Best Massage Chair for Back Pain

Ever come home from your office job and feel drained? Your back aches like crazy when all you did was sit at your desk. A massage chair is just what you need to put the pep back in your bones.

An average massage costs more than $100 for a 1-hour session. This may sound like a reasonable amount, but it isn’t. This cost adds up over time. You’ll be shocked at how much you’ve spent by the end of the year. On the other hand, a massage chair is a one-time investment. It will deliver countless evenings of after-work relaxation.

A good massage chair mimics the soothing experience of an actual massage. However, finding such a chair can be difficult. That’s why we did the hard work for you. In this article, you’ll find ten of the best massage chairs for back pain you can buy online.

Our Pick

Comfier Shiatsu Back Massager

Best Overall

A portable yet powerful kneading massage seat pad from Comfier

How Was This List Made?

Selecting a good massage chair shouldn’t be hard. For this purpose, we scoured the internet for suggestions. We enlisted the help of other bloggers and massage chair owners through forums. We also analyzed top purchasing trends on online marketplaces.

The result is a concise list of 10 of the most recommended massage chairs. The list has diverse suggestions with both high- and low-end options.

Best in Budget

4.6/5

Comfier Shiatsu Massager

  • Portable
  • Heat therapy
  • Adjustable intensity

Best in technology

3.9/5

OOTORI RL900 Massager

  • SL double track
  • Foot rollers
  • Yoga stretch modes

Best in design

4.3/5

Real Relax Massage Chair

  • Zero gravity mode
  • Bluetooth music control
  • LED lights

10 Massage Chairs for Back Pain

1. Comfier Shiatsu Back Massager

a portable yet powerful kneading massage seat pad from Comfier

Pros
  • Portable
  • Easy to set up
  • Deep tissue massage chair
  • Heat therapy
  • Adjustable intensity
  • Effective solution for lower back pain
Cons
  • Not as powerful as massage chairs

This is a portable yet powerful kneading massage seat pad from Comfier. The massager can be customized to act on specific areas. You can set it to treat either the whole back or the lower back only. The rollers feature four rotating nodes that deliver deep tissue action.

Experience

The Comfier Massage Pad is among the more popular options on this list. It owes this to an affordable price and a great design. The massage balls work well on the back. One customer we encountered even called them the ‘kneading balls from heaven.’ They added that the back heating feature further adds to the comfort.

Verdict

The Comfier Massager Chair Pad is the ideal budget massaging solution. Its portable design means you can take it with you on trips. The pad is easy to set up and works on any surface. It’s also powerful enough to relieve mild muscular tension.

2. OOTORI RL900 3D SL-Track Massage Chair

a complete package with SL-Track technology and a 50-inch roller track

Pros
  • SL double track
  • Foot rollers
  • LED lights
  • Yoga stretch modes
  • Compact design
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Insufficient padding
  • Awkward to get into

OOTORI’S RL900 massager is a complete package and hence it is one of the best massage chair for neck and shoulders. It features SL-Track technology with a 50-inch roller track. The roller system is designed to target important muscles. The chair also incorporates foot rollers for a relaxing foot massage. Bluetooth audio is another welcome addition.

Experience

The RL900 offers an array of features and massage modes to entice the user. Our interactions with users revealed the yoga stretch as a common favorite. One lady explained how she uses the auto mode to enjoy various stretches. She noted being incredibly happy with their effect on her back and neck.

Verdict

The RL900 is an expensive offering. However, a vast selection of features makes it a worthwhile investment. Besides, it’s not as pricey as some of the more premium options out there. It delivers a performance on par with pricier alternatives.

3. Real Relax 2020 Massage Chair

includes Bluetooth audio, LED lights, and a lower price tag

Pros
  • Great value for money
  • Zero gravity mode
  • Bluetooth music control
  • LED lights
  • Easy to assemble
Cons
  • Airbag pressure can be a bit much on max settings
  • Could do with more padding

The revamped massage chair from Real Relax comes with six massage presets. Other changes include Bluetooth audio, LED lights, and a lower price tag. It delivers a full body massage. It achieves this through eight neck and back rollers and fifty airbags. Lower back heat therapy and foot rollers add to the relaxing experience.

Experience

This chair manages what many others don’t. It packs a lot of features at a price that puts more expensive models to shame. A responder to one of our forum posts described the chair as flawless in every way. They also mentioned a few minor caveats, like a limited choice of auto modes.

Verdict

The Real Relax 2020 Massage Chair is a complete massage solution. The performance it delivers outmatches its price. This chair does lack some massage modes when compared to other offerings. It makes up for them with its zero-gravity and airbag massages. The foot massager is a nice bonus that works well.

4. Nova N801 3D Robot Hand Massage Chair

includes 3D, S-Track, Zero Gravity, and Air massages

Pros
  • Premium leather cover
  • S-Track 3D robot hand massage system
  • Adjustable footrest and shoulder width
  • Body scanning for custom massage
  • 3-stage zero-gravity positioning
  • Lower back heating
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No Bluetooth music control

The Nova N801 is an advanced stylish massage chair that offers several massage modes. These include 3D, S-Track, Zero Gravity, and Air massages. You can adjust the footrest and shoulder width according to your body type.

Experience

Nova is a highly rated chair and for good reason. Most people we talked to vouched for it. Everyone who recommended it had one common observation. They lauded how well the chair targets specific muscles. Plus, the airbags treat them with just the right amount of pressure.

Verdict

The Nova N801 is one of the best massage chairs you can buy. It is a costly offering but is worth the price. The chair offers better performance than some more expensive models. However, it does lack some handy add-ons like LED lights and Bluetooth.

5. Best Massage Full-Body Shiatsu Massage Chair

this medical-grade chair features body scanning to customize massages

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Soft padding
  • Leather covers
  • Heat therapy
  • Adjustable rollers
Cons
  • Difficult to assemble

This is a popular offering from BestMassage. An attractive price and various massage modes add to its appeal. This medical-grade chair features body scanning to customize massages. It also offers heat therapy and airbag massage.

Experience

Only a few chairs at this price let users choose between multiple massage styles. Maybe that’s why we received a rather passionate recommendation for this one. An elderly gentleman we approached swore by the chair’s various massage techniques. Having used it for over three years, he claimed there wasn’t a single time when the machine failed him. Each technique works best for specific issues with the muscles.

Verdict

This massage chair comes recommended by doctors. It claims to treat various waist, shoulder and back aches. If we believe consumer reviews, it achieves this claim rather well. The price sits at the edge of the affordable range, though.

6. Best Massage Recliner Chair for Living Room

its strength lies in a low price and a set of core massage features

Pros
  • Compact design
  • Fits well with other furniture
  • Inexpensive
  • Durable build
  • Easy assembly
Cons
  • Insufficient foot support

This recliner may look unappealing as compared to other offerings. However, its strength lies in a low price and a set of core massage features. Users can choose from eight massage settings and three intensities. Its focus on performance makes it one of the best recliners you can buy.

Experience

Since this one is relatively inexpensive, we wanted to find out how well it performed. As it turns out, some customers have been using it for years without issues. One customer commended its comfortable design and adjustable settings. Adjustments go from 90-160° and 0-90° respectively.

Verdict

You can’t go wrong with this entry-level recliner from BestMassage. It delivers enough massage power to relax tense muscles. Whether you’re reading a book or taking a nap, the recliner has you covered. It adjusts accordingly for a comfortable experience.

7. Smartmassage Full-Body Zero-Gravity Shiatsu Massage Chair

includes premium massages like zero-gravity, heat therapy, and airbag massage

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Six massage presets
  • Heat therapy
  • Bluetooth audio control
  • Easy to move around
  • Powerful airbag action
Cons
  • Some settings can be a bit too strong

This full-body massage chair from Smartmassage comes with premium massage modes. These include zero-gravity, heat therapy, and airbag massage. These modes work together to relieve tension from shoulders, calves and hips. Plus, its foot rollers offer a soothing foot massage.

Experience

This chair eases up muscular tensions that can be difficult to treat. A Reddit post we came across was particularly favorable. Subsequent interaction revealed that the poster had been using the device for over a year. They described the purchase as everything they could have hoped for.

Verdict

How this chair manages to pack so much at such a low price is anyone’s guess. Advanced modes, integrated speakers, and Bluetooth controls make up the experience. These features make it an absolute steal.

8. Yunmei Zero-Gravity Massage Chair

The recliner features airbag massage and six massage modes

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Easy assembly
  • Six massage presets
  • Powerful fixed-point massage rollers
  • Quality speakers
  • Heated waist
  • Adjustable footrest
Cons
  • Insufficient padding for long use

Yunmei is a popular name in the budget massage chair category. It does not disappoint with this zero-gravity chair. It is an affordable chair with a lot to offer. The recliner features airbag massage and six massage modes. Three power settings and powerful rollers target tense spots on the body.

Experience

Though we tried, we hardly came across any negative comments for this one. Even customers initially skeptical of the chair’s low price admitted to becoming fans. Powerful massagers and audio quality received recurring praises from almost everyone we spoke to.

Verdict

Affordable massage chairs aren’t always reliable. This chair doesn’t fall into that trap. Yunmei manages to maintain a good balance of price and performance. Eight massage rollers and several add-ons give a relaxing experience.

9. OOTORI Zero-Gravity Massage Chair

feature-packed offering from OOTORI at an affordable rate

Pros
  • Multiple massage techniques
  • Effective for chronic pains
  • 8 fixed-point massage rollers
  • Intelligent massage imitates human hands
  • 2 heating pads for lower back and hips
Cons
  • Confusing instructions

Here is yet another feature-packed offering from OOTORI. Premium massagers from OOTORI pack a punch but cost a lot. Despite the lower price, this chair retains the benefits of the premium line. The zero-gravity mode, foot rollers, and airbags don’t leave users wanting.

Experience

Many products claim to be effective against chronic pains but fall short. We set out to assess if OOTORI’s claims held any merit and were pleasantly surprised. Users vouch for its effectiveness. One gentleman asserted that the airbag pressure is just right to gently relieve muscular pains.

Verdict

This chair does not hold back when it comes to message techniques. Shiatsu, kneading, tapping, rubbing and pressing modes are all available. Users can select them as required to address particular issues. The heating function recreates the experience of a manual massage.

10. Massage Chair by KTN

a powerful all-inclusive massage chair with 38 airbags and s-track system

Pros
  • Premium build
  • Multi-massage modes
  • Heat therapy
  • Easy assembly
  • Good air pressure
  • Very effective for lower back pain
Cons
  • Neck massage could have been better

KTN delivers a powerful all-inclusive massage chair. It packs 38 airbags for a full-body massage. The S-Track system massages the neck and upper and lower back areas. The system mimics human hands to recreate massage techniques. Shiatsu, Finger-P, and kneading are some options to choose from.

Experience

We got a number of recommendations for its performance and ease of use. A lady we spoke to claimed to have assembled the chair herself in less than half an hour. Another gentleman noted that the controls were easy to figure out.

Verdict

This massage chair by KTN sits between the expensive and affordable. It brings all the core functions of the premium models. However, it lags behind at providing the same level of comfort. It works well for short periods but struggles with longer use.

Looking for Recliners, Check this  Best Recliner for Back pain

The Essential Buying Guide for Massage Chair for Back Pain

A thousand-dollar chair will give you a great experience. You could also get a similar experience from a chair that costs far less. Before you get carried away with spending those dollars, wait. First, go through this list of important factors to narrow down your picks.

Available Space

Before you consider any massage chair, assess the available space. A large folding massage chair may sound great, but it’s a problem if you can’t find enough space. It would mean spending all that money on a chair that looks out of place.

The more features the massage chair packs, the larger it will be. Even the smaller ones are still the size of an armchair, which is plenty big. Note that folding chairs will require more clearance space to extend completely.

Massage Techniques

Massage chairs offer many massage types. Some might offer a wide selection, while others may only offer a couple. In order to select the perfect chair, you must know what these massage types are.

  • Shiatsu: This is the most popular massage that most chairs offer. It is also one of the most effective. Certain pressure points on the body are gently pressed to release stress. Massage chairs employ rollers and airbags for this purpose.
  • Tapping: This technique stimulates your muscles and enhances blood circulation. It also makes your body tissue more elastic.
  • Kneading: Kneading compresses soft tissue to relieve pain. It also relaxes tightened muscles, making them more flexible.

Companies may also offer special massage modes to set their chairs apart. These include heated massage and spinal relief, among others. Special modes enhance the appeal of the core offering.

Types of Massage Chairs

Following are some of the most common massage chair types on the market.

  • Seat Pad: This is more of a massager than a chair. It takes no added space and offers a basic back massage. Seat pads can be attached to most chairs and even on car seats. They are fairly inexpensive and great for mild relaxation.
  • Basic Recliner: This is a traditional massage chair as well as the most affordable. Basic recliners can’t support your entire weight. They also can’t lift your legs to the same height as your heart. Basic recliners are smaller than the more expensive units.
  • Zero-Gravity: These chairs are inspired by the conditions the human body undergoes in space. Zero-gravity massage chairs offer great pain relief. They evenly distribute your weight and lift pressure from your legs and back.
  • 3D Massager: 3D massagers use rollers and airbags to generate a sense of depth. The airbags trap your body, as the rollers move against your legs and back. This makes for a relaxing deep-tissue massage.

Conclusion

A great massage chair relaxes your body and mind at the end of a trying day. It doesn’t have to cost you three months’ salary. Comfier’s budget massage pad is one such pick. It is an affordable addition to your fitness gear. For quality massage at home or on the go, this is the ideal pick.

Of course, if budget is not an issue, one option shines in particular. The OOTORI RL900 is the chair to consider. A slick design, leather covers, and LED strips give it a futuristic look. Packed with various massage modes, it’s the ideal choice for massage therapy.

The Real Relax 2020 stands out among an impressive choice of alternatives. It offers great value for money at an affordable price. This full-body massager does not disappoint with its add-ons. LED lighting and Bluetooth music control are welcome additions.