If you're shopping for a massage chair, you’ve probably heard the terms 2D, 3D, and 4D massage rollers.
Which one is the best massage chair for you? And are 4D massage chairs worth the extra expense?
We'll break down the massage chair technology and give you a few recommendations. I'll also share some expert insight on how the cost on most massage chairs has dropped over the past 12 months.
Last I'll share a bit on how to compare cost, advanced features, and massage intensity levels to get your perfect chair.
What's the Difference Between 2D, 3D, and 4D Massage Chairs?
It's easier to understand 2D, 3D, and 4D massage chairs if we break down the basics of how massage chairs work.
When you sit down in a full body massage chair, you feel the rollers go up and down your back. These rollers travel up and down your spine in an S-shaped or sinusoidal curve.
When the roller tracks stop at about your tailbone (coccyx), the chair is called an S-track chair. S-track chairs are less common these days.
When the roller tracks are longer, extending down to your glutes, piriformis, and hamstrings, the chair is called an L-track chair. You will also hear the term SL-track, which is the same thing as well.
In addition to going up and down your back, the rollers can also go side-to-side, meaning they can move in two dimensions (up/down and side to side). These customized massage chair styles are what makes a massage feel more like a masseuse.
When we talk about 2D vs. 3D. vs. 4D, the customized style is what we are referencing. As we go from 2D to 3D (or 4D) the various massage techniques will get more complex.
2D Massage Chairs
Entry level massage chairs are typically 2D. This is where the rollers move up and down and side to side, without any other movements. The massage chair rollers will go from your neck down your spine, possibly as far as your legs.
A 2D chairs provide a solid massage for tired muscles. The massage will leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed, and energized. The side-to-side motions, combined with the up and down motions help ease stress and muscle stiffness.
3D Massage Chairs
Now we are talking about more advanced massage techniques. 3D Massage will be better at getting out deep knots and won't break the bank. Recent massage chair advancements have pushed the cost of many 3D massage chairs below $3,000, which is great for consumers.
3D massage chairs (sometimes called z plane) build upon the 2D technology, plus an in-out motion, creating a truly three-dimensional space of movement. This allows you to adjust for depth. This is where you are able to control the massage intensity level. You can back off the pressure when you want to relax, or you can increase when you want to focus on relieving tension.
Depending on the model of chair, the depth may range from 2.2 inches on the shallow end to 4.7 inches. What you will notice with 3D chairs is they have additional features and can accommodate more body types. This feature becomes more valuable when you have multiple users. It's common a wife likes a total relaxation massage and the husband wants an intense massage.
When you have variability, both partners will be happy.
3D Massage Chairs also have more luxury features like intelligent voice control, advanced heat therapy and multiple auto massage modes. You are getting closer to a massage therapist with these massage chairs.
You will also see a lot of core benefits like a touchscreen controller, bluetooth connectivity, and built in speakers and chair ports. The LED screen will be more modern.
Almost all 3D massage chairs have a zero gravity mode as well. Once you combine this with the accurate body scanning technology, your massage quality goes up another level. Relieving muscle tension isn't a problem and you're able to get a ton of benefits.
Read: Top 15 benefits of massage chairs
What Makes A Massage Chair 4D?
All of the best massage chairs are 4D Massage or higher.
If you've heard references to a fourth dimension before, you've probably heard it described as time.
A 4D massage chair mimics a deep tissue massage delivered by human hands. While 3D massage chairs have rollers that can go up and down, in and out as well as adjust for depth.
4D adds in variable speeds on the rollers, which mimics a lifelike massage. A 4D massage chair adds a lot more control into the massage intensity to work on areas of pain. We start to see 4D massage chairs operate in ways other chairs can't.
Many 4D chairs come with advanced pain sensors for targeted relief of muscle aches. This is why 4D massage chairs are popular in older users who want a more gentle massage intensity.
4D creates the ability to provide gentle pressure while still going deep into the muscles. The result is better relaxation without the intense pressure.
How Do I Choose Between 2D, 3D, and a 4D massage chair?
We are asked frequently: Should I get a 2D, 3D, or a 4D chair?
The long and the short answer of it comes down to this fact: people have different massage chair preferences and budgets. All massage chairs will help with tight muscles.
But, after being in the industry for over 20 years, here's what we've found:
The key is to get something that fits your needs of you and your family.
As prices go up we are going to see added benefits. For some, the added benefit of variable roller speed and the ability to control intensity is a must have.
The best bet when you have multiple users is to go for at-least a 3D massage chair. The number one reason why someone returns a massage chair is that the massage rollers are too rough.
This makes the massage experience unpleasant as people don't get the relaxation they deserve. A good rule of thumb is the right chair has a massage intensity 3 levels below your preference.
With that said, there are some things to keep in mind when picking out the right massage chair.
Luxury Massage Chairs Feature The Most Innovation
We are seeing great innovation as well with Luxury features like AI body scanning technology and Dual Track Technology (multiple rollers on your back). Other areas of innovation are "Chair Doctor" pain sensors that scan your body looking for tight spots. When it finds tension (sees your pulse rise) the massage chair is able to customize pressure to help you relax.
Imagine the chair finding a knot when giving you a back massage. It then adjusts pressure and temperature of the heat feature to loosen up the area. The chair then uses kneading pressure with the massage rollers to help the muscles relax.
It then repeats this process and adjusts in each body part to create a lifelike massage on demand. It's simply amazing.
Advanced Massage Rollers Price Drop
Some people ask: "why massage chairs are so expensive?"
There is good news with the advanced technology. The costs are coming down. A good 4D chair used to set you back $10,000 or more a few years back. Now massage chair brands are providing solid 4D massage chairs for under $5,000.
This has pushed the costs for 2D and 3D chairs even further down as well. Also there is improved quality with the 2D and 3D chairs on the market.
This makes it much easier to get the perfect massage chair at a solid price.
Conclusion
Owning a massage chair is really about pain relief and loosening up sore muscles after a long day. Do you need a great shiatsu massage? Or the gentle kneading action on your neck and shoulders? Maybe a deep massage on the lower back to help with sciatica?
The good news is that the massage experience has improved A LOT.
There was a big push for massage chairs that feel more lifelike over the past few years. This brought rapid advancement with variable speed roller technology. You are able to now get a variety of massages with the same massage chair. Combine that with an outstanding foot massager, and you start to see massage chairs are great for our physical and mental health.
Long track chairs become standard as well. It's rare that a new chair comes with only an S-track. We always recommend you get a zero gravity massage chair if you plan on replacing your massage therapist. This takes tension off the lower back and helps the heat therapy penetrate more during massages.
There's good news: A great massage has never been so cheap. Example - For the first time we saw a deep tissue 4D massage for under $4,000. 3D and 2D massage chairs have even dropped to lower prices.
Searching for the best 4D Massage Chair? Or want a recommendation on a massage chair for taller people?
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