12 Best Back Massagers

This chair covers all bases, with rotating heads that dig into the back (upper and/or lower) muscles for a shiatsu-style therapy. Impressively, you can adjust the placement of the massage heads depending on your shape and size, and where the pain is located. Air compression provides a gentle massage for the hips, thighs, and waist.

It’s a fool-proof massager. Pop it on a chair or sofa, plug in the power cord, sit down, and customize the features using the attached remote control.

The combination of various massage heads, heat, and air pressure allows for effective pain relief from the thighs to the neck. If you suffer from stress-related muscle tension, post-workout-DOMS, or general muscle aches, this could be a game-changer. The heat around the lower back could be excellent for PMS-related pain for women.

Crossing the $200 mark means this isn’t a throwaway purchase, but the quality and benefits are worth the cash.

This is a pressure-point massage as opposed to a heated vibrating massage. It works by pressing knobs into various muscles to target and release tension. As a static, pressure-based massage, it’s very effective.

Depending on your size, shape, and mobility, this is a very easy tool to use. You simply apply the correct knob (match the number to the body part), apply pressure for 10-30 seconds then release. It doesn’t require any mode adjustments, charging, or power source so you can take it anywhere as long as you’ve got storage space.

If you’ve ever experienced pain due to a tight muscle in the neck, you’ll appreciate the pain-relieving ability of this tool. The shape of the stick means you can reach small, hard-to-target muscles that cause tension, headaches, and pain.

At under $30, this long-lasting tool is budget-friendly.

With 20 massage patterns and 8 intensities, you can adjust the massage performance for various body areas. As there are no rotations or narrow head points, you can’t dig into tight knots, but the vibrations gently release tension and improve blood flow.

It couldn’t be easier. Turn it on, select the pattern and intensity, then place it wherever you wish. To clean, simply wipe it down with water and soap. When it’s time to charge it, plug in the USB charger and connect it to your wall power outlet or computer (just like charging a phone).

This isn’t the kind of massager you choose for working out very tight knots in large areas of the body. However, the vibrations may relax a tight headache-causing neck, or get the blood flowing to sore post-workout calves. If you have sensitive skin and muscles that can’t withstand more heavy-duty massagers, this could be the pain-reliever you need. 

At just under $20, it’s a steal.

It’s important to note that this offers relief on small surface areas such as the calves, neck, feet, and specific back muscles. However, it does a great job thanks to its powerful motor. Plus, you’re free to apply as much pressure as you need and adjust the placement of the massager to really blast those sore spots.

There’s no denying this is a user-friendly massager, with a silicone handle and cordless design. You simply attach the massage head you like, turn it on, adjust the speed, and place the head wherever you need pain relief. Pop it back into the wall charger when you’re done. The only catch is that if you have trouble with semi-heavy or large items, you may have trouble using this on your own. This isn’t a “sit back and relax” massager unless someone is using it on you.

The five heads offer different texture, hardness, surface area, and points for targeting different areas. Combined with the adjustable rhythm intensity, you can effectively work out tight knots that cause headaches and pain. It would be great for use after intense exercise, long car trips, or stress-filled workdays that cause you to hold painful tension in small areas.

Great value at under $40.

The application of heat combined with firm pressure and pulsating heads makes for an excellent massage experience. The choice of soft or hard heads means you can customize the massage for different body areas and pain thresholds.

This is very simple to use as long as you’re able to grip the handle and reach over your shoulder. The way the wand is curved allows you to easily reach your upper and middle back. The control panel is super easy to navigate, and the power supply is a simple wall adapter and cord.

The placement of the two heads means you can dig into those tight, sore spots in the upper back or even the glutes, calves, or hamstrings. Heat provides extra pain relief as it increases blood flow to tight, restricted muscles.

A bargain if you can catch it on special at under $40.

The rotating heads offer a high-quality massage that digs deep into difficult knots in small areas like the shoulders or neck. The heat adds extra loosening, calming therapy while increasing blood flow. Plus, you can switch the rotation of the heads to get a balanced and thorough massage.

This gadget is super easy to use, with intuitive controls and a 15-minute auto-off feature to prevent overheating. Drape it around the area you intend to massage and control the pressure by pulling down on the loop handles. The 6-foot power adapter means you can use it as you sit at your work desk or watch TV at home. Use it for long car rides with the car adapter, too.

The pressure and movement of the Shiatsu head combined with gentle heat mean you can knead out tight, pain-causing knots.

At under $50, the Nekteck (including a carry bag and car adapter) is a steal. 

For those who have serious knots in their backs, this massager may be just what you need. Thanks to its dual massage—percussion (direct impact) mixed with vibration—you’ll find it does an amazing job of loosening up even the tightest knots.

Percussion massage is very different from kneading—it uses harder impact to loosen things up—but it can be surprisingly effective. This massager is chiropractor-recommended, and you’ll find it does an amazing job of working out kinks and knots in your back, shoulders, neck, and your entire body.

Thanks to its light weight and compact design, this handheld massager makes self-massage a breeze. You’ll find it’s beautifully easy to switch on the massager, maneuver it to hit your knots or pain points, and let the percussion massager do its thing.

Its cordless design means there’s no cord or cables to get in the way as you maneuver it around your back. However, some users complain that the battery life is iffy (it starts losing power at around 30-45 minutes of use), and there have been a lot of complaints that in the long-term, the battery may stop holding an effective charge.

Pain relief with percussion and vibration massage is different than with kneading massage, but no less effective. It’s better for targeting specific pain points and knots, but the narrower head won’t be as effective for hitting broader areas of your back.

However, the fact that you can move the wand around freely means you can hit anywhere on your back, neck, shoulders, legs, or anywhere else on your body. It’s definitely the most versatile massager on our list, and it’s guaranteed to deliver specific, targeting pain relief!

At $125, it’s a bit on the pricier side, but definitely worth getting if you want precision targeting to deal with pain in your back. Plus, with the 90-day Satisfaction Guarantee, you’ll have plenty of time to test it out to be sure it’s worth using.

With four built-in deep-kneading nodes rotating 360 degrees, you’ll find this massager does an amazing job of working out the knots in your lower back. The fact that it’s a lower back massage pillow means that it will target the stiff, aching muscles along your spine, really digging in and working the muscles to loosen them up. Thanks to its comfortable design, you’ll have great back support all day long, and a back massager ready to use at the press of a button.

This pillow is simple, with just two settings: off/on and heat. The button is conveniently located so you can reach it without moving, and it’ll set the massager working instantly. It’s designed to plug into your home or office power source (and it even comes with a car adapter!), which ensures consistent operation. The built-in heat will help to warm up your muscles for more effective massage, but the auto shut-off feature will switch it off after 20 minutes, preventing overheating.

For larger people, this lower back massage pillow is an amazing addition to your home. It’ll hit those tight lower back knots and stiff muscles, delivering efficient and targeted pain relief. However, for people with smaller backs, the nodes may be too far apart to effectively hit the sore spots. Its pillow design means it will only be effective for the lower back—or, if you use the accompanying straps, you can place it on the headrest of your chair to target your back and shoulders. What it hits, it will effectively massage, but it’s one of the least versatile massagers on our list.

A massage pillow for just $50? Yes please! It’s excellent value for the price, and you’ll love how it can make all your lower back pains simply evaporate with your loosening muscles.

The eight rotating heads are designed for the smaller areas of the upper body such as the neck and shoulders. It provides a gentle massage for these areas but lacks pressure if you want a really deep massage. The heat is a nice feature as it may help to induce calm as well as loosening tension-packed muscle knots.

The somewhat bulky contraption drapes around your shoulders, with the hand loops allowing you to add gentle pressure. Adjusting the heat, direction, and rotation speed are simple, thanks to the control panel. The wall and car adapters make it easy to plug it in and sit down for a massage at home or during a commute. It’s certainly not difficult to use, but the size and shape may not suit all bodies.

It will reduce mild-to-moderate pain in the neck and shoulders, but the lack of pressure may fall short for very tight or persisting muscle pains. The heat helps to get the blood flowing to tight areas, further helping to ease the pain.

At just under $50, it’s reasonably priced.  

If you’ve got aches in your back—upper and lower—this massage seat is just what you need. Thanks to its four built-in 3D motion massage nodes, you can get a deep-kneading massage to target whatever part of your back is in pain. There are three massage “zones” to choose from, allowing you to hit the worst pain no matter where it’s located. Plus, with the addition of heat, you’ll loosen up those tight, knotted muscles in no time.

The Shiatsu back massager also doubles as a vibration massager for your hips and thighs. It’s great pain relief and very soothing to help you relax after a long day at work!

Thanks to the built-in controls, it’s easy to switch the machine off and on, turn the heat on and off, adjust the massage targeting, and raise or lower the intensity. There’s also a remote control that allows you to adjust the settings without moving from your chair. With a 15-minute shutoff feature, you can rest assured you’ll always be safe.

The seat is designed to be used on any couch or chair, even in your car! No matter where you are, you can give yourself one heck of a back massage with this massage seat.

Pairing gentle, soothing heat with the four massage nodes leads to excellent pain relief. Though some users have complained that the massage is a little too intense for their pain levels, those with serious knots or back pains will find a bit higher intensity is always worth it. You’ll be able to easily adjust the target of the massage, working out whatever kinks are giving you grief.

At $80, this is a total steal, and a wonderful back massager to have at home or in the office. A few minutes of massage is all it’ll take to get you back on your feet and feeling great again.

If you’re looking for hardcore massage, this mat isn’t your best choice! Instead, it delivers a soothing, gentle massage that combines vibration with heat to wash away your aches and pains. Thanks to its customizability, it’ll be easy to target your massage according to the part of your body that needs pain relief.

The massage itself is considered “too” gentle for those with serious knots or real pain, but it can help to deal with low-grade aches and discomfort. Thanks to its supreme comfort, you’ll love lying down on this mat and will want to make it a part of your daily routine!

The mat comes with a handheld controller that allows you to choose from its many settings: five massage modes, three intensity settings, and four massage “zones”. You’ll find it’s gentle enough to use for hours at a time, but the built-in safety feature will shut it off after 30 minutes to prevent it from overheating—and to encourage you to get up and move around.

The mat rolls and folds up very small, making it highly portable. It’s great for taking with you as you travel, to the office, or anywhere you need soothing pain relief.  

While it may not be your best option for hardcore pain relief, it’s guaranteed to be soothing, warming, and provide a gentle massage that will be wonderfully relaxing. You’ll find it does an amazing job of improving your circulation, warming up stuff muscles, and relaxing your body after a long day of tension. You’ll always feel better after a massage and nap on this mat!

At $80, you’ll find this is worth every penny. It’s super soft and comfortable to lie on, provides a gentle massage, and leaves you feeling like a million bucks every time. Worth it if you want a soothing massage to wash away those end-of-day aches and pains.