Korean Massage Chairs: How Bodyfriend Designs Differ and What to Compare
Korean massage chairs are worth comparing if you want a chair built around leg movement and design, and Bodyfriend, the South Korean brand we carry, shows that approach most clearly. Most Bodyfriend models center on independently moving leg units, XD-series massage modules and furniture-minded styling. Whether one suits you comes down to fit, room size and how that leg movement feels on your own body.
Quick answer: Several Korean companies make massage chairs. The Korean brand on our showroom floors is Bodyfriend, which started as Bodyfriend Co., Ltd. in 2007. Compare its chairs on four things: the leg system, the massage module, the published fit limits, and the room each chair needs when reclined. For the wider picture, read our guide to massage chair manufacturers around the world.
Where Bodyfriend comes from
Bodyfriend is a South Korean company. Its own company history lists the establishment of Bodyfriend Co., Ltd. in 2007 and describes years of mainstream success in the South Korean market before the brand brought its at-home massage chairs to the United States. That's what "Korean" means in this post: the company and the design thinking behind its chairs. Bodyfriend's company page doesn't say where each model is assembled, so ask us if the factory location matters to you.
Korean massage chairs aren't a single style, and other Korean companies take different approaches. This guide focuses on Bodyfriend because those are the Korean chairs you can sit in at our showrooms and order from us, with seven models in the Bodyfriend collection today.
What sets Bodyfriend's designs apart
Leg units that move on their own
The clearest difference is the lower body. In many chairs the leg rest works as one piece. Several Bodyfriend models use separate left and right leg units instead. The Bodyfriend Phantom Rovo moves each leg independently and adds a Bike mode with circular motion. The Bodyfriend Falcon SV uses Bodyfriend's patented ROVO technology for single-leg stretching and a walking movement. The Bodyfriend Pharaoh Neo builds eight Robo-Care routines around ROVO, and Bodyfriend The Palace Neo pairs independent leg movement with a ROVO Special Program.
XD-series massage modules
Bodyfriend names its roller systems rather than describing them only as 3D or 4D. The Phantom Rovo uses Massage XD Pro with body-contour recognition and 1.25 mm massage-ball adjustment. The Pharaoh Neo and The Palace Neo list XD-Pro (XD PRO) modules, and the Falcon SV uses the XD Massage Module, with intensity and roller-spacing control. Because the names differ from other brands' labels, compare them by feel in the same program, not by the label.
Design and materials as part of the chair
Bodyfriend treats the shell, upholstery and sound as part of the design. The Pharaoh Neo pairs premium natural leather with Bang & Olufsen integrated audio. The Bodyfriend Leonardo DV was designed with Italdesign. At the other end, the Bodyfriend Familie Massage Recliner is a 27-inch-wide recliner built to read as living-room furniture.
Heat and air coverage
Heat and air vary a lot by model. The Pharaoh Neo and The Palace Neo list heat up to 122°F (50°C), and the Falcon SV lists heat up to 131°F. The Phantom Rovo lists 87 air pockets, and the Falcon SV lists 36 airbags from the hands to the heels.
Four Bodyfriend models compared
| Spec | Phantom Rovo | Pharaoh Neo | The Palace Neo | Falcon SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg system | Independent left and right leg units, Bike mode | ROVO robotics, 8 Robo-Care routines | Independent left-right leg movement, ROVO Special Program | Patented ROVO technology, 8 ROVO modes |
| Massage module | Massage XD Pro | XD-Pro | XD PRO on a Flexible SL Frame | XD Massage Module |
| Programs | 32 automatic | 8 Robo-Care | 36 auto modes, 8 specialized | 27 automatic |
| Air | 87 air pockets | Shoulders to heels | Shoulders, arms, thighs, calves, insteps, heels | 36 airbags, hands to heels |
| Heat | Back, calves and feet, 3 levels | Full body, up to 122°F | Up to 122°F | Up to 131°F |
| Controller | See product page | 8-inch touchscreen | 4-inch LCD remote, Voice Guide | LCD remote and Quick Dial |
| Reclined length | 78.7 in | 78.74 in | 78.3 in | 71.2 in |
| Width | 33.5 in | 35.82 in | 31.8 in | 29.5 in |
| Chair weight | 352 lb | 364.2 lb | 368 lb | 224.9 lb |
| Listed user fit | Up to 300 lb | Up to 6 ft 3 in, 300 lb | Not published by Bodyfriend | Up to 265 lb |
| Warranty listed | Manufacturer warranty | Manufacturer warranty | Manufacturer warranty | 5-year limited |
Specs come from our product pages for each chair. Prices change, so each product page shows the current price. Ask us for any written warranty terms before you order.
What to compare before you choose a Korean massage chair
- How the leg movement feels. Moving leg units are the main reason to choose one of these chairs. Run a ROVO or Bike-mode program and judge calf pressure, knee position and footrest length.
- Your height and weight. Published limits differ: 265 lb for the Falcon SV and 300 lb for the Phantom Rovo and Pharaoh Neo, while Bodyfriend publishes no range for The Palace Neo. Taller and shorter users should try the chair first.
- Room and delivery route. Reclined lengths run from 71.2 to 78.74 inches, and chair weights from 224.9 to 368 lb. Measure doorways, halls and stairs too.
- Controls. The Falcon SV keeps things simple with a Quick Dial; the Pharaoh Neo uses an 8-inch touchscreen. Try both with the chair reclined.
- Warranty in writing. Coverage varies by model, so ask for the written terms before you order.
Korean and Japanese designs: comparing them fairly
Shoppers often weigh Korean chairs against Japanese ones. Country of origin is a useful starting point, but it doesn't decide how a chair feels on your back. The fair test is the same program, at a similar intensity, for the same length of time in each chair. Our post on which country makes massage chairs that suit you explains the regional differences, and this guide to Japanese brands in the U.S. lists the Japanese side. To see Bodyfriend next to the other brands we carry, use our comparison of 14 brands.
A smaller Korean option for compact rooms
If a full-size chair is too much for the room, the Bodyfriend Familie Massage Recliner is the compact choice. It has an S&L track from neck to seat, 3D rollers, six calf airbags behind a rotating footrest and two zero-gravity angles, in a 61 x 33 inch floor area. Heat and foot rollers aren't listed for it.
Try Bodyfriend chairs side by side
Walk-ins are welcome at both of our Bay Area showrooms, where you can try 70+ chairs, including Bodyfriend models:
- San Jose: Westfield Oakridge, 925 Blossom Hill Rd, Suite 1324, San Jose, CA 95123
- Pleasanton: Stoneridge, 1116 Stoneridge Mall Rd, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Call or text (669) 214-8889 before you visit if you want a specific model ready to try. Delivery is free to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. on most chairs, and you can pay over time with Affirm (subject to eligibility). If our price drops within 6 months of your purchase, Black Friday included, we'll refund the difference. Terms apply. See Price Protection.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bodyfriend a Korean brand?
Yes. Bodyfriend is a South Korean company. Its company history lists the establishment of Bodyfriend Co., Ltd. in 2007 and its growth in the South Korean market before the brand brought its at-home massage chairs to the United States. Bodyfriend doesn't state on its company page where each model is assembled, so ask us if that matters to you.
Are Korean massage chairs good?
They can be a strong fit if you want moving leg units, design-led styling and built-in audio. Bodyfriend's chairs focus on independent leg movement, XD-series massage modules and premium materials. Whether one is good for you depends on your height, weight, preferred pressure and room size, so try the leg programs in person before you decide.
What does ROVO mean on a Bodyfriend chair?
ROVO is Bodyfriend's name for its moving leg technology. On the Falcon SV, two independently driven leg units handle single-leg stretching and a walking movement. The Pharaoh Neo builds eight Robo-Care routines around ROVO, and The Palace Neo has a ROVO Special Program. It's the feature to test first, because it shapes the whole session.
Which is the best Korean massage chair for me?
There isn't one answer for everyone. Start with fit and room: the Falcon SV is 71.2 inches long reclined and rated to 265 lb, while the Phantom Rovo and Pharaoh Neo list 300 lb and run longer. Then compare the leg programs and controls in the same session length to see which one suits you.
Which Bodyfriend model needs the least room?
The Bodyfriend Familie Massage Recliner. Bodyfriend publishes a 61 x 33 inch floor area for it, and it is 27 inches wide. Among the full-size chairs compared here, the Falcon SV is the shortest at 71.2 inches reclined and the narrowest at 29.5 inches wide. Measure your doorways and the route to the room before ordering any of them.
Do Korean massage chairs fit tall users?
It depends on the model. The Pharaoh Neo and Leonardo DV list 6 feet 3 inches, the Phantom Rovo and Falcon SV publish no height range, and Bodyfriend publishes none for The Palace Neo. Automatic leg-length adjustment helps, but taller users should test the footrest reach and the shoulder position in person before ordering.
