
A long and tiring day at work means sore muscles and a stiff neck for many people. Visiting the nearest masseur can be time-consuming and, above all, expensive. Instead, consider investing in a massage chair that will save you time and money in the long run. A professional massage chair can soothe your aching body and relieve chronic pain. More and more people are choosing to buy them as the chairs have become relatively affordable considering the features they offer.
The thought of buying a massage chair can be intimidating, especially if this is your first time buying one. There are thousands of different models on the market today, which is why it can be difficult to make a decision. You don't know if the electric massage chair is of good quality, if it meets all your needs, etc. It is precisely for this reason that we have prepared this article for you, in which we will give you some useful tips on how to choose the best massage chair. The following 9 tips are the best things to consider when buying a massage chair.
1. Price
The first thing you need to consider is how much money you are willing to spend on your massage chair. It is necessary to realize that massage chairs are not cheap, but it is still a long-term investment, since the average age of massage chairs is 15-20 years. The more you spend on the chair, the better and more effective massage you can expect, with more additional functions.
It is recommended to ask yourself the following questions:
- How much am I willing to spend in total? Together it means everything, i.e. for the massage chair itself, transport, installation and the like
- How do I want to pay? You can usually pay for the chair in cash, with a card or in installments (Leanpay, Summit leasing), i.e. you can pay for the chair in one lump sum or pay over a period of several months.
2. Model; 2D, 3D, ali 4D?
Once you have determined your budget, the next step is to decide on the roller system model. Today you can choose between 3 types of roller technologies:
- 2D - massage rollers move up, down, left and right. Some models have the option of adjusting the speed and width of the massage.
- 3D - works in depth, width and height, the possibility of adjusting the massage from gentle, medium to strong, the feeling of real human hands, precise pressures and the possibility of a physiotherapeutic deep and intensive massage.
- 4D - works in depth, width and height (same as 3D), but also has the option of turning the rollers, which leads to an even deeper and more precise massage and, as a result, also offers more massage techniques. The chair has even more options for adjusting the strength and speed of the massage. It also offers physiotherapeutic, intensive massage, and some models also offer different stretches (example: Thai stretch).
A 4D massage chair model is definitely the best you can buy, but 3D and 2D are also very good. The difference is only in its level of massage intensity. If you are looking for a chair that can massage with high intensity, that is, that also has physiotherapy programs, consider a 3D or 4D chair. If you are not interested in this or if this is not your preference, you can choose a 2D chair.
3. Rail
The rail is the track along which the rollers travel. The rails differ in length or the distance traveled by the rollers.
An example to help you understand: Some chairs have a rail only about 45 cm long, which means that the massage rollers only massage the back. More advanced and better massage chairs already have a very long rail, more than 135 cm long, which means a massage from the top of the neck to the thighs. In short, the longer the track, the larger part of the body it covers and thus the massage is even better!
If you can afford it, we recommend that you always opt for a chair with an extended rail, as the massage is completely different if it covers a larger part of the body. People especially like neck, buttock and thigh massage.
Types of rails
Basically, we know 5 types of massage rails:
Without a rail (massage cushion) - the massage rollers on the back are fixed and provide a fixed massage. These models are among the cheapest, as they offer a very small number of programs, and the massage is not among the most accurate.
Straight rail - is a slightly improved shape and is about 64 cm long. These models are also among the cheaper ones, as there are a limited number of programs available, the massage power is strong and it cannot be adjusted.
S Rail - The S shape refers to the shape of the rail, which mimics the human spinal curve. This allows the rollers to adapt very precisely to the spine and enable a precise massage. The rollers travel up and down the rail, all the way to the lower back. The rail is 60-80 cm long, with a special focus on the neck and shoulders.
L rail - is very similar to S rail, except that it is longer than 110-130 cm and covers the buttocks as well as the thighs. This model is very useful for relieving pain in the waist, thighs and lower limbs (sciatica).
SL rail - is an extended and combined version of S and L rail. It is the newest and most advanced ergonomic rail to date. It offers an extremely comfortable and deep massage, adapted specifically for the human spine, with all the curves. It is designed to really accurately capture all body parts and acupuncture points.
4. Full body massage
Another essential feature that you should not overlook is that the massage chair offers you specific massages for all parts of the body. Each massage chair offers a variety of massages, but what separates it from the best is the wide selection. It should not be limited to the neck and back. Your chair should also fit other parts of your body, such as your arms, wrists, legs and feet. The chair will perform massages on these points with rollers, air cushions or massage heads. Some top massage chairs also offer different massage techniques and even stretches for an even better, unforgettable massage experience, such a chair is also called a therapeutic massage chair.
5. Other massage technologies
The main roller mechanism is undoubtedly the most important component of a massage chair, but it doesn't end there. There are several other components that also play a role in determining how good or the chair is bad. These are air cushions, sword rollers, massage rollers for the feet, how many different massage techniques the chair can offer you, and the like.
Air cushions make it possible to massage all parts of the body, even those where the massage rollers cannot reach. In addition, massage with air cushions is extremely pleasant and effective especially for the lymphatic system, which is the body's cleanser (removes waste and dangerous substances, destroys viruses and bacteria).
The rollers on the swords and under the soles ensure a precise massage of your muscles and other important acupuncture points, which are extremely important for the health and relaxation of the body.
Different massage techniques will provide an even better massage experience, as the combination of these is the most pleasant, as well as effective. Various massage techniques are, for example, kneading, squeezing, pulling, vibrating, Shiatsu and the like.
6. Automatic programs and functions
Automatic modes are pre-programmed massage programs. They are extremely important, as they allow the user not to have to deal with manual settings in order to find out and set his favorite massage functions. They also offer a different massage every time. This is especially true for chairs that have 10+ automatic modes where you have so many choices that the same massage will never happen again!
How many massage programs and functions it will have depends a lot on the model of the chair. Most massage chairs usually have an average of 5 automatic modes, some of the better ones have 7-10, and the top ones have 30+!
7. Possibility of heating (thermotherapy)
The best massage chairs use heat for effective massage, this is also called thermotherapy, which has many positive effects on health. This improves the mobility of muscles and joints, relieves pain and relieves muscle spasms. Infrared heat offers relaxation to sore muscles and helps improve the lymphatic system.
8. Bluetooth connection and application
Consider purchasing a massage chair with Bluetooth functionality and an app for an even better user experience. Most manufacturers today include integrated speakers and other various technology in their massage chairs. You can easily listen to relaxing music or your favorite audio book during the massage. Pairing your phone with the chair is convenient. Some models even have an application function, which allows you to control the device and customize programs with just a few clicks. Setup is easy. After downloading the app to your phone, connect the device to the chair and it's ready to use.
9. Warranty and service
One of the most important things is to find out before the purchase whether the provider also offers a warranty and service. You certainly don't want to buy a massage chair, and when problems arise, you won't have one to solve them for you. Believe me, it is better to pay a few euros more and you have a guaranteed service. Choose a recognized company or a reliable supplier who will have spare parts and will fix your problem quickly and easily.
If you understand all the suggestions and know what to pay attention to, you can more easily make the right decision. For any additional information, call the company, where they will definitely help you choose the ideal chair that will satisfy all your needs and wishes.
You are cordially invited to our salon at Kolodvorska cesta 16a, in Kočevje, where our experts will suggest the best model of massage chair, which will be most suitable for you, based on your wishes. The feeling of a real massage on a premium massage chair cannot be described, so come and see for yourself.
We know that the massage will enchant you and you will forget all your worries! You can also read about the benefits of a massage chair in our other article. Massage chairs and massage machines can be seen on our website Trgovina Jana.