Purchasing a massage chair can be a life-enhancing investment for your mind and body, but involves research and critical decision-making to make sure that money is well spent. When it comes to massage chairs it's what's on the inside that really counts and the company behind it to make sure it runs smoothly for years to come. We're here to help you purchase the right chair for your needs.
Step #1: Choose Your Back Mechanism (sometimes called robots)
2D Massage Technology:
Massage chair rollers move in two dimensions (X and Y axes); up and down from your neck to your back and side to side.
3D Massage Technology:
Massage chair rollers work on X, Y, and Z axes designed to make it feel more like human hands massaging you. The rollers are able to push further out into your back with multiple intensity options.
4D Massage Technology:
Taking 3D to the next level, the rollers in a 4D massage chair move at variable speeds as they move up and down, side to side, and in & out. By incorporating variations of massage styles and speeds, it feels closest to human hands massage. You get more control of the strength, depth, and delivery of your massage.
Syner-D™ Massage Technology:
Two individual massage mechanisms choreographed to work synergistically together to perform therapeutic relief to the back and gluteus region. Utilizing 2D, 3D, and 4D technologies in harmony for the most advanced chair massage available today.
Step #2: Choose Your Roller Track Type
S-Track Massage Chairs:
The S in S-Track stands for "sinusoidal", which is just a fancy way to say "wave". These roller tracks follow the curve of the spine, moving up and down from the neck to the lower back. S-Track massage chairs will allow you to lay out flatter, for superior stretching moves.
L/SL-Track Massage Chairs:
L-Track massage chairs work the same way as S-Tracks but extend further down the body. The L-Track can travel down around to your glutes to the top of the hamstrings. L-Tracks cover more muscle groups for a more complete full body massage.
J-Track or Flex Track Massage Chairs:
The unique J-Track or Flex Track combines the best of L and S-Tracks with the track opening up some upon recline while allowing the mechanism to continue down to the gluteus region. The result is superior spinal decompression and full-length neck-to-glutes massage.
Which Track is Better?
It depends. If you want your massage chair to excel in stretching your back for the best possible spinal decompression, then S-Track is the only way to go. However, an L-Track will provide more comprehensive massage and a superior zero gravity position that also helps with spinal decompression. Most people will choose an L-Track for this reason. If you're looking for a massage chair to help your lower back, hamstrings, and glutes, then L-Track is a must.
Step #3: Massage Chair Recline Functions
Recline:
Massage chairs articulate to recline the backrest and elevate the feet. These actions can be combined to create stretching movements and spinal decompression in better-designed chairs. Beware of chairs that do not allow you to work the backrest and the footrest independently. They do not cost as much, but they are less effective.
Zero Gravity Recline:
This position elevates the feet slightly above the heart for improved circulation and spinal decompression.
True Inversion Stretch:
The chair reclines below a horizontal level, to below 180 degrees. This technique put your body inverted with your head down and heels up to relieve pressure on the vertebrae.
Near-Flat Reclining S-Track
Gives you a full body stretch — the hips are held in place while the legs are pulled down, stretching your back.
Step #4: Massage Chair Feature Considerations
Manual Massage Zones:
The more advanced the chair, the more manual options you will have to work on specific needs such as neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, glutes, arms, hands, legs, feet and calves.
Heat:
Many chairs come with penetrating lumbar heat to loosen and relax muscles. Some chairs come with multiple heat zones in the hands, back, and feet.
Reflexology Rollers:
Foot rollers combine with the compression air cells to hit target points on the sole of your feet for benefits throughout your body. Reflexology rollers range from single to triple rollers per foot. The air cells on the top provide compression massage and intensity for the foot rollers below.
Calf Rollers an Oscillation Massage:
Found only in premium chairs, these features make for the world's best foot and calf massage available today. Motorized calf rollers in the back and oscillation kneading on the sides.
Hand Massage:
Uses airbags and compression to knead your forearms, wrists, and palms.
Zero Wall Fit™ Space-Saving Technology:
This allows for less space to fully recline the chair. The chair slides forward as it reclines only requiring a few inches between the chair and the wall. make sure you consider your space requirements before buying.
TrueFit™ Body Scanning Technology:
This allows the chair to pinpoint your size and shape to provide a customized massage.
Massage Chair Size Minimums and Maximums:
Be sure to check the specifications in the chair descriptions to check the chair fits your body type. Most chairs have a large height and weight range to accommodate multiple family members.
Some Cool Extras:
iOS and Android App Functionality, Chromotherapy, Air Ionizer, Intuitive Remote Control, Intelligent Voice Control, Bluetooth Speakers, Wireless Charging all add to the massage experience.
Step #5: Massage Chair Price
Basic? High-End? Top of the Line?
You will need to do some research and find a balance between budget and the features you'd like in a massage chair. Typically, less expensive massage chairs offer basic vibration and fixed massage similar to what is available in a massaging seat topper. You are paying for the chair frame to be added on but gaining no therapeutic benefit. As you move up in price, the smoother the massage quality and the better the coverage. As you might expect, cheaper chairs are typically made of cheaper materials. Consider the longevity of the chair and how long it will last. Cheaper chairs should be considered if use will be infrequent and the precision of the massage is not important. If you are looking for frequent massages and have problem areas that are difficult or very specific, then often times you will need to invest in a higher quality massage chair.
Warranty, Service and Parts
A warranty gives you peace of mind in the event anything goes wrong with your massage chair. Infinity warranty's cover the structural frame, replacement parts, and labor. We also offer extended warranty options for an additional cost.
All Infinity Massage Chairs come with an Infinity Care Warranty which includes:
˚ Unlimited USA-based customer service and technical support
˚ 5-year structural frame warranty
˚ No-cost replacement on covered parts for 3 years
˚ Complete Care/No-cost covered parts & labor (in-home, if necessary) for 1 year.
Lifetime Customer & Tech Support
Infinity offers FREE Lifetime Tech Support with US-based Technicians, A+ BBB Rated, and have an overall Great rating on Trustpilot's review platform.