Mobile or fixed head spa: which device is right for your salon and budget?
The short answer
A mobile head spa starts from €1.295 excl. VAT and works without a water connection, ideal for salons without a separate rinsing area. A fixed head spa bed starts from €1.595 excl. VAT, requires a direct water connection, but offers a calmer workflow and three years' warranty. Which one you choose depends on your space, your customer flow and how many treatments you plan per day.
The question I get asked most often by hairdressers and beauticians looking to start a head spa is: should I opt for a mobile unit or a fixed bed? The honest answer is that it depends on three things: your salon, your space, and the way you work.
In this article, I compare both options based on real-world use cases—with the correct prices, dimensions, and practical pros and cons. No sales pitch, but an honest explanation.
What is the fundamental difference?
The big difference isn't in the treatment itself, but in the way the water works.
A large headboard Connect it to your salon's water supply, just like a regular sink. Water flows in through an inlet, and rinse water disappears through a drain. You never have to refill or empty a tank. This smooths out the workflow when performing multiple treatments back-to-back.
A Mobile Head Spa works completely autonomously. There is a built-in water reservoir of 50 to 60 liters that you fill beforehand. With the Pro and Deluxe models, there is also a wastewater tank so you don't have to drain the used water between treatments. You only need a power outlet.
In practice, this means the following: a mobile unit can be placed anywhere there is power. A fixed unit is placed in a fixed location where water and drainage pipes run.
For which type of salon is a mobile head spa a better choice?
A mobile unit is best suited if your salon doesn't have a separate washing area, or if you don't want to invest in renovations. A hairdresser working in a small space, a beautician who makes house calls, or a therapist who treats clients at home—they almost always opt for mobile.
Three models, specifically:
- Mobile Head Spa (60L) — €1,295 excluding VAT: InstaModel without a wastewater tank. After every 3 to 4 treatments, you must manually empty the water. Dimensions: 52 × 65 × 68 cm, only 20 kg. Easy to move.
- Mobile Headspa Pro (50L Clean Water + 15L Grey Water) — €1,495 excl. VAT The most popular model for beginners. The 15-liter wastewater tank means you don't have to empty it after every treatment. Curve sink, touch control panel, steam machine, and phototherapy included. 55 × 68 × 68 cm, 25 kg.
- Mobile Head Spa Deluxe (60L clean water + 30L grey water) — €1,895 excluding VAT The best mobile model of 2026. Largest tanks of the three, on wheels, ergonomic design. Good for those who do 4 to 5 treatments a day without refilling in between.
With a mobile unit, you use 15 to 20 liters per treatment. With a full tank of 60 liters, you can therefore do about 3 treatments before you need to refill. That is a realistic pace for most beginners.
When do you opt for a fixed headboard?
If your salon has a space with water and drainage pipes, and if you want to perform five or more treatments per day, then a fixed couch is the more logical choice. The workflow is smoother: you turn on the tap, you rinse, the water disappears automatically. No refilling tanks, no emptying buckets.
A second reason to choose a fixed spa bank: warranty. Fixed spa banks have a three-year warranty. Mobile units get one year. For an investment you intend to use for years, that carries weight.
The landline at MediRelaxa ranges from €1,595 to €2,995 excluding VAT (the River Headspa Pro at €4,695 is a separate case and only available on request):
| Model | Height | Price excl. VAT | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese Head Spa (Beige / Black) | 68 cm | €1.595 | Instant model, flat mattress, convertible to massage table |
| Japanese Headspa Pro - Beige | 80 cm | €1.795 | S-shaped mattress, European working height, bestseller |
| Headspa Yokohama - Hout | 80 cm | €1.995 | Dark wood, S-shape, sold based on design |
| Headspa Tokyo - Wood | 73 of 79 cm | €1.995 | Light wood, straight, XL version with extendable footrest |
| Headspa with Foot Bath - Beige | 80 cm | €2.395 | Electrically adjustable backrest, pedicure possible |
| Headspa Foot Deluxe – Beige | 80 cm | €2.995 | Top model, full PU leather, multi-beauty treatments |
The best-selling fixed model is the Japanse Headspa Pro at €1.795. The S-shape of the mattress is considerably more comfortable for the client than a straight mattress, and the working height of 80 cm is tailored to the European body size of the therapist. Those are two details you only notice once you have been giving treatments for a while.
The wooden models — Yokohama and Tokyo, both at €1,995 — are selling well for their design. If your living room has a specific style and you want the appliance to become part of the interior, these are the only options that offer that.
“A fixed sofa is an installation. A mobile unit is a decision. What you choose will determine how your living room looks in the coming years.”
The comparison at a glance
| Criterium | Mobile Head Spa | Large Headboard |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (excl. VAT) | €1.295 | €1.595 |
| water connection needed | No | Yes |
| Treatments for empty tank | 3 to 4 (60L tank) | Unlimited |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years |
| Lease possible (24m) | From €73/month | From €89/month |
| Movable | Yes | No |
| Ideal for | Starters, home salons, mobile services | Established salons, busy schedules |
Lease as a gateway for both options
Both mobile devices and fixed bank branches can be financed through leasing, provided your company has been in operation for at least one year and maintains healthy accounting records. More information about business purchases and leasing can be found here.
The monthly lease payments vary:
- Mobile Headspa Pro: €83/month
- Mobile Head Spa Deluxe: €131/month
- Japanese Head Spa Pro (Fixed) €99/month
- Headspa with Foot Bath (fixed) €131/month
At the end of the lease term, the device is entirely yours. The lease payments are tax-deductible as a business expense, which makes the net cost lower than the amount shown on paper each month.
For which salons does it work less well?
A mobile unit is less practical if you plan more than five treatments per day. You refill, you empty the wastewater tank, and that takes time you'd rather spend on your clients. The more treatments, the faster a fixed unit becomes the more logical choice.
A stationary sink is less practical if your space doesn't have a water connection and you don't want to install one. That's a renovation that requires money and planning, and sometimes simply isn't possible in a rented property.
Finally, if you're unsure whether head spa will appeal to your customers, a portable unit is a safer first step. You invest less, you don't commit to anything permanent, and if it proves popular, you can always switch to a fixed unit later.
