These Massage Chairs Feel Like a Spa Day Every Time (2025)

A massage is the best way to relax sore muscles and relieve tension, and the best massage chairs can deliver spa-like relaxation right in your own home. Part recliner, part effective tool, these unique accent chairs do double duty for seating and supreme comfort.

But every massage chair offers slightly different features and capabilities, so we put them to the test ourselves. After testing six different models from popular brands, we considered the comfort, massage styles and pressure, and their suites of features to determine which offered the right mix of effectiveness and all-around seating comfort. Our favorites were those with head-to-toe comfort and plenty of all-around support.

Our Testing Process

We tested six different massage chairs at various price ranges, comparing them on critical details like:

• Chair size and recline positions
• Comfort while sitting and using massage features
• Support, especially at the low back
• Massage styles, settings, and intensity options
• Value

After setting up each massage chair, we used them regularly at home to test out each and every setting (and find our favorite massage modes, of course!) While we were getting massaged, we took notes of how intense each setting was, how easy it was to adjust between settings, and if we felt like the chair delivered on its promise to targeted areas of the body.

We discovered that while a slew of advanced features is fun, especially for more customized massages and targeted areas of concern, there was something of a tradeoff. More features came with a higher price, but that didn't necessarily make a massage chair the best of the bunch.

Throughout our long-term testing, we also thought about how we felt after using the chairs, how they fit our body types and our needs, and if they worked in our living spaces (size-wise and otherwise.) We also kept in mind accessibility factors, like whether the chair fit a range of body types and if it was easy or hard to get out of any of the models.

How to Shop for Massage Chairs Like a Pro

Type

Depending on the type of massage you want, you can choose from an array of chairs that tout different benefits and designs. Common massage chair types are 3D or 4D massage chairs, zero-gravity chairs (which recline you into a position that alleviates pressure on your back), and multi-function massage chairs that offer a range of massage modes. We focused our testing on zero-gravity chairs, as they offer the most circulation and pressure relief.

When deciding whether to go with a 3D or 4D massage chair, it’s important to first understand the difference between the two. "A 3D massage chair operates in three dimensions—the rollers are able to move up/down, side to side, and towards the inside or outside to be able to cover more surface area," Dr. Karena Wu, owner and clinical director of ActiveCare Physical Therapy says. "A 4D massage chair offers more control in speed and strength of the three dimensions."

While 3D massage chairs are less expensive, she says if you want the ability to change between speeds and intensities, a 4D massage chair is the way to go.

Size

Before deciding what size massage chair to purchase, consider the size of your space. While massage chairs are, in general, larger than your average recliner, these extra-capable chairs do have some unique space needs.

While you definitely want to note the width, depth, and height of any massage chair, you'll also want to take a peek at the recline angle and distance. Massage chairs can recline pretty far (some even lay flat!), which means they typically need to be placed a certain distance away from any walls or other potential obstacles. You'll need to measure the recline distance to ensure you have enough space to fully kick back and enjoy your massages.

Additionally, the more features a chair has, the bulkier it'll likely be. For example, massage chairs with expandable sections to accommodate people of different heights or chairs that recline into zero-gravity positions will need more horizontal room.

Features

Bonus features make all the difference between a good massage chair and a great massage chair. Air massage technology provides a compressive massage, while rollers can knead, knock, and target pressure points. If you want to personalize your massage, look for a chair with adjustable height, depth, width, speed, and intensity. A reclining chair with heat therapy can also enhance your overall experience. All of the chairs on our list have reclining and heating capabilities besides our best portable option.

Dr. Wu says kneading functions and zero gravity positions are particularly good for the back, and Shiatsu feels great on pressure points. "Any setting that rolls the rollers on your soft tissues will be good for the back, as it will loosen up the paraspinal muscles and help decompress the spinal joints," she says. "The tapping settings might be too aggressive for joints, as it can feel like 'punching' and might create bone sensitivity on the joints."

While features such as built-in speakers, remotes with LCD screens, voice control options, charging ports, and pre-programmed modes aren’t must-haves for a quality massage chair, they can make your experience even more enjoyable. All of the picks on our list (except the portable option) have built-in speakers, and the iRest Zero Gravity Massage Chair, our best zero-gravity pick, even has USB charging ports and AI voice control.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Jamie Fischer, a shopping writer for Real Simple with experience writing home and lifestyle stories. Jamie’s favorite part of a pedicure is definitely the back massage, and she always rushes to try the massage chairs at Brookstone when she’s at the mall.