Today I will be reviewing the BestMassage EC-06C massage chair. This chair is a great option for casual users that may not be looking for everything that a high end chair can offer. This chair is a solid, but rather unimpressive, budget-priced chair with just enough features to make it interesting. If you are shopping on a budget and looking for a basic massage chair with just enough features to make it a delight to use, this chair maybe right for you.
As an entry-level chair, the EC-06C is by no means perfect, but it is well-priced and does have some interesting features.
It is off-brand, manufactured in China, and sold by a number of vendors under a variety of labels. However, the one consistency you’ll see, is that it maintains some form of the model designation “EC-06C”, “EC06C” or “EC 06C”. The model designation may or may not have the letters “BM” preceding it.
Features
The length of the chair contains extra long, powerful rollers that penetrate deep into the neck and back, all the way down to the tailbone, to relieve tension over the entire length of the body and rejuvenate the mind.
Part of the patented system is the rolling motion, ideal for relaxation and reducing fatigue associated with sore muscles. The neck region is outfitted with massage heads that press deeply into the pressure points to relieve stress and reduce muscle tension and stiffness.
The legs are equipped to deliver both percussion and compression massage to increase the flow of oxygenated blood, improve circulation, ease sore calf muscles, and heighten mobility and flexibility.
20 airbags are contained in he lower body portion, delivering variable compression massage to the legs, feet, and thighs. You can control the intensity of the air massage from low to high, for the desired level of pressure and intensity.
You can fully recline with the automatic control, dropping the back and raising the legs and feet. You can move the legs and foot ottoman individually from the recline to raise just your feet and legs if preferred, and you can adjust the height of the leg rest with the remote control.
In the buttocks area is a high-powered combination of air pressure and vibration massage.
The arm sections flip up, and the hands, arms, and forearms all get massaged. The forearm massage is delivered via compression air bags, and the hands and wrists by way of air administered in waves.
Equipped with a remote control, the chair allows for easily changing between programs and modes, with an additional option for heat in on teh back or feet. The chair is equipped with a sensor and switch that work together to measure your height and weight in order to deliver a customized massage.
There’s a stretch setting to stretch as well as massage muscles, and an emergency off setting. You can also set it to sleep mode, so that after the massage program ends, the chair will not move from a reclined to a seated position.
Warranty
The chair is covered under a one-year warranty, which covers parts and labor.
A warning though, customers have complained about not getting adequate support from the seller so you may, or may not, have difficulty with getting the warranty honored. You have to weigh the risk of poor support with the much cheaper price to decide which is more important for you.
Cons
While it is very reasonably priced, this is an off-brand chair that’s manufactured in China and sold by third party dealers. Due to this many users have reported a difficult time getting in touch with customer service. As mentioned above, it only has a 1-year warranty, so if something should go wrong, you’re going to have a difficult time getting it repaired.
Additionally, the BestMassage EC-06C is incredibly heavy and a beast to move, so you’ll likely NEED a massage after doing so! Once it’s in place, the setup instructions can be a little cryptic and hard to follow, but that’s mostly a language barrier issue and something you’ll only deal with once.
A lot of the features the chair has, are an attempt to mimic features in more expensive chairs, such as body scan and extendable ottoman, but with mixed results. While not as good or as accurate as the body scanning technology offered by mainstream brands, it’s not awful. It can miss the mark at times, causing the rollers to be slightly out of position.
Lastly, even with the extendable ottoman, this chair is not recommended for users above 6 feet tall. Some taller users have complained about the fit, so if you have an opportunity to try the chair in stores first, it would be recommended. The last thing you want to do is spend the money on an investment like this and not be able to fully use it to it’s full capability.
Pros
One of the biggest positive of the BestMassage EC-06C is that it is a very budget friendly option when compared to some of it’s competitors. For those that might not necessarily need all the “creature comforts”, this chair is a great option to consider.
This massage chair does have heated foot soles, which isn’t as common as one might think and can be hard to find in other chairs. The heated foot feature is a plus if warm feet is important to you when it comes to massage chairs.
Additionally, it is made of real leather so it is durable chair that has a soft surface and wears the test of time well.
Lastly, other chairs on the market can sometimes lack a good arm massage. For arms and hands, the EC-06C gets a positive review and is something that many users on Amazon comment on. The chair not only targets the tops of the arms, but the wrists, hands, and forearms as well – truly giving a full body massage.
What It’s Missing
One trade-off of being a budget friendly chair is that there are certainly features it just doesn’t have at all. Granted, you wouldn’t expect an entry-level chair to have advanced features like zero gravity capability. However, simple added features that you may find in a more high end chair such as MP3 support or a remote, makes their absence a little more obvious. In terms of overall variety in features, it lacks a lot of the features that would allow this chair to stand out as something other than a chair for a casual user.
Conclusion
The BestMassage EC-06C massage chair is far from perfect. However, this is by no means a bad chair, in fact for the right person, it could be a very good chair. If you’re on a budget and are in the market for a massage chair immediately, this one will serve you well enough. However, it’s important to note that it can’t quite compete with the higher priced models due to a lack of additional features beyond the basic massage capabilities. If a high end luxury chair is what you are seeking and you can afford to wait, you’re probably better off saving your money and getting something more robust and with better support. However, if you seek immediate relief and want a chair that can offer a full body massage, then this is probably the chair for you.
Other BestMassage Models
BestMassage offers a range of models in the product line that are worth exploring if you haven’t found what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a good unit with other features or at a different price point, there are many to choose from.
BM-EC77
The BM-EC77, for example, is a slightly cheaper option. We like this one a lot, as it offers the highly beneficial therapeutic zero-gravity positioning. This enables you to release your spine and take all of the weight off your joints and bones. You do only get a heat option for the back, and waist, but it offers eight-point Shiatsu massage, stretch, compression, airbags, and foot rollers.
BM-EC161
With a little larger budget, you can step up to the BestMassage BM-EC161. They call this a long rail because it offers 60 percent more massage area than other BestMassagemodels. The programs are more clearly labeled, such as recover, extend, refresh, and relax.
The sensor measures the width between your shoulders and then delivers a personalized massage experienced, tailored to your body specifications. The foot bed contains a rolling foot massager for improved circulation, and the waist is included in the heated area.
