TL;DR Summary
Let's start this roundup review with a quick overview of what we think are the best massage chairs for home use today. We've divided our review to help you find the right massage chair whether you have over $3000 budget or not.
Best Massage Chair for Home Use Over $3000  Apex Pro Regent | Best Massage Chair for Home Use Under $3000  Kahuna LM6800 |
|---|
What makes a great massage chair for home use?
It’s a question we get on a regular basis here at the Chair Institute, and we wanted to create an article that was custom-designed to answer it, and to make some definitive recommendations.
So here, we’ll present you our top picks for the best massage chairs for home use over $3000 and under $3000. Then we'll highlight the best features of each so you’ve got all the information you need to find the perfect chair for you.
How to Choose a Massage Chair for Home Use
Table of Contents
- 1 TL;DR Summary
- 2 How to Choose a Massage Chair for Home Use
- 3 Best Massage Chairs for Home Use Over $3000 in 2023
- 4 Top 5 Recliners for Home Use Over $3000 In Detail
- 5 Massage Chair for Home Use Over $3000 in 2023 Conclusion
- 6 Best Massage Chairs for Home Use Under $3000 in 2023
- 7 Top 5 Recliners for Home Use Under $3000 In Detail
- 8 What's the Best Recliner for Home Use Under $3000 in 2023?
Space-Saving Technology
Far and away the most important single feature that makes a massage chair ideal for home use is Space-Saving Technology.
If you run a business, and plan to buy one or more massage chairs for your clients, then it is presumed that you’ve got space dedicated for that purpose, or you wouldn’t be shopping in the first place, but the space in your home has to perform multiple roles, because after all, you have to live there.
Few people have an entire spare room they can dedicate as a “massage room,” which is why we regard this as the most critical element in a great chair for home use.
Hideaway Ottoman + Memory Slots
The other two big considerations are the hideaway ottoman and the presence of memory slots.
In the case of the former feature, it’s mostly an aesthetic issue, and the presence of a hideaway ottoman simply disguises the chair’s true nature, making it look like an ordinary piece of living room furniture when not in use.
In the case of the latter, this is a huge perk if there are multiple members of your household using the chair, because everyone can pre-program their favorite settings and recall them at the touch of a button.
Besides these things, home users tend to place more of a premium on convenience features, so if a design has enough of these stacked together, it could make up for the absence of at least one of the “Big Three” mentioned above.
Price
One final consideration is this: massage chairs have a huge range in prices, ranging from below a thousand bucks to more than ten thousand.
Because of this enormous variance, we’ve decided to break our roundup review into two segments: Over $3000 and Under $3000. That way, our review is relevant to people of different income and budget levels.
Unfortunately, as we conducted our survey, we didn’t find a single model that had all three of our primary features bundled together. For our purposes then, the ideal chair for home use does not currently exist, but just because that is the case, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t some great contenders on the market today.
Best Massage Chairs for Home Use Over $3000 in 2023
Spending $3000 for a massage chair may sound expensive. But that's what most mid-priced, feature-rich massage chairs cost nowadays. Many more massage chairs will cost you more than that.
But if you're not worried about spending more than $3000, then the first half of our review will be of particular interest to you.
In the chart below, we’ve listed the five best massage chairs for home use over $3000.
Best Massage Chair for Home Use Over $3000 |  Apex Pro Regent |  Infinity Iyashi |  Kahuna LM7800 |  Apex Pro Vista |  Fujita SMK92 |
Price | $$$$$ | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ |
Space-Saving | ✘ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
Memory | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✓ |
Hideaway Ottoman | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
Track | S-Track | Hybrid L/S | Hybrid L/S | Hybrid L/S | S-Track |
Rollers | Quad rollers | Quad rollers | Quad rollers | Quad rollers | Quad rollers |
Airbags | 31 | 38 | 36 | 30 | 46 |
Pros | Offers advanced features such as 4D roller tech, multiple heat, following arm massage, 3 memory slots, rhythm massage, and fine-grained controls. | Designed to save space. Enjoy features like chromotherapy, zero-gravity position, body stretch, waist twist function, and MP3 support. | Space-saving. Has 3 zero-gravity seating positions, extensive back heat, waist twist function, and comprehensive calf and foot massage, and MP3 support. | Has most of the basic features you'd want in a massage chair such as 2 zero-gravity positions, lumbar heat, vibration massage, and dual foot rollers. | Offers therapeutic features such as 4D roller tech, body stretch, foot stretch, and foot heat. Has 2 memory slots and the highest number of airbags. |
Cons | Doesn't have space-saving technology or zero-gravity position | No memory slots and hideaway ottoman. Heat is limited to the lumbar area only. | No memory function or foldaway ottoman. | Doesn't have memory function or hideaway ottoman. | Not space-saving. No hideaway ottoman. Doesn't have zero-gravity position. |
Our Verdict | Highly recommended. A masterpiece of design with loads of innovations! | Recommended for those who want a therapeutic massage chair but space is a concern | Recommended for leg and calf pain sufferers who like extra features while still saving space. | Recommended for hobbyists or casual users who have very limited space. | Recommended for chronic pain sufferers whom space is not an issue. |
Baseline Rating* | 4.59 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.26 | 4.0 |
Top Pick for Home Use Over $3000 |
|---|
Apex Pro Regent
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$$$$ |
OUR VERDICT | Highly recommended. A masterpiece of design with loads of innovations! |
PROS | Offers advanced features such as 4D roller tech, multiple heat, following arm massage, 3 memory slots, rhythm massage, and fine-grained controls. |
CONS | Doesn't have space-saving technology or zero-gravity position. |
More Specifications...
Second Pick |
|---|
Infinity Iyashi
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$$$ |
OUR VERDICT | Recommended for those who want a therapeutic massage chair but space is a concern. |
PROS | Designed to save space. Enjoy features like chromotherapy, zero-gravity position, body stretch, waist twist function, and MP3 support. |
CONS | No memory slots and hideaway ottoman. Heat is limited to the lumbar area only. |
More Specifications...
Third Pick |
|---|
Kahuna LM7800
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$$ |
OUR VERDICT | Recommended for leg and calf pain sufferers who like extra features while still saving space. |
PROS | Space-saving. Has 3 zero-gravity seating positions, extensive back heat, waist twist function, and comprehensive calf and foot massage, and MP3 support. |
CONS | No memory function or foldaway ottoman. |
More Specifications...
Also Good |
|---|
Apex Pro Vista
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$$ |
OUR VERDICT | Recommended for hobbyists or casual users who have very limited space. |
PROS | Has most of the basic features you'd want in a massage chair such as 2 zero-gravity positions, lumbar heat, vibration massage, and dual foot rollers. |
CONS | Doesn't have memory function or hideaway ottoman. |
More Specifications...
Honorable Mention |
|---|
Fujita SMK92
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$$ |
OUR VERDICT | Recommended for chronic pain sufferers whom space is not an issue. |
PROS | Offers therapeutic features such as 4D roller tech, body stretch, foot stretch, and foot heat. Has 2 memory slots and the highest number of airbags. |
CONS | Not space-saving. No hideaway ottoman. Doesn't have zero-gravity position. |
More Specifications...
(*) Note: The Baseline Rating is the individual product score without considering specific intent or context. See the details of each model below to get a contextual, goal-oriented, analysis.
A Few Notes
Before we take a detailed look at each of the designs above, a few observations about the models listed here:
Having said all that, let’s take a closer look at our winners in this segment.
Top 5 Recliners for Home Use Over $3000 In Detail
Mighty Apex Pro Regent | |
|---|---|
Bang for Buck | |
Therapeutic Value | |
Overall Massage Quality | |
Customization Options | |
Ease of Use | |
Brand Reliability* | |
4.59 Summary An absolute masterpiece of a chair for any type of user, and is well-deserving of its 5-Star rating. Loaded with features, the Apex AP Pro Regent delivers a truly superior massage experience from start to finish. |
*Brand Reliability is a measure of the strength and longevity of the brand, which by extension, is a measure of the level of support you can expect.
The Apex Pro Regent is a masterpiece of a chair, no matter how you slice it. It’s just glorious. Yes, you’ll pay a premium price for it, but this is definitely a case of getting what you pay for.
Synergy is the best word to describe the model. All its features work so beautifully together that it boggles the mind.
Here are just a few of the highlights:
- The chair is built around an S-Track and utilizes quad rollers to render its massage.
- This is enhanced by a two-stage roller adjustment feature, using both automated body scanning technology and manual control buttons on the remote for fine-tuning.
- It also uses 4D roller tech, which allows the rollers to move up to 3” away from the massage track to deliver a deep tissue massage experience as desires.
- The Air Massage Mode is exquisite, with fine-grained body region controls, allowing you to totally customize the experience.
- This includes features like the “following arm massage” which adjusts the arm massage ports depending on the angle of recline, allowing a perfect experience regardless of the position the chair is in.
- The hideaway ottoman allows the chair to disguise itself as a piece of ordinary living room furniture when not in use.
- Blanket Heat is provided, allowing heat to the front of your torso, even as you enjoy the onboard lumbar heat and the heated leg massage ports (the entire port is heated, by the way!).
- Plenty of massage options, including one advanced technique (Shiatsu) and a variety of pre-programmed options designed for one-touch access.
- Deep Spot Massage, which is functionally identical to the “Zone” massage function we talked about earlier.
- And on top of all that, you also get three memory slots, allowing you to create your own custom massage experience and save the settings for immediate recall later.
With two of the “Big Three” features critical for home use, and an ocean of extras and finishing touches like this, it’s easy to see why the Pro Regent is our top pick in this segment.
It even offers music support and rhythm massage, which syncs the action of the rollers with the beat of whatever music you’re listening to. A remarkable chair, by a great company.
Infinity Iyashi Massage Chair | |
|---|---|
Bang for Buck | |
Therapeutic Value | |
Overall Massage Quality | |
Customization Options | |
Ease of Use | |
Brand Reliability* | |
4.2 Summary An exquisitely well-designed model that offers a little something for everyone. The Infinity Iyashi massage chair is recommended for anyone from chronic pain sufferers to hobbyist users, including taller people up to 6’5”. |
*Brand Reliability is a measure of the strength and longevity of the brand, which by extension, is a measure of the level of support you can expect.
The Dreamwave, by Inada, is widely regarded as “The Best Massage Chair in the World.”
We mention that fact here because we did a head-to-head comparison between it and Infinity’s Iyashi, and although the Iyashi is a significantly less expensive chair, it only narrowly lost to the Dreamwave.
While it didn’t earn a perfect score from us, it is a great chair, cheaper than our top pick in this category, and an excellent design that’s engineered for home use.
One thing it does better than our winner in this category is that it utilizes a long massage track (Hybrid L/S, versus the standard S-Track employed by the Pro Regent). This allows its quad rollers to go beyond the small of your back, under the seat to massage your glutes and thighs.
Other highlights of this model:
- Two Zero-G seating positions to further enhance the massage experience.
- A variety of roller-based options, including one advanced technique (Shiatsu).
- An air massage that’s superior to the Pro Regent, owing to the slightly larger number of Second Generation Airbags employed, made even better by an impressive six different intensity settings for this mode.
- Lumbar Heat.
- Zone Massage Mode for focusing the rollers on the places your back hurts the most.
- A calf and foot massage that’s customizable via roller speed adjustment.
- MP3 music support.
- An adjustable massage timer.
- Chromotherapy (LED lights on the sides of the chair that provide a soothing experience).
Body Stretch + Waist Twist
In addition to all that, the real stand-out feature of the Iyashi's design is the fact that it incorporates both Body Stretch and Waist Twist technology, in tandem. The reason this is so impressive is that the feature pairing has tremendous synergy and provides greater therapeutic value than either one alone.
If you suffer from chronic back pain, then you know that your pain level fluctuates over time. Some days it’s quite intense, and other days it’s better.
On the days when your pain level is at its highest, the Body Stretch may be too aggressive for you to use, which would usually put you in a Catch-22. The feature can alleviate your pain, but it’s too strong for you to use.
That’s where this pairing shines because, on those bad pain days, you can use the Waist Twist, which is a milder form of Body Stretching that provides the same benefits.
Both provide almost immediate pain relief by taking pressure off compressed discs in your spine, much like a chiropractic adjustment does, and the presence of both together gives you enormous flexibility regarding managing, controlling and ultimately conquering your pain.
If you suffer from chronic back pain, this feature combination alone makes the Iyashi worth a second look.
Kahuna LM7800 Massage Chair | |
|---|---|
Bang for Buck | |
Therapeutic Value | |
Overall Massage Quality | |
Customization Options | |
Ease of Use | |
Brand Reliability* | |
4.3 Summary An exceptional, well-appointed mid-range massage chair, filled with features, options, and therapeutic benefits. The Kahuna LM7800 massage chair is recommended for hobbyist users and chronic pain sufferers. |
*Brand Reliability is a measure of the strength and longevity of the brand, which by extension, is a measure of the level of support you can expect.
The LM7800 is the big brother to the Kahuna LM6800, which took top honors in our “Under $3000” category. While it can’t quite measure up to the Apex Pro Regal, it is an excellent model. Modestly priced and filled with features you’ll love.
Feature Summary
- Ultra-Long Massage Track (Hybrid L/S) and Quad Rollers which closely mimic the feel of human hands.
- Two-step roller adjustment methodology, relying on both Body Scanning Tech and manual roller and massage field width adjustment buttons on the remote.
- Space Saving.
- Three different Zero-G seating options for maximum comfort.
- A variety of options, including one advanced massage technique (Shiatsu).
- An Air Massage superior to our segment leader, rendered by 36 Second Generation Airbags.
- MP3 Support, so you can listen to your favorite music while enjoying your massage.
- A fully adjustable massage timer.
A Few Things to Consider
The model gets one (small) black mark and has two features that deserve special attention.
Waist Twist
The negative is that although Kahuna is known for having the industry’s best Body Stretch Technology (in the form of their patented “Yoga Stretch”), for some reason, this model does not feature it, utilizing a milder Waist Twist instead. That’s not a deal breaker for most people but is something to make a note of.
Heat Function
The two stand-out features of the design are the chair’s extensive heat, offered in the back, not just the lumbar region, but all the way to the mid-back, and in the leg massage ports.
Calf & Foot Massage
This brings us to the second of the model’s outstanding features, the calf and foot massage. It is rendered by a combination of airbags (where the Kahuna’s larger number of airbags serves it well), quad rollers and heated leg massage ports (calf only).
This combination of technologies renders an absolutely sublime calf and foot massage, and if you suffer from chronic leg pain, or spend several hours of every day on your feet, this will almost certainly be the feature you like best.
Even if you don’t suffer from that problem, this chair has so much to offer that it’s hard not to fall in love with it.
Apex Pro Vista Massage Chair | |
|---|---|
Bang for Buck | |
Therapeutic Value | |
Overall Massage Quality | |
Customization Options | |
Ease of Use | |
Brand Reliability* | |
4.26 Summary A solid entrant in the Apex lineup. Well-designed and versatile, the Apex AP Vista massage chair offers several convenience features, plus therapeutic value for people with chronic pain in the lower back and lower extremities. Recommended for anyone with limited space. |
*Brand Reliability is a measure of the strength and longevity of the brand, which by extension, is a measure of the level of support you can expect.
The second of Apex’s models to be featured in the final five didn’t quite earn a perfect rating, but it also didn’t miss the mark by much. As with the other models we’ve looked at so far, there’s a lot to like here, including:
- The long, Hybrid L/S massage track allowing the chair’s Quad Rollers a broader range of movement.
- 3D Body Scanning Tech for automated roller positioning.
- Three Zero-G seating positions.
- Therapeutic heat (lumbar only).
- A variety of massage options, including one advanced massage technique (Shiatsu).
As you can see, this is a good feature set, but somewhat more limited than the other models we’ve looked at so far, which is why it didn’t rank higher on our list.
The Apex Pro Vista's main limitations are the somewhat underwhelming Air Massage (lowest airbag count of any chair on our list), and lack of body stretching and lack of MP3 support. Of course, those are only negatives if you care about those features, if you don’t, why pay extra for things you don’t plan on using?
This then is a scaled back model that offers great core functionality, but skimps on some of the extras that certain segments of the market find important.
Fujita SMK 92 Massage Chair | |
|---|---|
Bang for Buck | |
Therapeutic Value | |
Overall Massage Quality | |
Customization Options | |
Ease of Use | |
Brand Reliability* | |
4.0 Summary An excellent, robust design, and even better, frequently found on sale. The Fujita SMK92 is recommended for anyone, but especially those who suffer from chronic back or foot pain. If you find it on sale, add half a point to the final rating, as it becomes an exceptional value for the money. |
*Brand Reliability is a measure of the strength and longevity of the brand, which by extension, is a measure of the level of support you can expect.
This is an interesting model because in some ways it seems limited, and in others, it is exceptional. What you really see here is that Fujita SMK 92 model is highly optimized for and targeted at a very particular type of user.
If you are that type, then this is going to be your favorite chair of the bunch. If you’re not, then you’ll probably find it somewhat lacking.
Also of interest is the fact that this model is unique in that it is the only one that made our finalist list (in either segment) that does not feature either a Hideaway Ottoman or Space-Saving Technology. It made the list on the strength of its two offered memory slots.
Feature Summary
As you can see then, SMK 92 chair was designed with chronic pain sufferers in mind.
If your pain level is severe, the roller-based massage might be too intense, in which case the Air Massage can wrap you gently in a blanket of air and easy your pain away.
If you need a more intense experience, then the 4D Roller Tech can be employed to give you a deep tissue massage from your neck to the small of your back.
If your legs are sore, then the vast number of airbags, combined with foot rollers and temperature-controlled leg heat ports will have you feeling better in no time.
On the other hand, if you don’t suffer from chronic pain in those areas, this chair can leave you feeling wanting.
Massage Chair for Home Use Over $3000 in 2023 Conclusion
We’ve just stepped you through ten of the best massage chairs for home use, geared toward a variety of income levels, to make this roundup review as helpful and detailed as possible.
As you can see, while there are no models currently for sale that hit all the requirements that would make it ideal, there are lots of great choices here.
Even if you disagree with our top pick in each category, any of the models we’ve highlighted here would serve you well and would make an excellent addition to your home.
Here are some of the reasons you may find yourself disagreeing with our top pick, the Apex Pro Regent, in this category:
Best Massage Chairs for Home Use Under $3000 in 2023
If you don't want to spend more than $3000, but want something in the mid-range, then here's our top five picks for you:
Best Massage Chair for Home Use Under $3000 | Kahuna LM6800 |  Infinity Evoke |  Relaxonchair MK IV |  Omega Aires |  Human Touch HT 7120 |
Price | $$ | $$$$ | $$$ | $ | $$$$$ |
Space-Saving | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Memory | ✘ | ✘ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Hideaway Ottoman | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✓ | ✓ |
Track | Hybrid L/S | S-Track | Hybrid L/S | ✘ | S-Track |
Rollers | Quad Rollers | Quad Rollers | Quad Rollers | ✘ | Quad Rollers |
Airbags | 36 | 38 | 28 | 19 | 4 |
Pros | Best body-stretch in the business. Far and away the best value for the money. | Superbly appointed chair with lots of features you’ll love. | Well-appointed chair, lots of popular extras. | Stylish. Doesn’t look like a massage chair when not in use, and barely looks like one when in use. Inexpensive. | Stylish. Doesn’t look like a massage chair when not in use. |
Cons | No memory function. | No memory function. On the expensive side. S-Track limits massage area. | As an off-brand, post-purchase support and repair can be problematic. | No rollers. Air massage only. If you’re a fan of air massage, this won’t matter, but can be a deal breaker for some. No memory function. | Expensive. Requires a fair amount of room to fully recline. S-Track limits massage area. No memory function. |
Our Verdict | Highly recommended for anyone. | Recommended, but more for its hobbyist features than its therapeutic ones. | Recommended. A great lesser-known brand that deserves more press than it gets. | Recommended for those on a budget who love air massage and don’t mind the lack of rollers. | Recommended for those whom aesthetics are key, but there are better values on the market. |
Baseline Rating* | 4.59 | 4.45 | 3.79 | 3.83 | 4.29 |
Top Pick for Home Use Under $3000 |
|---|
Kahuna LM6800
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$ |
OUR VERDICT | Highly recommended for anyone. |
PROS | Best body-stretch in the business. Far and away the best value for the money. |
CONS | No memory function. |
More Specifications...
Runner Up |
|---|
Infinity Evoke
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$$$ |
OUR VERDICT | Recommended, but more for its hobbyist features than its therapeutic ones. |
PROS | Superbly appointed chair with lots of features you’ll love. |
CONS | No memory function. On the expensive side. S-Track limits massage area. |
More Specifications...
Second Runner Up |
|---|
Relaxonchair MK IV
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$$ |
OUR VERDICT | Recommended. A great lesser-known brand that deserves more press than it gets. |
PROS | Well-appointed chair, lots of popular extras. |
CONS | As an off-brand, post-purchase support and repair can be problematic. |
More Specifications...
Also Good |
|---|
Omega Aires
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $ |
OUR VERDICT | Recommended for those on a budget who love air massage and don’t mind the lack of rollers. |
PROS | Stylish. Doesn’t look like a massage chair when not in use, and barely looks like one when in use. Inexpensive. |
CONS | No rollers. Air massage only. If you’re a fan of air massage, this won’t matter, but can be a deal breaker for some. No memory function. |
More Specifications...
Honorable Mention |
|---|
Human Touch HT 7120
RATING | |
|---|---|
PRICE | $$$$$ |
OUR VERDICT | Recommended for those for whom aesthetics are key, but there are better values on the market. |
PROS | Stylish. Doesn’t look like a massage chair when not in use. |
CONS | Expensive. Requires a fair amount of room to fully recline. S-Track limits massage area. No memory function. |
More Specifications...
(*) Note: The Baseline Rating is the individual product score without considering specific intent or context. See the details of each model below to get a contextual, goal-oriented, analysis.
Before we start discussing the chairs on the chart above, there are a few interesting notes to make about the chart itself.
Depending on how you feel about Air Massage Mode, that information may well color your thinking.
Prices span a relatively broad spectrum here, from sub-$1000 to the very top of the band we’re looking at here, so there’s a little something for everyone.
Having said that, let’s start by taking a look at our winner in this category.
Top 5 Recliners for Home Use Under $3000 In Detail
Kahuna LM6800 Massage Chair | |
|---|---|
Bang for Buck | |
Therapeutic Value | |
Overall Massage Quality | |
Customization Options | |
Ease of Use | |
Brand Reliability* | |
4.59 Summary One of the most feature-rich massage chairs you’ll find at this price point, the Kahuna Massage Chair LM6800 is a superb value for the money! Hobbyist/casual users, chronic pain sufferers, and taller users, almost anybody, will love this chair! |
*Brand Reliability is a measure of the strength and longevity of the brand, which by extension, is a measure of the level of support you can expect.
The Kahuna LM6800 model has placed first in other roundup reviews we’ve done, and for a good reason. It packs an almost ridiculous amount of functionality into an incredibly modestly priced chair. It’s the second cheapest chair in this category but has as many, or more features than its more expensive competitors.
There’s so much to like about this model that it’s hard to know where to begin.
L/S Track
The Hybrid L/S-Track is a pleasant surprise, allowing the chair’s quad rollers to travel far beyond the base of your spine to your glutes and the backs of your spine.
Zero-Gravity Seating
Massage quality is made even better by virtue of the presence of three Zero-G seating options, which recline you to a position where your knees are elevated slightly above your heart.
From here, most of your body’s weight is pressing down against the rollers, resulting in a deeper, more penetrating, and ultimately more satisfying massage experience. The presence of three different positions to choose from is just icing on the cake!</