When you choose from Panasonic's higher end of massage chairs, you know you're getting something special. They’ve been creating great massage chairs for decades, and the Panasonic EP-MA73 Real Pro Ultra lives up to this reputation. Although an expensive chair, you're covered by a longer warranty and get plenty of extra features: there's even a set of Panasonic headphones in the package! It's hard to criticize the EP-MA73 as it really does give head to toe massage, and the feedback for the product is really strong.
Panasonic EP-MA73 Real Pro Ultra Features
The EP-MA73 is packed with features, so it’s hard to choose just a few to highlight. But here are just some of the features that we think really separate the Panasonic EP-MA73 Real Pro Ultra from other massage chairs. You can check out the owner’s manual for in depth detail of all of this massage chair’s features.
3D Ultra Kneading technology
The unique massage functions on this chair are designed to get to just about every point, using acupressure to work out knots and to ease worn out muscles. The chair works everything from your head to the soles of your feet, and is easy to adjust to make sure it fits to you. The kneading pressure is fairly intense at higher settings, but if you find that it hurts you can easily drop the power down for a far more comfortable massage.
Heated head and foot massage
Soothing warmth can take the ache out of overworked feet and ease the stress of the day in your head, so Panasonic have included targeted heat pads in the EP-MA73 massage chair. Both are very comforting and can really make a difference to stiff neck muscles, although the heated foot pads can become quite warm and sticky due to the synthetic leather surface. If you've been looking for a massage chair with heat functions, take a look at the Panasonic EP-MA73: it could be the right chair for you.
Hand massage
Many chairs miss this important feature, but many therapists who utilize pressure points agree that the hands are one of the keys to relaxing the body. The EP-MA73 does offer a hand massage function, with comfortable armrests that use airbag technology to work fingertips, wrists and palms. Some users find the sensation a little unpleasant, but others find this to be their favorite feature: you'll have to try it out to find out if it's for you.
Variable massage programming
There are five different massage functions offered, including Swedish, Shiatsu and Rolling styles. These can be further adapted with customizable programming, so you can make sure that the program suits your own needs. There's less custom options than other chairs, but you can also adjust the intensity to adapt each massage function. The controls are fairly easy to use as well, and can be left on the stand or removed as you prefer. If you're struggling, there's some great online tutorials made by Panasonic EP-MA73 Real Pro Ultra users to help you with programming.
Pros of the Panasonic EP-MA73
- Stylish and practical design with smart faux leather finish
- Shiatsu and knead functions for deep massage
- Heat massage pads for head and feet
- Airbag technology throughout the chair
- Audio inputs and voice activated controls
Cons of the EP-MA73
- At the higher end of the price scale
- Not advised for people over 6’2”
- Bulky and requires a lot of space for reclining
What’s missing?
When discussing this Panasonic massage chair, it's very hard to find anything missing from it – some features are not as powerful as other models, but all boxes are ticked when it comes to the competition. The Panasonic EP-MA73 is lacking a little in airbag capacity compared with similarly priced models like the Fujimi EP8800 and it only has has eight motors as opposed to a standard 10 or more, though it still performs excellently and has been very well received.
What customers think about the Panasonic EP-MA73 Real Pro Ultra Massage chair
There's some very vocal fans of this massage chair and it's hard to find much criticism, suggesting that this really is a great purchase. Although acknowledging the high price, reviewers feel that the high quality and great warranty ensure that you are getting good value for your money.
“It's been worth the (hefty) price for that alone. The lower back massage and the neck/shoulder massage are also wonderful.” – TabithaD
“But this chair is amazing. Simply spectacular. One of the problems I experienced in other chairs was how narrow they seemed at the shoulders or at the hip. This is great – I’m not a tiny person and this chair is amazing.” – D. Rementilla
“If you want a massage chair with the best build quality, peace of mind, and deep tissue massaging are your primary concern, then you absolutely cannot go wrong with this chair.” – BasicTek
Specifications of the EP-MA73
- 8 internal motors and 33 airbags
- Designed to suit up to 6’2” and up to 264lbs
- Dimensions
- Upright: L48” x W37.4” x H45.3”
- Weight: 191lbs
- Available in black faux leather with sturdy matte plastic trim
Owner’s manual for the Panasonic EP-MA73 Real Pro Ultra
There's a lot that the EP-MA73 has to offer. So we thought we would include the owner’s manual, so that you can really dive deep into the details. It’s an expensive chair and we want you to have all the information possible before deciding on whether to buy or not. So here it is, just click here for the Panasonic EP-MA73 Real Pro Ultra owner’s manual.
Warranty information
Panasonic are known for having some of the most comprehensive warranties in the massage chair market, and they don't let us down with the EP-MA73. You get an amazing five years of coverage which includes labor and parts, plus the promise of in-house service in the event of a technical fault. However, buyers should bear in mind that this offer is limited: you must be within a set radius of a Panasonic service center to qualify for the home repair element.
Who the Panasonic EP-MA73 is for
If you can afford to splash out on a big purchase for your home, the Panasonic EP-MA73 Real Pro Ultra massage chair could be a wise choice. It's definitely an investment, built to last and covered for the first five years of purchase. If you have trouble with your neck and shoulders, or love the feel of a full body massage, then this chair will target those problem areas for you. With its sleek black leather and a space-age design it will look great in any contemporary setting,
Who this chair is NOT for
As with a lot of massage chairs, the Panasonic EP-MA73 doesn’t really account for people who are at either end of the height scale. If you're under five foot or taller than 6’2”, the manufacturer does not recommend this chair. If you're on a tight budget, there are comparable massage chairs on the market for a couple of thousand cheaper than this Panasonic model like the Osaki OS-7075R, so keep looking if you're out for a bargain.
Conclusion
Buying a luxury massage chair needs to be well thought out – balance function and form to make sure you get the right design as well as a good massage.
For a luxury model, the EP-MA73 does fall down in a few areas, but as an all-rounder it is one of the market leaders of the moment and a really great choice for multi-person households who have different massage preferences.