Finding the perfect massage chair and then realizing it is too big for you can be annoying. You do a lot of research, read the reviews, and then face disappointment when you learn that the minimum height is “5’7 and above”. However, some chairs have a wide range of support, even accommodating users as small as 4’10. The tricky part is figuring out which ones can support a smaller stature and still maintain top performance. We came up with the top 5 massage chairs that are ideal for short adults. These chairs provide the comfort, structural support, and full body massage experience that benefit petite users.
What problems do petite users face?
- Body Relation to Frame
- Shoulder Placement
- Footrest
A calf and foot massage only works well if your legs reach the right areas. Chairs that are too big will often result in your legs not reaching the bottom or barely grazing it. This makes the calf massager target the upper region behind your knee, and the foot massager too weak to have any impact. Having your legs dangling while the rest of your body is getting massaged in the wrong areas can be incredibly frustrating.
Top 5 Massage Chairs for Petite Users
Product | Brand | Min Height | Ratings | |
---|---|---|---|---|
AP-Pro | Apex | 5'0 | 5/5 | |
Sogno Massage Chair | Inada | 5'0 | 5/5 | |
Pro Executive 3D | Titan | 5'2 | 4.9/5 | |
CirC Massage Chair | Synca Wellness | 4'9 | 4/5 | |
ZeroG 4.0 | Human Touch | 5'0 | 3.5/5 |
Massage Chair Reviews for Short Adults
1. Apex AP-Pro
Details
Summary
The Pro Ultra is a multi-usage advanced massage chair that focuses on zero gravity positioning and adjustability. These two factors are what landed the Pro Ultra on our list, and they lay the foundation for why it is a great chair for shorter people. The overall design and shape of the Pro Ultra are compact. In fact, Apex reduced the overall bulkiness and size we usually see in massage chairs. They even reduced the number of airbags to 30 while increasing the area of massage.
We also see increased attention to adjustability with the automatic leg scanning feature. When it scans your legs, it allows the calf and foot massagers to make the appropriate adjustments to fit your legs. By focusing on the length of the legs, the airbags can position in the right area for different users. Furthermore, the ottoman extends out when the massage starts, and as it retracts you can apply pressure with your legs to position the length.
In regards to performance, the Pro Ultra is excellent, but there were some things we did not like. For example, the backrest is non-removable which can be a problem for shorter folks who need to readjust at times. Lastly, the instructions for how the chair works were poorly written and almost useless.
2. Inada Sogno Massage Chair
Details
Summary
The Inada Sogno uses premium technology to customize every aspect of the chair. While most massage chairs only scan your back, the Sogno uses an entire body scanning system that determines the pressure points on your body. It also uses the scanning technology to create customized shiatsu massages that accommodate over 106 body shapes. Customization is something we are always big on, and Inada allowed for a lot of room in the customization department by giving users control over the rollers, shoulder width adjustment, and intensity adjustment for the airbags. Additionally, the chair lets you remove the lower back pad to reduce and increase intensity and support.
This is also one of the few times that we can say we enjoyed all of the massage programs. However, we noticed that one program, in particular, helps shorter folks with seating, adjustability, and comfort. The youth session program, which was designed for younger and older individuals, is the perfect solution to help fit people into chairs. The program uses adjusting roller range to seat shorter individuals properly. An automatic point locator extends to cover the lower positions that do not get enough attention and accommodates the shoulder positions to fit shorter folks.
The final feature that we enjoyed was the figure-8 motion balancing. It moves the seat 1.6 inches from either side of the middle. This gentle rocking and rhythm help with relaxation and when used correctly, helps short individuals find different points of comfort.
3. Titan Pro Executive 3D
Details
Summary
The Pro Executive is widely considered one of the best massage chairs from Titan. It is also one of the best massage chairs for short adults and people who want a well-rounded chair. It comes with a body scanning system that details the exact curvatures of your spine and uses them to align the direction of the massage. Using spine curvatures to help improve the alignment of rollers and airbag pressure is a powerful tool if used correctly. On many occasions, we see chairs using scanning technology, only to limit the massage programs and airbags. With the Pro Executive, we experienced a scanning system improving how the massage gets delivered without limiting what the programs and techniques can provide.
Continuing with the theme of adjustability, the Pro Executive uses armrest linkage to recline the chair and automatically move the armrests. This helps support your arms in the same position by ensuring they remain static when the backrest reclines. We found that holding the same position during the massage programs proved to be more efficient, in particular, during the stretching program which helps prevent hunchback and poor posture.
4. Synca Wellness CirC Massage Chair
Details
Summary
Synca is the latest brands to emerge in the massage chair industry, and it does not plan on leaving anytime soon. Contrasting the industry standard, Synca brings a fresh and innovative style to modern décor. Instead of including several technical features and bulking up the size of the chair, Synca chooses to bring sleekness and creativity into the world of massage chairs.
This theme can be seen in their CirC massage chair, which is small, compact, and stylish. The chair’s structure is designed to support shorter adults starting at 4’9 and extending that reach to 6’2. There is a definite emphasis on improving core muscle movement and strengthening the muscles in the pelvic region.
Usually, stiff or tense muscles can cause dysfunction and pain in the hips and lower back. However, Synca’s SL-Track can provide the extended length to work those areas. Furthermore, the chair uses alternating hip movements to loosen muscles in the lower back and near the spine. Alternating from left to right, the chair can relieve pressure in the lumbar paraspinal muscles. Lastly, there is a 106-degree angle between the backrest and the seat which helps improve posture. On the side of the chair, we found ambient lighting that creates a peaceful atmosphere and helps de-stress after a long night.
5. Human Touch ZeroG 4.0
Details
Summary
The Chiropractic Federation doesn’t just endorse any massage chair, but the ZeroG is not just any chair. It is a smart, compact, and efficient piece of furniture that brings advanced features to a small frame. Its 3D massage engine provides thorough relief to your lumbar region and shoulders without overdoing aching muscles.
One fear we usually have with small massage chairs is that they won’t be able to provide body targeting. This often happens because the rollers and airbags operate so close to one another, and don’t have enough room to focus on one body part without hitting another. With the ZeroG we eliminated this problem by using the BodyMap PRO. This feature lets you target the areas you feel the most pain and aches in through simple remote control functionality. Although it did have some difficulty, it was much more accurate than anything else in its range.
As we wrapped up with the ZeroG, we wanted to test out the zero gravity massage. Surprisingly, the automatic one-button reclining was smooth and consistent over time. It didn’t slow down, inch up at an angle, and it made the auto programs more comforting. After continually using the ZeroG, we found that it helped decompress the spine and it reduced general fatigue which made day-to-day usage worth it
Our Final Thoughts
Half the battle for a small massage chair is to be able to provide enough power to work through tight areas. After all, you are buying a massage chair, not a desk chair. The chairs on our list bring enough power without compromising on design and appeal for different users. Having considered all those factors, the number one goal is still making sure that your body positioning is right and you are comfortable. As we discussed earlier, the number one problem for shorter adults is that they cannot find chairs that align with their posture during the massage. Through our research process, we attempted to keep that idea in mind at all times, which is what led us to these 5 chairs.
Typically, we end each of our guides with an editor’s pick or recommendation but not in this case. The main reason is that we don’t know the exact height of everyone reading and recommending one chair over another won’t help. The best advice we can give is to read the guides and check our reviews before you make your final decision.
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