Which Massage Chairs & Recliners Give The Best Home Relaxation Experience?I've never experienced a workout quite so rigorous as the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. The world's largest innovation event spans 1.8 million square feet of exhibit space. For three eight-hour days, I schlepped my laptop and camera bag across the thinly carpeted floors. My body, fueled by coffee and Clif bars, ached and fatigued quickly. Unsure how I would survive the convention, I set out to review every luxury massage chair I encountered at CES. My mission gave me an opportunity to break from walking and receive much needed, therapeutic relief. It was a wild success. Here are my favorite chairs, ranked least to best: 4. Daiwa's Relax 2 Zero Chair Pro: The Relax 2 Zero chair by Daiwa uses air bag technology to relieve muscle tension from head to toe. The bags inflate and deflate, gently pushing the body from side to side. Con: The pressure was a little much for me, however, and I winced several times when the bags pinched my arms and legs too tightly.
The materials felt cheap, as well, which became the most apparent during the foot massage. The rollers in the foot cradle felt like a bag of marbles held in a Ziploc baggie. 3. Adako's Zenith Chair Pro: Adako's "zero-gravity" Zenith chair is a dream for those who appreciate a good glutes massage. The chair's L-shaped roller track travels from the neck to the hamstrings, delivering concentrated pressure at the body's intersection: the buttocks. Plus, with a price tag under $8,000, the Zenith chair is the most affordable one I tried. Con: While the glutes massage was out of this world, the chair provided an unmemorable experience for my other body parts. Plus, the L-shaped track limits its reclining capability. 2. Inada's DreamWave Chair Cost: $9,499 ($10,499 for the TruBlack Leather model) Pro: Stepping into Inada's DreamWave chair is like getting a hug. The chair provides 1,200 square inches of coverage — more than any chair on the market, according to Inada USA President Cliff Levin — so it gives the illusion of cradling you.
Its 16 pre-programmed sessions means there's an experience for everyone. I prefer a gentle Shiatsu massage, and the Stretch session tugged at my limbs lightly and comfortably. Con: The DreamWave chair's pervasive coverage trapped my body heat and made me sweaty. My biggest concern, however, is the near $10,000 price. Pro: Infinity is massage chair royalty, and in fact, a sales manager at a rival company's booth recommended I check them out. After a few minutes in the IT-880, I understood why. Infinity chairs feature one of the longest roller tracks on the market, so it cups the head and gives a mind-blowing crown massage. The chair also inverts, lifting the legs above the upper body and improving circulation and blood flow. The clincher here is in the price tag: Infinity's IT-8800 comes in more than $3,000 cheaper than Inada's DreamWave chair. Con: N/A — If I had that much money sitting around, my first call would be to Infinity. Pro: Tware's AiraWear is a massage vest that fits underneath your jacket.
Small, inconspicuous motors inflate and deflate the vest from the inside, providing for a therapeutic compression massage. The wearer can choose a program from the company's app, which communicates with the vest over Bluetooth, and select the intensity. Con: The vest doesn't apply much pressure, and instead, replicates the feeling of an iPhone vibrating in your back pocket. While it's a fun novelty item, you're better off booking a massage appointment.Renew Zero-Gravity Massage Chair by Brookstone Renew Zero-Gravity Massage Chair by Brookstone This product may be returned within 60 days of purchase with original receipt (See our Return Policy). 8 automatic massage programs, including Full Body, Stress Relief, Back Relief, and more L-track massage travels down your back and under your glutes along a continuous track Zero-gravity position helps to reduce spinal pressure Optional lumbar heat helps loosen muscles for a more effective massage
See important safety information belowZero gravity massage chairs are not weightless, nor do they defy the laws of gravity. They are called "zero gravity" because, when you recline in them, your legs rest higher than your torso -- the same position astronauts take before being projected into space. When seated at such an angle, your weight is evenly distributed over the chair's length, which creates a more wholesome and intense massage experience. Regular use of a zero gravity massage chair can help with many health conditions, such as swollen legs and varicose veins. When selecting a zero gravity massage chair, you should first consider its functionality. For instance, some chairs focus on the entire body, while others focus on individual parts, such as your upper or lower back. Some even come with body scan technology, which helps the chair focus on the most stressed parts of your body. You should also carefully consider what type of roller technology you want. The best chairs have multi-massage combination settings and are capable of deep compression massages.
There are also chairs with human three-dimensional massaging motors, as well as massaging air bags that can compress your limbs. Additional features to consider may include a built-in music system, remote control capabilities, and the chair's size and weight capacity. Taking the previous factors into consideration, the following are some of the best zero gravity massage chairs on the market. This massage chair has a foot roller feature with three-dimensional cushions, and can mimic the techniques of a traditional Thai massage. It also has an airbag that, owing to its strategically built 'W' shape, helps to calm your hip muscles. This chair facilitates a deep compression massage due to its massage heating system. With human three-dimensional massaging modes and 38 airbags to ensure maximum comfort, this chair's massage motors can be adjusted to your individual preferences. Kneading, rolling, and tapping are some popular preset motions. This chair can also recline up to 195 degrees.
With a built-in music system and a 50-inch video screen, you can enjoy your massage while being entertained. The Osaki OS-4000 chair has a body scan function, multiple air bags, and the ability to focus on the upper and lower body areas for the full body massage experience. It also has a unique 30-inch roller system to accommodate users of different body height. Another unique selling point is a movable massage function that kneads your shoulders and neck simultaneously, and provides a lumbar region massage based on your individual body curves. The wireless remote control helps you get the maximum comfort from your chair. This Osaki massage chair mimics a Thai masseuse and helps stretch and calm tensed muscles. With a body scan flexible backrest, body scan feature, and a sophisticated heating system, this chair will treat you to a wholesome massage experience. This massage chair is durable and easy to assemble, and can be used with a LED remote control. You can get a customized massage with its six massage settings, each featuring different levels of speed and intensity.