Massage Chair Comparison | Buying Guides & Recommendations
We can classify massage chairs by their various categories based on features, needs, space, design and more. to make it less confusing, below are the most common classifications of massage chair types you will find online.
Professional Massage Chairs Vs Consumer Type Chairs
Professional Massage Chairs are designed for professional use and is a portable therapy chairs that massage therapists use in their job. The majority of companies who use these massage chairs offer massages to their employees as part of their employee benefits package or can be found in many gyms and spas.
Consumer Type Chairs are designed for personal use, they are not as portable as Professional Massage Chairs and are often found in people’s homes. Some Consumer Type Chairs have been designed to look like traditional furniture, such as recliners, zero-gravity chairs or office chairs.
Massage Chair Types Based on Recline Functions
Regular Massage Chair Recline Function
The backrest of massage chairs can be reclined and the feet can be elevated. In chairs with better ergonomics, these movements can be combined to stretch and decompress the spine. Don’t buy a chair that can not be adjusted independently for the backrest and footrest. Although they are less expensive, they are less effective.
Zero-Gravity Massage Chair Recline Function
Zero gravity massage chairs improve circulation and spinal decompression by elevating the feet slightly above the heart.
True Inversion Massage Chair Stretch Function
Reclines below 180 degrees, below a horizontal level. The aim of this technique is to relieve pressure on the vertebrae by inverting your body while keeping your head down and your heels up.
Near-Flat Reclining Function
Provides a full-body stretch by holding the hips in place and pulling the legs down to stretch your back.
Massage Chair Based on Roller Track Type
S-Track Chairs
In S-Track, “S” stands for “sinusoidal”, which is just a flowery way of saying “wave”. Roller tracks move up and down the spine, following the curve of the neck and lower back. Stretching moves will be more effective in S-Track massage chairs.
L/SL-Track Massage Chairs
Massage chairs with L-Tracks function similarly to S-Tracks but extend further down the body. You can move the L-Track around your glutes to the top of your hamstrings with the L-Track. L-Tracks provide a full-body massage by covering more muscle groups.
J-Track or Flex Track Massage Chairs
J-Tracks or Flex Tracks combine the best of L and S-Tracks by allowing the track to open up during reclining while continuing to move down to the gluteus region. By decompressing the spine and massaging the neck to the glutes, superior spinal decompression is achieved.
Which Track is Better?
S-Track is the only way to stretch your back for the best spinal decompression possible within a massage chair. Although an L-Track offers a better massage experience and a superior zero gravity position, it also helps with spinal decompression. It is for this reason that most people choose an L-Track. L-Track is an excellent massage chair if you’re looking to relieve pain in the lower back, hamstrings, and glutes.
Learn more about roller track types here.
Massage Chair Based on Back Mechanism
2D Massage Roller Mechanism
There are two dimensions to massage chair rollers (X and Y axes); side-to-side and up and down from your neck to your back.
3D Massage Roller Mechanism
The rollers of a massage chair move along the X, Y, and Z axes to simulate human hands as they massage you. It is possible to adjust the intensity of the rollers so that they can push further out into your back.
4D Massage Roller Mechanism
With a 4D massage chair, the rollers move at variable speeds up and down, side to side, and in and out. It resembles human hands massage because it incorporates variations of massage styles and speeds. Your massage is delivered with more strength, depth, and control.
Syner-D Massage Roller Mechanism
In order to provide therapeutic relief to the gluteus and back regions, two individual massage mechanisms are choreographed to work synergistically together. For today’s most advanced chair massage, 2D, 3D, and 4D technologies are used in harmony.
Learn more about massage roller type mechanism here.
Massage Chair Based on Features
When it comes to choosing a massage chair, one of the most important considerations is the features that the chair offers. Massage chairs can vary widely in terms of their features, and each person will have their own preferences in terms of what they’re looking for. However, there are some features that are fairly universal in terms of their appeal, and these are the ones that you should keep an eye out for when choosing a chair.
One of the most important features to look for in a massage chair is adjustability. You’ll want to be able to adjust the chair to suit your own body type and height, as well as to be able to adjust the strength and intensity of the massage. This way, you can customize the massage to your own needs and preferences.
Another important feature to look for is a variety of massage chair techniques. Massage chairs typically offer several different massage types, such as shiatsu, Swedish, and deep tissue. Having a variety of massage types available will allow you to find the one that best suits your needs.
Learn more about the extensive list of massage chair features here.
What is the best type of massage chair?
Below are our list of the best massage chairs.
- #1 Best Full-Body Massage Chair – OHCO M.8 (Check Price)
- Best with Whole Body Heat – Luraco i9 3D Split L-Track Medical Massage Chair (Check Price)
- Best Zero Gravity Space-Saving Massage Chair – Human Touch Super Novo (Check Price)
- Best Space Saver on a Budget – Katana 700 Massage chair (Check Price)
- Best Massage Chair For Short Person – Infinity IT-8500 Plus (Check Price)
- Best Chair For Deep Tissue Massage – D.CORE Stratus (Check Price)
- Best Affordable Massage Chair – Osaki OS-4000T (Check Price)
You can read our guide about best massage chairs here.