The Best Back Massagers Of 2024, With Advice From A Physical Therapist (2024)

Snailax Shiatsu Neck And Back Massager

Best for: Work mode | Weight: 15.5 pounds |Battery Life: Wired connection |Heat: Yes

Pros:

• Heating element
• Three massage zones
• Versatile

Cons:

• Heavier than a massage cushion
• Wired connection required

Our best back massager overall, the Snailax Shiatsu Neck And Back Massager helps relieve tension if you’re sitting for long periods of the day. Its design, which fits against virtually any chair, allows for a massage on the sly at work, or at home when you’re in need of immediate relaxation.

Controlled by the press of a button via a remote control, the multi-functional features deliver on various fronts. Whilst the four-node Shiatsu back massager features adjustable rolling massage nodes that rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise to work the length of your back, the spot massage pinpoints tougher knots across three zones—the lower, upper and entire back—with a built-in heating pad to enhance the experience. You can also enjoy a rolling back massage with nodes traveling straight up and down your back, and its adjustable massager can tackle neck cranks to alleviate the pain that strikes from a bad night’s sleep.

In case you need it, there’s also a two-level vibration seat massager that works your hips and thighs.

Best for: Hard-ro-reach spots | Weight: 3.48 pounds |Battery Life: 120 minutes per charge | Heat: No

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• Six included massage heads offer variety

Cons:

• Not as powerful as corded options

Some back massagers are bulky and expensive—the Mighty Bliss is neither of those things. What it is is slim, affordable and effective. We also love that it's cordless, which allows for use all over the house, or at the office or gym if you'd prefer to bring it with you. Six massage heads provide variability, and the ergonomically designed handle allows you to hit all those hard-to-reach spots without straining. Using this massager is as simple as picking which massage head suits your needs and twisting the integrated dial to increase or decrease the intensity of the massage.

While the Mighty Bliss does provide mighty amounts of bliss, it's not as powerful as its corded counterparts. However, it still manages to provide a respectable 3,700 pulses per minute—and at just 3.5 pounds, you won't get an accompanying sore arm using it on your sore back.

Theragun Prime

Best for: Everyday use | Weight: 2.2 pounds |Battery Life: 2 hours |Heat: No

Pros:

• High amplitude
• Ergonomic design
• App integration

Cons:

• Relatively high price tag
• Heavy for smaller users

Based on price point and functionality, the Theragun Prime provides the best bang for your buck from the Theragun brand. Its smart percussive therapy delivers a powerful performance in the form of a deep tissue massage, despite being the lightest model in this range—its QX65 brushless motor uses QuietForce Technology to limit the noise level to 65 decibels. Keep in mind, some reviewers have noted it’s louder than expected.

Just like the Theragun PRO, the Prime model has five built-in speeds ranging from 1,750 to 2,400 percussions per minute (PPM), wireless charging and smart app integration via Bluetooth—although it comes with two less interchangeable attachments.

A sleek ergonomic handle for those hard-to-reach spots on your back is designed to reduce any strain on your hands and wrists. It also has an amplitude (stroke length) of 16mm, faring on the higher end of most electronic massage tools on the market.

Incorporating the brand’s key features in a polished design, thousands of 5-star reviews concur the Theragun Prime showcases sleek technology and high-level performance.

Best for: Lazy days | Weight: 4 pounds |Battery Life: Wired connection |Heat: Yes

Pros:

• Entry-level price
• Heated massages
• Overheating protection

Cons:

• Must be plugged in
• One speed setting

The Zillion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager (ZMA-13) is a handy cushion to relieve tension as a result of fatigue, working out and receptive strain. Its 3D massage nodes change direction on a one-minute cycle and glide across muscles in a motion that mimics the natural touch of a manual Shiatsu massage.

The cushion flaunts a vegan leather design that contours snuggly to your upper and lower back, and is versatile enough for the office, car or living room. It also features a soothing heat function that claims to promote blood flow and circulation throughout your body, and if nothing else, it offers a bit of additional comfort.

One of the drawbacks of the design is its one-speed setting which may deter those who prefer to switch up the intensity.

Hyperice Venom 2 Back Wrap

Best for: Heated relief | Weight: 2.3 pounds |Battery Life: Up to 3 hours |Heat: 3 levels

Pros:

• Variable heat and vibration levels
• Lightweight design that forms to your body

Cons:

• Pricey

If massaging alone just isn't going to cut it, try adding heat to the equation with Hyperice's Venom 2 Back Wrap. This cuff-style back massager uses the brand's proprietary HyperHeat technology to deliver consistent, even heating—and Hyperice says its back massager heats up six times faster than a standard heating pad.

The Venom 2 Back Wrap's surface area is twice as big as its predecessor's, and HyperHeat allows for a more consistent distribution of heat across the device. Three levels of heat, paired with corresponding vibration patterns, bring near-instant relief, and the neoprene material forms to your body so you won't experience any gaps in treatment. Like other Hyperice products, this heated back massager is pricey—but can you put a price on relief?

TheraGun Mini

Best for: Portability | Weight: 1 pound |Battery Life: 2 hours |Heat: No

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight for travel
• Great amplitude at 12 millimeters
• Ergonomic triangular handle

Cons:

• Pricey for a mini massage gun
• Only three attachment heads included

This pint-sized massage gun is ideal for travel if you’re tight on space. Delivering speeds up to 2,400 percussions per minute (PPM) across three speed settings, the Theragun Mini still packs a powerful punch. It’s ideal for working out the odd knot or kink on the go. And with an amplitude of 12 millimeters, it’s just as powerful as a number of full-size massage guns. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in power and portability—weighing only one pound, it’s convenient for toting in your carry-on, and it's TSA-friendly as well.

The design, which features a silicone, ergonomic handle for a simple grip, comes with three attachment heads that cater to different muscles that need attention.

Theragun Pro Plus

Best for: Workout relief | Weight: 3.6 pounds |Battery Life: 2.5 hours |Heat: Yes

Pros:

• Rotating arm improves massage angles
• Heated head attachment provides a noticeable difference
• App integration and customization settings

Cons:

• Expensive relative to other massage devices
• Heavier than most other massage guns

The latest-gen Theragun massager from Therabody, an industry leader in massage guns, the Theragun Pro Plus is an app-enabled device that delivers in function and design. Its professional-grade motor packs a powerful punch, with six attachments targeting the hardest-to-reach spots. What’s more, those massage heads now include a heated head attachment to loosen stiff muscles and facilitate recovery, and a cold-therapy head can be purchased separately to reduce inflammation and pain.

While all that sounds rather remarkable on its own, the Pro Plus goes on to offer near infrared light therapy to stimulate circulation and boost healing, and a dedicated vibration mode eases the massager’s intensity for sensitive areas. Use the built-in biometric sensor for immediate heart rate readings from the device, practice breathwork with guided routines and use the app to further customize the settings to your liking.

The Pro Plus is so much more than a massage gun ever needs to be, but if you’ve got the budget for all the bells and whistles, this is as good as it gets. To learn more about the Pro Plus, read our in-depth review.

Homedics Back and Neck Massager

Best for: Lower back pain | Weight: 4.18 pounds |Battery life: Corded; 6-foot, 120-volt cord |Heat: Yes

Pros:

• Integrated controls mean no extra parts to misplace
• Heat and massage combo are extra relaxing
• Small enough to travel with

Cons:

• Cord limits where you can use this
• A little small

Sometimes targeted relief is in order—whether you've pulled a muscle or lifted too much weight recently, the lower back tends to take the most abuse. That's why our editors like the Homedic Back and Neck Massager. The shiatsu-style massaging unit uses a circular kneading movement to work out aches and pains right from the comfort of your chair, bed or couch.

Technically, this massager could be used anywhere on your back, but we like it best for its lower back benefits. The pillow shape molds nicely to the contours of the body, and integrated controls make switching the settings a breeze. This pad also comes with a heated setting for days when you need a little extra relief.

It's worth noting this is a corded model; although the included cord stretches to six feet in length, you'll need to be strategic where you plug in to relax.

Best for: Downtime | Weight: 4.6 pounds |Battery Life: Wired Connection |Heat: Yes

Pros:

• Safety auto shutoff
• Three intensity levels
• Deep tissue massage

Cons:

• Wired connection
• Not hands-free

The multi-purpose Nektech Shiatsu Neck And Back Massager conveniently drapes over your shoulders to hone in on areas of tension in the upper back and lower neck. With built-in hand grips to hold it in place, its eight kneading massage nodes work in tandem with its infrared heat system to restore tight muscles and inject soothing warmth, changing directions automatically at one-minute intervals. Or, loop it around your lumbar region (lower back) to loosen rigid muscles.

Its three speed settings allow you to alter the intensity, whilst multiple users have commented that you can increase the pressure by pulling down on the hand grips. An automatic 15-minute shut-off prevents it from overheating.

MORE FROMFORBES VETTED

Do Back Massagers Actually Work?

Yes, back massagers work. Massage guns are an effective therapy for the treatment of muscle stiffness as both a warm-up and rehabilitative device. A 2021 literature review found that they can also benefit your range of motion, more so than foam rolling and other forms of self-myofascial relief. The same review also found them to improve perceived muscle soreness.

For the best results, Dr. Jeffcoat suggests spending between one to two minutes on each muscle when using a massage gun, or 10-15 minute increments up to three times a day when using a massage chair or neck devic. “Be mindful that there is a risk of injury if back massagers are used inappropriately or with too much force,” she notes.

Are Back Massagers Worth The Money?

A back massager can do wonders to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness following a grueling workout, says Dr. Jeffcoat. “Make sure to use the massager in the areas involved during exercise for the best results.”

Keep in mind, back massagers do not prevent all injuries, and although they are great for treating chronic pain, they only provide temporary relief, adds Dr. Jeffcoat. She explains: “People with chronic pain will typically exhibit abnormal movement patterns that cause the pain, in which case a physical therapy program may be the best option for long lasting relief.”

In short, back massagers are worth buying to iron out the kinks and knots that flair up from time to time, but are not a replacement for medical intervention if you suffer from chronic pain or an injury.

Which Is Better, Shiatsu Or Vibration?

Whilst both Shiatsu and vibration massages help relieve tension and stress in the body, they differ in application. Shiatsu is a type of Japanese bodywork that adopts the root principles of Chinese acupuncture by pinpointing specific areas of the body with a hands-on, manual massage. Translated to “finger pressure,” Shiatsu adopts a variety of techniques, including kneading, pressing and stretching to ease areas of muscle tension and promote blood flow.

Vibration, on the other hand, is a shaking motion that stimulates muscles in the body to improve blood circulation and reduce post-workout soreness. Research has found a scope of massage techniques, including kneading and vibration, to be beneficial for muscle tension, so you can’t go wrong with either.