by Mary Lou |
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This guide compares the most popular Inada massage chairs and helps you choose the right one for your home. We will show you how each model is different, compare the specs, and go into their pros and cons.
After reading this, you’ll be able to compare the Inada massage chairs like a pro.
Inada Massage Chair Comparison Table
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How are they different from each other?
The Inada Sogno Dreamwave was the first Inada massage chair to come out with the proprietary Dreamwave design. In a nutshell, what the Dreamwave technology does is shift and rotate your hips from side to side mimicking the adjustment you’d normally get from a chiropractor.
Later, the Inada Sogno Dreamwave was updated and improved and it became simply the Inada Dreamwave. You can find the full list of updated features HERE.
The Inada Flex 3S, on the other hand, is a completely different chair model. While the Dreamwave is multi-function, the Inada Flex focuses on posture correction.
What are the similarities of the Sogno, the Dreamwave, and the Flex?
For one, all three chair models share the qualities of their brand — Inada. That means all these chairs have innovative designs, quality assembly and materials, and their features really work.
Another quality that these chairs share is that they are all excellent options for people looking for pain relief. Inada is the market leader when it comes to therapeutic massage chairs.
All three also have 3D rollers and a 3 year warranty.
Whether you’re suffering from acute or chronic pain, or pain from your lower back, your neck, or your legs, these therapeutic massage chairs come highly recommended.
Which is the most expensive and which is the cheapest?
The upgraded Inada Dreamwave is the most expensive of the lot, while the smaller Inada Flex 3S has the lowest price point.
Which is heaviest and which is lightest?
The Dreamwave chairs are definitely the heaviest at 265 lbs. The Flex,being the smallest, comes out the lightest at 165 lbs. This makes the Flex the easiest to reposition.
Which has the most air cells?
More air cells means more parts of your body that can be massaged. The Dreamwave wins again with its 100+ air cells.
The Flex 3S has only 50. However, even at 50 air cells, the Flex beats out most of the competition from other brands.
Which has the longest stroke length?
The Inadas don’t shine when it comes to stroke length. They have slightly shorter massage strokes compared to other brands.
If we compare these three models, the Dreamwave chairs just have a slightly longer massage stroke length at 28.4″ when compared to the Flex’s 27.2″.
If you MUST have a massage chair with a really long stroke length, we recommend you take a look at the Infinity Iyashi. It currently has the distinction of having the longest massage stroke at an amazing 49″.
Which is best for taller folks?
As expected, the Dreamwave models are a better fit for taller users. If you’re 5 feet to 6’2″, you can comfortably fit in any of these Inada chairs. However, if you’re 6’3″ to 6’5″, you’re better off on the Inada Dreamwave.
Which is best for heavy folks?
The Flex 3S maximum weight is 240 lbs. The Dreamwave, however, boasts of no limit. Inada says, “If you can fit, you can sit.”
This can be attributed to the bigger frame of the Dreamwaves.
Which has more auto programs?
The Sogno has 8 pre-programmed sessions. The new Dreamwave doubled this number to 16. The Flex, though, is no slouch at 11.
Auto-programs are nice to have and give very welcome flexibility, though in our experience when people find a program they like, they just usually stick to that one.
Which deals the best shoulder massage?
According to Dr. Alan Weidner, there are only two chairs in existence that give effective trapezia massage. These are the Panasonic MA70/73 and the Inada Dreamwave. For this function, the Dreamwave wins hands down over the Flex.
Who should get the Flex 3S?
With all the bells and whistles on the Dreamwave, you might ask why get the Flex 3S at all? The answer to that is what happy customers love so much about the Flex — its specialization on Posture Correction and increased mobility and flexibilility.
What are the cons of each chair?
Great question! The funny thing is, all three chairs share the same cons.
The biggest obstacle to the Inada chairs is PRICE. These chairs are quite expensive, if not the most expensive in the market. If you’re on a limited budget, you’d have to strike off the Inadas off your list right away.
The next con shared by these chairs is the clunky remote. You’d think that with such amazing attention to detail, Inada would come up with a more updated and cutting edge remote control after all those complaints with the Sogno. Unfortunately, you get the same outdated remote control for both the Inada Dreamwave and the Flex 3S. The Inadas have fallen behind the competition in this regard.
The third con is subjective and still under debate. The Inadas have a reputation for having a soft massage. Other shoppers go for other “aggressive” chairs when they want a harder massage. We’d say that you just have to find the right setting for you if you want a more deep tissue massage. An example would be the “Max Intensity” program on the Flex 3S.
Still, we find that loyal owners of each side tend to stick up for their respective purchases. Which isn’t bad, really.
Now here’s something where they differ:
The Inada Flex 3S and the Sogno Dreamwave both have NO chest or back heat. So, if you want thoracic or lumbar heating, you’re out of luck with these two. The Flex 3S does have heating for the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands though. This is supposed to mimic a hot stone massage.
With the above questions answered, we hope you have got a pretty good picture of each of these three Inada massage chairs. For more details, go to the individual reviews:
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.