After a long, hard day at work, relax in the comfort of the best massage chair for at-home recovery.
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The 7 Best Massage Chairs to Melt Your Stress Away
Updated on Sep. 30, 2024
Whether you’re working remotely and need a way to de-stress or simply want a good spot to relax, a massage chair is an excellent addition to your self-care process. They come in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes, and are specifically tailored to knead, roll, tap and even warm your weary body. The best massage chair can even take the place of your monthly masseuse appointments.
From basic to high-end, we’ve gathered a list of the best massage chairs to fit your needs. Who knows? Your purchase might just be your new favorite spot to read a book and unwind after a long day.
Best Overall Massage Chair
Revival 2D Massage Chair
Pros:
- Personalized scanning technology
- Eight fully automatic programs
- Performs kneading, tapping, shiatsu and more techniques
- Only requires just 2 inches of wall clearance
- 300-pound weight limit
Cons:
- Can’t be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii
The best massage chair has advanced technology and offers a state-of-the-art experience, like the Revival 2D chair that massages away stress from the neck to the feet. Each new person that sits in it gets a full body scan that tailors the massage. Zero-gravity positions, lumbar heat and an adjustable roller are all standard, but the best part is the shiatsu foot roller reflexology that soothes tired feet.
Best Budget Massage Chair
Massaging Desk Chair
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Easy to move
- Adjustable height
- Padded armrests
- 400-pound weight limit
Cons:
- Basic design without all the bells and whistles
Try something in between a full-sized massage chair and a portable version if you’re on a budget. This massaging office desk chair features six built-in motors that target the upper, mid and lower back, and thighs. Relax with five modes—pulse, press, wave, auto and normal—with high or low intensity. A built-in timer sets massage times for 15, 30 or 60 minutes. With a 360-degree swivel base, the chair is built on a sturdy iron frame and covered with faux leather for a chic office look.
Best Heated Massage Chair
Osaki Power Reclining Heated Chair
Pros:
- Full body heating mechanism
- Has a Bluetooth speaker
- Unique foot roller for total body massage
- Three color options
Cons:
- No automatic safety shutoff
- 220-pound weight limit
This faux-leather massage chair features an L-track roller design with an easy-to-use remote control and a Bluetooth connection for the built-in speaker. The chair comes preloaded with six automatic massage programs, six different massage settings and two stages of zero-gravity positions that are all elevated by an internal heating system to truly relax sore muscles. An added foot roller makes the chair a full-body massage experience. Plus, the space-saving design makes it ideal for tight spaces.
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Best Portable Massage Chair
Snailax Vibration Massage Seat
Pros:
- Portable cushion
- Affordable
- Easy-to-navigate remote control
- Stain-resistant fabric
- Nonslip rubber bottom
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer shiatsu massage, only vibration
Not ready to commit to a full-sized massage chair? This portable massage seat can be placed on an existing chair in your home, and it eases tired muscles with vibration. Six powerful motors target the thighs, as well as the upper, mid and lower back. The soothing heat radiates warmth that helps with increased circulation and overall relaxation. This is an ideal option for small spaces or for those who want to use this massage chair on the go.
Best Zero-Gravity Massage Chair
Inner Balance Jin 2.0 SL Track Massage Chair
Pros:
- Has a zero-gravity setting
- Bluetooth speakers
- Lumbar heat controls
- Triple width adjustment
- Extendable leg rest
Cons:
- Not ideal for small spaces
Talk about high-tech! This massage chair scans your body to measure your spine before delivering a therapeutic massage from head to toe. The four-head SL track massage system follows the contours of your body and massages you with optional infrared heat. Adjust the chair all the way to zero-gravity positioning with the power recliner. By the time you’re done with one of the six-auto courses, you’ll have loosened muscles and stimulated blood flow.
Best Reclining Massage Chair
Cozzia Zero-Gravity Recliner
Pros:
- Reclining feature for better circulation
- LED remote control
- Twin rollers mimic the feel of human thumbs
- Covered by a 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Only two color options
Enjoy a variety of massage styles—including kneading, Swedish, tapping, shiatsu, clapping, rolling and scrapping—with this zero-gravity recliner. It also features vibration and air pressure twisting modes. Heating therapy is centered on the lumbar region, which is beneficial for those with lower and upper back problems. And the chair is ergonomically designed, thanks to a power reclining feature, allowing for total body relaxation and increased circulation.
Best Splurge Massage Chair
Human Touch Gravis ZG Chair
Pros:
- One-touch, zero-gravity seating
- Handheld controller
- Multiple heat zones
- Six color options
- Battery back-up
Cons:
- Leg section doesn’t go completely flat
If money is no object, lounge in style with this fully adjustable massage chair. It has state-of-the-art massage capabilities and features a mid-century modern design that looks simply stunning. With one-touch, zero-gravity seating, the chair features a variety of massage options. Multiple heat zones expertly soothe and restore sore muscles for targeted relief of your back, legs or seat, individually or simultaneously. Choose from various customizable options, including memory settings and preset modes.
What to Consider When Buying a Massage Chair
When shopping for a massage chair, consider your budget, space, and overall features. Decide how much you will spend and consider your personal space. It also helps to take measurements and compare models since massage chairs can take up a lot of space.
Choose features that complement your needs. For instance, if you have deep muscle aches from heavy lifting, consider a heated chair. If you have back pain, consider a chair with lumbar support, plus targeted lower and upper back massage settings. (We also recommend the Moon Pod float chair!)
Types of Massage Chairs
Massage chairs are classified into three different categories: straight, S- and L-tracks.
- Straight track: Straight tracks are linear without any curvature and are common in budget-friendly chairs.
- S-track: S-tracks are sinusoidal (waves) massage chairs. Roller tracks follow the spine’s curve, allowing you to lay out flatter for a more stretched-out feel.
- L-track: L-track chairs are similar to S-tracks, except they extend to the glutes and lower hamstrings to cover more muscle groups.
Why You Should Trust Us
As an experienced writer, I cover hiking, camping, interior design, gardening and more. My work has appeared in USA Today, Good Housekeeping, Family Handyman and other publications. I also have a degree in journalism from Chapman University.
How We Found the Best Massage Chairs
Just as you might do before making a purchase, I started my search for the best massage chair by doing a lot of research. From customer reviews to online forums to publisher recommendations, I looked for the most highly rated and reviewed models that would give you a quality massage at home without breaking the bank. From there, I selected only the best massage chairs that would fit a range of spaces and budgets.
FAQs
What is the disadvantage of chair massage?
It’s hard to replace the efficiency of a good masseuse, but massage chairs offer a quality massage nonetheless. They are often big and bulky, so you need room to use them properly. There’s also a significant cost, depending on the type of massage chair you ultimately purchase.
What is the difference between 3D and 4D massage chair?
As the name implies, 4D massage chairs have more dimensions than 3D models, meaning they offer more adjustability. Thanks to more precise depth and rhythm controls, a 4D massage chair is intended to feel like a massage given by a masseuse. We wrote about more ways to make your own at-home spa.
How long should you stay in a massage chair?
You’ll need to slowly adjust to using a massage chair regularly, and even then, short intervals are best. Titan recommends using a massage chair for just 15 minutes at a time.
