Tech

I survived a major tech convention by testing every luxury massage chair I found — here was my favorite

Melia Robinson

2016-01-12T15:37:00Z

I've never experienced a workout quite so rigorous as the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week.

The world's largest innovation event spans 1.8 million square feet of exhibit space. For three eight-hour days, I schlepped my laptop and camera bag across the thinly carpeted floors. My body, fueled by coffee and Clif bars, ached and fatigued quickly.

Unsure how I would survive the convention, I set out to review every luxury massage chair I encountered at CES. My mission gave me an opportunity to break from walking and receive much needed, therapeutic relief.

It was a wild success. Here are my favorite chairs, ranked least to best:

4. Daiwa's Relax 2 Zero Chair

daiwa relax 2 zero massage chair 5569 ces 2016

Cost: $8,000

Pro: The Relax 2 Zero chair by Daiwa uses air bag technology to relieve muscle tension from head to toe. The bags inflate and deflate, gently pushing the body from side to side.

Con: The pressure was a little much for me, however, and I winced several times when the bags pinched my arms and legs too tightly. Wusses, be warned.

The materials felt cheap, as well, which became the most apparent during the foot massage. The rollers in the foot cradle felt like a bag of marbles held in a Ziploc baggie.

3. Adako's Zenith Chair

Cost: $7,995

Pro: Adako's "zero-gravity" Zenith chair is a dream for those who appreciate a good glutes massage. The chair's L-shaped roller track travels from the neck to the hamstrings, delivering concentrated pressure at the body's intersection: the buttocks.

Plus, with a price tag under $8,000, the Zenith chair is the most affordable one I tried.

Con: While the glutes massage was out of this world, the chair provided an unmemorable experience for my other body parts. Plus, the L-shaped track limits its reclining capability.

2. Inada's DreamWave Chair

melia robinson ces 2016 inada dreamwave massage chair

Cost: $9,499 ($10,499 for the TruBlack Leather model)

Pro: Stepping into Inada's DreamWave chair is like getting a hug. The chair provides 1,200 square inches of coverage — more than any chair on the market, according to Inada USA President Cliff Levin — so it gives the illusion of cradling you.

Its 16 pre-programmed sessions means there's an experience for everyone. I prefer a gentle Shiatsu massage, and the Stretch session tugged at my limbs lightly and comfortably.

Con: The DreamWave chair's pervasive coverage trapped my body heat and made me sweaty. My biggest concern, however, is the near $10,000 price.

1. Infinity's IT-8800

Cost: $6,295

Pro: Infinity is massage chair royalty, and in fact, a sales manager at a rival company's booth recommended I check them out. After a few minutes in the IT-880, I understood why.

Infinity chairs feature one of the longest roller tracks on the market, so it cups the head and gives a mind-blowing crown massage. The chair also inverts, lifting the legs above the upper body and improving circulation and blood flow.

The clincher here is in the price tag: Infinity's IT-8800 comes in more than $3,000 cheaper than Inada's DreamWave chair.

Con: N/A — If I had that much money sitting around, my first call would be to Infinity.

BONUS! Tware's AiraWear

Cost: TBD

Pro: Tware's AiraWear is a massage vest that fits underneath your jacket. Seriously.

Small, inconspicuous motors inflate and deflate the vest from the inside, providing for a therapeutic compression massage. The wearer can choose a program from the company's app, which communicates with the vest over Bluetooth, and select the intensity.

Con: The vest doesn't apply much pressure, and instead, replicates the feeling of an iPhone vibrating in your back pocket. While it's a fun novelty item, you're better off booking a massage appointment.