Panasonic MAJ7 Massage Chair Review 2024

Massage chairs have come a long way, from vibrating mall chairs to high-grade models that cost around the same as a used car but give you all the therapeutic bliss you could ask for.

The tricky part is finding the best model for your needs since there is an overwhelming amount of features on the market.

We explore a model that fuses holistic techniques with a high-tech design in our Panasonic MAJ7 review!

Panasonic MAJ7 Massage Chair Design Overview

Everyone knows the brand Panasonic. They’ve been manufacturing massage chairs (amongst a plethora of other home electronics) for decades, with a reputation for quality that is recognized on a global scale.

So when they debuted their luxurious MAJ7 massage chair, of course, we had to get up close and personal. In a market where massage chairs can be as basic as a La-Z-Boy or fancy enough to feel like a professional masseuse, separating the best products from the mediocre can be tough.

Especially where pricing is concerned. Massage chairs are not cheap, and as far as the Panasonic Massage Chair MAJ7 price goes, be ready to shell out a cool $10,000 to make your at-home therapeutic dreams come true.

This price places the MAJ7 at the top of the market with other luxury high-end recliners. That means it comes with a robust assortment of features, a futuristic design, and massage technology that should feel akin to human hands.

After examining this model, it certainly brings new innovations to the table that we haven’t seen in terms of how massages are performed. On the flip side, don’t expect a ton of shiny extras like Bluetooth or an essential oil diffuser built into the headrest.

In other words, Panasonic focused on the massage experience from top to bottom, prioritizing practicality and a more holistic approach over shiny things that make us say “ooh aah.”

But we’ll get into the specifics of what this chair can do later in our Panasonic MAJ7 massage chair review.

For now, let’s start with the design. The MAJ7 is manufactured in Osaka, Japan, which is the motherland of massage technology. Therefore, you can rest assured that you’re getting industry-standard components and long-lasting construction.

The chair is plush, with synthetic leather upholstery that makes it look like a divine recliner rather than a futuristic pod-shape, like many other models on the market.

The upright dimensions of the MAJ7 are 51.2″D x 35.4″W x 45.3″H, and it weighs 192 lbs. Yes, it’s heavy and on the bulky side, but there are built-in rear wheels to help make installation easier.

There is no space-saving technology, which is a hot feature that many massage chair brands advertise. But for reference, it’s recommended to install the MAJ7 3.9” away from the wall to avoid any obstruction while reclining. The MAJ7 backrest can recline from 120° to 170°, while the footrest reclines from 5° to 85°.

Space-saving technology refers to the amount of space between the back of the chair and the wall when the chair is reclined. The top chairs on the market can operate fully with 5” or less of space from the wall, so the MAJ7 gets top marks for this.

It holds a max weight capacity of 264 lbs, which, admittedly, is average. Unfortunately, larger body types won’t be able to benefit from the therapeutic benefits this model offers. However, taller people up to 6’2” can relax comfortably when using this chair.

All in all, the MAJ7 design is pretty standard compared to some other luxury chairs we’ve seen, but, as we said, Panasonic put their energy into the technology that lies beneath the upholstery.

From body scan sensors to hot stone massage and 3D rollers, it’s clear that it has a lot to offer those with back pain, foot pain, and stress. Let’s jump into the next section to see what this model can do.

Panasonic Massage Chair MAJ7 Features

There’s no question about it; the MAJ7 has a lot going on under the surface, operating under the intuitive guidance of the Position and Force Microprocessor. Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

3D Roller System

At first glance, the roller system of the MAJ7 isn’t anything special. It features 3D rollers, which is top tier as far as massage technology goes, but you can also find low to mid-range recliners with this type of setup.

The 3D rollers move along a horizontal and vertical axis, covering every inch of the back—from the neck to the glutes.

The rollers can also move in and out, which is more advanced than fixed rollers because they are able to perform more massage techniques and better simulate the feel of human hands.

The magic of this particular model is the staggering amount of techniques and movements it can accomplish in a session, giving the user more options to perfect the type of therapy they want.

Ultra-quiet brushless motors direct the rollers, allowing for full freedom of movement. This enables the user to switch between massage styles and pinpoint the exact muscles they want worked on, especially hard-to-reach places such as above the shoulders.

Many Panasonic MAJ7 reviews mention this detail and how the rollers protrude up to 4.9 inches to apply a subliminal deep tissue massage along the trapezius muscle.

However, some users also mention that they have to remove the padding around the headrest to feel the full effects of the head/neck massage. Otherwise, the rollers feel weak to the touch.

Of course, this is preferential and certainly a minor adjustment that doesn’t take away from the overall experience.

Auto Body Scan

This is another convenient feature that is common across the market. Sensors are placed throughout the chair to scan the user’s body and adjust as necessary to deliver as accurate of a massage as possible.

Panasonic uses Pressure Sensor Technology, which creates a virtual map of the user’s back and communicates to the rollers where to massage.

One interesting tidbit to consider is that many ergonomic recliners on the market have around 90 sensor points that are scanned in the body, but the MAJ7 boasts 540 sensor points on each side of the back for a total of 1080 points that are covered.

That’s honestly the most in-depth body scan setup we’ve seen on a chair, ensuring the rollers never miss a spot and the positioning feels as comfortable as possible.

Real Pro Ultra

The Real Pro Ultra is the star of the MAJ7’s superior massage system, acting as an intuitive smart center for directing the course of the massage.

It constantly feeds information to the Position and Force Microprocessor, and the massage mechanics adjust movements and pressure in real-time.

This means that the user gets to experience the most authentic techniques, with the intensity customized to the person’s body.

This is a different feature not seen in many chairs and what sets the MAJ7 apart from its competitors. A recliner of this caliber (and price) should be able to deliver a massage that feels like you’re laying on a table at the chiropractor, and that’s what you get with this type of technological flexibility.

Heated Rollers

A luxury massage chair won’t be complete without some type of heating mechanism, and the MAJ7 does come with heat therapy, although it doesn’t cover the whole body like some other high-range models.

It uses infrared heated massage rollers that turn on while kneading to warm and loosen sore, tight muscles.

Since the heating elements are located on the rollers, you get heat applied directly to the body’s pressure points, as if you’re feeling the gentle push of a masseuse’s thumbs and palms working into the muscles.

Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the temperature like with some other luxury chairs, but the heated rollers are unique and cover more of the back than just the lower back, which is standard across the market.

MAJ7 Panasonic Massage Chair Accessories

As mentioned, you won’t find most of the accessories that many of these recliners are equipped with to enhance the overall “zen” experience. And honestly, we would’ve loved to see at least Bluetooth capabilities or a USB port.

But, the MAJ7 is all about the massage. You are paying for the advanced technology and high therapeutic value it brings to the table.

The only accessory it comes with is a tethered remote with one-touch buttons to start off your programs without too much navigation.

You can use the remote to access automatic programs, combine manual programs, pinpoint specific body areas, adjust the intensity, and recline the chair.

MAJ7 Massage Chair Programs

Now we’re getting into the good stuff—the massage smorgasbord, if you will. The MAJ7 is all about customization, but instead of just offering the usual roundup of manual techniques, it also incorporates its state-of-the-art Real Pro Technology with air cells and preset programs.

The six preset programs give users the ability to jump right into a massage with the push of the button and enjoy a full-body experience designed by the professionals at Panasonic.

Each program delivers a different therapeutic experience, as follows:

For those who prefer to build their massage from scratch, there are six manual programs that allow you to mix and match techniques. This includes:

In manual mode, you can create up to 158 custom combinations, mixing and matching to your heart’s content. You can even save your creations using the memory function, which saves up to three profiles in total.

There are five intensity levels for the back portion, and you can adjust the speed between 1 cm/sec and 5 cm/sec.

The memory function is especially useful, so you don’t have to waste time configuring a massage or mourning a favorite creation that is lost forever once the chair is turned off.

Overall, the customization options are diverse and detailed, giving you all of the therapeutic flexibility to perfect your experience.

One gripe we do have, however (and reviews justify this), is the length of the massage course. No matter if you use manual massage or a preset, the chair shuts off after 19 minutes.

That’s nothing compared to other chairs offering anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and 5-minute increments to build up your session.

We find this to be inconvenient because if you’re in a deep state of relaxation, you don’t want to think about when the 19th minute approaches. You have to adjust the settings; otherwise, you’ll have to power on the chair all over again.

Furthermore, if you want a longer massage, you have to interrupt the course to reset the chair and start the second half. That doesn’t sound fun now, does it?

Air Massage

Air compression is another popular massage feature found across the market. The MAJ7 utilizes 37 air cells placed throughout the chair to lightly compress and soothe the shoulders, buttocks, calves, forearms, hands, hips, thighs, and feet.

The glutes and upper hamstrings are especially targeted with the air massage, as the cells lift and reposition the body so the rollers can more accurately work these areas.

Air massage is ideal for facilitating blood circulation while gently loosening stubborn, tense muscles. It’s a lighter massage if you want to relax and not deal with the intensity of deep kneading.

The MAJ7 air massage program is pretty standard, but it still adds to the therapeutic benefits when combined with the rollers and heat.

Foot/Calf Massage

If you suffer from pain in your feet from standing for long hours, then you’ll be happy to know that the MAJ7 delivers a top-notch sole massage using air cells and protrusion rollers.

The air cells wrap around each foot and hold them firmly in place while the rollers apply reflexology techniques to the plantar arch, including kneading and Shiatsu.

The feet are well taken care of here, but we can’t say as much for the calves. Some reviews mention the air pressure around the calves is weak.

Plus, there is no heat function for the feet or legs, which adds immensely to the therapeutic value. Many other luxury chairs at least have heated footwells, and we think Panasonic could’ve done the same, considering the price.

MAJ7 Massage Chair Pros vs. Cons

PROS

CONS

Panasonic’s MAJ7 luxury massage chair is here for one purpose: it wants to deliver the most lifelike massage possible in the comfort of your home.

And as far as we can tell, it’s doing its job quite well. While it doesn’t offer a ton of plushy accessories to increase relaxation, it focuses more on the therapeutic aspect, adopting a holistic approach by offering a fine array of basic and advanced massage techniques.

It also offers one of the best manual programs we’ve seen, giving users over 100 combinations to play around with.

Furthermore, every movement, intensity level, and speed setting is automatically adjusted in real-time according to the data collected by the chair’s microprocessor during a session. It feels like a real human is reading your body and responding with exactly what it needs.

That’s high tech, and, for us, it justifies the high price tag. The MAJ7 is unique from other recliners, breaking away from the redundant cookie-cutter systems we see over and over again.

Instead, it keeps the features that massage enthusiasts love most and bolsters the massage technology to create an accurate and highly therapeutic experience.

Our biggest gripe is that the duration should be longer or they should’ve at least given more options—especially since it’s a hassle to extend or restart a program because the chair completely shuts off once 19 minutes is reached.

We recommend the Panasonic MAJ7 Massage Chair for:

MAJ7 Massage Chair Warranty

Panasonic offers a standard 3-year warranty on parts and labor. You can read the fine print here.

Comparable Products to Consider

If you’re still undecided on whether the mighty MAJ7 is the right massage chair for your therapeutic needs, we’ve compiled a list of similar recliners for comparison.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option with plenty of features, Kahuna is a brand that delivers quality and the latest massage tech on the market. The EM-Arete comes with 24 auto programs to play with, three Zero Gravity positions, and a cushy futuristic design that’s modern and attractive.

This is another affordable, moderately priced chair that includes the latest features, such as Zero Gravity seating, lumbar heat, and 3D rollers. What’s cool about this recliner is that it has wireless capabilities, so you can control the chair from your smartphone.

For around the same price as the MAJ7, the OHCO M.DX is a top-of-the-line recliner with rear-swinging doors for easy access, full-body heat, and TheraElliptical calf kneading, which uses rollers and air compression to target the legs thoroughly. It also comes with zero gravity and lay flat recline positions.

Panasonic MAJ7 Review Conclusion

If one thing stands out with the MAJ7, it’s the hefty price tag. And as we can see, it does come with state-of-the-art massage technology that boosts convenience and therapeutic quality, but it certainly lacks many of the extras that other chairs in this range come with, including Bluetooth and full-body heat.

However, if you’re experiencing constant pain, you can count on this model to give you a massage that feels like the real deal. Thanks to the 3D roller system and a microprocessor, your massage is constantly being adjusted and customized to fit your body.

To conclude this Panasonic MAJ7 review, yes, it’s expensive, and not everyone can afford it. But if money isn’t an issue, this massage chair is ideal for those with back or lower body pain who visit the chiropractor on a regular basis.

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Official Manufacturer Support

Resources and References:

• Panasonic, Official Brand Website.
• Panasonic MAJ7 Massage Chair Owner’s Manual
• The Efficacy of Lymphatic Drainage and Traditional Massage in the Prophylaxis of Migraine: A Randomized, Controlled Parallel Group Study, NCBI.
• 13 Therapeutic Benefits of Swedish Massage, Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.
• Massage Therapy for Lower Back Pain, Spine Health.