Table of Contents
Osaki OS Pro Yamato Massage Chair Review
Pros
- For Everything It Offers, Pricing Is Very Reasonable!
- 10 Auto Modes Keep Things Fresh & Exciting!
- With 36 Airbags, Compression Massage Is On Point!
Cons
- User Flexibility Could Be Improved, Especially From A Height Standpoint
Stylish, Sleek, & Impressive At First Glance!
Are first impressions the most important? Many people certainly seem to think so! What do you think? If first impressions dictated my buying decision, I’d be getting me one of these bad boys immediately! I mean look at it, it’s absolutely gorgeous don’t you think!?
The Osaki OS Pro Yamato is a 2D chair that was released in late 2018. It’s got a beautiful, stylish design and comes packing a ton of cool features!
So by first impressions, this gets a full 10/10 from me. But if you’ve been following my blog thus far, you’ll know that first impressions don’t phase me! I take the time to fully understand a product before I splash the cash.
I’m not saying this out of arrogance, I’m saying this because it works and it’s saved me from buying crappy products a ton of times!
Never ever purchase something on an impulse. I know some people might bash me for this, because impulse purchases are typically some of the best ones people have made. Yes I know, but they are also some of the worst!
This becomes especially important when you’re planning to make an expensive purchase/investment like a massage chair!
In these cases you must scrutinise every single detail, and only when you understand the chair fully do you decide to purchase. It pains me to see so many people who’ve gone out and purchased a chair only to find that it doesn’t meet their needs. If you need to, ask a million questions before you buy. Heck, ask me and I will take the time to respond as best as I can.
Going back to the Osaki OS Pro Yamato, first impressions are not always right!
While it is very much a fantastic chair, there’s something about the Yamato I don’t quite like. More on that later, but for now here’s an introductory video from Osaki showing what the Yamato is capable of. Give it a watch!
5 Key Features Of The Osaki OS Pro Yamato Massage Chair!
#1 It’s Got A Total Of 10 Auto Massage Programs!
By far my favorite thing about the Osaki OS Pro Yamato is the fact that it comes loaded with a total of 10 auto modes. Before we look at each one in more detail, let’s try to understand why auto modes are so important.
Take a minute and ponder why you’re even considering investing in a massage chair. Think about this for a minute or two!
If you’re like most people, you buy a massage chair because:
Anyways, the reason I bring this up is because I feel it’s important to remind you that if you’re buying a massage chair for the above 2 reasons, then having plenty of auto modes becomes incredibly important. Why is this? More auto modes basically equates to more experience and definitely more convenience.
Experience, because you have different modes with different styles, strokes and intensity of massage. Doing the same thing every day can get boring. Trust me when I say this from experience (my massage chair only has 4 auto modes!).
Convenience, because let’s be honest, no one wants to mess around with manual settings every single time trying to figure out intensities, strokes and other settings. You get home from a long and exhausting day and all you want is to sit back, relax, and let the chair do it’s thing!
The point I’m trying to drill home is that auto modes are super important, probably a lot more important than you think!
Back to the Yamato, it’s got 10 auto modes. These are:
How do you activate any of the 10 auto modes? Pretty simple! Each auto mode is a separate button on the remote control. You can therefore activate each mode directly from the remote control.
#2 2-Dimensional (2D) L-Track Rollers
This is a mouthful for anyone not familiar with massage chair lingo. Assumption here is that we’re all newbies, so let’s approach this from a newbie mindset so that everyone can benefit! If you’re experienced, feel free to jump ahead.
What are rollers and why are they so important when it comes to massage chairs?
You ever seen a donut before? Yea I’m talking about that tasty sweet treat we all love to snack on! In appearance, a roller is not too different from a donut. They both kinda look the same. Most massage chairs I’ve reviewed to date all come with 4 rollers mounted on a track. This kind of contraption is often termed “quad rollers”, quad meaning 4.
Getting back to the main point of why rollers are important….they are the one contraption that provides 75-80% of massage on a massage chair.
This is why before you select a massage chair, it’s always a good idea to try it out to see how the rollers feel on your body. That way you have a good idea of everything the chair offers before you actually splash the cash.
Easier said than done though because many of the best deals can be found online, and some chairs are exclusively available online!
Back to 2D rollers, what are they and how do they function?
When it comes to understanding 2D rollers, all you need to know is this: up/down, side to side. Remember how back in high school, they taught us Math in the x and y axes? 2D rollers are no different. They move in the y direction and the x direction. In other words, they move up/down and side to side.Now that we know what 2D rollers are and how they function, let’s try to understand the term “L-Track”. L-Track is simply a type of roller track. A roller track is basically a contraption which allows the rollers to traverse various parts of the body. If there was no roller track, then the rollers would be constrained to only one position at all times.
An L-Track is an extended tracking system where the rollers are able to move from the neck all the way right down to the glutes and hamstrings. It is called L-Track because of the characteristic “L” shape it forms.
#3 Space Saving Technology AKA Space Saving Recline
Purchasing a massage chair 10 years ago was a real hassle. Before making a purchase, you’d need to confirm how big the chair is (based on both upright and recline positions) and then see if fits where you’d be placing it.
Nowadays, lots has changed. Just like all technology, massage chairs too have evolved quite a bit!
You no longer need to have a large space to enjoy the luxury of owning a massage chair. Even folks with small spaces can today pick up a high performing chair and be able to place in their homes without too much difficulty. This is mainly because of something known as space saving recline technology.
What is space saving recline?
It’s a very simple technology which manufacturers have implemented to help reduce clearance from back of chair to the wall during recline positions. Essentially, the chair is mounted on a base, this base moves forward during recline and so the amount of clearance you require from back of chair to wall is greatly reduced.
How much is this reduction in clearance space? I’ve seen chairs that only require an inch! The Yamato in particular requires 4 inches.
Even though space saving recline is an incredibly useful feature (especially for those with limited space!), one should always pay close attention to the dimensions to verify that the unit itself will fit. This is paramount and should always be done before purchasing a chair!
#4 Capable Of Performing 6 Different Massage Techniques!
In #1 we talked about the 10 auto modes and what those are. The massage techniques we will be discussing here are what the rollers are programmed to perform. So when you activated one of the 10 auto modes, you would essentially notice a combination of these techniques being employed throughout the session.
Massage techniques determine how “skilful” a set of rollers are. The more techniques, the better the experience!
It’s like when you visit a trained therapist to get a massage, he/she might not be well versed in performing Thai or Swedish massage so that’s their skill limitation in many ways. However, you might have your preferred therapist whom you visit every time because the massage is so incredibly amazing!
The very same thing applies to massage chair rollers and techniques!
Going back to the Yamato, it’s rollers are able to perform a total of 6 different massage techniques. These are:
- Kneading—Kneading strokes are my favorite massage strokes! The circular motion, if applied at the right intensity can feel incredibly invigorating!
- Swedish—These are high intensity, deep tissue strokes that are done to break up fascia, release tension, and provide pain relief.
- Rolling—Exactly as it sounds! The rollers will move up and down and side to side provide a rolling style massage. Also incredibly refreshing!
- Clapping—Kinda similar to tapping but definitely less intense. A mild stroke designed to improve circulation at the skin level.
- Tapping—Also called tapotement, or percussive massage. These can vary from light to intense tapping motions performed by the rollers.
- Shiatsu—In my opinion, Shiatsu can be the most intense of any of these strokes if it’s done correctly. Shiatsu is application of pressure focused to a single specific pain or pressure point.
#5 Extendable Footrest
Before we talk about the extendable footrest, I want to quickly mention that the Yamato comes fitted with spinning foot rollers on either feet. These along with the airbags provide a soothing foot massage.
Alright back to the extendable footrest. Why is this important and what purpose does it serve?
Extendable foot rest is a means to accommodate taller individuals. Manufacturers implement this design because it’s cheap, convenient and doesn’t require redesigning the whole chair to suit. When done correctly, extendable foot rests are a game-changer. For chairs that are generally able to accommodate smaller to medium body types, a footrest makes it possible to now fit larger, taller individuals.
How far out can the footrest extend on the Yamato?
It can extend up to 5.5” outwards. The footrest is fitted with a spring, so extension in that sense is not automatic. You would have to push down on the spring to extend to the position you desire. All things considered, I am a little disappointed and here’s why:
If the purpose of the extendable foot rest was to enhance user flexibility, it certainly doesn’t achieve this!
I say this because the user flexibility on the Yamato is 5’0-6’0 ft. In my opinion this is not particularly great for taller body types. More on this in the cons section!
Osaki OS Pro Yamato Massage Chair Specifications
- Osaki OS Pro Yamato Massage Chair Specs
- Roller Type: L-Track
- Roller Length: 43 Inches (Approximately)
- Total Airbags: 36
- Upright Dimensions: 62.6"L x 33.1"W x 49.2"H
- Recline Dimensions: 74.8"L x 33.1"W x 36.2"H
- Chair Material: Synthetic Leather
- Height Range: 5’0 – 6’0 ft (approximately)
- Maximum Recommended Weight: 260 lbs
Osaki OS Pro Yamato Massage Chair Pros & Cons!
- Auto Modes Galore!—With 10 auto modes, the Yamato is always a fun time! Massage chairs can get boring over time. The same repetitive routines become predictable and it’s easy to lose interest. However, with 10 auto modes this is unlikely to happen!
- Massage Techniques—Osaki have done a phenomenal job with programming the rollers to perform 6 different massage strokes/techniques. In addition to the auto modes, this makes for a very enjoyable user experience.
- Airbag Massage—Air compression massage on this chair is pretty solid. With a total of 36 airbags located in the shoulders, arms, feet, calves, and hands, you can expect pretty decent coverage on areas not covered by the rollers.
- User Flexibility Is Lacking—By this I mean the user flexibility specifically in terms of height range is lacking. If you’re someone over 6 feet, I would strongly suggest considering something else. More on this later!
Osaki OS Pro Yamato Massage Chair: Is It Worth The $$$?
The only way to answer this question is to do a comparison to see how the Yamato compares with similar chairs in the market. There are so many 2D L-Track chairs in the market, so consumers should have a ton to choose from. In fact, I would go as far as saying consumers are spoilt for choice!
For our purpose, we will be comparing the Yamato to one of my favourite 2D chairs, the Osaki Pro Maxim. We will also compare these 2 chairs to the highly economical Osaki OS Champ.
Eerily similar to the Yamato. It has fewer auto modes, but still is an incredibly powerful unit. All in all, a very good budget massage chair!
One of my favourite 2D chairs. It’s got a ton of auto modes, comes with an SL-Track and has received tons of positive reviews!
- Osaki OS Champ
- 5’0 – 6’0 ft & 260 lbs.
User Height/Weight - $
Price - 49″ L-Track
Roller Track - 18
Airbags - 5
Auto Modes - No
Calf Rollers - Music Only
Music & Chromotherapy Lights
- Osaki OS Pro Yamato
- 5’0 – 6’0 ft & 260 lbs.
User Height/Weight - $
Price - 43″ L-Track
Roller Track - 36
Airbags - 10
Auto Modes - No
Calf Rollers - Music Only
Music & Chromotherapy Lights
- Osaki OS Pro Maxim
- 5’1 – 6’4 ft & 285 lbs.
User Height/Weight - $$$
Price - 47″ SL-Track
Roller Track - 22
Airbags - 12
Auto Modes - No
Calf Rollers - Yes
Music & Chromotherapy Lights
Which one should you get?
This one is tricky! If we looked at all 3 chairs, the most superior in my opinion is the Pro Maxim. However, it’s also the most priciest of the 3. The Yamato is a better chair than the Champ because for one it has more auto modes, and two it’s got better space saving capability.
The Champ and Yamato are priced about the same, so if I had to pick from the 2, my decision would be pretty obvious….the Yamato!
By elimination, that leaves us with the Pro Maxim and the Yamato. Which of these 2 chairs should you go with? As I said earlier, the Pro Maxim is more superior in terms of performance and functionality, but sadly it is being discontinued.
Because it’s being discontinued, I’m not sure how I feel spending thousands for it. It’s still a fantastic chair don’t get me wrong, but what happens with support and service if you require it? Something worth investigating……
That being said, my final recommendation is to go with the Yamato. There might be a few 2D chairs that are better than the Yamato, but overall it’s still a top performer with an incredibly powerful set of rollers. Not to mention it comes packed with 10 auto modes, and it’s also decently priced!
The only caveat for not picking the Yamato is if you’re over 6 feet. If this is your situation, I would consider something like the APEX AP Pro Ultra!
Leave A Comment If You Have Any Questions!
That’s all from me folks. I hope you enjoyed reading. If you got some value from this post, please consider sharing on the social platforms. Last but not least, if you have any unanswered questions, please leave them down below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!
For those of you who already have the chair, leave a comment letting me know what it’s like and how it performs on a day to day basis. A lot of people ask me to email them the user manual of chairs, so for your convenience here’s the user manual for the Yamato. Be well and stay safe!
Osaki OS Pro Yamato images were used with permission from Osaki Massage Chair
