Luraco iRobotics 7 massage chair
When folks shop for a high end massage chair, they usually end up trying to decide between the Luraco iRobotics 7 massage chair and the Inada DreamWave. The DreamWave has been at the top of the heap, when it comes to high end massage chairs, for as long as I can remember. It was introduced to the US market in 2009 and skyrocketed to the top right away. It was definitely a winner the moment it arrived.
In September 2014, it was updated with some new features and a new price point. Despite it’s perennially high price point, it has steadfastly remained our most popular selling high end massage chair. One of the reasons it has been so successful is because of it’s combination of a wonderfully innovative feature-set and the fact that the chair was assembled, and partly manufactured, in Japan (some Chinese components).
Inada DreamWave
In July 2015, Luraco introduced it’s iRobotics 7 chair. A US made and assembled chair (with some Taiwanese-made components), it immediately became a big seller for us and for Luraco. It provided another alternative to the Inada DreamWave, as well as another high end alternative to the traditionally lesser quality Chinese chairs. Unlike all competing Japanese-made massage chairs, the iRobotics 7 included mechanical foot rollers, zero gravity, and a music system among it’s rich feature-set. This chair just seemed to captivate the interest and imagination of the discriminating massage chair buyer. We currently see it outselling the DreamWave in our local showrooms.
So, I’ve been thinking a long time about penning a comparative review of the two chairs, since they are both so popular. I finally got off my fat duff and am bringing this info to you now. I hope you find this review of their similarities and differences helpful in the process of your due diligence to choose the right chair for you. Part 1 will review the similarities and Part 2 will cover the differences. In both articles, I will mention which chair has the advantage, based on the literature, my personal observations, and feedback from customers.
Inada DreamWave vs. Luraco iRobotics 7 Similarities:
- S-Track – The L-track chairs have become quite the popular models as of late, but the traditional S-track chairs are still the most common. Both the DreamWave and iRobotics 7 massage chairs are purely S-track chairs. The roller track ends at the top of the buttocks area. The length of the roller track is different in each chair, but I’ll get into those in the “Differences” section. Advantage: both
- 100+ Airbags – Both chairs boast over 100 airbags/air cells, but, to be totally honest, if you didn’t know where these large amount of airbags were deployed in each model, you’d never guess that they have so many. It is just a number to most folks who sit on various massage chairs since you’d never really know about the number unless someone tells you. The DreamWave employs quite a few airbags in their Cervical Traction Device (headpiece) and their DreamWave technology in the seat and low back. The iRobotics 7 employs more in the leg massage area as well as the shoulder airbags. Advantage: both
- 3D Roller Technology – Both chairs give the user the ability to adjust the intensity of the roller massage, although they both go about it in a different way. The DreamWave uses airbag technology to move the body further away from and closer to the roller track, to simulate the 3D effect. On the other hand, the iRobotics 7 actually moves the rollers forward and back, into and away from the user’s body, making that technology a little bit more sophisticated. The bottom line is that the 3D technology is a similarity, but the mechanism for deploying it is different from one model to the other. Advantage: iRobotics 7
- Vibration – The vibration feature is not a common feature, although intuitively you would consider vibration as a massage modality. However, the DreamWave and iRobotics 7 both have this feature and both chairs give you the option to turn it off if you don’t want to use it. Advantage: both
- Shiatsu Program – Both chairs have an auto program that provides shiatsu massage. Again, not all chairs offer shiatsu as a massage option, but you can get that auto program on both of these models. Advantage: both
- 170 Degree Reclining Angle – Most massage chairs will recline to 170 degrees or more, as do these two models. The deep reclining angle is particularly useful in the stretch programs. The difference is in the zero gravity seat positioning, which is only available in the iRobotics 7. I’ll go into that feature in the “Differences” section. Advantage: both
- Stretch Program – 90% of the chairs in the market have some form of a stretch program. The DW and i7 use a full recline in their stretch programs accompanied by a leg pull by the calf and foot airbags. It is a great stretch program. The advantage of the i7 is that it uses shoulder airbags to pin the shoulders back and double calf airbag segments during the program to enhance the stretch. Advantage: both
- 3 Years Parts & Labor Warranty – The Japanese and American chairs typically have a better warranty than the Chinese-made chairs. These two models both have a 3 years parts and labor, in-home warranty, with the iRobotics 7 also coming with 2 additional years of parts (thus making it a 5 year limited warranty). And I will say, from personal experience, that the customer support from both companies is outstanding. Advantage: iRobotics 7
- Body Scan Technology – Both chairs employ comprehensive body scan technologies. Chinese-made chairs are notorious for limiting their body scan to locating the top of the shoulders and the skull so that the rollers don’t go too high up the head or too low on the neck at the apex of the roller track. The i7 and DW use a more sophisticated body scan technology wherein the actual shape of the user’s spine is mapped out and the rollers applied based on the body “mapping.” This makes for a more accurate full body scan and full body roller massage experience. Incidentally, the body scan process takes less than a minute on the DreamWave and close to two minutes on the iRobotics 7. Advantage: DreamWave (based on time)
- Seat Massage – Both chairs utilize airbags in the seat portion of their chairs and both create a swivel motion of the seat from side to side. The DreamWave technology is a bit more sophisticated when it comes to seat motion and passive motion of the lower quadrant of the spine. For example, the seat moves from side to side and up and down in a figure 8 motion. Both of these models have airbags that inflate the seat segmentally, as well. Advantage: DreamWave
In Part 2, I will go over the “Differences” between the Inada DreamWave and the Luruco iRobotics 7 massage chairs.
Dr. Alan Weidner
P.S. Give us a “Like”, “Share”, or “+1” and leave me a comment or question below to share what you learned or ask any questions, so other folks can benefit from this material.
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If the Dreamwave and IRobotics7 are the high end chairs, how do they both not have L Track? If I want the high end don’t I want the L track? Am I confused on this?
Thanks very much.
Hi, Bill
Thanks for your inquiry. High end chairs refers to quality of build. The Inada chairs are Japanese built, while the iRobotics 7 is American made. These chairs typically have a 3 year warranty, a less than 1% failure rate, and will give you 15+ years of life. The chinese-made chairs, which have the L-track feature, will have a 1 year warranty, a 2-5% failure rate, and will give you up to 10 years of life. So, high end refers to quality.
Having said that, there are features that the chinese chairs have that you can’t find on the Japanese chairs, like zero gravity and foot rollers. The Luraco has both those. But, neither of them have the L-track, which, at the present time, is unique to the chinese-made chairs. If you want the L-track, which is a great feature in my opinion, you will have to buy a lesser quality chinese chair.
I hope this helps!
dr. w.
I am worried about the amount of hip movement and lower back stretching feature. I really enjoyed that part of my DW massage chair because that is where most of my back pain is but I have not yet tried a luraco for lack of opportunity. Please tell me more about luraco’s version and how much people or you who have tried it feel about the quality of the stretch and massage in the luraco vs the figure 8 version in the DW.
Hi, Ariel
Thank you for your inquiry. The Dreamwave technology in the Inada chair is quite sophisticated. The figure 8 motion combined with the hip and waist airbags as well as the roller system makes for a very unique low back experience. The Luraco iRobotics 7 also has a seat “swivel” feature but I would say that it is not as sophisticated as that of the DreamWave. The stretch programs, however, in my opinion, are fairly comparable. I hope this helps in some way.
dr. w.
which of these chairs would be best for someone with cervical fusion experiencing shoulder and neck pain, as well as decreased circultion in feet and lower extremities
Hi, Janice
Thanks for you inquiry. The Inada DreamWave is a much more gentle chair that also has a neck traction feature in the headpiece. These two things might give the user some flexibility in getting an effective massage of the neck area. The iRobotics 7 has a strong neck massage but doesn’t have an effective neck traction feature.
For circulation in the feet and lower extremities, the Luraco iRobotics 7 is probably the better option, since that chair has the foot rollers and zero gravity function for raising the legs above the level of the heart.
I hope this helps in some way. Feel free to answer any other questions. You can also call me at 888-259-5380 if you’d like to chat.
dr. w.
Hi my name is Dennis I have a bad back and went to my hip and leg I wonder these chair work on hip? So such chair do you recommend for me?
Hi, Dennis
Thanks for your inquiry. I suppose it depends on how you define “hip”. If it is the sides of your thighs, then yes there are chairs that have side thigh airbags that can compress the muscles there. A couple of suggestions for that area would be the Inada DreamWave and the Panasonic MA73. If you mean the butt area and tailbone, then any of the L-track chairs would address those areas. Our top selling L-track chairs are the Osaki Maxim, Osaki Summit, Infinity Iyashi, and uKnead Lavita. I hope this helps in some way!
dr. w.
I am 5’2″. . Will these chairs work for my size ?
Hi, Ylane
Thanks for your inquiry. Yes, both of these models will fit you. The DreamWave works for folks as short as 4’11”, while the Luraco i7 works fine for someone as short as 4’7″. I hope this helps!
dr. w.
Is there anywhere in the NY metropolitan area where I can try the Luraco i7 chair? I’ve tried the Dream Wave and love it except that it doesn’t have the zero gravity option.
Hi, Sue
Thanks for your inquiry. I would suggest calling Luraco directly to find out if they have a brick and mortar retailer in your area that has one in their store. Their number is 800-483-9930.
dr. w.
Have you done any research or comparisons on the Medical Breakthrough 8 plus or MB 9?
Thanks….
Hi, Ken
Thanks for your inquiry. I’ve never sat on a Medical Breakthrough chair, so I can’t speak to the functionality and feel. However, what I can tell you about them is that they are very over-priced for a Chinese-made massage chair and they are made in smaller factories in China. We consider them a no-name brand for the following reasons:
1. They sell their chairs directly to the public, without a retail network that can advocate for the buying consumer
2. I went to their website and could not find any info on their warranty coverage
3. None of their chair reviews are less than a 4/5 and, according to the app FakeSpot, which identifies fake or paid reviews, 97% of their reviews are considered “fake” on Amazon and Yelp.
Having said all this, it is important to make clear that I have not actually sat on their chair to give any feedback on the quality or functionality. They may feel and work great. I speak only to general business points and practices. I hope this helps in some way.
dr. w.
Thank you Dr.W for this reply. I have been looking for reviews and advice on buying a massage chair online. After a while, it becomes apparent how difficult it is to find objective reviews. You have a been a big help.
Thanks, Jay. Feel free to email me at alan@massage-chair-relief.com or call me directly at 801-417-8240 if you’d like to chat about any chair options. I am always at your disposal.
dr. w.
Hello Dr. Weidner, I watched several of your videos on Youtube Very informative, I am trying to decide Between Human Touch Novo XT, Luraco iRobotics 7 and the Inada DreamWave Massage Chair.
I looking for the most comfortable and relaxing way to get a massage from head to toes, shoulder, and feet a definite plus.
Thank you.
Hi, Bruno
Thanks for reaching out. All three are great chairs. The Human Touch Novo XT is the only L-track chair of that bunch. So, if you are looking for the chair that offers the longest roller track, including butt massage, that would be the chair to go with. The other two chairs use airbags instead of a roller mechanism in the buttock area. The Novo XT and i7 have foot rollers, which a lot of folks are looking for in a chair. It is a touch choice, but you can’t really go wrong with any of them. I think the biggest difference is the L-track and the foot rollers. I hope this helps in some way. Please feel free to call me at 801-417-8240 if you’d like to chat over the phone about these options.
dr. w.
Which chair would you recommend if i primarily have mid to upper back pain and neck pain
Hi, Jen
Thanks for your inquiry. Both chairs will address those areas, but the more intense massage will be provided by the Luraco iRobotics 7. The 3D depth of their rollers is greater plus the dual rollers have the capacity to dig deeper than the quad (4) rollers of the DreamWave.
dr. w.
Hello Dr. Weidner. I’m trying to decide between the Cozzia Qi SE and the iRobotics 7. I have sat in both and from what I remember I enjoy the Qi SE stretch a little more and feel the L track is a plus. My main areas of need are my neck, shoulders and low back.
Hi, Ian
Very different chairs, but if you liked the QiSE stretch and want a strong neck and shoulders massage to go with the L-track, definitely take a look at the Osaki Maestro, which is the hottest chair on the market currently and is manufactured in the same factory as the QiSE. It has the strongest shoulder and neck massage of any L-track chair we’ve seen. The 3D/4D function of the Maestro allows for a far deeper roller massage than any other L-track, which is why it does such a great job not only on the neck and shoulders, but also on the low back. Great chair.
The Luraco iRobotics 7 Plus is a very well built chair, and the 5 year limited warranty reflects that. S-track chairs typically have a better stretch program than L-track chairs, but if you liked that of the QiSE better, more power to you! The i7 Plus (the original i7 was discontinued on September 1, 2018) has dual rollers which contribute to a very strong roller massage. Although the Osaki Maestro has a very strong roller massage as well, better than any other L-track in our opinion, the dual rollers of the Luraco i7 Plus will dig into your musculature a little more specifically and focally.
We have a sale on both chairs currently. Call me at 801-651-2026 and I can give you our showroom pricing. Here is a link to the Maestro if you’d like to check out it’s feature-set. A link to the new iRobotics 7 Plus is right below it.
https://www.massage-chair-relief.com/massage-chairs/osaki/osaki-pro-maestro-massage-chair/
https://www.massage-chair-relief.com/massage-chairs/luraco/luraco-irobotics-7-plus-massage-chair/
dr. w.