by Philip |
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We’re doing this Panasonic EP1285KL review to let you know the real deal when it comes to its features, strengths and weaknesses. You will also find specification information like maximum user weight, height, and recline.
By the end of this article you’ll be fully informed about whether you’ll be comfortable in this chair and if it would fit well in your living room.
Executive Summary
The Panasonic EP1285KL is a chair from Panasonic’s Urban line of home massage chairs. It features a recliner and many different massage modes so you can get the best bang for your buck.
It is designed to achieve therapeutic muscle relaxation, as well as increase blood flow to the body and promote good health. It’s a dependable workhorse that can fit into small spaces and is a great massage chair for those looking to make their first foray into home massages. Panasonic’s massage chairs are even endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.
Its only drawback is the lack of power that occasionally occurs during its massage. Some people find that its massages are too weak, while others feel that it’s just right. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference.
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Product Details
The Urban collection is manufactured by Panasonic, a well-trusted Japanese brand that was founded in 1918. They are particularly well-known for their cameras, though they also produce projectors, automotive electronics, batteries, and other electronic materials. Panasonic is a household name, so you can rest assured that their products are top-quality.
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Dimension when not reclined: 43.3 in. × 29.1 in. × 47.2 in.
- Dimension when reclined: 24.0 in. × 29.1 in. × 66.1 in.
- Maximum Recline Angle: 170°
- Weight: 139 lbs
- Weight in box: 172 lbs
- Minimum Distance from Wall: 16 inches
- Auto Shut Off: 15 minutes for both upper and lower body
You can see the Owner’s Manual HERE.
User Specs
User Height Range: 6’4″ (not official; based on customer feedback)
User Max Weight: 264 lbs (120 kg)
It arrives in a box with four pre-assembled large pieces: two arms, the back, and the base. It is easy to put together and can fit through smaller doors without a problem. It consumes 240 Watts of energy
Warranty
This massage chair is under a 3 year warranty for parts and 1 year for labor.
Main Features
The EP1285KL is constructed with a sleek, high-quality leather upholstery that looks fantastic in your living room or wherever you decide to place it. With bright aluminum accents on its arms and legs and a detailed finish, it’s a chair that both looks and feels good.
Four pre-set massage programs:
- Shiatsu
- Swedish
- Quick
- Chiro mode
8 manual massage operations:
- Knead
- Compression
- Swedish
- Hawaiian
- Full Roll
- Regional Roll
- Soft Shiatsu
- Tapping
It comes with a remote control so that you can customize your massage. It also features an air ottoman system with 14 airbags, to target the lower body. Its Power Recline does not allow zero-gravity reclining, but still offers a good amount of variation to customize the level of tilt.
Pros
Attractive design
Design is often a matter of personal preference, but the EP1285KL massage chair is not bulky, making it great for both offices and homes. It looks sleek and expensive making it very presentable for any setting.
Good size in home
Other massage chairs can often be too bulky. However, this EP chair is well-packaged and easy to remove from the box and assemble. It is attractive, and though it costs slightly more than other competitors, it is still a great investment.
It has wheels so you can move it when needed. However, it’s still a massage chair so it’s still a very heavy piece of machinery.
Quiet
Loud massage chairs and motors can make it difficult to relax. Fortunately, the EP1285KL is whisper-quiet, making it easy to sit back and fall asleep. In fact, it’s so quiet that you can continue to watch TV at the same volume without having to turn off the chair or increase the sound of the TV.
Satisfied buyers even recount how they fall during a massage session on this chair or just reclining on it while watching TV.
Good value for the money
Daily massages at the salon or spa only last so long, and can get very pricey after just a few weeks. Fortunately, this massage chair offers many different options, all in the convenience of your home.
It helps alleviate back problems and saves money, especially for hardcore massage fans, with its Chiro mode that’s been designed to mimic the work of a real chiropractor. In fact, the Chiro mode is one of its strongest selling points especially for training athletes and older folks.
Range of features
The chair provides all around coverage – even the leg massages, which are often neglected by massage chairs, are strong. They help to properly loosen up leg muscles and assist with blood circulation. The areas it massages include the legs, neck, back, and arms.
Other chairs suffer from an overwhelming menu, but fortunately, this chair manages to avoid that while still remaining relatively inexpensive. In all, it provides 44 different massage modes, so it is definitely possible to tweak until you find the perfect setting.
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Chiro mode
The Chiro mode is exclusive to Panasonic. If you’ve ever visited a chiropractor, you’ll notice similarities to your chiro’s therapy sessions and the massage and movements you are subjected to via the chiro mode. With this particular massage program, your muscles are relaxed and your posture improved. Some buyers even give feedback that it has alleviated their stiffness and pains with the chiro mode.
Cons
Delivery
Problems have been reported due to the shipping company. Because the chair is quite heavy, it takes 2 men to lift. Unfortunately, many cases have been reported where the chair was simply left on the driveway or too few men were sent.
If the chair is going to be used upstairs, two strong people will be needed to lift it, so it’s best to ask the delivery men for help in bringing the chair to its intended destination. There have also been reports of delays in receiving the item. Fortunately, despite these shipping snafus, the chair is packed safely with little risk of it being broken upon delivery.
No memory feature
Due to the lack of a memory feature, the chair has to be recalibrated for each use. This can quickly get tedious if the chair is used every day or if there are specific settings that you prefer for your chair.
Leg massage too strong for some
Some people have found that the leg massage is too tight or strong, causing pain instead of relieving tired muscles. It applies pressure mainly by squeezing the legs and stretching, then pulling on them. For some people this is exactly what they need–a strong massage that properly relieves the leg muscles. But for others, the leg massage is too intense.
Conclusion
The EP1285LK is a sturdy, reliable chair that is worth the price, especially for those who plan to use it daily. Because it is manufactured by a reliable company, you have peace of mind that Panasonic will be around to provide support years down the road.
This is a great chair to consider especially if you are a training sports guy or an elderly person as you can benefit from its massage programs, especially the Chiro mode.
The EP1285LK is the perfect chair for someone who needs a good-looking, affordable, and compact massage chair to rely on every day for stress-relief and muscle relaxation.
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Author: Philip Andrew
A writer and teacher who enjoys lazing around and building winter nests out of duvets. “Most are too itchy. You’ve got to be picky.” His goal is to create a complete home spa for 24/7 access to rest and relaxation. Next on the agenda: a barrel sauna for the garden. Connect with Philip on Twitter @completehomespa.