6/7
Best Reclining Massage Chair
Cozzia Zero-Gravity Recliner
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.
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
7/7
Best Splurge Massage Chair
Human Touch Gravis ZG Chair
If money is no object, lounge in style with this fully adjustable massage chair. It’s equipped with 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 a variety of customizable options, including memory settings and preset modes.
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
What to Consider When Buying a Massage Chair
Take into consideration the budget, space and overall features. Decide how much you are willing to spend and think about your personal space. Take measurements and compare models.
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 where roller tracks follow the curve of the spine and allow 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.
How We Found the Best Massage Chairs
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of a massage chair?
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 to incur, depending on the type of massage chair you ultimately purchase.
What is the best massage chair I can buy?
There’s no solid answer to this question because everyone’s needs are different. Massage chairs should be chosen based on what muscles you want to target, how you want them to be massaged, your budget and the amount of space in your home.
