- Similar Models
- Many manufacturers offer the same massage technology
branded under different model names.
- 3D Depth Technology
-
3D Depth Technology is an advanced feature
that allows as the rollers to push forward into your back they roll,
knead and tap your back.
- Actual Rolling stroke
- Actual Rolling stroke is the measurement
in inches from the top of the rollers at the highest pint of the
massage to the bottom of the rollers from the lowest point of massage.
- Advertised Rolling stroke
- Advertised Rolling stroke is the distance
in inches that the massage chair companies claim that their chairs
massage up and down your back.
-
Auto Programs
- Automatic programs allow you to press a single
button that sends the massage chair into a pre programmed routine.
-
Body Scanning
- Body scanning is an advanced feature that allows
the massage chair to scan and take measurements of the users back.
-
Combination: Kneading, Tapping, & Rolling
- Combination kneading,
tapping and rolling allows the chair to deliver all three of these
massage techniques simultaneously versus just one or two at a time.
-
Heat
- High end massage chairs often add heating elements to the
back rests of their chairs to add to the comfort of the massage
chair as well as to help loosen the back muscles.
-
Intensity Adjustments
- Intensity adjustments allow you to change
the strength of the massage with a click of a button.
-
Manual Courses
- Manual courses allow you to intimately control
the movements of the massage rollers to customize the massage to
your needs.
-
Manual Rated Time
- This is the maximum time that the massage
chair manufacturer recommends that you use the chair. The
massage chair will automatically turn of at the end of the manual
rated time.
- Multi-Directional
Kneading
- Advanced massage chairs offer multi-directional kneading
so that the user can change the circular direction of the massage.
Changing the kneading direction allows you to receive either an
upward or downward stroking massage that changes the effects of
the massage on your muscles.
-
Quiet Rating, rated 1-10
- This is the chairs operating noise
level rating.
-
Rolling, Kneading, Taping
- Rolling, kneading and tapping are
the different massage movements that chairs perform. Each
massage chair will perform these movements with various degrees
of efficiency one at a time or in the case of advanced chairs two
or three motions at a time.
-
Seat Massage
- Seat massages are offered in certain models.
The massage can be administered either by air bags or mechanical
vibration to work your glutes and hamstrings.
-
Shoulder And Neck Massage
- All massage chairs deliver different
shoulder and neck massages. Chairs with stroke lengths under
25 inches typically will not reach high enough to deliver a comprehensive
neck massage. Also look for chairs that offer neck cut outs
which allow the chair to better focus on your neck and shoulder
regions.
-
Strength of massage, rated 1-10
- This measures the strength of
the massage rollers. Stronger massage chairs more closely
resemble the work of massage therapists. The strength can
be softened through intensity adjustments and added back pads.
-
Two Directional Kneading
- Advanced massage chairs offer multi-directional
kneading so that the user can change the circular direction of the
massage. Changing the kneading direction allows you to receive
and upward or downward stroking massage that changes the effects
of the massage on your muscles.
- Vibration
-
Vibrating motors add vibration to massage chairs to offer improved
massage and better relaxation. This function should not be
confused with tapping.
- Width
adjustment
- The width of the massage rollers can be adjusted
to change the feel of the massage and to provide a customizable
fit.
Leg and Foot Massage Features
-
Extendable Footrest
- This allows the leg massage to rise for
added comfort and leg support.
-
Foot Massage
- Foot massages can be delivered either by inflatable
air bags or from kneading mechanical rollers and paddles.
Chairs that use mechanical massage are more effective and offer
more therapeutic benefits than chairs that use air bags.
-
Leg Massage
- Leg massages can be delivered either by inflatable
air bags or from kneading mechanical rollers and paddles.
Chairs that use mechanical massage are more effective and offer
more therapeutic benefits than chairs that use air bags.
-
Other Footrest Features
- Width adjustments, length adjustments,
intensity adjustments, speed adjustments, padding adjustments.
Adjustments allow the user to customize the fit and massage to the
individual user.
Construction
-
2 Motor Recline
- This allows the leg and back rest of the chair
to recline independently of each other.
- Arm Material
- Wood, leatherette, leather or plastic.
- Dimensions
W x D x H
- Width x Depth x Height in inches
- Frame Type
- Different frames offer different levels of stability.
Steel square frames are the best followed by standard square frames
and then pedestal designs. Weaker frames cause the chair to
shake and squeak during massage.
- Manual Recline
- This means that the chair does not recline automatically
and reclines with using manual levers.
- Matching
Chair - Back Cover
- Matching back covers offer a more traditional
appearance to the chair.
- Material
- High end massage recliners are covered in high quality stretchable
synthetic leather. This allows the chair to maintain its new
appearance much longer despite stress from the massage rollers,
heating elements and daily ware and tear. Other materials
such as leather and cloth are also used but show wear sooner.
- Number
of Massage Rollers
- This is the number of rollers that
massage your back. Massage chairs typically use a four roller
system although low end models use two. Be weary of chairs
that offer more than four rollers as this means the rollers are
most likely fixed in position and can not travel up and down your
spine.
- Number
of Motors total
- The amount of motors effects the strength and
durability of a massage chair. The more motors the better.
- One
Touch Recline
- One touch recline allows the chair to move to
its fully reclined position automatically with a click of a button.
- One-Touch
Return
- One touch return allows the chair to move to its
full upright position automatically with a touch of a button.
- Reclining
Angle
- Reclining angle measures the fully reclined position of
the massage chair (180 degrees is flat)
- Removable
Arms
- Removable arms make the chair easier to transport around
the house through narrow doorways and around tight corners.
- Removable
Back Pad
- Removable back pads offer the user a choice over the
amount of padding that rests between the massage rollers and the
user. More padding softens the massage and less padding strengthens
the massage.
- Single
Motor Recline
- Single motor recline means that the leg rest and
back rest automatically recline together versus independently.
- Weight
- Weight of massage chair measured in pounds.
- Price
-
Price quoted in U.S. dollars (may vary slightly from current selling
price)
- Return
Policy
- Each massage chair brand and retailer has a different
return policy. Always consult your retailer on specific models
of interest.
- Warranty
- Warranties are offered through the chair manufacturers.
Additional warranties can often be purchased at extra costs.
Warranties vary in their coverage over parts, labor, shipping and
time.
