These Neck Massagers Are About To Upgrade Your Chill Nights In (2025)

Everyone loves a deep tissue massage, but who really has the time (or money) to book weekly appointments at the spa? With an overall rating of 4.5 stars from 35,000 people, RESTECK knows what they're doing. This kneading pillow comes with heat therapy and bidirectional kneading nodes.

And, it also comes in a little purse, so you can even get a massage on-the-go.

Rave Review: "Easy to use and powerful enough to put more pressure on the area you’re massaging. Very versatile massager and far better to reach tough spots on your back compared to a handheld system. Also appreciate it came with a car adapter so you can take it out on the road."

If you're on a budget, this quality neck massager emphasizes its Shiatsu massage setting along with a soothing heat option, so you're not sacrificing any cool features for the price.

Rave Review: "This is an excellent way to ease a stiff neck and other upper muscle problems. It is well made and performs as stated. The fact that it is electrically-driven and not battery-driven gives it an extra performance rating."

This all-in-one massager has eight deep-kneading massage nodes that work just as well on the neck as they do does wrapped around your legs (great if you're a runner). Instead of only being used for the neck, other desperately aching joints can be relieved, too. This is great for people who need a quick way to release muscle tension, getting you an effective, heated massage in just 20 minutes.

Rave Review: "It's very impressive for the price. Does what it advertises with noticeable results. Honestly, I couldn't ask for more. Don't waste your money on a more expensive version of the same product when you will get everything you're looking for with this one."

Gone are the days of those uncomfortable little airplane cushion pillows. This adjustable massaging pillow will keep you sleeping soundly throughout your journey. Careful, though—you'll be the envy of everyone on your flight.

Rave Review: "I really was not expecting much with this, but it surprised me. Three speeds and it's not just vibration..there is some variation to it. It actually helps my neck pain. It's comfortable and you can use it lying down, on your back or side, or sitting up."

If you suffer from back pain, InvoSpa might be the next best thing to getting a spa massage on the daily. Between the comfortable, adjustable straps and penetrating rollers, happy reviewers feel noticeably less achy in their back after just a few uses.

Rave Review: "I got it for my mom because she gets these really big knots on her back and I can’t rub the whole trigger point out, but by golly this contraption does. I’ve even used it when my neck gets really tight. At first it hurts for obvious reasons, but once it’s done you can tell a MAJOR difference. I recommend it."

Super powerful and easy to use, the Hyperice Go can help melt pain away with its two attached heads which allow you to drill into your problem areas. The best part is once you're done with your neck you can go in on other parts of your body, and since it's cordless and rechargeable, there's no need to deal with messy wires.

Rave Review: "Works extremely well for really sore, tight muscles, especially when you need relief now and can’t get to a masseuse. Feels like a deep tissue massage. The pain relief was amazing. Best results I’ve ever had from a massage tool."

If your body is constantly changing and aching in a different way and new place every day, this is the massager for you. With five levels of control and five interchangeable heads that have the ability to pinpoint the tiniest of joints, you'll love this handheld massager.

Rave Review: "This thing is built like a tank. Battery lasts for hours at a time. Gives very powerful massages, but has a low setting as well. Massager is heavy (due to battery), but I think that is a plus. Your arms will get a workout while you massage yourself. Do this before bed it will help you sleep!"

This deluxe massager does more than just look good. With a plush cushion and padded support, you'll likely leave it on even when you don't have the massage function on. The Amazon bestseller is a fan favorite amongst people looking for a comfortable, spa-like deep tissue massage.

Rave Review: "It works wonderfully. The heat feature feels so relaxing and the reverse feature is great for switching it up and really loosening up the muscles thoroughly. I use it all the way down my back. It’s not a real human massage, but it’s the next-best thing!"

If you're going to splurge, this massager's worth every penny. It includes attachments in different shapes to give you the most advanced massage yet and to get into the deepest layers of your muscles. It's super quiet (great if you have roommates or a sleeping baby) and even connects through Bluetooth so you can curate your very own personalized wellness routine.

Rave Review: "I was skeptical on the effectiveness of these massage guns, but now that I have one I love it. It's perfect for using to warmup before workouts, and to relieve soreness afterwards. The handle on the Theragun is much easier to hold and position than other brands, and I really like how this version has an adjustable head position. Highly recommend!"

You've likely seen and used massage rollers at the gym for years, but this one allows you to pick from different vibrations and wave patterns that last up to four hours. It's even sturdy enough to lay down on the ground to roll your back on.

Rave Review: "I was looking for something to use on my back and shoulders while sitting watching some TV and this one does a good job. It has some powerful vibrations and is easy to charge quickly. The charge lasts a long time IMO."

Between the minimalist design and golf ball rollers, this neck massager is surprisingly affordable. The rollers are great at targeting pressure points just as effectively as heavily-padded neck massagers, too.

Rave Review: "I take this with me everywhere since I got it and I swear I and everyone else love it. We all work in a sitting/slouching office environment and this is amazing for the neck and really anywhere on your body. I use it on my legs and arms, too."

If you're looking for a device that feels like human hands, this is it. Say hello to a magical masseuse in your very own living room. No wonder this massager is one of Oprah's favorite things.

Rave Review: "If you can't make it to your massage therapist, this is a great substitute! You create the pressure with the straps to pull down and there is heat as well to help penetrate the muscles. Good to use on legs, calfs, shoulders, and lower back. May be a bit cumbersome, but feels SO good."

There are a ton of options out there when it comes to neck massagers, but the best ones add just the right amount of pressure to the joints without straining or stressing out your muscles.

The kind of pressure and amount you want is different for everyone (and can change based upon your lifestyle), but the very best neck massagers knead and roll the muscles in the same way a masseuse might in order to reduce pain—at a fraction of the cost.

These types of massagers can fall into several different categories including handheld massagers, massage therapy guns, pillow massagers, massage balls, massage cushions, acupressure instruments (like mats and balls), and electrical stimulation instruments (while they technically don't apply pressure to muscles, they do stimulate muscles), says Dr. Shah.

Choosing a new massager comes down to what your individual needs are. Some questions Dr. Shah recommends asking yourself are "Where will I use the massager?" or "Where on my body will I use the massager?" This will help you narrow down your options. "For example, a neck massager that is handheld may not be a good fit for someone who has bad shoulders and cannot raise their arms to use it," says Shah.

When it comes to electric massagers, like massage pillows, cushions, or guns, Shah suggests a trial and error approach to see if the tool is compatible with your body. If it's working, Shah says you should see improvements in your pain within 24 to 48 hours. If not, you may need to seek another option or see a doctor. "For example, if the neck becomes stiff after the massage and that is coupled with pain that goes into the arms, this could indicate the problem is beyond the muscles and may extend into the neck nerves as well," explains Shah.

When you first start using a neck massager, Shah recommends going slow and giving yourself at least a few days of rest in between each use of the new apparatus to ensure that the effects are doing more good than harm.

If you want to prevent neck and shoulder pain, make sure you get stretches and exercise in. "Gently turning and holding from left and right for 20 seconds will suffice if done four times per week," says Shah.

Exercise can also help retrain your muscles to work better together and improve endurance. "A combination of strength exercises, such as lifting dumbbells, and aerobic movement, such as walking or running, will put one's back and neck in optimal alignment [and further prevent pain]," says Shah.

Be wary of overusing your product. You shouldn’t use a neck massager for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time and no more than a few times a week, says Shah.

If your pain doesn't improve within a few weeks, it may be a time to see a doctor. "I use the rule of twos to categorize a pulled muscle. It will either last two hours, two days, or two weeks. If the muscle pain is not improving within a few days, and there are no other symptoms such as pain that trickles into the arms or hands or goes into the chest, then seeing a physician within a few weeks is advisable," says Shah.

If you do experience these symptoms or any kind of chest pressure, then it's best you see a doctor at lot sooner.