Human Touch Novo XT2 Massage Chair Review

The Human Touch Novo XT2 is arguably the massage chair of the future: it offers a top-of-the-line massage experience, and an incredible amount of options for customization. As we’ll see, this is a luxury chair, one which will appeal to a massage chair connoisseur with high-end taste. Is it right for you? Let’s take stock. 

1.) Features and Programs

SL-Track Massage System

Roller track systems are the backbones of massage chairs—rather literally, since they are designed to run up and down your spine giving you a massage. There are two kinds of roller track systems: S-track systems run from your head and neck, all the way down your spine to your tailbone (coccyx), while L-track or SL-track systems keep going down to your glutes and the tops of your hamstrings. To be clear, both systems are S-track: it’s only that the SL-track is longer. The Novo-XT2 has the SL-track, so you get the longer coverage. While I have enjoyed my share of S-tracks, I do think the SL-track offers something worthwhile with that extra coverage. I’d also expect any chair at this price point to have it. The particularly wonderful thing about this chair, however, is that it has a unibody track. The unibody style covers up to 60% more of your back than a conventional chair, which means you get a massage all the way down to your thighs.

Auto-Wellness Programs

This chair also has 35 different auto-wellness programs. These include immersion and a collection of relaxation and recovery programs. The sheer number of programs mean you will take a while to get used to everything this chair has to offer. 35 programs is an almost astonishing number. If you’re used to chairs that offer 5 or so, this chair is quite the upgrade.

Flex 3D Massage Technology

This chair is 3D, which means the rollers that deliver the massage experience can operate at greater or lesser depth relative to your back and your muscles: they can push into your back and dig in deep, or they can remain shallow. This chair has fantastic 3D. The Flex technology helps, too: it makes for a very smooth experience, with no pinching or friction or anything like that.

Zero Gravity Seating

This chair is Zero Gravity, meaning it cradles your back and elevates your legs above your heart. This is the doctor-recommended healthiest way to sit. Having experienced Zero Gravity from numerous chairs, I can say that this one does it better than most of them.

Cloud Touch Acupressure

Acupressure—not to be confused with acupuncture!—is a therapeutic application of pressure, in this case with airbags, to key parts of your body that are important to target for purposes of healing. This is Cloud Touch Acupressure, which means the sensation is gentle and very, very pleasant. If you have pain in your muscles, this would be one of the better ways to handle it. Of course massage in general can have very beneficial effects on muscle pain, but therapeutic application of pressure like this is especially wonderful. I have from time to time had issues with very painful strains in my shoulder. It always feels like someone slipped a sharp implement into one of my shoulder bones. Massage is the only thing I use to treat it, other than rest of course, and this chair has some of the best acupressure therapy I’ve found.

Space-Saving Technology

One variable with massage chairs that it is important to keep in mind when you are determining which chair to get and where you want to put it is the amount of clearance it requires, the difference between how much space the chair takes up when it is raised in the upright position versus what it takes up when it is reclined. This is another area in which the Novo XT2 excels: it requires only 2” of wall clearance to go from upright to reclined. That’s impressive.

Extendable Foot and Calf Massage

The foot and calf massage is extendable, and you can customize it for your height. This is a very helpful and convenient feature, one many chairs have: it’s helpful because it allows you to set the length to the one that will be optimal for your height. The rollers for the foot massage are designed for optimized reflexology, and they certainly do wonders for the feet. Also, the intensity for the calves and feet is adjustable, another very pleasant and enjoyable aspect of this chair. There are days when I like a good intense foot and calf massage, and other days when I want something lighter. This chair allows for those options.

Advanced LCD Remote

Any massage chair worthy of the name needs a good remote, and the Novo XT2 has one. This remote allows you to manage all of the programs and features. It bills itself as intuitive, and I think you will find that is a fairly accurate description. Everything has labels and intuitive arrows and symbols. As you become more proficient with the remote, you can use it to create personalized massage programs. The customization is actually pretty easy: you can navigate through it on the first pass without any real issues, and it allows you to customize the intensity settings, speeds, and more besides. Also, the screen is crystal-clear LCD, so the visual clarity is good.

2) Massage Techniques and Styles

This chair has 35 auto programs, and they are quite the variety. On the one hand you have the classic shiatsu massage, Swedish massage, sports massage, and then Thai massage, but there are also programs like Awake and Energize. There are also deep tissue programs, such as Deep Stretch and Deep Breath and Deep Soothe. This is definitely an area in which this chair shines.

3) Massage Intensity and Speed

This chair has 5 massage intensity settings. Since it goes all the way to quite intense—it offers some of the most intense massages I’ve experienced—I’d say this is perfectly adequate. The XT2 also has 6 full-body massage speeds and 3 different foot massage speeds. This is pretty respectable, and a considerable amount of options.

4) Special Features

This chair has a great set of special features. Let’s start with the fact that you have significant color choices: black, red, gray, cream, and espresso. There are a number of others, though, so let’s take stock.

Bend and Stretch

This is one of those chairs that has the ability to provide you with additional leg and spine relief through a “bend and stretch” program. Bending and stretching is something this chair accomplishes through alternately inflating airbags, which has the effect of coaxing your legs and spine to move with bending and stretching motions.

Have you ever thought about your posture, particularly if you work a job that requires a lot of sitting at a desk? If you spend a lot of time sitting, you will probably need some good exercise to work stiffness and kinks out of your legs and your spine. While many different chairs offer some form of bend and stretch, the Novo XT2 does it particularly well. My spine and legs were definitely thanking me afterward.

Dual Lumbar Heating

Heating in a massage chair is something that is very, very important to me. To be sure, I don’t need it in every massage: when it’s warm, I can take a pass. However, it is very often a quite nice thing to have, for the simple but important reason that it is so pleasant. Heating in a massage chair helps your muscles to open up and allow the good of the massage to go in deep. The Novo XT2 does very well here: it is equipped with an effective heating unit that makes for a fulfilling heat experience.

Altec Lansing Premium Sound System

This chair has a sound system that you have to experience. It provides a premium experience, whether you’re talking about music, ebooks, or anything else. As if that’s not enough, it also has its own program, Sound Soothe, which provides immersive nature sounds. It even has a program that provides you with narrated demo walks through the features of the chair, with description of the health benefits.

Downloadable App

If controlling the chair with the remote is not enough, you can download an app and control the chair from your phone—and yes, Android and iOS versions are both available.

White Glove Delivery

Most of the time, when you order a massage chair, you have the option of free curbside or regular delivery, and paying extra for white glove delivery service—i.e. having them bring it indoors for you. With the Novo XT2, however, white glove delivery is free. While I tend to favor paying more for white glove, if it’s free there’s no question: get it. Important note: they cannot ship to Hawaii, and for shipments to Alaska, call for a quote.

Concierge Service

Because the Novo XT2 is a part of the Ascent series, it comes with access to a dedicated concierge who can help you with any questions about your product. Whether you need help with troubleshooting or you have other questions about getting the most out of your chair, the concierge is there to facilitate.

5) Specifications

Upright chair dimensions:	63”L x 31”W x 43”H
Reclined dimensions:	71”L x 31”W x 38”H
Seat dimensions:	19”W x 18”D
Product weight:	294 lbs.
Rear clearance required:	2”
Shipping box dimensions:	76”L x 36”W x 31”H
Maximum Load Weight:	285 lbs.
Calf Massage Width:	4.5"
Calf Massage Height:	12”

6) Warranty & Service

The Novo XT2 has a premium warranty with in-home service for the first year, followed by coverage for parts for a total of 3 years and then structural coverage for 5 years. As per usual, the warranty does not cover loss or damage from improper installation, unauthorized repairs, alterations or modifications, theft, abuse, misuse, neglect, vandalism, or environmental conditions.

7) Pros:

There are a lot of pros with this chair. I’ll start this section by saying that I absolutely loved the overall experience of the XT2: in so many ways, this is the massage chair of the future. The SL-track, unibody style, and with 3D means that it delivers a fantastic, phenomenal massage. If you want massage of the highest quality, you will find it here: this chair delivers the kind of massage experience you may dream about. I’m used to relaxing during massage, but when I tried Cloud Touch Acupressure and Zero Gravity, I nearly thought I had died and gone to heaven. It was an absolutely amazing experience, and took me to levels of relaxation I am seldom lucky enough to experience. I’ll note here, too, that it is remarkable how much this chair accomplishes, while needing only 2” of clearance. It’s absolutely incredible. The foot and calf massager is another absolutely superb feature of this chair: I love how relaxing it is on the feet and calves. The fact that this chair has 35 auto programs is absolutely incredible, and deeply surprised me when I sat down to try it. I could not quite believe it.

8) Cons:

It is very difficult to find many things to complain about with this chair. I did have a passing thought that I wanted more than 5 massage intensity settings and more than 3 foot massage speeds, but this is very minor.

Conclusion

Is the Human touch Super Novo the right home massage chair for you? Now that we’ve evaluated the incredible range of features and options it has to offer, I think it’s pretty easy to evaluate. If you are looking for something affordable or you only want something basic, take a pass on this chair. If, on the other hand, you are excited to get a high-end chair with many options, this could be the right chair for you. If you are a connoisseur and only the best will do, I’m confident you’ve found the right chair. So, give the Super Novo a try, and see for yourself.