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A massage chair is made to help you relax and reduce tension, therefore purchasing one should be simple and worry-free.
Finding the right chair can be very challenging with so many massage chair alternatives available.
To help you sort through the various features in a modern massage chair and learn more about some of our favorite models, we have put together this in-depth guide.
Starting at $181/mo*
At the heart of the Osaki DuoMax Massage Chair lies the Dual 4D Massage Mechanism with two separate quad-style massage rollers working independently to target the upper and lower body simultaneously. Read more: OSAKI DUOMAX REVIEW
Starting at $223/mo*
The Osaki Vivo Massage Chair employs cutting-edge Ai technology with a number of advanced features including an 8-Roller System and unique Arm Rollers. Read more: OSAKI VIVO REVIEW
Starting at $139/mo*
The Osaki Highpointe has many high-end, luxurious features designed to relieve aches and pains and revitalize the body and mind. Read more: OSAKI HIGHPOINTE REVIEW.
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Starting at $167/mo*
The Osaki Maestro LE 2.0 massage chair provides one of the most realistic massages in the industry by combining heated 4D rollers and L-Track Technology. Read more: OSAKI MAESTRO LE 2.0 REVIEW
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Starting at $84/mo*
The Titan Jupiter Premium LE massage chair distinguishes itself from the competition by incorporating 80 air cells that evenly distribute air pressure throughout the body. Read more: TITAN JUPITER PREMIUM LE REVIEW
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Starting at $188/mo*
The Titan Epic 4D Massage Chair delivers therapeutic massage from your neck to your glutes with 4D rollers that move along an L-Track to provide an excellent massage. Read more: TITAN EPIC REVEIW
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Starting at $374/mo*
The Ogawa Master Drive AI 2.0 features a cutting-edge operating system with clever microprocessors that can learn about and adjust to your specific body for a customized massage at each session. Read more: OGAWA MASTER DRIVE AI 2.0 REVIEW
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Starting at $163/mo*
The Ogawa Active XL 3D will relieve pain and help rejuvenate your body, and it is packed with luxury features. Humanistic 3D massage rollers use an L-Track to massage your neck, shoulders, and glutes. The seat is 4" wider than the Active L Plus and comfortably fits most people. Read more: OGAWA ACTIVE XL 3D REVIEW
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Starting at $226/mo*
The incredibly versatile Daiwa Supreme Hybrid combines the full coverage of a dual roller track with a full-body inversion stretch comparable to any yoga session. Read more: DAIWA SUPREME HYBRID REVIEW
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Starting at $201/mo*
The Daiwa Pegasus Hybrid comes with countless advancements including expanding shoulders, a shiatsu wave calf massage, and 8 soothing massage rollers. Read more: DAIWA PEGASUS HYBRID REVIEW
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Starting at $541/mo*
The Infinity Luminary uses dual track technology to deliver one of the most comprehensive inversion stretches available and to effectively relieve aches and pains. Read more: INFINITY LUMINARY REVIEW
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Starting at $217/mo*
The Infinity Circadian comes with a 6-roller system that has a deeper reach with wider coverage for a more thorough full-body experience. A dual track makes it possible to bend further than most other chairs for complete spinal decompression. Read more: INFINITY CIRCADIAN REVIEW
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Most people who think of getting a massage have mental images of immaculately kept rooms with lovely scents and soothing music. Although a traditional massage can be wonderful, it does have its drawbacks that a modern massage chair can help you avoid. First, making an appointment and going to visit a masseuse takes time. A massage chair is far more practical than a regular massage since it gives you the comfort and relaxation you desire whenever you want it, day or night. Also, even if the cost of a massage chair can be high, you won't have to keep paying a masseuse over and over again. Last but not least, as you will discover in this buying guide, modern massage chair technology can deliver a massage that surpasses even the best massage techniques we’re familiar with and love.
There are a variety of massage chair roller systems to choose from with various capabilities. Depending on your needs, you may want a softer 2D chair with a more therapeutic feel or a 3D chair with more overall coverage that can deliver deep tissue massage therapy. And, if getting a good spinal decompression stretch is important, you may want to consider a Dual-Track chair.
2D Rollers: 2D massage chair rollers move up and down and side to side, but they don’t provide much pressure and cannot deliver a deep tissue massage.
3D Rollers: 3D massage chair rollers go up and down and side to side and can also move in and out to provide deep tissue massage.
4D Rollers: 4D rollers are exactly the same as 3D except they have smoother, more fluid movements for the most human-like feel.
S-Track System: An S-Track roller system follows the curvature of your spine by moving up and down a roller track that slides from your neck all the way down to your lower back.
L-Track System: L-Track rollers not only follow the curvature of your spine, but they continue along an L-Shaped track to deliver massage to your glutes and hamstrings as well.
Dual Track/Split Track: A Dual-Track is the integration of an L-track merged with an S-Track for superior stretch capabilities with two roller systems instead of just one for better coverage. The rollers will massage your back and glutes simultaneously.
There are various types of massage chairs that use different massage styles and techniques. The following are the main styles used in most massage chairs:
Shiatsu: Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese healing practice that uses targeted massage for specific pressure points to alleviate pain and tension.
Kneading: Kneading is a massage technique in which deep pressure is applied to compresses the underlying muscles.
Tapping: Tapping is a percussion massage used for soft tissue pain and soreness with rapid, short-duration pulses or taps that reach deep into the soft tissues of the body.
Clapping: Clapping is a form of tapotement which is a Swedish massage style using fast rhythmic percussion.
Swedish: Swedish massage uses long kneading strokes combined with rhythmic tapping to target the uppermost layer of muscles and aims to relieve muscle tension.
Vibration: Vibration massage delivers a vibrating and shaking motion onto the muscles to ease tension and stimulate circulation.
Budget-Friendly: Economic chairs that range in price from $999 to $2000. Most chairs in this category use 2D massage rollers to deliver a gentle, therapeutic massage that can be enjoyed by a broad range of users. There are very few 3D massage chairs in this category due to the expense of more advanced technology.
Mid-Range: Mid-Range massage chairs vary between $2000 to $5000. There’s a very large selection of 3D massage chairs in this range, but very few 4D chairs due to even more advanced technology. Some 3D chairs can be uncomfortable and lack the humanlike feel of a 4D chair, but it really depends on how it feels for your individual body.
Luxury: Luxury massage chairs are the ultimate in luxury at the absolute top-quality and range from $5000 and up. The majority of Premium massage chairs use 4Drollers and come with the latest in massage chair innovations and have a few extra bells and whistles. Chairs in this range are very smooth and have the most human-like feel.
At The Modern Back we take pride in our knowledge of massage chairs and have many years of experience with countless models. We know which chairs have proven themselves and stand out from the rest and we stand behind all the chairs we recommend. Learn more about our Top Recommended Massage Chairs and discover the Best Massage Chairs in our latest updated article.
*This monthly loan payment is based on loan approval through our available massage chair finance options.
