Top 10 Best Back Massagers 2021

Best Reviewer may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.

Physical and mental fitness play a large part in our lives, and whether you are actively pursuing a fitness routine or otherwise, your back can be a source of many problems. Many people suffer from back problems, with poor posture and spinal problems being common causes, and it is always sensible to see a professional for medical help.

There are, however, many things you can do to help at home. Cushions are a good idea for back pain, a fresh and comfortable mattress should be a part of your plan every few years, and regular exercise – even slow and gentle movement is also advised. Many people like to enjoy a massage once in a while, and it can even be done in the home.

You can buy back massagers very cheaply – we have looked at ten of the best back massagers on the market for you below, complete with features and advice – but once again, we always advise that you have any possible back problems seen to by an expert before you decide to start using one. They are not in any way dangerous, but you could find there is an underlying problem that needs to be attended to medically before you make any progress.

So, before we get into the reviews, let’s talk a little about why back massagers are becoming more popular, and when you should use one.

Best Back Massagers

1: Naipo Cordless Handheld Rechargeable Massager

The first product on our list is this very affordable and rechargeable handheld massager from Naipo. Whether you are looking for a massager to just target aching and tired muscles at the end of the day, after injury or even after a strenuous workout, this is a great investment. This cordless massager stands out because its function simulates shiatsu-style massage in that it helps to break up knots in muscles and adhesions to provide you with long term relief from pain and discomfort at specifically targeted areas. Its non-slip handle design makes it easy to use, even for a long period of time.

To give you versatility with the intensity of your massages, the Naipo features five different massage modes and five different speeds. Whether you need to use it on your back, legs, waists or even arms, you can easily. The versatility and flexibility of the massager is increased with the addition of three different detachable heads – the trigger point, three-point rood and intensive massage nodes. At only 800g, it is very lightweight and as it is powered by a 1800mAh rechargeable battery, you get around 90-minutes of non-stop use.

 

2: Comfort Supplies Shiatsu Massage Cushion

A very similar model to the above, this one comes with four nodes also and is designed for both in the home and in-car use. It works in the usual shiatsu method, with a long charge time or a mains operation, and it is suitably portable so can be carried around easily. It is comfortable and made of soft material, and is durable too. You also get a car power kit with this one, so it’s great for commuting.

This model comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty for added peace of mind, and you can use it for heat only, for massage only or for both at once with a simple switch system that makes it very easy to use. It can also operate in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, so you get the benefit of super-comfortable and relaxing massage wherever you need it. The Velcro strap is fully adjustable, too, so it can be used on various parts of the body.

3: Marnur Shiatsu Massager

There are several designs of massager, with many being the simple pillow type. This one, from Marnur, is slightly different and comes with a form of collar, so will be attractive to people who want a neck or shoulder massage. It is very nicely made, and offers no fewer than eight rotating nodes – that’s four more than those above – so is excellent for a full body massage, too.

This one has bi-directional operation and comes with easy to use controls, and also has all the safety features. It can be used for massage only, or massage and heat, and has three intensity levels so you can choose your standard and strength of massage to suit your personal preferences. It’s a very nice model with many clever features, and one that comes with both AC and DC adapters plus an in-car kit, so you can use it at home, in the car, in bed or at the office for relaxation.

 

4: Hangsun Hand-Held MG400

Another form of the electric massager is this one, which comes in the form of a hand-held device that is designed for using all over the body. It is a clever piece of kit when all is said and done, but as it is manually operated, cannot be used on the move or in the car. It comes with three variable speed settings, so you can choose what you want to experience, and is very simple to use. It also has a long electrical cord, but there is no charging facility so it is mains-only.

Nevertheless, if you want an effective neck or shoulder massage it comes recommended, and with up to 3500 pulses per minute, it offers a very nice deep skin massage that will aid circulation and relax the muscles. It is a dual-head design with an ergonomic handle that makes it very pleasant to use, and is made from strong materials so you will get plenty of use.

5: Naipo Neck Massage Pillow

Back to the basic type of pillow massager for this one, and it is very much a standard model with all the features you expect. It gives the usual, effective shiatsu massage, and is easy to use and made from soft yet durable materials. It is ideal for shoulders and necks, and comes with adapters for two levels of voltage as well as with the very handy car adapter. Like the first two on the list, it is great for use in bed, on the sofa, or when seated.

There are four nodes for effective massaging, and operation is via a simple button. You can select heat up to 40c – not as warm as some but very comfortable – and massage on its own or with the heat function, and it is very comfortable to use. It has an auto-off function, can be used in the car, and comes with a full two-year warranty for added peace of mind.

6: Zuvo Massage Chair

This is yet another form of massage device, and it’s one that we rather like, too. It takes the form of a chair cover, which you can lay over your armchair, car seat or wherever. There are four separate massage areas: upper back, lower back, lumbar and thighs, all of which operate concurrently or when requested. It therefore provides an all-over massage, whereas most of these perform on one area of the body at a time. It’s very clever, yet very simple, and easy to use.

The motor has ten different vibrations so you can set your own pace, it can be operated with or without heat, and it offers three different speeds and four separate massage programmes, so you have plenty of variety. It is operated by a hand-held controller, and also comes with a kit for using in the car. This model will shut itself down after half an hour of use, which is a welcome safety boost.

 

7: Wahl Spot Therapy Massager

This is another of the portable type, designed to attend to one specific area at a time. While limited in their scope, these models can in face provide effective relaxation and relief for people who suffer from muscle pain, and this one is very handy to have around if that applies to you. It is in the form of a wand with a comfortable handle, and is very compact so you could carry it around.

As it is hand-held it is not suitable for in-car use, but it does perform very well for the purpose it is intended. You get two massage speeds, plus five separate head attachments for deep muscle use and gentle massages, so you can pinpoint with accuracy. It is battery powered, they are not included, and is not rechargeable.

8: Viktor Jurgen Neck and Back

This model comes with infra-red heating, a hand controller and the usual standard features, and is perfectly decent as such. It works in the usual shiatsu method, with a long charge time or a mains operation, and it is suitably portable so can be carried around easily. It is comfortable and made of soft material, and is durable too. You also get a car power kit with this one, so it’s great for commuting.

This model comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty for added peace of mind, and you can use it for heat only, for massage only or for both at once with a simple switch system that makes it very easy to use. It can also operate in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, so you get the benefit of super-comfortable and relaxing massage wherever you need it. The Velcro strap is fully adjustable, too, so it can be used on various parts of the body, and at around £25 it’s a very good price for this type of massager.

9: Naipo Shiatsu Seat Cushion

This is the second one on the list that comes in the form of a chair cover, and it is a very neat design indeed. It is designed for home, office or car use and is operated by a hand-held controller, and comes with a fully inclusive in-car kit. It has no fewer than eight nodes across the seat cover that are designed to provide a full-body massage wherever you may be, and it also features infra-red heat so you get to a comfortable temperature very easily and quickly.

The upper nodes can be moved into alternative positions using the controller, so you can customise your massage, and it is simple to use with one-touch operation. There are three levels of intensity to the massage, giving you plenty of variety, and it is a soothing ad comfortable effect that is quite impressive. If you want a full body massage device, this could be the one for you, and at around £45 it is a sensible price for a quality item.

 

10: Sentick Foldable Massage

This very clever model is in the form of a mattress, so you can lay it on your bed, your sofa or use it as a seat cover, and it is fully foldable. There are four separate massage areas: upper back, lower back, lumbar and thighs, all of which operate concurrently or when requested. It therefore provides an all-over massage, whereas most of these perform on one area of the body at a time. It’s very clever, yet very simple, and easy to use.

The motor has ten different vibrations so you can set your own pace, it can be operated with or without heat, and it offers three different speeds and four separate massage programmes, so you have plenty of variety. It is operated by a hand-held controller, and also comes with a kit for using in the car. This model will shut itself down after half an hour of use, which is a welcome safety boost, and at around £25 we like it.

That’s our list of the ten best massage devices on the market right now, so which is for you? Before we give you our verdict, let’s have a run through some of the key features.

Important Features

If you are buying the best back massager we recommend that you check carefully that you do not have any underlying back problems that could be attended to professionally, as these devices are not intended to rectify, but to provide gentle relief. Here are some of the features to look for:

Style – as you will have noticed, there are several different types of massager. It’s up to you whether you want the cushion type, the chair cover model, the mattress or the hand-held wand-type devices that pinpoint one area, as all are designed to perform a specific role.

Home, Car or Office – where do you want to use your massager? Some of these can be used in the car and come with an adapter kit, while others are not suitable, especially the hand-held models. Others are for home use only, so check carefully.

Nodes – nodes are the part that provide the actual massage, and the number varies between four and eight on the cushion and chair-type devices. The more the better, so make sure you know your preference before you buy.

Portability – all of these are relatively portable, but some deliberately more so than others, so again it is up to you what you are looking for.

Speed and Variables – ideally you want one with a variety of speed options and some variable programmes, so that you can get the best out of your massager.

That’s our quick list of features, so all that remains now is to wrap things up!

How It Works

A back massager is a small, electronic device in the form of a cushion that includes moving balls and parts that gently massage the areas of the back – or indeed around the body – that you want attended to. These very clever little machines are perfectly safe and are used by many people.

They can be used to massage your calves, your abdomen, and especially the lower back. Be aware that a back massager will not do the job of a professional, but even if you do not suffer inherent problems, one of these devices can help you relax and enjoy a comfortable seated or lying position.

As the massager not only moves around but heats the area concerned, it will also improve your circulation, which is always a good thing. This will help with your general well-being as well as your sleeping patterns, and will be beneficial in many ways.

Some of the best back massagers are cordless models, they work with a charger and battery and can give you some impressive lengths of use, and all come with safety features so they will not be able to overheat. Others work from mains operation, but rest assured all are designed to be safe and easy to use.

So, let’s have a look at the top 10 best back massagers on the market right now, and see if we can find one that will be right for you.

Let’s Wrap It Up!

So, you want to get yourself a the best back massager? The problem with recommending one over the others is that there are so many different types, and you will of course have your preference. Personally, we like the seat-cover versions best as they provide an all-over massage, and also can be used in the car, but you may prefer the cushion variety which can be more portable and also usable in the car.

The choice is yours, but bear in mind the hand-held models can only tackle one specific area at a time, so read through again, and enjoy the best back massager whenever you want!