10 Of The Best Back Massagers – Reviews And Buying Guide

As you might find it difficult at the moment to go to a professional massage salon or even have a therapist visit your home for a session, the new high tech back massagers might come as a blessing. With the right back massager, you can get through the day without worrying about knots in your neck and back muscles. 

We took the time to review the best back massagers on the market to use at home, in the car or at the office to release the tension and pain.

Top 10 Best Back Massagers Reviewed - [Newest Models]

The Complete Guide To Back Massagers

Main Types of Back Massagers

What you have to know is that there are two main types of back massagers: manual and electric. Well, truth be told, there are many other subtypes you can choose from but don’t worry, we’re here to help! Regardless of your preferences, you are sure to find a massager that fits your portability and relaxation needs.

Manual Back Massagers

Well, as their name suggests, these back massagers require a manual use of the customer on specific problem-areas and are divided into certain categories:

Cane Massagers

The cane-shaped massagers are designed to reach certain spots on the back to release the pain and the intramuscular tension.

S-Shaped Massagers

This type of massager is also like a stick, but it differs from the classic cane massagers through the specifically placed nodes that give the user the freedom of maneuvering it according to their needs.

Wooden Ball Massagers

These massagers provide relief and release tension by running them over your skin and rubbing the problem areas.

Foam Rollers

Depending on the degree of relief that you require, foam rollers can have a soft or a hard exterior. They target particular problem areas when rolled up and down the skin.

3 Pong Mini Massagers

Since they are very small units that fit inside the palm, they are very easy to work out with when you want to release the tension or massage the knots.

Electric Back Massagers

Coming a little bit more in handy that the manual ones, electric back massagers function due to a motor and no direct action from the user is needed. They are usually vibration based, having different speeds, but there also are more complex models.

Handheld massagers

Handheld massagers are usually recommended to those who have a pain point that is particularly difficult to reach. These massagers usually come in the shape of a pad or a wand, making it easy to use and insist on certain problem areas.

Cushion/Pillow Massager For Chair

This type of massager is a great choice for those who need to relieve the pain from two very specific areas: the neck or the lower back. However, some more advanced models can tackle other muscle groups too.

Mat Massagers

Mat massagers are just as the name goes: mats that deliver massage. These are usually recommended for medical conditions, but that doesn’t mean they cannot be used after a long and tiring day. A big plus of this type of massager is that it can actually reach all the muscle groups and deliver a full massage experience.

Car Back Massagers

Also known as chair pads, they are the less expensive and more portable alternative to chair back massagers. They usually have an in-built strap system that lets you move it easily from one chair to another.

Chair Back Massagers

A Chair Back Massagers is simply more than just a piece of furniture - it’s a device that brings the benefits of a good massage into the comfort of your home. Even though they’re expensive, they come with a complex set of programs that is quite sure to give that salon experience without needing to sacrifice family time or that important football match you’ve been waiting for the whole week.

Massage Belts

Massage belts usually are a very good option for those who experience pain mostly around the lower back or the shoulders as they usually focus on those particular spots. You simply wrap them around your problem area and then let them do their magic.

TENS Units

TENS Units are the perfect answer for those looking for a deep-tissue massage. The idea behind them is quite simple: pulses are sent through electrode pads on your skin, stimulating your nerves and giving that soothing, deep massage you’ve been yearning for.

Main Features to assess when buying a back massager

1. Massage functions

Shiatsu massage

A Shiatsu back massager uses kneading, tapping, and stretching in order to relieve sore muscles and intramuscular tension, being a good option for those suffering from chronic muscle pains or other related medical conditions.

Vibrating massage

This type of massage helps the body relieve tension and relaxes the underlying muscles, and it also stimulates blood flow.

Rolling ball

Massage through rolling balls is a simple and inexpensive alternative to other massagers on the market. You can take them anywhere as they in the bag without a problem and use them anytime you need to relieve pain or reduce muscle tension.

Kneading

This one is an efficient deep massage function that works your muscles more intensely and boosts your blood circulation.

Heat function

The heating function warms up your muscles and helps them relax, thus boosting the beneficial effects of the massage.

Thumper massager

The thumper massager is specially designed for deep-tissue massage, improving blood flow, toning the muscles and helping you in getting rid of the cellulite.

Trigger point massage

Trigger point massage focuses on specific intramuscular points, releasing constricted areas in the muscles and alleviating pain.

2. Versatility

When considering buying a massager, there are some things you should take into consideration, like:
Do you want to use only for the back, or are there other problem areas you’d like to treat?
Does that massage band only massage the lower, or can I use it for my shoulders too?
Will this chair pad help me with my stiff neck, too?
What we are trying to say is that regardless of the type of massager you choose (manual or electric), you should think about its versatility and see on how many areas exactly you can use it. Your main priority right now might be getting your neck massaged, but wouldn’t like the same for your back?

4. Portability

Those who are constantly on the road or at the office might be interested in the portability of the massager. Consider if it’s lightweight enough for you to carry it around and also if it’s the right size. And if you choose for an electric massager, don’t forget to check if it has a car adaptor or if the battery would last long enough for a round-trip journey. However, out of safety reasons, we recommend you not to use it while driving, but only when stationary.

5. Autonomy

Another important aspect you should care about when buying an electric massager is the autonomy of the battery. Do I need to have it plugged-in constantly to work? Does it have a car adaptor? Or would some batteries suffice? If yes, can I use rechargeable ones? These are the main questions you should ask yourself when going for an electric massager.

6. Safety

The most current safety measure for electric massagers is the auto shut-down, which is very convenient for those who tend to fall asleep while getting a massage. This way you won’t have to worry about the device getting overheated and causing skin burn on you or your family. However, if you’re a fan of long massages or it simply takes longer for you to feel the massage, maybe you should look for a device that doesn’t shut down after a few minutes.

7. Warranty

One thing you should never overlook is the warranty. If the device breaks, that’s your only option for having it repaired. To be a little extra-cautious, you should take a look at the refund and return policy for the case the massager doesn’t fulfill your expectations. The longer are the money back guarantee and warranty, the better is the investment.

Benefits of Using a Back Massager

Back massagers are great tools for relieving tension and sore muscles. Whether you opt for a pinpoint massage or a full-body experience, there’s no denying the benefits of using a back massager – and they’re more than just a few.

Stress Relieving and Relaxing

No matter what type of back massager you go for, at the end of the day we can all agree that it simply feels good. Hardly anybody can deny the relaxing effects a gentle massage has on stress relief and that’s because we all like it.

Back Muscle Knots

Backed-up by anti-inflammatory creams, cane, and S-shaped massagers can work wonder on back muscle knots. By massaging the trigger points, you loosen up the muscle fibers and, eventually, you get rid of that soaring pain.

Back Pain and Sciatica

Aggressive as it may be, deep tissue massage is actually very effective in combating sciatica. Using a slow, deep point massage to release tension from your muscles and connective tissues, the right back massager is bound to ameliorate your pain if used 30 minutes/day, five times/week.
In addition to this, a back massager can help with your muscle pain, increasing the tension between them. Once the muscles are relaxed, the flexibility gets better and the pain induced by the intramuscular tension is gone, thus improving sleep.

Arthritis

Self-massage can prove to be quite efficient for treating arthritis, especially when assisted by a massage tool. For example, shiatsu pillows are widely used for this affection due to the pinpoint massage and the heating options. Another kind of massage recommended for arthritis is the trigger point one, which can be acquired through using a can type massager or an S-shaped one due to the nodes that put pressure on specific points in your muscle tissue. And last but not least is the deep-tissue massage, but we advise you to consult a specialist before opting for this kind of massager as it can have side effects such as lingering soreness.

For Athletes

In what concerns athletes, one of the main benefits of owning a back massager is increased joint flexibility after massaging the strained muscles in the lower, middle and upper back. It also helps muscles relax, tone and become stronger, as well as helping reduce stretch marks and scar tissue.

How to make the most of your back massager

Choose the massager carefully

Firstly, if you suffer from a condition, ask your medical doctor’s opinion on whether you should go for a type of massager or another. While some massagers are highly recommended for some condition, they may be contraindicated for others. For example, even though a deep tissue massager is very good for intramuscular tension, it may as well cause complications if you suffer from arthritis.
After you’ve made sure that the type of massager wouldn’t worsen your condition, look very carefully at the reviews for that product. Are the vibrations too hard or too delicate for your needs? How about the functions? Would they fulfill your expectations? Pay attention to what other users think and don’t just go for the first search result on Amazon.

Use your massager regularly

If you use your massager today and then abandon it somewhere on a shelf for a month, you won’t see any result in your soaring muscles nor will you get the most bang for your bucks.

Use your massager when you’re hydrated

Drink at least one gallon of water a day and you will surely see faster results. This way, your muscles will respond better to the massage and the ache will leave your muscles in no time.

Take a shower before using your massager

The massager will work regardless of you taking that before shower or not, but it might not be the most pleasant experience. Nobody wants the goo from their feet to go rubbed all over their body, am I right?

Don’t consume alcohol before or after

I don’t mean to be rude, but alcohol does affect the level of sugar in your body and blood pressure. If this happens, you might not enjoy your massage as much as you thought you would as there’s the probability of you feeling noseated or even passing out.

Don’t overuse your massager

If your back massager has an automatic turn-off, don’t restart it the minute it stopped. You might end up overheating it and not only will your device last shorter, but it may also harm your skin and cause pretty grave burns.

Don’t go for a certain model just because it’s trendy

You’ve got intramuscular pain but you’ve found a vacuum massager that seems quite interesting? We don’t say the latter isn’t effective, but not for you specific problem. Do your research and see what types of massagers are recommended for your needs.

Can You Use A Back Massager During Pregnancy?

It’s common knowledge that pregnant women often suffer from back pain, but the opinions on whether back massagers should be used or not during pregnancy are mixed. Better talk to your doctor before making the decision so that you act on a sensible course of action. However, note that many units come with instructions that say if it’s advisable or not to use their product during pregnancy.

Back Massagers Comparison Chart

Quick Recap