Best Massage Chairs of 2023

The Massage Track allows the massage roller to travel from your neck down your back and where it needs to go and can vary in length. The longer the massage track is, the more massage area.

• S-Track: The S-Track generally starts at your neck and extends to around your tailbone. The track is also slightly curved to allow the massage roller to follow the curvature of your back, or the roller will slightly extend in and out to follow the curvature.
• L-Track: The L-Track allows the massage rollers to start around your neck, down your back, and wrap underneath the glutes to the back of your thighs.

The massage roller is what does the actual massaging on your back. There is the quad style that has an upper and lower roller with 4 points of contact. A quad style mimics more hand movements and is by far the most popular roller found on the market. Higher-end massage chairs even have independent controlling upper and lower rollers. The Dual Ball system is generally found on Japanese Massage Chairs and mimics the fist getting an intense tissue massage.

• 2D Roller: The 2D roller moves up and down and side to side. 2D massage chairs are generally found on massage chairs for under $3000 and are the most common on the market.
• 3D Roller: The 3D roller is similar to the 2D but adds in an extra depth. The 3D gives you more control over how deep or light you want your massage.
• 4D Roller: The 4D roller is similar to the 3D but adds in varying accelerations and speed. For instance, in a kneading technique, the motion could start low, speed up through the action, and then slow down, finishing the movement. 4D mimics more of how the human hand moves during a massage.

Body scan technology allows the massage chair to scan your body to customize the massage to the shape of your body and usually takes about a minute. Most massage chairs will enable you to adjust the roller up and down to fine-tune the location yourself. The more expensive massage chairs are quicker and more precise in the scanning.

Airbags massage the areas that the massage roller cannot reach. They can usually be located in the shoulders, arms, lumbar, seat, waist, calves, or feet. Newer massage chairs generally use fewer airbags than older models due to advancements in technology.

Massage Programs are responsible for giving you a massage. They can range from various Full Body massages utilizing the massage roller and air compression to relax you, reduce anxiety, recover from workouts, and more. Manual Programs can allow you to pinpoint problem areas that need more focus. Finally, memory programs will enable you to create your custom program and save it. 

Some massage chairs now have voice activation or integrations. Voice activation allows you to use your voice only to adjust your massage or switch programs on the fly. In addition, using your voice gives you a hand-free massage that you do not even have to touch a remote. Some massage chairs utilize a built-in voice activation created by the manufacturer, while others use Alexa or Google Assistant Integration.

One of the essential features of a massage chair, Zero Gravity Recline. Why? Because a massage therapist is unable to perform this. NASA first pioneered the Zero Gravity recline to reduce spine compression during lift-off. The massage chair reclines and brings your legs at or slightly above heart level. Zero Gravity recline is very relaxing and makes sure your body stays in position during your massage and even allows the massage roller to get in deeper. 

The Leg extension of a massage chair can extend or retract. The extension will allow the massage chair to accommodate various heights of people using the chair.

• Spring Loaded: The ottoman is spring-loaded that will allow you to push outward using the power of your legs.
• Powered: Powered will allow you to hit a button to extend or retract the ottoman to the perfect length.
• Automatic: Automatic is a powered leg extension, but it will automatically extend outward on its own when you start a program. As it retracts, you press outward with your feet to stop it to the perfect length. You can also use the remote to fine-tune the length.

As your core warms up, circulation increases. The heat helps to move toxins quicker through the body, helps in muscle recovery, loosens muscle fibers for a better massage, and even relaxes you. Heat is often found in the Lumbar area but can be located in the Calves, Knees, or even Feet.

Most massage chairs offer some type of foot massage. Air compression helps to push the feet down into either acupoint nodes or reflexology rollers. Acupoint nodes are found in more Japanese massage chairs and are stationary nodes at the bottom of the footrest. The airbags push down on your feet into these nodes, which helps to relax you. The Reflexology massage offers spinning rollers underneath your feet.

Space-saving technology allows you to place the massage chair closer to the wall. As the massage chair reclines, it often slides forward. This is perfect for people who have a small footprint for their massage chair.

Chromotherapy are lights that help to mood. Often these can be found on the sides of the massage chair and require a darker room to enjoy. Some offer chromotherapy lights next to your head for a better effect.

Bluetooth speakers will allow you to connect your favorite smart device and listen to your favorite music, podcast, meditations, or even white noise.

The controller allows you to control the massage chair.

• Button Style Remote: These are the most straightforward remote controls that only have buttons on them to control your massage chair.
• Pedestal Remote: A pedestal remote is a stationary larger controller that allows you to control everything from one place. They usually have an LCD screen that will enable you to see what functions the massage chair is performing.
• Slim LCD Remote: A Slim LCD Remote is handheld and features an LCD screen to see what function the massage chair performs. There can be buttons to control everything or even offer a menu through the screen to give you more access to the features. They usually store in a holder like a pedestal remote or have a pocket to keep it.
• Touchscreen Tablet: A touchscreen tablet is usually a wired tablet that only runs the manufacturer’s APP. They are generally very intuitive and easy to operate, with many offering multiple language options. They are typically stored on a holder like a pedestal remote but can be removed and held in your hand.
• Tablet: Some chairs offer a Tablet like an iPad or a Samsung Tablet. They will run the APP for the manufacturer and allow you to use it as a regular Tablet at the same time. For example, get a massage while answering emails for work.
• Quick Controls: These controls are generally located in the armrest and give you access to the features most commonly used, such as heat, depth, recline, foot extension, and more.