8 Best Neck Massagers to Try Right Now, According to Experts and Reviewers (2024)

We updated this article in July 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

Neck pain is no joke—whether you slept on your neck wrong or are sore from bad form during yesterday’s sit-ups, it can wreak havoc on your body and peace of mind. Thankfully, the best neck massagers, when used safely, offer some over-the-counter relief for superficial ailments.

Before we delve into the best neck massagers to buy, it’s important to note that any trauma done to the neck can become serious, fast—and sometimes massage guns in particular can make matters worse. “Someone really needs to be sure to be careful when using a massage gun over a bony prominence or someplace that is not well cushioned with fat or muscle,” warns Theresa Marko, P.T., D.P.T., M.S., O.C.S., board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist in physical therapy and owner of Marko Physical Therapy, PLLC. “Because at these areas things like nerves are more superficial and you might bang on a nerve too hard or too long and damage it. Also, you need to be careful around your upper neck and base of your skull as you do not want to give yourself any kind of brain trauma due to being banged on or vibrated at your brain.”

While neck massagers might offer some interim relief, consulting a doctor or physical therapist before use can only help. After all, a product can’t assess the severity of an injury. Karen Litzy, D.P.T. and owner of Kaen Litzy Physical Therapy in NYC, says “before buying a neck massager you will want to consult with your physical therapist or physician to rule out any contraindications...on who shouldn't use neck massagers.”

Marko also warns against using a neck massager on a high setting. “Honestly, I don’t think that you need something extremely intense,” she says. “I usually use my gun on the lowest setting. It is possible to hurt yourself with a massage gun if you use it on high in an area that is not well cushioned on the body or over a nerve. So the fact that some of the machines talk about the extra super-duper speed and intensity, I don't think that’s very necessary.”

When used correctly, Marko says neck massagers are “great for tight muscles around the neck. In general, I advise people to use it lower on their neck where their neck meets their shoulders.”

Ahead, explore some of the best neck massagers on the market, according to Marko and reviewers.

How we chose the best neck massagers

We consulted Marko and Litzy, conducted our own research, and sifted through ​​hundreds of online reviews to find the best folding treadmills available.

Our top picks

Using eight massage roller balls, this neck massager provides a deep tissue massage for your neck, upper back, feet, calves, and arms. Infrared heat helps ease muscle tension, too. And with over 40,000 Amazon reviews and nearly a 5-star rating, it’s sure to be a hit. “Perfect to kick that end of the tenseness. Digs deep enough to hit knots in muscles. The heat feels great (although it takes about 5 minutes to really start feeling the heat),” one satisfied customer writes.

Made from leather, this neck massager comes with adjustable speed levels, an auto-shut off (so you don”t overdo it if you fall asleep mid-massage), and a portable traveling case making it perfect for on-the-go relief. Plus, it even comes with a charging adaptor for your car—it doesn’t get much more on the go than that! With over 46,000 Amazon reviews and almost five stars, customers are loving it, too.

“It has a massaging, a vibration, and a massaging with vibration. It also has a heat setting that you can turn on with the massager,” Marko says. “This massager is great for the upper back and neck, but it can also be used nicely on parts like the calf muscles while you relax on the couch.”

More than 10,000 Amazon customers have rated this almost five-star massage seat. Extending past the neck, this car seat-like chair has a slew of settings so you can find what works best for you: finger pressure, rolling, compression, vibration, and shiatsu. It’s also heated, helping you get even more from your massage time. “It sounds crazy but this is really worth the money. I use it twice a week and a stress killer for sure.”

Ditch the tennis ball against the wall and opt for this (incredibly affordable) manual massage ball. With over 11,000 ratings on Amazon and close to five stars, this device is small but mighty. Featuring a 360-degree spin, this under $10 device massages sore muscles with a few rolls. “My wife loves this. It used to hurt my hands trying to rub my wife’s back. This thing is a godsend for her and me,” one happy customer writes.

This pillow massager works to relax tight muscles with deep-kneading massage nodes. Adjustable straps on the back of the massager make it fit onto just about any chair, turning your favorite seat into a spa in no time. One negative aspect of this device is that it must be plugged in—it is not rechargeable or cordless. “I have fibromyalgia and muscle spasms and this massager is terrific. I love it and it’s not as noisy as past massagers that I’ve purchased. It really gets the knots and tightness out of my shoulders and neck. It works well on my sciatica and legs too. Thank you!!!” one happy customer writes.

While Marko recommends the Theragun mini for its portability and compact design, she worries that the triangle shape might start to hurt your hand after a while—so this option is great for a quick hit, and not ideal for someone looking to use it for a long period of time.

“These massagers have been around for quite some time and offer a lot of power with quiet motors. They come in various sizes and have some extra bells and whistles,” Marko says. And customers love them, too. Though pricey, the Hypervolt has a five-star Amazon rating!