If you have ever wondered what a zero gravity chair was, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not something that you float in space in. It does have something to do with astronauts, however, as these chairs are inspired by the position they sit in when they go in space, with their S-shaped back and steep reclining angle that are meant to exert minimal pressure on the body. The best zero gravity chairs for back pain on the market are not only extremely comfortable, but they also provide back pain relief and can even help you recuperate after an injury or surgery.
In this guide, we review the best zero-gravity chairs on the market, taking into account multiple considerations such as ease of reclining, durability, ergonomics, massage functions and more. Some of these chairs are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, whereas others, especially those made of leather, are a good choice for your living room.
For our research, we scoured the web for reviews from both professionals and consumers who have used these chairs extensively to determine the pros and cons of each model. As a result, the Human Touch Perfect Chair PC-420 became our Editor’s Choice. We put all the information together to create a comparison table and offer you comprehensive reviews for each of the models we considered. At the end, you will also find a buying guide that can help you decide which type of chair is suitable for your needs, by guiding you through all the features and functions you may need to consider before making a purchase. Now let’s have a look at the reviews for the best zero gravity chairs for back pain.
Extra features: customizable: huge variety of colors and finishes, endorsed by World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC)
Our editor’s choice for best all-around zero gravity chair for back pain is the Human Touch Perfect Chair PC-420, which blends extraordinary comfort with elegant design. This manual recliner uses your body’s own weight to reach multiple recline angles, so you can easily find a position that alleviates your back pain and keeps you comfortable for hours on end. Users loved the full support head pillow with articulating headrest that you can position any way you want, as well as the extended armrests that offer constant support, no matter the position you sit in.
Available in multiple colors, this chair sports a premium full grain leather handcrafted design, as well as a base made from solid wood that is hand carved and hand sanded. This results in an elegant piece of furniture that can complement just about any living space and is bound to last for years to come. Users raved about the adjustable lumbar support that is equipped with a release valve, so you can customize it to reach the ultimate sitting comfort level.
This chair is an excellent choice for those suffering from back pain because it provides an optimally ergonomic posture, by placing you in a fixed form sitting position at all reclining angles. This means that you will feel as though you’re defying gravity when you sit in this chair, which allows your muscles to find relief, whilst improving your circulation.
Extra features: headrest support, wide seat
An oversized zero gravity chair that is designed for camping and general outdoor living, the Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair is a great option for those who enjoy outside air but don’t want to be stuck in a chair that aggravates their back pain. With a backrest that can be adjusted to different positions, so you can sunbathe or read a book, this chair also has adjustable armrests that remain parallel to the ground even when you are in a reclined position.
Users liked that this chair is superbly adjustable, and that it is very easy to set up and transport. Made from heavy-duty materials that include a steel frame and a fully padded seating, this chair also comes complete with a flexible bangle suspension system for extra comfort. The armrests are not made from plastic, but from natural wood instead, so they don’t get too hot on a scorching summer day.
The chair has a weight capacity of up to 350 lbs., and users liked that it comes with a removable padded pillow that can be used either for extra head support or for lumbar support. Available in multiple colors to suit any decor, this chair is designed to be ergonomic, but unfortunately does not come with a leg rest extender, so it may not be quite as suitable for taller people.
Extra features: heavy duty steel frame, larger size to fit more than one person
Our budget pick is the Luckyberry Oversized Zero Gravity Chair, which is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the benefits of a zero gravity chair for back pain at a fraction of the price of other models. This chair is suitable for tall people, which is something that is definitely difficult to find, because many difficult chairs designed for the outdoors are too cramped for taller persons. When reclined to the maximum, this chair is 65 inches long and it supports up to 350 pounds.
The chair comes with a padded polyester fabric that makes it comfortable and easy to clean, and the armrests are covered with a wooden finish instead of plastic or bare metal, allowing the chair to remain cooler in the hot sunshine. The adjustable headrest lets you slide down support your lower back and alleviate any pain that you might have. The lumbar support pillow is completely removable, and users like that you can also use your own pillow as there is enough room for it.
The Luckyberry Oversized Zero Gravity Chair reclines and locks into any position between 90 and 170°. This is a manual chair, so you can adjust all the settings by flipping the levers situated under the arm rests. When folded down, this chair is just 6 inches thick, which makes it very easy to transport and store.
Extra features: full body massage functions incl. pain relief for back, neck and shoulders
Promising to accommodate tall users as well as those with chronic back pain, the Kahuna Superior Massage Chair SM-7300 is our choice for the best massage chair for back pain that also reclines into a zero-gravity position. Featuring a hybrid S and L-track design, this chair provides a massage for your back, glutes and thighs for complete relaxation. The six-roller system provides an advanced massage that is more therapeutical and soothing than the standard one provided by chairs with a quad roller design.
The chair has several massage options including shiatsu, knocking, tapping, kneading, and a combination of tapping and kneading. Five preprogrammed massage options are also available, and you can control them all with the handy remote control that is included. Users mostly likely adjustable timing that you can use to personalize your massage experience, ranging from an automatic timing of 10 minutes to 20 minutes intervals.
Another function that users have raved about is the yoga stretch function, which goes beyond the traditional massage options to provide body stretching for those suffering from back pain. Thanks to this function, you can enjoy feeling back pain-free almost immediately, because the chair takes the pressure off your spine. The Kahuna Superior Massage Chair SM-7300 also has heat therapy, but unfortunately, you cannot regulate the temperature. The air massage mode functions thanks to the 18 airbags located on the chair, and you can adjust their intensity through three different levels.
Extra features: full body intelligent ‘humanized’ massage, heat therapy
This relatively low-priced full body massage zero gravity chair is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the benefits of Shiatsu massage for alleviating their back pain. While it does not perform stretching or percussion massages like other chairs, the Ideal Massage Full Featured Shiatsu Chair is one of the best choices out there for a Shiatsu massage, while also coming with a heat therapy function for the back.
The Ideal Massage chair includes multiple auto massage programs and allows you to set the intensity of the massage program to focus specifically on your lower or upper back. Many chairs offer massage lengths of 15 to 20 minutes, but this one offers up to 30 minutes of continuous massage. Users liked that the chair comes mostly preassembled and there is little to be done in terms of setting it up. The chair comes with a remote control holder so you get easy access all the functions with just a couple of clicks.
The footrest doesn’t move separately, unfortunately, but there are multiple airbags for the legs for a relaxing massage that also improves circulation. Airbag massages also available for your arms and shoulders, and many users mentioned that it feels like a gentle squeezing that is both comforting and relaxing. The artificial leather design of the chair makes it suitable for most living room decors.
Extra features: independently operating power headrest and footrest, heat therapy with vibration massage
The Cozzia Dual Power ZG Recliner is a highly customizable zero gravity chair that comes with a one touch button that you press to put your body in a state of total rest and relaxation. During our research we have found that this model is one of the best on the market for those who seek lumbar support and also want a chair that comes with heat massage and vibration therapy functions.
This leather chair comes in multiple colors and gives an elegant appeal to any room. It comes with a headrest and a footrest that are independently operating and can hold up to 400 lbs. The vibration massage system and heat therapy system are all just one button press away, and users have mentioned that they provide an unexpected level of relaxation.
Reclining at up to 180°, the Cozzia Dual Power ZG Recliner elevates your legs at or above your heart level and even allows you to take a quick nap. And if you want to go back to the original position, you can do so easily, simply by pushing a button located on the side of the recliner. Users liked that the controls light up when you press the start button so that they are easy to see, and that the motor is very quiet, so you don’t actually hear the chair going through various reclining positions.
A zero gravity chair is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a piece of furniture that offers you an increased level of comfort, even for prolonged use. Moreover, these chairs are beneficial to your health, so do your research by taking into account the factors detailed in our buying guide and find the one that is most suitable for you.
Zero gravity chair have become increasingly popular for the level of comfort they provide, but they are also beneficial to your health. These chairs can reduce pressure on the spine that may lead to back pain after a long day of hard work or sitting in an office chair. Zero gravity chairs cradle your body in a way that the weight becomes evenly spread across the entire body, so you can achieve a correct alignment of your spine. Moreover, a zero gravity chair decreases muscle tension and promotes circulation throughout the body, while reducing pressure on the joints, making these a great alternative for those considering getting a lift chair for elderly people.
From the type of chair you need to design and number of reclining positions, there are multiple features to take into account when choosing a zero gravity chair that can help with your back problems. Some models come with heat and massage functions, whereas others don’t have these works. You’ll also find ones that can be used outdoors, so you can take them with you to a picnic or to the beach. Finally, you can even find specialized nursery gliders that recline to a zero gravity position. Below you will find the most important factors to take into account when choosing the best zero gravity chair for back pain.
The two main types of zero gravity chairs available on the market are indoor and outdoor chairs. Outdoor chairs have covers that are often waterproof and resistant to the elements, whereas indoor or lounge chairs often feature an all-leather design so they look great in your living room. Some models have elegant covers that make them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Each of these types come with advantages and disadvantages, but you should decide which one is a better choice for you by considering where you will be sitting the most. If you only want a zero gravity chair that you can use as an armchair to watch TV in your living room, then a full body massage leather model should be a good option for you. However, if you plan on taking the chair with you while travelling, a folding model would be a better choice.
The weight capacity of a zero gravity chair refers to the number of pounds it can sustain. Many of them are suitable for weights of up to 400 pounds, but keep in mind that the outdoor models can generally only sustain lower weights of up to 250 or 300 pounds. If you want a chair that can be used by all members of your family, make sure that you take weight capacity into account.
Full body massage zero gravity chairs generally come with a multitude of reclining positions, but there are also multiple outdoor chairs that are highly customizable to help you achieve a zero gravity position as well as a locking mechanism to help you maintain it.
If you are shopping for a zero gravity chair to help with your back pain problems, you should make sure that the angle you can lock the chair in is as close to 180° as possible.
The best zero gravity chairs out there have an ergonomic design, which means that you are bound to feel comfortable in them even if you need to sit for prolonged periods of time. The design of the chair is also important if you are short on space and require a foldable model. Outdoor chairs are generally easier to transport and store because they are more portable, but they still come with an ergonomic design that keeps you comfortable and eliminates back pain.
Many massage zero gravity chairs also come with heating features that are a great option for those who would like to try thermotherapy together with their massage to alleviate back pain. By combining massage settings with heat, you can relax tired, overworked muscles in no time. Most chairs that provide heat functionality have heated massage rollers that you can customize when it comes to temperature to enjoy therapy that works well for your particular needs.
The dimensions of the chair are not only important for the space that you want to place your new piece of furniture into, but also for the comfort of the person who will use it.
It can sometimes be a challenge to find a suitable chair if you’re taller than average, so make sure that you find a model with an extendable leg rest.
This feature is mostly important for chairs that you use outdoors, because you may need to transport them from one place to another, or store them for winter. Outdoor zero gravity chairs are generally lightweight, so it shouldn’t be difficult for anybody to fold and store them. However, keep in mind that if you need to take the chair upstairs or transport it in the trunk of your car, you need to make sure that it fits before you decide on a particular model.
The warranty you get for zero gravity chairs varies from one manufacturer to another, but currently you can get up to 3 years warranty for your new piece of furniture. You should generally expect to get more warranty for indoor full-body massage zero gravity chairs, than for outdoor models.
After concluding our comprehensive research, we decided that the Human Touch Perfect Chair PC-420 is our editor’s choice as the best all-around zero gravity chair for back pain, because it blends elegant design with highly customizable reclining angle that make it suitable for all types of chronic back pain. If you want to take your chair out of the house and use it in the outdoors, Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Chair is an excellent choice. Our budget pick is the Luckyberry Oversized Zero Gravity Chair, which is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the benefits of a zero gravity chair for back pain at a fraction of the price of other models. No matter what type of chair you decide to buy in the end, make sure that you consider the way you intend to use it and it will surely help you solve your back pain problems.
