The 8 Back Massagers That Knead Out Knots and Help Relieve Pain (2024)

While getting a professional back massage on a daily basis may sound like a dream come true, doing so is hardly practical—or financially possible—for most people. But if you suffer from chronic back pain, or have found yourself with knots from sitting in your office chair all day, a massage may be just what you need for some relief.

Unlike in-person massages, massage tools are actually quite affordable, and using one can be an effective way to alleviate back pain. They come in all different shapes and sizes, and many have heat settings that can help relax and loosen muscles more than pressure alone. Fortunately, there are options for all kinds of budgets and physical needs—but that can also make choosing the right massager a bit difficult. To help, we’ve researched and selected the best back massagers available.

Take a look below at quick info on the best back massagers, then scroll down for buying advice and in-depth reviews.

The Best Back Massagers

How to Choose a Massager

When choosing a back massager, there are a few things to consider in addition to budget. Among the most important of these is which body parts you’ll be using your massager on (aside from your back) and whether or not you’ll have someone to help you use it.

If you’re looking strictly for a back massager, a chair or pad model—which you can lay or sit on—will work. If you want something that you can use on a wider range of body parts, a massage gun or other handheld option may be preferable, as these tools can work on multiple areas. Handheld massagers will take a bit more effort to use, however, and to get the most out of them—especially on your back—you will want to make sure you have someone who can help you get those hard-to-reach areas.

Also consider where you will be using the massager. If you plan to use it only in the comfort of your home, invest in a larger model. But if you tend to travel a lot, or want to take it with you to races or the gym, you will want a much more compact and portable device.

Finally, consider the functions of the massager. Most will either have rotating heads that give a shiatsu-like effect, a vibration setting, or a motorized deep muscle treatment like massage guns offer. If you don’t have a high pain tolerance, or simply prefer a lighter massage, stick with a vibrating option. Many will also have a heating element that can help relax and loosen muscles. If you have your heart set on that, just double-check that the model you choose has it.

How We Choose

To find the best options among the many back massagers out there, we researched the most popular models available and considered the price, design, features, and size. We looked at both reviews from other expert sources as well as more than 60,000 customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these models on sites like Amazon, to determine the back massagers, which you’ll find below.

For more ways to ditch your pain, check out our favorite muscle balms and foam rollers.

While this massager may look as if it’s made for the lower back exclusively, it can actually work for the legs, neck, and anything else you can stick on it. It has three speeds and two modes, including heated and dual rotation. It’s also pretty affordable at only $33.

Whether you’re looking for an option for your office chair or your recliner, this massage cushion can work out those tight knots in your entire back. It has three rolling massage zones, as well as a vibrating seat and heat. The remote is straightforward, easy to use, and (like with the Snailax above) tethered to the massager—helpful to prevent it from getting lost somewhere.

If you prefer to attack sore muscles yourself, you may like this Back Buddy. It’s designed to help you easily reach and massage your own back, with round and pointed knobs, and less aggressive back nubs. The S shape allows you to massage not only your back, but shoulders, feet, and legs as well.

A more affordable option, this is a great massager if you don’t need quite as much pressure as the Theragun but want a handheld model with the option of multiple heads. It has 20 different speeds and 10 head options, as well as an ergonomic, silicon grip that makes it easy to hold. The display screen makes it easy to see which speed you’re running.

This small massager is perfect for sticking in a purse or backpack and makes an awesome travel buddy. It has three rotating feet that help to knead out knots. It runs on batteries, so you won’t have to worry about charging it. And it’s super quiet, making it unobtrusive to use while you’re traveling without disturbing other people.