A good massage chair is something that we all want. Just thinking about that cushioned leather and a warm massage on our back and legs induces feelings of relaxation in the brain. But what price do we have to pay for this relaxation?
Depending upon the features and type of massage chair that you choose, you may be charged a price anywhere between $500 to $10,000. Since a good, therapeutic massage chair can offer a diverse range of health benefits – it certainly comes with a big price tag.
As the features in the massage chair increase, the price also increases significantly. However, there is no denying that many affordable massage chairs can provide similar levels of comfort without putting a huge dent in your wallet. Whichever massage chair that you choose to purchase, it is likely to be an investment for the future.
Features Affecting Massage Chair Prices
In the modern world, the features that could possibly be integrated within a massage chair are endless. In many cases, manufacturers have already started incorporating the most bizarre features within a massage chair – including an automatic leg scan and even carbon fiber infrared heating to imitate the heating sensation from hot stones.
Depending upon the extent to which a feature is considered ‘luxury’, it keeps adding on to the overall price tag of the massage chair. Those chairs that cost up to $10,000 are usually equipped with the latest cutting-edge technologies and additional features that make them have a luxurious and elite appeal.
Here are a few features that are important in determining the price of a massage chair:
1. Customizable Massage Programs: Chairs that have this feature are able to learn your preferences and allow you to experience the same massage routine every day that is personalized to suit your specific needs.
2. Advanced Rollers: The rollers in a massage chair are what determine its usefulness. In chairs that integrate advanced rollers, there is an additional option of direct or concentrated massages that focus on one specific area of your body.
3. Extending Massage Tracks: Typically, an affordable massage chair would have a minimal amount of massage tracks that would only focus on one area of the body. However, more advanced massage chairs now have extending massage tracks that can reach from your neck to your legs in one continuous motion.
4. Airbags: This feature has been introduced quite a while ago but is still deemed as a costly factor in massage chairs. Since these airbags are specifically created for the massage chairs and are difficult to install, they quickly drive up the price of the chair. Airbags are helpful in providing a consistent amount of pressure to the different points on your body.
5. Recliner Capabilities: Many massage chairs have now doubled as reclining chairs in order to provide the most extreme form of comfort to the user. Apart from the traditional limited reclining experience, modern massage chairs integrate a zero-gravity reclining option that allows the user to stretch the chair back as far as they wish.
6. Advanced Reflexology: For pressure points such as the feet and the calves, modern massage chairs have reflexology technology integrated which allows for a consistent and beneficial massage experience.
7. Body Scan: This is one of the most recent advancements in the massage chair industry and includes the possibility for your chair to remember your body structure and develop a personalized massage pattern for you accordingly. You can have a body scan every day when you sit in the massage chair, and the chair would devise a massage pattern for you accordingly.
8. Full-Body Heating: While this feature was once restricted to the calves and feet, massage chairs now have full-body heating capabilities that allow for a more effective massage. The most modern massage chairs even have carbon fiber infrared heating capabilities which allows for a deeper sensation of heat distribution across the pressure points on the body.
9. Space-Saving Design: Since massage chairs were getting too big in recent years, manufacturers decided to make the design sleeker by introducing recline capabilities within a few inches of space. The new designs also have an aesthetic appeal which makes your massage chair blend in with the rest of your living room interior.
10. Bluetooth Speakers and App Functionality: As we live in an era of modern technology including smartphones, it was only fitting to allow for your massage chairs to be connected with your phone via Bluetooth. You can use your phone to play music on the speakers that are placed inside the cushions of the massage chair or use certain apps to control the function of your chair.
Should I Invest in a Good Massage Chair?
We understand how spending a large amount on a massage chair could be stressful for many people. However, it is important to understand that your massage chair is not only providing you comfort and ease – but is also a long-term investment.
If you ever experience body pain and are recommended to undergo massage sessions, a professional therapist will cost you about $60 per hour. Considering that you will also be paying a tip to the therapist, you could be paying up to $80 for a single massage session. Since you will have to schedule an appointment at least once every week, you could be spending up to $4,000 over an entire year.
And what does this cost get you? Only an hour worth of comfort each week. That’s it.
By investing the same or even lesser of an amount into purchasing a massage chair for yourself, you can easily have a relaxing experience every day, for multiple hours, from the comfort of your home.
Price Ranges of Different Massage Chairs
Once you have decided to invest into purchasing a massage chair, even a single Amazon search can tell you that there is a diverse price range available. To guide you through the process, we are going to highlight a few price ranges and what you can purchase in them.
1. Massage Chairs in Under $500
Unsurprisingly, there are not many options available in massage chairs if your budget is under $500. However, if you have a fixed budget and still want to purchase a product that brings you comfort – we recommend opting for a massage cushion. While they may not provide you with a full-body massage such as with an actual massage chair, it may be a good alternative to use until you are ready to invest into a better chair.
If a massage cushion is not your thing and you still want a standalone massage chair in under $500, you can find some basic options. This includes certain recliner chairs with only basic massage functions, a massage chair with a footrest (optimal for back massages), a rocking chair with a massage function, or certain foldable or portable massage chairs.
2. Massage Chairs Between $500 and $1,000
In this budget, you can find a good range of massage chairs. These chairs are likely to include a fix-point massage system since you are still paying a minimal price for something as luxurious as a massage chair. Since the roller-track system is a particularly expensive feature, it is one of the first to be omitted when the manufacturers want to lower the retail price. However, if you don’t want a roller-track massage experience, then a fix-point massage system will be great in this price range.
Massage chairs in this price range are also likely to be smaller in size. The typical massage chair in this category is likely to fit you if you are under 6 feet tall and weigh below 200 lbs. While this is a small body structure for most Americans, there are many exceptions. If you have a smaller body frame, then a massage chair from this price range will be ideal for you.
3. Massage Chairs Between $1,000 and $2,000
If you were wondering when the good features of massage chairs were going to be introduced, then they are all here in this price range. Since this price range is considered an affordable investment, manufacturers work hard to provide a diverse range of massage chairs in this category.
At the lower end of the spectrum are some introductory versions of advanced features, and as the price increases, each feature becomes more enhanced and defined.
Typically, massage chairs in this price range tend to include features such as a 50+ inch SL track, an increased height and weight limit of up to 6 ft 3 in and 284 lbs., and even some basic body scan technology that allows for a personalized massage experience.
Apart from these features, most of the massage chairs in this category have a great aesthetic appeal to them and come with a 3-year warranty program.
Final Thoughts
There is no simple answer to the question, “how much does a massage chair cost?”. Depending upon the range and intensity of the features offered in the massage chair, the price will continue to rise. However, you can get a great massage chair that includes most of the luxury features in a price range between $1,000 to $2,000 – which is an affordable price considering that the chair is a huge investment.
