Products and services related to massage chairs
A used massage chair can be a good deal if three things are right: the mechanism runs smoothly and quietly, spare parts are available for the model, and the price is significantly less than half the price of a new one. It becomes risky with no-name models not distributed in Germany, as the first repair is often the last. Here is the checklist.
What ages in a massage chair
- The air cushions. They become porous and no longer hold pressure. You can tell because one side presses noticeably less than the other.
- The reference. The faux leather is tearing at the edges, especially at the front edge of the seat and on the armrests. This is a cosmetic issue, not a technical one.
- The rail. If the roller mechanism is no longer running smoothly, you'll hear grinding or jerking. Expensive.
- The control system. Displays and remote controls fail. If replacements are available, they're cheap; otherwise, it's a total loss.
- The compressor. It runs for a long time, but when it stops, half the air massage goes with it.
The article explains what constitutes normal noises and what indicates a defect. how loud a massage chair is.
The on-site checklist
Never buy without trying it out first, and never without it being plugged in. Here's what you can check in ten minutes:
- Complete a full body workout, don't just turn it on.
- Roll the rollers from the bottom up to the neck, ensuring smooth running.
- Feel each air cushion individually: arms, shoulders, hips, calves, feet. Differences between the sides are a warning sign.
- Raise the backrest fully and lower it completely, twice. A stuttering reclining motor is expensive.
- Turn on the heating function and place your hand on it after five minutes.
- Check the upholstery on the seat edge, armrests and neck area.
- Look under the chair: traces of oil indicate a leaking mechanism.
Questions for the seller
- How old is the device and how often has it been used? A chair from a studio has many times the operating hours of a living room device.
- Are there invoice and warranty documents? The remaining warranty often transfers with private sales.
- Is the manufacturer still based in Germany and do they supply spare parts?
- Was anything repaired, and if so, what?
When buying privately, warranty is almost always excluded, which is legal. With a dealer, however, the warranty applies even to used goods, though it's reduced to one year. This difference is significant for electronic devices.
Der Preis
A massage chair depreciates quickly. A good rule of thumb is to expect it to be worth about half the original price after two years and a third after four years. Anyone asking more is selling a memory. Don't forget to factor in transport costs, as a massage chair weighs between 60 and 120 kilos and won't fit in a station wagon.
And factor in the cost of a potential repair. A new rail or control module can cost several hundred euros, see Repairing a massage chair.
Products and services related to massage chairs
When new things are more worthwhile
There are three situations. First, if the manufacturer doesn't offer service in Germany. Second, if the model is older than six or seven years, because spare parts are often no longer available by then. Third, if the price is more than half that of a current entry-level model, because then you're essentially getting warranty, delivery, and assembly for a few hundred euros in savings.
It is therefore worthwhile to look at current models before buying a used one, not afterwards: OverviewTest sitting is open to over 40 people. locationsAnd those who know the original price can negotiate better on a used car. What matters when buying new is explained in the article. Buying a massage chair: what to look out forThe disadvantages of an armchair are listed here: 9 disadvantages to consider.
Briefly summarized
- Only buy after trying out the product and watching the full program, never based on pictures.
- Check air cushions individually; differences between sides are a warning sign.
- Clarify the availability of spare parts, otherwise the first repair will be the end.
- Rule of thumb for price: half after two years, a third after four years.
- Factor in transport costs and potential repairs beforehand.
Products and services related to massage chairs
By the NAIPO editorial team Massage and product experts from Hamburg
Product experts, service technicians and massage enthusiasts from Alsterwell GmbH — specializing in massage technology for over a decade, with its own workshop and showrooms for test sitting.
Reviewed by David Eberst, co-founder of NAIPO
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