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Massage chair technologies: 4D, heating, body scanning, iOpen
Massage chair descriptions are full of terms: 4D, graphene, jade, Health Detection, iOpen, XD FLEX, Rovo. Not every chair has them – and it is exactly these technologies that make a more expensive chair massage better than a cheaper one. We explain what each of them does and show in a table which iRest models have it.
2D, 3D or 4D: how massage mechanisms differ
- 2D – the massage arms move up–down and sideways. This is a gentler, even massage, suitable for relaxing. The 2D mechanism is found on Chillin, Supearl, EasyQ, Roomy, QL, Ixpirio and Enjoyfy.
- 3D – the arms also push forward and press deeper. For example, the Queentri A357 mechanism extends up to 10 cm, so it reaches the most tense muscles. 3D is found on Queentri, Delightry A553 and Eagleton.
- 4D – variable speed and rhythm are added to the 3D movements. The massage arms slow down or speed up like a therapist's hands, so the massage feels less mechanical and closer to a hand massage. 4D is found on Grandease+ A550, Brillactiq A665, Maesthron A801, Dual Core V8 and Joey BA1001.
Why is 4D better than 3D? Both massage deeply, but 3D arms move at a constant pace, while 4D arms change it. If you want a massage every day and it matters to you that it resembles a therapist's work, choose 4D. If deep pressure at a lower price matters most, 3D is enough.
Two massage mechanisms in one chair
In most chairs one mechanism travels from the neck to the glutes. Flagship models have two independent mechanisms that work at the same time – as if two therapists were working together:
- Maesthron A801 and Dual Core V8 – 4D from the neck to the waist and 2D from the waist to the thighs.
- Eagleton – an upper XD FLEX system from the neck to the waist and a lower 3D system from the waist to the thighs.
The advantage of two mechanisms is that the upper and lower back are massaged together rather than in turn, so you get more massage in the same time.
Heating: jade or graphene
Warmth relaxes the muscles and prepares them for the massage. iRest chairs use two heating methods:
- Graphene pads – thin heating elements in the backrest and torso area that warm up quickly and heat the area evenly. Graphene heating is found on many models: Chillin, Roomy, QL, Grandease+, Delightry, Brillactiq. Grandease+ and Delightry have dual graphene heating – for the back and the torso.
- Jade stones in the massage mechanism – heated stones are built into the massage arms themselves, so the heat moves with the massage and warms exactly the spot being massaged at that moment – from the neck to the glutes. Only Maesthron A801 and Dual Core V8 have this heating, together with graphene pads.
Which is better? Graphene heats a larger area and suits general relaxation. Jade works point by point together with the massage movement – the closest thing to a hot stone massage. The best result is when a chair has both.
Body scanning and health detection
Body scanning – before the massage the chair detects your shoulder height and the curve of your spine, so the massage arms follow the shape of your body. This is especially important when family members of different heights use the chair.
Health Detection – a more advanced system that uses sensors to measure pulse, blood oxygen saturation and microcirculation. Based on these readings the chair estimates your fatigue level and selects a massage program itself. Only Brillactiq A665, Maesthron A801 and Dual Core V8 (AI version) have it. It is not a medical test – the readings are used only to choose the massage.
iOpen split track and the Flat position
A standard chair has a one-piece track, so it reclines only to a certain angle. The iOpen track is split: when the backrest opens, the body lies almost horizontally – this is called the Flat position. The benefits of Zero Gravity remain, and the massage continues along the whole body.
iOpen is found on Maesthron A801, Dual Core V8, Eagleton, Brillactiq A665, Grandease+ A550, Queentri A357 and Delightry A553.
Body stretching
During stretching the chair holds the legs and gently reclines the back, so the spine and muscles are stretched – similar to stretching exercises. There are two levels:
- Full-body stretching with iOpen – when the chair opens almost horizontally, the whole body is stretched. All the iOpen models listed above have it.
- Stretching program – a gentler stretch of the back and leg muscles without the Flat position. Found on Supearl+ A336, Supearl Open+ A336-31 and Enjoyfy A2805 (in selected programs).
Cheaper models (Chillin, EasyQ, Roomy, QL) do not have stretching.
Rovo Walking – alternating leg massage
Eagleton has independent left and right leg massagers with Rovo Walking technology: they move alternately, much like pedalling a bicycle. This movement not only massages but also gently exercises the legs. On other iRest chairs the leg massagers move together.
Other functions not every chair has
- Mechanical calf massage – rollers knead the calves instead of just squeezing them with airbags: Grandease+, Supearl+, Brillactiq, Dual Core V8.
- Zero Wall – the chair can stand almost against the wall: Brillactiq, Grandease+, Queentri, Supearl+, Supearl Open+, Enjoyfy.
- Magnetic therapy – a gentle magnetic effect on the hands, back or feet: Brillactiq, Grandease+, Supearl+, Supearl Open+, EasyQ.
- Forearm „Piano“ massage – several elements press the forearms in turn: Maesthron A801, Dual Core V8.
- Voice control – commands in English: Maesthron, Dual Core V8, Brillactiq, Grandease+, Queentri, Supearl, EasyQ, Roomy, Enjoyfy.
Which models have what
| Model | System | Heating | Health Detection | iOpen + Flat | Stretching | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Core V8 | 4D + 2D | jade + graphene | yes (AI) | yes | full body | €11,970 |
| Maesthron A801 | 4D + 2D | jade + graphene | yes (AI) | yes | full body | €9,470 |
| Eagleton | XD FLEX + 3D | yes | – | yes | full body | €6,970 |
| Brillactiq A665 | 4D | graphene | yes | yes | full body | €5,970 |
| Grandease+ A550 | 4D | dual graphene | – | yes | full body | €5,270 |
| Delightry A553 | 3D | dual graphene | – | yes | full body | €4,570 |
| Queentri A357 | 3D | yes | – | yes | full body | €4,470 |
| Supearl+ A336 | 2D | yes | – | – | program | €3,490 |
| Supearl Open+ A336-31 | 2D | yes | – | – | program | €2,970 |
| Enjoyfy A2805 | 2D | yes | – | – | in programs | €2,770 |
| Joey BA1001 | 4D | – | – | – | – | €1,990 |
| Chillin+ A360 | 2D | graphene | – | – | – | €1,970 |
| Chillin Open A360-31 | 2D | graphene | – | – | – | €1,570 |
| EasyQ A166 | 2D | yes | – | – | – | €1,570 |
Compare all models by function in the comparison table, and the difference between 2D, 3D and 4D is best felt in person – at the RELIVO showroom in Vilnius (Statybininkų g. 1C-105).
Frequently asked questions
Why is a 4D massage chair better than 3D?
Both massage deeply, but 4D changes the massage speed and rhythm, so the massage is closer to a hand massage. 3D moves at a constant pace.
Which is better – jade or graphene heating?
Graphene evenly heats a large area, jade heats point by point together with the massage movement. Only Maesthron A801 and Dual Core V8 have jade heating.
What does iOpen mean?
It is a split massage track that lets the chair recline almost horizontally (Flat position) and stretch the whole body.
Does body scanning measure health?
Health Detection measures pulse, oxygen saturation and microcirculation to choose a massage program. It is not a medical test.
