Before we go into detail, here’s a chart summarizing our research and conclusion on these two outstanding products:
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Our Winner
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Primary Rating:
4.4
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Primary Rating:
4.3
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Our Verdict:
Still the best massage chair on the market today. Packed with the most advanced massage technologies for the ultimate massage experience.
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Our Verdict:
A great value massage chair from an emerging market leader. Offers innovative 4D massage technology to deliver the most human-like massage possible.
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- Has more than twice the airbags.
- Adds a vibration massage function.
- Offers 1000+ possible manual massage combinations.
- Accommodates users up to 6'5" tall.
- A bit bulky.
- Due to the many different functions and settings it offers, some users find it tricky to customize their massage.
- More user-friendly.
- Features its patented Kiwami Mecha 4D massage ball system.
- Has more intensity level settings.
- Offers heated calf and foot massage.
- Has fewer airbags and offers fewer customization options.
- Can only accommodate users up to 6'1" tall.
When it was first introduced, the Inada Sogno Dreamwave was called “the best massage chair in the world,” and with good reason. It offered a collection of cutting-edge features that took the industry by storm and set a new standard of excellence.
In the years since the model’s initial release, many of Inada’s competitors have begun to catch up, so the question is whether or not the Sogno is still “King of the Hill.”
In this clash, we’ll be looking at two awesome massage chairs: The Inada Sogno Dreamwave vs Osaki Premium 4D. Both chairs are, simply put, amazing. While they have a number of features in common, they also have some key differences. As such, in some ways, they’re designed to appeal to different segments of the premium market.
Nonetheless, there are enough features in common that a head-to-head comparison is of value.
We’ll be going through each feature and awarding points to the model that implements that given feature the best. In the event of a tie, we will grant each chair a point. You’ll be able to track the clash point by point, and by the end, we’ll have a winner.
For our purposes, we’ll be rating each feature the same. Although if you have a strong preference for a particular feature, you’ll obviously give it more importance. Thus, your score might be somewhat different from ours. That’s fine, but this will give you an excellent starting point.
One last thing before we begin. We’ve done detailed reviews on these chairs. You can find them here:
Note that the Sogno has been discontinued, and the model has been upgraded to the Dreamwave, but you can still find the Sogno for sale. All that said, let’s get started!
Dreamwave vs the Osaki 4D – In More Detail
S-Track and Massage Rollers
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★★★ | Osaki 4D: ★★★★
Since these features are fundamental to all massage chairs, you’d think there would be no difference here, but this is not the case. While the Sogno uses a standard S-Track/Quad roller system, the Osaki 4D utilizes a patented system called Kiwami Mecha Massage Balls.
These offer an excellent roller-based massage, giving the 4D the edge in this category.
Zero-Gravity Seating
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★ | Osaki 4D: ★
Both models offer one Zero-G seating position. By reclining such that your knees are elevated slightly above your heart, more of your body’s weight winds up pressing against the rollers, which results in a deeper, more penetrating massage. We rate this one a tie, and kudos to both companies for including this excellent feature.
Massage Intensity Settings
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★ | Osaki 4D: ★★
This feature presents another surprise in our Dreamwave vs Osaki competition. The overwhelming percentage of massage chairs offer three different intensity settings, and the Sogno is no different. The Osaki 4D easily takes this point by providing up to five intensity levels.
Massage Options
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★★★★★ | Osaki 4D: ★★
This is one of the stand-out features of the Sogno Dreamwave. While the Osaki 4D offers more than a hundred different combinations, it doesn’t hold a candle to the Sogno, which offers slightly more than a thousand. It’s just no contest. If you want to maximize your options, the Sogno is your model.
Air Massage
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★★★★★ | Osaki 4D: ★★
This is another of Sogno’s stand-out features. With more than a hundred airbags, it utterly dominates this category. You won’t find anything not to like about the Osaki’s air massage, but its 46 airbags just can’t deliver the same kind of experience you get from Inada’s chair. Point to the Sogno.
Body Scan Technology
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★ | Osaki 4D: ★
It probably comes as no surprise, but both models we’re looking at offer this feature. This is standard fare in the massage chair industry.
Before your massage begins, these chairs will scan your body and identify your pressure points, making adjustments to the positions of the rollers.
If the computer gets it wrong, both chairs also feature buttons on the remote, allowing you to position the rollers manually. Hence, they reach all the spots you need them to, guaranteeing a perfect experience every time.
While the implementation is slightly different, the result is the same, so we judge this one as a tie.
Calf & Foot Massage
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★★ | Osaki 4D: ★★★
While both chairs offer a calf and foot massage, some key differences to note regarding feature execution. The Inada chair doesn’t use foot rollers, relying on its superior number of airbags to render both the calf and foot portions of the massage.
The Osaki Chair uses a combination of airbags for the calf massage and rollers for the soles of the feet.
In our view, this delivers a slightly superior result, so we award this point to the Osaki.
Heat
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★ | Osaki 4D: ★
Heat offers tremendous therapeutic value, making it a critical component of our Inada Sogno Dreamwave vs Osaki 4D comparison. The Osaki 4D has heat in the lumbar region and soles of the feet, while the Sogno offers heat in both the seat and lower back areas. The point goes to which areas are more important to you. So, we’re giving each chair a point.
Body Stretch
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★ | Osaki 4D: ★
This feature is fairly rare, being offered in less than a quarter of the chairs on the market today. It’s another option that delivers tremendous therapeutic value, making it extremely attractive and highly sought after.
Both the Osaki and Sogno Dreamwave have body stretch functions. So again, the point goes to both chairs!
Extendable Ottoman
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★★ | Osaki 4D: ★
Another point to the Dreamwave, which can accommodate users up to 6’5”. The Osaki chair will only accommodate users up to 6’3”. This feature won’t matter unless you’re very tall, but it’s going to matter very much if you are.
Ease of Use
Inada Sogno Dreamwave: ★★★★ | Osaki 4D: ★★★★★
Both models do a pretty good job at this, but feature for feature, the Osaki 4D is slightly easier to use. Again, some people won’t care much about this, but you’ll find it easier to master the 4D if you’re not especially tech-savvy.
Inada Sogno Dreamwave vs Osaki – Our Winner
Inada Sogno Dreamwave
This gives us our winner. In a head-to-head matchup comparing the Inada Sogno Dreamwave vs Osaki 4D, the Sogno comes out on top and retains its title as the best massage chair in the world.
Again, you can get full details on both of these excellent models in our comprehensive reviews.
Inada Official Support | Osaki Official Support
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
- Inada Dreamwave Massage Chair, Official Brand Website.
- Osaki Massage Chair, Official Brand Website.
- The Benefits of a Massage, Lifehack.
- The Elements of Massage, Massage Professionals Update.
