Massage Chair Buyer's Guide 2020

#1 - Massage Chairs and the Internet

Deciding on a massage chair model, solely based on internet research can be a disappointing experience, to say the least,

Every massage chair has its own feel to it.

For the best results from a massage chair, it needs to accommodate your size, shape, and sensitivity level, which is why you should try it before you buy it, or at the very least, talk to a qualified professional prior to purchase.

#2 - Where to buy

Most massage chair retailers match their competitors prices, so for the most part, you can get the same deal on a massage chair anywhere.

One thing that's often overlooked, is that a massage chair is a mechanical device, and at some point in time, it will need service.

When it comes to massage chair service, like anything other industry, service quality will vary from place to place.

A little research into a retailers service quality will be time well spent, especially after the warranty has expired on your massage chair.

#3 - Massage Chair Quality

You'll see huge price variations when shopping for a massage chair.

They all sound fantastic, and most look somewhat alike, but there's enormous differences in designs, the quality of the components used in the construction of a massage chair, and the quality of the massage itself..

The quality of the fabric, the padding, the back roller mechanism and the rollers, will affect the quality of the massage.

The quality of the motors, pistons, actuators, and electronics, will determine how long a massage chair will last.

Then there's the quality of the company, and how well they follow through with warranty issues.

Like anything else - you'll get what you pay for.

In my professional opinion, and based on 5 years of research and physically evaluating massage chairs, any new massage chair below the $2000- level is a risky proposition, if you're looking for a massage chair that's comfortable, that'll last, and provide you with a truly therapeutic massage.

The attached photos show the difference in the qualities of the back roller mechanisms - from a $700-, a $3500-, and an $8000- massage chair.

#4 - S -Track or an L-Track - Which is a better massage chair for you?

Theoretically speaking, the advantage of the S-Track design, is that the Stretch program can be more effective than an L-track.

The S-track's backrest is a separate component from the seat, giving the seat and the backrest a greater range of motion.

That being said, the massage chair with the better stretch, S-track or L-track, heavily depends on the specific models that you are comparing.

The advantage of an L-Track, is that the roller mechanism has a substantially longer reach, traveling under the seat and relaxing more of your muscles and connective tissues.
L-Tracks also have a Stretch program and they do accomplish the task, but depending on the model, the actual stretch may not extend as far as an S-track, because the backrest and seat are a single component.
This is another reason, why you should try it before you buy it.

#5 - 2D, 3D, or 4D

When we're talking about 2 and 3-D's, we're referring to the method used to adjust the back roller intensity.
2D - This model adjusts the roller intensity by utilizing gravity, your body weight, and by changing the position of the backrest. The further back the chair is reclined, the more intense the roller massage will be, because more of your body weight is over the rollers.
3D - A true 3D massage chair has the ability to adjust the rollers out and away from the roller track, providing adjustable roller intensity at the remote without changing the position of the backrest.

Some companies label 2D chairs as 3D, because of the intensity adjustments to the air massage, so buyer beware.
4D - There is no difference between a true 3D and a 4D massage chair.

Please note, that a button on a remote that's labelled strength or intensity, usually only controls the roller speeds.

#6 - Space Savers

An important thing to keep in mind when shopping for the right massage chair, is the amount of space that you have for its placement.
Some chairs require as much as 20+" of space behind it, to allow the chair to fully recline.
Space savers require much less, and can be placed as close as 2" to a wall, depending on the model.

#7 - Your Massage Chair Budget

If you're thinking about buying a massage chair, but feel that spending thousands of dollars for a quality massage chair is out of the question, factor in the total expenses and the time spent on your current therapy, and compare that with the expense and the convenience of doing your own in home massage therapy .

You may find that the purchase of a quality massage chair will pay for itself.

About us:
Massage Chair, Inc. is a multi-generation family owned business, and we pride ourselves on the quality of the products that we sell, and the quality of the services that we provide.
Because we're family owned and operated, our overall quality is held to the highest standards.

Call Nick at 732-201-7777 for more information. Thanks!