Credit:
Osaki
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Credit:
Osaki
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Choose between receiving a deep tissue massage, gentle relaxing massage, or one that targets specific sore muscles and knots. Read More
This L-track massager offers extensive airbag support and adjustable shoulders, with heated lumbar pad and plenty of useful massage programs. Read More
This excellent SL-track massager offers just about every feature you could want, though finicky programming and tricky instructions may put some off. Read More
This massage chair offers a “BodyMap PRO” system that lets you target your problem areas by touching buttons on a map of a human back on the remote. Read More
If you’re dealing with consistent neck pain, leg pain, back pain, or general discomfort, or you simply want to relax your muscles after a long day or workout, a massage chair can help. Do note that they’re big, expensive, and not a replacement for the health benefits of a professional massage or physical therapist, if that’s what you need. However, you can get a great massage experience by enjoying the right chair daily.
Buying a massage chair is a big investment, but we’ve dug into hundreds of massage chair reviews from users and massage therapists to uncover the most reliable chairs from the best brands. These offer a variety of massage techniques, provide heat, and recline so you can hit those hard-to-reach spots with minimal issues. Though we haven’t had the chance to try all of them ourselves, these are the best massage chairs we’ve found in our research.
A few things to note about shopping for a massage chair: They’re big and heavy, which means they’re typically shipped by freight (which may take a few weeks), and you’ll need some help getting them into place. Most come fully assembled, but reviewers often cite poor instructions and iffy customer service.
Here are our top picks for massage chairs right now.
Full-body SL-track massage
Heated back rollers
Fully assembled
Poor instructions
Finicky programming
Massive and heavy
Targets specific muscles
May improve blood flow
Provides a strong massage
May have some longevity issues
Because a massage chair is such a significant investment, it’s essential to be sure you’re making a decision that suits your needs. If you want a good cushion, a chair this pricey might not be worth your while. Here are some things to consider.
The more feature-rich a massage chair is, the more space it may take up. Massage chairs can be massive and heavy. Make sure you've got enough space cleared out in your home before you invest.
You may hear about an S-track, L-track, or SL-track massage chair. These different tracks refer to the path that the massaging rollers travel as they give you a relaxing massage.
Different chairs offer different types of massage. Most have rollers in the back of the chair that work your neck, shoulders, arms, and back. But you may also see full-body massage chairs that include rollers for your legs and feet.
There are also “3D” and “4D massages” that add an element of depth. These massage chairs can apply more pressure to different parts of your body by pushing harder. You can even find people claiming to make a shiatsu massage chair, if you want to try acupressure from home.
Find something that suits your needs. Don’t shell out for a full-body shiatsu massage chair if you want to release some of the tension in your back. Likewise, if you’re just after a massage for your calves and feet, you can get a device for that without having to pick up a whole chair.
You can find all kinds of features in the world of massage chairs. Some of these are common sense and provide basic benefits, as you’d expect, but you may find one chair that is much more expensive than another, and the only difference is a few extra conveniences.
Consider whether you care about having a separate remote control, whether you need your chair to fully recline, and whether you care about a heat therapy option. Look at how many massage programs the chair offers, and whether those are comfortable to you.
Some features, such as extravagant bells and whistles, may be fun to have, but they might not justify the cost of this massage chair. If you already have Bluetooth speakers in your living room, you likely don’t need a massage chair with built-in speakers.
Some chairs will even save personalized massage programs for members of your household, but that may not be necessary if your family remembers their preferred settings.
The massage chairs in this guide offer a mix of the best recline capabilities, compression, and comfort. Our product experts conduct extensive product research, examining user reviews, product specifications, price points, and other factors to make the best recommendations.
TJ is the former Director of Content Development at Reviewed. He is a Massachusetts native and has covered electronics, cameras, TVs, smartphones, parenting, and more for Reviewed. He is from the self-styled "Cranberry Capitol of the World," which is, in fact, a real thing.
Michael Garrett Steele has been writing and editing professionally since 2013, and has been a part of Reviewed since 2020. An MFA in music composition, Garrett has lent audio expertise to everyone from Independence Community College to Bethesda Softworks, informing reviews of audio equipment and services. Garrett also covers tech, drawing on experience working everywhere from IT helpdesks to enterprise architecture sales. Steele has also become a go-to reviewer for minor plumbing fixtures since covering bidets for Reviewed in early 2020.
Lily Hartman
Staff Writer, Search
Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.
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