Massage chairs feel heavenly but look intimidating. They’re large, weigh over 200 pounds, and behind the sleek faux leather is a sophisticated network of motors, gears, rollers, and cutting-edge mechanics.
It’s enough to make you wonder: do massage chairs use a lot of electricity? The answer may surprise you! We dive deep into massage chair energy consumption so you can have a clear picture of what to expect when shopping for your dream model.
What Does a Massage Chair Use Electricity For?
Everyone has different reasons for buying a massage chair. Whether you suffer from chronic back pain or just want to relax casually, the innovation behind these modern designs is impressive, and there’s a special feature for every “body.”
It can be difficult to know where to start when navigating the vast array of features, and of course, one of the biggest things to consider is long-term costs.
A massage chair is an expensive investment in itself, and it doesn’t stop there. This household appliance plugs into a power source and consumes energy like your microwave or computer. You’ll want to have a general idea of how this will impact your monthly utility bill.
So how much electricity does a massage chair use? Before we break it down, know that it depends on the types of features the chair has and how often you use it.
To give you a rough idea, these are the most common massage chair features that need the energy to operate:
Some models have more features than others, which affects the massage chair wattage.
And it’s recommended to use your recliner one hour per day, twice per week, which isn’t much compared to using a computer for multiple hours daily.
So when all is said and done, your massage chair will be the least of your worries when it comes to energy efficiency.
Just take a look at this chart to see how massage chair power consumption stacks up against other household appliances:
| Home Appliance Power Consumption | Massage Chair Power Consumption (180 Watts) | |
|---|---|---|
| Inverted AC Unit | 1800 Watts | 10 x more energy than a massage chair |
| Microwave Oven | 2000 Watts | 11.12 x more energy than a massage chair |
| Toaster Oven | 1000 Watts | 5.6 x more energy than a massage chair |
| Washing Machine | 500 Watts | 2.8 x more energy than a massage chair |
How Many Watts Does a Massage Chair Use?
In this section, we’ll give you a detailed breakdown of what to expect with a 2D small massage chair wattage.
A 2D massage chair features the simplest design on the market that’s also generally the cheapest. It utilizes a traditional dual roller system to work the muscles without going too deep.
This type of chair might have an S-track that runs the entire length of the spine or an SL-track that covers the spine and dips underneath the seat to massage the glutes and thighs.
Besides the track and rollers, you might have heating pads in the lumbar region, full-body air massage with airbags located throughout the chair, and an ottoman that has its own system of mechanical rollers and airbags.
For this type of setup, the Rated Power Consumption (RPC) average is 180 watts.
How Does 2D Massage Chair Electricity Consumption Impact Your Energy Bill?
The bottom line: the power usage of a massage chair is minimal. For US households, the average kilowatt-Hour (kWh) is 14 cents per kWh. If you use your massage chair for one hour per day, it will cost around $0.75 per month.
In other words, you probably won’t even notice any changes to your utility bill!
Fun Fact: It takes the same amount of energy to pop a bag of popcorn for 3 minutes as it does to use a massage chair for 30 minutes!
How Much Energy Does a Standard 3D Massage Chair Consume?
Next, let’s get more complex with a 3D massage chair. This design features 3D rollers that move vertically and away from the track to administer a deep tissue massage that mimics the hand movements of a masseuse.
This is the industry standard, and chairs of this caliber fall in the mid to high price range.
You’ll see more features offered than with a 2D recliner, including multiple heating pads, enhanced customization settings for speed, roller depth, and intensity, as well as air massage, foot/calf massage, and Zero Gravity positioning.
Some recliners even come with luxury accessories, such as built-in Bluetooth speakers, LED chromotherapy lights, and air ionizers.
All of these features obviously need energy to operate, giving the 3D massage chair a Rated Power Consumption (RPC) of 220 Watts.
How Does a 3D Massage Chair Impact Home Energy Consumption?
When calculating the monthly energy cost of a 3D massage chair according to the average kilowatt-Hour (kWh) cost of 14 cents, you’ll pay around $1.00 for a 1-hour/day massage.
That’s still nothing compared to what you’d have to pay with other electric appliances! That means that you can expect minimal energy consumption for cost-effective relaxation regardless of the massage chair and features.
Fun Fact: Should you unplug your massage chair when not in use? Not necessarily. Many recliners have a standby mode or “vampire power,” which is a power amount that can’t be detected.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Massage Chair
As explained, massage chair wattage is low for basic to high-end massage chairs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take extra steps to be extra energy-savvy.
Some models consider energy efficiency, with a few features that help conserve power. This includes;
The Cost Benefits of Buying a Massage Chair
It’s no secret that a massage chair is expensive. You’ll dish out anywhere from $1000 to $10,000 for one.
To get the best bang for your buck, it’s essential to establish your main objective for buying a massage chair and the features you’re most interested in using.
For example, some people suffer from back pain, and they must visit the chiropractor regularly for treatment. A therapeutic massage chair can save them time and money in the long run, cutting down on chiropractor appointments.
If you are a casual user who just wants to relax after a long day at work, you probably won’t need an expensive model with a bunch of bells and whistles. A low-range standard model serves the purpose and won’t break the bank.
Final Thoughts: Do Massage Chairs Use a Lot of Electricity?
Luxury massage chairs are modern technological marvels designed with advanced mechanics that deliver a life-like massage and supreme relaxation. But do massage chairs use a lot of electricity?
The power consumption by massage chairs is between 180 and 220 watts, which is less than many of our common home appliances. Therefore, even if you use your recliner once a day, it probably won’t impact your monthly utility bill very much.
References & Resources:
- How Many Watts of Electricity Does a Massage Chair Use?, Cockeyed.
- 7 Ways Your Massage Chair Helps You Boost Your Business, Custom Craftworks.
- 6 Reasons Why Every Home Should Have a Massage Chair, Titan.
- Case Report: Electrical Automated Massage Chair Use Can Induce Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture, PubMed.
- Research on Kansei Engineering and Its Application in Massage Chair Design, Scientific.