This guide shows the best massage beds to buy with all the features to make massages, physiotherapy, and beauty treatments in the studio or at home.
The massage bed is used in many activities: massages, beauty treatments, physiotherapy sessions, medical examinations, acupuncture, and tattoos.
A quality bed allows the customer to relax, and the operator works in the correct position for an effective professional result. Its function is to guarantee customer/patient safety and operator comfort. Therefore, the bed must be solid and robust to offer valid support, comfortable enough to relax, and hygienic from the customer’s perspective.
From the operator’s point of view, the bed must allow working easily standing, or in some cases sitting, in a comfortable position, without overloading the back, neck, or arms.
A quality massage bed is necessary for all professional firms and those who carry out their business at home. It is also recommended for those learning activities to practice immediately acquiring an appropriate tool.
Table of Contents
How to choose a massage bed
Choosing which massage bed to buy is the most important feature to evaluate to ensure you make the right purchase.
Portable massage bed
Portable massage beds are essential for those who carry out their business at home, on their own, or with their customers.
Also, even those who have a study may need a space-saving solution because they do not make continuous use of the bed, or in any case, need to transport it often, or why not, prefer a cheaper solution than the fixed bed.
It is a folding massage bed with a wooden, steel, or aluminum structure. Although robust, the legs of the bed are thin enough to be folded. Simultaneously, metal cables unfold at the opening under the bed to allow stability and load distribution over the entire structure.
Taking advantage of the solidity and the upper part’s shape, the massage bed folds with the legs inside, transforming into a suitcase. For this reason, handles are always at the end, which is used to grasp the bed, tilt it on one side, close it, and then transport it just like a suitcase.
The portable model must be easy to close and open to transport easily. In this regard, headrests, armrests, and armrests are always removable to be inserted inside and limit the overall dimensions once the bed is closed.
Fixed massage bed
This bed type is mainly used in medical practices, large beauty centers, spas, and resorts. It is good to point out that it refers only to the support structure when discussing a fixed massage bed. This is not foldable and stands out for its solidity and important dimensions, usually wood or steel.
The actual bed on which the customer will lie down will not necessarily fix this; indeed, having at least the reclining backrest in a professional bed is good.
Thanks to the solidity of the structure and the fact that the bed is rarely moved, shelves’ presence to store products or towels is frequent, and sometimes we can find compartments and drawers.
Hydraulic massage bed
The hydraulic massage bed is also fixed but equipped with a special system to adjust the height. Just raise or lower special levers or use an electric switch to bring the bed to the desired height.
This bed type is perfect for studies with multiple operators, and it is necessary to adjust the height occasionally. The hydraulic system’s power allows you to adjust the height slightly even when the customer is lying on the bed.
Precisely because of the hydraulic structure, generally made of steel, the bed is also heavier than the others, and moving it even a few meters isn’t easy.
For this reason, it can be equipped with retractable wheels to be activated exclusively for transport and retracted appropriately when using the bed.
Bags and trolleys for transport
To carry the portable bed easily, bags carried by hand or on the shoulder are often included with the item. Some of these are also equipped with small wheels at the base, which is useful if the bed’s weight exceeds 45 lbs.
Another very effective solution is the trolley. The trolley has a metal structure that supports the bed at the base and is equipped with a comfortable handle. Also, the wheels are larger. This way, we can transport the cot just like a trolley without worrying about the weight.
Other trolley types consist of a base with small wheels, similar to skateboards, equipped with straps to secure the cot. It is common to see the trolleys depicted with the bed resting directly on them. As we have seen, the folded bed’s external part comprises the padding that will contact the customer’s body.
For this reason, even if you buy a trolley, it is good never to neglect the bag, which protects the bed’s surface from any contact with the external environment while respecting hygiene.
Sections of the cot
In choosing the best massage bed, we must consider the number of sections according to our business’s needs.
- The 1-section massage bed consists of a single mattress in a horizontal position.
- The 2-section massage bed includes a reclining backrest. This allows the customer to lift their shoulders from various angles to assume the sitting position to work better on some activities.
- The 3-section massage bed has a reclining backrest and an additional panel at the other end to lift feet and legs while the central panel remains fixed.
- The 4-section massage bed has a reclining backrest, a fixed panel, and two reclining panels for bending the legs with the knees raised.
In some models, the panels can also be reclined to the negative, i.e., downwards, to take particular positions with the legs or torso, especially in physiotherapy sessions.
Materials
You should also carefully evaluate the materials to purchase the best massage bed suited to your needs. These affect the stability, durability, and cost of the bed. In this regard, we distinguish the frame materials from the bed materials.
Frame
Aluminum is the most widely used for folding massage beds of lighter materials. It allows creation of a solid but space-saving structure with thin and light legs, easy to fold. Among the most robust and long-lasting materials, we find steel.
It is frequent in the structures of fixed massage beds and hydraulic beds. Its resistance guarantees the bed an extraordinary solidity, increasing the whole structure’s weight.
The metal cables present in portable beds are made of aluminum or steel. They must be resistant and withstand any oscillations. The joints stressed in closing and opening the bed should also be made of metal.
Wood is a material widely used for fixed massage beds. It is a noble, solid, and robust material, especially if precious, like beech or birch wood. The wood must be of excellent quality and treated appropriately for hot and humid environments such as a spa.
Another quality of the wood is its excellent aesthetic aspect, which gives the room a touch of elegance and a welcoming atmosphere. As for the frame, we can also find mixed materials such as wood-coated aluminum. In this way, aesthetics and lightness are combined.
Cot
Different materials are used to construct the bed, including padding and cover. We find eco-leather or PU leather among the most used for the lining. It is a synthetic fabric covered with polyurethane, which imitates the softness and texture of leather.
This fabric is very comfortable, soft, and elegant. Also, it is quite breathable and tends to absorb odors. Consequently, it is water-repellent but not completely waterproof, and over time, it can be affected by this aspect, especially in contact with creams, sweat, and humidity.
Another material is PVC, cheaper than the previous one and less breathable. However, it is waterproof, easy to clean, durable, and less friction-resistant. Naturally, both materials must always be cleaned, sanitized, and covered with medical sheets of paper to avoid direct skin contact.
This guarantees maximum customer hygiene and better conservation of the bed. As for the padding, foam rubber, and elastic polyurethane foam is very common.
It is a light material that offers excellent support for body weight without deforming. The quality foam rubber immediately regains its original shape in a few seconds. Also, it offers excellent thermal insulation.
Of the same polyurethane, a family is memory foam, a little softer. It better welcomes the body’s curves only where more pressure is exerted and has the characteristic of immediately resuming its shape. But, again, the materials used in the lining and padding must be non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
Often, professional massage beds are equipped with special certifications. One is the ROHS certification, the European Union regulation for controlling harmful substances, including DBP, BBP, BPA, and Chromium.
Height
The height of the massage bed is critical because it allows the operator to work better. Most of the beds have an adjustable height between 2 and 2.8 feet. The bed’s feet rise and fall with a telescopic system, with the adjustment of special knobs, or as we have seen, with a hydraulic system.
Adjustment mode
The height adjustment methods are important if several operators use the same bed, as they will have to adapt it from time to time to their needs. In this case, it is necessary to evaluate if it is a simple system activated by a button or a lever or with knobs to be screwed.
If you can do it with the bed in position, it is necessary to overturn the bed sideways to lengthen the legs. On the other hand, if a single person uses the bed, they must adjust the height only once, and the mode can be overshadowed.
If you purchase a portable massage bed and need to extend the height to the maximum allowed, the legs must return to the original size each time to be folded back inside. In addition, those who need a high bed will have to pay close attention to the height adjustment and strength of the mechanism, subjected to greater stress.
Padding thickness
Another measure to consider is the thickness of the padding. It must not be under 2 inches in a professional massage bed and can go up to 4 inches. This thickness is ideal for supporting the client’s body and absorbing the stresses caused by the massage. A bed that is too thin or too thick would be counterproductive.
Weight
The materials and structure greatly influence the weight of the bed. The most robust are the fixed massage beds in solid wood or steel that can reach 60-80 lbs or 130-150 lbs if they are hydraulic beds. The lightest is the portable bed, weighing between 20 and 45 lbs.
This weight range is a good compromise between lightness and stability. However, if choosing a lightweight cot for transport is very comfortable, this does not always guarantee stability or guarantee it in all situations. Thus, we must always consider the bed’s weight together with another parameter: the load capacity.
Load Capacity
The load capacity indicates the weight that the massage bed can support. In this regard, we must distinguish the static and dynamic loads. Static load means the maximum capacity of the structure with the customer lying on the bed without stress.
It can go up to 2200 lbs in the more robust models. On the other hand, the dynamic load considers the client’s weight plus the weight and the stresses the operator adds during the massage maneuvers. So if we think of a light and inexpensive massage bed that can support a dynamic load of just 265-330 lbs, it means that with a customer of 220 lbs, we have already reached the maximum limit.
In addition to the weight-safety issue, we must remember that the bed holds the weight well but fluctuates if performing a massage. Thus, the benefits of some treatments could be nullified, in addition to the fact that the client could be uncomfortable.
For this reason, a good massage bed should guarantee a dynamic load of not less than 450 lbs to offer maximum stability and safety. The best massage beds reach up to 650-770 lbs. In this regard, the activity carried out must be considered.
If our main activity is massage or physiotherapy, and we want to offer the service to more people, including those with an important weight, the dynamic load is a fundamental fact to consider. However, if it is another type of activity, such as hair removal or tattooing, where the operator does not add any overload to the structure and the oscillations are practically zero, we can rely on a lower load, always taking into account the weight of the customer.
Headrest
The headrest is present in most professional massage beds. It is generally removable, and adjustable with different angles concerning the backrest, and, in high-quality beds, it can be positioned alternately on both sides of the mattress.
A professional headrest should always have a facial hole. Its presence is indispensable for treatments in which the client must be prone and aligned with the spine.
This way, the headrest supports the face but allows you to breathe comfortably. Without a headrest of this type, the customer would be forced to rotate the neck to the right or left or rest on the head on the arms, curving the spine.
Armrest
Associated with the headrest, we often find the front armrest. It is a simple soft band hung with straps right at the headrest base and on which the folded arms are inserted. The arms then hang out of the bed, allowing you to completely relax your shoulders.
On the other hand, the side armrests are rigid, between 3 and 6 inches wide, increasing the bed’s surface and offering greater comfort to robust build people. In addition, they are generally removable to be used only when needed or stored if associated with a folding bed.
Facial hole
The facial hole allows you to rest on your face to breathe comfortably when the customer is lying on his stomach. Unlike the headrest, the facial hole is inserted in the bed’s body, and when not needed, it can be closed with a special pad.
Accessories
Among the various accessories that we can find included in the cot or purchased separately, there are nets and shelves placed under the structure to store towels, products, and towels.
The medical sheet’s role holder on the mattress is often not included with the cot but still requires a cot arranged for its attachment to the end of the structure below. In addition, one must place disposable face pads on the headrest to ensure maximum hygiene.
The best massage beds to buy
Below are the best massage beds to buy with their respective characteristics in a price range between $80 and $150.
- Excellent Workmanship: The professional spa bed is constructed of beech wood legs,...
- Adjustable Height: Yaheetech spa bed has two twisting adjustment knobs on each leg for 8...
- Height-adjustable Headrest: The headrest of the beauty table, also face cradle, is...
- Lightweight and Portable: Weighing only 29 lbs, this massage bed is easy to carry and...
- Customizable Accessories: This professional massage table comes with an adjustable face...
- Superior Comfort: The 2-inch high-density sponge is soft and high-resilience, comfortable...
- 「SIMPLE TO SET UP」 This massage bed does not require any tools , All we had to do was...
- 「PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT」 The massage table easy to move around if you're a traveling...
- 「HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE MASSAGE TABLE」 The every sturdy feet of the massage bed are...
- COMFORTABLE AND EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG:The massage table has a 2-inch-thick sponge, give you...
- HUMANIZED HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE:The every sturdy feet of the massage bed are equipped with...
- PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT:The massage table easy to move around if you're a traveling...
- Easy to Set Up:The installation of this massage bed does not require tools. All we had to...
- Portable and Lightweight Design:Our massage table features a 3-fold design, allowing for...
- High-Quality Materials:The folding massage table cover is made of luxurious PVC leather...
- MULTIPURPOSE: This 3-section bed and chair combination works as a full-body massage bed,...
- ADJUSTABLE HEAD & FOOTREST: Easily adjust the headrest and footrest to keep clients...
- ADJUSTABILITY: Provide ample relaxation, as the removable head cushion opens to a facial...
- SIMPLE TO SET UP:This massage bed does not require any tools , All we had to do was...
- PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT:The massage table easy to move around if you're a traveling...
- SOFT & COMFORTABLE & STRONG:The massage table has a 2-inch-thick sponge, give you a soft...
- ADJUSTABLE HEADREST: This massage table features a removable headrest that can be easily...
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN: Designed for optimal comfort, the wax bed includes a hand pallet for...
- STABLE & CUSTOMIZABLE HEIGHT: Supported by triangular frames, this spa bed holds up to...
- 「EXCELLENCE IN DETAIL PROCESSING」 The massage table cover draped in a PU leather,...
- 「PORTABLE AND LIGHT WEIGHT」 The massage table easy to move around if you're a...
- 「SIMPLE ASSEMBLY」 This massage bed does not require any tools , All we had to do was...
- 【Premium Comfort】: The massage table features 5 centimeter of foam- the top 2 cm is a...
- 【Adjustable Height】: The height of the massage table can be adjusted by twisting...
- 【Easy to Set up】: This massage bed can be easily set up. It only need one or two...
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