Massage chair test - Top 8 - Which is the best massage chair?

Where can you try out massage chairs?

You can test NAIPO massage chairs at various locations in Germany.

You can generally test all models directly at our location in Hamburg.

At our partners' locations, you can use selected models and, depending on the location, you will also receive advice.

It is also possible to book a free consultation appointment directly on our website.

You can find more information here.

Tips for using a massage chair

If you don't do much exercise, we recommend taking it slow.

Massage chairs act on the body like a workout program.

It is possible that one day after using a massage chair, you might feel tension similar to muscle soreness.

Generally speaking, don’t overdo it – especially at the beginning

How often can you use massage chairs?

Massage chairs should not be used without care.

For beginners, we definitely recommend shorter sessions at first.

Practical: Most NAIPO massage chairs have an integrated automatic timer.

The optimal time for a session in the massage chair is 15-20 minutes.

15-20 minutes may not sound like a long time, but you should approach your first use of a professional massage chair the same way you would approach a new sport: slowly.

Many of our customers sometimes report experiencing muscle soreness after the first few uses in a massage chair. But this is no cause for concern: all customers who reported this initial muscle soreness also reported that they felt their bodies were significantly more relaxed after the initial soreness subsided.

After that, you can gradually increase the frequency of use.

You will achieve optimal results if you use your massage chair 3-4 times a week.

Are you looking for a massage chair but overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices?

Are you at your wit's end trying to sift through the mass of available features and functions to finally find the right chair?

In this article, we would like to explain to you step by step the various purchasing criteria for a massage chair so that your new home accessory is perfectly tailored to all your needs and, what's more, fits your budget.

We'll navigate the tangle of information and focus on the essentials, so you get a clear plan without unnecessary distractions. This makes finding the right model a breeze. Let's get straight to the point!

Massage chair – how long should you use it?

Most massage chairs offer preset lengths for massage sessions.

Start with the shortest and use the shortest program for one week.

Within this week you should be able to assess more accurately how you are feeling now.

Increase the duration in small steps if you haven't exercised for a long time.

In this way, the body can adapt optimally to the massages.

How to choose a good massage chair?

There are two key questions you need to ask yourself before you even begin. These are:

1. How much do you have to spend?

2. Why do you want to buy a massage chair?

The answers to both of these questions form the basis for your decision. If you can answer these questions, the question "how to find the right massage chair" becomes significantly easier. However, answering both questions may be more complicated than you think.

Now learn important terms that you should know before buying a massage chair: Massage chair glossary - technical terms

How much do you have to spend?

The question of your budget is incredibly simple. You know your expenses and how much money you have available. To roughly classify massage chairs, use the following information as a general guideline:

Affordable armchairs

These are inexpensive and also perform basic functions. In some cases, massage chairs in this category are based on outdated (albeit sometimes well-implemented) technologies. In other cases, they simply use a smaller backrest or offer fewer features. Many customers complain online about the often clunky designs.

With the A150 massage chair, which costs an average of €550, Naipo has developed a modern massage chair that combines a relaxing massage with a discreet design that fits even in the smallest of spaces.

The A150 doesn't appear "lumpy and shapeless," but rather impresses with its attractive, timeless silhouette.

The minimal size makes the chair seem inconspicuous - but the massage is always surprising in relation to its size.

Mid-range armchair

This broad price range encompasses the vast majority of massage chairs available on the market today. You'll find a variety of options here, from well-equipped all-rounders to truly specialized massage chairs that utilize more limited but exceptionally well-implemented features and are tailored to specific massage needs.

The A350 massage chair in beige or black is particularly popular in the mid-range.

High-quality armchairs

In this huge category, you can pay up to 12,000 euros or more per model.

And of course, the more money you are willing to spend, the more features and better design you can expect.

Some of the chairs in this group are true masterpieces. They can do almost anything and boast feel-good features that bring pure pleasure to their lucky owners.

However, we are convinced that some newer features are often disproportionate to a price of, for example, €15,000.

The experience of the Naipo development team has shown that some test subjects who have tested massage chair models often did not notice any difference compared to an €8,000 or €15,000 model.

The MGC-8900 is an absolute luxury model , available in three colors. This massage chair will provide you with an experience you'll never forget. It features every conceivable feature a high-end massage chair should have.

[VIDEO] See how the MGC-8900 chair brings a statue to life:

After many years of development, this masterpiece boasts all the features a modern massage chair should have. Among the technical features is a tablet for controlling the chair.

While chairs at the lower end of the price spectrum are more limited in terms of features, there are excellent models in every price range, so you can find something you'll be completely satisfied with, regardless of your budget.

Just browse through the large selection of different models: Click here

Why do you want a massage chair?

The second question is a little trickier, but the industry makes it a little easier for you.

There are two basic types of massage chairs: therapeutic and recreational massage chairs.

Therapeutic massage chairs

Therapeutic chairs are designed to meet specific medical or chiropractic needs. The reality is that 8 out of 10 Germans will suffer from severe back pain at some point in their lives. The figures aren't all that different in other parts of the world.

While back pain relief is the most common reason people consider purchasing a therapeutic massage chair, they can certainly be used to treat a number of other conditions, including neck and shoulder pain, leg pain, high blood pressure, and stress-related illnesses.

Depending on your specific needs, the "ideal" range of functions for you will also change.

Hobby/Leisure massage chair

Recliner chairs with massage functions are more general in nature.

They often have some therapeutic features, but tend to place just as much, or even more, emphasis on recreational features such as MP3 support, programmable and storable massage settings, LED lights, and the like.

Some people may simply want a TV chair with a massage function.

Of course, there is considerable overlap here, and even if your primary needs are therapeutic, that doesn't mean you won't want to miss out on certain comfort features, but we'll get to that in the next section.

So, how much do you need to spend and what do you need the chair for?

If you suffer from chronic back pain or sciatica, or if you have a job that requires you to work under stress for many hours at a time, then all of these factors point to very specific characteristics.

On the other hand, if all you want at the end of a long day at work is an armchair in which you can lean back and enjoy a soothing massage, then your search will lead you to completely different products.

Massage chair functions: Features, features and even more features

So, once you have answered the basic questions above about needs and price, the next step is to figure out which features of the massage chair are most important to you.

The characteristics can be roughly divided into three categories:

- Basic massage chair technology (core technology)

- Therapeutic features

- Comfort features

The best thing to do is to simply list all the features you are interested in and then rank them in order of priority before purchasing a massage chair.

Let’s look at each category one by one.

Main technology for massage chairs

These are the essential elements that are (or can be) found in almost every massage chair.

Consider this the core framework around which the rest of any design is built.

The core technologies include:

Massage track

Every conversation about a massage chair must start here, and there are three different variants of massage tracks, also called “massage tracks”:

• Fixed Frame - This is a simple rectangular frame found on cheaper chairs, with stationary massage heads mounted on it. Because the heads don't move, they may not provide a first-class massage experience.

Essentially, the heads simply vibrate in place. If the tense spots in your back happen to coincide with the position of the heads, this can result in a decent, but not exceptional, massage. If not, the experience will likely be subpar.

Each of these models will give you a soothing massage: Click here

Note that in some cases, a fixed frame is used in conjunction with movable rollers. In these cases, however, the rollers are limited to moving only along the X and Y axes. The frame does not follow the curvature of your spine, which means the massage is of somewhat lower quality.

• S-rail - This is the current industry standard. Unlike products with a fixed frame, this one is shaped to follow the curve of your spine. The rollers mounted on it run from the neck to the tailbone, providing a consistently excellent massage experience.

• L-Track – The latest in massage chair technology. The L-Track, or hybrid L/S-Track, combines the standard S-Track with an extension that curves under the seat, allowing the rollers to massage from the neck to the glutes and back of the thighs.

Role array

The rollers are the force that delivers the massage. The current industry standard is quadruple rollers, although some massage chairs use triple or double rollers as a cost-saving measure. There are also a few models currently available that use a six-roller array, but these are still rare.

As a rule of thumb: more rollers = better massage experience .

Remember when we mentioned above that some budget chairs use older technologies?

This is one such case. Some chairs use stationary massage heads or connected pairs of massage balls instead of rollers.

These tend to produce subpar results. However, massage balls are the best choice among the cost-effective options , as they don't significantly degrade the overall experience.

Role Alignment Technologies

There are four options here.

• No caster adjustment option – This technology is rare, but some budget-friendly chairs forgo any kind of caster adjustment. You'll get your massage wherever the casters are positioned in the chair. If they're aligned with your body's pressure points, you'll get a good massage. If they're not, you're out of luck, unless you want to slide around in the chair until you find a better position.
• 3D body scanning – This is the most common method for adjusting the roller position and width of the massage field. Each time you use the chair, before your massage begins, the onboard computer scans your pressure points and adjusts the roller position accordingly.
  Unfortunately, the technology sometimes fails, and if the massage chair doesn't offer a manual adjustment option, you're dependent on the massage chair's 3D body scan.

NAIPO models offer both an automatic body scan and a manual setting option: Click here

• Manual adjustment - Some massage chairs do not have computer-controlled alignment of the rollers and massage field. Here, the user can make manual adjustments using the remote control. It takes a little time to adjust the roller positions just right, but this ensures that the rollers are always exactly where they are most effective.
• Hybrid approach - These chairs offer the best of both worlds: a body scan for comfort and manual adjustment knobs that allow for fine-tuning if the body scan technology isn't working 100%. You'll pay a bit more for such a chair, but most people consider it a worthwhile investment.

Massage technique options

Roller-based massage can be performed in a variety of ways. Generally speaking, the more you're willing to pay for your chair, the more massage techniques you'll have at your disposal.

The techniques fall into two categories: basic and advanced techniques (Basic & Advanced) .

Basic techniques are exactly what they sound like and include basic massage techniques such as kneading, tapping, rolling, and the like.

Advanced massage techniques are usually named after the country that invented them: Swedish, Thai, Shiatsu - in the case of the massage technique that originated in Japan - and so on.

Most massage chairs offer some ability to adjust the massage speed and intensity using a remote control, but this is not always the case.

Some cheaper models only offer a single setting, so it's worth doing a little research to find out how you can get more customization options for your money.

All NAIPO massage chairs can be adjusted via a control panel.

Air cushion massage mode

Most massage chairs offer two different types of massages: roller massage and airbag massage. Since massage airbag technology is now in its second generation, it's important to know whether the airbags in your chosen chair are first- or second-generation.

In general, the more airbags, the better the massage .

As with the roller-based massage, most air-cushioned chairs offer the ability to customize the experience via a stepless intensity setting on the remote control. However, this isn't always the case. There are a few low-priced models that offer only a single air massage intensity level.

These chairs offer an excellent number of airbags that optimize the massage experience: Click here

As you can see, even the basic functions of massage chairs have much more to them than meets the eye!

Operating methods of a massage chair

There are four main methods for operating a massage chair .

• Many models have a remote control to make operation during the massage easier.
• Furthermore, various massage chairs can be controlled with integrated keys and buttons, in addition to being controlled by a remote control.
• Very modern massage chairs from various brands such as OSIM and Fujiiryoki have an app control that allows you to access the chair's functions via your smartphone.
• In addition, there are models that completely do without conventional remote controls and offer control via tablet.

Therapeutic functions

Simply put, these features are included in massage chairs to help you feel better and relieve and eliminate certain symptoms.

There's no "perfect" massage chair, and no chair currently available on the market combines all the therapeutic features in this category with all the features in the "leisure" section. This makes it all the more important to consider what you really want when it comes to therapeutic features.

Deep tissue massage

While a regular roller-based massage feels great and even has some therapeutic value, deep tissue massage is even better.

You'll find this reflected in massage chair descriptions in two ways. Sometimes manufacturers simply refer to it as "deep tissue massage." Other times, they list this feature as "3D" or "4D" technology.

The term "4D technology" requires some explanation. The reason it was introduced was simply that in an S- or hybrid L/S-track chair, the casters already move three-dimensionally , as the track is curved to adapt to the curvature of the spine and allow a certain degree of movement along the Z-axis.

Relax in Zero Gravity

This small but important feature, which enhances the massage experience, should not be underestimated. By placing your knees slightly above your heart, the chair creates a feeling of weightlessness. This position also allows your body weight to press more firmly against the chair back, which in turn allows the rollers to deliver a deeper massage.

About a third of the massage chairs available on the market today offer a zero-G function. These models offer one to three different seating positions.

Massage chair with heat function - Therapeutic heat

As good as massage is, heat plus massage is even better . About half of the recliners available on the market today offer some form of heat function. The overwhelming majority of these models often only offer heat in the lumbar region.

Some select massage chairs offer multiple heating options. Some offer these in the leg massage openings (if the chair has them), others can generate more back heat. One even has a heated blanket and back heating to provide you with the full whole-body heat program.

As a rule of thumb, the more heat it can generate, the more expensive the chair. While it's unusual, you can sometimes find models that allow precise temperature control. This is certainly a nice side effect, but if the feature isn't available, it rarely deters a purchase.

Body stretch

The ability to stretch the body (e.g., Thai stretching) is undoubtedly one of the most influential therapeutic functions that modern massage chairs can have. Stretching the body provides immediate pain relief by relieving pressure on compressed discs in the spine.

Note that there are two other functions that offer the same benefits, but are less intense: waist twisting and hip swinging. There are a few massage chairs that offer these functions along with the body stretching function. This may seem superfluous at first glance. But when you think about it, it's actually a very good thing from the user's perspective.

Consider chronic pain. The intensity of the pain can vary greatly from one day to the next. On days when the pain is particularly severe, body stretching may be too intense to perform. In this case, it's good to have a less intense option available.

For this very reason, body stretching, hip rotation, and hip swing are sometimes combined in therapeutic models.

Point and zone massage modes

Another fantastic therapeutic feature. This feature allows you to pause any massage program currently running and let the rollers knead exactly where you need them . You can then take as much time as you need to work out the knots and tension from your back before continuing with your selected massage program.

Calf and foot massage

About two-thirds of the chairs available on the market today are equipped with leg massage recesses . Most often, the calf massage is performed by airbags, and the foot massage by two rollers. Some inexpensive massage chairs use a simple vibration-style massage of the soles of the feet.

More expensive chairs offer more advanced massage features, such as triple or quadruple rollers for the soles of the feet, various massage types (how about a Shiatsu foot massage? Of course, possible with a Shiatsu massage chair!), heated massage ports, and more.

Comfort functions

Although these features don't directly enhance the massage experience, some users find them particularly valuable. The most common comfort features include:

Space-saving design

This is an important point, and extremely important for people who are short on space. Most massage chairs require a distance of approximately 45-60 cm between the back of the chair and the wall against which they are placed. Considering that the chairs are quite large anyway, they can certainly fill a room.

Armchairs built with a space-saving design require only about 10 cm of space from the wall, making them a fabulous piece of furniture for almost any room.

Extendable ottoman

Most massage chairs are designed for people between 150 cm and 185 cm tall. About half of the chairs available on the market today are equipped with an ottoman and extension module, making them suitable for users up to 195 cm tall.

Hideaway Ottoman

Aesthetics are very important to some people, and if there's one thing that makes a massage chair look like a tree stump in the room, it's the protruding leg massage openings.

The concealable ottoman offers an ingenious solution to this problem. When not in use for a massage, the leg massage supports can be folded into the chair itself, making it appear like a regular piece of living room furniture.

You'll pay a slight premium for this feature, but if aesthetics are important to you, it's worth the investment.

MP3 support

This is one of the most popular comfort features on the market today, because who doesn't enjoy listening to their favorite music while enjoying a relaxing massage?

There are three possible implementations for this feature in chairs that offer it:

• SD card slot : certainly the most inconvenient solution from the user's point of view.
• A USB port that allows you to load your music onto a USB stick and connect it to the chair. This is the "standard" implementation.
• Bluetooth compatibility allows you to wirelessly connect your smartphone or tablet to the speakers in the massage chair.

Air ionizer

Air ionization is only offered in about 10% of the chairs available on the market today. It's a small feature that some users find extra relaxing. Ionized air gently passes over the user's face while the massage is performed, promoting relaxation.

Buying a massage chair: Making the right choice

Now that you have a feel for what features a massage chair can have, the real fun begins.

Once you know your budget and have a good sense of why you want a massage chair, you should start thinking about which features are most important to you. Are therapeutic functions more important to you, or is comfort and leisure more important? You should now make a list of the features you want. A good rule of thumb is:

• Choose five functions (including basic functions) for an affordable chair
• Nine for a mid-range chair
• As many as you like for a high-end armchair

Then base your search for a massage chair on the features that are most important to you. You may not find an exact match, but with the sheer number of chairs available on the market today, you'll come very close to finding your dream chair!

Test your dream chair in Hamburg

As a leading provider of massage devices, you can test NAIPO massage chairs in our official showroom in Hamburg, for example.

The address is: Am Grasbrookpark 1, 20457 Hamburg

In addition to massage chairs, you can also expect various massage devices for shoulders, legs, arms, back, and feet - NAIPO's products cover the entire body.

Test massage chairs outside of Hamburg

Is Hamburg too far away for you?

No worries!

We regularly expand our locations.

For example, you can test our chairs for free at selected locations with the right ambiance, including shopping centers, cinemas, and restaurants.

This way, you can combine the pleasant with the useful and test massage chairs in a pleasant environment.

Extra: Book a free personal consultation

Individual customer advice is very important to us.

Moreover, modern problems require modern solutions. This is also true during the so-called coronavirus period.

For this reason, we have integrated a booking system on our website.

Please note that booking is optional and you can still visit official NAIPO showrooms during regular opening hours.

Nevertheless, for the benefit of all customers, we currently recommend booking in advance.

The entire booking process is, of course, a 100% free service and can be accessed via this link: https://www.naipo.de/collections/showrooms

We look forward to seeing you!

Is there a massage chair test by Stiftung Warentest?

Unfortunately, there is currently no official test from Stiftung Warentest for massage chairs.

But we have possible reasons:

The government no longer wants to support the foundation financially.

The Federal Government is considering allocating a larger share of its budget to the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV) than to Stiftung Warentest.

Accordingly, the foundation will receive 970,000 euros this year and a further 490,000 euros in 2023.

According to a report in the "Welt" newspaper, the German government is considering allocating a larger share of its budget to the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZBV) than to Stiftung Warentest.

For this reason, it remains to be seen whether the Foundation will conduct a test for massage chairs in the near future.

We would very much welcome this!

History of massage chairs - How it all began

There is evidence that massages were practiced in ancient times in various countries around the world, such as Greece, China and Rome.

Even ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs indicate the use of massages.

Massage chair: How it all began

In the 1950s, the first mechanically operated massage chair was introduced.

They started as very simple devices but have evolved into the complex machines they are today.

The very first massage chair was developed by a Japanese man named Nobuo Fujimoto in the city of Osaka in 1954.

Since Nobuo worked in a public bath, he was always thinking of new ways to help his customers relax and unwind.

Baseballs, wooden boards, and parts of bicycle chains were some of the discarded items he used to build his first prototype.

Slowly but surely, the chair became popular in holiday resorts and public baths, but the massage chairs were not yet offered to private customers.

How much electricity does a massage chair use?

Which massage chairs are recommended for commercial use?

Theoretically, you can also use the same massage chairs for commercial use that are intended for private customers.

This makes especially sense if, for example, you run a gym and there is an exclusive area to which only premium members have access.

Otherwise, we can recommend modern, coin-operated massage chairs.

Buy massage chairs on account

Purchase on account is possible with Klarna at Naipo.de.

Buy massage chairs on installments

It is easy to purchase massage chairs on installments with Klarna or EasyCredit.

To do this, you select the payment method during the ordering process and place the order as instructed.

Buy massage chairs in Switzerland - Here you can

If you are not from Austria or Germany, but still want to buy a massage chair from the test, we can reassure you:

You can easily purchase massage chairs from ASPRIA and the PASITHEA SERIES massage chairs on naipo.ch.

Shipping costs apply, but we have not yet experienced any problems with customs.

The current delivery time for massage chairs to Switzerland is 30 days.

Conclusion: How to choose a massage chair?

As you can see, the question of how to choose a good massage chair is much more complex than it initially seems.

However, with this process, it is easy to find the perfect massage chair for you and your family.

You'll have a clear sense of what you want and how many features you can reasonably expect at each price point, although of course, there will be differences from model to model.

Do you need more help?

You are welcome to contact our trained specialists via email and receive a free consultation:

support@mustbuy.eu

By phone:

• 040 88369018
• or: 040 57199390

Sources

www.Naipo.de

www.google.de

trustedshops.de

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massagesessel

https://www.presseportal.de/pm/38757/4726993