We all agree that finding the perfect massage chair is a tedious and challenging task. Some chairs don’t match your comfort level while some don’t have the features you need.
Having a state-of-the-art massage chair is a great investment. Thus, it’s crucial that you buy the right massage chair. But how do you select the right massage chair for you? Actually, it’s very easy.
All you need to do is decide what you need. Then you need to decide which features you want. If you’re not sure about the important factors, don’t worry! This real relax massage chair review is sure to help you with your decision.
This review highlights all the features and downsides of the massage chair to help you decide whether the chair is worth the investment or not. Let’s get started!
The Real Relax massage chair is one of the cheapest chairs currently available. It is designed by Real Relax, a company which manufactures its products in China.
The company offers a 1-year or 3-year warranty for this massage chair. The exact time period is unknown because the information available online is unclear. The company’s website also doesn’t provide any specific information.
The chair is designed using the highest quality leather. This makes the chair both comfortable and soft. It can recline and has wheels installed at the bottom. The wheels allow the user to move the chair around easily.
The Real Relax massage chair is currently available in four different variations. But there’s a catch. While there are some differences in the models, it is unclear what those differences are. Even the company’s website doesn’t provide any helpful information.
The massage chair is relatively easy to assemble and can easily be assembled in only 15 minutes. The instructions manual provided is quite clear and easy to follow. But that’s not all. If you’re unable to follow the manual, an installation video is also available on the company’s website.
The chair is delivered in two parts in two different boxes. One part contains the armrest, while the other includes the chair.
Top features
To help you decide, let’s discuss the features this massage chair does and doesn’t offer.
- Stationary massage heads (no rollers)
Most massage chairs feature S-track or L-track rollers. The strange thing about the Real Relax massage chair, however, is that it has no track. Instead, it features eight massage heads attached on a frame.
This produces a problem on many levels, but here’s why this is such a big issue:
Since everyone’s body has a different shape, the massage heads may or may not massage or hit where you need or want them to. Because the heads are stationary, you cannot adjust them in any way. Thus, you can only wiggle around in the chair and hope that the rollers hit your pressure points.
You never know. If you’re lucky and have a body shape similar to the shape of the back of the chair, you might get a good massage. Having the pain centered near the massage heads helps as well. However, it’s a lot of ‘ifs’ and not something you should count on.
- Zero-gravity seating
Despite the lack of a massage track, the massage chair offers a zero-gravity seating. This is a great feature and an excellent addition to the chair.
It certainly enhances the massage experience. But there’s a catch. Due to the stationary massage heads, the enhancement is limited. If the heads are unable to hit the right pressure points on your back when reclining normally, then the zero-gravity feature won’t be able to help much.
The feature will help give a slightly more intense massage along with a more relaxing position. However, the lack of rollers and track makes the zero-gravity feature not nearly as impressive or effective as it could be.
- No options available
The stationary massage heads can only deliver a Shiatsu-style massage. Hence, not many options can be added.
The massage chair offers four pre-programmed massages. But the real story? The massages only offer slight variations of intensity and speed. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to tell the difference between these variations. So basically, the chair offers no options.
You turn the chair on and get a 30-minute massage. If the massage heads hit your pressure points, you’ll get a good massage. However, if the massage heads don’t align, you’ll get an average massage at best.
- Air massage mode
Despite the limited back massage, the chair features an excellent air massage mode. The best part? The feature is much better than what you would expect from a low-priced chair.
Manufactured using thirty First Generation Airbags, it can deliver an excellent massage experience. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get a solid air massage, then the Real Relax is the perfect choice.
That’s not all. The airbags are located in the seat, arms, hip area, legs, and the shoulder with a full-wrap shoulder massage airbag.
Most people want a massage chair with more features. However, if you only care about the air massage, then the Real Relax massage chair is the right one for you.
- Comprehensive foot and calf massage
The foot and calf massage is more effective and comprehensive than what you’d expect from a budget-priced chair. How does the massage really work? It utilizes rollers and airbags for the calves while additional rollers are used for the soles of the feet.
Although the massage seems great in theory, the implementation is a bit unpolished. Generally, the result of the massage is good. However, a considerable percentage of customers have complained that the massage is too harsh.
If you find the massage harsh but want to use the feature regularly, there is a simple solution. Try applying padding to the leg ports and foot wells manually, and you’re good to go!
- Armrest linkage
The armrest helps keep your arms fixed in place when you recline the chair into the backrest. But that’s not all. The arm section is fitted with airbags which deliver an arm massage.
- Simple remote
The massage chair comes with a very simple and easy to use remote control. All you need to do is sit, press a button, and enjoy your massage!
- Convenience features
To add convenience, the chair is designed with casters attached to the bottom. However, there’s not much space. So, it might be difficult to move if you have a plush carpet. But, if you have hardwood floors or an area rug, the chair can be easily moved from one place to another.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Excellent air massage feature
- Extendable ottoman
- Available in various models and colors
- Easy to use remote control
- Affordable
Cons
- Offers a limited selection of features
- Unclear warranty
- No rollers to deliver a deep tissue massage
- Inefficient customer support
- No body-stretching function
Real Relax Shiatsu Massage Chair Compared To Other Full Body Shiatsu Chair Options
Besides Real Relax, there are also several other off-brand full body shiatsu massage chair options available. To help you make your decision, let’s talk about some alternatives to this Real Relax chair:
- iDeal shiatsu chair
The iDeal shiatsu chair is a bit more expensive than the Real Relax. While both have the same standard features, the iDeal chair offers more features.
The chair features an inbuilt S-track which allows the quad rollers to follow and massage your spine. This helps the chair provide a more effective and thorough massage.
Because of the track, the zero-gravity feature is also more effective. Thus, the chair provides a better and effective deep tissue massage.
The chair also offers various massage modes along with four different massage techniques. Users have complained about the techniques being too intense or too loud. However, the options themselves make the chair superior to Real Relax.
The iDeal massage chair also features a 3D body scan. This allows the chair to locate your pressure points while providing heat therapy in the lumbar area as well.
Another flaw of the chair is that you can’t change the temperature. The massage chair also doesn’t feature a foot massage.
- LM 6800 Kahuna Massage chair and RelaxOnChair MK-II plus massage chair
LM6800 Kahuna and RelaxOnChair are slightly more expensive than the iDeal chair. However, they offer more features and soothe chronic pain in the lower back.
Both chairs are FDA approved therapeutic devices, offering the same features as iDeal and Real Relax massage chairs.
The difference? These chairs also offer additional featured like a foot massage, L-track, air massage mode, various massage modes, along with a 3D body scan and low back heat therapy.
That’s not all. The Kahuna chair features a calf-heat therapy as well. Both chairs also offer the ability for a body stretch. This is an important feature for those suffering from sciatica and chronic lower back pain.
However, these chairs have their downsides as well. Users have complained about the foot massage being too intense along with poor space-saving technology.
In the end, it depends on the features you want in a massage chair. If you’re looking for an appealing, affordable chair which offers an excellent air massage and a zero gravity feature, then the Real Relax is the perfect massage chair for you.
However, if you want an effective massage which soothes your chronic pain, then there are better alternatives on the market.