Post-workout massage is associated with a range of benefits, like less soreness, better range of motion, and speedier recovery, says physical therapist Megan McLain, PT, DPT. But if you don’t have the budget to splurge on a professional massage after every class, using a massage chair can have similar effects. To find the best massage chairs, we spoke with four physiotherapy experts who agree that the top options on the market don’t just vibrate—they have key features like a range of massage techniques and customizable settings.
Using this advice, we evaluated dozens of top-rated massage chairs on the market. We’ve also tested six expert-approved chairs in the Verywell Testing Lab, sitting in them for 20 minutes each and trying each setting. When testing, we note how comfortable each chair is to sit in, how easy it is to use, and how much relief we feel after using it. Our top picks have received high scores for comfort, pressure, ease of use, effectiveness, design, and overall value. Another reason to trust our recommendations? We had a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and an athletic trainer from our Review Board review this article for accuracy and how to use a massage chair effectively and safely.
What to Know Before You Get Started
While massage chairs can be beneficial for relieving tension and stress, you should not use them if you have any serious injuries. It’s a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider first before using or purchasing a massage chair to avoid any potential discomfort, injuries, or other complications.
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Key Specs
Massage Track: L-track | Dimensions: 30.5 x 57.1 x 44.1 inches | Weight Capacity: 260 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Best for taller people who have dedicated space for a massage chair, since this one is on the larger side.
Why We Love It
After hours spent researching and testing the top options, Osaki’s OS-Champ is our favorite massage chair because it offers serious relief at a great price. This L-track massage chair doesn’t just target the back muscles after a tough workout—its kneading rollers worked their way from our necks to our hamstrings, while 18 compressive airbags massaged our arms and legs.
We love that this chair is incredibly comfortable to sit and recline in, even before it’s turned on. Using the included remote, it’s easy to choose your desired settings or opt for one of five auto-massage modes. The minute we started using the OS-Champ, we were surprised by how much the zero-gravity reclining position made a difference in how intense the massage felt. After just one short session, we experienced immediate, full-body relief.
We also like that the OS-Champ is designed to accommodate a variety of users. There’s an adjustable headrest and an optional extended footrest with acupressure massage rollers for taller people. Other convenient features, like a remote holder that also fits a smartphone and a built-in lumbar heater, make this chair stand out as a great value for the price, compared to others we tested.
Potential Flaws
- This chair has a 260-pound weight capacity, which is low compared to others on our list.
- We found that the chair offers a fairly intense massage that bordered on too much when we tried certain settings.
Most Valuable Insight
“I honestly never once thought a massage chair would be this effective, but I want this for my house. But I also don’t—because if I had it, I would never get out of it.”—Donna Freydkin, associate director of product testing and Verywell Fit product tester
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Key Specs
Massage Track: L-track | Dimensions: 61 x 29.5 x 45.1 inches | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Best for people who enjoy light pressure, especially if you’re looking for a fully immersive experience.
Why We Love It
iRest’s A306 Massage Chair has three zero-gravity modes—the most of any chair on our list. It’s also unique in that it offers five massage types: shiatsu, kneading, knocking, tapping, and kneading and tapping. Each one targets different muscle groups, and we found that all of the settings were comfortable—not too light or too intense. Adjustable speed and intensity settings, 12 massage modes, and a built-in lumbar heater provide targeted relief right where you need it, whether that’s in your back after a hot yoga class or in your calves after a marathon.
We like that the iRest has Bluetooth speakers for a better sound experience and AI voice controls, although it’s worth noting that we had some difficulty setting voice commands up during testing. After using the chair, we noticed that the light pressure felt soothing and relaxing. One of our editors even found that she had better circulation in her hands and feet. We also appreciate that it has the highest weight capacity on our list.
Potential Flaws
- We think the remote and control panel are pretty easy to use. However, we don’t like that you have to sit up mid-massage and take your arms out of the armrests to adjust the chair’s settings.
- We noticed that the chair’s thick padding makes the seating, arm, and leg areas fairly narrow.
Most Valuable Insight
“The heat feature on the back is soothing and comfortable: It feels like taking a hot bath after being out in the cold.”—Jennifer Montes, Verywell Fit product tester
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Easy to use
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Sleek design
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Great value
Key Specs
Massage Track: S-track | Dimensions: 52 x 27 x 43 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Best for people looking for an S-track chair who enjoy light pressure.
Why We Love It
If all you want to do when you get home from the gym is kick back and relax, we recommend Real Relax’s Favor-03 ADV Massage Chair. We appreciate that the backrest is supportive and comfortable at every angle, even while using the chair’s zero-gravity settings. Six massage programs—plus customizable speed, intensity, and target area settings—make it easy to tailor the chair’s features to your needs.
We love how easy it is to use, with a clear instruction manual, an LED screen that keeps track of which body parts are currently being massaged, and Bluetooth connectivity that took us less than two minutes to set up. Since this is an S-track massage chair, its dual-core rollers stop at the lower back. We found that it provided plenty of relief, although the air compression feature in the arms and legs wasn’t as intense as we would have liked. Even so, we think the chair’s impressive capabilities, mid-range price, and sleek design make it a solid investment.
Potential Flaws
- Like iRest’s A306, Real Relax’s Favor-03 ADV provides lighter pressure that may not be for everyone. If you prefer a deeper, more intense massage, we recommend Osaki’s OS-Champ.
- Because this is an S-track massage chair, it doesn’t offer the same coverage as our L-track favorites. (In S-track chairs, the rollers stop at the base of your spine, while rollers in L-track chairs extend to your glutes and hamstrings.)
Most Valuable Insight
“This massage chair is really easy to use. I like that you can easily see which body part it is targeting on the LED screen.”—Krisha Joshi, Verywell Fit product tester
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No lumbar support
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Complex controls
Key Specs
Massage Track: Not listed | Dimensions: 44 x 28 x 40 inches | Weight Capacity: 285 pounds | Zero-Gravity: No | Heated: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4/5
Who It’s For
Best for people who want a massage chair that offers intense pressure, blends in with their current furniture, and doesn’t take up too much space.
Why We Love It
For intense pressure that targets deep knots, stiff necks, and sore feet, we recommend Human Touch’s WholeBody 7.1 Massage Chair. Each part focuses on kneading out aches and pains below the surface—and we reaped the benefits even on the lowest settings. The slim remote provides plenty of ways to customize your session (or choose from five auto massage modes), while the footrest massages your calves in a relaxing, upward figure-eight motion.
Unlike most of the other chairs on our list, this one has a classic design that’s reminiscent of a traditional reclining armchair. It also has a smaller footprint, making it one of our favorite options for small spaces. Choose from black, brown, gray, or ivory leather to compliment your home’s decor.
Potential Flaws
- We wish this chair had more lumbar support, like others on our list. But we like that it has neck and feet massagers, for a full-body experience.
- The remote is small but has many buttons, which we found slightly overwhelming. You may need to consult the chair’s instruction guide until you get the hang of the controls.
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Key Specs
Massage Track: Fixed | Dimensions: 30 x 7.8 x 19.6 inches | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Zero-Gravity: No | Heated: Yes | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Best for people who need relief, but who don’t have the budget or space to splurge on a full-sized massage chair.
Why We Love It
For small spaces and budgets, you can’t go wrong with Homedics’ Shiatsu Elite II Back Massager With Soothing Heat. This portable cushion has great lumbar support and heated massage elements that provide kneading, rolling, or specific spot treatments for sore muscles. When we tried it, we were surprised by how well it worked—in fact, it scored higher than some massage chairs we tested.
We appreciate that this cushion works for most body types and can be attached to most chairs. The pressure is stronger than we expected, effectively targeting deep knots and general tension. Whether you’re looking to add comfort to hotel armchairs, office desk chairs, or your couch at home, Homedics’ Shiatsu Elite II Back Massager can help.
Potential Flaws
- Since this cushion is on the thicker side, we recommend using it in deep chairs or armchairs.
Most Valuable Insight
“I was genuinely impressed by how effective this massage cushion is, for a portable one! The pressure of the shiatsu was intense in a really great way.”—Abby Moore, Verywell Fit product tester
Bonus Favorites
Although we didn’t try these massage chairs in the Verywell Testing Lab for ourselves, we still think they’re worth considering. They have features, settings, and prices that are comparable to many models we tested:
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Built-in lumbar heater
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Expandable footrest
Key Specs
Massage Track: Fixed | Dimensions: 57 X 30 X 46 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes
Who It’s For
Best if you’re on a budget, but don’t want to sacrifice on features.
Why We Love It
For a feature-packed, budget-friendly option, we like Latitude Run’s Vegan Leather Heated Massage Chair. It has six automatic massage modes, an expandable footrest, and a zero-gravity setting. Similar to Real Relax’s Favor-03 ADV Massage Chair, this chair also uses air compression to apply gentle pressure to your arms and legs.
A built-in lumbar heater and Bluetooth speakers add a high-end feel. We also appreciate that you can customize the strength, speed, and target area of your massage. And at less than half the price of our top overall pick, you can be confident you’re getting a great value.
Potential Flaws
- Some users note that the chair isn’t as adjustable, meaning it can’t accommodate as many heights and body types as some of our other top picks.
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Key Specs
Massage Track: L-track | Dimensions: 60.3 x 29.5 x 44 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes
Who It’s For
Best for people who want to splurge a little on a compact L-track chair with high-tech features.
Why We Love It
Many of our top picks are full-body massage chairs—but Inner Balance Wellness’ Jin 2.0 Deluxe Heated Massage Chair has additional features that make it stand out from the rest. For one thing, it scans your body to provide a personalized massage based on the length of your spine and the width of your shoulders.
We also love that it has two far infrared heaters: One lumber heater (like many other chairs on our list) and another for your calves. There’s also a footrest that extends to add another 6 inches if needed. Even better? You only need two inches of clearance between the chair and the wall, so it can easily fit in smaller spaces.
Potential Flaws
- This chair’s 300-pound weight capacity and 6-foot height capacity are lower than some others on our list.
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Key Specs
Massage Track: L-track | Dimensions: 71 x 29 x 45 inches | Weight Capacity: 285 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes
Who It’s For
Best for tall people who want a larger chair that doesn’t skimp on high-tech features.
Why We Love It
Human Touch’s Quies Massage Chair comfortably accommodates people up to 6 feet, 9 inches tall. We love that it has an extendable footrest, plus a wide range of automatic and customizable massage settings.
The Quies Chair has S- and L-track rollers that run from your neck to your hamstrings and apply gentle pressure to your entire body. It also boasts a zero-gravity mode, two built-in lumbar heaters, a USB charging port, and Bluetooth speakers. These impressive features add up to a thoughtfully designed massage chair that we think is definitely worth the higher price tag.
Potential Flaws
- This is one of the priciest chairs on our list, although we think you get what you pay for.
- The 285-pound weight capacity isn’t the lowest on our list, but we wish it were higher, considering this chair’s height-inclusive design.
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Key Specs
Massage Track: L-track | Dimensions: 63 x 34 x 46 inches | Weight Capacity: 285 pounds | Zero-Gravity: Yes | Heated: Yes
Who It’s For
Best for people with the budget to splurge on a high-quality, high-end massage chair with unique features.
Why We Love It
A gentle, heated massage can go a long way when you’re recovering from an injury. Human Touch’s Super Novo Massage Chair offers deep tissue, full-body immersion, and other modes that are targeted toward relaxation and recovery. We like that it has 38 programs—the most of any chair on our list—plus other highly customizable features that work in tandem to provide effective, total-body relief.
The chair’s extra-long L-track is lined with rollers that can switch up their speed and cadence to mimic the feel of human hands. There’s also a lumbar heater, heated leg and foot massagers, and compressive airbags that help soothe everything from the neck down. Plus, we love the chair’s Virtual Therapist setting, which creates a custom massage experience based on your individual needs and preferences.
Potential Flaws
- This chair is the most expensive on our list. However, we feel it’s worth the investment, considering how many customizable settings it has.
- For the price, this chair’s 285-pound weight capacity could be higher.
Massage Chairs We Also Tested
We tested six chairs, but only five made it onto our final list of recommendations. This one just didn’t compare to our favorites:
- CONHOMA’s Recliner Chair Massage Rocker is budget-friendly, and the included remote is easy to use. But its basic vibration doesn’t provide any kind of massage. We also wish it was larger and more comfortable to sit in.
What to Look for When Shopping for Massage Chairs
- Price: For a massage that checks all of our experts’ boxes, you’ll likely need to spend between $700 and $5,000. Less-expensive chairs may not have as many fancy features, but they can be just as effective as higher-priced models.
- Massage Tracks: Most massage chairs have rollers inside to help knead stiff muscles. These rollers are positioned along either an S-track or an L-track. S-tracks start at your neck and stop at your lower back, creating an S shape. L-tracks start at your neck and extend to your hamstrings, creating an L shape. Many people prefer massage chairs with L-tracks because they offer more coverage, but keep in mind that they can be difficult to find at lower price points.
- Massage Settings: The experts we spoke with agree—your massage chair shouldn’t just vibrate. Instead, it should use a range of massage techniques and have lots of adjustable settings for you to choose from. When comparing chairs, consider their features: How many massage modes do they have? Which massage techniques are used (kneading, rolling, etc.)? Can you adjust the speed, intensity, and location of your massage?
- Comfort: Your massage chair should feel comfortable and supportive, McLain says. Make sure it is large and sturdy enough to accommodate your full height and weight. Ideally, it should also have a height-adjustable footrest.
- Additional Features: Every massage chair on our list has some additional features that add to your massage experience. These include Bluetooth speakers, voice controls, and heaters that target your back, legs, or arms—a favorite of Tom Walters’, PT, DPT, CSCS, a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist. If you can’t decide between multiple chairs, considering their additional features can help you choose the right one for your needs.
How We Selected and Tested the Best Massage Chairs
To find the best massage chairs, we’ve spoken with four physiotherapy experts, including a massage therapist and three physical therapists. We’ve also researched dozens of chairs on the market and chosen six models to try for ourselves in the Verywell Testing Lab so far. Our editors who test massage chairs generally have muscle stiffness after sleeping in certain positions and sitting at work all day. During the research and testing process, we evaluate each chair based on the following key criteria:
- Comfort: As we sit in each chair, we assess how comfortable they are before we even turn them on. We’re checking to see how cushioned and padded each section of the chair is, from the headrest to the footrest (if there is one). We also make sure to test out the lumbar support and any adjustable elements, if the chair has them.
- Pressure: Once we turn the chair on, we try all of the settings to see how intense the massage feels. We note how customizable each massage setting is, as well as whether the chair lets us choose between different massage techniques (like kneading and tapping).
- Ease of Use: Throughout the testing period, we consider how easy the chair and its controls are to use. Is the remote intuitive, or do we constantly need to refer to an instruction manual to find the right settings? Is everything labeled clearly, and is the user guide written well?
- Effectiveness: When we’re finished testing the chair, we assess how effective it was at relieving tension, pain, and soreness. Do we feel more relaxed than before? How do our muscles feel?
- Design: Since most massage chairs are large and will stay in your home for a long time, we also consider how each one is designed. Does it take up a lot of space? Does it look sleek and stylish or bulky and clunky?
- Overall Value: After we’ve tested all of the chairs and evaluated them in every other category, we check the price tag. If we think the price is fair, considering how the massage chair performed in our test, we assign it a high overall value score.
Our Experts
- Megan McLain, PT, DPT, a physical therapist and co-owner of Intuitive Choice Physical Therapy & Wellness in Peachtree City, Georgia
- Tom Walters, PT, DPT, CSCS, a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist based in Santa Barbara, California
- Madelaine Bates, a massage therapist at Brentwood Physio in Calgary (in Alberta, Canada)
- Jordan Beall, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Tribeca Physical Therapy in New York City
Frequently Asked Questions
Are massage chairs worth having?
Even the best massage chairs can’t replace a skilled massage therapist, Bate says. But they can offer some of the same benefits, like less stress, muscle stiffness, and pain—so, yes, we think it’s worth investing in one, especially if you have these symptoms often.
Is it okay to sit in a massage chair every day?
Probably, according to Bate and Walters, but listen to your body. Sitting in a massage chair for too long could potentially worsen your pain instead of relieving it, Walters says—so if you start to feel any pain or discomfort, take a break.
How many years does a massage chair last?
It depends on what kind of chair you buy, how well it’s made, how often you use it, and how well you take care of it. But generally speaking, you can expect your massage chair to last between five and 20 years.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Lindsey Lanquist is an experienced fitness and lifestyle writer who cares about connecting people with products they’ll love. As an avid exerciser, Lindsey understands the value of post-workout massage—and every time she’s used high-tech massage chairs, she’s found the experience dreamy.
Additional reporting contributed by Sarah Felbin
Sarah Felbin is a writer and editor who’s always diving into the latest health and fitness research. With over two decades of dance experience, she knows how important it is to keep your body feeling rested and relaxed, so you can tackle your fitness goals.
