A massager well-equipped to focus on that one particular spot that bothers you the most. Only then can the device and your at-home massage session be effective. However, it’s not easy finding a massager that targets a particular region, especially the most common problem area i.e. your back.
Lucky for you, you don’t have to search the web anymore for the best handheld back massagers. It has been proven that back massages do indeed relax your tight, stiff muscles, stimulate blood circulation, and relieve chronic pain.
There are all kinds of massagers with features designed to focus on your lower back, upper back, and even full back. Then comes intensity options, heat options, vibration modes, and so on and so forth. So I understand why the processing of making a practical, wise decision can be so overwhelming.
But you don’t have to bother yourself with that anymore. Just sit back, relax, and read through these reviews that are sure to be of immense help to you!
Top 10 Handheld Massagers for the Back
1. Renpho Rechargeable Hand Held Deep Massager
The very first option on the list is the best handheld deep-tissue electric back massager. The Renpho innovation here is the brand’s proudest cordless massager that features a very powerful motor. One that delivers 3,600 pain-relieving pulses each minute. And that means a deep tissue massage.
The cordless, portable design is just the cherry on the cake. The device’s percussion technology targets your back, and even neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and feet. Thanks to the 5 different interchangeable head attachments.
And lastly, a single charge keeps the device running for 140 minutes. The best way to pamper yourself indeed!
Key Features
2. Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Massager
A personal favorite and Amazon’s top choice, the Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Massager offers targeted muscle relief. After all, it does rank as the best handheld percussion massager. The device provides instant relief by boosting blood circulation and breaking up pain signals. So your back muscles are bound to relax and feel less tired, painful, and inflamed.
You know it’s a versatile unit when it’s outfitted with intensity modes, multiple attachment heads, and user-friendly design. The user-friendliness comes in the form of a 9 ft. power cord and a long, sleek handle to target your whole back the most comfortably.
Key Features
3. Victor Jurgen Handheld Back Massager
Now, this is a massaging device equipped with a double head. The effects of this are a professional, masseuse-like tapping massage that paves the way for a deeper tissue, more comfortable massage experience. And not just to relax your upper and lower back but also the shoulders, neck, arms, legs, and feet.
No doubt, you get the best handheld electric massage with attachments that focus on the most problematic areas. The motor delivers 3,350 pulses each minute.
Plus, the speed settings are customizable. So go for high intensity to relieve accumulated muscle pain and tension in the back. Or choose gentle massage for daily therapeutic benefits.
Key Features
4. Mighty Bliss Deep Tissue Back and Body Massager
This cordless electric percussion handheld massager your knotty muscles in the back are sure to appreciate. More often than not, back pain is a result of deep-seated muscle knots. And the best way to undo these knots and relieve all that discomfort presents itself in the form of this back and body massager.
With 3,700 pulses/minute, the super-powerful motor infuses nothing but pure bliss into your stiff knotty back muscles. And the lightweight, slim design allows this to take place without any inconvenience. And so does the never-ending battery life of more than 120 minutes just on a single charge.
Key Features
5. TheraFlow Handheld Deep Tissue Percussion Massager
Deep tissue relief in the back only comes as a result of strong percussion trigger point massage. This very action is what soothes your long-standing muscle pain, tension, and soreness. Enter the shiatsu massage head attachment of the TheraFlow Handheld Percussion Massager.
The shiatsu attachment, in particular, mimics the real effects of a deeper pressure point massage carried out by the elbow or knuckles. The other attachment head includes dual-point for recreating the effects of a kneading massage performed by the fingers. And there’s a third attachment that targets your scalp.
All 3 attachment heads, just so you know, are constructed using flexible silicone that’s neither too soft nor too hard.
Key Features
6. Maggo Massage Gun Deep Tissue Percussion Muscle Massager
How about you consider buying your very own gun massager to support your athletic and fitness goals? This Maggo Deep Tissue Percussion Gun Massager relieves muscle stiffness, soreness, and aches all at once. It’s a cordless massager gun that works for around 6 to 10 hours on a single charge.
The application is powerful, no doubt, and, at the same time, super quiet. The powerful motor delivers strong, high penetration to relieve and relax your muscles. The trigger point massage therapy function is very useful to alleviate tension in the back muscles.
With 30 speed settings and 6 different massage heads, this gun massager once applied to your troubled, tensed areas might just feel like you’ve hit a jackpot.
Key Features
7. Snailax Cordless Handheld Back Massager
Lots of users like how this handheld massager delivers deep tissue percussion massage with it powerful vibration effect. Sore muscles and knots are targeted in particular, so your back pain is bound to eventually dwindle.
It’s a compact cordless device equipped with a rechargeable battery. But what matters more is the heat massage therapy function. It uses heat, infrared light for spreading warmth all over your back muscles to release those deep-seated knots and tension.
Moreover, there are 3 automatic modes for massage, 3 customizable speed settings, and 4 interchangeable head attachments. Needless to say, a deep tissue percussion massage like this, after all, offers more benefits than you can imagine.
Key Features
8. Moico Handheld Back Massager
This massager is specifically designed to target your back with its 12 different vibration modes and 10 different speed settings. You get 3,200 pulses each minute, which is powerful enough for relieving pain and relaxing sore muscles.
Safety comes first for the brand. And the proof of this is the automatic shut-off function after 15 minutes of application to avoid overheating and overuse.
Furthermore, the operation is super-quiet and the design ergonomic with its long, comfortable-to-hold handle that reaches your lower back as conveniently as it massages your shoulder blades.
The 6 interchangeable head attachments make it a versatile unit for your feet as well. But, in my opinion, if relieving foot pain is also a priority, then why not purchase a massager specifically crafted for relaxing your foot muscles.
Key Features
9. Vivreal Handheld Back Massager
Let me bring to your attention that Vivreal is a brand that has been recommended by many physiotherapists, sports trainers, and chiropractors worldwide. Especially this handheld back massager that’s perfect for home massage therapy. What with its multiple massage modes and adjustable speed settings!
The motor is ergonomic and powerful (3,200 pulses/minute). But it’s the inclusion of the 6 interchangeable massager nodes that athletes, fitness enthusiasts, chronic back pain sufferers, and the like appreciate the most. This way, the electric percussion massager can be used all over the body to provide relaxation and boost circulation like never before.
Key Features
10. Naipo Handheld Back Massager
With wide-range speed that includes gentle and intense, this handheld massager with its powerful motor is sure to provide just the percussion frequency massage your aching, tense back demands. The pulses per minute, after all, are as high as 3,800. And for safety, the brand has incorporated overheat protection.
What’s also integrated into the device is an advanced heating function. Moreover, the anti-slip, long handle complements the overall streamlined, portable design of the massager.
On top of that, there’s a round massage node, intensive massage mode, and pinpoint massage node. One is for a gentle massage, the other for targeting larger areas, and the pinpoint version targets special acupuncture points.
Meaning you can use this for your full body, except for your hands. But, worry not, I’ve created a list of some of the most effective hand massagers to relieve arthritic pain in the joints and muscles of your hands.
Key Features
Choosing A Handheld Massager for the Back
If you want your investment to be a wise decision, then do take the following factors into consideration. But, more importantly, if you want the massager to be effective and actually relieve muscle tension, pain, and stiffness, then it’s even more important to keep these pointers in mind...
1. Style of Massage
You get two options here; vibration and shiatsu. The latter, needless to say, provides a deeper, kneading massage that targets your deep tissue. Such types of massagers feature rotating nodes. These treat knotty muscles, which are often a result of athletic performance or injury.
As for vibration massagers, they may be less intense but such devices are the best for soothing aching, tired muscles on a daily basis. You can reward yourself with a gentle, relaxing massage like this right in the comfort of your home after a long, hard day at work.
No doubt, vibration massagers don’t consist of nodes. Rather they’re outfitted with pulsing or vibration movement.
2. Corded or Cordless
Handheld massagers are available in both the corded and cordless (battery-powered) version. The cordless, unquestionably, offers more freedom, flexibility, portability, mobility, etc. However, those batteries should offer a long-standing charge. Preferably more than 120 minutes on a single charge. Some cordless massagers I’ve reviewed have a 6-10 hour battery life also.
This largely depends on where you would be using your massager. If it’s going to be at home only, then why not go for the corded kind. Just make sure the length of the power cord is at least 7-9 feet long.
But if you plan on carrying the massager with you, then I would highly recommend a cordless design. Either way, the unit should be lightweight and compact, not bulky and inconvenient to move around.
3. Intensity or Speed Settings
It’s only more beneficial to purchase a handheld massager that features speed settings. So you can enjoy a gentle massage for some relaxation or an intense one to relieve deep-rooted muscle knots, tension, and pain in the back. The latter, obviously, delivers a more powerful deep tissue massage to get rid of chronic back pain.
Handheld massagers for body pain should also be outfitted with speed settings. That’s how the performance of the device becomes more efficient.
4. Massage Head Attachments
A minimum of 3 head attachments is essential. This number increase to 6 as well in some models. The inclusion of additional massage heads makes the device a more versatile choice in that it can be used not just for your back but also for the shoulders, neck, arms, legs, and feet.
More often than not, handheld massaging units offer head attachments like pinpoint, round, kneading, curved, shiatsu dual-point, scalp, etc.
5. Heat Function
Not all handheld massagers feature the heat therapy function. But if your muscles in the back are very stiff, tensed, and knotted, then you shouldn’t overlook this particular feature.
After all, heat therapy does indeed alleviate pain and tension in the muscles in the case of athletic injuries. Even otherwise, chronic back pain is bound to diminish over time if you’re massaging your back muscles while also spreading warmth across that region.
6. Automatic Shut Down
This is a safety function many manufacturers incorporate into their massagers in order to prevent overheating. Even overuse is avoided in case you fall asleep during your massage session. The time frame, more often than not, is 15 minutes of use.
7. Handle Design
You are choosing a handheld massager for your back, aren’t you? So it would make no sense to buy a device whose handle is not sleek, streamlined, and able to reach your lower back conveniently.
On top of that, the handle should be equipped with an anti-slip, comfortable rubber grip. Along the same lines, the overall design of the massager should be lightweight and compact, thus easy to move around.
8. Motor (Pulses Per Minute)
Irrespective of the kind of handheld massager you pick, keep in mind that its performance matters the most. And the efficiency of the unit is determined by its motor strength.
How many pain-relieving and soothing pulses per minute does the massager deliver? For the thing to produce instant and long-term relief, the number should be a minimum of 3,200 pulses/minute. And it goes all the way up to 4,800 pulses/minute. This brings into the picture adjustable speed settings in case you wish to dial down the high intensity.
Final Words
Hunching over the desk is something most of us do unintentionally. And let’s not forget the long hours of remaining seated. Even working out at the gym tends to place too much strain on your back muscles. Whatever the cause, relieving that tension is absolutely necessary. And you can’t run to a professional masseuse every time your back troubles you. Unless your Richie Rich!
That said, why not invest in a handheld massager specifically designed for the back! Needless to say, the device is well-equipped with all the right features such as massage modes, head attachments, and even heat therapy. So you can sit back on your sofa at home and relax your tensed, stiff, and sometimes even painful back muscles.
This particular innovation has helped a great deal when it comes to treating chronic back pain as well. Even fitness enthusiasts, gym-goers, and athletes rely on such percussion, deep tissue massagers for enhancing performance simply by relieving tension and boosting blood circulation in their muscles.
