Review: Panasonic EP-30004 Massage Chair Recliner

Panasonic has its newest line of massage chairs. The Real Pro Ultra series incorporates some of Panasonic’s newest technologies in massage therapy. The subject of this review is the EP-30004 shiatsu massage recliner. This model is a high end luxury massage chair model. We will take a look at some of the new features and warranty coverage for this shiatsu massage recliner.

Panasonic is a household name in electronics, so you do not have to be concerned about having your warranty honored down the road. We like to caution potential massage recliner buyers to also go with a reputable brand. There are many small importers that offer cheap massage loungers with great warranties that are never honored down the road. With that said, Panasonic will be there down the road.

So what does Panasonic give you for warranty coverage? With the EP-30004 you get 3 years on parts and 1 year on labor. You do get in home technician service for that first year as well. This is perhaps the most generous part of the warranty. The 1 year labor is just too short. Most manufacturers give you 3 years on the parts. Maybe you can get an extended warranty, but you need to find out.

So enough warranty, let us move on to bigger and better things like features. The EP30004 comes with many advanced features like the lower body stretch and the shoulder stretch. Panasonic has added the Junetsu massage therapy technique. This is a kneading type massage and makes small motions in a circle. It can penetrate in a given area with a radius of about 1 inch. There is also firm pressure to penetrate deeper into the muscle tissue.

If you are into massage, then check out this barrage of massage therapy options. You get 4 automatic programs and 8 manual massage programs. These manual programs can be coupled with certain back courses for a multiplied coverage potential. There are even specific regions like the neck, shoulder, middle back, lower back and full back modes to choose from. From simple beginnings, come a multitude of variety and choice for your massage therapy needs.

One interesting feature of Panasonic massage chairs continued in the Real Pro Ultra series is the self-programming. You can memorize certain programs that were just performed by hitting the self program button. This means you can repeat that particular program on demand. This is great as your trouble spots shift in time. This allows you to target areas for recurring treatment. This is available for up to 4 users.

Now if we take a look at the lower body, we will see that Panasonic takes care of it with an air massage system. Air massage systems use airbags and compression style massage therapy. This is very effective to loosen tight muscles. Air bags provide great flexibility and can easily cover large muscles of the body effectively. The compression massage is very soothing and relieving as your muscles relax. There are also stretching capabilities which can elongate the shoulder and legs.

We are unimpressed with the look of the design. It tends to be very industrial. However, it is very functional, which hopefully makes up for its lack of savvy design. There is a leg extension which goes an extra five inches. The arms and hands are massaged by lifting up a cover on the armrests. The compression is actually firm. At least the Panasonic design team got rid of the unsightly arm massage apparatus.

Overall, the Real Pro Ultra series has some solide features over its prior series the Real Pro Elite. We like the direction that Panasonic is going with their massage chairs. We would like to see better warranty protection and better design aesthetics. However, the massage therapy is very effective and the chair is fairly well designed. This is definitely a shiatsu massage chair that is worth considering at the high end of the market.

The Panasonic EP-30004 Massage Chair is available for your perusal. Browse through our virtual library of EP-30004 Massage Chair Reviews, articles and techniques of massage therapy to help for your search for the perfect massage chair.