The 2024 Massage Chair Buyer's Guide, for Smart Shoppers!

There's a BIG difference between buying "a massage chair" - and buying "the right massage chair".

There are all levels of quality out there, and buying a chair that’ll provide the user with a therapeutic level of massage, and a chair that'll last for many years without issues, will cost anywhere from the $2,500- range to well over $10,000-.

There are cheaper chairs out there, but like anything else - you’ll get what you pay for.

The differences in the pricing is based on the design of the chair, it’s features, the quality of the components installed during the construction of the chair, the company itself and their reputation.

This means if they're an established company, and if they actually stand behind their chairs.

There are always going to be new companies that’ll be around from 6 months to a year, and checking with the BBB website is a good way to weed them out.

Below are a number of other things to seriously consider, if you're shopping for a massage chair.

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#1 - Buying off the Internet:

Every massage chair has its own feel to it, and if it doesn’t fit your body's shape and size, or if it doesn't perform the way you thought it would, chances are the amount of time that you'll spend in it will be limited - which will limit your results.

The "right" massage chair can be amazing.

It'll make the time that you spend in the chair much more comfortable, you'll use it more, and you'll notice the improvement to the way that you feel, and the improvement to your overall health!

Researching massage chairs online is great for learning about them and getting an idea of the market, but not everything that you read may be entirely accurate.

Plus, everyone’s shape, size, and sensitivity level is different, so what’s good for one may not be for another.

If you’re serious about the therapeutic aspect of owning a massage chair, buying the “right" massage chair is something you'll want to do the 1st time around.

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#2 - What to look for:

a) The back roller mechanism of a quality massage chair, should massage each section of the spine with consistent pressure as it travels up and down the roller track, and also have the ability to really work your muscles and connective tissues.

b) The airbags should have a wide range of intensity settings, that'll satisfy you as your sensitivity level increases over time, or for multiple users who may prefer a light massage, an intense massage - or anything in between.

All massage chairs are not created equal - even the good ones, and there are at least 8 points of contact that’ll determine if a massage chair is right for you.

This includes the:

1 - Height and reach of the rollers into the neck region

2 - Pressure of the back rollers

3 - Air massage intensities

4 - Arms and hands massage

5 - Width of the shoulders and seat

6 - Width of the calf massage

7 - Length of the legrest

8 - Intensity of the foot massage.

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#3 - Mechanical Quality:

You'll see huge price variations when you go online to shop for a massage chair.

They ALL have a similar look, and they ALL sound absolutely "Fantastic" when you're reading about them - but, there are enormous differences between massage chairs, including the design of both the internal and external components, the quality of the components used during construction, and the overall quality of the massage itself.

Everything combined, will determine the cost of the massage chair, it’s reliability, and most importantly - its true therapeutic value to the user.

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#4 - S-Track, L-Track, SL-Track or Split-track?

S-tracks - An S-track’s back rollers massage the areas between the neck and waist.

The advantage of the S-track's design, is that the Stretch program can be considerably more effective than that of an L-track's.

The reason for this, is an S-track's backrest is a separate component from the seat, giving the seat and the backrest a greater range of motion between them.

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L-tracks - An L-track massage chair's back rollers travel between the neck and the glutes. (butt)

The advantage of an L-Track, is that the roller mechanism has a substantially longer reach, which relaxes more of your muscles and connective tissues.

L-Tracks also have a Stretch program and they do accomplish the task, but the actual stretch may not extend as far as a quality S-track's, because the backrest and the seat are one single component.

Please note that depending on the model, some S-tracks will stretch better than others, and the same goes with the L-tracks.

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SL-track - SL-tracks are actually L-tracks with the S added before the L, strictly for marketing purposes only.

Other than that, there is absolutely no difference between an L-track and an SL- track.

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Split tracks - A split track massage chair is designed like an L-track. but it has a hinge in the track and frame, that allows it to flex just like an S-track.

It features 2 separate sets of rollers, that massage between the neck and the mid back, and separately between the mid back and the glutes.

These are the most expensive chairs on the market, but if it’s in the budget I’d recommend giving it a try.

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#5 - 2D, 3D, and 4D massage chairs:

When we're talking about the D's, we're referring to the method used to adjust the back roller intensity.

-2D- The 2D design makes minor adjustments to the roller intensity, by adjusting the position of the backrest.

The further back the chair is reclined, the more intense the back roller massage will be, because more of your body weight is over the rollers.

-3D- A true 3D massage chair adjusts the back rollers in or out - and away from the roller track, making vital adjustments to the roller massage intensity, without changing your angle of recline.

Please note: I've seen a couple of massage chairs that claim to be "3D", because the airbag intensity can be adjusted - so buyer beware.

Also, don't mistake "Strength" adjustments for Intensity adjustments.

"Strength" usually refers to roller speeds on the remote, and I'm not sure why.

Intensity adjustments are typically referred to as either Intensity or Force.

-4D- There is no difference between a true 3D massage chair and a 4D massage chair.

The 3D chair adjusts the back roller intensity, as does the 4D massage chair.

4D was "born" when the roller speed adjustments were added into the D's equation.

The 4 D's are in & out, up & down, the rollers width, and the speed adjustments.

The 3 D's are in & out, up & down, and the width adjustments.

The roller speed adjustments were always one of the features on a 3D massage chair, but prior to 4D it simply was not mentioned as one of the D's.

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#6 - Space Savers:

The amount of space that you have for your massage chair, should be a serious consideration when you're shopping for the "right" massage chair.

Some chairs require as much as 16” of space behind it, to allow the chair to fully recline, which adds that distance to where the front of the legrest sits.

Space savers require much less clearance, and can be placed as close as 1" to a wall, depending on the model.

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#7 - Your Budget:

If you’re shopping for a massage chair for therapeutic use, and wondering if spending thousands of dollars makes sense, calculate the amount of time that you spend traveling to and back home from therapy, then total up your total out of pocket expenses to do this, then compare that to the cost and the convenience of owning your own massage chair.

A quality massage chair can be an excellent investment, and save you alot of money over the years.

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#8 - Service Quality:

The "quality of service" that a retailer provides, is more important than most people realize, especially 1st time massage chair buyers.

There are 3 times when service comes into play.

a) The demo.

To be able to make the best educated decision for yourself, you'll need find a good selection of quality massage chairs that you can try, along with someone who knows knows how to fully operate these chairs, and are willing to demonstrate the features that are important to you.

b) Delivery and setup.

This can be absolutely stress free - or not - and it all depends on the quality of the delivery company, and their staff's ability and their experience moving and assembling massage chairs.

c) Repair.

A massage chair is a mechanical apparatus, so eventually there'll be a time when it needs attention.

This could be 5, 10, 15 years and more, and that usually depends on the mechanical quality of your chair.

The quality of any repair depends on the knowledge, the experience, and the integrity of the person who shows up to your door.

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#9 - Warranties:

Any warranty is only as good as:

a) The warranty’s limitations.

b) The company that’s providing the service.

c) The service person.

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#10 - Quick summary:

The Market.

Researching massage chairs online is great for learning about them and getting an idea of the market, but not everything that you read online may be entirely accurate.

If you’re serious about the therapeutic aspect of owning a massage chair, buying the “right" massage chair is something you'll want to do - the 1st time around.

The Fit.

Everyone's body is different, and every massage chair is different too.

There are at least 8 points of contact that determine if a massage chair is right for you.

The better a massage chair both fits you and performs for you - the more you'll use it, and you’ll feel better and experience a healthier and better quality of life!

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Quality & Cost.

The design of the chair, the quality of the materials used during the construction, and the quality of support from the company will determine its cost.

Expect to pay at least $2500- or more for a new massage chair that’ll provide you with a therapeutic level of massage, and if you want it to last for 5, 10, 15 years or more.

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Service & Warranties.

The "quality of service" that a retailer provides, is more important than most people realize - especially 1st time massage chair buyers.

Quality service can help you find the right massage chair, and it’ll alleviate the stress that comes with poor service - including delivery, in home assembly, or repair.

The BBB website is very helpful with this.

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Now, for a little bit about our company.

We're an established and highly reputable family owned business in Brick NJ, and our online reviews will tell you how we treat people in general, and how dedicated we are to our customers.

You'll see that we honestly do care that you're 100% happy with your massage chair, and our service.

Services include:

a) Thorough massage chair demo’s hosted by industry leading experts.

b) Delivery w/ in-home assembly, or relocation to a new room or new home by our own expert technicians.

c) Diagnostics + repair if there’s ever an issue with your massage chair.

We’ll have your back - for as long as you own your massage chair!

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For more information, please call or text us at 732-201-7777 - Thanks!