In a Nutshell:
An L-Track, three-stage Zero Gravity, heat therapy and seat vibration make the Apex AP Vista Massage Chair a compelling choice, but does it stand up to other similarly priced models? We’re not so sure.
Overall Massage Quality
Customization options
Ease of Use
Value for the Money
Overall Rating
4/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
An L-Track, three-stage Zero Gravity, heat therapy, and seat vibration make the Apex AP Vista Massage Chair a compelling choice, but does it stand up to other similarly priced models? We’re not so sure.
In this Apex AP Vista massage chair review, we’re taking an in-depth look at every feature. Then, we’re rounding off the review with a side-by-side comparison of the Apex AP Vista and two other models: the Apex Ultra and the Apex Regal. Let’s get started!
| APEX AP-PRO VISTA VS AP-PRO ULTRA VS AP-PRO REGAL | Apex AP-Pro Vista  | Apex AP-Pro Ultra  | Apex AP-Pro Regal  |
| Air Massage Technology | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Intensity Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Massage: Arms | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Massage: Foot and Calf | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Massage: Lumbar and Hip | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Massage: Buttocks and Thighs | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Air Massage: Shoulders | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Leg Scan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic-Off Timer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chromotherapy Lighting | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Computer Body Scan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Foot Rollers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full-Sized LCD Remote | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Handheld LCD Remote | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heat Therapy | ✓ (lower back) | ✓ (lower back) | ✓ (lower back and seat) |
| Manual Operation Mode | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Massage Techniques (total number) | ✓ (6) | ✓ (5) | ✓ (5) |
| MP3 Port and Speakers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Number of Airbags (total number) | 30 | 30 | 28 |
| Roller Speed Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roller Track Length (in inches) | 50″ | 50″ | 32″ |
| Spring-Loaded Ottoman | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Track System: L-Track | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Track System: S-Track |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Vibration Massage | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Wireless Remote | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero Gravity Recline | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
A Quick Look at Apex
The Apex brand is part of the same company who produces the popular Titan and Osaki massage chairs. Apex is based in China where their massage chairs are designed and manufactured. Today, we’re focusing on the Apex AP Vista, a mid-level full-body massage chair that costs around $5000.
Core Features on the Apex AP Vista Massage Chair
Combination S-Track and L-Track
In massage chair terminology, a “track” is the mechanism which the massage head rollers move along. In general, there are two track types: S-Tracks and L-Tracks.
An S-Track, the more common track, is “S” shaped and typically extends from the neck to the lower back. Its shape is designed to mimic the curve of your spine ensuring consistent pressure and contact along the curvy areas of your neck and lower back. An L-Track picks up where an S-Track ends.
Extending from the tailbone to the thighs, L-Tracks allow the massage head rollers to move through the seat of the chair, adding 20 or more inches of massage coverage to the lower body.
The Apex AP Vista massage chair is equipped with both an S-Track and an L-Track, offering one of the longest massage tracks on the market.
Computer Body Scan
Most modern massage chairs feature some sort of body scan technology. Without it, massage roller movements would be limited to a “standard” height and shape. And since no real standard exists, the rollers would inevitably be ill-fitting for many users — massaging too high or too low.
Even though most massage chairs feature body scan software, not all systems are the same or produce the same level of customization. On the Apex Vista massage chair, the computer body scan system uses pressure sensors in the back of the chair to determine your height and shape before automatically adjusting its massage rollers to deliver a custom-fit massage.
Auto Leg Scan
Continuing with the automatic adjustment features, the Apex Vista massage chair is equipped with automatic leg scan. The auto leg scan initiates at the beginning of your massage, fully extending the ottoman outward before retracting it back towards your feet. Once the base of the ottoman reaches the bottoms of your feet, press down with your toes to stop the scan.
Besides fitting the ottoman to your legs, the auto scan ensures the airbags in the calf and foot massager are lined up with the correct areas.
Foot Rollers
Another popular feature — one massage chair companies have quickly been upgrading their models to include — is mechanical foot rollers. Located in the foot portion of the ottoman on the Apex Vista massage chair are dual spinning foot rollers. These rollers stimulate and massage acupoints on the feet that are commonly treated with practices like acupressure or acupuncture.
Next Generation Air Technology
The Apex AP Vista massage chair has 30 airbags that deliver full-body air massage. Part of Apex’s “Next Generation Air Technology,” the airbags have been reengineered to decrease the total number while increasing the surface area of each. Fewer airbags mean fewer components, less noise and less power required — making a more mechanically sound massage chair.
Let’s take a closer look at the air massage areas on the Apex Vista massage chair.
Handheld LCD Remote
On the Apex AP Vista massage chair, its handheld remote lets you access all of the chair’s features. The remote has a vibrant LCD screen (one of the largest on a handheld remote) that displays all of the chair’s active programs. At the bottom of the remote, a flip down cover reveals the manual mode options where you can adjust message settings like technique, speed, intensity, and location.
When you finish selecting your settings, there’s a pocket on the side of the seat for easy remote storage.
Space-Saving Technology
If you want a full-body massage chair but are short on space in your home, the Apex AP Vista features space-saving technology. It moves the chair forward as it goes back, reducing the amount of space needed for it to recline fully to a few inches.
Additional Therapeutic Features on the Apex AP Vista Massage Chair
Three-Stage Zero Gravity
Inspired by NASA and now a popular massage chair feature, Zero Gravity reclines your body into an almost weightless position by shifting your weight to the backrest and elevating the legs slightly above your heart. This position, originally designed to help astronauts cope with the stress of takeoff, reduces vertical pressure on the spine and lower body. It helps the muscles and joints to decompress and relax while increasing circulation in the legs.
In addition to its therapeutic benefits, the Zero Gravity position also helps to increase the intensity of roller massage. Since Zero Gravity holds your body’s weight against the backrest, it helps the rollers to apply more pressure to your back.
Most often you’ll find one or two stages of Zero Gravity on a massage chair, but the Apex AP Vista features three. Each of the three stages offers a different level of recline, which makes finding the most comfortable massage position easy.
Lower Back Heat Therapy
While the overall qualities of heat have long been associated with comfort and relaxation, heat therapy goes a step further and can provide both pain relief and healing benefits for many types of lower back pain. On the Apex AP Vista massage chair, two heating pads radiate warmth to the lumbar area. Commonly used to improve circulation, heat therapy increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients and the removal of stagnant fluids from the muscles. The increase in circulation stimulates healing as well as helps to relieve pain and soreness. The heat therapy feature can be added to any massage program or manual technique.
Seat Vibration
After discovering that astronauts suffered from fractures and bone loss at a younger age than normal, NASA began using vibration therapy to help strengthen astronauts’ muscles and bone mass. The seat on the Apex AP Vista is equipped with a high-frequency vibration plate that vibrates to stimulate circulation in the buttocks and thighs. But circulation may not be the only benefit of vibration massage.
According to HealthLine in their article, What is Vibration Therapy, other potential benefits of vibration therapy could include “improved leg muscle strength in older adults, the stimulation of bone formation, improved bone strength, and the prevention of muscle soreness.”
Massage Styles on the Apex Vista Massage Chair
Massage Styles
The Apex AP Vista massage chair features six massage styles, including:
Manual Mode Options on the Apex Vista Massage Chair
The Apex AP Vista offers a variety of manual mode options to help you customize your massage to your specific treatment needs, including:
Air Massage Location | Choose the area you want your air massage to focus on. |
Air Massage Intensity | Select from five air massage intensity settings. |
| Roller Location | Up and down arrows on the remote let you move the rollers until they reach your desired area of treatment. |
Roller Intensity | Select from three levels of roller massage intensity. |
Roller Speed | Choose from three levels of speed adjustment from slow to fast. |
Removable Padding | A removable head pillow allows you to increase the neck massage intensity. |
Apex AP Vista Massage Chair vs. Apex Ultra vs. Apex Regal
If you’ve spent much time researching Apex models, chances are you’ve seen the similarly priced Apex Ultra and Apex Regal massage chairs. Of the three, the Apex Vista is the highest priced, but we’re not convinced the extra cost is worth it.
Before you jump in and spend your hard-earned dollars, let’s take a closer look at some of the features you won’t find on the Apex AP Vista massage chair, but will find on other Apex models.
Unique Features of the Apex Ultra Massage Chair
A popular Apex model, the Apex Ultra also features an L-Track, mechanical foot rollers, lower back heat therapy and full-body air massage — and the same number of airbags as the Apex Vista.
But the feature that sets the Apex Ultra apart from not only the Apex AP Vista but from massage chairs, in general, is its calf rollers.
Calf Rollers
In addition to the mechanical rollers in the foot portion of the ottoman, there are rollers behind the calves. Together with air massage, the calf and foot massage on the Apex Ultra is one of the most comprehensive and powerful on the market.
Unique Features of the Apex Regal Massage Chair
Both the Apex AP Vista and Apex Regal have foot rollers, heat therapy, and full-body air massage — 28 airbags compared to the Vista’s 30. Although around the same price, the Apex Regal brings quite a few unique features to the table.
Advanced 3D Massage
The Apex Regal features advanced 3D massage which not only moves the rollers side to side and up and down but inward to apply a deep, penetrating pressure.
Heat Therapy in Seat
In addition to heating pads in the lower back, the Apex Regal features heat therapy in the seat of the chair.
A 32-inch S-Track
A significant difference between the Apex AP Vista and the Apex Regal is the roller track. The Apex Regal has an S-Track, but no L-Track, which means the massage rollers do not treat the buttocks or thighs. The S-Track is, however, one of the longest on the market at 32 inches.
LED Chromatherapy Lighting
On the sides of the Apex Regal are blue LED chromotherapy lights. Chromotherapy, or color therapy, uses specific colors to stimulate healing in the mind and body. The color blue is believed to relieve anxiety and stress and reduce pain.
Unique Features on the Apex Ap Vista Massage Chair
Vibration Massage
A feature that separates the Apex AP Vista from the Ultra, Regal, and many other massage chairs on the market is its seat vibration massage. Like we mentioned above, vibration massage has many therapeutic benefits and could be a welcome addition to any wellness regimen.
Which Massage Chair Is Best?
Each massage chair has its own set of benefits, but if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, the Apex Ultra massage chair with its additional features like calf roller is a great option. On the other hand, if you’re not set on an L-Track, the Apex Regal’s 3D massage capabilities mean you’re going to get more control over massage quality.
Apex Vista Massage Chair Specifications
Chair dimensions | 48.5″L X 30″W X 31″H |
Chair weight | 285 lbs |
User height range | 5’2″ to 6’4″ |
Recommended maximum user weight | 285 lbs |
Power Consumption | 230W |
Colors | Black, Brown, Beige |
Apex AP Vista Review Final Thoughts
Don’t get us wrong, the Apex AP Vista massage chair is an effective therapeutic option and can sometimes be found at a steep discount. But in general, does it stand up to other similarly priced models? We’re not so sure. We hope our Apex AP Vista review gave you a good look at what this chair has to offer and made your decision process a little easier.
References & Resources
- Apex, Official Brand Website.
- Massage Chairs Health Benefits, Pain Away Devices.
- Health Benefits of Massage Chairs, Comfort Critic.
- Foot & Calf Massage: What and How, Massage Chair Relief.
- Massage Therapy, Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing.