Nouhaus Massage Chair with Ottoman Review 2023

Everyone has their own taste when it comes to home decor, but if you want a quality massage chair, some of those bulky designs stick out like a sore thumb.

In our Nouhaus massage chair review, we take an in-depth look at a chair so impeccably designed you can’t even tell what you’re looking at administers a deep tissue, full-body massage.

Let’s get this party started!

Nouhaus Massage Chair With Ottoman Design Overview

Nouhaus is a brand that is changing the look of luxury massage chairs.

They’re kicking the bulkiness to the curb for a fresh, modern makeover. And they’re doing it with a posturologist, engineer, creative designer, and an architect on their design team.

The result is the sultry Nouhaus N0003 that is minimal and sleek with mid-century vintage charm. Instead of a jarring ottoman, you get a 4-point stand, and the ottoman is included as a stand-alone piece.

Genuine leather is used for the exterior, so it’s ultra-smooth and soft to the touch.

The N0003 is clearly something unique, and that’s because Nouhaus believes that massage chairs can also be beautiful.

With that being said, they focused on aesthetics and functionality and less on therapeutic value.

Several features are missing that you’d normally see on chairs priced over $1000, like heat, a foot/calf massage, and Zero Gravity Seating.

Multifunction Design

Designed to be multi-purpose, with the option to enjoy a relaxing massage, the N0003 is a recliner for your living room or an office chair. At just 49.4 x 28.5 x 25.9 inches and weighing a featherlight  67 pounds, you can move it around with the greatest of ease.

Do note that it doesn’t accommodate larger body types past 250 pounds, and this is something a few Nouhaus massage chair reviews have already griped about- specifically the shoulder area feeling too tight.

Still, this is a wildly popular, highly-rated chair featured in magazines like Forbes. It also won the Red Dot Award in 2020 for “Incomparable Functionality and Aesthetic.”

So, if you’re into the look and feel more than the features- keep reading. If you want a massage chair that helps cut down on regular trips to the chiropractor, we include a section on alternative models for the same price.

Now, let’s see what this baby can do (and not do).

Nouhaus Classic Massage Chair with Ottoman Features

As stated above, the features are limited with the Nouhaus massage chair with ottoman. It’s like a sports car, built for speed and to turn heads. You’ll see what we mean!

S+L Track & 4 Roller System

This is the only advanced massage technology you’ll see on this chair, but we will say it’s high quality.

The S+L track is the industry standard track you’ll find on the top massage chairs in the market. It’s a combination of the S-track, which follows the natural curve of the spine, and the L-track, which extends underneath the seat.

Four rollers operate at 42 deep pressure kneads per minute, moving up and down the track to target the head, neck, upper back, lower back, waist, and thighs effectively.

It comes equipped with a detachable neck pillow, which can be removed for a deeper neck massage via automatic massage balls.

You get a full-body deep tissue massage implemented by a reliable system that feels lifelike. But you don’t get the features that significantly boost the therapeutic value.

This includes:

No Zero Gravity Seating

Zero gravity seating is a weightless concept inspired by NASA.

It works by reclining a massage chair at an angle that elevates your feet above the heart. Blood circulation improves, weight pressure is lifted from the spine and joints, and you feel relaxed.

Massage enthusiasts with chronic back pain rave about Zero-G seating, and it’s one of the most popular features on the market.

The Nouhaus classic massage chair with ottoman doesn’t recline past 15°, and while we understand that it’s not a massage-focused chair, it would’ve been nice to at least experience a full recline.

It does swivel 90°, but even that is lackluster. The basic desk chair is more fun with a 360° swivel.

No Heating Element

Heating is another indulgent feature that adds a therapeutic boost when combined with the roller massage. It’s effective for loosening tense muscles and melting soreness.

You won’t find heat in the lumbar region with the N0003, but honestly, this is more of a luxury feature and not essential for relaxing.

No Body Scan

This is another common feature a lot of massage chairs utilize to pinpoint the exact location of a user’s pressure points to align the rollers and improve the accuracy of the massage.

This could come in handy for the N0003, especially since there have been complaints about the chair feeling tight in some places.

Nouhaus N0003 Accessories

The Nouhaus Modern massage chair + ottoman stays true to its “less is more” attitude and keeps its refined figure but nixing the add-ons that you’ll typically see on standard massage chairs.

The remote controller is easy to use since there aren’t too many features to get overwhelmed by.

Our favorite accessory is the Bluetooth speakers built into the headrest. The sound is clear and crisp when you want to connect your favorite playlist- that’s something your typical lounge chair can’t do.

Nouhaus Modern Massage Chair + Ottoman Massage Programs

For a compact chair, the N0003 offers a nice variety of massage techniques that feel like you have a personal masseuse on standby.

This includes Percussive, Straight Roll, Shiatsu Kneading, or Mixed Massage.

The rollers cover the neck and back, but airbags apply compression to the lower body. There are two bags for the hips and two for the glutes.

It comes with five auto programs to choose from, including one advanced technique we were happy to see.

• Spot Fixed
• Spot Range
• Full Body Massage
• Percussive Massage
• Shiatsu

You can opt for a full-body massage or hit the Spot Massage mode when you want to focus on a specific area.

There is no foot/calf massage or even footwells, for that matter. If you’re a person who stands for long hours and needs pain relief, then you might want to consider a different model with rollers, airbags, and heat in the footwells.

Nouhaus N0003 Massage Chair Pros vs. Cons

The Nouhaus N0003 is a beautifully designed piece that will enhance the interior of any home. It’s compact, lightweight, and manufactured using the best materials that ensure quality.

While marketed as a massage chair, Nouhaus is upfront about its lack of features. This is not designed to be a therapeutic ergonomic recliner. It’s a contemporary chair for the bedroom, office, tv room, or lounging, with the technology for a luxury massage if desired.

The S+L track and four roller system are advanced, but you won’t get the heating, Zero Gravity Seating, or massage variety that you find with serious massage chairs.

If you want something a bit more indulgent and pretty than the typical lounge chair, then this is an excellent choice.

But if you want a massage that keeps the chiropractor away, then you may want to go for a model with a little more to offer.

With that, we also think this chair is expensive. Not because it lacks features, but because there are other compact chairs on the market with more bang for your buck. 

We recommend the Nouhaus Massage Chair for…

• Hobbyists who prioritize design
• Those who want a lightweight, compact chair
• Petite/average body types

Warranty

Nouhaus offers a One-Year Warranty for massage products from the date of purchase and a Three-Year Warranty for massage products correctly registered under their warranty program. You can read the fine print here.

Comparable Products

If you were expecting a more robust feature set or the price just isn’t in your budget, then the good news is that there are plenty of similar models to the N0003.

We’ve compiled a list for you to compare below.

Nouhaus Classic N0003 vs. Modern N0001

Nouhaus has another massage chair on offer called the Nouhaus modern massage chair + ottoman.

Like the N0003, it prioritizes design over therapeutic value, but they have added a few more functions to help relieve back pain.

The Nouhaus modern massage chair is compact and lightweight, with an L-track that starts at the base of the neck, moves down the spine, and ends underneath the seat to massage the glutes and thighs.

It has an 8-set roller system that moves up and down the track, along with rollers for the neck instead of the massage balls you’ll find in the N0003.

One addition that gets us excited is the addition of heat in the lower back. It feels relaxing and relieving for tense muscles.

It also costs less than the N0003, making the Nouhaus modern massage chair + ottoman a suitable budget choice if you love Nouhaus design, but don’t want to pay big bucks.

Nouhaus Massage Chair Review Conclusion

Nouhaus is a highly respected brand in the industry for its high standards and unparalleled design quality. If you’re looking for a multi-functional, no-fuss massage chair, then the N0003 is an excellent choice. It’s reliable, durable, and can enhance the decor of a bedroom, tv room, or office.

To conclude this Nouhaus massage chair review, know that it is expensive and doesn’t offer a lot for people who want a therapeutic experience that cuts down on chiropractor visits. That’s why we recommend this for hobbyists and casual users.

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Official Manufacturer Support

References & Resources:

• Nouhaus, Official Brand Website.
• Massage Chair With Ottoman, Streetdirectory.com.
• What is the Difference Between an S-Track and an L-Track Massage Chair?, Wish Rock Relaxation.
• Massage Chair Benefits That You Must Know, Thesportsdaily.
• Advantages of Having Massage Chairs in the Workplace, OfficeChai.