Best Zero Gravity Massage Chair: What to Compare Before You Buy

For most people, the best zero gravity massage chair is an L-track chair with a real zero-gravity recline that fits the person using it and the room it's going into. Zero gravity on its own doesn't make a chair good. What matters is what it does to the massage once you're tipped back, and that comes down to the track, the footrest and how much floor the chair takes up.

Key Takeaways

• Zero gravity tips you back with your knees at about heart level, so more of your weight sits against the rollers instead of the seat.

• I point most buyers to an L-track zero-gravity chair. An S-track is fine if you mostly want your back and shoulders done. Multi-stage recline is for people who like to fiddle with position.

• Not every massage chair has it. Our compact Kahuna Dios Hani reclines to 122° and stops there.

• Seniors with stiff hips or knees, or trouble standing up, should sit in the chair before buying. If getting up safely is the main worry, a lift chair is often the better buy.

• The regrets I hear about most: legs up too high, a footrest that doesn't fit, and a chair that doesn't fit the room once it's reclined.

What does zero gravity actually mean in a massage chair?

A zero gravity massage chair tilts the back and raises the legs together, so your knees end up about level with your heart. The name comes from NASA work on Skylab, where researchers looked at the position the body settles into when gravity stops pulling on it. They called it neutral body posture.

Sit upright and most of your weight goes down through your seat and tailbone. Tip back into zero gravity and more of it rests on the backrest, which means the rollers are pushing into your back with your own body weight behind them.

How far back a chair goes and how many stops it has vary by model. "Zero gravity" on a spec sheet tells you the chair reclines, not how well.

How does zero gravity work with the rest of the chair?

Three things decide whether reclining actually feels better.

The track. Once you lie back, your lower back and glutes press harder into the chair. An L-track or SL-track keeps the rollers working there. An S-track ends at the lower back. That's why I recommend L-track zero-gravity chairs to most buyers. If all you want is your back and shoulders done, an S-track will do the job. If you want more say in exactly how you lie, go for a multi-stage recline. I cover tracks and rollers in more depth in our best massage chair guide.

How many stops it has. Some chairs have one preset position. The Kahuna SM7300 and Kahuna Dios Flexa each have three, so you pick how far back to go. Medical Breakthrough does it differently: its Zero Gravity Sleep System uses airbags to settle you into position.

The footrest. When your legs go up, the footrest has to fit. Check the chair's height range and whether the leg section extends. Too short and your feet hang off the end. Too long and your knees get pushed up toward your chest.

Which zero gravity massage chairs are worth a look?

Each chair below is a full body zero gravity chair, according to the manufacturer. Prices are in rough ranges.

If your lower back is the problem, start with the two Medical Breakthrough L-track chairs. The 7 Plus is the more capable chair. The 5 V2 gets you the same track type for a few thousand less.

If you want control over how you lie, the Dios Flexa gives you three zero-gravity levels, a 181° hyper-extension recline and a leg section that extends automatically by up to 5 inches. It's also 62 inches long, so measure first.

If you're tall or heavier, look at the SM7300. It's rated to 6'5" and 360 lb, with an open-toe footrest for bigger feet. The Kahuna 7D has the same roller setup but tops out at 6'3" and 280 lb.

If you mostly want your back and shoulders worked, the Infinity IT-8500 Plus is an S-track chair with zero gravity, built for people from 5'0" to 6' 4" and up to 300 lb.

Is zero gravity worth paying for?

For most people, yes. Most of our customers use it for relaxing and for full-body sessions. Some prefer to sit upright, though, and if you don't like reclining, you'll barely touch it.

If you watch TV with your feet up or nod off in a recliner on Sunday afternoons, you'll use zero gravity. If you sit forward and get up the moment the program ends, spend your money on the track and rollers instead.

What's the best zero gravity massage chair for seniors?

The best zero gravity massage chair for seniors is one they can get out of without a struggle. Coming back up from a deep recline with stiff hips or knees is the hard part.

If hips, knees or standing up are a problem, sit in the chair before you buy it. Look for gentle intensity, a remote that doesn't need a manual, and don't go for a deep recline unless the person actually wants one.

If getting in and out safely matters more than the massage, a lift chair with zero gravity may be the better choice. It tilts forward to help you stand, which no massage chair does. Our lift chair buying guide walks through the options.

With a medical condition, check with a doctor first. The NCCIH says massage is generally low-risk but flags extra caution for some groups, including older adults.

Will it fit your home?

The best zero gravity massage chair for home use has to fit the room reclined, not just upright. Before you order, measure four things:

1. Space between the wall and the back of the chair when it's fully reclined.

2. The full reclined length, not the upright footprint.

3. Every doorway it has to get through.

4. The route in: hallway corners, stairs, tight turns.

"Space-saving" sounds reassuring, but check the manufacturer's actual numbers.

How much does a zero gravity massage chair cost?

At best zero gravity massage chair price, entry-level chairs across the market can start around $1,000 to $2,000. In our range, the cheapest one with zero gravity is the Kahuna Dios-6800, at roughly $3,500 to $4,000. Most L-track and SL-track zero-gravity chairs sit between about $4,500 and $9,000. Flagships like the Medical Breakthrough Model X go past $10,000.

Financing is available if you'd rather pay monthly.

What do buyers regret most?

The ones I hear most:

• Legs feel too high. If you're unsure, pick a chair with more than one zero-gravity stop so you can go partway.

• The footrest doesn't fit. Check the height range and whether the leg section extends.

• It doesn't fit the room. Measure the reclined size, not the product photo.

• Assuming every chair has it. Some compact chairs recline without true zero gravity. Check the spec sheet.

FAQ

What is the best zero gravity massage chair?

An L-track or SL-track chair with true zero gravity that fits your height, weight and room. From our range, I'd start with the Medical Breakthrough 7 Plus L-Track for lower-back work and the Kahuna SM7300 for taller users.

Is a zero gravity recliner the same as a zero gravity massage chair?

No. A zero gravity recliner gets you into the same position but often has no massage at all. A massage chair adds a roller track and airbags.

Do all full body massage chairs have zero gravity?

No, so check before you buy. Our compact Kahuna Dios Hani, for example, reclines to 122° and doesn't do zero gravity.

Ready to narrow it down?

Use this best zero gravity massage chair buying guide to make a shortlist, then browse the best zero gravity massage chair for sale in our zero gravity massage chairs collection, or read our massage chair FAQ. If you'd rather talk to someone, send us the user's height and weight and your room measurements, and we'll help you get it down to two or three chairs.

Vineet Arora is the founder of Selected Comfort, a U.S. retailer of massage chairs, lift chairs, mobility equipment and home wellness products.