If you know the benefits of a good massage you probably also know how expensive and time-consuming they can be. You’d probably like to get a full body massage right on your home.
While most electrical massagers can’t offer that, massage chairs certainly can. They incorporate almost every type of massager you can think of into one comfortable package that you can use in your home, every day. Take a look at some of the best massage chairs with me and allow me to help you choose the right one for you.
Massage Chairs – A Quick Introduction 
Buying a Massage Chair Near You 
How the Best Massage Chairs in 2021 Compare to Each Other 
Top 10 Massage Chairs Available in 2020
The Many Benefits of Massage Chairs 
Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Massage Chair 
Cleaning a Massage Chair – A Chore Made Easy 
Massage Chair FAQ
Massage Chairs – A Quick Introduction
Imagine all the different types of massagers – back massagers, foot massagers, neck massagers, arm massagers, leg massagers – all rolled into one amazing package. That’s what a massage chair is. It might seem like I’m overselling them a bit, but that’s what it comes down to. Not all massage chairs incorporate all these types of massagers, of course, but most are at least able to massage your back and neck while you’re sitting comfortably.
And boy are they ever comfy!
Most massage chairs are large, heavily padded and feel like you’re sinking into a cloud. Even if you’re not using them to massage yourself, you’ll probably still want to sit and rest in them since they’re so comfortable.
They look good to boot, and most are covered in vinyl or leather on the outside, giving them a luxurious look, so they won’t look amiss in any room. Underneath that good-looking exterior, you’ll find some serious horsepower though. Most of these chairs have a bunch of small motors and massage nodes underneath the surface and possibly many other things – including heaters, sound systems and more.
They usually have a controller attached to them which allows you to the type of massage that you’re getting, the intensity of it and more. In some cases, this will be a remote, rather than a wired control pad.
Most massage chairs work on electricity and need to be plugged into an outlet in order to function. There are some massage chairs which use a rechargeable battery for power, but they’re relatively rare, and most of them are corded. The first massage chair was invented before World War II, in Japan, and they have since spread all over the world, though Japan remains the biggest massage chair, consumer.
Massage chairs are still rather expensive, but there are some cheaper models available in the wild, and they offer a lot of different benefits, which is why they’re worth so much. That’s what I’ll be talking about next.
Buying a Massage Chair Near You
Where do I buy a massage chair? That’s probably one of the questions on your mind right now.
These days you can easily search up something like ‘where to buy a massage chair near me’ , ‘buy massage chair near me’ or ‘massage chair shops near me’ and get an answer instead of asking around in the neighborhood.
However, you don’t even have to do that – I’ve inserted a map here that will show you exactly where you can buy a massage chair close to you. Take a look at it.
You are now just a few clicks away from finding the right shop, checking their work hours and prices and buying a massage chair. If you’re quick, you could have it in your home by the end of the day.
How the Best Massage Chairs in 2021 Compare to Each Other
Here is a quick comparison chart of all the products I reviewed – hopefully it will help those of you that don’t have the time to read my reviews down below. For those of you that do, head on down to see the details about the best massage chairs out right now.
Top 10 Massage Chairs Available in 2021
BestMassage Full Body Zero Gravity Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner w/Heat A Massage Experience Tailor-made for You
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This is a satisfying full-body massage chair that that can deliver a great shiatsu massage while not costing a fortune. Despite the relatively low price, the chair is obviously well-made, and it’s incredibly comfortable.
Unlike a lot of full body chairs, this one offers a foot massage as well, and a great one at that. It’s quite intense, but it’s just what you need for painful soles.
Another one of the standout features of this chair is its ability to detect your shoulder level and adjust the massage according to that, meaning that you don’t have to make any manual adjustments for people of differing heights.
No matter how tall you are though, the massage on your neck is a bit underwhelming compared to the rest, though that’s just one part of it. When it comes to parts though, make sure you don’t lose any when you get the chair since you will have to assemble it yourself – and the instructions are quite poor.
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Pros
- Has a sensor device that detects your shoulders and suits the massage to your height
- Can deliver a deep rolling foot massage
- The price is good for what you get
- It’s comfortable and well-made
Cons
- Difficult to assemble and the instructions aren’t terribly helpful
- The neck massage it delivers is a bit weaker than the rest
Assembling massage chairs can be a tricky process so sometimes it can be worth it to pay for a white glove service.
ideal massage Full Featured Shiatsu Chair Get Exactly the Massage You Want
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This full body massage chair is advertised as a shiatsu massager, but it can also offer other types of massages, including a kneading massage, a rolling massage, and a vibrating massage. You can choose exactly the type of massage you get and where you get it with the manual mode that’s included.
It also has a heater in the backrest which can improve the feeling of massage even more. A foot massager with 6 rollers is included as well, and it can be intense.
The chair swivels and has a zero-gravity feature that can help you feel even more comfortable and assist in providing relief for your painful back and spine. However, there are also some problems with it, the most prominent being the lack of neck support – I suggest you use a cushion to help you out.
The arm and shoulder massagers can only be useful for average-sized people – anyone slightly taller or shorter won’t get a lot out of them.
Finally, make sure you’re okay with the terms of delivery since the company has poor customer service. They don’t offer any sort of white glove service, and they won’t even help lug it up the stairs or through your front door – you have to do that yourself.
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Pros
- Has a heater in the backrest
- Offers four different types of massage
- It can give you an intense foot massage as well
- Offers three different zero-gravity positions to choose from
- There’s a manual mode which allows you to fully control the massage you get
Cons
- There’s a distinct lack of neck support in the headrest
- The arm and shoulder massage is misaligned for people not of average height
- It’s incredibly bulky, and the delivery service from the company is poor
There’s no one size that fits everyone, which is why you should carefully inspect the dimensions of a massage chair and your own body before you commit to buying it.
Kahuna Superior Massage Chair with SL-Track 6 Rollers – SM-7300The Ideal Massage Chair for Larger People
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This is a fully-featured massage chair that offers a lot of great features that might be worth the high price of admission if you value them enough.
It comes with a remote controller that you can use to switch between 5 intensity levels and 9 unique massage programs that are suited for certain types of people. For example, there’s an office person program available. Some programs also offer additional functions when you use the zero gravity feature of the chair.
You can choose between shiatsu, tapping, rolling or kneading massages or even combine some of them.
The chair is also made to easily fit people that are over 6 feet, and they can sit comfortably in it. However, slender people won’t quite feel some of the massage airbags since it is made to accommodate thicker people as well.
Overall, it is a well-built, sturdy chair with a ton of useful features, but it does cost a lot. You need to make sure it’s what you need, but it might just be worth it.
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Pros
- Has a remote control and a lot of different programs and settings
- Offers a lot of different massage types
- Made to easily accommodate larger people up to 6’5’’
- It offers a zero-gravity feature
- Well-built and incredibly comfortable even when you’re not massaging
Cons
- It is more expensive than most other massage chairs
- Not well-suited for slender people who will barely feel the hip and lower-back massage
Even if a chair is made to fit tall people, for example, that doesn’t mean it will fit you, even if you’re tall. Make sure the chair fits your body shape, not just your height.
Zero Gravity Full-Body Kahuna Massage Chair Recliner LM6800 Chock Full of Great Features
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This a great zero gravity massage chair that offers a lot of different options and massages your entire body from top to bottom – even your feet. Granted, the foot massage can be a bit too intense, but this chair, in general, is quite intense, which is good since massage chairs have a stigma of being weak.
You do need to struggle a bit with the controller to adjust things – the cord that connects it to the chair is poorly placed and constantly gets caught on the side.
You can choose from 6 different programs with this chair, and it gives you the option of choosing from many different types of massages including shiatsu, kneading, tapping, rolling and more.
However, you can’t ever get a massage that lasts more than 15 minutes at a time. It’s a safety feature and can’t be overridden. Overall, it’s a good chair for the price, and it delivers on multiple fronts.
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Pros
- Has a lot of great adjustments including 6 different programs
- Offers a heat function for your back
- Scans your shoulders and fits the massage to your height
- The massage is strong on all parts of the body
- You can choose from many different types of massage
Cons
- The foot massage it offers is a bit too intensive for most people
- The controller cord is poorly placed and constantly gets caught on the side
- No massage program can last longer than 15 minutes
If a chair has annoying safety features, don’t try to override them – they’re probably there for a good reason, and you might break something.
BestMassage Zero Gravity Shiatsu Massage ChairListen to Music While Relaxing
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If you’re looking for an affordable massage chair filled with great features, this is probably the one you want to get.
You can get a lot of different massage styles from it, including not only shiatsu but also kneading, tapping, knocking and more. There’s a heating function as well if you want to use it.
One of the more unique functions it has is a pair of in-built Bluetooth speakers which can connect to your phone. They’re the perfect thing to use when you want to relax with your favorite songs while getting a massage.
However, even though it’s advertised as a zero gravity massage chair, that feature is a bit lacking. It doesn’t feel as good as true zero gravity chairs do and you might feel a little bit underwhelmed.
It’s also not as comfy as other massage chairs are – you can feel the rollers and nodes when you sit in it. Use it for massaging only.
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Pros
- Compact size and a great inconspicuous look
- The price is incredible for the quality you get
- There are a lot of different styles of massage available
- Has a heating function available
- Built-in speakers with Bluetooth connectivity that work great
Cons
- The zero gravity feature is not that great
- Not that comfortable to sit in when it’s not running
Zero gravity is a popular feature which leads to a lot of chairs being advertised as such, even though they’re not. Buyer beware!
BestMassage Full Body Electric Shiatsu Massage ChairThe Best Budget Massage Chair
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For a budget massage chair, this is a decent option, even though it only massages your butt, back, and neck. When you get it, it’s fully assembled and fully operational so you can use it straight away. It won’t crowd your living room, and it’s on wheels, so it’s relatively easy to move it elsewhere when guests arrive.
You can listen to music while you’re getting a massage in it since it has in-built Bluetooth speakers. You can also choose from five different types of massage, including shiatsu, kneading, tapping and more.
However, it might be a bit difficult to set it since the controls are placed on the armrest. If you’re larger and fit snugly into this chair – which is rather small, to be honest – they will be difficult to see, let alone press.
The massage is also a bit weaker compared to other chairs, which is to be expected for the price, but it’s still a bit disappointing.
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Pros
- Has a set of built-in Bluetooth speakers available
- Comes fully assembled and usable straight away
- Takes up little space and has wheels, so it’s easy to move
- Fairly comfortable even when not working
- It offers five different types of massage
Cons
- The massage is relatively weak compared to other massage chairs
- It’s small and won’t work for people over 6 feet
- The controls are a bit awkwardly placed
If you buy a chair that’s too small for you, it’s better to replace it than try to use it anyway. You’ll just hurt yourself that way and ruin the chair at the same time.
BestMassage Full Body Zero Gravity Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner w/Heat and Long Rail Not a Looker but a Doer
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This chair might be a bit ugly-looking, but looks aren’t everything! It’s filled with a lot of useful features, and it comes at a price that is more than affordable.
You get a lot of different massage modes included, and they combine multiple massage techniques, including kneading, rolling, tapping and more.
You have a manual mode available that allows you to choose exactly the type of massage you want. It also has a sensor that it uses to detect the level of your shoulders and thus your height, to give you the perfect massage.
It also has a full zero gravity function – not just an imitation like a lot of chairs do.
However, it’s not the greatest in some regards. The massage borders on being too intense and it will definitely hurt some people, even on the lowest setting.
The headrest also leaves something to be desired, and you’ll probably need to use a cushion for your neck.
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Pros
- Highly durable construction
- Comes with a fully-featured zero gravity option
- There are tons of different massage modes that you can choose from, combining many different techniques
- Has a sensor which can detect your shoulders and height
- The price is great for what you get
Cons
- The massage it delivers can be incredibly intense
- The user manual is useless and written in broken English
- Doesn’t offer enough support for your neck
Sadly, lots of user manuals for Asian products tend to be written in extremely poor English. Try finding a version of the manual online in that case – sometimes they’re a bit better.
Best Choice Products Faux Leather Electric Massage Recliner Couch ChairA Secret Massage Chair
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If you’re looking for an affordable massage chair that doesn’t even look like one, this is a good choice for your living room. It comes with an ottoman, and it’s completely inconspicuous.
It’s highly adjustable, and it has a heating option along with 9 levels of intensity for the massage it offers and 5 different modes of operation. Sadly, it only offers a vibration massage, not a true kneading or shiatsu massage.
You can easily control it with the wireless remote which comes with it, and it can be safely stored away into the pocket on the side of it.
The cord is relatively short though, and you might need to keep it close to a power outlet in order to use it regularly. Still, it’s a good option if you want a massage chair that doesn’t cost too much and fits well with the décor.
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Pros
- Highly adjustable with 9 intensity levels and 5 different massage modes
- Comfortable even when it’s not used for a massage
- Comes with a wireless controller
- The price is absolutely great for what you get
- Has a heating function
Cons
- It only offers a vibrating massage
- The cord is relatively short
While vibrating massage is looked down upon, it’s still quite useful, and it’s definitely better than nothing.
Best Choice Products Executive Faux Leather Swivel Electric Massage Recliner Chair Classic Recliner and Massage Chair
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This is a classic-looking recliner that hides a massage chair inside it, and you wouldn’t even be able to guess at first glance.
The massage it offers is only a vibrating massage, but it’s quite strong despite what you may think. It’s also quite adjustable with 5 different modes of operation, and the intensity is adjustable. It’s got a heating function as well, but it doesn’t work reliably.
It’s a chair made for comfort when not used for massage as well. It’s got 2 cup holders in the armrests, 4 pockets for storing your stuff and a leg rest that unfolds. It’s difficult to fold it back down, but it’s comfortable while it’s up.
Sadly, this chair will probably start to fall apart after a few months or half a year. It’s poorly made, which is why it’s so affordable in the first place, I guess. Still, it’s good while it lasts and might last longer if you don’t intend to use it often.
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Pros
- It’s quite comfortable when not in use
- You can get it for a fairly low price
- Has a great footrest that’s extremely comfortable
- There’s a cup holder on each armrest and four built-in pockets
Cons
- The heat is not consistent and doesn’t work well
- It’s definitely not made to be durable
- Getting the footrest to fold back is difficult to do
Sometimes it’s okay to buy products you know won’t last for a long while if you know you won’t use them often and it might even be a good idea, as long as they work well while they last.
Esright Massage Recliner Chair Fully Swiveling Massage Chair
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This is another affordable recliner-style chair while also offers a vibration massage while not even looking like a massage chair on the surface.
It is definitely made to be a recliner first, with a leg rest, cup holders, pockets, the ability to swivels completely and recline for up to 150 degrees. It can be quite comfortable at first.
However, after a while, the poor materials will start to break down, and you might find it a bit less comfortable after that happens.
It’s a massage chair too tough, but it only vibrates. There are 5 different modes to choose from and 2 intensity levels. It has a heat option too – however you can’t use it separately from the massager, which is a bit of an oversight. At least it’s reliable and works all of the time.
Overall, it’s a decent get for the price but be aware that it’s not durable at all.
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Pros
- Has 5 different massage modes and you can choose from 2 intensity levels
- Can swivel a full 360 degrees and recline up to 150 degrees
- It comes at an affordable price
- Has a reliable heating function
- There’s a leg rest along with two cup holders and four pockets on the chair
Cons
- Made out of poor, flimsy materials that fall apart quickly
- You can’t use the heating function without the massage
- Starts to become uncomfortable after some use
If metal parts of your massage chair start to poke through it, you should stop using it no matter how much you paid for it.
The Many Benefits of Massage Chairs
What are the benefits of chair massage? Well, there are plenty of them, too many to list succinctly, but I’ll try my best to run down some of the major ones for you.
1Pain Relief
You probably already know that a massage can help reduce the pain you’re feeling, and even small handheld massagers can have a huge influence. Now imagine what a massage chair can do for your aching body.
Do massage chairs help with back pain? Do you even need to ask? They can help with everything from lower back pain to menstrual cramps and cancer-related pain. They offer an incredibly comprehensive massage that will penetrate much deeper than most other massagers can and make your whole body feel good at once.
There are a few different things that massage chairs do which help reduce the pain you’re feeling. Firstly, they improve your blood flow, allowing the blood to drain from swelling and infected areas. Secondly, they relieve the tension in your muscles, relaxing them and making them feel less strained.
There’s also the fact that massaging promotes the release of analgesic chemicals in our body like serotonin and so much more. The relaxation of your muscles can help with things like muscle cramps and restless leg syndrome, or even help release pinched nerves.
Certain massage programs can help with almost any type of pain you can imagine – yes, even things you might think are unrelated, like headaches or stomachaches. If you suffer from chronic pain in your back or your joints or are stuck in an office chair for long periods of time, you owe it to yourself to get one of these chairs.
2Relaxation
Massages help relax you by promoting the release of chemicals that make you feel good – primarily serotonin and endorphin, while also reducing the levels of cortisone, the stress hormone.
Through this, massaging can help lift your mood and make you feel better and more relaxed. Moreover, it can help with conditions like depression or anxiety disorders. By relaxing you, massage chairs can also help with your insomnia and make you sleep better and even snore less during sleep.
Spending time in a massage chair can help increase the amount of delta waves in your brain and reduce the amount of beta waves. The former are brain waves associated with sleep and sleepiness while the latter are associated with alertness.
In fact, a massage can be even more helpful in improving your sleep quality than changing your sleeping position or getting a new mattress. If you want to improve your overall mood, getting a massage chair is a good idea.
3Helps Improve Your Blood Flow
One of the well-known benefits of massages is that they help loosen your muscle tissue and improve your blood flow. Improved blood flow also leads to lower blood pressure, helping relieve the symptoms of hypertension – and the effects are not just short-term, but also long-term.
Improved blood flow also leads to shorter recovery times from injury, since your muscles are getting more nutrients and oxygen from your blood.
It also leads to the faster elimination of toxins from your body as well an increased metabolic rate and a higher number of lymphocytes in your blood, boosting your immune system. This can also help reduce the risk of injury since your muscles will feel more vitalized.
Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Massage Chair
Massage chair prices can be quite high, so it’s important that you’re completely prepared before you buy one – otherwise, you might suffer quite a bad case of buyer’s remorse. If my massage chair reviews were not enough, I’ll give you a few more tips about them here.
1The Right Type for You
While most massage chairs can look quite similar at first glance, there are more than a few distinct types and subtypes that determine how they perform under the hood.
You need to look beyond the surface level and consider what makes the massage chair tick. Take a look at the pros and cons of the various types and try to figure out which one is right for you before you go shopping.
Therapeutic Massage Chairs
These are massage chairs designed for therapeutic use, and they can be found in hospitals or medical institutions. If you need a massage chair for help with a specific condition, these massage chairs are most likely to include the features you need. However, if you just want a massage chair for relaxation, they’re not likely to contain some of the ‘leisure’ features you might find in other products.
Consumer-grade Massage Chairs
These massage chairs are made for more casual users and tend to include a lot of flashy, leisure features that therapeutic models don’t. They’re also incredibly large and made to look better and be exceedingly comfortable. If you’ve ever used a massage chair in a mall, this was probably it – a large, bulky leather thing that can massage your whole body at once.
Ottoman Massage Chairs
What you get here are two pieces. One is a massage chair that’s quite a bit smaller and lighter than most massage chairs and a massaging ottoman that functions as a leg rest. You can use them together or separately. These massage chairs are usually less powerful than most, but they’re still able to massage your back and neck effectively while being more convenient.
Portable Massage Chairs
While they are not common, there are some available out there. Still, these are not things you can carry in your bag, and ‘portable’ is a more relative term when applied to massage chairs. They do take up less space, are easier to disassemble but have less power and advanced features.
They’re probably the smallest massage chairs available, and they’re good for people who don’t have a lot of space or have a need to move their massage chairs often.
Chair Massage Inserts
These are essentially massage pads that are made to conform to most chairs. While they aren’t exactly massage chairs, they can turn regular chairs into massage chairs and are quite portable. They’re a far cry from real massage chairs though, and they don’t offer a lot of power or features, but they are much more affordable.
2Which Body Parts Does it Massage?
Massage chairs are touted as the most complete home massage experience that you can have, and that’s mostly true. However, not all massage chairs massage the same body parts. Some only massage a few while others can massage your entire body.
There are some benefits and downsides to chairs that do massage you head to toe as well as those that don’t – take a look at what they are and weight your options.
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Upper-body massage chairs
These are the most basic massage chairs you can get, and they include massagers only in the head and back rest. Some of them go a bit further and include massagers for the back of your head as well.
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Hip massaging chairs
Along with the basic massage for your back and neck, these chairs include massagers in the seat as well, massaging your buttocks, hips and upper thighs.
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Arm massaging chairs
These chairs include massagers in the armrests too and they’re usually compression based, using airbags to massage your arms.
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Full body massage chair
These massage chairs are the ‘full package’ so to speak. They include massagers for every part of your body, except maybe your feet, but some include even that.
3Choose Your Favorite Massage Type
Like other massagers, massage chairs can also employ many different massage styles that have different benefits and downsides. Not every type of massage is well-suited for everyone, and some might even hurt people with certain conditions. That’s why you need to pay attention to this when buying your massage chair.
Shiatsu
This is a traditional type of Japanese massage, usually delivered with massage nodes and combined with heat, it simulates the thumb pressure used by a masseuse. It’s great for targeting trigger points.
Compression
Most chairs deliver this type of massage by using air bags that they inflate and deflate. It involves placing heavy pressure on large areas of your body, thus reaching your deeper tissues and relaxing them. It’s one of the best massages if you feel a lot of tension.
Deep tissue massage
This type of massage is specifically designed to reach your deep tissues and relax them. It can feel a bit painful, but it is able to relax your more thoroughly than other types of massage, but shouldn’t’ be used if you’re sensitive.
Kneading
This involves pressing tissues against each other and against the bones under them. It can be extremely useful for increasing the flexibility of your muscles.
Rolling
Lifting and rolling a patch of skin and muscle between two fingers or rollers in the case of massage chairs. It’s useful for relaxing tension and loosening the skin.
Tapping
If you’ve ever been massaged with a lot of small repeated ‘punches,’ this is the type of massage you got. It is great for improving blood circulation and dilating your blood vessels.
4Adjustability is King
Massage chairs are the embodiment of luxury, and since you’re paying such a steep price, you should want your massage chair to have everything you need. That includes even some that might seem a bit excessive, but you can’t even imagine all that’s available to you.
Here are just some of the common – and a few uncommon – features that massage chairs can have. Familiarize yourself with them and find a chair that has all the features you want and need.
- Heating – This is one of the most common additional features that a massage chair can have. It enhances the feel of the massage and provides you with additional benefits of heat therapy along with the massage.
- Zero Gravity – This is a feature that’s popular in recent times and allows the chair to move and pivot in such a way that it makes you feel like you’re in zero gravity, hence the name. This can be useful for inversion therapy, and it can help improve your posture.
- Stealth Features – This is ideal for people who care a lot about aesthetics and don’t want to have an obvious massage chair in their living room when guests come around. These massage chairs can, thus, be disguised as ottomans or regular chairs when the need arises.
- Audio Systems – Chairs that include speakers and the ability to save and play music are nothing new, but some of the newest varieties can include incredibly powerful, high-definition sound systems of their own instead of just regular speakers or headphones.
- Electrical Stimulation – Some massage chairs can also provide you with therapy akin to EMS or TENS machines by lightly shocking your muscles, which can also help with pain relief.
- LED Lights – These lights can be used to set the mood, or they can be used for chromotherapy.
- Body Stretch – Some therapeutic chairs offer this feature, which makes them move in such a way to stretch certain parts of your body and provide instant pain relief.
- Cooling – There are chairs which can blow air onto your body, cooling you. Some will even ionize this air effectively acting as an air freshener and making you feel like you’re outside after the rain.
5The Size and Weight
You’re probably aware of how huge massage chairs can be, and that can become a serious problem when you’re trying to fit them into your home. It’s easy to get overly excited while shopping and get a massage chair full of amazing features you like, only to later figure out that you have nowhere to put it.
Before you even set out to buy a massage chair, consider some of the common sizes for massage chairs and pick one that’s in the size range which fits you.
The smallest massage chairs are portable varieties and those that include an ottoman. They don’t’ take up much more space than a regular lounge chair might and are only slightly heavier.
More medium-sized massage chairs exist and they’re somewhere between the extremely small types and offer some of the features of larger massage chairs while still taking up relatively little space.
Larger massage chairs offer more features, but they’re large and bulky and require a lot of room. They will usually need to be carried into your home in parts and assembled there due to their size.
Cleaning a Massage Chair – A Chore Made Easy
Taking care of your massage chair regularly is a necessity, and it can seem a bit difficult to do at times – you don’t want to ruin your expensive piece of equipment after all. However, it’s easier than it might seem at first and you just need to follow a few simple guidelines to do it properly.
Since the outside of most massage chairs is covered in leather or a roughly equivalent material like vinyl, they can be quite sensitive to chemical cleaning agents. For regular cleaning, you can use a damp and clean cloth to gently wipe the exposed areas of the chair, preferably after every use, or at least once per day.
Some parts of massage chairs, however, can and should be cleaned with cleaning agents. Otherwise, they can easily become a hotbed for bacteria. Often, massage chairs will have removable upholstery that you can clean separately. If you can, try to avoid cleaning the chair directly, since that can lead to water getting into the mechanism.
However, you still should avoid using acidic cleaning agents. Instead, you can dilute a bit of mild dishwasher in a bucket of water, soak a clean cloth in it and use it to wipe down the chair or upholstery. If you’re afraid that even that might damage the chair, you can use some antibacterial soap or hand-washing solution to wipe it down.
Alternatively, you can use a spray bottle to spray the solution on the chair, and then wipe it down with a dry cloth. It can be quicker and more efficient. Leave the upholstery to dry completely after cleaning it, before returning it to the chair.
Now, you don’t have to be extremely through every time you clean your massage chair – the most important parts for cleaning are those that come in contact with your clothes, hair or exposed skin. That last one is the most important. Those are the areas you need to clean at least once per week or even more often.
You should also gently vacuum your chair at least once per week to get the built-up dust out of the creases that you can’t wipe down that easily.
When it comes to spills and stains, you can also remove them with the same type of dishwasher solution; you just might need to wipe a bit harder. If you clean up spills as soon as they happen, they shouldn’t leave any stains.
If your chair is made out of leather and you spill something on it, take care of the spill using the blotting technique – don’t wipe, that will just make it worse. You also shouldn’t leave them to air dry when you clean them – you should always dry them by blotting them with a dry, clean cloth.
Leather chairs might also need some oiling from time to time – you can buy leather oils online. You always need to clean out the surface of your chair as I described above before applying any oil. Apply the oil over the entire surface and leave it to be absorbed for around 30 minutes to an hour and then wipe the excess off with a dry, clean cloth.
A pro tip: if your chair has rubber parts, avoid using oils that contain petroleum since it will damage the rubber.
With that, you should have your massage chair relatively clean and well-maintained. But here are a few more tips that can help you keep your chair in good shape:
- Keep it away from direct sunlight and heating elements
- Avoid drinking or eating on or near the massage chair
- Keep children and pets away from it whenever possible
- Try showering and changing your clothes before using it whenever possible
- Don’t use it right after you’ve applied a balm, cream or oil to your skin
- Regularly clean and vacuum the room in which you keep your massage chair
That’s about all there is to it.
Massage Chair FAQ
The Conclusion
There’s a lot more to be said about massage chairs but I’m afraid I just don’t have the time and space – but I might talk more about them in future articles. For now, I hope I managed to give you an idea of what you need to consider when you’re buying one.
So, for a final piece of advice, I’ll give you my choice for the best massage chair on the market right now.
My pick might be a little surprising, but it’s the Kahuna Superior Massage Chair with SL-Track 6 Rollers – SM-7300 – yes, it costs more than most other options, but it’s simply the full package. It’s got everything you could want out of a massage chair, and it’s incredibly comfortable.
What do you think? Which of these massage chairs is the best for you? Let me know in the comments below; I’m eager to find out.
References
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