Inada Massage Chairs: Comparison And Review [Sep. 2023]

Inada is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of massage chairs. The oldest company of its kind and based in Japan, they create each recliner and electric massage chair based on recommendations from top sports stretch experts, massage professionals, and engineers.

Each model blends the art of ancient Japanese massage techniques and cutting-edge technology and engineering.

The result is a line of well-balanced, well-built chairs that don't cut corners. If you're trying to decide which one is right for you, this review of each and how their features and benefits compare to one another should serve as a helpful buying guide.

Let's start with the basics -what's available and what features they share. Then we'll move on to the differences. There are four chairs in the product line. In order from most to highest to lowest price, they are as follows: the DreamWave, the Sogno, the Nest, and the Flex 3s.

DreamWave

The DreamWave is billed as being the most transcendent chair available, and it's hard to disagree. If you're looking for a transformative experience and a lifetime of soothing away aches and pains and easing off the stress of a long day, you just might fall in love with the DreamWave.

If you have to see it to believe it, here's a closer look DreamWave is the top-of-the-line and most luxurious of the bunch.

Sogno

With the highest amount of body coverage in the line (same as the DreamWave), the Sogno is designed for relaxation and wellness. With an emphasis on full body shiatsu massage, the Sogno has 3D rollers, which is the best technology available and delivers massage that most closely resembles that of a professional massage therapist.

If your aim is the ultimate relaxation, stress relief, rejuvenation, and a greater sense of well-being, you will want to have a close look at the Sogno.

Nest

This is aptly named, as you will feel as though you're being cradled in a giant hug when you relax into the Nest. Outfitted with six motors for the massage capabilities and 64 air cells, it's hard to rival the experience and deep, relaxing massage you in this model.

The 3D roller technology not only penetrates your back as well as up and down and sideways, it also has a left and right track so that each side can move independently, providing a unique massage. The rollers are knobbed to target and pinpoint acupressure points along your back.

Flex 3s

Designed specifically to enhance posture and increase mobility and flexibility, the Flex 3s has a stellar combination of stretching and massage. Built to deliver the two modes in just the right combination and sequence, the Flex 3s will help you leave pain and stiffness behind for good.

Inada Robo

The Inada Robo is a state-of-the-art massage chair renowned for its advanced robotic technology, providing a comprehensive and therapeutic massage experience. Here are key features and specifications of the Inada Robo:

Massage Techniques: The Inada Robo is equipped with an array of massage techniques, including kneading, tapping, shiatsu, and rolling. These techniques mimic human hand movements, targeting various muscle groups and promoting relaxation.
Body Scanning: It employs a sophisticated body scanning system to detect the user's body shape and customize the massage to their specific needs. This ensures precise targeting of tension areas.
Airbag Massage: The chair incorporates airbags that inflate and deflate strategically, providing compression and decompression to enhance circulation and relieve muscle tension.
Zero Gravity Recline: The Inada Robo offers a zero-gravity recline position, where the user's body weight is evenly distributed, reducing pressure on the spine and enhancing the massage's effectiveness.
New Control Panel: Users can conveniently control the chair's functions through an intuitive control panel or a remote control, allowing customization of massage programs, intensity, and duration.
Heat Therapy: Built-in heat therapy in the chair's backrest and footrest adds an extra dimension of relaxation, soothing tense muscles.
Design and Materials: The Inada Robo is crafted with premium materials for durability and aesthetics, designed to complement various interior settings.
Foot and Calf Massage: The chair includes a reflexology-style foot and calf massage feature, targeting acupressure points to alleviate foot fatigue.
User Profiles: It often offers the capability to save user profiles, enabling multiple users to customize and store their preferred massage settings.
Music Integration: Some models include music synchronization, coordinating the massage with music for a more immersive experience.

The Inada Robo represents the pinnacle of massage chair technology, offering a wide range of therapeutic features designed to cater to users' diverse needs and provide a luxurious and rejuvenating massage experience.

Features and Benefits: All Models

Computerized body scan

Each utilizes computer scanning technology to ensure that the massage is customized to the exact specifications of your height and dimensions. Once you relax and start the chair, the computer scans your body.

This ensures that the shiatsu massage accurately hits each point on your body in just the right location, specific to your profile.

Hips and thighs massage

If you're looking for a deep massage for the mid to lower-body, you will be happy with any of the four options. Employing deep compression via airbags, they all deliver serious stress relief and relaxation.

Upper body massage

Shiatsu massage is employed on the entire upper body region by combining rolling massage for your back with rollers, as well as air compression for shoulders and arms.

Soles, calves, and feet massage. Air cell compression therapy soothes away sore and stiff muscle pain in your lower legs and feet.

Warranty

Inada's signature warranty is one of the best available. For every product they build, they offer a three-year limited replacement or repair warranty on parts and functionality.

If something breaks or malfunctions, they cover in-home service; and if needed, they will replace the chair. You also have the option of purchasing an extended warranty, which adds two extra years to your coverage.

Body Coverage

All models have excellent square-inch coverage, though the DreamWave and Sogno have the most.

DreamWave and Sogno: 1,200 square inches

Nest: 1,085 square inches

Flex 3s: 1,000 square inches

Colors

You can choose your colors in any of the models, but you don't get the same range of options for each. Here's the breakdown.

DreamWave: Dark brown, true black, cream, red, or black

Sogno: Dark brown or black

Nest and Flex 3s: cream, brown, or black

Built-in Programs

All the models provide a number of preset massage programs to choose from, but they're not the same.

DreamWave: 16

Nest and Flex 3s: 11

Sogno: 8

Neck Traction: DreamWave, Sogno, and Nest

The DreamWave, Sogno, and Nest all provide neck traction. Gently stretching and pulling the head and neck away from the shoulders elongates the neck muscles, easing tension and relieving stress.

This is especially good if you suffer from headaches or tight muscles in the shoulders, upper back, or neck.

3D Rollers: DreamWave, Nest, Flex 3s

The most highly advanced roller type for providing deep tissue massage, 3D rollers most closely emulate getting a massage from a person. The rollers move across, up and down, and into your back, which enables them to penetrate the muscles and soft tissue.

This is the best technology for working out knots and relieving stress, tension, and pain. The rollers act like thumbs and palms of the hand, so you feel a more realistic type of massage and get the corresponding benefits.

Heat: DreamWave and Flex 3s

The DreamWave and Flex 3s are the only two with a heat feature, but they're not located in the same area.

DreamWave: You get heating in the seat and lower back lumbar area. This enhances the benefits of massage, loosening tight muscles, and easing away tension and stress.

Flex 3s: The Flex 3s provides a heat option in the hands and feet to relax stiff or overworked joints and relieve accompanying pain.

Shoulder stability: Nest and Flex 3s

The Flex 3s and Sogno are designed with an emphasis on enhancing posture and mobility.

The shoulder stabilizers in these models work in concert with the massage rhythm to loosen muscles, joints, and connective tissue while keeping the shoulders, neck, and head in a more stable position.

This allows for greater flexibility in the spine and improves posture.

Leather: DreamWave

The DreamWave is the only one that is available in 100% genuine leather.

If you've been to a sales showroom, shopped online at Amazon or another retailer, or happened to make it to an electronics conference, you are well aware of the huge range of massage chairs available for sale.

Inada is a leader in the industry, and the design and care taken in their research and manufacturing definitely show. They are well built and will last for years. The cutting-edge technology guarantees true therapy, relaxation, and stress relief.

And the sleek modern design will please just about anyone's aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Oldest Massage Chair Company?

The oldest massage chair company is Panasonic. Founded in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., it later adopted the Panasonic brand name. While Panasonic initially focused on electrical products such as lightbulb sockets, the company diversified into various consumer electronics, including massage chairs.

Panasonic's foray into massage chairs began in the 1960s when they introduced the first-ever electric massage chair, revolutionizing the concept of at-home relaxation and wellness. Over the decades, Panasonic continued to refine and innovate its massage chair technology, incorporating features like advanced massage techniques, body scanning, and ergonomic design.

One of the company's notable milestones was the introduction of the "Real Pro Elite" massage chair in 2005, which featured an array of massage techniques and customizable programs. Panasonic's dedication to research and development has enabled them to stay at the forefront of massage chair technology.

Panasonic's long-standing presence in the massage chair industry has solidified its reputation for producing high-quality, innovative massage chairs that offer therapeutic benefits to users worldwide. Their commitment to improving user experience, incorporating cutting-edge features, and providing reliable products has made Panasonic one of the most recognized and trusted names in the massage chair industry, with a history spanning over a century.

What is the Weight Limit for the Inada Massage Chair?

Inada massage chairs generally have weight limits that range from 250 to 300 pounds (approximately 113 to 136 kilograms). It's crucial to check the user manual or product specifications for the particular Inada massage chair model you're interested in to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date weight limit information.

Exceeding the weight limit may strain the chair's components and affect its performance and longevity. It's essential to ensure that the massage chair can comfortably accommodate the user's weight to prevent any potential damage and ensure a safe and effective massage experience. If you plan to purchase an Inada massage chair, I recommend checking the manufacturer's website or contacting their customer support for the most current weight limit information for the specific model you're considering.