Here at GGR, we spread the home gym gospel far and wide and trust ourselves when we say we truly love fitness equipment. However, it's about much more than just superficial puppy love – we do extensive testing and research to ensure what we recommend is the best of the best for your personal goals and needs.
To create a list of the best massage chairs on the market, we followed the same practices we use with every other product category: Our team of experts—including certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, Olympic athletes, doctors, physical therapists, and more—spend hours actually using the products, evaluating them using a detailed, category-specific testing methodology, reviewing the latest relevant, peer-reviewed research, and speaking with trusted industry sources about what makes certain products better than others does.
Why all the effort? Well, here's the reality: At the end of the day, review sites are a dime a dozen, and the same goes for the social media influencers who promote products with little knowledge. What sets GGR apart is our commitment to thoroughness and neutrality, recommending the best equipment based on the factors that matter.
Massage chairs are a new category for us and we are releasing more and more chairs for testing and review at our facility. However, this year we have helped 50 people (and counting) buy a massage chair. Could you be next?
Our values
It's a real pleasure to try massage chairs – maybe you relax at work too? Nevertheless, we take the process very seriously. Not only do we advise physical therapists and doctors on the potential benefits of massage chairs, but our testers are also certified personal trainers and everyday athletes who take recovery as seriously as their training. Additionally, we thoroughly test related products, like the best massage guns, to deepen our understanding of the percussive therapy category as a whole.
In addition to hands-on testing, we'll take a deep dive into the available research on massage therapy as it relates to pain relief, stress reduction, athletic performance, and more to determine whether a massage chair can actually help improve your health — spoiler alert, it is possible — and what your protocol should look like. Again, we tell the truth: If a product's effectiveness hasn't been proven, we'll say so, but still offer options that might work for different types of people.
Our process
When we create a new best-of list, we first put together a list of products to explore. We search the Internet for popular massage chairs and survey our employees and trusted friends in the industry to find out if they have used any that they like. We also look for trusted brands to see if they offer anything in this category. Once we have a working list, we add it to the cart, then test and rate to determine an overall GGR score for each chair on a scale of 1 to 5.
Only massage chairs with an overall rating of 3.5 stars or higher make it into our summary lists. Towards the end of each roundup, we'll also point out other products we tested that didn't quite measure up – and explain why they didn't. We also look at the average specifications across the product category to decide which massage chairs are best for which people.
| category | Average massage chair we test |
| Dimensions | 52.15″ L x 27.65″ W x 43.75″ H |
| Weight | 158.5 pounds |
| Weight capacity | 308 pounds |
| Massage roller tracks | 43.5 inch SL rail |
| Rated voltage | 120V |
| guarantee | 2 years |
Finally, we reevaluate our best-of lists monthly to ensure we provide you with the most up-to-date recommendations.
Massage chair performance test
We evaluate massage chairs in 12 different categories to provide a comprehensive assessment of a product's outstanding features and shortcomings. Here are the hardware-specific categories we're looking at.
Value
Prices for massage chairs can range from entry-level (as low as $500) to premium (over $10,000). While we obviously consider price, what we're really looking at is the cost relative to the chair's features. Massage chairs with the highest scores offer more benefits compared to other chairs in the same price range.
Materials
This category evaluates the overall quality and durability of the materials used in the upholstery, frame and upholstery. Do they feel like they last and are they comfortable? Chairs rated 1 or 2 here are made from materials that feel thin and wear quickly, while a 5 star rating means the materials are high quality and durable.
Size, portability and space requirements
Some massage chairs are large and require their own space, while others are much more portable. If a chair is larger, will it fit through a standard front door and recline without taking up excessive floor space? Can you move it alone?
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To get an average 3-star rating here, the massage chair should fit in most rooms but requires careful placement, while a 5-star rating in this category means the product is designed to save space and is easy to move.
Additional features
In addition to massage modalities, massage chairs can also offer compression, heat therapy, zero gravity loungers, Bluetooth speakers, and more. To get a 1 or 2 in this category, there are minimal or no additional features, while a 5-star rating means the product offers a number of additional modes and amenities that enhance the experience.
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Experience
This is a subjective rating that evaluates how the tester felt while using the product. Is the chair comfortable and effective? Does it deliver the expected results of a massage chair in terms of intensity, pain relief and relaxation? Massage chairs that achieve high marks in this category impress in all areas: the intensity is well balanced, the rollers, compression and heat are effective and the chair functions mechanically and technically flawlessly.
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Speeds and massage modes
Does this massage chair offer multiple speed levels and programs? Do they treat certain areas of the body or even injuries well? Is the intensity adjustable and overall too much, too little or just right? To achieve a 3 or 4 star rating, multiple speeds and preset programs are available, but the variety is limited.
Performance, power and engine quality
Most high-end massage chairs (and some mid-range massage chairs) use a brushless DC motor, which is quieter and more durable, while entry-level chairs typically use brushed DC motors, which can be cheaper and louder. Most massage chairs also have multiple motors that can influence the perceived force on specific muscle groups. However, massage chairs that receive a rating of 5 in this category have powerful motors that enable a powerful and deep massage without stalling.
Amplitude and range of motion
In this category we evaluate the stroke length and placement, i.e. does the massage chair reach the important areas – neck, back and lower body – completely and effectively? To get a 1 or a 2 here, the chair has a short stroke length and cannot efficiently target common problem areas, while a 5-star rating means the chair fully covers the neck to lower back as well as the glutes, calves and feet.
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Ergonomics and adjustability
In this category we consider comfort, adjustability and build quality. Can you sit back, adjust the intensity, or position the rollers exactly where you need them? We also take into account the height and weight of the user and whether the chair feels comfortable for them during use. To get high marks here, the chair is very ergonomic and adaptable with multiple adjustment points and supportive padding.
Testing customer experience
In addition to the actual massage chair, we also evaluate the experiences that occur before the product is built and ready to use, as well as the interactions we (and others) have had with the company.
Ordering, shipping, delivery and setup
Here we examine the entire process from ordering to assembling the chair in your home. Is there financing and what was the shipping speed? Were there sufficient delivery options, namely room choice or professional assembly service, and how difficult was the actual assembly? An average 3-star rating here means that ordering was straightforward and reasonable delivery options were available, but assembly required moderate effort.
Customer service
We want to know how responsive and helpful the brand is. First, we evaluate how many contact options they offer – phone, email, chat, or all – and then interact with them to see how quick and helpful the response is.
We also evaluate available financing, warranty and return policies in this category. The average massage chair warranty is two years for parts and one year for labor. A 3-star rating also means some financing options are available as well as a 30-day return window.
Customer reviews
For this rating, we consider customer reviews from Amazon, the company website or other third-party review platforms. While our own testing and data is important, we also want to see what the masses think about a product. Products with predominantly positive reviews receive good marks here.
Total points
Once we have assessed all of the above categories, we formulate an overall rating – also known as a GGR score – for the massage chair in question. This is a good example of how versatile a massage chair is and should give you an indication of how well it might work in your own home gym.
