We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Orthopedic & Physical Therapy Products The 9 Best Massagers to Soothe Sore Muscles, Tested and Reviewed We tested at-home massagers ourselves to see which ones provided the most relief. By Jack Byram Updated on May 13, 2024 Medically reviewed by Amy Kwan, PT Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida Whether you’re an athlete, an exercise fanatic, or someone who spends hours hunched over in a chair, almost everyone could benefit from massage. At-home massagers are designed to imitate the experience of human massage while offering you the convenience of access whenever you need it. According to physical therapist Karena Wu, PT, DPT, at-home massagers loosen tight tissues, increase circulation, and increase muscle activation to lower pain perception. However, it’s worth noting that massage is directed trauma; as a result, overdoing it can lead to bleeding or other issues, says Charles Hummer, MD. We spoke with three orthopedists before testing nine differently-styled massagers to find the best massagers. We also had an additional expert on-site in The Verywell Health Lab to oversee our testing. We focused on factors such as the style of massage (such as percussion or rolling), the force produced by each product, and portability. Our Top Picks Best Massage Gun: Therabody Theragun Prime at Therabody.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Mini Massage Gun: Therabody Theragun Mini at Amazon ($178) Jump to Review Best Massage Gun with Heat: RENPHO Lite Massage Gun at Amazon ($70) Jump to Review Best Foam Roller: Trigger Point Performance Grid 1.0 Foam Roller at Amazon ($32) Jump to Review Best Neck Massager: VIKTOR JURGEN Back Massager, Neck Massager with Heat at Walmart ($26) Jump to Review Best Massage Chair: Comfier Neck and Back Massager at Amazon ($200) Jump to Review Best Budget: LiBa Back and Neck Massager at Amazon ($22) Jump to Review Best Deep Tissue: Therabody Theragun PRO Plus at Neiman Marcus ($599) Jump to Review Best for Recovery: Therabody Theragun Sense at Therabody.com (See Price) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks Where We Stand How We Tested the Massagers What to Look for Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Massage Gun Therabody Theragun Prime Amazon View On Therabody.com View On Best Buy $300 View On Roadrunnersports.com Pros Five speed options High pressure ability without stalling Ergonomic design reaches areas without discomfort Cons Carrying case isn’t as protective as we’d like Key Specs Type: Percussion | Features: 5 speeds, 4 attachments | Best For: Any muscle pain Why We Like It If you’re in the market for a massage gun that is highly effective, ergonomically designed, and won’t make too much noise, the Theragun Prime 4th Generation is our pick. The triangular grip made it easy to alternate our hand positioning during testing, so we never experienced any discomfort when using it. We found this massage gun to be able to relieve tension in sore muscles after a workout, as well as to provide the necessary pressure to loosen muscles pre-workout. We also loved the five-speed options to customize the massage to our specific needs. This option also comes with four helpful attachments, unlike other massage guns that overdo it with unnecessary additional heads. Keep in Mind It only comes with a soft, drawstring bag for transport, and we would have preferred a hard case with a zipper to protect our investment. Best Mini Massage Gun Therabody Theragun Mini Amazon View On Amazon $178 View On Therabody.com View On Best Buy $199 Pros Easy to use one-handed Super portable Simple and intuitive design Cons Requires a lot of force Can’t reach everywhere Key Specs Type: Percussion | Features: 3 speeds, 3 attachments | Best For: Localized pain, legs Why We Like It Wu likes the Theragun Mini 2nd Generation for its smaller size, which makes it easier to hold and travel with without sacrificing durability. Though she warns that the stall force is more limited than in other models, we didn’t experience this problem. The smaller nature of this option made it a great choice for smaller muscle groups like calves, hamstrings, arms, and forearms. Additionally, the shape of the handle makes it easy to use one-handedly. With three attachments and three speeds, this option was easy to use and a solid, quiet choice. Despite its smaller size, it still has a 120-minute battery life. Keep in Mind We did find that, though effective, we really needed to put additional pressure with this model to get the desired amount of force due to its smaller size and shape. It also wasn’t able to get to the harder to reach areas like our backs. Best Massage Gun with Heat RENPHO Lite Massage Gun Amazon View On Amazon $70 View On Renpho.com Pros Ergonomic design Good stall force Portable Cons Not great for people with larger muscles Horn feature doesn’t stay in place during use Key Specs Type: Percussion | Features: Heat, 3 speeds, 4 heads | Best For: Beginners Why We Like It If you prefer heat implementation to help with muscle soreness, the Renpho Lite Massage Gun is our pick. This massage gun is simple in design, has three-speed settings, and four head attachments designed with different body parts in mind: The ball head works for large muscle groups and extreme soreness, the u-shaped head targets the spine, neck and Achilles, the bullet head is good for joints and trigger points, and the flat head is ideal for full body use. It also has three heat settings of 100, 107, and 114 degrees F. The ergonomic design of this option enabled us to use it for extended periods of time without experiencing any fatigue. Additionally, the smaller size of .7 pounds makes it easy to take on the go; we were able to fit it into our personal bag on a flight without it feeling like it added any weight. Keep in Mind We found that we needed to use the highest pressure setting for relief for larger muscles. We also found the horn attachment swivels during use, which proved to be frustrating. Best Foam Roller Trigger Point Performance Grid 1.0 Foam Roller Amazon View On Amazon $32 View On Walmart $37 View On Dick's $37 Pros Affordable and stylish Doesn’t take up much space Grooves allow for controlled pressure Cons May be too small for some bodies Key Specs Type: Foam roller | Features: Soft grooves, 500 pound limit | Best For: Beginners to advanced exercisers Why We Like It Wu uses the GRID foam roller for patients to apply different pressures to their tissues through various points. She mentions that the patterned design is intended to imitate the hands of a massage therapist. After just one usage with the GRID 1.0, we felt like our muscles were elongated, and we felt more loose and flexible. The firm core inside and the soft grooves on the outer later gave us control over the pressure we directed into our muscles. It’s also shorter (13 inches) than other options we tested, which we found to be good for use on the inner legs. We love that it barely takes up any space. In fact, we realized that we could even store items like towels inside the hollow center when not in use, a feature that Wu also noted and appreciated for convenience. Keep in Mind While we found the shorter length of this model to be good for certain body parts, larger people may not find it adequate for their needs. Best Neck Massager VIKTOR JURGEN Back Massager, Neck Massager with Heat Amazon View On Walmart $26 Pros Features heat Works well for calves as well as neck and back Provides good pressure Cons Charging cord is short No add-on features Key Specs Type: Kneading massager | Features: Heat, bi-directional heads | Best For: People who sit at a desk for long periods of time Why We Like It While it took a little adjusting to get into the perfect positioning, we found the Viktor Jurgen Massager to be highly effective at providing excellent pressure for our necks and the back of our heads. It’s also very easy to use; all you have to do is put it down, press power, lay on it, and press a button to add heat. Overall, we felt that the cost, in comparison to the value it provided, was well worth it. We love that this massager is designed to imitate the feeling of a real-life person massaging you through the bidirectional movement in the massage heads that reverse every minute. While the name implies that this option is suited only to massaging the neck and back, we also found it does a great job of working the calves. Keep in Mind The shorter cord can make charging it during usage frustrating. Additionally, outside of the car charger feature, it doesn’t have any add-ons. Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida Best Massage Chair Comfier Neck and Back Massager Amazon View On Amazon $200 View On Walmart $199 View On Comfier.com Pros Easy to operate Includes heat and compression options Height adjustable Cons Neck massage may be too firm for some Takes up a decent amount of space Key Specs Type: Chair; kneading/compression | Features: Heat, compression, shiatsu, rolling, spot massage, adjustable height | Best For: People looking to decompress after a long day Why We Like It Wu likes the Comfier Neck and Back Massager because it offers head, which she notes increases blood flow and relaxation. We found this chair to be particularly powerful. In addition to the heating element, the waist and hips section offers an adjustable compression option. The width between massage heads can be adjusted to a person’s particular dimensions, while a spot function can dial into a particular area. It is also height adjustable. It has many features, including vibration, heating, rolling, and air massage, which all felt great in testing. While it’s pricier than other options on the list, we think people who enjoy massage will find it a worthwhile investment. Keep in Mind People who don’t like a lot of neck pressure in a massage may find this to be too intense. It also takes up more space than alternative options, making it less than ideal for people in smaller homes. Verywell Health / Conor Ralph Verywell Health / Conor Ralph Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida Best Budget LiBa Back and Neck Massager Walmart View On Amazon $22 View On Walmart $22 View On Target $23 Pros Affordably priced Can target hard to reach areas Nodes work to dig into knots Cons Can take added effort to achieve desired force No special features Key Specs Type: Cane, trigger point massage | Features: Strategically placed nodes | Best For: People with hard to reach knots Why We Like It Wu likes this option for its ease of use and portability (it weighs less than a pound), and because it provides pinpoint pressure relief. Simple in design, LiBa’s Back and Neck Massager proved to be effective at handling knots in our back during testing. The design also makes it easy to hold and navigate around the body, targeting hard to reach areas with ease. It does take some getting used to, but The Liba is overall very simple to use. In testing, the different curves and six strategically placed nodes that run along it worked well and were able to target to all of the body parts we wanted to reach. Keep in Mind It can require some additional effort to get the desired force. Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida Best Deep Tissue Therabody Theragun PRO Plus Amazon View On Neiman Marcus $599 View On Roadrunnersports.com View On Holabirdsports.com Pros User-friendly "Smart" massage gun Multiple attachments and settings Cons Intense Heavy Key Specs Type: Percussion | Features: Heat, infrared, vibration, breathwork routines (in app), sound therapy (in app) | Best For: Runners, serious athletes, physical therapists Why We Recommend It The Theragun Pro Plus delivered one of the most effective deep tissue massages during testing. Its high-pressure intensity makes it a great option for serious athletes, physical therapists, or anyone who has tougher knots to work out. This pick has a bright, built-in LED screen that displays its five speeds, infrared setting, three heat settings, and battery life. It also comes with five different attachment heads and a storage case. Our favorite was the wedge attachment. It worked out really sore back knots, which we greatly appreciated. We also enjoyed the heat therapy head, too. You can change the settings using the LED screen or the accompanying app. The latter can store your favorite settings, and it has a media library full of breathwork routines and sound therapy. We preferred using the massager's display screen because it was just that easy to use. Navigating and toggling through the different options was so simple that the app felt more like a bonus perk than a necessity, which is good for people who aren't as tech savvy. Finding the perfect speed and vibration combo takes some trial and error, but once you do, you're set. Keep in Mind This massage gun is heavy (3.6 pounds), and our arms were fatigued after 30 minutes of use. Also, this option isn’t the best for anyone seeking a gentle or more casual massage. Even the lowest setting was more intense than we expected. Best for Recovery Therabody Theragun Sense Target View On Therabody.com View On Best Buy $299 View On Roadrunnersports.com Pros Relaxing Portable Four attachment heads Cons Not noiseless Swapping attachments can be difficult Key Specs: Type: Percussion | Features: Bluetooth, built-in biometric sensor | Best For: Relaxation, casual exercisers, muscle soreness and tightness Why We Recommend It The Theragun Sense is a great percussion massage gun for anyone looking to relax or recover from a workout. Even though it’s not as intense as other picks, it’s still incredibly effective at tending to tight muscles. Using it at the end of the day during testing completely alleviated our tension and soothed our daily muscle aches. It has four attachment heads and several pre-programmed settings that take the guesswork out of the massage. Once one is selected, it guides you by instructing you on what body parts to target and for how long. Our favorite was the bedtime relief option—the difference we felt after was staggering. We were much calmer, less tense, and more at ease than before. The LED screen displays the settings, and switching between them is fairly straightforward. We also like the fact that it’s portable, not too heavy, and fits easily in the carrying case. Keep in Mind Swapping out the attachment head isn’t intuitive, but it's easy once you figure it out. The manufacturer also says it’s a noiseless massage gun, but we felt it emitted the same sound as other massage guns we tested. Where We Stand Depending on your needs, you may need a specific type of massager. If you’re looking for pinpoint muscle tension relief, we recommend Theragun Prime 4th Generation as it’s effective and easy to use. But if you need more of a full body massage or like to go hands-free, we recommend Comfier Neck and Back Massager, which offers heat and compression therapy in a seated position. We’re continuing to test massagers and will update this article with new information. How We Tested the Massagers To find the best massagers on the market, our editors tested 50 different massagers in the The Verywell Health Lab. We focused on details like effectiveness, comfort, ease of use, features, and overall value. Effectiveness: We noted how successful each massager was at relieving tension, how enjoyable it was to use, how much effort was required to get the desired result, and if it lowered a feeling of pain or stiffness.Comfort: We analyzed how comfortable it was to use, whether the device's weight helped or hindered our experience and whether there was any pain during usage. Ease of Use: Setup is crucial, as no one wants to create more stress by using a stress-relieving device. We focused on how easy it was to operate, how easy the included attachments were to use, and how simple it was to switch between settings.Features: We examined if there were different speed, heat, and intensity settings and then analyzed whether those settings were actually worthwhile. Overall Value: We noted how each massager’s price compared to how well it functioned, how durable it felt, and whether or not it did what the manufacturer claimed it should. What to Look for When Shopping for a Massager Type: Different massagers will make more sense than others, depending on your needs. Percussion therapy will provide a deeper massage into the muscle. These handheld massage guns are ideal for targeting specific muscles with tightness. While vibration and heat therapy won’t get as deep, they can both offer relaxation and improved circulation to reduce stress and tension. Pressure: Not all body parts need the same amount of pressure. If you’re looking to really work into larger muscle groups like the quads, higher-pressure options with adjustable speeds will be better suited to you. However, if you are looking for less power, a cane option can be just as helpful without overdoing it and causing unnecessary pain. Targeted Body Part: Areas like your legs can handle more pressure and require more force to achieve optimal tension release. Also, remember that some areas, like your back, are harder to reach and require a specific type of massager.Portability: A conveniently sized massager with removable heads and a carrying case can be just the thing for frequent travelers. Price: Price is relative when it comes to a massager's overall effectiveness. Do not be tempted by a higher price point and bells and whistles, as simple designs can often promote great results. Our Experts We spoke to experts at every stage of researching and reporting this story. Some helped us devise effective ways to test these products. Others shared information on what makes a massager effective, what qualities we should avoid or seek out, and safety concerns surrounding using a massager. We chose products independently but used input from the following experts to influence our choices: Karena Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS, CKTP, CPI, FAAOMPT, board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City and India Charles Hummer III, MD, FAAOS, FACS, chief medical officer at Premier Orthopaedics, Philadelphia Union Theresa Marko, PT, DPT, MS, board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and certified early intervention specialist. owner of Marko Physical Therapy in New York City, Verywell Health Medical Review Board Member Monica Saliu, PT, DPT, co-founder and COO of Tribeca Physical Therapy Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between percussion and vibration massagers? Wu says percussion massagers work by rapidly moving up and down, working deeply into the tissues. Conversely, she tells us that vibration massagers work in a smaller range of motion and are better suited to more delicate areas of the body, such as the jaw or the neck. Are massage guns good for recovery? Wu explains that massage guns are a good recovery option as they promote circulation and blood flow, loosen tight tissues, and reduce the tightness and stiffness that accompany muscle soreness. Dr. Hummer adds that the increased local blood flow to an area may promote healing. What is the best type of massager for everyday use? Wu recommends a portable option that isn’t overly aggressive for everyday use. While massage feels good and promotes muscle recovery, Wu explains it is still an irritant to the targeted muscle tissue. As a result, she warns that overstimulating the tissues can irritate them. Why Trust Verywell Health Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers all things health and home-related. As a workout fanatic and a massage enthusiast, he is acutely interested in and constantly trying out products to alleviate muscle soreness. From this article alone, he owns a Theragun that he uses. In the past, he has experimented with foam rollers and chair massagers. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit