For years we have been hearing from customers who want independent, objective, qualitative data and reviews of massage chairs from a reputable 3rd party source. Since every company claims that their massage chair is the best, just who can you believe?

But up until now a Consumer Report from those reputable sources like Consumer's Digest magazine have not reviewed massage chairs, leaving most customers to cross their fingers and trust the salesperson.

This year, for the first time ever, Consumer's Digest took up the challenge for massage therapy products in an exhaustive review and have awarded their coveted "Best Buy" seal to their top picks.

We are proud to announce, The Elite Optima took home the "Best Buy" award in the premium massage chair category. Panasonic and Inada followed in the midrange and economy class. (For cars the Cadillac CTS took home the "Best Buy").

To read more about the Optima or to purchase this chair click here.

To read the full Consumers' Digest article in PDF format click here or click the picture on the left. (article will open in a new window 476K)

So, what constitutes a Consumer's Digest "Best Buy"? 1000s of products are tested and stringent rules, guidelines and qualifiers must be met. For example.

• Product must be commonly available on a nationwide basis.
• Product must have a national service organization/dealer network to support repairs/service.
• Unless it is part of a genuinely new technology, product should be made by a manufacturer of established reputation.
• Exact product model number must be available to consumers at retail stores or online for at least 6 months following the publication date of the issue in which the article/Best Buy rating will appear.

To receive a "Best Buy" recommendation from Consumer's Digest, it must be determined that the product is offering:

1. Best performance
2. Greatest ease-of-use
3. Widest range of features
4. Greatest durability of design
5. Best warranty
6. Greatest efficiency
7. Best styling
8. Lowest maintenance needs
9. Easiest servicing

In short, the best products in the field, regardless of price. They then review and "score" all of the products that qualify as highest in quality by these standards.

So how does Consumer's Digest obtain their information? All information must be obtained directly from the (OEM) manufacturer of the product, not retail or other affiliate web sources. A completed documentation checklist must be submitted.

1. Personal (hands on) testing/examination by the author(s);
2. Independent testing and research facilities, including colleges and universities, technical schools, independent labs, etc;
3. Reports from federal, state and other governmental agencies'
4. Other independent technical experts (tech editors at trade magazines, product engineers, etc.);
5. Retail establishments;
6. Service outlets (retail establishments or independent);
7. Consumers Digest reader and other consumer surveys;
8. Previously published evaluations in books, newspapers, noncompetitive magazines/Web sites, etc.;

As you can see, it's not easy to obtain the "Best Buy" rating. But we have always been confidant in our massage chairs and we will continue to push the boundaries of quality, design, durability and innovation for years to come.

Information supplied by Consumer's Digest. The BEST BUY SEAL is a registered trademark of Consumer's Digest Communications, LLC used under license.