Massage Chairs 101: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

Thinking about getting a massage chair? You ain’t alone. Because home wellness has started becoming more and more important to many people, massage chairs are now a popular way to comfortably relax at home. Still, with so many options, features, and price ranges, things can get confusing.

The guide will explain the basics to make sure you’re completely confident about selecting a massage chair that will be perfect for you. We’ll break down how massage chairs function and what all those tech terms mean.

How Do Massage Chairs Work?

Massage chairs stimulate different massage techniques through a mixture of rollers, motors and airbags. These techniques include kneading, tapping, rolling and stretching. Most chair rollers travel along a track system that is built into the chair.

There are two common types of tracks in massage chairs:

• S-Track: Follows the natural curve of your spine.
• L-Track: Covers your neck area, all the way down to your glutes or hamstrings.

The track helps cover the full body, while the chair’s airbags give soft pressure to different muscle groups when activated. These movements resemble a real therapist’s action and improve blood circulation.

Key Features to Know

The following are some of the most popular massage chair features and what they mean:

• 4D or 5D Massage: the rollers work in multiple directions, adjusting depth, speed, and rhythm. It makes the massage seem more like a human touch.
• Zero Gravity: The chair tilts back to make sure your body weight is distributed evenly. It removes weight from your spine and supports better relaxation.
• Heat Therapy: Built-in heating pads relaxes the muscles and pushes blood around the body.
• Air Compression: Airbags next to your arms, legs and shoulders can gently squeeze and release to give you a stretch-and-release effect.
• Massage Programs: You can usually choose deep tissue, stretching or sleep mode for your massage in the chair. You can also personalise your settings to affect certain regions.

Despite how advanced these features sound, their main focus is on making you feel better more quickly.

What to Expect at Different Price Points

There are massage chairs available at different prices. Here’s how things will look according to your budget:

• Under $3,000: Chairs with only 2D rollers and a short warranty. Most of the time, they fail to include deep intensity or custom programs, but they still offer a calming massage.
• $5,000–$7,000: Mid-priced mattresses in this range have 3D rollers, more airbags, zero gravity recline, and multiple programs. You get a decent level of performance and value.
• $10,000 and above: Premium chairs like those from Irelax, include 4D or 5D technology, use AI body scanning, offer heated foot rollers and are crafted from top-tier products. This level brings users the most professional massage experience.

Is a Massage Chair Right for You?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you often feel muscle tension or stress?
• Is scheduling massage appointments a problem for you?
• Would your family benefit from shared daily relaxation?

Should you have answered yes to any of these, then you might need a massage chair.

You gotta make sure that there is plenty of space available for it. A massage chair is usually the same width and depth as a recliner and needs space around it to extend fully when in use. Always look at the dimensions before you buy one.

In case you are wearing a pacemaker or if you have a particular illness, check with your physician before getting a massage chair. Safety must come before anything else.

Basic Maintenance and Safety

Massage chairs are made to be strong, but taking care of them can really extend their usefulness.

• Put the chair on a level surface to avoid tipping.
• Use a soft cloth to regularly wipe down the upholstery.
• Keep drinks off the seat of the chair.
• Make sure to let your chair cool for some time after you’ve used it for a while.
• Protect its internal electronics with a surge protector.

All purchases from Irelax are covered by a warranty and include ongoing customer care. You’re never on your own.

FAQ

How often can I use a massage chair?

You can use it daily, even twice a day. Start with short sessions at a time and gradually build up your comfort level.

Do massage chairs use a lot of electricity?

Not really. They use between 150 and 250 watts when running, the same amount of power as most desktop computers.

Can a massage chair replace professional massages?

A lot of people would say yes to this. Even though getting a massage in person is nice every now and then, a chair makes it easy to find pain relief every day at home.

A Massage Chair is Worth it

Massage chairs give you a convenient chance to feel more comfortable daily. Whether you have muscle pain, are seeking evening relaxation or want to help your family, they’re worth considering.

With these fundamental ideas, selecting one for yourself should be simpler now. Visit our website to check out our full range of massage chairs or visit one of our showrooms to test some of the models firsthand and make a better decision. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our team, we are always ready to assist.