by Mary Lou |
Last Updated: March 3, 2019 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
Executive Summary
The Kahuna SM-7300 is a feature-rich chair that has a mid-tier price tag. Apart from core features like zero gravity and lumbar heating, it’s got innovative features like the Yoga and Athlete auto programs, the 6-roller system, and a hybrid S/L track (i.e. it combines the two most common roller systems). It is particularly recommended for heavy-set people.
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Last update on 2024-10-05 at 21:01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Company Background
Kahuna is a well-known brand in the massage chair niche. Their manufacturer is AJX.LLC.
They’ve been in the business of producing these wellness products since 1997. Their chairs are manufactured in China, but their quality assurance is high. Their products regularly top best-seller lists in the United States and their US-based customer service is highly rated.
Kahuna SM-7300 Specifications
Dimensions
- Colors: Black, Dark Brown, and Coffee Brown
- Main Body: 51 × 29 × 49 inches (packing size)
- Seat width: 21 inches
- Shoulder area width: 24 inches
- Net Weight: 189 lbs
- Gross Weight: 220 lbs
User Specs
- Height Range: Up to 6’5″ feet tall
- Max Weight: 320 lbs
Warranty
The 7300 comes with a 2 year warranty.
Main Features
Here are the main features of the Kahuna SM-7300.
- Hybrid SL Track – Unlike other massage chairs that are either an S or L track, this massage chair is both. The S track follows the “s” curvature of the spine and then extends under the seat and onto the glutes and thighs making for a longer “l” track.
- 6 Rollers System – Unlike most massage chairs that we’ve reviewed that have quad rollers, this model has 6 rollers for improved and broader massage techniques.
- Zero Gravity Seating – This chair has one zero gravity position. This technology allows you to be suspended in a position where your feet are level or higher than your heart, thus providing better circulation and decompression of the spine.
- Wrap-Around Squeeze Massage – This is an advanced function which provides scraping, rolling, and kneading massage for the feet.
- Space-saving technology – This special feature allows the massage chair to take up less space especially when in use. Because it slides in as it reclines, you only need a gap of 6 inches from the wall to use the chair. This is ideal for small rooms or apartments.
- Yoga Stretch Program – A pre-programmed massage that can mimic a chiropractor’s session. It holds you by the shoulders, pushing out your shoulder blades and neck while your pelvis and lower body is tilted and twisted gently. It is ideal for people suffering from chronic back pain.
- Lumbar Heating – This model has heating which targets your lower back area. Good for cold wintry days and aching lower backs.
Check out the video:
Additional Features
- Hip air-cell massage
- Acupressure point massage
- Zipper leg covers for the foot rests
- LED light design
- Designed for taller and wider people
- Leg rest extension
You can check out the Owner’s Manual HERE.
Pros
Core Features Are Present
As you can see from the features section, the SM-7300 has all the features you’d normally want from a massage chair like zero gravity, air-cell massage, heating, and you’ve even got space-saving technology.
Has Specific Features That Target Pain Sufferers
Chronic pain is no joke and many people turn to buying massage chairs for their homes in order to get some relief and to be able to save up on expensive treatments or professional massage therapy sessions. We particularly like the Yoga stretch program on the Kahuna chairs because it stretches your body out in a way that relieves back, neck, and shoulder pain.
We also particularly like the Athlete and Pain Relief programs on this model.
Lastly, the lumbar heating is also a plus for its therapeutic effects.
Mid-Tier Price Tag
While not a budget chair like the very popular Real Relax Favor 03 – this chair can be considered mid-tier. Three thousand dollars seems to be a sweet spot for both buyers and manufacturers alike.
Now With Upgrades
Kahuna is a reliable company that we can say many good things about, unlike some fly-by-night massage chair distributors out there. One thing we’ve observed that they do well is to listen to customers.
Due to some complaints coming in from the first wave of buyers (more on this in the cons section below), Kahuna has instituted some upgrades to the original 7300 design.
These include:
- triple hip airbags
- LED remote with improved UI
- air intensity massage up to 5 levels
Good Customer Service
Kahuna has its customer support base in the US. They can be reached by email or by telephone during office hours. You can call or reach out to them if you have questions about your warranty or general questions about your chair. Many customers have shared how customer support has been able to resolve their problems for them.
Cons
Less Than Stellar Performance
On paper, the Kahuna SM-73oo has amazing features and an affordable price point. After all, it boasts additional rollers, a hybrid track, and some noteworthy preset programs.
However, the actual massage experience is disappointing to some buyers. Recurring critical feedback are as follows:
- The chair is promoted to people who are on the tall or wide side. However, big people don’t really fit so well on this chair. (You can test this yourself by taking out a tape measure and checking out the seat and shoulder width specs – 21 and 24 inches, respectively).
- The rollers don’t hit the right places around the buttocks.
- No memory saving function. Adjusting the settings while the massage session is starting can actually make the process stressful.
- The intensity of the foot rollers (and the massage programs) is too strong and sometimes even painful.
- There is no targeted massage for specific areas of the body. You need to choose a preset program and wait for it to get to the part of your body that you want a massage on.
- The L-track does not reach the upper thigh areas like their advertisement shows.
- The chair needs to be turned off then on again to return it to seated position. It does not automatically revert to seated once your massage is done.
- The remote control is on another level of bad. (Status: upgraded and improved)
LED Lights Cannot Be Turned Off
The LED lights are supposed to prettify the chair and for some people, this works for them. For others though (like me), small as they are, the LED lights are a painful visual distraction especially when you just want a calming and soothing massage in a room softly lit up by a beautiful Himalayan salt lamp. Sadly, these LED lights cannot be turned off so if you find them harsh and distracting, you’re out of luck.
Only One Zero Gravity Setting
It is mystifying because most of the Kahuna chairs that we reviewed have 2 to 3 zero gravity positions. This model though only has one. Still, it’s better than nothing.
Lumbar Heating Cannot Be Adjusted
Heat being what it is, it would’ve been ideal if the intensity of the heat could be adjusted. Some people have varying degrees of tolerance to heat. Also, there are some days where we need more or less heat depending on room and body temperature or pain levels.
Conclusion
The Kahuna SM-7300 is a massage chair that sounds good on paper but falls somewhat short on actual performance. Its manufacturer did great by applying upgrades to some of the features that received the most complaints though and for that, it gets brownie points.
The SM-7300 has an overwhelming number of positive reviews on its product pages so you will need to apply discernment when checking out these reviews. It’s not just one person who had buyer’s regret after purchasing this chair online because of these same positive reviews.
If you are going to buy this chair, we highly recommend that you try it out in person. Find a showroom that has this same model. Even if it didn’t work for others, it might be a good fit for you.
Even if we can’t recommend this model with confidence, here are other Kahuna variants that we think are more value for money.
- Triple Hip airbags, Revised remote controller to more user friendly, air intensity massage up to 5 levels. 2 Years Part & Labor Warranty...
- [Total 9 Auto programs including 4 special programs] 5 Auto programs - Yoga Stretching, Fast Recovery, Pain Relief, Relaxation, Athlete and...
- A progressive Kahuna chair SM-7300 collaborated with top performing technology embedded with variety of different techniques which are...
Last update on 2024-10-05 at 21:01 / 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.