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The Best Neck Massagers to Relieve Pain, Tested and Reviewed

Work out your knotted muscles with these editor-tested picks.

By Jack Byram
Updated on December 03, 2024
Medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD
Neck Massagers Test

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

When neck and shoulder pain strikes—whether from overexertion or poor posture during the workday—a quality neck massager can help relieve the tension. According to Eeric Truumees, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Texas Spine and Scoliosis in Austin, Texas, stimulating blood flow to muscles can help them relax, and a massager does just that.

To date, we have tested over 50 neck massagers—from manual canes and roller balls to heated Shiatsu devices. Our editors used each massager, evaluating how effectively they relieve muscle tension, how easy they are to use, their functionality and features, and their overall value. We test new products consistently to ensure that our list is current. An assistant professor of orthopedics from our Medical Expert Board then reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding what to look for in neck massagers, their safety, and when they should and shouldn't be used.

Types of Neck Massagers

Not all neck massagers are the same, and it’s worth understanding what you are looking for to ensure that you find the right model for your needs.

  • Manual nodes: These options generally feature a cane shape and rely on the user to reach back and use the nodes to self-massage the area. While they aren’t electric, the person using them has complete control over the amount of pressure applied. 
  • Kneading/shiatsu: These massagers are often electric and come in a variety of shapes, featuring an internal motor that powers a ball or other mechanism to mimic the rolling sensation of a person giving a shiatsu massage across the muscles in your neck.
  • Rolling: These electric neck massagers generally have a similar design as the kneading ones. Where they differ is that the balls inside do not turn, and instead massage you by going up and down your muscle fibers.

What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know

Like most things in life, moderation is one of the keys to using a neck massager properly and safely. Here are some specific guidelines to follow:

  • Limit use to 20 Minutes per session: Orthopedic physical therapy specialist Karena Wu, PT, DPT, cautions that overuse of neck massagers can create more symptoms if you irritate the tissues. You can easily cause fascial or cutaneous nerve damage if you use excessive pressure or excessive time under pressure, notes Lev Kalika, DC RMSK, an international expert in integrative rehabilitation, sports medicine, and injury prevention. That’s why many neck massagers have an auto-shutoff function.
  • Be extra-cautious with massage guns: While many types of massagers are safe to use on your neck, avoid using a massage gun as a neck massager. While these devices are popular for larger muscle groups, using one near the arteries and important veins in and around the neck can be dangerous.
  • Avoid Certain Body Areas Completely: While they are useful for temporarily and conveniently alleviating muscle tension, Wu recommends avoiding using massagers on your bones. Chiropractor Anna Di, DC CES, also recommends avoiding pressure against the throat, spine, or sides of the neck because it can irritate the lymph nodes and be dangerous for arteries and veins in the area, even with a non-percussive neck massager.
  • Consult a Doctor Before Using If You Have Certain Health Conditions: Neck massagers can inadvertently exacerbate some problems, such as a herniated disc, says orthopedic specialist Theresa Marko, DPT. She also explains that people with conditions such as osteoporosis or inflammatory diseases can be injured by deep tissue massage.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Wu recommends seeking medical help if you are experiencing neck pain that does not improve and goes on for a long time. She adds that if medicine isn’t helping, and in particular if the pain radiates down the shoulder or arm or is exceptionally painful, people should absolutely seek out a professional. Di adds that stiffness, which impedes movement, pain following a recent injury, and skin changes like redness in tandem with neck pain would be reasons to see an expert. She also says that previous health issues and accompanying symptoms like weight loss, headaches and fever with neck pain are all reasons to visit a professional.

Our Top Picks

Best Chair:
Comfier Neck and Back Massager at Amazon $220
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Best Massage Pillow :
Viktor Jurgen Back Massager, Neck Massager with Heat at Amazon $38
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Best Cordless/Portable:
SALE
Zyllion Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager with Heat at Amazon $90 $60
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Best with Heat :
SALE
Snailax Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager at Amazon $59 $46
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Best Manual:
LiBa Back and Neck Massager at Amazon $29
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Best Massage Gun:
Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun at Amazon $110
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Best Chair

Comfier Neck and Back Massager

Comfier Neck and Back Massager
Credit: Amazon
$220 $210 at Amazon View on Comfier.com
Pros

  • Provides a near full-body massage

  • Optional heat setting works well

  • Can be used on most types of chairs

Cons

  • Neck massage pressure may be too intense for some

Key Specs

Type of massage: Vibration, rolling, air compression | Added features: 3 intensities, heat | Accessories: Home adapter

Why We Recommend It

It's not an actual massage chair, but this Comfier Neck and Back Massager is the next best thing—place it on a chair, and you can target your neck, back, shoulders, hips, buttocks, and thighs at the same time (for a fraction of the price of an actual massage chair). In testing, we found the features were surprisingly powerful and effective at relieving tension and promoting relaxation.

We loved that this massager uses vibration, heat, rolling motion, air compression, and pressure intensities to tackle pain areas, and we could really feel it working our muscles. The covers on the neckpiece and back flap are detachable and washable, plus you can remove them for a more intense massage. While it's not the most compact or portable option, it provides a nice near full-body massage.

Keep In Mind

We think the neck massage portion of this chair might be too intense for some. If you prefer a softer touch, check out one of the other top picks on our list.  

  • Comfier Neck and Back Massager displayed on a desk chair behind a desk
    Credit: Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida
  • Person looking at the remote while leaning back on the Comfier Neck and Back Massager
    Credit: Verywell Health / Conor Ralph
  • Person looking at the remote while leaning back on the Comfier Neck and Back Massager
    Credit: Verywell Health / Conor Ralph
  • Comfier Neck and Back Massager displayed on a desk chair behind a desk
  • Person looking at the remote while leaning back on the Comfier Neck and Back Massager
  • Person looking at the remote while leaning back on the Comfier Neck and Back Massager

Best Massage Pillow

Viktor Jurgen Back Massager, Neck Massager with Heat

Viktor Jurgen Back and Neck Massager with Heat
Credit: Amazon
$38 at Amazon $26 at Walmart
Pros

  • Can be used on multiple body areas

  • Bi-directional kneading movement

  • Optional heat works well

  • 15 minute auto shut-off

Cons

  • Only two massage speeds

Key Specs

Type of massage: Kneading | Added features: Heat setting | Included accessories: AC adapter

Why We Recommend It

The Viktor Jurgen massager uses nodes and heat therapy to break up muscle tension so well that we didn't want to stop using it. We found the pressure on our neck and the back of the head to be just right and used it on our calf as well, which felt exceptionally amazing.

Since it’s designed to be placed under your neck when lying down, this pillow-shaped massager is great for daily tension and stress relief—especially before bed. It can also be used on other body parts. It has an elastic strap to secure it to a chair for a lower back massage and a carrying handle for portability.

It only has two adjustable speeds and one optional heat setting, but we found it to be an effective basic massager and very easy to use. You just set it down, hit the power button, and lie on it. Its small shape also makes it easy to adjust and position to target specific areas. While many models we tested offer optional heat, they don’t all get very warm—but we found the heat to work very well in this product, which helps with relaxation. For safety, we like that it automatically shuts off after 15 minutes of use and has overheating protection so it won't get too hot. 

Keep In Mind

For the price, this budget-friendly option is a good choice. However, if you want a more customizable experience or want to hit more muscle groups simultaneously, check out the other massagers on our list.

Best Cordless/Portable

Zyllion Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager with Heat

Zyllion Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager with Heat
Credit: Amazon
$90 $60 at Amazon
Pros

  • Effectively mimics real, deep massage

  • Cordless/rechargeable design

  • Subtle heat

  • Auto-shutoff for safety

Cons

  • Control buttons can be confusing

Key Specs

Type of massage: Shiatsu | Added features: Heat, straps | Included accessories: N/A

Why We Recommend It

In testing, we found the cordless, rechargeable Zyllion Shiatsu 4D Kneading Deep Tissue Massager to be a great tool for relieving tension, especially during long computer sessions. With six soft silicone notes for the upper and lower neck and two penetrating nodes for the shoulder and back area, it effectively mimics the pressure a person would apply, providing noticeable relief during and after use. It can be used while sitting or even reclining slightly.

The cordless design provides over three hours of massage time with each full charge, which makes it very simple to set up and use anywhere. It’s quick to sling over your shoulders, and the control buttons are conveniently placed without easy reach. There's also a sling with a buckle to fasten across the mid-back, which helps keep everything securely in place. Plus, it’s convenient to store and portable, so you can easily tuck it away or toss it in a bag for travel. 

Our editor found that it conformed well to the natural contours of their neck, which made it very comfortable to use. We also appreciated how easy it was to control the intensity by pulling on the straps, giving a deeper kneading sensation as needed, without any discomfort, irritation, or pinching. The heated function of the massager provides a soothing warmth that's subtle and not too intense, adding a gentle layer of comfort and helping with muscle relaxation. It also has an auto-shutoff feature and overheating protection for safety. Overall, it delivers excellent value for its price point.

Keep In Mind

This massager would definitely be more user-friendly if it had clearer markings or symbols on the control buttons, which took us about a week to master. Also, the heat setting is subtle, so if you prefer something that gets a bit hotter, we recommend the Comfier 4D Deep Kneading Cordless Neck and Back Massager, which also scored very highly with our editors in this category.

Best with Heat

Snailax Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager

Amazon Snailax Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager
Credit: Amazon
$59 $46 at Amazon $100 at Walmart View on Sears.com
Pros

  • Excellent deep kneading with heat

  • Easy to adjust pressure

  • 15 minute auto shut-off

  • Comes with travel bag and car adapter

Cons

  • Not cordless

  • Can quickly become too intense

Key Specs

Type of massage: Shiatsu | Added features: Auto shut-off, heat, straps | Included accessories: Carrying bag, car adapter

Why We Recommend It

This shiatsu neck massager from Snailax got a perfect score across all categories in our testing. Our editor found that the nodes provided excellent deep kneading with soothing heat that worked well to ease sore muscles in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. We also loved how easily and quickly we could adjust the amount of pressure by pulling on the strap. 

This pick is simple to use, with an on/off button, a rotation direction button, a speed level button, and a heat button. Importantly, the auto-shut-off feature turns it off after 15 minutes, which proved ideal for what we were looking for. 

It comes with a travel bag and a car adapter, making it a good choice for road trips, though if you’re looking for something more portable around the house or office, we recommend checking out our rechargeable cordless pick. 

Keep In Mind

This pick has to be plugged in to be used. And, when sitting against a chair or reclining back, we found the pressure too intense, and uncomfortable. Additionally, while it can be used on other body parts like the back, we do think it's really best for just the neck and shoulders. 

Best Manual

LiBa Back and Neck Massager

LiBa Back and Neck Massager
Credit: Walmart
$29 $26 at Amazon $25 at Walmart $45 at Target
Pros

  • Great for targeting pressure points

  • Can be used for stretching as well

  • Weighs less than a pound

  • No heat

Cons

  • Clunky design not ideal for travel

Key Specs

Type of massage: Manual trigger point | Added features: Nodes, hook design to stretch legs | Included accessories: NA

Why We Recommend It

With a cane design, Liba’s Back and Neck Massager enabled us to target and apply adequate pressure to knots in our neck and back. 

It features multiple strategically placed nodes which allowed our editor to specifically target areas and to apply the exact pressure they wanted. While being simple and intuitive to use, it proved to be highly effective in our testing. We were able to use this versatile pick when standing or sitting and frequently used it while watching television. It provided us with immediate relief, and we liked that we didn’t have to contort to reach our pain points. 

In terms of design, it’s light and weighs under a pound, and it comes in two pieces that we simply snapped together. As an added bonus, the design enables us to use it to stretch our hamstrings by hooking it around our feet.

Keep In Mind

This neck massager is larger than others, making it somewhat clumsy to store. That also means that the larger size isn’t ideal for traveling. Plus, since it is not electric, it doesn’t offer any heat.

  • Person massaging their neck with the LiBa Back and Neck Massager
    Credit: Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their back
    Credit: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their back
    Credit: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their neck
    Credit: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their foot
    Credit: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their arm
    Credit: Verywell Health / Alexander Huang
  • Person massaging their neck with the LiBa Back and Neck Massager
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their back
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their back
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their neck
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their foot
  • A person uses the LiBa Back and Neck Massager on their arm

Best Massage Gun

Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun

Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage
Credit: Amazon
$110 at Amazon $200 at Walmart View on Fusionmassagegun.com
Pros

  • Can be used on multiple areas of the body

  • 20 settings

  • Easy to adjust with touch screen

  • Travel case

Cons

  • Shouldn’t be used around major veins/arteries in neck

  • Can be awkward to reach shoulders/back yourself

  • No heat

Key Specs

Type of massage: Percussion therapy | Added features: 20 intensities | Accessories: Travel case, 6 head attachments

Why We Recommend It

While you should avoid using massage guns on the neck (see our safety notes at the top)—if you're considering a physical therapist for massage therapy like percussive massage to target your shoulders, back or other major muscle groups, a massage gun can be a great pick. 

We included eight massage guns in our testing, and the Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage was the clear favorite for loosening up knots and relieving stiffness. Our editor noted that the strength goes up to level 20 to suit every stiffness level, describing the highest setting as very strong vibrations. This pick includes six attachment heads, making it a versatile instrument for most muscle groups, and is a great tool for loosening muscles before a run or workout or to aid in post-workout recovery. 

Our editor also loved that you can take it to go since it comes with a travel case organized with a spot for every accessory, including a space for the charging cord and a pocket for the user manual. Regarding ease of use, our editor liked that the rubber handle was easy to grip and appreciated that the control panel had an intuitive touch screen that displays speed level and battery life.

Keep In Mind

Since massage guns should not be used near major veins and arteries in the neck, and it can be awkward to target your shoulders with a massage gun by yourself if you’re looking for something to use primarily on your neck and shoulders—and/or you don’t have anyone to assist—another kind of massager may be a better choice. It also does not offer heat.

  • Person using the Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun on their shoulder
    Credit: Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida
  • Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun displayed in its case on a wood desk
    Credit: Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida
  • Person using the Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun on their back
    Credit: Verywell Health / Conor Ralph
  • Person adjusting the settings on the Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun
    Credit: Verywell Health / Conor Ralph
  • Person using the Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun on their shoulder
  • Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun displayed in its case on a wood desk
  • Person using the Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun on their back
  • Person adjusting the settings on the Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage Gun

How We Tested the Neck Massagers

To date, we have tested over 50 neck massagers in the lab and at home. We are also consistently testing new models to update and keep our list as accurate as possible. In making our final picks for the best massagers for neck pain, we focused on the following criteria:

  • Effectiveness: We determined if the massager did what it set out to do, and we also determined whether it equally targeted all parts of the neck or only focussed on one particular section. We also tried applicable models on other body parts. We also noted if we had to sit in a particular position to use the massagers or if we could lie back and sit up to use them. Finally, we acknowledged whether the massagers worked to alleviate tension and discomfort, in addition to noting how long our states of relaxation lasted.
  • Comfort: We noted any discomfort or tingling that occurred during usage, and also determined how the weight of the massager affected the overall massage. This was also an opportunity to note how the massagers conformed to our necks’ contours, and to also determine if there was any overall discomfort from the massagers.
  • Ease of Use: We focussed on models that were easy to set up and had simple-to-navigate instructions. We used this as an opportunity to address whether the massagers were too heavy or too light and how effectively they stayed in place during usage. For options with adjustability, we noted how easy these controls were to reach while we were actively being massaged. Lastly, for options with cords, we analyzed if the cords were long enough and how portable the entire option was when we didn't use the cords.
  • Features: We considered add-ons like heating elements and different massage modes, and how they affected the overall experience. For heating options, we noted if there were different temperatures available, and if so, how they felt during usage. We also noted whether there were built-in timers and how well they accommodated different user preferences like angle, speed, and pressure. Finally, we noted how easy it was to swap different attachments in and out.
  • Value: Our editors noted if they thought the massager was worth the price or not.

What to Look For in a Neck Massager: 

  • Intensity Levels: Di recommends adjustable intensity or massage modes to customize the experience to your specific needs and preferences. 
  • Heating and Cooling Therapy: Di also says that heat therapy in neck massagers will increase relaxation while adding circulation to the neck. When selecting whether to opt for heat or cold, Truumees recommends cold for issues just below the skin but heat for the deeper tissues commonly related to neck pain.
  • Portability: If you’re looking for on-the-go relief, options that are cordless and have the ability to be folded to fit in a bag are ideal.

Our Experts

All of our articles are impacted and guided by the insights afforded by our experts. We were sure to have experts involved in every phase of our process, starting with having a physical therapist to help us design our testing protocol. Here are a few of the people that we spoke to.

  • Eeric Truumees, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Texas Spine and Scoliosis in Austin, Texas
  • Anna Di, DC CES, a chiropractor and owner of Unity Chiropractic Wellness in New York City
  • Karena Wu, PT, DPT, a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy and the owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City and India
  • Lev Kalika, DC RMSK, owner of New York Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy
  • Theresa Marko, DPT, a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedics
  • Jordan Beall, PT, DPT 

Why Trust Verywell Health

Jack Byram is a writer and editor who covers all things health and wellness related. As an exercise fanatic, he is directly interested in recovery and tools to help promote it. In his writing, Jack aims to make expert insights easily digestible for readers.

Read more:
Jack Byram

By Jack Byram
Jack Byram is a writer and editor who covers health and wellness products. He is consistently researching and speaking with experts to inform his own work, while also being sure to test products whenever possible. Jack loves distilling his own 15+ years of mental health treatment experience and 10+ years of fitness experience into digestible articles to help people save some time and improve their lives.

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