Best Handheld Back Massager (Deep Tissue Massage)

Published on: March 15, 2022
Written by Camila Avery / Fact-checked by David Rowan

If you want to get rid of your unbearable back pain and improve your skin, a handheld back massager can be the best option for you!

Yes, you’re, I’m telling the truth. A handheld back massager can help you to improve your skin as it reduces your stress and let you have a sound sleep.

In short, this amazing tool can help you to build a good practice and maintain good health which is the main condition for living a happy life.

But choosing a handheld massager can be a little tricky sometimes!

But don’t worry, in this post, you’ll get almost all the necessary information about a back massager.

Benefits of Handheld Back Massager

By using a handheld back massager you can have a number of benefits, like-

Blood Flow

Handheld massagers increase blood flow in the massaged area, give relief to your muscles and help to cure aching joints and soreness of muscles.

Heat Therapy

Maximum handheld massagers have the heat therapy feature, this can heal your exertion soreness which is the reason for your muscle pain.

Relieves Stress

A handheld massager can also make your body and mind fresh by reducing mental and physical stress.

Revive Muscle Pain

This type of massager is able to heal your stress, soreness, and tension in your muscles by improving your blood circulation.

Heals Lower Back Pain

A handheld back massager heals your lower back pain by improving oxygen level and blood circulation in your spine area.

Promotes Healthy Sleep

It also can help you to sleep better as it cools down your tense muscles. A massage session of 10- 20 minutes can easily reduce your stress level and helps you to fall asleep.

Rejuvenates Your Skin

It can also improve your skin by making it youthful as the powerful vibrating motor improves your blood circulation.

Detoxifies Your Body

The massager diminishes the harmful toxin build up in your body and helps to boost your immunity.

Buying Guide for Handheld Back Massagers

You may think that buying a handheld back massager is a simple task. But believe me, when you see the available variations in the market, you’ll definitely get confused.

For example, each of the above lists comes with different types of features. You need to know about your requirements before buying, or you may end up with the wrong product.

In this section of the buying guide, I’ve clearly discussed the working process of different features of the massager and how you can benefit from them.

Features of a Handheld Massager

Massage Techniques

Different massage techniques benefit you in different ways. Though handheld massager doesn’t offer a number of massage techniques like other massagers, you can experience a good massage with them. Here’s a list of massage techniques that a handheld massager may have-

I. Kneading-

With the help of its head attachments, a handheld massager can give you this massage. Basically, this part of the attachment pushes your muscles against your bone and while pushing the massager against your skin, you can feel the kneading.

This type of massage is perfect for tight muscles, can increase your muscles’ flexibility, and helps you to get rid of the pain.

II. Tapping-

By using the massage heads, you can experience this with a handheld massager. For this, you need to repeatedly strike the head part of your body and it’ll stimulate your blood flow and increase the elasticity of your muscle.

III. Percussion:

Percussion massage means a rapid movement from the wrist of the masseur which hits your body alternately with each of their hands.

A handheld massager can stimulate this movement by performing short movements to hit your muscles. You can also change the hitting sequence depending on the model you have.

This massage stimulates your skin and muscle reflexion, improves blood circulation, and relaxes your muscles.

Heat Therapy

Heat therapy helps you to unwind after a long day of work. This therapy promotes relaxation and comfort as well as removes any aches or pains.

Heat therapy helps you to get relief from cramping, stiffness, muscle knots, lower back pain, exertion soreness, etc.

Adjustable Speed

The handheld massager with adjustable speed can be versatile and allows you to personalize massage by customizing the speed. You can have a relaxing massage by setting it at a low speed.

Shape & Size

Also, check the shape and size of the back massager to ensure that it can reach the point of pain in your back.

Check the size of the massager as well, the size should cover the area you need to massage and also need to be portable.

Attachment Heads

If your massager comes with more attachment heads you’ll be able to customize massage sessions depending on your needs.

Portability

As you’re buying a handheld massager, it must have to be lightweight, handy, and portable so that you can easily carry them with you.

Versatility

As we’ve mentioned above in this buying guide, handheld massager comes with different advantages. Some of them even allow you to massage most parts of your body. so check how versatile the device is.

Length of the Power Cord

If you choose a corded one, you must pick a massager that has a long power cord or you always have to stay close to the power source.

Type of Handheld Back Massager

The type of handheld back massager you should buy depends largely on your individual needs. If you’re looking for a deep-tissue massage, you may want to consider a percussion massager, which uses strong, rapid pulses to target specific areas. If you’re looking for a more gentle massage, a handheld vibrating massager may be more suitable. You may also want to consider a massager with adjustable intensity settings and various massage heads for greater versatility.

Safety Precautions When Using a Handheld Back Massager

1. Read the user manual and instructions carefully before using the massager.

2. Make sure to use the massager on gentle settings first and gradually increase the intensity as needed.

3. Avoid using the massager near open wounds or sensitive areas of the body.

4. Do not use the massager for more than 15 minutes at a time.

5. If pain, numbness, or any other discomfort is felt during the massage, stop using the massager immediately.

6. Always unplug the massager after use and store it in a safe, dry place.

Top 10 Handheld Back Massager Reviews

1. HoMedics – Affordable Percussion Massager

• Four-speed settings;
• Two interchangeable nodes;
• Lightweight. 

I can assure you that this massager is the best one can get at the cheapest price. Its features are simple and basic, but the quality is not compromised to cut the cost. It is surprising that they have included two sets of nodes, four stages of intensity, and a heating option at this price.

As it is quite basic, operating this massager is also simple. It doesn’t have numerous options, attachments, and buttons to get confusing. Just turn it on by pressing the power button and set the intensity you want by pressing the same button. To get the heated massage, simply press the heat button, and to turn the heat off, press that button again.

Here are some tips to get the most out of this economical massager. Remove the massaging nodes while you want to get a warm, intense massage; this way, you will get the warmth better. This massager works great as a pain reliever.

Just squeeze some pain reliever cream on the desired spot on your skin and use the massager on that spot. The intensity of the massages depends on how bad the pain is, the more it hurts, the less pressure you need to put on it. This way, the cream will be absorbed into the skin in a proper way and hopefully, you will get relieved faster.

Though it is a back massager, you can use it on almost any part of your body. For example, to get relief from tiredness after a stressful day, use it on your legs, feet, and shoulders. A small handle is attached to it to make holding this massager for a long time fatigue-free.

Pros

• Budget-friendly price;
• Rubber handle for better grip;
• Simple, user-friendly functions. 

Cons

• Requires multiple presses to get desired options. 

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2. Oster Stim-U-Lax Massager

• Single speed;
• Wearable massager. 

To some, this old-fashioned retro-style massager can seem weird and worthless. It really is, for people who are looking for a modern electric massager that can be used on their own. However, this message has been widely used in saloons back in the ’60s and ’70s and gained popularity as it was the first ever machined massager.

Till now, old fashioned people appreciate these types of massager over the modern one as they get confused with numerous functions and features. For those especially, it is the only option to give them some comfort in old age.

It is a durable glove-like construction that needs to be worn on the hand. There is a brush-like feature at the palm side that does the massage. It is low cost and goes a long way as it requires less maintenance. But be sure to order this because, if you are new to this, it may cause you more disturbance than comfort.

Pros

• Excellent to use for professionals;
• Effective massage for pain-reducing;
• Low-cost. 

Cons

• Old fashioned;
• Requires help to use this properly.

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3. Thumper – Sport Deep Tissue Handheld Back Massager

• 20 to 40 selectable pulses;
• Carrying case included. 

People who travel a lot will love this back massager from Thumper. Not only does it work excellently on sore muscles resulting from long-distance traveling, but also its carrying case makes it easier to take anywhere. So, next time you go for a holiday, you may prefer this over the hotel spa to rejuvenate yourself.

It has a variable speed setting which lets you choose between 20 to 40 pulses per minute. Choose yours depending on how intense a pulse you need. Chiropractors and professionals prefer this inexpensive item to deliver a long-lasting soothing massage to their clients.

Whether you are an athlete, who deals with muscle tension on a regular basis or a homemaker who develops sore muscles from day-long busy routines, this thumper will work wonderfully to ease away all the discomfort in minutes. So, for regular home use, or a massage parlor, it fits everywhere.

Pros

• Long-lasting;
• Travel-friendly;
• Wide speed range.
• Effective Deep Tissue Massage.  

Cons

• Heavy;
• Very expensive.

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4. Snailax Cordless Handheld Back Massager with Heat

• Up to 3,200 pulses per minute;
• Rechargeable handheld massager for neck, back shoulder, calf, & legs;
• 3 sets of dual pivoting heads are included. 

This massager lets you enjoy three types of massage at different levels of intensity at a budget-friendly price. For different massaging types, you have to change the massage heads. The hard one is made of ABS and is great for heating massage. Soft silicone ones are for gentle and soothing kneading. Another pair of heads is sharper and harder in shape, to work on selected acupoints.

The good thing about this massager is, though it has only 3-speed settings, it can create up to 3200 pulses in a minute. So, you get what you want at a faster pace. It is lightweight; so, it will not create dizziness or fatigue on your hands for prolonged holding.

The handle is about 13 inches long and made with non-slip materials. For people with sweaty palms, this handle will ensure a better grip. But the length may fall short for big guys. Personally, changing heads in between massages is troublesome for me. But surely it is great to serve different massaging purposes.

Pros

• 3 percussion massage mode;
• Variable vibration speed control;
• 15 minutes auto shut off;
• 3 sets of different massage heads for muscles.

Cons

• Only 3-speed settings.

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5. PUREWAVE GEN-2 Advanced Vibration Therapy Massager

• Dual motor massager w/carrying case;
• UL listed AC charger for US plug type;
• Advanced percussion + vibration provides a highly therapeutic & customized massage.

PURE WAVE GEN 2 advanced percussion + vibration dual motor massager is an inventive, cordless double-engine massager that conveys a profoundly customizable helpful therapeutic massage. With two amazing engines and seven treatment-grade connections to look over, you get the ideal back rub for your particular necessities. 

The unit’s ergonomic shape allows you to serenely arrive at all of your body’s difficult-to-arrive regions, so you can encounter help in only minutes. Also, it incorporates a helpful conveying case to effortlessly take the unit in a hurry!

These cordless massagers will save you both time and cash in entering your home for a great back rub without burning every last dollar! This is extra incredible for those who travel frequently or find it difficult to separate during the day.

Pros

• 2 newly designed pivoting percussion tips;
• Dual motor;
• Multi-speed calibrated control;
• Well balanced;
• Serves all over the body;
• Extended ergonomic handle.

Cons

• Expensive.

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6. CHIROGUN Deep Tissue Handheld Back Massager

• 30 different speed levels up to 3200 rpm;
• 2550mah fast-charging and long-life battery;
• The gun includes 15 heads and 2 bonus massage balls.

Includes 15 heads and 2 bonus needle balls with a CHIROGUN percussion massage gun. Not at all like some other back rub guns, our percussion massager incorporates 15 head connections, an apparatus included for rubbing each muscle in your body.  

In addition, the set includes a case that works on capacity and transportation, amazing as a men’s gift, whatever your male, family member, or companion.

The deep tissue needle weapon is equipped with a 1A / 25.2V connector which means it charges fast. The 2550mAh battery indicates that this gun massager can run a brushless high-force engine for 6 hours continuously.

This massager gun uses the most recent inventions of firearm noise reduction. In fact, even at the most extreme speed level, the gun for muscle will not exceed 60db. Additionally, the ergonomic plan implies this item is agreeable and simple to utilize.

Pros

• Cheap price;
• Recover faster, relax more and live better;
• Long handle helps to get a self-back massage;
• Can be easily used anywhere and anytime.
•  Effective for deep tissue massage.

Cons

• No cons to mention. 

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7. TheraRub Double Head Electric Massager with Extra Long Power Cord

• 3260 rotations per minute;
• Double head design;
• 3 pairs of head attachments.  

Unlike single-head massagers, this handheld massager can be used to replace two single-handed massagers at once. It has one large head with two attachments underneath. This one is good for massaging a large area in one go.

This back massager doesn’t have any heating option. It only uses a rubbing motion to work on muscle tissue, like natural hand-induced massage. The main purpose of this unit is just pain-relieving and reducing the soreness of different parts. It is not heavy but considerably large, so not a travel-friendly pocket-size massager you can carry anywhere. Rather, it is best to use in the comfort of the home only.

The 3 pairs of attachments are for delivering different types of massage. Its frequency is variable, but you must read the manual first before using it. For use on sore, knot, or pain, try beginning with the low intensity and gradually increasing the power after some minutes as you adapt to it.

Pros

• Suitable for pain-relieving;
• Durable;
• 14 ft power cord;
• A double-head works better than a single-head design. 

Cons

• Not portable;
• Heavy.  

Related More Posts: The Best Back Massager for Chair, for details, click here

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8. Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Therapeutic Handheld Massager

• 3350 pulse per minute;
• 4 head attachments.  

Maybe you have noticed that most of the massagers we have picked have interchangeable heads and the pulse rate is quite similar. Then what makes this Wahl handheld massager unique? The answer is its attachments. There are 4 heads in the package to use with the massager and all are in a unique shape for unique purposes.

The most unique one is the four-finger flex head. This attachment has four finger-tip-like shapes that perfectly mimic massaging with fingertips. The other heads are one round deep tissue attachment, an acupressure point pointed head and a flat disk head. The flat disk head is for working on a broader muscle group.

The pulse it creates is similar to other back massagers of the same price range. But the thumping motion feels more powerful compared to others. Thanks to its speed setting that lets me choose the frequency. Because, the top frequency is too much for me, but people with serious muscle tension may find that useful.

Pros

• Powerful;
• Effectively interchangeable heads;
• Economical price. 

Cons

• May not be long-lasting.

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9. TEC.BEAN Handheld Deep Percussion Massager with 6 Interchangeable Nodes

• 3350 pulse per minute;
• 6 interchangeable nodes.  

From my experience with handheld back massagers, I have found this massager to be the most versatile one at a budget price. Like the expensive back massagers, it has 6 interchangeable nodes, variable speed, and a heating option. The nodes are responsible for making this massager versatile. From scratching heads to kneading feet, everything is possible with it. Investing in this may save you from spending bucks on saloon, spa, and massage parlor bills.

The body of this massager has a rubber-hammer-type design. I can’t really explain why its design is so special, but while using it, I felt that reaching the desired spot is easier with it. The only problem with this unit is, the instruction manual is poorly written. From that useless manual, I guess they don’t recommend using this unit with any creams or oils.

However,  this back massager is well-built and durable. It’s quite larger than it seems in the picture, so it is more suitable for home use, not carrying around. But the 6 versatile nodes and a budget price make this back massager worth a try.

Pros

• Can be used all over the body;
• Very light;
• 6 nodes for endless massaging options. 

Cons

• Poor instruction manual. 

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10. RENPHO Rechargeable Hand-Held Deep Tissue Massager

• Great motor up to 3600 Rpm;
• Cordless handheld massager;
• High battery capacity;
• Long-serving time up to 140 mins.

The RENPHO Electric Massager has a strong engine, and enduring battery, and is made from excellent ABS plastic. It can actually assist you with decreasing throbs and inconveniences in your shoulders, neck, back, joints, foot, leg, and calves. It is additionally valuable assuming that you really want to accelerate muscle recuperation or just wish to unwind. Ideal to utilize any time, regardless of whether it is over the course of the day.

It is made with a strong engine of 3600 heartbeats each moment, which permits it to offer you a profound tissue massage.

While most conventional electric massagers should be connected to a divider attachment to keep the power on, it has an inherent battery which implies that it tends to be utilized anyplace.

Pros

• Good for a deep tissue firmer massage;
• Can be used for the shoulder, back, lower back, and soles of feet;
• Long battery life;
• Portable. 

Cons

• No cons to mention. 

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FAQs

What Are the Benefits of Using a Handheld Back Massager for Lower Back Pain?

Using a handheld back massager for lower back pain can offer several benefits. These lower back massager options can provide targeted relief, ease muscle tension, and improve circulation in the affected area. Additionally, they can be used at your convenience, allowing for quick, on-the-go pain relief.

Can I Use a Handheld Back Massager on My Feet?

Using a handheld back massager on your feet can provide soothing relief and relaxation. These versatile devices are often designed to target various muscles and body parts, making them suitable for learning with foot massagers too. With adjustable settings and different attachments, you can tailor the intensity and pressure to cater to your specific foot pain or discomfort. Enjoy the benefits of a foot massage anytime, anywhere with a handheld back massager.

Conclusion

Finally, you can choose anyone from the mentioned list, all of them will perform great to reduce your stress. They’re highly recommended by users for their flexibility, comfort, portability, and weight.

So check the features and match them with your needs then pick the one that suits you best.

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