March 29, 2024

Portable massage chairs are lightweight chairs that are easy to set up, fold away, and transport. Often made of an aluminum frame with upholstered cushioning, portable massage chairs usually offer adjustment options to suit various clients.

Clients sit in the massage chair tilting forward slightly, which helps to promote relaxation. The front of a client’s torso is situated against the chest pad and their head rests in the face cushion. They can remain fully clothed, which is better for massages in public settings.

Portable massage chairs are ideal for massage therapists who offer services in different locations, such as a market, office, or shopping mall. Therapists may also offer massages in festivals, corporate events, or private parties. Sometimes they do in-home visits for homebound clients.

Usually, massage therapists offer seated massages for shorter durations. Sessions are usually 10 to 20 minutes. During a chair massage, therapists concentrate on areas of individual concern or those that hold tension, including a client’s neck, shoulders, and back. They may also target their head, arms, and hands.

Sometimes people use portable massage chairs while recovering from eye surgery, which may require them to lie facedown for a week.

A quality massage chair is an important investment for massage therapists who plan to offer services in different locations. A well-designed, durable chair is ergonomically beneficial for clients and therapists. It allows customers to relax in comfort and helps therapists to provide the highest level of service.

A quality chair helps therapists use proper body mechanics, which helps to prevent discomfort, soreness, or fatigue.

Read on to learn more about portable massage chairs and see what our top picks have to offer.

To create this list of the best portable massage chairs, we considered the following:

  • Company reputation. We selected brands that offer transparency regarding business practices. We looked for companies that have a website that provides product information, contact details, and customer reviews.
  • Customer reviews. The massage chairs have mostly positive feedback from satisfied customers.
  • Massage therapist advice. We asked a massage therapist for their recommendations.
  • Price. The products on this list come in a range of prices and offer plenty of value for the cost.
  • Sturdiness and safety. The portable massage chairs are light enough for easy transportation yet strong and stable enough to safely support clients.

Pricing guide

We’ve indicated cost as follows:

  • $ = under $200
  • $$ = $200–$400
  • $$$ = over $400

Here is our list of the best portable massage chairs.

Best affordable: Earthlite Stronglite MicroLite Portable Massage Chair

Price: $

Weight: 16.5 pounds (7.5 kg)

Working weight: 300 pounds (136 kg)

The Stronglite MicroLite Portable Massage Chair is a great choice for people who want a quality chair at an affordable price. The lightweight, portable chair is strong and supportive.

It’s easy to set up, comes with a carrying case, and features an adjustable chest pad, seat, and face pillow. The chair is also equipped with a removable face pillow and face cradle.

Best premium: EarthLite Avila II Portable Massage Chair

Price: $$$

Weight: 25 pounds (11.2 kg)

Working weight: 350 pounds (159 kg)

The ergonomic design of the EarthLite Avila II may help to enhance your weight distribution to encourage comfort and support. The chair is easy to assemble and offers lots of adjustment options and plenty of stability. It comes with a removable sternum pad and a carrying case with wheels.

This chair is heavier than many of the other models, which is something to consider if you plan to travel across uneven terrain or stairs with it.

Best adjustable: Custom Craftworks Solutions Series Melody Portable Massage Chair

Price: $$

Weight: 18 pounds (8.2 kg)

Working weight: 300 pounds (136 kg)

Manufactured in Oregon, the Solutions Series Melody Portable Massage Chair by Custom Craftworks is a solid, durable design. The comfortable chair offers adjustments for the chest pad, headrest, and removable sternum pad. You can also adjust the height and angle of the arms and seat.

The Melody Portable Massage Chair is quick to assemble and folds up easily for transportation. Available in several color options, the chair comes in durable, easy-to-clean upholstery and includes a carrying case.

Best comfortable: Pisces Productions Dolphin II Portable Massage Chair

Price: $$$

Weight: 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg)

Working weight: 350 pounds (159 kg)

The Dolphin II Portable Massage Chair promises comfort for massage therapists and clients. The chair allows you to lean forward and release postural muscles, which helps to promote relaxation and alleviate tension. Clients are positioned so that the therapist can comfortably massage their lower back while maintaining their own alignment.

The frame is made of powder-coated aluminum that provides strength and stability.

Best easy-to-assemble: EarthLite Vortex Portable Massage Chair Package

Price: $$

Weight: 15 pounds (6.8 kg)

Working weight: 300 pounds (136 kg)

This compact, lightweight massage chair from EarthLite is easy to set up and fold away for transportation or storage. The chair uses comfortable, durable upholstery that is available in several colors. Clients report that the comfortable chair allows them to fully relax and enjoy the massage.

The sturdy design features an oval tube aluminum frame and is equipped with a sternum pad. It offers an armrest, face cradle, and seat adjustment. The compact chair comes with a carrying case, though a few reviews mention that the case breaks easily and is too small.

Best PVC-free: Oakworks Portal Pro Chair

Price: $$$

Weight: 19 pounds (8.6 kg)

Working weight: 350 pounds (159 kg)

Featuring built-in wheels for convenient transportation, this lightweight, portable chair folds easily and is simple to use. It comes with a carrying case.

Made of PVC-free upholstery in several color choices, the chair offers adjustment options to ensure comfort for the therapist and client. It also comes with an optional sternum pad. You can adjust the chest support and seat height, but it’s not possible to remove or adjust the leg supports, which some customers find inconvenient.

This chair may not be suitable for clients who are above average height or weight.

Best sturdy: Master Massage Portable Massage Chair

Price: $$

Weight: 15.2 pounds (6.9 kg)

Working weight: 650 pounds (294.8 kg)

The Master Massage Portable Massage Chair comes with a carrying case with wheels for easy transportation. The lightweight, compact design is durable and supports heavy weights. The aluminum frame has an eco-friendly powder-coated finish.

Designed with comfort in mind, the handcrafted chair offers adjustments to suit different clients. However, a few customer reviews mention that though the chair is adjustable, it’s best suited for people who are of average height.

Portable massage chairs are suitable for short massage sessions that focus on your neck, shoulders, and back. Clients can remain fully clothed. Often the massages are in a public place.

They are ideal for massage therapists who plan to be mobile and offer massages in various settings. To decide which chair is best for your needs, consider how often and for how long you plan to use the chair. The comfort, sturdiness, and durability of portable massage chairs are also factors to consider.

If you are leaning toward a more expensive model, it’s a worthy investment to consider. It may help to improve your professionalism and make your massages more comfortable for your clients.

There are a few things to avoid when using a portable massage chair. Most chairs offer adjustment options, but you’ll want to consider how easy it is to make them. You’ll also want to make sure the chair is easy to assemble, take apart, and transport.

It’s best not to use a portable massage chair for long massage sessions. The chairs are suited for massages lasting 10 to 20 minutes.

Finally, avoid using cleaners that contain harsh chemicals or alcohol to clean your chair since it could damage the upholstery. It’s a good idea to find out which cleaner is best suited to your chair.