Ease muscle aches with the best massage chairs
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Do your muscles feel stiff and unresponsive? Are even the most basic tasks like getting up from a chair becoming more difficult? Much of this stiffness can be resolved through regular massages. However, regularly booking appointments and driving to a massage parlor is quite a hassle. A great alternative is getting one of the top-rated massage chairs of 2022.
These massage chairs may not provide professional-level massages, but with these chairs, you can achieve quick and cost-effective comfort right at your home. The only hurdle between you and more convenient massages is buying the right chair. Luckily, you don’t have to spend any time sifting through all the available options. Here’s our curated list of the top massage chairs of 2022 worth your time and investment. Take a look.
Top Picks
Best overall: Real Relax Massage Chair
This option from Real Relax defines what a high-quality massage chair looks like. For starters, the seat shape is incredibly comfortable. You can sit and relax in it without even turning the massage features on. Its zero-gravity mode is particularly comforting. When you’re ready for a massage, just say “start massage” and it will begin helping to relieve soreness and muscle aches. You can also choose between different heating options and six unique massage modes. The handy touch controller and display on the right make operating this chair a breeze. The construction quality of this chair is second to none, both in its high-end internal components and durable external materials. Factor in the abundance of detailed massage techniques, and you’ve got one of the top massage chairs out there. All these reasons contributed to this product being the best overall on our list.
Key Features:
8 points fixed back rollers
Smart voice controls
Height limit: 6.1 feet
3-year warranty
Manual assembly required
Exceptional performance: OWAYS SL Track Massage Chair
The massage performance of this option by OWAYS is unlike any other product on the market. The key behind its amazing massage technique is the fantastic 3D body-scanning technology. It determines the shape and location of your body with its integrated airbags and then adjusts the roller position accordingly. This smart-adjust method results in a near-perfect massage every time and makes this chair ideal for multiple users. The massaging rollers are nothing to scoff at either. They are calibrated precisely for achieving flawless knocking, kneading, tapping, clapping, shiatsu and more. Additional features like built-in Bluetooth speakers also complement its excellent functionality. You can put this chair just two inches away from a wall and still get a zero-gravity recline.
Key Features:
SL track length rollers
Easy access remote pocket on the right
Load capacity: 330 lbs
21-inch internal seat width
No assembly required
Most features: iRest Recliner Massage Chair
The iRest massage chair offers a decent, quick replacement for hiring professional masseurs. Its extensive list of massage types and techniques includes everything you need to destress your body. Exclusive massage types including Thai stretching, hip care, foot stimulation and full-body fatigue recovery are administered with great precision. It even allows for massaging your arms and legs with adjustable airbags. The 40-50 degree Celsius heating element on the back is ideal for folks with back pain as well as seniors. This heat therapy gets absorbed into cells, which can reduce muscle stress and promote metabolism. In addition, you can listen to music during massages thanks to its integrated Bluetooth speakers.
Key Features:
SL track length rollers
Easy-access remote pocket on the left
Load capacity: 330 lbs
Material: Leather
Manual assembly required
Premium construction: BOSSCARE Massage Chair
Massage chairs are luxury products, and no option better encapsulates this notion than the BOSSCARE recliner. Every aspect of its design is as premium and luxurious as it gets. Its faux leather seat is smooth to the touch and safe for all skin types. The external shell is molded from durable plastic that will look pristine even after years of use. A great demonstration of this chair’s high-end construction is its massage modes and multiple techniques. A 45-degree heated back, combined with a zero-gravity mode, will keep you relaxed while the airbag kneading eliminates stress from your arms and legs. Not to mention its eight fixed points and 14 massage balls for your back, hips and upper legs.
Key Features:
8-point back rollers
Built-in remote on the right
Load capacity: 360 lbs
Material: Faux leather
Minimal assembly required
Great value: SMAGREHO Massage Chair
SMAGREHO’s massage chair makes at-home massage accessible to everyone with its fantastic value. There are two key factors behind this value. First is its incredibly low price. It’s not exactly cheap, of course, but it is significantly less expensive than most other massage chairs. The greatest part is that the lower price has zero effect on the construction quality or the choice of materials. The second reason behind the extreme value is its focus on providing quality massages. Its eight rollers, airbags and heating coils offer full-body relaxation. Additionally, you can adjust the massage intensity and choose between six massage modes, whatever suits your needs. It even includes features you would not expect on an inexpensive massage chair, like Bluetooth speakers and extendable footrests.
Key Features:
8-point, fixed back rollers
75 degree zero-gravity recline
Material: Skin-grade leather
Manual assembly required
5-inch extendable footrest
How to find your next massage chair: A buyer’s guide
Massage chairs can be expensive, like “thousands of dollars” expensive. So, you cannot just pick a random one and call it a day. You have to ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth. But how do you do that?
A basic way of finding the right massage chair is evaluating each available option based on specific criteria. However, this method will take a very long time considering the hundreds of unique massage chairs available. Instead, you should create a set of personal guidelines for what you do and do not want. This will narrow down your options considerably and lead you to the right chair for your hard-earned money. Here are some things to consider.
Your budget
Fix a budget before you even think about buying a specific chair. Having a set budget will narrow down your options considerably. But what is the right budget for a quality massage chair?
Cheap
Low-end chairs can cost as little as $500. However, almost all chairs between $500-$800 are a total waste of money. They only have a handful of massage options with limited intensity adjustment. Plus, most of them don’t even have a zero-gravity recline. So, try to avoid these if possible.
Premium
On the other end of the spectrum are super-premium massage chairs. These can have real leather upholstery, up to 30 massage modes with five intensity adjustments and exceptional heating. Plus, the components used in their construction can last for years without failing. However, these can cost anywhere between $5,000-$10,000 — making them hard to justify in terms of value for your money.
Balanced
The ideal middle ground between these two extremes is a price range of $800-$2,000. Massage chairs within this range offer up to nine massage modes, three intensity levels, heating and zero-gravity recline. So, try to set a budget within this range to find a quality product.
Massage performance
The next step is picking the right massage performance. This includes a lot of different features. Choosing between these features is completely up to you. These are some of the available options.
1. Massage roller
Rollers are the main massaging component used in these kinds of chairs. They are usually located behind the backrest. Most chairs usually come equipped with eight rollers. The position and range of these rollers can also vary drastically between options.
S-track rollers provide deep massages to your neck and lumbar. They are called S tracks because they mimic the natural curves of your back. On the other hand, L tracks start from your neck and go down to lower hip muscles. The only issue with L-track rollers is their stiffness. Luckily, there is a middle ground between these two options — SL-track rollers. They combine the range of L tracks with the flexibility of S tracks. Choose SL-track massage chairs if your budget allows it.
2. Airbags
Airbags are located inside the armrests, leg rests and sometimes in the footrest. These bags inflate and deflate rhythmically for massaging your forearms, calves and feet. You can skip this feature if you only need a back massage and chairs without this feature usually cost less.
3. Massage modes
The rollers and balls in ultra-cheap massage chairs have a basic up and down massage rhythm. It is better than nothing but does not provide a proper deep massage. This is where having various massage modes come into play. These include kneading, rolling, shiatsu, tapping, vibration and more. The best way to choose is looking up their unique benefits online and making a list of your must-have massage modes.
4. Heating
Heating is a must-have for everyone. You can turn off the massage rollers and the heat will loosen your back on its own. So, any massage chair without heating elements is not a viable option. Also, make sure to prioritize chairs with adjustable heat so you can change it based on the outside temperature. This is great for relieving stress and aches brought about by colder, winter months.
Essential considerations
These are a few essential features and attributes you should consider when buying massage chairs. Do not ignore any of these, they will all directly impact your long-term experience.
Ease of use
Make sure that the chair you buy has an easily accessible controller. This can take many forms like touch screens, built-in buttons, wired remote controls and wireless remotes. You should be able to use these controls without interrupting an ongoing massage.
Secondly, ensure that getting into the chair and stepping out is convenient and hassle-free. Things like velcro wraps for the legs and arms and extremely high footrests are a big no-no.
Quality upholstery
The upholstery on a chair needs to be sturdy and long-lasting. Plus, it also needs to be smooth to the touch and safe for all skin types. The ideal option here is faux leather. That said, the quality of faux leather can vary drastically between manufacturers. Reading customer reviews will give you a clear idea of how the upholstery will hold up over time.
Bluetooth speakers
Getting a quality massage is amazing. Hearing the rollers and controlling motors the whole time is not. This is why having wirelessly connected speakers in the chair is a must. They allow you to relax to some soothing music, catch up on a podcast or tune into your favorite radio station. Wired speakers are an option as well, but most modern phones do not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, so they are useless for most folks.
Warranty
Massage chairs are complicated machines with hundreds of moving parts and complex electronics. Quality chairs are built to last for years, but even the most premium massage chairs are not immune to issues. So, getting a warranty of at least 12 months is a must. This warranty should cover all internal and external repair costs and include free shipment for replacement parts. Anything below that is unacceptable. Also, some massage chairs offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so look for that as well.
People also asked
Q: How do I clean my massage chair?
A: The first step of cleaning your massage chair is to wipe it down with a paper towel or a dry cloth after every use. This will soak up most of the sweat and help prevent stains. For a more thorough cleanup, remove all of the removable upholstery and wipe everything down with faux leather cleaner. Then clean it up with dry paper towels, and you’re done.
Q: Can I use a massage chair while I’m pregnant?
A: Yes, you can absolutely use a massage chair while you are pregnant. Regular massages can help with cramps and back pain. Keep the intensity and heat low and be careful when getting in and out of the chair.
Q: Can a massage chair cause injury?
A: No, they cannot if used properly. Massage chairs are safe for most people. If you have a pre-existing injury or condition, consult with a medical professional before using a massage chair.
