Ogawa Active L Plus Massage Chair

Ogawa Active L Plus Massage Chair Review 2024

In Massage Chairs by Consumer FilesLeave a CommentLast Updated: August 9th, 2021

Ogawa Active L Plus Massage Chair

  • Therapeutic Value
  • Overall Quality
  • Customization Options
  • Ease Of Use

Summary

The Active L Plus massage chair is a straightforward, standard design with various features on offer for a modest price. We recommend this recliner for hobbyists who appreciate a variety of massage techniques or for users who want an affordable therapeutic option for chronic back pain.

4.6

For those of us who want to relax, we can indulge in the latest cutting-edge massage tech without having to pay a fortune, right?

The truth is, it can be tricky finding an affordable ergonomic recliner that doesn’t skimp on quality… until now.

Our Ogawa Active L Plus massage chair review gives an in-depth look at an excellent choice– one that gives you more bang for your buck.

Ogawa Active L Massage Chair Design Overview

If you like standard and straightforward, then you’ll dig this mid-range priced luxury recliner by the one and only Ogawa.

In our Ogawa Active L Plus massage chair review, we admit that Ogawa is doing a good job at delivering the popular features that are most sought after in a massage chair while making sure the quality is top-notch.

Active L Massage Chair Dimensions

With the Active L Plus, you get a futuristic chair with a self-adjusting ottoman that accommodates a height up to 6’4” and a max weight of 300 pounds. That’s impressive, as you don’t find many massage chairs on the market that cater to the taller/larger crowd.

Now keep in mind that this is a big chair. The dimensions are 63″x31.5″x46.1″, and it weighs 239.2 pounds. It will require ample space in your home, not to mention the leg ports don’t fold in like other chairs. There’s no hiding what this recliner is about.

With this sort of design, you need to consider two things. First, if you live in a small apartment, space may be limited. Second, if you’re worried about your matching interior design, this recliner may be difficult to coordinate.

There is a saving grace with this massive chair. Ogawa incorporated Space Saving Technology to give it a 5” clearance from the wall when reclined. There are recliners on the market that boast 2-3” clearances. Still, anything under 5” is acceptable in our book.

Another detail that Ogawa took into consideration is a quiet operation. With all of that massage technology working, we tend to forget that things can get noisy, and that’s not what supreme tranquility is about.

Patented spring suspension technology was incorporated into the design to keep the air pump ultra-quiet, so no distractions while enjoying your massage.

Before we dive into the features of the Active L Plus, it’s good to know that this is an FDA Listed Medical Device. While we see this as a hobbyist chair first and foremost, it does offer therapeutic benefits for people who suffer from chronic back pain.

Ogawa Active L Plus Features

Ogawa wants everyone to enjoy the beauty of a relaxing massage, which is precisely what the Ogawa and Black Active L massage chair achieve with its features. It’s industry-standard at an affordable price, with the perfect amount of modern indulgences to spoil you just a tad.

S+L- Massage Track

The Active L Plus has an S+L track system, and that is the best on the market. The S-track follows the natural curve of the spine from the neck to the lumbar region. The L-track extends below the seat to cover the buttocks and thighs.

The track is equipped with quad rollers that travel up and down, but that’s it. They are not 3D rollers, so they won’t move in and out to provide a deep tissue massage.

This detail makes a huge difference in delivering the most human-like massage, but the Active L doesn’t cut.

Still, you can enjoy a full-body massage that doesn’t miss an inch of muscle. Not many chairs on the market have an S+L track, so the Active L Plus did well there.

Ogawa Active L Massage Chair S+L- Massage Track

Partial & Spot Focus

There are a few details that Ogawa nailed, and the Spot Mode + Partial Mode is one of them. With this nifty feature, you have the power to pinpoint an area that needs more massaging, and with a push of a button, the rollers will zip on over to do the job.

  • The Spot Mode pinpoints any body area that needs extra attention
  • The Partial Mode is for the neck or back specifically if you would like a longer massage in either of those areas.

3D Body Scan

This is a basic feature that you’ll find with several massage chairs on the market. When you sit down, the Ogawa Active L massage chair will automatically scan your body dimensions and adjust the rollers accordingly.

This improves the accuracy of the massage, although it’s not uncommon for the scan to be off a little bit. But that’s for any chair that offers a 3D scan, not just the Active L.

Lumbar Heat & Vibrating Seat

Nothing beats a heated massage, especially for therapeutic purposes, but Ogawa left us hanging by only offering heat in the Lumbar region.

Many chairs on the market will offer heat in the leg ports, which enhances the quality of the foot and calf massage considerably for those who suffer from being on their feet all day.

Not the Active L chair. Also, you can’t adjust the temperature– bummer. At least it’s a great therapeutic option for chronic back pain! And there is a vibrating seat that some people love the feeling, while others don’t find it relaxing at all.

Ogawa and Black Active L Massage Chair Zero Gravity Seating

Zero Gravity Seating

Zero Gravity seating is a popular feature that massage enthusiasts look for in a chair, so we are happy to see Ogawa’s offer.

This is a weightless concept that elevates the legs above the heart, releasing all pressure from the spine. This helps facilitate blood circulation throughout the body and relieves back pain.

Usually, you’ll find chairs offering one position and top models offering 2-3 positions for the best experience. Ogawa did a good job by offering two Zero-G positions, a big plus for this model.

Touchscreen Tablet Remote Controller

Ogawa is known for introducing innovative concepts that set its ergonomic recliners apart from the rest. That’s what they did by tossing out the traditional remote controller and including a full-sized touchscreen tablet to control all of the settings.

Modern and fresh, this control panel makes the learning curve easier to handle. A digital map of your body type is the center focus of the screen, and from there, you can see exactly where the rollers are aligned with your pressure points.

One-touch is all you need, whether you want to use the Spot or Partial modes, turn up the heat or build your massage by selecting the techniques manually. We love the tablet and how Ogawa is looking to the future with its design!

Ogawa Active L Plus Touch Screen Remote

Ogawa Active L Massage Chair Accessories

There are two indulgent accessories offered with the Active L massage chair, which gives you more bang for the buck.

You get premium Bluetooth Speakers, which are industry-standard and allows you to seamlessly connect your favorite soothing nature sounds while you float off into dreamland.

They also installed soft, colorful LED lights to give users a taste of Chromotherapy. These lights help relax the brain to ease anxiety- especially if you want to calm your active brain before bedtime.

Active L Massage Chair Programs

You get the basic massage offerings that you would expect with any recliner, but Ogawa surprised us by including two advanced techniques instead of one- a rarity with mid-range chairs.

Ogawa Active L Massage Chair 9 Programs

Using the tablet, you can choose from nine pre-programmed massages when you want to sink into the chair and not have to think much. Each massage is 30 minutes long. This includes…

  • Neck & Shoulder
  • Lower Back
  • Glute
  • Therapy
  • Spine Care
  • Gentle
  • Relax
  • Vigorous
  • Stretch

You also have the option of building your custom massage using several massage techniques such as kneading, tapping, clapping, rolling, or dual action (combination). The two advanced techniques are Swedish and Shiatsu.

They amp up the customizable freedom by giving you the following adjustment features:

  • 5 different strength levels
  • 5 different speed levels
  • 3 different levels of roller width adjustment along the spine
Ogawa Active L Massage Chair Memory Programs

Memory Programs

One of the highlight features that sets the Active L Plus apart from the competition is three memory settings to save your custom creations.

Granted, it doesn’t offer the same unlimited profile-saving capacity as the Ogawa 3D Smart Massage Chair, but this is a small detail compared to the variety of massage options the Active L Plus offers, and we wouldn’t call it a deal-breaker.

Air Compression Massage

You get 44 second-generation airbags strategically located from head to toe, delivering an exquisite compression massage in the Neck, Shoulders, Thighs, Buttocks, Hands, Arms, Calves, and Legs.

Best of all, you have complete control over the airbags. There are 5 levels of intensity, and each area can be independently controlled. It’s above average, and for the price- an incredible deal.

Ogawa Active L Plus Air Compression Technology

Body Stretch

The fact that the humble Active L Plus offers a Body Stretch function makes us jump with joy, to begin with, but we will say it’s average at best.

The stretch is more gentle than aggressive and may not hit the mark for everyone. But for the price, you still get a decent body stretch to help relieve that tension- just don’t expect anything life-changing.

Calf & Foot Massage

The foot and calf massage is decent, but while it delivers a relaxing, soothing experience, it’s not top-of-the-line.

There are mechanical rollers underneath each foot and airbags that embrace the lower legs in blissful compression.

While we love the airbags because you can adjust the intensity, and combined with the rollers, it does loosen tight muscles, as mentioned before, there is no heat offered in the foot ports.

They could’ve included a small detail to amp up the therapeutic value, especially since plenty of chairs offer heat in the ports.

Ogawa Active L Plus vs. Ogawa Smart 3D

These two Ogawa models are similar in design and features, so we thought it was only fair to give you a brief comparison of the two here in our Ogawa Active L massage chair review.

Both fall into the mid-price range and are suitable for hobbyists looking for a high-quality chair with plenty of massage options.

The Active L Plus does boast a higher grade massage track with the S&L hybrid, while the Smart 3D only has the S-Track. Ironically though, it does have the 3D quad rollers that the Active L lacks.

The Smart 3D does reign supreme when it comes to the number of massage options available. It has 17 automatic programs with 6 advanced techniques on offer. That’s a lot more than the Active L’s 9 auto programs and 2 advanced techniques.

You get a better Body Stretch, too, because the Smart 3D incorporates Thai massage into the mix for a more aggressive stretch that leaves you feeling as loose as a goose.

However, the Active L Plus can accommodate larger body types with a max weight of 300 lbs.

Both models have the same tablet and app set up, which is user-friendly. The Smart Sense lets you save unlimited custom massage programs, while the Active L Plus only allows for three.

These are both excellent chairs, and it comes down to preference. We love the Smart Sense 3D massage chair because of the bounty of massage options it offers and unlimited memory profiles.

Ogawa Active L Plus Pros vs. Cons

Pros:

  • Touchscreen Tablet control
  • Mid-range price
  • S&L Track
  • Partial & Spot Modes
  • Quiet Technology
  • Two Zero-G Positions
  • Accommodates taller/ larger body types

Cons:

  • Can’t adjust heat; only lumbar
  • No 3D roller tech
  • Can’t customize massage programs
  • Body Stretch may not be aggressive for some

The Active L Plus is standard, but you get some extras that are a pleasant surprise for the price. For instance, Chromotherapy is a nice touch that you don’t see with many chairs unless they are expensive.

The S&L track is the best you’ll see on the market, but why they didn’t add 3D quad rollers is a mystery. It would’ve been a game-changer!

Still, you get a full body massage with adjustable settings that let you relax and unwind after a long day. The Body Stretch is a luxury touch that adds value, and the foot/calf massage is well-implemented, even if there is no heat.

They even added a few thoughtful touches that enhance the massage experience, such as quiet technology and two Zero Gravity positions.

The fact that this chair accommodates larger body types is a rarity in itself, and that alone sets it apart from other chairs.

If you’re a hobbyist who doesn’t suffer from pain, you’ll love the variety of massage programs and the quality implementation of the features.

If you suffer from chronic back pain, you’ll enjoy the S&L track that reaches under the seat to give your glutes a nice rub down, plus the lumbar heat for added therapeutic value.

Ogawa Active L Warranty

We give this brand two thumbs up because they offer a phenomenal warranty on their massage chairs. Active L Plus customers receive a 5-Year Limited Warranty. This includes:

  • 1-year: In-home service, parts, and labor
  • 2-years: Parts covered at no cost
  • 5-Years:  Structural framework coverage at no additional cost

Ogawa Active L Plus Massage Chair Review Conclusion

You can’t go wrong with the Ogawa brand. They design excellent chairs with innovative technology that comes at an affordable price. We love that it accommodates larger body types, offers a solid amount of massage programs, and lets you easily control everything from a built-in tablet.

To conclude this Ogawa Active L Plus massage chair review, we find that this is a suitable choice for hobbyists looking for a fun, versatile massage chair that will let you indulge in a high-quality full-body massage. The heated lumbar massage also offers therapeutic benefits for those who suffer from back pain.


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Ogawa Active L Plus Massage Chair Review 2024 was last modified: August 9th, 2021 by Consumer Files