The 7 Best Neck Massagers, Tested and Reviewed

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Work out your knotted muscles with these editor-tested picks

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

When neck and shoulder pain strikes—whether from straining over a computer or sleeping in an uncomfortable position—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, and president of the North American Spine Society (NASS), stimulating blood flow to muscles can help them relax, and a massager does just that.

When looking for a neck massager for neck and shoulder pain, consider the type of massage you prefer. Some electric massagers use a kneading movement to relieve muscle tension, while others use vibration and heat. If you like a highly personalized massage, you may want one with several pressure settings, and an automatic safety shutoff feature is also a big plus.

We tested 29 neck massagers—from manual canes and roller balls to heated Shiatsu pillows—in the Verywell Testing Lab and found seven that met our rigorous standards. Testers used each massager, evaluating how effectively it relieved muscle tension, how easy it was to use, its functionality and features, and its overall value. 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.

Amazon

Can be used on multiple body areas

Uses a bi-directional kneading movement

Has a heat setting

Only two massage speeds

The Viktor Jurgen massager, our top pick, uses nodes and heat therapy to break up muscle tension so well that our tester didn't want to stop using it. "The pressure was amazing on my neck and the back of my head," she said. "I also used it on my calf, which felt exceptionally amazing."

Designed to be placed under your neck when lying down, the pillow-shaped massager 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.

Beyond being an effective massager, it was easy to use: "You just set it down, hit the power button, and lie down on it," our tester said, noting that its small shape made it easy to adjust and position to target specific areas.

We consider the Viktor Jurgen a basic massager since it only has two adjustable speeds and one heat setting. For safety, we like that it will automatically shut off after 15 minutes of use and overheat protection so it won't get too hot. For the price, you can't do much better. However, check out the more advanced massagers on our list if you want an even more personalized experience.

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

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Amazon

Can be used on multiple areas of the body

Has 20 settings

Touch screen makes changing settings very simple

Can be awkward to massage neck and shoulders for some

If you're considering a physical therapist for massage therapy, like percussive massage, a massage gun may be your best neck massager. We included eight massage guns in this test, and the Fusion Black Pro Muscle Massage was the clear favorite for loosening up knots and relieving stiffness. Our tester noted that the strength goes up to level 20 (describing the highest setting as "very strong vibrations") to suit every stiffness level.

This massage gun includes six attachment heads, making it a versatile instrument for most muscle groups. Our tester loved that you "can take it to go" since it has 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 tester liked that the rubber handle was easy to grip and appreciated that the control panel had an intuitive touch screen. "I like that it shows speed levels and battery life left," she remarked.

The neck and shoulders are one of the more difficult areas on the body to target with a massage gun, so if you have a hard time reaching your back, neck, and shoulders, another kind of massager may be a better choice.

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

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Amazon

Provides a near full-body massage

Has four settings, including heat

Can be used on most types of chairs

Massage pressure may be too intense for some on the neck

It's not an actual massage chair, but this 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). "The features were surprisingly powerful in a good way," our tester said. "I could feel it working my muscles."

The massager uses vibration, heat, rolling motion, air compression, and pressure intensities to tackle your pain areas. "I was pleasantly surprised by everything it could do, and it was fun to use," our tester said. However, she noted that the neck massage might be too firm for some. If you prefer a softer touch, check out one of the other top picks on our list.

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.

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

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Walmart

Affordable

Can target pressure points all over the body

Requires manual operation

The manual hook-and-node design of this massage cane is low-tech, but it's a great tool if you enjoy a pressure point massage. It's effective at breaking up knots, and our tester found it easy to grip and maneuver around her body. And while it might look intimidating, it's easy to get the hang of and effective at targeting and controlling pressure.

One thing that was quickly apparent in our test is that you'll have to put some effort in if you need substantial pressure, and there will be some trial and error to get the technique down. Still, "it's not a steep learning curve," our tester noted.

For such a simple tool, it's well designed. The ergonomic curves and bumps are in the right places, so you get an effective massage. It's lightweight, easy to grip, and versatile.

Type of massage: Nodes | Added features: None | Accessories: None

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Bed Bath & Beyond

Kneading and heat massage

Comfortable to wear

Easy to use

Can't be used on other areas of the body

Sling-style neck and shoulder massagers are incredibly popular and great for targeting the neck, shoulders, lower back, and other body parts. We included nine sling styles in our test, and this HoMedics Shiatsu collar was the best of its kind.

Our tester was “pleasantly surprised at this neck massager’s power.” It uses kneading and heat to reduce knots and provide relief. The massager has three speed settings. “I used it on the highest setting, and I loved that I could intensify the pressure by pulling down on the arm holes,” she said. Our testers also found it easy to operate all the way down their backs: “It seemed to target all of the right areas.” In contrast, we also tested the Medcursor Neck Shoulder Massager and while it also has different speed settings, our testers didn’t think they were all that different from one another.

Overall the HoMedics sling is easy to use—press the power button once for high intensity, twice for medium, and three times for low. The heated massage is a nice add-on; however, our tester noted that it took a few minutes to heat up. “Once it did,” she said, “that was a nice added feature.”

Type of massage: Kneading | Added features: Heat | Accessories: None

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Amazon

Least expensive massager on our list

Fits comfortably in your hand

Portable

No additional features

Requires manual pressure

Manual roller balls don't have any fancy functions, but they're great for travel—whether you toss them in your gym bag or keep them in your carry-on. We like this one from Body Back because it fits easily in the palm of your hand and has a flat bottom so that it won't roll away.

Our tester noted that as a manual massager, you have to move it around and apply the pressure yourself, but "it does what it needs to do and is very simple." Since it needs to be gripped by your entire hand, it can be awkward to use on hard-to-reach parts of your body for longer than a couple of minutes. Our tester said that he could see it being too tiring to use on your back for extended periods.

The Body Back ball is a great massager if you want something inexpensive and simple to use. But if you want something that does the work for you, look to one of our electric massager picks.

Type of massage: Rollerball | Added features: None | Accessories: None

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Amazon

Effective Shiatsu massage

15-minute heat timer

Can change roller motion

Flimsy strap

Beyond the deep tissue massage, the Papillion Back Massager uses infrared heat therapy to help relieve sore, tense muscles. Our tester raved that the Shiatsu massage and the heat setting make it an all-star product.

The pillow-shaped device has three speeds and a bi-directional rotation setting, which takes a little getting used to, but mimics the feeling of being massaged by human hands. "It felt like a whole new massage," our tester remarked.

An included strap secures the device to a chair, but our tester noted that it felt flimsy. "It connects with Velcro tabs, which slipped off the chair twice while I was using it." This model is excellent if you need a massager that provides effective relief with an optional heat setting.

We also tested the Wahl Hot Cold Therapy Massager and while the hot therapy was nice, our tester said the cold therapy feature didn’t function well and felt a bit gimmicky.

Type of massage: Bi-directional massage nodes | Added features: Heat | Accessories: Car adapter, AC adapter

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Before testing, we spoke with Eeric Truumees, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Texas Spine and Scoliosis in Austin, Texas on the best way to evaluate neck massagers. Using Truumees's feedback, we narrowed the field and bought 29 neck massagers in various styles, including pillows, slings, canes, roller balls, and massage seats. During testing days in The Lab, our testers used each massager for at least 15 minutes, experiencing each model's different settings, speeds, and temperature options. Throughout the test, we evaluated each massager for:

We are currently conducting long-term testing with all the picks on our list to see how they perform over time, documenting their durability and whether we experience malfunctions or other issues. We will update our recommendations with more insights as we spend more time with these products in the coming months.

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

Verywell Health / Leticia Almeida

We consulted several experts during the research and writing of this article on the best neck massagers:

Receiving her master’s degree in public health in 2020, Kayla Hui is a seasoned public health practitioner and health journalist. She has interviewed dozens of experts, reviewed numerous research studies, and tested a plethora of products to deliver well-researched product reviews and roundups. Her goal is to help readers make more informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Additional reporting by Simone Scully.

Simone Scully is a New York-based writer and editor with years of experience writing about health, wellness, science, and lifestyle. Her byline has appeared at Healthline, Well+Good, Narratively, Romper, Motherifigure’s magazine, Nautilus, Narratively, AskMen, among other places.

By Kayla Hui, MPHHui is a health writer with a master's degree in public health. In 2020, she won a Pulitzer Center Fellowship to report on the mental health of Chinese immigrant truck drivers.