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As things continue to open back up, we may find ourselves getting back to our old routines — hitting the gym, taking various classes, and booking appointments to take care of ourselves and our health.

According to a Classpass wellness report from June 2021, massages, saunas, and cryotherapy are the top wellness activities users have been booking.

These wellness experiences make perfect sense — who isn’t looking for some extra TLC after a year of being cooped up indoors?

And while 60 percent of people say in-person classes and appointments are better for their mental health, giving yourself a great massage at home is still a great option for those who aren’t quite ready to retake all pre-pandemic experiences. That’s where giving yourself a massage comes into play.

Here’s our recommendations for 15 of the best tools you can buy.

To compile our list of the best products to give yourself a massage, we prioritized ease of use and price.

We also asked experts in the field for their recommendations, and read online reviews carefully to ensure all the products we recommend have positive feedback for efficiency and quality.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $30
  • $$ = $30–$100
  • $$$ = over $100

Opove Massage Gun

  • Price: $$$

While a Theragun might have been at the top of your holiday wishlist, this less expensive dupe works just as effectively. Reviewers say it’s lightweight, has three speed settings, and helps relieve muscle soreness and chronic pain. It also helps release muscle tightness, knots, cramps, and spasms.

Just glide it over your body whenever the mood strikes. Bonus points: it’s a relatively quiet device.

Read more about the best massage guns here.

Body Back Buddy Classic

  • Price: $

This cane massager weighs less than a pound, meaning you can bring it with you on the go, or store it at your work desk.

Reviewers say it’s sturdier than its competitors, meaning you won’t have to replace it every few months due to bending or breaking. The tool is easy to use and has 11 knobs in 3 shapes designed to reach every trigger point and soothe painful muscle knots in your back, neck, and shoulders.

TriggerPoint AcuCurve Massage Cane

  • Price: $

Self-soothe with this massage cane that targets sore muscle knots without the need for assistance. Reviewers who experience tension mention that it works wonderfully on the back to relieve knots.

The ergonomic handle makes it easier than ever to alleviate soreness in hard-to-reach areas like the neck, back, and shoulders. Plus, it’s portable and can be used on the go, sitting, or standing.

Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager

  • Price: $$

This powerful shiatsu massager has garnered favorable reviews for its heated deep kneading massage nodes that help relax overused and tight muscles. You just sit back and relax as the device automatically changes directions every 3 minutes, and the heat helps enhance blood circulation.

You can even shut your eyes without worry, as it’ll automatically shut off every 20 minutes to prevent overheating. The only con is that it needs to be plugged into a wall or power outlet for it to work. However, it does come with a car adapter.

Plyopic Massage Ball Set

  • Price: $

If you’re looking to upgrade your at-home tennis ball massage you may want to try out Plyopic massage balls. Massage balls are more precise and targeted than tennis balls and traditional foam rollers.

This lightweight portable set comes with four different balls: foam roller ball, spiky ball, peanut ball, and smooth ball. Reviewers say they each work to roll out trigger points and muscle tightness in large muscle groups, and reach deeply into the fascia for tension release.

Simple in concept, effective in practice.

TheraBand Roller Massager

  • Price: $

This massage stick is 21-inches long and helps prevent delayed onset muscle soreness and increases flexibility in just seconds. Other benefits include a restored range of motion, decreased pain, and improved circulation and blood flow.

Use the sturdy handle to roll over each muscle for at least 30 to 60 seconds. Similar to a deep tissue massage, you can apply more or less pressure depending on what your body is asking for. Reviewers say it’s best to use over bare skin or light clothing.

Body Sport Dual Speed Professional Vibrating Massager

  • Price: $$$

For people who are looking for something a little more heavy-duty, this two-speed massager is used by professional chiropractors everywhere. It relieves tension, relaxes muscles while increasing blood flow to injured areas, and creates myofascial release in the back, buttocks, hamstrings, quads, calves, feet, shoulders, and arms.

Because it’s heavy, you may need someone to assist you, especially in areas like your back. Some reviewers complain that the vibration was too much if you hold on to it longer than a few minutes.

Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager

  • Price: $$$

This heavy-duty foot massager has garnered favorable reviews among Amazon customers for its deep kneading, shiatsu technique equipped with heat, compression, and subtle vibrations. Plus, it comes with a built-in timer, washable foot liners, and two wireless remotes.

It’s perfect for use during the workday, while reading a book, watching television, or simply laying around the house. Some reviewers complain of soreness after use, but the manufacturer says to take soreness as a clear sign that the device is working.

Lunix LX3 Cordless Electric Hand Massager

  • Price: $$$

If you experience arthritis, carpal tunnel, and finger numbness, this heated massager may be the device for you. It has six massage levels and uses acupressure therapy to compress your hand, stimulate your acupoints and improve blood circulation.

The best part? It’s lightweight and cordless so you aren’t chained to a specific spot and can move around while using the device.

Reviewers also say it’s stronger than you’d expect, and accommodates hands of different sizes, with a front opening to accommodate fingertips of longer hands.

Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush

  • Price: $

This manual scalp massager has long been a bestseller among Amazon users for its simplicity. Brush it through your hair (the grip handle makes it easy to maneuver) and feel the soft yet thick silicone bristles stimulate blood flow to the scalp and oil glands.

Reviewers says it helps exfoliate the scalp and provides a deeper cleaning. Because it’s a manual device, it can be used in the shower without any worries.

USAGA Head Massager Scalp Scratcher

  • Price: $

The feeling of someone massaging your scalp is indescribable but what if you could recreate that feeling on your own? This 20-prong scalp massager works to provide relaxation and help relieve anxiety. Throw it in your gym bag, store it in your car, or prop it in a drawer.

The prongs are made of high elastic spring and can be adjusted to whatever shape best suits your head. One reviewer recommends rotating the device in a circular motion for an even more relaxing massage.

Multifun Face Beauty Roller

  • Price: $

This tool may help relax facial muscles and aid in lymphatic drainage, which may help reduce puffiness and smooth frown lines. The solar panel design releases gentle microcurrents to stimulate ATP production which energizes the facial muscles.

Reviewers say it feels durable, and helps with morning swelling in the face due to allergies.

Jade Roller & Gua Sha Set

  • Price: $

Made of authentic rose quartz, this gua sha set works to promote blood circulation and may relax facial muscles and minimize fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles.

There are tons of gua sha sets on the market but reviewers note that this one is high quality and won’t break apart. Apply a skin care oil, roll your face and follow up with a moisturizer. Use it twice a day for the best results

If living with pain or discomfort became part of your new normal during the lockdown, we urge you to book a massage soon or try out one (or more) of these remedies. With so many different at-home massage options to choose from you’ll be back in pristine condition in no time.


Iman Balagam is a writer based in Houston, Texas. When she’s not laughing at her own jokes, or buying overpriced chia pudding, she can be found reading novels, catching a spin class, doomscrolling through TikTok, or waiting for her delayed Spirit flight to board. You can see more of her work on her website.