a weekend afternoon to do it. You can also opt for professional assembly at an additional cost if you want to save yourself some time and stress.
Reclining Angles, Zero-gravity option for massage chair
Many excellent chair massagers come with a reclining feature for additional comfort. The degree to which the chair reclines varies from 100 degrees to just past 180 degrees, providing support whether you want to relax or invert your spine slightly to stretch it. Some chairs can only be locked into specific angles, while others stop at any point along the range of motion.
Some massage chairs have a zero-gravity recline feature which supports the body in a neutral position. These chairs can recline and allow your legs to raise above your chest that creates an sensation of weightlessness and removes pressure from the spine for ultimate relaxation experience.
Additional Features
In addition to the standard features, some of the best massage chairs have innovative functions that set them apart from the rest. For example, heat therapy, stretching programs, 360-degree swivel capabilities, LCD touchscreens with customizable settings voice controls Bluetooth speakers built-in music systems USB charging ports light therapy air ionizers and smart connectivity are just a few examples of these additional features.
Warranty
Because a massage chair can be expensive, many retailers offer warranties in case the chair breaks soon after purchase. If you’re interested in purchasing a massage chair, confirm that there is some sort of warranty or customer service policy before completing the sale.
Final thoughts on the best massage chairs
Real relax full body massage chair with its user-friendly controls is fairly priced and a great value. If you’re looking for an even more affordable (and less bulky) option, consider the Best Choice Products massage chair. It still offers vibration and heat massages without costing as much.
