Massage chairs are a relatively new consumer product and with that comes a small learning curve around which features & benefits to look out for when shopping and comparing models & prices.
Some phrases you may hear often are “3D massage chair” or “4D massage chair”. Obviously the higher number sounds bigger and better but that isn’t necessarily the reality. Read on to learn the true meaning of these phrases – it could save you money when buying your own home massage chair.
2D, 3D or 4D massage refers to the directions or types of movements that the massaging rollers in the chair’s backrest can perform. You can learn more about massage rollers and other components of a massage chair in our massage chair glossary (also a recommended read before visiting stores to look at massage chairs.)
2D Massage Chair
2D or two-dimensional refers to the directions the massaging rollers in the backrest can move. 2D means they can move in two dimensions:
up and down
side to side (or left & right)
A 2D massage chair has rollers in the backrest that can reach from the neck and shoulders down to the lower back. The distance it can travel will depend on the length of the massage rail.
2D massage chairs are among the most affordable home massage chair models, and despite being the “lowest” or entry-level option, they can still provide a great massage and will be suitable for many users.
Pictured: The two movement axis of a 2D massage chair
3D Massage Chair
3D or three-dimensional refers to the directions the massaging rollers in the backrest can move. 3D means they can move in three dimensions:
up and down
side to side (or left & right)
in and out (or depth)
A 3D massage chair’s backrest rollers can press in and out, working deeper into the back muscles than a 2D massage chair. 2D chairs have some level of ‘pressing’ depending on the mode, but in a 3D massage chair the depth is meaningfully increased which closer simulates the pressure of a real massage from a massage therapist.
3D massage chairs are a great option for users who normally prefer a firm or strong massage.
A 3D massage chair will cost more than a 2D massage chair to reflect this closer-to-real-life experience.
Our recommendation is to test massage chairs in store for five to ten minutes and see if you can compare a 2D massage chair with a 3D massage chair to see which suits your preference.
Diagram of a persons back with arrows indicating up and down movement, and left and right
Pictured: The three movement axis of a 3D massage chair
4D Massage Chair
4D or four-dimensional purports to add an extra dimension of speed to the massage rollers, meaning the four movement abilities would include:
up and down
side to side (of left & right)
in & out (or depth)
movement speed
It is worth noting that many 2D and 3D massage chairs do have some level of speed adjustment as a standard feature, and the term 4D can often be used as a marketing technique to make a more expensive chair sound as though it has more features.
Some salespeople may not even be able to clearly explain what the 4th "D" is supposed to be or may have completely different explanations from one another, and might use more general phrasing such as “it’s just the next step up” or “it’s the higher level version”.
When you’re investing your hard-earned money into a home massage chair make sure you’re confident the salesperson knows their stuff and can explain to you why one feature is better than another; we believe the “3D vs 4D” comparison is a great test for this.
As always, our recommendation is to test several chairs in person to see which you like best. In the case of 4D massage chairs, we encourage you to try a 3D and a 4D and see if you can really notice any difference that warrants the higher price.
So there you have it, the full rundown on 2D vs 3D vs 4D massage chairs. Here’s our quick summary for you to remember before you hit the stores:
2D massage chair: moves up and down, plus left to right. Although it’s the entry-level option, it’s still a great massage and will suit many users including those who prefer less firm pressure in their human massage therapist massages.
3D massage chair: moves up and down, left and right, plus in and out. A great option for those who prefer a firm or strong massage and are constantly requesting their massage therapist to apply more pressure.
4D massage chair: does everything a 3D massage chair does, but may not be the upgrade that some retailers claim it is – proceed with this in mind when weighing your options.
