Massage chairs allow people to bring the “massage experience” home. From helping relieve stress to providing respite from chronic pain, massage chairs serve many benefits. That being said, buying a massage chair can be confusing as there are several features to consider, such as massage type, track type, roller type, etc. Learning about various massage chair variants, their features, their unique benefits, and their cost estimates may help buyers through this process.

Types of massage chairs
Based on the components used, there are three types of massage chairs—roller, airbag, and vibration. One could find chairs that use only one of these components or a combination.

Roller massage chairs
One of the most common types of massage chairs on the market, this variant uses rollers to mimic the kneading action on one’s muscles to provide a relaxing experience. It can further be divided based on the track and head used.

1. By track – The track on a massage chair refers to the direction in which the rollers move. It determines the range of the roller and impacts the overall feel of the massage.

• Straight track – As the name implies, the straight track runs from the top to the bottom of the chair without any kinks or bends. While such chairs are relaxing, they do not provide an optimal massage experience because they miss parts of the body that curve naturally (such as the neck). A straight track is commonly used in more affordable massage chairs meant only for recreational purposes.
• S-track – Shaped like an “S,” these tracks follow the body’s natural contours to offer consistent contact and a relaxing massage experience. This makes them one of the most popular track types for massage chairs.
• L-track – To ensure overall coverage, many massage chairs also have an L-track as an extension of the S-track. These extend the range of the rollers significantly, allowing them to reach and work on distant muscle groups, such as the glutes and hamstrings.

2. By roller heads – The massage chair’s intensity, rhythm, and speed are governed by the type of roller head used.

• 2D rollers – These are the most basic roller heads and can move horizontally and vertically.
• 3D rollers – With the added dimension of depth, these rollers can move three ways. This allows manufacturers to add intensity settings to massage chairs, offering a more customized experience.
• 4D rollers – The 4D roller technology can replicate massage speeds that professional therapists use, offering a more “real” feeling during the session.

Air massage chairs
These chairs have inflatable airbags that expand and deflate to squeeze and massage the body. This mechanism is often found on full-body massage chairs, as it helps work on hard-to-reach areas like the outer shoulders and hands. It is capable of offering more advanced massage techniques, such as swings, twists, and stretches.

Vibration massage chairs
Massage chairs with vibration components use high-frequency vibration plates to improve local blood circulation in a specific area. These chairs are only meant to be used for recreational purposes.

Additional features to consider
Some top-end massage chairs may also have additional features to enhance user experience.

• Body scan technology – Maps the back, detects one’s height, shape, and shiatsu points, and tailors the massage accordingly
• Traction or inversion therapy – Provides 180-degree recline and gentle stretching to relieve pinched nerves
• Zero gravity – A reclined position with the legs elevated to offer better spinal decompression and relaxation

In addition to these, top-end massage chairs may have features like heat therapy, chromotherapy lights, and negative ion generators. 

Cost of massage chairs
The purchasing price of a massage chair can differ significantly depending on the technology and features one opts for. Affordable massage chairs can be found on sale for as low as MXN 15,000, with top-of-the-line variants going for well over MXN 80,000.

While choosing a massage chair can feel like a daunting task, one must consider certain important factors, such as the primary focus of the massage chair, depth and intensity adjustments, heating and cooling technologies, advanced therapies, portability, size, and functionality.

After finalizing a massage chair variant based on one’s needs, it’s time to purchase. New massage chairs can be purchased either online or in person. Several popular websites have a lot of inventory, making it easy for buyers to find exactly what they are looking for and browse through offers and sales at the click of a button. Alternatively, one can look for massage chairs at a nearby furniture store. To find a store that sells massage chairs in the area, one can start by conducting a simple browser search with the terms “power lift recliners near me “ or “best-rated massage chairs near me.” This will offer many results, after which one can visit the store to test the chair in person for a better estimate of its size, look, and features.

Benefits of buying a massage chair
A massage chair can be a wonderful investment, helping one improve physical health and relieve stress.

• Improves blood circulation and lowers blood pressure
• Provides relief from chronic neck and back pain
• Hastens recovery from sports injuries
• Enhances the quality of sleep
• Builds a stronger immune system

Apart from health benefits, massage chairs can help upgrade daily experiences. For instance, adding massage chairs or recliner seating to one’s home theater could offer an optimal viewing angle and unmatched comfort for a more refined viewing experience.