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6 best massage tools
If you want to release tension and relax at home, grab any one of these massage tools
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There are plenty of benefits involved in getting a massage - and it doesn’t matter if the massage is performed by a human or a machine. To list a few of the advantages: there's the relaxation element of massages, as well as cutting back on stress, blood pressure reduction, and the relief of muscle pain/pressure.
According to the Acupuncture Massage College of Miami, the art of massage can be traced back to Ancient China - 2700 BCE. Today, as innovation continues, massage machines and equipment have made it easier to bring the practice into your home.
Furthermore, massagers are now a fraction of the price you’d pay a human. But how do you know if you're getting the best massage machine or equipment?
For starters, you should be aware of a few things. You can get affordable massage equipment without breaking the bank. Regarding key features - there are pluses like cordless and heated massagers. Noise production should also be included in your list of considerations.
Lastly, focus on where on the body you want to massage. There are full-body massagers, back and neck, as well as those for the feet and hands.
After more than 10 hours of testing on the upper/lower back, neck, hands and head - we concluded that the six massage machines and equipment listed below offer the best bang for your buck.
The shape and length of Wahl’s Deep Tissue Therapeutic Massager make it perfect for reaching spots on the lower back and its oblong handle allows you to massage the back with one of its four attachments.
Although the machine needs to be plugged in, it is still portable.
We should also mention - when compared to other massagers tested, it was slightly heavier. In the end, what we enjoyed most is its high-intensity and ability to work out seriously painful knots in the legs, back, and shoulder area.
We were even able to use the machine on the hands, which can be great for writers, musicians, carpenters, or anyone who works with their hands.
Napio advertises a professional massage experience, which is accurate.
Its four deep-penetrating Shiatsu massage nodes dig deep into the nooks and crannies. The machine attempts to recreate the feeling of a real massage therapist and does an excellent job.
Napio's portable Shiatsu massager seemed to work best on the back and neck.
Napio's design is sleek, compact and even enables heated massage. The heat isolates pain and provides long-lasting relief.
The machine contours to fit the shape of wherever it is placed - which is wonderful if you’re planning to travel. Another promise made by Napio is its money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the product within 30 days, you can receive a full refund.
Additionally - you get a 24-month guarantee for "quality-related issues."
On a scale from one-to-five in intensity - HoMedics' neck massager with heat is a four.
It is useful for neck stiffness. And for those with bad posture - this massager is likely for you. The machine seems to be most effective for tension in the neck area, having soothed and reduced tension in the necks of our testers.
HoMedics’ massager is portable, as it can be powered by four AA batteries. When at home, plug it in for easy use. The machine itself has two levels of intensity. The lowest setting is for "dull aches" and the second level provides a more powerful vibration. Finally, the machine has the option to add heat to your massage experience.
With a two-year warranty, HoMedics’ Neck Massager is definitely worth every penny.
If you're more of a manual process kind of person - the next massager is for you.
LiBa’s manual back and neck massager enables you to apply as little or as much pressure as you want. We found it worked well to work out stiffness and knots stemming from strenuous activities.
This massager is especially good if you're on a budget and for those who want to travel with massage equipment as it doesn’t take up a ton of room. Not only is it light, but it can fit in most any bag.
Another plus - LiBa’s self-massage tool is 100 per cent noise-free.
With gel massage nodes, this deep-kneading massage chair works just about anywhere you have a chair. If you ever feel tense at the office -- SNAILAX’s Shiatsu back massager can work on the lower back, buttocks, and shoulders.
Because of the massage nodes, a massage provides near-instant-relief.
Using electromagnetic stimulation - NURSAL's electronic massager has 10 levels of adjustable intensities.
Inflamed discs, joints, tension and other injuries all yield themselves to such a method of massage. By far the most portable piece of massage equipment on our list, it can even fit into your pocket. Be warned, if you are new to electromagnetic stimulation, it can feel a bit odd at first.
Once you ease into it, the comfort it provides is more than sufficient.
There is also an LCD display for usage stats. The advantage of a massager of this nature is that you can target specific pain centers using the six adhesive pads.
The verdict: Best massage tools
No matter what kind of massage machine or equipment you’re in the market for - you can find it with the specs you desire.
In the end, it does come down to a major consideration, affordability. Of all the products we've mentioned above, we’d have to say that Wahl’s deep tissue massager takes the cake.
At just $36, you can get a full-body massage whenever you want. It is tethered, but still portable, which enables you to travel with the machinery and the elongated handle is another selling point, as you can reach all the hard-to-reach spots.
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