A HoMedics massage chair will set you back anywhere from $250 to $800, depending on the model you choose. There are three basic models, each of which comes with variations and each offers different functions and features. What follows is a review of currently available HoMedics massage chairs.
The HoMedics AntiGravity Massage Recliner is a very simple, modern and nice looking chair. The company touts the chair as having an ‘anti-gravity’ feature that uses the same seating position used by NASA astronauts when they blast off into space. Hyperbole aside, what antigravity means is that the flesh will recline so that the ankles and feet are slightly higher than the head. I don’t know about space travel, but research has shown that this position helps with circulation and most find a comfortable and relaxing position.
What’s nice about the chair is that it comes with heat, which is not a feature you often see on chairs at this low price (starting around $250). The basic model is the HoMedics AG-2101 chair and it comes with simple vibrating massage. To recline, pull a lever and lock into several different recline angles. It comes with 10 massage programs, very basic programs, and an easy to use manual control.
You can upgrade to the AG-3000, AG-3001, and AG-3000S models (top price around $380). They have an even more attractive design and come with a shiatsu massager on the back. While the shiatsu back massager is nice, I wouldn’t buy this chair if I wanted a genuine shiatsu massage.
All in all, for a cheap massage recliner, I like the HoMedics AntiGravity. I’d buy the basic AG-2101, the more expensive options don’t really offer much more.
The HoMedics eLounger Massage Recliner is more like a traditional massage chair. It comes in black faux fur and wouldn’t look out of place in most homes. It has four massage functions: knead, touch, knead and touch and roll with 3 programmed sessions of Full, Upper and Lower Back of 15 minutes each. It’s sometimes touted as the HoMedics shiatsu massage chair, but for its price or around $500 – $800 (depending on the model) you really won’t get a decent shiatsu massage – a good shiatsu massage chair starts at around $1,800 .
However, the massage offered is quite good and this HoMedics massage chair is certainly better than its competitor, the iJoy massage chair, in terms of design, features, and ease of use.
The control unit is stored, embedded in the upper part of the armrest. Some won’t like this as your arm will be constantly resting on it, although you can remove the remote and there’s a cup holder on the other armrest. He wishes the cup holder wasn’t there; It’s not like he’s having a beer or coffee during his massage and it just looks tacky.
The HoMedics Scandinavian Heated Massage Recliner & Ottoman is my favorite chair. I like its simple and elegant style; I like its price of around $550; and I like the functions and features that come with it. I like the heat during my massage so I like the fact that there are 3 heat zones for the lower back, seat and calves. Massage modes include knead, roll, tap, and combined knead and tap. You can also choose a partial massage (focusing on a 4″ range area of your body) or spot (focusing on a single point to knead or knead and touch). You can also control the intensity to low, medium and high and there are also 3 massage speeds.
Of the top 3 models of HoMedics massage chairs I would only be interested in purchasing the Scandinavian Recliner & Ottoman. I think it offers the best features of all of them, looks great and is attractively priced too.
