Pier 3 Condo

This is a review of the Panasonic EP 30003 Real Pro Ultra massage chair. Our system of massage chair review is based on 5 categories. We give each category equal weight of up to 20 points. We add them all up to give a possible score of 100 points. This systematic approach helps guide users by giving apples to apples comparisons of different massage chairs and manufacturers. Let us take an in-depth look at the midrange model EP 30003 Real Pro Ultra by Panasonic.

Warranty & Customer Service: How good is the warranty of a given chair? Do you have to buy an extended warranty? How well does the manufacturer back their product? Panasonic gives you 1 year labor and 3 year parts. Service is obtained through your retailer or via national service centers. Obviously service varies substantially based on the retailer where it was purchased. Panasonic also builds in an machine hour counter. This enables Panasonic to provide 1,000 hours of warranty coverage. Once the counter hits 1,000 hours, then the warranty ends. To match other manufacturers, you may want to purchase an extended warranty. We give a rating of 16 in this category.

Comfort & Ergonomics: The Real Pro Ultra is well designed with many intuitive placement of controls and general fit of the massage chair. It is comfortable to sit in with the plush back pad. The seat is comfortable and springy. You can sit back and feel comfortable. When you are laid back, you cannot reach the controls. You either have to get up or put the controller by your side to make adjustments. If you are tall, then this chair may be a bit too small. There are no adjustments to accommodate taller users. Our rating in this category is 17.

Ease of Use: As technology advances, it is easy to include everything including the kitchen sink for functions. Although it is nice to have many features, they cannot be a burden on the user to become familiar with them. Panasonic has loads of experience with electronics and this fact is not lost on them or their massage chairs. Just to be sure Panasonic includes a voice guidance system to assist the user. The remote is intuitive and the descriptions are accurate. Even the individual programming is not too hard to learn for the average user. One nice feature is the 5 minute quick refresher function. This gives you the option to just hit one button and get a quick refresher massage. Our rating in this category is 18.

Key Features: The key features for the EP 30003 is the Junetsu massage and the reflexology foot massage. Panasonic has developed an ultra fine kneading technique. Junetsu uses one-second circular thumb-like movements. This helps to loosen knotted or tight muscles. The circular motion penetrates down through the muscle tissue. The foot reflexology massage reflexology nodules built into the foot wells of the foot rest. An air compression system is used to gently squeeze the feet. The reflexology nodules then push up into the pressure points in the feet. The reflexology massage helps to relieve tension throughout the entire body helping you to relax. Our rating of the Panasonic EP30003 TU in this category is an 18.

Massage Therapy: The lower body air massage has 14 strategically placed air bags. These air bags cover the calves and feet. It also includes the foot reflexology massage. The really fine kneading is a new feature by Panasonic called Junetsu. This massage penetrates deeply providing effective relief. At the top of the control there are 5 automatic programs which include: Refresh, Shiatsu, Deep, Swedish and Stretch. You can also select from 4 manual massage techniques and choose 4 manual massage courses. Manual controls include tapping, kneading, rolling and combination. This midrange model scores a 19 rating.

Ok, the moment of truth. The overall rating for the Panasonic EP 30003 is an 88/100. This is a solid rating for a solid chair. The Real Pro Ultra is a good performer in the mid range massage chair market. The reflexology foot massage and the addition of Junetsu massage is great value at this price point. The warranty is OK. You would hope for better protection from Panasonic, so check out an extended warranty. This is a long term investment for your health. If you are tall, then you may want to try this chair to see how well you fit. If you are looking for a mid range shiatsu massage chair recliner then this could be a good choice for you.