What to Know Before You Get Started
While massage chairs can be beneficial for relieving tension and stress, you should not use them if you have any serious injuries. It's a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider first before using or purchasing a massage chair to avoid any potential discomfort, injuries, or other complications.
Best Value
iRest Zero Gravity Massage Chair
Pros
Offers five massage types
Built-in lumbar heater
High weight capacity
Cons
Settings are difficult to adjust while in use
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Key Specs
Massage Track: L-track | Dimensions: 61 x 29.5 x 45.1 inches | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Best for people who enjoy light pressure, especially if you’re looking for a fully immersive experience.
Why We Love It
iRest’s A306 Massage Chair has three zero-gravity modes—the most of any chair on our list. It’s also unique in that it offers five massage types: shiatsu, kneading, knocking, tapping, and kneading and tapping. Each one targets different muscle groups, and we found that all of the settings were comfortable—not too light or too intense. Adjustable speed and intensity settings, 12 massage modes, and a built-in lumbar heater provide targeted relief right where you need it, whether that’s in your back after a hot yoga class or in your calves after a marathon.
We like that the iRest has Bluetooth speakers for a better sound experience and AI voice controls, although it’s worth noting that we had some difficulty setting voice commands up during testing. After using the chair, we noticed that the light pressure felt soothing and relaxing. One of our editors even found that she had better circulation in her hands and feet. We also appreciate that it has the highest weight capacity on our list.
Potential Flaws
We think the remote and control panel are pretty easy to use. However, we don’t like that you have to sit up mid-massage and take your arms out of the armrests to adjust the chair’s settings.
We noticed that the chair’s thick padding makes the seating, arm, and leg areas fairly narrow.
Best for Taller People
Human Touch Quies Massage Chair
Pros
Expandable footrest
Built-in USB charging port
Built-in lumbar heaters
Cons
Pricier than other options
Lower weight capacity
Key Specs
Massage Track: L-track | Dimensions: 71 x 29 x 45 inches | Weight Capacity: 285 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes
Who It’s For
Best for tall people who want a larger chair that doesn’t skimp on high-tech features.
Why We Love It
Human Touch’s Quies Massage Chair comfortably accommodates people up to 6 feet, 9 inches tall. We love that it has an extendable footrest, plus a wide range of automatic and customizable massage settings.
The Quies Chair has S- and L-track rollers that run from your neck to your hamstrings and apply gentle pressure to your entire body. It also boasts a zero-gravity mode, two built-in lumbar heaters, a USB charging port, and Bluetooth speakers. These impressive features add up to a thoughtfully designed massage chair that we think is definitely worth the higher price tag.
Potential Flaws
This is one of the priciest chairs on our list, although we think you get what you pay for.
The 285-pound weight capacity isn’t the lowest on our list, but we wish it were higher, considering this chair’s height-inclusive design.
Best for Injury Recovery
Human Touch Super Novo Zero Gravity Massage Chair
Pros
38 massage modes
Extra-long L-track
Ability to change rollers’ speed and cadence
Cons
Pricier than other options
Lower weight capacity
Key Specs
Massage Track: L-track | Dimensions: 63 x 34 x 46 inches | Weight Capacity: 285 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes
Who It’s For
Best for people with the budget to splurge on a high-quality, high-end massage chair with unique features.
Why We Love It
A gentle, heated massage can go a long way when you’re recovering from an injury.1 Human Touch’s Super Novo Massage Chair offers deep tissue, full-body immersion, and other modes that are targeted toward relaxation and recovery. We like that it has 38 programs—the most of any chair on our list—plus other highly customizable features that work in tandem to provide effective, total-body relief.
The chair’s extra-long L-track is lined with rollers that can switch up their speed and cadence to mimic the feel of human hands. There’s also a lumbar heater, heated leg and foot massagers, and compressive airbags that help soothe everything from the neck down. Plus, we love the chair’s Virtual Therapist setting, which creates a custom massage experience based on your individual needs and preferences.
Potential Flaws
This chair is the most expensive on our list. However, we feel it’s worth the investment, considering how many customizable settings it has.
For the price, this chair’s 285-pound weight capacity could be higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are massage chairs worth having?
Even the best massage chairs can’t replace a skilled massage therapist, Bate says. But they can offer some of the same benefits, like less stress, muscle stiffness, and pain—so, yes, we think it’s worth investing in one, especially if you have these symptoms often.1
Is it okay to sit in a massage chair every day?
Probably, according to Bate and Walters, but listen to your body. Sitting in a massage chair for too long could potentially worsen your pain instead of relieving it, Walters says—so if you start to feel any pain or discomfort, take a break.
How many years does a massage chair last?
It depends on what kind of chair you buy, how well it’s made, how often you use it, and how well you take care of it. But generally speaking, you can expect your massage chair to last between five and 20 years.
