Once considered luxury and lifestyle novelty, massage chairs are fast becoming a necessity these days. However, with the most basic massage chairs retailing in the ballpark of $1,000 or more, it’s natural to wonder if they are worth it and should you buy one. This is a fair question considering even an entry-level massage chair is a significant investment.
However, if you factor in the cost of a typical chiropractic visit or a therapeutic massage, a massage chair will save you a lot of money in the long run. This is especially true if you require frequent treatment due to chronic back and leg pain. Apart from being economical in the long run, there are several other benefits of owning a massage chair.
One of the biggest advantages of owning a massage chair is its convenient availability. The massage chair is there for you to slip into any time, unlike a chiropractor. To illustrate, you could drive all day to reach home at the dead of the night and slip into your massage chair for the much-required respite.
Good luck finding a chiropractor who will open up that late at night. Apart from that, you also get multiple features like music therapy, heat therapy, multiple massage techniques, and more. These features and modes make massage chairs quite worth it.
Here are some questions that most first-time massage chair buyers find themselves asking. Let’s take a look.
Is a Massage Chair Worth Buying?
As mentioned before, even the most basic and stripped-down massage chair starts from at least $1000. Therefore, it’s quite justifying to wonder if a massage chair is worth all that money. It depends on a lot of factors, such as:
- Whether or not you have chronic pain
- Visit chiropractors or masseuses frequently
- Do a labor-intensive job
- Lead a sedentary lifestyle
If you’re spending a lot of your money on chiropractors or massage therapists, investing in a good massage chair will help you save money in the long run. Moreover, advanced features like heat therapy, music therapy, and multiple massage techniques make it well worth the money spent on a massage chair. However, you need to determine whether the chair will be put to us. Otherwise, there won’t be any payback and it will be just money down the drain.
Which Massage Chair Should I Buy?
Deciding which massage chair to buy can be an overwhelming decision. Because as high-end as the massage chair market is, there’s no dearth of options for those looking to buy one. To decide which massage chair should you buy, ask these two questions first - why do you need a massage chair, and what’s your budget for the massage chair?
Depending on your answers to these questions, you can zero down on the type of massage chair perfect for your requirements. If you're simply looking for a massage chair to help you relax at the end of the day, a basic massage chair should suffice. However, if you are suffering from chronic pain and have a specific therapeutic need, you’ll benefit from high-end massage chairs with advanced features.
Depending on your requirements, you can pick a massage chair with an extended SL-Track, 3D or 4D massage mechanism, heat therapy, deep tissue massage, multiple massage modes, and more. Such advanced features will benefit those who require specific therapy and are looking to save the physiotherapy or chiropractic expenses.
How Much Does a Good Massage Chair Cost?
As mentioned above, the price depends on the set of features offered by the massage chairs. Generally, the massage chair market is broken down into three categories. The first category is entry-level or basic, which costs under $1,500. These chairs have limited features and are usually equipped with older technology. These are ideal for casual users who are looking for something to relax in after an exhausting day.
The next category is the mid-range segment of massage chairs, which are priced between $1,500 and $6,500. These are chairs that offer a moderate feature set. You can get an S-Track roller mechanism that extends from the neck to the tailbone, features dual or quad-roller system, offers air massage, heat therapy, and more. These chairs are often more than enough for a lower back or leg pain.
Lastly, we have premium or luxury massage chairs, which cost over $6,500. These offer everything that you get in mid-range massage chairs with additional convenience features thrown into the mix. These are features like soothing nature sounds, Siri-like voice assistant, heated rollers, full feet coverage, full-body airbag coverage, smartphone connectivity, and a lot more.
Are Massage Chairs Expensive?
As mentioned above, there are all sorts of massage chairs available for all budgets. Again, as we said before, this is a luxury niche, and even the most basic massage chair costs at least $1,000 or more. So you can say massage chairs are a bit expensive.
However, when you think of the money you save on chiropractors or massage therapists, a massage chair can prove to be significantly cost-effective in the long run. What you need to determine is why you need a massage chair and what features you need in it. Buying a high-end massage chair when you don’t need one can be a bad investment choice.
What Brand of Massage Chair Is the Best?
It can get overwhelming to decide which massage chair or which brand to pick. That is because the massage chair market is crowded with a lot of brands and their products. However, choose brands that have a good track record and manufacture their massage chairs either in the US or Japan. Some of the best brands include Daiwa, Infinity, Osaki, Synca Wellness, and more. You can pick any of these brands depending on the budget you have set for yourself.
Hopefully, this article answers all the questions you were fending before pulling the trigger and getting that swanky new massage chair for your home or office. Simply consider if you need a massage chair, why do you need it, and how much you’re willing to spend on it.
