Of the three Fujikura massage chair models on offer, the 900, 1000 and 2000, the 1000 chair is the mid-priced model. It is very competitively priced and you get a lot for your money. Here’s a review of the Fujikura 1000 chair and what you get and don’t get.

First of all, the 1000 Fujikura massage chair looks elegant and contemporary. It is upholstered in faux leather and is available in black, brown or ivory. Don’t think synthetic leather is cheap. The fact is that real leather is not the best material for a robotic massage chair; it’s just not tough enough to deal with moving rollers and air pockets. Probably the best massage chairs in the world are made by Inada and they are all upholstered in synthetic leather.

We’ll compare the features of the 1000 to the Human Touch HT 100 massage chair. The HT100 chair is a very popular model and only slightly more expensive, so that’s a very good yardstick. We’ll also be comparing it to the iJoy 300 robotic massage chair, again another very popular model that sells for slightly less than the Fujikura 1000.

The vertical rocking motion of a chair is something to be seriously considered. The higher the longer vertical stroke, the better. On this point, the 1000 wins hands down over its competition. The 1000 comes with a vertical swing motion of 29″ while the HT 100 chair comes with a measly 20″. The cheapest of the three, the iJoy 300 chair works best with 25″.

All three chairs have a power recline, but not all offer the same angle of recline; the more degrees the meat reclines, the better, both in build quality and user benefit. The iJoy chair offers the least recline, between 115 and 155 degrees; the HT massage chair does better, offering between 120 and 170 degrees, but again the 1000 stands out with a range between 110 and 170 degrees.

Foot massage is now incorporated with better quality chairs. Unfortunately, the iJoy doesn’t have a footrest (although you can buy an ottoman without a massage function). The Human Touch 100 massage chair comes with a foot massage, but you have to move it manually to massage the calves or feet. Only the 1000 offers a full footrest with calf and foot massager. The calf rest is equipped with 14 air bags that provide four air massage combinations, with 2 intensity levels. The footrest is equipped with 12 airbags and provides 4 massage modes.

All 3 models offer various massage functions. The Fujikura 1000 comes with 6 functions: rocking (back stretch), kneading, fluttering, kneading and flapping, shiatsu, tapping, and vibration. You have the option of automatic or manual massage operations and that can target certain areas of the body. There are 3 speed settings. The HT100 comes with rocking, kneading, compression, and percussion (with a single speed setting). The best thing about the HT100 over the 1000 is the range control option. It may have spots or partials. The spot option allows more specific areas of the body to be massaged and the partial massage performs 3″ up and down strokes to knead or compress. The iJoy offers the same features as the HT except there is no spot option.

Which one offers the best massage is a subjective matter. The 1000 chair offers perhaps a firmer massage, but the HT100 seems to offer a slightly more varied massage routine.

In general, the Fujikura 1000 massage chair really offers the best in terms or functions in this price range. I find it hard to find fault with it, you might want more features but then you would have to pay a lot more. I do have one complaint though which has to do with the power recline. It is not a one-push system; you have to continuously press the button while the chair reclines. This means those with a short reach will have a hard time holding it down to the full recline position. I think some will have to stay seated and wait for the seat to fully recline before leaning back in the chair.

In conclusion, if you are looking for one of the best robotic massage chairs in this price category, then the Fujikura massage chair is worth taking a closer look at.