Contents
Best Handheld Massagers Reviews:
There is nothing that feels as good as an invigorating massage after finishing a long hard day at work or after an intense workout. The problem is it’s expensive to go get a professional massage was done and there is not always someone at home that is willing to do it for you.
Well, don’t fret because there are many handheld massagers in the marketplace that will do the job nicely for you. The trouble is there is many to choose from so it’s not easy to find one that works well for a good price.
We have taken some time out to help you with this process and compiled the ultimate guide to help you find the best handheld massager available.
As you browse through are the list of handheld massager reviews you will notice a recurring theme. That is that all of these products are consistently highly rated by those that have purchased and used them.
Here is what we found to be some of the best handheld massagers available in 2023:
| Thumper E501 NA Sport Percussive Massager | Percussion Therapeutic Deep Tissue Electric Massager | Dual Tapper Electric Handheld Percussion Massager | Pure-Wave CM7 Extreme Power Massager Body | Panasonic EV2510K Easy Reach Rolling Massager | Pure-Wave CM5 Extreme Cordless Percussion Massager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE $$ | PRICE $ | PRICE $ | PRICE $$ | PRICE $ | PRICE $$ |
| Weight : 1.3 pounds | Weight : 2.8 pounds | Weight : a little over 2 pounds | Weight : Almost 3 pounds | Weight : 1.7 pounds | Weight : 1.6 pounds |
| Great for : People who play sports | Great for : Shoulder , neck , body , back pain relief | Great for : Neck , Shoulders and back, | Great for : Foot , Legs , Neck , Back and Shoulders | Great for : People who loves strong massage | Great for : Shiatsu, Swedish, Deep Tissue massage |
| Function : Deeper and more thorough massage | Function : Pinpoint pressure | Function : Pressure to soothe your aching muscles | Function : Variable speed features and 6 massage tips | Function : Vibration modes and 3 rollers | Function : Long lasting battery |
 |  |  |  |  |
10 Best Handheld Massagers for Back, Neck and Shoulders [2023 Reviews]
1. Thumper E501 NA Sport Percussive Massager
There are some handheld massagers that seem to be in a category all their own and this is one of them. As the name says it is the perfect massager for those who play sports.
It tends to give the deeper and more thorough massage that athletes demand to soothe tired and sore muscles.
It is great for any person that plays sports but it will also help anyone who likes a vigorous massage at times. We were all really impressed with the massage we got from this model massager.
2. Percussion Therapeutic Deep Tissue Electric Massager
This is an amazing handheld massager for the price considering all the benefits that it gives you. We were shocked how good it felt when using it and we were all impressed with the feel of its duel tapper action.
Since it is a percussion massager it can really penetrate down deep to relieve sore and aching muscles. We give it a big thumbs up for its massage action for sure. This is the best handheld percussion massager.
3. Dual Tapper Electric Handheld Percussion Massager
This is another dual tapper type massage unit and we were all in agreement that it was one of the handheld massagers we tested that gave us the best overall massage.
When you look at all the many very favorable reviews for this massager you get the feeling that this opinion is shared by the majority of those users that have tried it too. It is also a very versatile massager that can soothe you in a variety of ways with the various different settings it has.
4. Pure-Wave CM7 Extreme Power Massager Body + Facial (Dual Mode)
We have to admit when this handheld massager came out of the box we thought the design looked a little funny. After we all tried it a few times we liked it so much the strange design was no longer a concern at all. This model proved to be yet another great handheld massager on our list.
The thing we liked most about it was the many different settings and intensities it has to produce various different types of massages. Anyone in the family that uses it will have no problem finding a massage setting that is perfect for them. We all were in agreement that the overall performance of this handheld massager was excellent when we tested it.
5. Panasonic EV2510K Easy Reach Rolling Massager
This is by far one of the most interesting and versatile handheld massagers on our list. It combines not only pressure and vibration massaging but adds a nice roller feature too. It is also made with a more pronounced curve at the end of it. This helps those who use it reach any area of their back and even the bottom of their feet easily. This model was agreed upon by all to be one of our favorites on this list.
6. Pure-Wave CM5 Extreme Cordless Percussion Massager
This is not only a powerful massager but it is very quiet for a handheld massager that is this strong. It includes several different massage tips which can simulate such massages as Shiatsu, Swedish, Deep Tissue and more.
Simply put, this unit has a lot of different features that make it easy for everyone to get the soothing type of massage they want when using it.
It will also make a great gift for yourself or anyone you know that could use fewer aches and tense muscles in their life. We all agreed it was an impressive handheld massaging device.
7. Best handheld massager for athletes
8. Best handheld massager for neck and shoulders
9. Best handheld deep tissue massager, best handheld percussion massager
10. Best handheld massager for sciatica
(You can find other models by searching: best handheld back massager, best handheld massager consumer reports, best handheld massager for neck and shoulders, best handheld massager gun, best handheld deep tissue massager…)
Things to Consider When Buying a Best Handheld Massager
Many people make the mistake of thinking that handheld massagers are a simple device and they are all pretty much the same once you take them out of the box. The fact is nothing could be further from the truth.
Even though these devices are often little more than a foot in length and only several inches wide there is a lot that goes into them to make them work as effectively as they do.
That is why if you want to get the best model handheld massager for the money you need to know what to look for. Otherwise, you can be missing out on all the benefits you can get from owning a handheld massager.
We have compiled a list of some of the most important things to consider when shopping for one of these handy devices. Be sure to use it as a guideline in your search and it will help you get the best massager for the money.
Here is what we feel are the most important aspects to consider before buying any handheld massager:
Massage Delivery Method
There are two main ways that a handheld massager administers a massage to you and these are by percussion or vibration. It is usually a matter of personal preference which one you choose.
Although there are characteristics that favor one method over the other, that does not mean you can’t get a great massage which both of these types of massage delivery technologies.
Massagers With Percussive Technology
Percussion massagers are great for penetrating deeply into your muscle tissue to help relieve muscle soreness, muscle strains, and knotted muscles.
It is very often the recommended choice of massage delivery for patients that have other conditions that require more than a gentle massage too.
The dual action of a percussion massager very closely resembles the kneading motion of a professional masseuse.
Any person who uses a massager with this type of technology is in for a real treat, to say the least. Most people are amazed how good it feels when they try this type of massaging unit.
The drawback with percussion technology is that it can be too aggressive for some people.
Massagers With Vibrating Technology
Massagers that use vibration as their main means of massage delivery have been popular for many years. People love them because the vibration can cover a very wide area of the body when using this type of massage technology.
It also tends to be a little less aggressive than massagers that use percussive technology; this means you get a massage that is a little more soothing and tranquil than what you get from a percussion massager.
Vibrating massage technology has other advantages too. It is the type of massage that will relax you so much it will help you sleep if you do it before going to bed.
This type of massage is good for repeated therapy use too because it is gentle on the parts of the body it is used on, so these areas recover quickly and do not remain sore.
The biggest drawback with vibrating massagers is that if used long enough your hand sometimes will fall asleep.
Power Source
Handheld massagers are either run off of power cords or have rechargeable batteries. Home use is perfectly fine for corded models so go with them for the more powerful massage.
Keep in mind it takes a lot of power to deliver you something like a deep therapeutic massage. Most cordless rechargeable models that are inexpensive cannot give you a deep powerful massage.
That is one of the most important reasons why you must always check not only how your massage device is powered but also what the manufacturer and user reviews say about how long and how powerful it will run.
Number of Speeds
This is a big one when it comes to buying any handheld massage unit. If you look at enough reviews one recurring theme you will see is that many massagers are very powerful but they don’t have a lower speed that is gentler for relaxation or vice versa. This can really take away from a whole massage experience as you use it.
So be sure to look for a massager that has more than one or two speeds to it. It is even better if the massager you buy has a variable speed switch that can give you a whole big range of sensations as you use it.
Size
How easy a massager is to pack up and take with you as you travel is usually a consideration as to which model handheld massager you will buy too.
Models that are made to reach all areas of your back without straining may be too long to pack easily. So consider the size of the unit and if you are going to only be using it at home or you will take it with you as you travel.
Some massagers are also bulky and uncomfortable to use. Again user reviews on websites are a great way to pick up on these things so you don’t get stuck with a handheld massager that is top heavy, cumbersome to use or makes you strain when you try to get to hard to massage areas+.
Portability
Many people with ailments often require the use of their massager to deal with them no matter where they are. This means you have to buy a highly portable handheld massager in this case.
Not every type of handheld massager made is good for travel. It is something you definitely need to be aware of when buying one if you want to take your massager with you when you are on the go.
As a general rule of thumb, rechargeable batteries will usually make the massage unit more portable. So if you are using your massager to soothe aches and tensions as you travel for business you would most likely want a rechargeable model.
You also need to consider such things as if it comes in a case that will protect the unit while traveling and if you have to carry such things as attachments separately or if they attach to the massager itself when it’s stored.
Intangibles
Whenever you are considering buying handheld massage units make sure you find out what extras or unique features that they have built into them. Handheld massagers that can do things such as apply heat with the massage can make the experience you get from that massager even better.
Look for things such as if they include several different interchangeable attachments for the massage head; this alone can make it like having 6 or 7 different massagers all in one.
It goes without saying that the more extras and choices you have with a particular handheld massager the better the value that model handheld massager has to you.
So consider what extras come with it before you buy and also consider such things as how many different speed settings it has too.
Benefits of Having a Handheld Massager at Home
Here are some of the ways that a handheld massager can improve the quality of your of life:
Convenience
If you have a handheld massager at home it can be the ultimate in convenience for getting rid of tension and minor muscle aches and pains.
When you feel these things acting upon your body there is nothing like being able to combat them simply by pulling you own handheld massager out of a drawer. It is like having a masseuse on standby right in your own home.
Fast Relief
Things such as muscle aches and tension headaches can come on suddenly and without warning. These things can make you extremely uncomfortable and they also take away from the quality time you have in your life. Well, you don’t have to just sit there and deal with these sudden aches and pains.
If you have your own handheld massager then chances are you can use it to get fast relief from these types of symptoms. Not only will you get quick relief but when you do you will take back your precious personal time.
Relaxation Before Sleep
Insomnia, it can and does happen to everyone at one time or another. There are few things in life that will leave you feeling as blah and mentally down as a lost night of sleep.
Many times your loss of sleep is caused by tense muscles and stress; well you can battle the effects of these by having your own handheld massager.
With only a 10 – 20 minute treatment with your own handheld massager, it can totally reverse the ill effects that are keeping you from your badly needed rest.
Both vibrating and percussion massagers can not only take away your tension and stress but they can also relax you and put your body in a state where it’s ready for sleep. Click here to learn how you can use a handheld massager. [1]
Bonding
How many times has your significant other asked you for a massage and then complained after you got tired and stopped after 5 minutes?
If you had your own handheld massager you can help sooth your partner’s aches and pains for a much longer time without a big effort that makes you tired. You can massage them effortlessly as you casually talk to them or watch TV.
It can make for a scenario that is very relaxing for you both and can also be a great bonding experience. Just don’t forget to ask them to return the favor with the massager when you are done massaging them.
Save Money
A decent handheld massager will cost you somewhere between $25 – $100; one hour at your local health spa will easily set you back that much or even more. Are we suggesting you ditch your massage sessions at your local wellness center completely?
We are not suggesting that at all. But if you had your own handheld massager you could certainly cut back on the frequency of going to these expensive treatments because you would not need them as often. Not to mention you will save money on gas and save yourself the aggravation of having to drive crosstown through traffic too.
Improved Health
It’s a well-known fact that such things as tight muscles and nervous tension can take a toll on your body after a while. They can even lead mental and physical health problems.
Your health is not something that should be taken lightly by any means. Having a handheld massager can help get rid of some of your nervous tension and the debilitating tightness in your muscles.
It will definitely go a long way toward doing such things as improving your circulation and your mental attitude.
Without a doubt owning a handheld massager can certainly go a long way toward contributing to your overall good health. If you need a full body massage, massage chairs can be your go too!
Our Final Thoughts on Handheld Massagers
Let’s face it; you don’t always have the time or the means to get relief from such things as minor muscle aches, nervous tension, and stress. That is why it is so nice to have your very own handheld massager. By having one you can give yourself some quick relief anytime you feel your aching and knotted muscles need it.
All of the handheld massagers we reviewed here will do an excellent job for you. Get one of these great handheld massagers today, so the next time you need a massage you can just conveniently pick yours up and get relief from your minor muscle tension and pains almost instantly.
Most of the models reviewed here not only feel great when you’re using them but also are very affordably priced. They will take the tension and stress off you in a hurry any time you need to use them. We are sure whichever one you buy will become the best handheld massager you have ever owned.
See Also:
I recently experienced this product during a massage session. I was seeking relaxation, but my masseuse utilized it on my lower back, which was tight and in pain. To my surprise, the product made a significant difference, and I left the session relaxed and in much less pain. I was so impressed that I immediately went online to find out what it was she used. Despite the steep price, I added it to my wish list and started saving. Eventually, I was able to purchase it. The Thumper turned out to be bigger and heavier than I expected, but the long handle made it ideal for self-use. The weight also ensured the right amount of pressure was applied. I noticed the benefits of regular use, but unfortunately had to stop due to upcoming surgery and certain conditions that prohibit its usage. I can’t wait to use it again after my surgery. My partner even falls asleep within 20 minutes of me using it on his back! Overall, it’s worth the investment, especially if you’re looking for an hour of peace and quiet while watching TV.