Pedicure Chair: Selection Standards, Model Types, and Care Tips
How Pedicure Chairs Have Changed Over the Years
To be honest, pedicure chairs now are nothing like the ones we made ten years ago. Back then, it was just a basic seat, a tub, and a massage function if you were fancy. These days? Even our regular orders come with USB ports, adjustable leg rests, and sometimes a built-in foot massage roller that feels like it’s alive.
Last month, our factory shipped out three full containers of pedicure chairs to the US. Two of those were fully customized: one client wanted their logo stitched into the headrest, another wanted the color matched to their brand’s pink (which, by the way, took us four color tests before we nailed it). That’s the thing—modern pedicure chairs have way more options, and you can choose exactly what suits your salon.
Key point: when picking a pedicure chair today, you’re really choosing from a mix of features and styles, not just a “basic chair.”
Pedicure Chair Selection Standards You Should Care About
When customers ask me, “How do I choose the right pedicure chair?”, I usually say—don’t just look at the price. Look at what’s inside and how it’s built.
Here’s my rough checklist:
| Standard | What It Means | Why It Matters |
| Frame Material | Usually steel or aluminum | Steel is stronger but heavier; aluminum is lighter but costs more (ASTM metals guide) |
| Upholstery | PU leather vs genuine leather | PU is easier to clean and cheaper; leather feels premium but needs care |
| Plumbing Type | Pipeless vs traditional pipe | Pipeless is easier to clean and more hygienic |
| Control System | Manual, button, or touchscreen | Touchscreen looks modern but needs careful maintenance |
| Voltage Compatibility | Match your country | If not matched, you’ll burn the motor (we had a client once…) |
And yes—always double-check voltage. We once had a client in Europe who insisted on US voltage because “he’d use a converter.” Long story short: the converter failed, the chair fried, and we had to ship him new parts.
Model Types: Which Pedicure Chair Fits You?
We roughly divide our models into three types:
1.Basic Functional Models – No-frills, reliable, cheaper. Perfect for budget salons.
2.Luxury Spa Models – Massage programs, LED lighting, heated foot baths. Ideal for high-end customers.
3.Fully Customized Models – Your logo, your colors, your exact armrest design.
Honestly, a lot of first-time buyers start with a basic model and upgrade later. But some go all-in from day one—especially franchise chains that want a consistent brand image.
We even had one client who asked for a detachable pedicure tub so they could use the chairs as normal salon seating when business was slow. Sounds odd, but it worked for them. That’s the beauty of custom pedicure chairs—we can make it happen.
Care Rules: How to Keep Your Pedicure Chair Alive Longer
You’d be surprised how many repairs we handle just because people skip simple maintenance. My own habits are:
Wipe down upholstery daily with mild soap water (no alcohol—it dries the leather)
Rinse the foot tub after every customer, especially if you use salts or oils
Check plumbing filters monthly—hair and tiny stones clog things faster than you think
Run a full deep clean cycle weekly (some pipeless chairs have built-in programs)
Matmatch material guide has a good reference on cleaning-compatible materials if you’re curious about which cleaners won’t ruin your chair finish.
Because at the end of the day, how you maintain your pedicure chair decides if it lasts 3 years or 10.
The Factory Advantage: Why Buy from the Source?
I’m not saying this just because I work here—but buying straight from a manufacturer like us saves you a big chunk of cost. We don’t have to stack in the middleman’s markup, and you get direct after-sales support.
When something goes wrong, you’re not calling some retailer who “will get back to you,” you’re calling the people who built the chair. We know the screws, the wires, even the smell of the foam inside (no joke).
Also, customization is way easier. Want gold armrests? We’ve done it. Want the massage strength stronger than standard? We can tweak the motor programming.
Final thought: Choosing a pedicure chair today is less about “finding what’s available” and more about making what you want. The market’s flexible now, especially if you talk directly to the source. Whether you need a budget workhorse or a luxury showpiece, the right pedicure chair is out there—and chances are, we can build it for you.
