Best Massage Chair Consumer Reports

I bet you would agree:

After a long and hectic day on the job, when one comes home, the first wish that pops up is to sit in a soft and reclining massage chair and get rid of stress and fatigue.

However, this is exactly where things get interesting.

Not too long ago, there were only a few reputed brands, and they were selling high-quality the best massage chairs of that time – definitely for big bucks.

I know everyone can’t afford expensive massage chairs, and this ever-growing need for massage chairs is why you can find a lot of affordable massage chairs on Amazon.

This is where it gets tricky. Many of those so-called massage chairs are hardly average recliners with few massaging options.

I’m 100% sure that after reading our massage chair reviews & comparison guide, you can choose the right and affordable massage chair for you or your family.

Let us look at the factors and standards based on whom we picked the best massage chairs from Amazon and who form our review criteria.

Massage Chairs Comparison Chart

Best Massage Chair Consumer Reports

Kahuna SM7300 Massage Chair

There is something about Kahuna massage chairs that make them so special. There are many types of massage chairs from Kahuna. From an aesthetic point of view to quality to functions and durability, this one is also a good choice for those bent on massage chairs.

So, without further ado, let us go to the review and look at the pros and cons of this massage chair.

What we liked

• The lower back heating system is made especially for lumbar
• Neither 3 nor 6, but 9 auto massage programs
• Zero gravity massage chair lets you recline to a 360 degrees angle and enjoy better blood flow.
• A satisfactory combination of different massage types and techniques e.g. Shiatsu
• Provides perfect foot massage functions

What We didn’t like

• Very expensive as compared to other massage chairs
• Heat therapy online limited to the lumbar area

Kahuna LM6800 Massage Chair

So, If you’re disappointed by the cons of Esright’s massage functions, especially its incapacity to massage your feet and calves, here’s a much better massage chair.

It is much better because it does everything that the Esright massage chair could do, but it is a full-body massage chair, which means that from your arms to the spine to the legs and feet, it takes care of the entire body, and you enjoy a better level of satisfaction and calm.

Here are the pros and cons.

What we liked

• One of the few massage chairs that have a full-body massage system
• Lets you choose one of many auto programs and set the timer
• Zero gravity boosts blood flow … another special thing about it
• Foot Massage area … dual foot rollers and detachable and washable

What We didn’t like

• Thigh massage functions are not included
• Neck massage is not included

Esright Massage Recliner

A recliner is good. A massage chair is better. But do you know what is best to set your aching body at peace? It is a massage recliner.

So is the case with the Esright massage recliner chair. It is one of the best massage recliner chairs that you can find on Amazon.

What we liked

• Faux leather material that is soft, durable, and with enough padding to make you feel comfortable
• 1 cup holder on each armrest and 4 storage bags for magazines, tablet, cell phones, and anything like them
• One of the only 360 degrees swivel and 150 degrees recline massage chairs on Amazon – use it as a combo of office and massage chair
• Heat Therapy and vibration features

What We didn’t like

• Cannot lock in 100% reclined position
• Not really a bucket seat – less comfortable than those with bucket seats

HumanTouch Set Gravis ZG

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To beef up the competition, I bring another zero gravity massage chair that does not cover full-body but possesses its qualities.

This is undoubtedly one of the best massage chairs available today. This zero gravity massage chair has the sleekest and most stylish design with a faux leather exterior and comfortable footrest.

They claim that this zero gravity massage chair has the touch of a licensed massage therapist, and except for arms, it covers all body areas that a massage chair must address.

Let us have a look at its pros and cons.

What we liked

• Sleek & Stylish Furniture + Therapist’s Touch Massage Functions
• Zero Gravity Design Chair
• Padded Armrests
• 3 Physical Therapy Programs to Choose From

What We didn’t like

• Uncomfortable and anything but a bucket seat
• Lower Back Rest Massage Rollers are not compatible with the natural shape of vertebrae.

BestMassage Curved Shiatsu Chair

Well, This shiatsu massage chair is a sort of special edition. No, I do not mean that it is the best massage chair. Heck, this thing does not even cover foot massage.

However, What really makes it amazing is the different approach toward the whole massage thing. This is a shiatsu massage chair (you can find the definition of shiatsu above).

But what makes it one of its kind is its capacity to blend with your lifestyle and furniture at home or office.

I’m discussing a surround sound system, USB charging, and long rail roller massage.

Excited? Let’s have a look at the pros and cons.

What we liked

• Long Rail Shiatsu Massage Chair
• Bluetooth Surround Sound Speaker & USB Charger
• Convenient and comfortable sitting + cell phone slot in the armrest
• Combination of kneading, tapping massage

What We didn’t like

• Design Flaw – The turn-on switch pad located at the odd side of the chair
• No Heat Therapy – Lumbar ignored

 

Osaki OS 4000 Air Massage Chair

If you think like me and also want to save space at the office, you would look for one of those best massage chairs that may work as an executive chair.

If this is the case, the Osaki OS4000 Executive massage chair with a zero-gravity system is exactly what you’re looking for.

Why? It is because it positions itself right in the middle of the sweet spot of a recliner, massage chair, and executive office chair.

Interested? Let us check the pros and cons.

What we liked

• High-quality faux leather for maximum comfort and durability
• Easy to use LCD – control it with the remote control device
• 2 Stage Zero Gravity Inspired by NASA
• 5 levels of speed and massage intensity
• Provides Perfect Air Massage

What We didn’t like

• Foot rollers don’t work well
• The lower back roller is weak, and no heat therapy except for lumbar

 

Relaxzen Deluxe Leisure Massage Chair

Bad marketing.

This was the first phrase that came to my mind when I learned about this product. By the looks and name of it, it appears more of a luxury office recliner.

It is a massage chair. It is not zero gravity; it does not have massage rollers and rails for them, and the remote control device is not wireless but a big and wired one. Still, it has heat therapy and vibration; it has 8 massage motors and 9 pre-programmed massage modes with 5 intensity levels.

It has a beautiful executive-style footrest (ottoman) that massages your feet with vibration. Let’s recap all the important pros and cons as well.

What we liked

• 8 Vibration Massage Motors – upper back, mid-back, thighs, and calves
• 9 Pro-programmed Massage Modes with 5 Intensity Levels
• Heat Treatment for Lumbar
• Ottoman with Vibration Massage Included

What We didn’t like

• So Loud Because of the Vibrators
• Poor Padding & Cheat Quality Material

Relaxon Chair MK-II Plus Massage Chair

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How about FDA-registered massage chairs? Yes, that’s right. Now you might want to know why this chair is registered by FDA, which is only concerned with food and drugs (edibles).

Well, Since FDA is concerned with medical products and these guys presented their massage chairs as medical devices, they got it registered as medical devices.

This adds to the authenticity of this massage chair, and so do a lot of amazing features like zero gravity position, etc.

Let us cut it to the chase and have a look at the most important pros and cons of this product:

What we liked

• 7 Massage Programs
• 3 Levels of Airbag Intensity Control + 3 Massage Speed Control Levels
• 3 Stage Ultra Automatic Zero Gravity System
• Full-Body Massage with Special Attention to Details

What We didn’t like

• The remote control’s backlight is so dim
• Massage Rollers are not compatible with body

Ideal Shiatsu Massage Chair

It is the name of the company that makes and sells these massage chairs on Amazon, and, from the looks of quality, programs, and durability, this is an ideal massage chair – although not the only one.

The design, functions, programs, etc., are very similar to some A-class massage recliners on Amazon e.g. Kahuna or Best Massage.

One of the best things about this massage chair is that it is not a 15-minute massage chair; it lets you choose the time you want to allocate for massage – from head to toe.

Let us look at the specifications and the drawbacks of having a better, bigger, and clearer picture of this massage recliner.

What we liked

• You choose your Massage Time – 5 to 30 minutes
• 3-D Humanized Massage Chair
• 4 All-inclusive Auto Programs to Choose From
• Real Zero Gravity Position with Head Positioned Lower Than Body

What We didn’t like

• Rollers for the Neck are Positioned Poorly
• Airbags are likely to malfunction

 

Inada Sogno Massage Chair

There has been this whole different breed of massage recliners that look and feel like high-quality and high-priced executive chairs. Sort of massage chairs that we often notice in the room of a big company’s CEO or Director.

Well, I’m a fan of this type of massage chair because it adds a certain bourgeois touch to the whole massaging experience and secondly because it saves money and space to have one piece of furniture for two different tasks.

This massage chair comes forth as a massage chair that covers the maximum human body real estate coverage massage recliner. That is, this chair covers more areas of your body than any other massage chair would.

Let us have a look at the pros and cons of this product.

What we liked

• 1,200 Square Inches of Massage Coverage
• Undulating Human-Like Massage with 8 Motions
• Different Types of Body Stretching
• Youth Session – Specially Designed for Youth

What We didn’t like

• Back Massage Rollers Are Not Strong Enough
• Lousy Material

 

Things to Consider While Choosing a Good Massage Chair

How about I tell you what you’re thinking?

You think I’ve told you about 10 massage chairs, but I haven’t told you which one is the best, and you still do not know the telltale qualities of a massage chair.

So how to pick one out of the top 10 massage recliners on Amazon?

For your ease and satisfaction, here is a complete massage recliner buying guide. If you want to know what you should look for while buying massage recliners, just read these most important qualities and get one that best suits your pocket and your requirements.

Know Your Requirements

Alright, This is the most important aspect of buying a massage recliner. You should know your requirements and why you need a massage recliner.

• Bob is 45 – he needs a massage recliner because he has some problem with his spine, and his physicist asked him to get one.
• Lynda is 40 – she needs a massage recliner because she gets tired after a busy day, and she needs to relax, get her nerves rid of the stress, and reclaim her body.
• Josh is 18 – he loves Shiatsu chair massage after a few hectic hours of soccer and workout, so he needs a massage recliner, but he wants one that will go easy on him.

So, who are you? Perhaps you do not need a massage chair, and a shiatsu massage cushion with basic features would suffice.

You need to know your exact expectations from a massage recliner and then pick one that suits your needs.

Know Your Budget

Well, here comes the disappointment. We cannot simply buy anything that we want. This ain’t a candy shop, and we aren’t kids.

So, you may find a massage chair and fall in love at first sight, but when you look at that price tag, you learn that it is way beyond your budget.

We have all types of massage chairs in this review, and while some are less than $500, some cost more than $2,000.

So, you need to know that you can bring home one of the best massage chairs any day, but it will not be one you lose your heart to.

Most probably, it’ll be the one that you can afford. The good news? There are many that you can afford, and if you don’t even afford the cheapest one, there are always those shiatsu chair massage cushions you can use.

Follow the Brand

When a business starts selling well, it is called a successful business. When a business gets acknowledged only for its name or logo, it becomes a brand.

Follow the brand. You will find many businesses selling good-quality massage chairs, and you will find good reviews on their listing, but you are always reluctant to buy because you do not know them.

Why? Because, as much money as they have been making, they are not recognizable brands. And if they are not recognizable, it means that there is an amount of risk irrespective of a good review.

Follow the Reviews

The number is the key here. Let me tell you a secret about selling on websites like Amazon or eBay.

They are rife with Asian sellers and brands. I do not hold anything against them, but there is nothing that you can do if the product fails after the limited time protected by Amazon.

So, how to know that a product is legit? Follow these rules:

• Firstly, check the number of reviews the product has.
• Secondly, check how many of them are positive reviews.
• Lastly, check how many reviews were given with Asian names and how many were given with American/European names.

If a product has many reviews – it means it attracted a lot of customers, and it might be a good one. They might be a legit company with a marketing campaign that raked in many sales.

If a product’s reviews are 90% positive, the risk ratio is only 10%. However, this is conditioned by the third and last point.

If all those positive ratings are from Asian names, beware that those are highly likely to be fake reviews from that Asian Company’s Asian employees.

However, if most or all of the reviews are made with American/European names, then it means that the product is legit, and you may buy it.

Attention to Details

Whether these are the bullet points explaining the product’s qualities or customer reviews, always look for real, authentic, and verifiable statistics and facts.

Words like “best,” “awesome,” and similar words and expressions are no longer relevant. You will buy a product with a lot to do with technical details.

If your main problem area is your feet and a “very good” and “durable” massage chair does not offer full body massage, it is a waste of money to buy it.

So read the bullet points, product description, and reviews to find out material details about the product.

Research

I think you would agree:

We all know what we want from a massage machine but do not know how a massage recline chair can address those issues.

So, if you have a problem with your feet, shin, or calves and you end up buying a massage chair that is not a full-body massage chair, you will be disappointed.

Because most massage chairs ignore the feet area, do proper research about different equipment used in different massage chairs. For example, a metal rail is used to help rollers run from the top of the back to the end of it.

Rollers are plastic wheel-shaped things that go up and down in different movements and provide you with a back massage.

Likewise, air compression bags are used from top to bottom to give you much better blood flow. And for the same purpose, the heating pads are used in the back and feet areas.

Then comes vibration; this is mostly used in the seat to address problems with the pelvic area.

Warranty

These cunning manufacturers mention the warranty in very small letters, perhaps at some inconspicuous place. You need to fetter through the entire page to find out whether there is a warranty, and if there is a warranty, is it only for a year or more.

Where to Buy Massage Chairs?

This is one important reason I mentioned Amazon in this review for a price check and reference.

Amazon is the place where you should buy any massage chairs, or for that matter, anything apart from groceries.

Why? Well, there are many valid reasons for this; take a look:

• Firstly, you can find all massage chairs in one place, and you do not have to go to the website of every massage recliner that you consider.
• Secondly, at the same place, you can read the reviews of the people who have already tried the product and decide about buying it or passing it.
• Thirdly and most importantly, when you buy from Amazon, you are protected by whatever the company gives warranty and enjoy Amazon protection. If you find out a product is not what it looked like – send it back immediately.

Health Benefits of Massage Chairs

If you still wonder what physical benefits you may enjoy with massage chairs, here is a full breakdown.

Take a look at what a massage recliner can do for you. Shiatsu, full-body or zero gravity, etc., depends on your requirements and choices.

Fixes Sore Muscles and Pain Relief

The sore muscles and tissues are the biggest problem that takes us to a physicist or makes us seek a massage.

They give birth to pain and ache that won’t let you enjoy your day or perform your daily functions. These pains and aches are needed to be resolved.

Best massage chairs take good care of the pain, fatigue, and aches in your body part, especially when they arise from sore muscles and tissues. These are perfect examples of pain relief.

Exhaustive workout, difficult work routine, or a day carried away by moving furniture and stuff – anyone of these can be the reason, and a massage chair fixes this with moving rollers and airbag compression as well as heat.

Rids You of Stress & Fatigue

The result is always the same whether you are physically fatigued or mentally stressed. You end up with stressed nerves that must be taken care of.

Stress and fatigue may also result in bigger problems, and normally a 15-minute massage is enough to relieve stress and fatigue from your nerves and brain.

The air compression bags and rollers can help you a great deal while no one is around except your massage chair, and thus you feel relaxed and revived.

Improves the Blood Flow

If there is one thing that we cannot stress enough, upon is the importance of blood flow in our life.

From the brain to the heart to other vital organs to the genitals, the supply of healthy and clean blood is the secret to a healthy and functional life.

Lest we forget, all important nutrients for our vital body organs and bones are transported via blood; the last thing you want on your list is clogged arteries.

All functions of the massage chairs are mainly focused on ideal blood flow – heating pad, vibration, rollers, and air compression all help you get a better blood flow.

Better Sitting Posture

Most of the people who have to buy a massage chair are those who have a backbone problem. Since our sitting posture badly affects our hipster lifestyle, and few of us care to sit with a backbone straight like an arrow, we all need medical or similar help.

Massage chair rollers find the position of your spine, echo with that position, and work to improve it. As a result, with the punctual and long-term use of massage chairs, you get a straight sitting posture that protects you from backbone anomalies.

Let us look at the factors and standards based on whom we picked the best massage recliners from Amazon and who form our review criteria.

What Criteria Should be in our Mind While Buying A Good Massage Chair?

We all know that we need a massage chair to treat a problem in our spine or relieve stress and fatigue. However, We do not know what features to look for when buying massage chairs.

Here is a list and explanation of each factor in our review criteria. These factors make or break the quality of a massage chair.

Real Estate

This sounds funny, but in the case of a massage chair, the human body is real estate, and the right massage chair covers the biggest part of this real estate.

In simple words:

If your massage chair covers the spine but does not cover the neck, or if it covers both the neck and spine but not the legs, it is anywhere from good to ugly based on how much area it covers.

Air Massage, Quality & Number of Airbags

Ever heard of compression socks?

Airbags compress your feet and loosen the grip to let fresh blood come to the feet.

Bad blood circulation is a big reason for a lot of suffering, and with fresh blood coming to your feet (or other body parts), you feel much better and less tired.

This is exactly what airbags in those lush massage chairs do. Their compression quality and the number of them used in a chair decide how good is a massage chair.

Quality and Number of Rollers

Just like airbags, these rollers are also there for one purpose – better blood circulation. Also, they massage particular body areas where you feel pain, stress, or fatigue & hence giving you ultimate pain relief.

From kneading action to rolling vertically, they are used in various very diverse settings per a person’s bodily needs.

Their quality, the number of them used in a chair e.g. quad rollers for back or luxurious foot massage rollers, and their movement styles (which rely a lot on massage programs) make the difference and make a chair either good or plain ugly.

Massage Programs

Depending on the nature of your fatigue and how deep your pocket is, you may choose from various massage chairs with various massage programs.

These programs are focused on one or two body parts e.g. spine or legs, and thus you can customize which body part must be massaged at a certain time – also the intensity of that massage.

Back Heat

All of the massage chairs do not come with back heat therapy. We all know that heat is a very effective remedy in conditions such as injury and pain.

So, High quality and expensive massage chairs mostly have this back heat luxury, making them much better than those that don’t have it.

Seat Vibration

Another tool used for blood circulation. Vibration not only pulls you out of a state of dizziness but also boosts blood circulation, which is the most important reason why top-notch massage chairs and cushions have this functionality.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu is a special type of Japanese massage that is a kind of all-inclusive remedy for your body’s wrongs. The main point of this massage is applying equal pressure to certain points of your body that need a massage or any remedy.

Massage chair manufacturers have adapted this massage, and now some massage chair companies claim that their massage chair applies a shiatsu massage to your body.

Remote Control

Instead of controlling your lavish massage chair by tapping on the screen of its panel or pushing buttons on the same, I bet you would love a remote control and control the massage programs and movements just like you control your television or air conditioner from a distance.

So, this was our review and judgment criteria, and you will see a table at the end of this review that will show how every chair in this review performs in terms of these standards.

Now, before we jump to the chairs and see the best ones, let us first discover how a massage chair can help you with minor injuries, displacements, stress, fatigue, pain, etc.

What Do Massage Chairs Do?

I don’t think a shallow answer will work here because we all know what it does; it does exactly what a masseuse or massager will do to a human body.

Technically speaking

Massage chairs help a mother lode in relieving stress, anxiety, pain, and fatigue from your body. If you want to reduce your nerves’ tension level, you either need a manual massage or a massage chair.

Also, if your muscles are stressed due to physical labor, exhaustive workouts, or other similar reasons, you need to spend 15 minutes on a massage chair to feel that your muscles aren’t stressed as before.

Improved blood flow

I can’t stress more how important it is to have good blood flow. You need good blood flow from the heart to the brain to the feet.

A massage chair, from compression airbags to heat massage, ensures good blood flow for a long day. Alleviation of pain and spine fatigue is also a very big plus point of massage chairs.

A good massage chair will relax your spine and decrease pain from minor displacements or problems.

Last but not least, we all end up having a bad sitting posture which eventually affects our spine – a perfect massage chair can help you regain a good spine posture.

How does Massage Chairs work?

A massage chair is just like any random recliner, except some airbags, rollers, and heat massage systems are installed in it, and there is an electric circuit to keep these things moving and working.

For your buttocks, it uses vibration; for legs, there are compression bags; and for your back, it has rollers that massage vertically and horizontally – and yes, there is a back heat function to improve blood flow decrease pain and fatigue.

Massage chairs use different tools and techniques to fix stress, pain, or displacement problems. For example, a heating massage calms the aching body part and boosts blood flow.

The air compression bags are also used to restore blood flow. They press the body and release it with increased blood flow. Vibration also works to improve sensory skills and blood flow. However, rollers are not for blood flow.

The main job of massage chairs is to press the tissues and muscles along the spine to disperse pain and give you long-lasting relief. The roller does not only roll, but they also knead as well. Kneading replaces the human action of rubbing. It has been explained above.

Comparison Chart

Let us get to know where each of these massage chairs stands. We defined ranking criteria; here’s a table based on those criteria, and you can see the benefits of every chair to find out which is the best.

• Best 1 – Kahuna SM-7300
• Best 2 – Kahuna LM-6800
• Best 3 – Inada Sogno