Table of Contents
Welcome to our review of the Best Massage Chairs under $2,000
Massage chairs under $2,000 do not offer everything, but you can get a great massage.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a very good massage chair under $2,000. Below we’ll go through reviews, pros, and cons of the top 5 massage chairs under $2000, and then after that, we’ll discuss the important points to look for when considering a massage chair in this price range.
Whether you want a popular Osaki chair, an SL track, or a draining calf massager for your legs, there are options and this guide covers the best massage chairs under $2000.
Almost everyone knows the feeling of a great massage.
Settling on a plushy massage table with tranquil music gives the sensation of well-being and with the first warm touch, your muscles start to unwind as the hands glide over the knots in your body.
Unfortunately, not everyone can fish out the money every day or manage the timings of massage sessions.
For people who suffer from tension in muscles, stress in some areas, or pain in others, a massage session at their convenience can do wonders.
Buying massage chairs can be difficult with all the features and technology but price and affordability keep those choices at bay.
Great massage chairs are usually priced between $2000 and $5000 but this guide covers the best massage chairs under $2000 that condense features at a small price and makes a worthwhile investment for people with less time and considerable tension.
Quick Comparison
| Real Relax Chair Favor-06 | Real Relax Dual-Core | Osaki OS-4000 CS | KoziSense 2024 Massage Chair | MassaMAX MD906 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track System | SL | S | SL | SL | SL |
| Smart Scan | ✅ | ✖ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Massage Techniques | Kneading Tapping Shiatsu Rolling Kneading + Tapping | Kneading Shiatsu Knocking | Kneading Tapping Shiatsu Rolling Kneading + Tapping Kneading + Shiatsu | Kneading Tapping Scraping Percussion Rolling Shiatsu Kneading + Knocking | Kneading Tapping Shiatsu Pressing Kneading + Tapping |
| Manual Massage | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Speakers | ✅ | ✅ | ✖ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bluetooth | ✅ | ✖ | ✖ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Zero Gravity | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Foot Rollers | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Heat Therapy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto Programs | Six | Six | Six | Six | Six |
| Space Saving Technology | ✖ | ✖ | ✅ | ✅ | ✖ |
| Leg Extension | ✅ | ✖ | ✅ | ✅ | ✖ |
| Maximum Load Weight | 400 lbs | 300 lbs | 260 lbs | 260 lbs | 260 lbs |
Real Relax Dual Core
Affordable Option Covering The Essentials
The Dual Core is Real Relax’s budget option for an entry level massage chair.
The Dual Core model focuses on delivering both relaxation and therapeutic benefits through its innovative features.
Equipped with a heated lumbar section and an L-track system that extends from the neck to the glutes, this chair effectively alleviates tension and soothes aching muscles.
Real Relax Dual Core or Favor 03 is perfect if you’re looking for something that just does the essentials of a back massage and light reflexology.
Some other notable features are zero gravity (a feature that reclines the chair, relaxing your spine and removing weight from your vertebrates).
It comes with a standard S track that only covers your neck down to your lower back.
There are three massage styles: kneading, shiatsu, and rolling, and 6 auto massage settings that have unique massage styles like recovery and sleep.
You can adjust the air massage intensity, recline the chair to fixed positions, add a manual program, and change the speed.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Weight: 152 lbs Upright height: 43” Wall Clearance: 20″ User height: up to 6’ 1” Max weight: 300 lbs Auto Programs: Six Techniques: Three |
| WHY YOU’LL LIKE IT | + Heated Lumbar Section |
| WHAT IT MISSES | – Compactness |
Real Relax Favor-06 Filled With Features:
We recommend the Real Relax Favor-06 because it supports a massive 400-lb weight capacity, which is unusual for massage chairs.
Secondly, it comes in a blue-and-white or black-and-brown color combination that can uplift any living setting aesthetic from home to office.
What makes this massage chair so great, is the foot rollers that can achieve reflexology to some extent, but combined with airbags hugging your calves, the ottoman proves itself to be the best part about this massage chair.
Real Relax Favor-06 is a 2D massage chair with an SL track.
The rollers move side to side and the airbags apply pressure to your shoulders giving a soothing massage.
Combining this with tapping and kneading functions brings the rollers down your spine and lower back, where two heating pads start their heat therapy for better blood circulation.
The rollers follow along to the bottom of your seat and massage your glutes for a complete body massage.
Real Relax Favor-06 can recline to a 145 angle and the best use of this feature is either during the zero gravity position or our favorite: Thai stretch mode.
Your body is gently rocked rhythmically and stretched to relax all the muscles.
The interface is an interactive one, with a wide touchscreen and shortcut buttons all around it. There’s even an option to pair your phone via Bluetooth and listen to music through the built-in speakers.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Weight: 152 lbs Upright height: 42.12” Reclined height: 30” Reclined Length: 79.48” Doorway size: 28.34” User height: up to 6’ 1” Max weight: 400lbs Auto Programs: Six Techniques: Five |
| WHY YOU’LL LIKE IT | + Heated Lumbar Section + L-Track + Air Massage + Zero Gravity + Thai Stretch + Bluetooth and Speakers + USB Charging |
| WHAT IT MISSES | – Softer cushions – Responsive touchscreen |
Osaki OS-4000CS: Best Value For Money
Osaki is an old player in the massage chair market
They have some of the best-selling massage chairs and finding an Osaki massage chair on this list under $2000 might be surprising, but it comes with a few sacrifices, especially for the legs. Osaki OS-4000 CS comes in a black, brown, or beige color combined with two accent tones that give a little more elegant choice.
You’ll find the standard features of any great massage chair like an L track, footrest extension, and lumbar heating but the massaging techniques and quality are where Osaki outshines the rest. Osaki is one of the pioneers of space-saving technology.
You can place the Osaki massage chair 4” from the wall, which will recline to its maximum length. Osaki OS4000CS is equipped with 24 airbags that provide a compressive massage to hips, shoulders, arms, calves, and feet.
You won’t find any Bluetooth or speakers but the six massage styles including a combination of kneading and shiatsu will have you mesmerized.
OS4000CS was released in 2016, but the features are still comparable to this year’s affordable massage chairs.
It still features a zero gravity mode and a full body scan that adjusts the path of the roller according to your spine.
SPECIFICATIONS | Weight: 250 lbs Upright height: 47.2” Reclined height: 33.9” Minimum Doorway: 30.7” Reclined Length: 78” Wall Clearance: 5” User height: up to 6’ 4” Max weight: 260 lbs Auto Programs: Six Techniques: Six |
WHY YOU’LL LIKE IT | + Heated lumbar section + L-Track + Air Massage + Zero Gravity + Quality and Brand Name |
WHAT IT MISSES | – Foot Rollers – Bluetooth and Sound – Interactive remote (it feels like a 90s DVD player remote) |
Newest Features: KoziSense 2024 Massage Chair
KoziSense is a new massage chair brand that has gained over 4.7-star rating with their first and only massage chair.
KoziSense features 2D rollers that replicate a 3D massage with a combination of massage techniques.
It also has a smart body scanner that can adjust the chair to your height.
The best feature at this price is the 3-stage foot roller with a heated calf massager.
KoziSense is a fairly new brand and the highlight of their massage chair are latest and updated features like an AI assistant and a wireless charger for your phone which is a sharp detail compared with other chairs at this price.
It goes one step extra by raising the foot extension even higher with just one button in zero gravity mode.
KoziSense also features a Thai stretch combining the features of yoga and traditional massage for enhanced flexibility and relaxation.
There’s also a heated lumbar section for pain relief and the foot rollers do their job with reflexology.
KoziSense comes with 6 automatic massage programs including an acupressure air massage.
The last thing to top it off is the all-in-one unit that requires no assembly.
| SPECIFICATIONS | Weight: 180lbs Upright height: 42” Minimum Doorway: 30” Wall Clearance: 0” User height: up to 6’ 1” Max weight: 270lbs Auto Programs: Six Techniques: Seven |
| WHY YOU’LL LIKE IT | + Heated Lumbar Section + L-Track + Wireless charger + Air Massage + Zero Gravity + 3 Step Foot Rollers + 6 Auto Massage Programs |
| WHAT IT MISSES | – 3D Rollers – Space Saving Reclining feature |
MassaMAX MD906: For Long Term Reliability
MassaMax is an old and well-established massage chair company. They’re known for their reliability and the MD906 lives up to that expectation.
Their newest models feature a capsule that transforms your reality into a baby’s sleep with 4-D massage chairs and impossible features like scraping.
Bring that notch down under $2000 and MassaMax offers the MD906.
MassaMax has an L track that follows the curvature of your spine and rolls under your glutes massaging through and through.
A great attention to detail are two auto features called ‘lady’ and ‘older’ which as the name suggests is precisely customized for female and older users.
The chair ergonomics are heavenly, one thing you will find odd is the arm placement. Instead of an armrest.
MassaMAX MD906 has a full-body air-compressing massage that squeezes you and releases pressure for better blood flow throughout your body.
It has lumbar heating, a full body scan, and memory settings to save your information for the next massage.
Foot rollers alone provide great relief from a day’s tough walk but they lack the newer 3-stage roller technology. The real highlights of this massage chair are the auto-modes.
You can stream music with Bluetooth connectivity and a small remote can open a world of custom massage settings.
SPECIFICATIONS | Weight: 156 lbs Upright height: 43.7” Reclined height: 34” Minimum Doorway: 30” Reclined Length: 67” User height: up to 6’ 1” Max weight: 260 lbs Auto Programs: Five Techniques: Six |
| |
WHY YOU’LL LIKE IT | + Heated lumbar section + L-Track + Air Massage + Zero Gravity + Bluetooth and Speakers + Foot Rollers + 3D Rollers + Voice Assistant |
WHAT IT MISSES | – Auto Programs – Intense Foot Rollers – Space Saving Technology |
What to Look For When Purchasing A Massage Chair
It’s almost impossible to ignore the shiny massage chairs with LED lights, the never-ending features list, and flashy ads but a little research into massage chairs will show you there aren’t many significant differences between an expensive massage chair and a budget massage chair.
That being said, there are a few things you should consider when looking at massage chairs under $2000.
Massage Rollers
Massage rollers can easily be the decisive factor when buying a massage chair.
It’s crucial to understand the range of motion of different rollers as this directly affects your relaxing experience and the intended area of massage.
S-Track
S tracks follow the curve of your spine from the neck to your lower back.
The rollers go along this track and can move in 2 directions, massaging the back, neck, and lumbar region.
L-Track / SL-Track
L track or SL track follows the S shape of your spine and extends further under your thighs making an L.
The rollers are not only able to reach your entire back but also your glutes.
Airbags
Many unsuspecting buyers are under the impression that all massage chairs have airbags and rollers, but that’s not the case.
When looking for cheap massage chairs, you can unknowingly buy a massage chair with only air compression massages.
The best experience comes from massage chairs with rollers and airbags.
Airbags are essential to relieve tension or stretch your body.
They also provide relief in areas where the rollers aren’t effective like calves, shoulders, and hips.
Heat Therapy
Massage rollers are great at mimicking the hand gestures and motions of a masseuse but undoubtedly, they provide better heated lumbar massage.
The heat combined with the kneading mode can release endorphin hormones, popularly known as “feel-good” hormones.
Reclining Angle
How far back your massage chair reclines is important for the quality of the massage. Remember, in a massage session, you’d preferably be lying on a massage table!
The best reclining function is zero gravity.
This is when the massage chair reclines at around 120℃ or more placing you in a position of weightlessness and taking pressure off your spine.
Some massage chairs allow complete control of the reclining angle during the massage while others offer fixed reclining positions.
Manual and Auto Massage Programs
You’re buying a massage chair to feel relaxed and energized and create your own retreat of tranquility without leaving your home.
While it might seem like having a lot of customization is good, more often you would want to just start the massage.
Many auto programs, from targeting specific areas to different intensities and motions, can be the best way to do so.
Value vs. Price
New massage chair buyers are surprised at the price variation of massage chairs.
You can find massage chairs for $999 and then there are those with 4-figure price tags.
Finding the best value in those options is the best buying advice you can get.
For starters, massage chairs just under $2000 will perform many of the essential functions of the pricey massage chairs but would just have an old interface, be an older model, or would miss some of the bells and whistles.
They provide great value for a small price, but you can pay a couple more and get better features from this list of massage chairs between $2000 and $5000.
Summary
While agreeing upon one chair is impossible, the list above offers something for everyone.
Before stepping into the world of choices, take a look at the buying tips above and make a confident choice in your massage chair.
You may also be interested in our articles on What Features Should You Look For in a Massage Chair?
Or our article comparing Osaki & Kahuna Massage Chairs.