by Mary Lou |
Last Updated: September 27, 2016 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Has the Inada Flex 3S suddenly appeared on your radar? If you’d like to know what the Flex 3S has to offer, and how it compares to rivals like the Inada Dreamwave, read on.
Executive Summary
The Inada Flex 3S is a therapeutic massage chair that primarily corrects bad posture. As a result, it also has the added benefits of pain reduction and blissful relaxation. Proud owners have nothing but good to say about their Flex 3S purchase.
However, the price point is still higher than most. If you’re on a budget, this might not be for you. If you’re in the market for a premium massage chair though, you’re sure to be impressed with its features and performance.
- Full body air massage; Head-to-toe air massage kneading
- Shoulder focus program; Gentle air compression on the collarbone relieves stiffness and improves posture
- Heat option; Heaters to warm fingers and toes
Last update on 2025-04-29 at 09:42 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Product Details
Inada is a popular Japanese manufacturer that specializes in robotic massage chairs. It has been in business for more than 50 years already, with its headquarters located in the gorgeous city of Osaka.
The quality of its products and their innovative features are what sets the brand apart from its competitors. It’s widely recognized in the industry with numerous awards and commendations as proof of its excellence.
Specifications
• Colors: Black, Dark Brown, Cream
• Maximum Recline Angle: 165 degrees
• Power Consumption: 208 watts
• Fully Upright: 32.7”W x 52.4”L x 41.7”H
• Fully Reclined: 32.7”W x 76.8”L x 29.5”H
• Weight (lbs): 165
User Specs:
• User Height Range: 5’0” to 6’2”
• User Max Weight: 240 lbs.
Warranty
Inada massage chairs have a Manufacturer’s Warranty of 3 year Limited Repair or Replacement Warranty with On-Site service. If you want to invest in longer coverage, Inada has a 5-year extended warranty which you need to sign up for within the first 30 days of purchase.
Main Features
• Posture correction
• Stretching programs
• Full body massage
• 9 pre-programmed massages
• Proprietary body scan
• Shoulder airbags
• Palm and sole heaters
• 3D roller technology
• Proprietary Dreamwave chair design
• Full body airbags
You can find the Owner’s Manual HERE.
Pros
Posture Correction Really Works
What differentiates the Inada Flex 3S from other Inada chairs and other brands and models is how it is THE Inada massage chair specifically created to correct bad posture.
According to the makers, the Inada Flex 3S restores and maintains the three natural S-curves of your spine — cervical (neck), thoracic (chest area), and lumbar (lower back). And is this chair able to deliver? Yes it is. Just look at the enthusiastic responses from happy customers:
I am beyond thrilled to testify that the Inada Flex 3S has pulled my spine into an ideal position… in less than a month. It has done more for me than a lifetime of going to chiropractors, physical therapists, yoga classes, using foam rollers… you name it. This chair is simply incredible in those respects. It also strikes the perfect balance of subtle/sophisticated and aggressive.
Fantastic Stretching Programs
If the Inada Dreamwave was designed by world-class furniture designer Toshiyuki Kita, the Flex 3S was designed by renowned Japanese sports stretching expert, Tadashi Kaneko. The Flex 3S claims to be the only massage chair in the world that couples traditional Japanese shiatsu massage techniques with therapeutic stretching movements.
What this all boils down to is really effective stretching programs that can both transform and correct your body, as well as provide the ultimate in a relaxing experience. In the words of another ecstatic customer, his home massage workouts are a “divine experience”.
No “Wimpy” Inada Massage
Many massage chair shoppers end up shunning Inada when looking for deep tissue massage or “aggressive” massage sessions. The Inada brand has often been labeled wimpy (though on some models the manual shows how to get a more intense workout – read the manual, people).
The Flex 3S puts all those concerns to rest. It has a “Max Intensity” feature that will totally satisfy people looking for an intense massage.
Therapeutic and Reduces Pain
Inada chairs are known for their therapeutic properties and the Flex is no different. With posture correction, customers testify to an improved back posture and resulting decrease in pain. And not even temporary at that, but the effects are permanent.
The stretching programs likewise provide relief for acute and chronic pain sufferers thus markedly increasing the intrinsic value of this model. (If you’ve ever suffered from persistent pain, this is HUGE.)
Pre-Programmed Massages are all great
In our tests, we loved the posture correction and our friend with back pain was impressed by the pain relief. But overall our favourite feature has to be the pre-programmed massages. Normally we try the various programs and settle on 1 or 2 that we like, but with the Flex 3S we really couldn’t pick a favorite.
Chic and Small
When its older brother the Inada Sogno Dreamwave first came out, it had a proprietary chair design that other brands immediately copied. Thus, you’ll see that a lot of popular massage chairs have the same outward look and design.
The Inada Flex 3S, however, is more compact and smaller than its big brother. The Flex 3S is only 165 lbs compared to the Dreamwave’s 265 lbs. This definitely makes it easier to move around the house when needed.
Now while the Dreamwave boasts that users of all ages and sizes can use it, the Flex 3S has a stated weight limit of 240 lbs. Some heavier people have bought it anyway…
Just bought this chair and love it. It is our third massage chair and the best by far. Amazing motor and power in the rollers. I am a large guy and it does not phase the motor.
Reliable Manufacturer
A lot of good massage chairs on our list are cheaper than the Inada models by a whole lot. However, one of the problems with buying a cheap chair made in China is the lack of after-sales support. The Flex 3S – as we’ve been mentioning all along – is made in Japan and has a very good warranty. You won’t find complaints on Amazon about the chair breaking down or the supplier/manufacturer playing hide-and-seek with the buyers.
Cons
No product is without faults so here are the weaknesses of the Flex 3S.
Clunky Controller
The Flex 3S comes after the Sogno Dreamwave and the Dreamwave so we don’t know WHY Inada hasn’t fixed this yet and made a super awesome remote control. Compared to the more modern controllers of other brands, Inada’s controllers fall short.
No Thoracic/Lumbar Heat
We guess the adage “You can’t have everything” is true. While the new Inada Dreamwave was updated with heat, the Flex 3D is minus heat in the trunk and lower back areas. Users love its primary stretching features though, so don’t mind the trade off.
It’s on the Expensive Side
The Flex 3S is a whole lot cheaper than the feature-rich and Goliath-sized Inada Dreamwave but even then, it’s still more expensive than most massage chairs out there. And while we love all that this little buddy can do and believe it is tremendous value for money, the question is: can you afford it?
Conclusion
The Inada Flex 3S is one compact yet powerful chair. It does what it does best and its design and assembly is top-notch. If you’re in the market for a premium massage chair and suffer from bad posture or pain, then we highly recommend the Inada Flex 3S. Expensive, yes, but definitely a solid investment and a joy to have with you in your home.
- Full body air massage; Head-to-toe air massage kneading
- Shoulder focus program; Gentle air compression on the collarbone relieves stiffness and improves posture
- Heat option; Heaters to warm fingers and toes
Last update on 2025-04-29 at 09:42 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Author: Mary Lou
In the Before Times, Maru spent vacations traveling and making stops at showrooms to test the latest massage chair models. Nowadays, she’s hunkered down in her small sunlit home dotted with her ever-growing collection of fiddle fig trees, indoor plants, and Himalayan salt lamps. Find her at LinkedIn.