This post will outline the four best portable massage chairs and provide a full overview of each product, including their pros and cons. We will also look at the benefits and potential drawbacks of portable massage chairs and whether this is the right type of massage chair for you.
Before I provide full reviews about my chosen portable massage chairs, I will detail how and why I chose the products I did and who they’re likely to benefit more. I will also explain the things to look for when buying this type of massage chair.
For a full buying guide about massage chairs, see my post on how to buy a massage chair.
A snapshot of the products in this guide is just below.
At a Glance: 4 Best Portable Massage Chairs
- EARTHLITE Portable Massage Chair – Our #1 Top Pick
- The PROFESSIONAL™ Portable Massage Chair Package – Our #1 Budget Pick
- Master Massage Rio Portable Massage Chair
- TouchAmerica Quick Lite Chair
What is a Portable Massage Chair?
A portable massage chair is ideal for a professional masseuse and an item for the home that can be especially useful for seniors or people recovering from surgery.
They’re a fold-away, easy-to-store item that has simple movability.
Some portable massage chairs will come with many features found in standard massage chairs, but all have the advantage of being space-saving and portable.
What are the Benefits of a Portable Massage Chair?
If you want or need regular home visits from a professional massage therapist, then to ensure the experience is optimized, a portable massage chair is a great choice. There are, of course, other products such as massage tables, but these can be pretty bulky and challenging to store in the home.
With a portable massage chair, you can simply erect it in the room you want it in within a few minutes. This is a lightweight product that is very easy to operate.
Purchasing a portable massage chair for your home could be highly cost-effective in the long run. Compared to regular visits to massage parlors and spas, this product in your own home provides an affordable option, and one which doesn’t mean you have to leave home to receive the pain relief you need.
The Drawbacks of Portable Massage Chairs
The main drawback of a portable massage chair over a traditional home massage chair is that the chair doesn’t massage you. This means that you can’t receive a massage whenever you want one and instead have to book an appointment with a masseuse or your physical therapist.
Product Criteria
You will note that this guide is somewhat different from others because there are only four products I am recommending. However, we used the following criteria to determine which massage chairs made the final cut on our list.
Value for Money
Value for money doesn’t always mean cheap; it means the product is fairly priced when all aspects of it are taken into account. For me to recommend a portable massage chair in this post, I believe it to be reasonably priced.
Individual Features
Portable massage chairs are pretty standard when it comes to features, but to provide a good overview, I have chosen a small selection of chairs that have some differences. This way, every reader can get an accurate idea of what type of portable massage chairs there are out there.
Consumer Feedback
As you’re looking to buy a portable massage chair online, you’re relying on the hands-on experience of others. Rather than just taking my word on it, I wanted to ensure the chairs had accessible, positive feedback elsewhere. This can be in the form of verified consumer reviews or experts opinions.
Performance
Although relatively simple in many ways, no product is faultless in design. I wanted the portable massage chairs I recommend to offer a good performance to users; this means durability and longevity.
To feel confident about this, I looked at the brand manufacturing logistics, the materials used in construction and considered the experiences of other consumers.
Comfort
There is little point in buying a portable massage chair for a relaxing massage and it is not being comfortable to use. So, I have found the most comfortable chairs out there that strike a fine balance between soft and supportive.
Available
I know how sparse this market is at present, so I ensured that all of the products I reviewed were in stock somewhere online at the time this post was written.
4 Best Portable Massage Chairs
| EARTHLITE Portable Massage Chair – Our #1 Top Pick
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Find it Here |
| The PROFESSIONAL™ Portable Massage Chair Package – Our #1 Budget Pick
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Find it Here |
| Master Massage Rio Portable Massage Chair
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Find it Here |
| TouchAmerica Quick Lite Chair
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Find it Here |
EARTHLITE Portable Massage Chair – Our #1 Top Pick
The EARTHLITE Portable Massage Chair weighs just 15 lb, making it one of the lightest around. In addition to its lightweight, this chair has several notable advantages that make it perfect for professional use and deserving of our overall #1 top pick.
This portable massage chair is constructed out of aircraft-grade aluminum, which means that it is extraordinarily durable, with fantastic longevity. Due to how robust it is, this chair can support up to 300 lb in weight, and it feels highly comfortable to sit on in various positions – you always feel well supported and safe.
There is dual-density cushioning, multiple face adjustments, and the arms, seat, and chest pad can also be customized to fit every user perfectly. I love the many color options, including Latte, Vanilla Cream, Mystic Blue, and Amethyst.
The rugged nylon travel case is very hardy and has a convenient padded shoulder strap for comfortable portability. I found it was straightforward to fold the massage chair and to customize it once erect. Some users report finding the armrests too low, but this is primarily amongst taller users.
The EARTHLITE Portable Massage Chair comes with a lifetime warranty for the frame of the chair and a 3-year warranty for the upholstery and cushions. There’s great peace of mind as this chair comes from a leading, award-winning all-American brand with an excellent reputation.
Pros
- Several Color Options (Not all in Stock at The Time of Research)
- Multiple Adjustment Options
- Extremely Lightweight
- Easy to Fold
- Durable and Sturdy
- Good Value for Money
- Lifetime Warranty on the Frame
Cons
- Pads are Non-Removable
- Other Chairs Feel Sturdier for Heavier Users
- Some Consumers Mention Squeaking Noises When in Use
The PROFESSIONAL™ Portable Massage Chair Package – Our #1 Budget Pick
The excellent price of The PROFESSIONAL™ Portable Massage Chair Package can’t be underrated, and the value for money is simply remarkable. Advertised as the perfect chair for massage practitioners, this remarkably durable chair with an aircraft aluminum frame has a working weight capacity of 1000 lbs!
The Professional™ is designed for professional use but has an RRP that’s ideal for domestic users. Handcrafted using sustainable construction processes and high-quality materials, this is a superb massage chair that’s as robust as they come.
My favorite part of this portable massage chair is small to some but highly convenient to others and is the included session pouch. This is a great feature for those who need to store jewelry, cell phones, or glasses during a massage.
The face cradle of this massage chair is pretty unique. It has an innovative six-way adjustment capability, so it is ideal for sports therapy massages or those suffering from neck pain. The chair is well cushioned, and I love the royal blue upholstery, although I would like to see more color options.
The luggage-style carry case is larger than most, and this isn’t the most compact of foldable massage chairs. I also feel the case material isn’t as long-lasting as some, resulting in additional expenses later on down the line. But, for the initial price, the massage chair is good value for money and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Very Robust
- Handcrafted
- High-Quality Materials
- Included Session Pouch
- Lots of Flexibility
- Lifetime Warranty
- High Weight Capacity; 1000 lbs
Cons
- Limited to One Color Option
- Longevity of Carry Case is Questionable
Master Massage Rio Portable Massage Chair
The Master Massage Rio Portable Massage Chair is a premium model at an excellent price. It is made with aircraft-grade aluminum, fiberglass, and nylon and is a highly durable product that can support up to 600 lb in weight.
This portable massage chair is one of the most inclusive on the market. Offering excellent comfort and great flexibility, this chair has a removable face cradle and kneeling pads, adjustable chest pads, and height and angle adjustments for the armrests.
It would be difficult to find a user that couldn’t find a comfortable position in this massage chair.
Adjusting this massage chair is simple and done via the attached levers; instead of typical screws and knobs, which can be fiddly and time-consuming.
I found the chair to be extremely comfortable and that most users feel well supported due to the company’s exclusive small cell foam cushioning. The balance is perfect between soft and firm.
This chair is highly portable, easy to fold, and with compact dimensions of 14.4-in x 14.7-in x 24.6-in, it should fit in most car trunks. The chair comes with a spacious carrying case that has a top handle, support stand, and wheels.
Some consumers feel that the nylon material of the case is disappointing and that a hardshell case would be better. However, this can be purchased separately.
To enhance mobility and storage, the chair is foldable into dimensions of 24.6 x 14.7 x 14.4 inches, and it comes with a spacious carrying case with wheels. Additionally, it features handles at the top and front for convenient disassembly and a support stand that folds and retracts for compact storage.
Pros
- Supports up to 600 lb
- Many Adjustment Options
- Comfortable Cushioning
- User-friendly levers
- Carry Case Included
- Excellent Value for Money
- Compact When Folded
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Some Users Would Prefer a Hardshell Carry Case
- The Seat Cannot Be Adjusted
TouchAmerica Quick Lite Chair
Touch America is a leading brand in this sector and has a reputable history spanning 30-years. The TouchAmerica Quick Lite Chair is a new product that certainly lives up to the brand’s reputation.
This chair has one of the largest height ranges I have found, from 4-ft to 7-ft; it can accommodate pretty much every and will remain structurally stable.
This is an innovative one-piece design, so it can be simply adjusted without any parts needed to be removed or added. The frame is expertly welded and constructed from anodized aluminum, which is anti-rust and anti-corrosion. The frame is also powder-coated and scratch-resistant.
I found the QuickLite portable massage chair to be incredibly comfortable, especially the face space – some can feel a little constricting, but that isn’t so here. The upholstery is soft, without being too soft, and provides a firm resting surface for all body parts.
There are three seat-height positions and three arm-height settings. The height of arms on portable massage chairs can limit their comfort for taller-than-average or shorter-than-average users, so this flexibility, in particular, is very inclusive.
The chair comes with a removal carrying strap, and the product has a total weight of 23lb – heavier than some but still considered lightweight. It can support users up to 325 lbs and comes with a 2-year material warranty and 5-year frame warranty; generous, but there are better ones out there.
Pros
- Large Height Range
- Scratch-Resistant Frame
- Adjustable Arms and Seat
- Comfortable Facespace
- 5-Year Frame Warranty
- 4 Color Options
Cons
- New Product; Limited Reviews
- Carry Bag Sold Separately
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: Home massage services are on the rise. People want the convenience of receiving necessary therapies within their own homes, and employment for masseuses is set to increase over the next few years. So if you’re looking to re-train as a massage therapist or are considering hiring their services, a portable massage chair could be a good investment.
Answer: Whether it is a massage chair that will be used by other people, or a shower chair, it is essential that it is kept sanitary.
Most portable massage chairs are made from faux leather, so harsh cleaning agents should be avoided. It is best to use a damp cloth with a specialized detergent, such as a faux leather cleaner, after every use.
Answer: Things like face cradles are pretty straightforward to replace, but it is essential to ensure that you buy a compatible model. A universal replacement, such as the Master Massage Face Cradle, works well with many brands.
If you have larger or more expensive parts to replace, it may be best to utilize the warranty on the chair as these are usually for relatively long periods and cover most components.
Answer: If you’re looking to invite a stranger into your home, it can be an anxiety-inducing prospect. I have looked at the American Massage Therapy Association, which has the most credible and respected name in this sector, and found that you can search here for trusted massage therapists in your area.
Best Portable Massage Chair – My Verdict
My four best portable massage chairs are all excellent choices, and each one offers something slightly different. The top pick, EARTHLITE Portable Massage Chair, was my overall favorite.
As the most lightweight option on the market, with several color options, multiple adjustment capabilities, and a lifetime warranty (for the frame), it is an excellent option for those wanting it all.
However, this chair does have its drawbacks, as with all products. For example, the pads are non-removable, and some consumers felt it lacked slightly with sturdiness.
Moving on to our budget pick, The PROFESSIONAL™ Portable Massage Chair Package, which offers the heaviest weight-bearing capacity, is certainly a good choice for the professional masseuse or larger build consumer. It is highly robust and has been handcrafted with some of the best materials out there.
There’s lots of flexibility with this chair, and I loved the included session pouch. There’s a lifetime warranty, which given the highly affordable price, is very reassuring. Still, consumers are limited to one color option, and I believe the longevity of the carry case is questionable.
The Master Massage Rio Portable Massage Chair and the TouchAmerica Quick Lite Chair are other great choices. However, if pushed, I would slightly sway towards the TouchAmerica Quick Lite as this feels somewhat more supportive.
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