In a Nutshell:
The iRest A303 massage chair is a low-priced model with advanced technology but limited massage variety. This is ideal for hobbyists who want a good deal on a basic ergonomic recliner or for those who suffer from back pain.
Therapeutic Value
Customization options
Ease of Use
Quality
Overall Rating
4.6/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended For: Users weighing up to 330 pounds and want to experience updated technology.
Luxury massage chairs provide an effective way to destress and relieve muscle pain at home, but generally, they are too expensive for most of us to enjoy.
Until now…
Our iRest A303 review proves that massage chairs can be affordable, as we look at a model with advanced technology and features that give users a taste of the finer things in life.
iRest A303-6 Massage Chair Design Overview
The iRest brand is taking affordable luxury to the next level with a collection of industry-standard massage chairs with the latest tech that promises to make you feel oh, so good.
The iRest A303 ergonomic recliner is a prime example of a reliable model that lets users relax and treat back pain at home for less.
At under $2000, you get a limited feature set, but the technology is top-of-the-line to ensure a quality experience every time you sink into that plush seat.
The dimensions of the A303 are average at 50.39 x 29.92 x 33.01 inches, and it weighs 225 lbs. We recommend picking out a spot in your house and measuring it to ensure the chair will fit without issue—especially for small apartment owners.
Fortunately, the A303 incorporates space-saving technology into the design, so when fully reclined, it only requires 2” of clearance from the wall.
If you’re wondering about the max capacity of this chair, taller/larger body types can rejoice. This is one of the rare models that accommodates a max weight of 330 lbs and a height of 6’2”. That kind of diversity earns the A303 major brownie points!
Overall, the design of this recliner is sleek and attractive, with an inconspicuous footrest that doesn’t offend the rest of your interior decor. It comes in blue/white, black, and brown, with a smooth faux leather finish that is easy to maintain by wiping it with a damp cloth regularly.
A small pocket is built into the chair to hold the remote controller, so you’ll never have to dig in the cracks of the seat to find it. Premium Bluetooth speakers with Dolby 3D surround sound are just what you need to drown out the neighbor’s yappy dog with your personal music playlist.
It’s the perfect starting point for someone who craves luxury but doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by bells and whistles.
As we said, the design is standard. It’s not difficult to see the similarities with other chairs on the market.
But one thing is for certain, the A303 doesn’t look like a typical recliner! It’ll be the ultimate conversation starter whenever a guest visits your home.
iRest A303 Massage Chair Features
Next up, we look closely at the features of the iRest A303 massage chair. It’s limited, which is reflected by the low price.
Nevertheless, the technology is advanced enough to offer those with back pain some much-needed relief. Let’s dive in.
iRest A303 SL-Track 3D Roller System
A massage chair is only as good as its track/roller system, so if you see outdated equipment like fixed rollers, know that you can find a more advanced setup for a great price.
The A303 proves it with a top-notch 53” S+L track. This is the industry standard track that you’ll see in mid to high-range chairs. It starts at the base of the neck and follows the natural curve of the spine, extending underneath the seat.
You’re guaranteed a full body massage, with your glutes and thighs also benefiting from the 3D roller deep tissue finesse.
That’s right. Along with a phenomenal track, you get 3D rollers, which administer the most human-like massage. These rollers are more advanced than dual rollers because they can move vertically along the track and away from the track.
By controlling the depth, width, and speed you can customize your deep tissue massage to work those problem areas using multidimensional techniques.
Auto Body Scan
The auto body scan is a common feature that you’ll see with many massage chairs on the market. This is an automatic function that scans your body to locate the pressure points.
The rollers adjust themselves to align with your dimensions, improving the massage’s muscle reach and overall accuracy.
While it sounds good in theory, do note that some manual tweaking may be needed even after the scan. This tech isn’t always perfect, and that goes for any ergonomic recliner on the market that utilizes the body scan.
Zero Gravity Seating
Zero Gravity Seating is a reclined angle that supposedly offers innumerable health benefits. Inspired by NASA, while in this position, the legs are elevated above the heart, which releases pressure from the joints and spine.
You feel weightless, like an astronaut floating in space. Without the pressure of gravity, your blood circulation improves and back pain caused by constant strain is relieved for a fully relaxing experience.
Surprisingly, the A303 offers three Zero-G positions that are not typically seen with a low-range chair like this one.
The big players offer 2-3 positions, which gives users with chronic back pain more options to find the position that gives them the most relief.
Lumbar Heat
Basic is as basic does, and that’s precisely what you’ll find with the heating function in the A303 recliner. It has a heating pad located in the lumbar region, which offers therapeutic value for people with back pain.
However, this is the bare minimum as far as heat goes. Many chairs have heated footwells, which makes a big difference for people with chronic foot/leg pain.
We feel that the A303 could’ve done better with this, but again, who can argue with the price?
iRest A303-6 Massage Programs
Honestly, we weren’t too impressed with the massage programs offered by the A303 recliner. You do not get much variety.
Still, with the S+L track and 3D rollers, you’re guaranteed a phenomenal, lifelike massage. The A303 is programmed to expertly administer 5 different techniques, including kneading, tapping, kneading & tapping (combo), knocking, and Shiatsu.
These techniques can be used manually with five speeds levels, or you can sit down, hit a button, and escape reality with one of the six auto programs below:
While the full-body massages are excellent, we found the customization options to be subpar, and some iRest A303 reviews agree.
It’s difficult to isolate the manual massage to specific areas, with little difference felt between intensity levels. This is preferential, of course, but also a good thing to note if you love variety and customizing your massages.
Spine Massage
One of the standout features of the A303 is its Spine Massage Therapy, and admittedly, this is the first time we’ve seen a massage like this on the market.
This type of technique targets the organs, increasing blood flow to the liver, kidneys, heart, and digestive tract. It also opens the nerve centers and detoxifies the spine for instant pain relief.
Air Massage
The air massage is another common feature you’ll see with most chairs, utilizing multiple airbags to apply a relaxing compression massage from head to toe.
The A303 has 24 airbags located at the shoulders, arms, calves, and feet. You can adjust the intensity with three levels for just the right amount of compression to loosen tight muscles and help you fully relax.
Foot/Calf Massage
While the A303 has a satisfactory setup in the footwells, the absence of heat is a bummer. There’s nothing like a heated foot/leg massage!
Still, if you’re not that concerned about therapeutic benefits for the feet, then you’ll be happy with the soft quad rollers that hit the acupoints of the soles while airbags envelop sore calves in a cloud-like embrace.
Variants of iRest A303-6 Massage Chair
iRest A303 Shiatsu Massage Chair Pros vs. Cons
PROS
CONS
The A303 massage chair has made its life mission to be as affordable as possible. To do this, a sacrifice had to be made, and the victim was massage variety.
You can rest assured that the technology is reliable. You can’t get any better than an S+L hybrid track and 3D rollers. This ensures your massage feels akin to human hands.
The iRest brand also gives users three Zero Gravity positions to play around with, and that kind of freedom is usually only seen with mid to high-range chairs.
The Spine Massage is a unique feature that goes beyond the traditional deep tissue massage to give users a thorough organ detox.
This makes it a great option for casual users who want to get back to square one after an indulgent vacation or really for anyone who wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Our biggest gripe is that there is a serious lack of manual options to customize massages. As well, six auto programs are minimal compared to other chairs that boast at least 8-10 programs.
For the price, you have to be satisfied with what you get. For those who are seeking a high-performance chair to reduce trips to the chiropractor, this may not be the model for you.
We recommend the A303 massage chair for…
iRest A303 SL Warranty
The iRest brand offers a 3-year warranty from the date of purchase.
Comparable Products
Perhaps the iRest A303 didn’t live up to your expectations, and that’s OK! There are plenty of other affordable models with similar features that might be exactly what you’re looking for.
We’ve listed a few different ergonomic recliners below.
Recommended For: Hobbyists looking for relaxation or for those who suffer from chronic back pain.
For around the same price, you get a similar feature set as the A303 but with more variety. The FR-6KSL has 9 auto programs, 6 techniques, and more manual freedom to finetune your favorite massages.
Recommended For: Hobbyists looking for a variety of massage programs and for those who suffer from chronic back pain.
If you’re looking for more innovation and don’t mind paying a bit more, then this is a quality model with brand-new tech. You get advanced options to customize your massages, body stretch, and a nifty tablet to control all functions.
Recommended For: Hobbyists looking for a deal or for those who stand up for long hours and experience chronic foot pain.
For under $1000, you get similar features to the iRest A303 but with a few extras. This is a solid choice for those who spend long hours on their feet and need pain relief.
iRest A303 Review Conclusion
The iRest 303 massage chair makes it possible for those on a budget to own a luxury recliner that offers some therapeutic benefits. While the track and roller technology is top-notch, you will have to compromise massage variety, especially if you like a lot of manual settings.
To conclude this iRest A303 review, it’s a standard option that will help you relax after a long day at the office. Don’t expect fancy accessories because it’s as basic as it gets for a low price. We recommend this recliner for hobbyists or people with chronic back pain who want relief.
Reference & Resources