TLDR: If you’re in a hurry the Osaki OS-Pro Maestro 4D is the Best Massage Chair according to reddit! It’s one of the most advanced massage chairs available today and one of the only 4D L-Track Chairs to ever be introduced.
- 4D L-Track Design
- Heated Rollers
- Zero Gravity
With an increase in penetration of computers in office and personal spaces, sedentary life has become quite common. Sitting in front of the screen for hours can quickly get exhausting and painful. Daily exercises and yoga help, but are too intrusive and energy-consuming for many people with hectic schedules.
Here’s where massage chairs come in handy. As the name suggests, massage chairs are chairs designed for giving you massages, so that you can quickly get relieved from muscle pain and discomfort. However, there are plenty of massage chairs out there, and all of them might not be so good for you. This is where Reddit comes in, and gives us a few options. Before we dive in, here’s a general guide when looking for massage chairs:
What should I look for in a massage chair?
There’s nothing like the “best” massage chair out there. Massage chairs maybe midrange or premium. Premium massage chairs are designed to provide the “best of the best” experience and have a lot of built-in tech. Premium massage chairs tend to be heavy and expensive. Mid-range massage chairs, on the other hand, offer portability, indeed at the cost of high-end tech.
If you’re looking for a daily/weekly massage session to relax your muscles and alleviate slight pain, mid-range chairs might be the best option for you. However, if you or other members of your family suffer from chronic pain, premium massage chairs would be recommended, if you don’t like going to massage therapy sessions or chiropractor.
Different massage chairs also tend to offer different types of movement:
- 2-D movement: These are the simplest and most common type of massage chairs available. 2-D massage chairs are recommended for casual users who don’t have chronic pain and just want relief from temporary muscle pain or discomfort. They offer simple roller-based therapy on the surface muscles of your back. The massage rollers move in two dimensions: up and down, and side-to-side, hence the name.
- 3-D movement: 3-D massage chairs are a bit more expensive and provide deeper massage. Apart from just moving across the plane, they also offer push-pull based or vibration therapy. As a result 3-D movement based massage chairs feel more like human massages.
- 4-D movement: 4-D massage chairs are highly sophisticated and precise massage chairs. Apart from everything a 3-D massage chair can do, 4-D massage chairs adjust the intensity and speed of the massage to highly specific areas. They tend to be extremely expensive and fall under the premium category.
Massage chairs also come in three types based on the roller tracks: - S-track: S-tracks get their name from the shape of the human spine. These chairs are slightly curved to resemble the shape of the human spine for better comfort. S-track chairs thus help in better quality 3-D and 4-D massage.
- L-track: L-tracks are longer than S-tracks, which generally just stop near the tailbone. L-tracks extend to the lower body and massage the hamstrings and buttocks.
- SL-tracks: These tracks combine the S and L-tracks, allowing for a better and more comfortable massage on both the spine and the lower body.
There’s also a term you’d see getting flung around often while looking for massage chairs: zero gravity.
Zero gravity massage chairs evenly distribute all of the body mass across the entire surface area of the chair. At full recline, they make you feel virtually weightless, helping muscles to ease and relax during massage. Hence, the name.
In any case, whatever you choose to buy, and whichever site you use to buy it, make sure that you get at least 2 years warranty for the midrange and 3 years for the premium chairs. You wouldn’t want to end up helpless and regretful in case something goes wrong.
Best Massage Chairs According to Reddit
1. Osaki 4D
Osaki is a well known brand for making massage chairs. With zero-gravity technology featured in many chairs, which Osaki claims to be “NASA level,” you can feel like you’re being lifted in space. It makes both L-track and S-track designs. A lot of them support bluetooth, while some of them also feature touchscreen for easier accessibility and control.
Reddit reviews of the Osaki 4D:
“Our Osaki is next to the piano in the family room. It is massive and was a big PITA bringing it to where it is now (I think it was delivered on the porch). My husband & 18-year-old son use it almost daily, me occasionally, and my 16-year-old daughter has never used it. We’ve had it for about 1.5 years now and I hope it keeps working for a long time.” -u/Sillycrab
“My mother is using Osaki OS-4D Escape.
It is equipped with 4D massage rollers that follow an ergonomic S-Track, mapping the curvature of your back with precision. Ideal if you’re looking for back pain treatment. Specially positioned airbags can deliver a satisfying shoulder and arm massage, with the extendable footrest working on your feet. She feels her muscles in lumbar and calves start to loosen when turn on the powerful heating settings. That’s good 👍 buy.” -u/lalikoiu56
“I have the Osaki Paragon Pro 4D. Was really worth it to me as I have a bad back. Especially if it lasts a long time it was a good investment. No issues so far and it seems very well built. I use it daily.
Only thing is that, and I’m sure you’re already aware as you saw them, but they are massive. It has a massive footprint and weighs 700lbs. It’s like parking a small car in your living room.” -u/Asuka-02-
- Comfortable.
- Foot rollers present in most models.
- Provides for Bluetooth and mobile connectivity in some premium models.
- Heavy and space-consuming.
- Expensive.
- Only 4D models are ever worth it.
- Osaki’s 2D models aren’t so good relative to others.
2. Human Touch iJoy/Novo
Human Touch is another known name for massage chairs, and tends to rival Osaki in the market. Human touch is known for its reliability and longevity. If you’re a “Buy it for life” consumer, this might suit you. The more expensive Novo models provide zero-gravity, while the modestly priced iJoy series is good for the average consumer.
Reddit reviews on Human Touch Novo:
“I have a terrible back (ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis, I’ve had 4 bulging discs with two of them herniated) and I’m only 33! My wife and I were spending way too much on deep tissue massages (I also have a lot of knots in my back muscles), so we’d been saving up for the next roadshow of these chairs. The one we ended up getting was the red Novo from Human Touch (honestly there is NO comparison to the much less expensive one that Costco has more regularly. No contest at all. The other one doesn’t come close to the durable feel of the Novo. We got it in 2017 and hardly a day goes by that my wife (a pharmacist who spends most of her day on her feet) and myself (Costco employee also standing on concrete all day) don’t use it. We actually take turns! Haha
We propped it right in our livingroom facing the TV (even had to raise the TV in order to see it when in zero gravity mode, but totally worth it).
If you have any sort of body ache (shoulder, back, hips, etc.), this thing really does help break up the pain, in my opinion. It has held up very well and while it was expensive, we are definitely using it often! Plus it’s a great conversation starter. Haha” -u/b_b_87
“Human Touch iJoy Total Massage is mid-range massage chair that my father is loving it. This machine offers a full recline, air cells for providing compression on the calf and foot area, and an S-track design to massage the neck and back while following the curvature of the spine, though without extending into the glutes and hamstring area. Following are short comings of this chair.
Firm massage arms Massive and heavy Best for shorter people” -u/geyona3395
- Great back massage.
- Has a range of prices, from upper midrange to premium based on model.
- Best for 3-D massage.
- Quality of foot massage and arm massage is not so good compared to others.
- Sub-par quality of 4-D massage.
- Air-touch models are generally a little uneven.
3. Stronglite – Best Budget Massage Chair For Massage Professionals
Stronglite is known for making strong and reliable foldable chairs and tables, enhancing portability. Stronglite massage chairs are relatively inexpensive. However, due to a focus on foldability and portability, Stronglite often fails to provide niche and premium features like touchscreen and zero gravity.
Reddit reviews for Stronglite Massage Chair:
“Stronglite! Bought 2 tables and a chair in 2013 and while the vinyl is starting to tatter a little, they were the best investments I’ve ever made!
Best advice I got in massage school is find a brand that makes you feel like you want to fall asleep on in 30 seconds” -u/brows19
“Stronglite Ergo Pro. I’ve had 2 over 20 years. They are lightweight, easy to adjust and very comfortable.” -u/SpringerPop
- Affordable.
- Highly portable and lightweight.
- Reliable.
- You won’t receive the best quality massage.
- May not be comfortable for chronic pain patients.
4. BOSSCARE Massage Chair GR8012
BOSSCARE GR8012 is extremely easy to assemble, with only two parts to join: the chair and the leg rest. Built-in bluetooth speakers are decent. Heat bags can keep a constant temperature of 45℃ (113℉). Full airbag massage is supported and it lets you select from 6 different massage programs.
Reddit reviews for BOSSCARE Massage Chair GR8012:
“We have BOSSCARE GR8012 in our office rest room. It boasts a full-body airbag coverage for kneading massage that gently squeezes and triggers different spots of the body in order to relieve tense and tight muscles. It can support and fit a 260lbs 6’2 adult with maximum comfort. Convenient build and neat design but little expansive. Overall good one” -u/BagOwn7530
“I think BOSSCARE Massage Chair must be part of above list. It is recliner with zero gravity, full body airbag, easy to assemble with bluetooth speaker and foot roller.
We took the chair out of the box on the porch and it easily fit through our 30″ exterior door.
My brother is 6ft 4inches 280lbs and he fits perfectly and has room left Over. I hope this helps for large person query.It really massages you down to the bone. It relaxes you so much that when you get up off of it, you feel like your drunk or high as a kite. Just don’t stay on the chair 30min it starts to hurt and you’ll wake up sore the next day!The comfort is amazing i fall asleep every time im in it I thought it was bigger but thats ok, it the perfect size the wait time on delivery was as promised. Don’t miss this one its well worth the money. Oh and it has many options of messages Other then that I love it” -u/nancikaiun
- Excellent back heating
- Good airbag therapy for full body massage
- Lightweight
- Not highly automated or precisely adjusted.
- Massage may be uncomfortably hard for some.
5. iRest SL Track Massage Chair
Unlike many other massage chairs on this list, the iRest SL Track Massage chair offers a combination of S-track and L-track in one chair, a relatively new technology. A less expensive massage chair than others, this chair is a go-to chair for those who want a dedicated massage chair to alleviate chronic pain but don’t want to burn a hole in their pockets. It offers four massage techniques:
- Finger pressing
- Only kneading
- Only tapping
- Both tapping and kneading
Reddit reviews for iRest SL Track Massage Chair:
“Good list. My grandmother has been using iRest SL Track Massage Chair that is Recliner with Full Body massage. Zero gravity modes settings” -Expert2Mortgage2
- SL track technology, combining S and L tracks for rollers.
- Remote is a little more ergonomic and more beautifully designed.
- Body-scanning, which adjusts the rollers based on the body shape and size as scanned by the chair.
- 8 auto modes for massaging.
- Thai stretch function helps you to stretch your muscles with the help of airbags.
- Rollers can be uncomfortably hard for some.
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Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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