Anyone who’s ever treated herself to a massage can vouch for the fact, it’s a self-indulgent decadent experience. It’s at the same time both physically and mentally relaxing.

Modern science has shown that massage is beneficial for both our physical and psychological health.

See our reviews of top rated personal & hand-held massagers on Amazon for more details about what they offer and which one might be the best for you.

Best Personal & Handheld Massagers

	TYMO Cordless Percussion Massager	Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow	Zyllion ZMA-13RB-BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager
Power:	Li-ion battery	110V / Car Adapter	Li-ion polymer battery
Heat:	Yes, Infrared Heat	Yes	Yes
Best For:	All over body	Neck and Shoulders	Neck and Shoulders

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Personal & Handheld Massagers For 2023

1. TYMO Cordless Percussion Massager
2. MIGHTY BLISS Deep Tissue Back & Body Massager
3. Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow
4. RENPHO Hand Held Deep Tissue Massager
5. Hangsun Handheld Neck & Back Massager
6. Apollo Kinetics Pulse Massage Gun
7. Zyllion ZMA-13RB-BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager

Our reviews of the top-rated handheld massagers with our comparison table and buying guide will help you choose the right one for you.

Personal Massager Reviews

#1 TYMO Cordless Percussion Massager

The TYMO Cordless Percussion Massager is our Editors Choice for the best personal massager and is a surprisingly powerful, yet quiet massager.

Its size may and weight may fool you because it can still give a good deep-tissue massage. When we added a moderate amount of pressure to it, the Pure Enrichment was effective at reaching deep into the muscle.

Its angled head allowed for getting to many hard-to-reach areas, especially the neck and upper back which is where we tend to store tension.

It included a wrist strap and non-slip handle which were handy to make ensure a good grip.

The massage heads were made from a material that glided easily across the skin, making for a soothing, gentler massage.

We didn’t find the need to use oils or lotions in conjunction with this massager, but they certainly could be used if you’d like.

#2 MIGHTY BLISS Deep Tissue Back & Body Massager

We weren’t sure what to expect with the MIGHTY BLISS Deep Tissue Back & Body Massager because it’s so compact.

We doubted it could really pack a punch, but this little massager is quite powerful for its size and we found it to be the best hand massager for a reasonable price, especially considering the interchangeable attachments and speed charging.

It’s lightweight and portable, thanks to that rechargeable feature. We liked that portability. You don’t have to be tied down to the nearest electrical outlet. One charge takes just 60 minutes and will last 2 hours or more.

This massager comes with six interchangeable heads. Several of these are unique to this massager and provide a one-of-a-kind relaxation experience

The power that this back and body massager can generate is where it’s true talent lies, however. It weighs a little over 3 pounds but can operate at 3,700 RPM. If you have some deep muscle tension or knots, this massager can penetrate to relax it away.

Like most hand-held massagers, the MIGHTY BLISS allowed us to choose the vibration strength. You have plenty of options so you can customize your massage experience.

#3 Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow

The Nektek Shiatsu pillow sat comfortably around our neck and required no extra effort on our part, other than putting it on our favorite setting. It worked out the muscle tension that can accumulates around the shoulders, upper back, and neck.

This massager came with a heat function that could be turned on and off manually.  There was an auto shut off feature to ensure the unit didn’t overheat.

The Nekteck is unlike the common stick-like design of most personal massagers. It’s designed to sit atop the shoulders and wrap loosely around the neck.

It came with handy “pockets” where we could rest our hands. This naturally reduced the heaviness of the arms and seemed to encourage relaxation in the shoulders.

We liked that it required no effort on our part- no need to reach around to awkward areas. This seems like it would be ideal for someone who’s dealing with soreness in the arms or doesn’t have a lot of strength to manage a standard-design hand-held.

The Nektek had a series of massage heads which could be adjusted to mimic the sensation of having a personal massage. These massage heads automatically alternated directions.

In spite of its intended use for the neck and shoulders, we were just as able to wrap it around the lower back, legs and waist. The unit was lightweight, easy to pack away.

#4 RENPHO Hand Held Deep Tissue Massager

The RENPHO Deep Tissue Massager was another cordless model we tried. Again, the cordless models are great for taking along with you, not having to be dependent on a nearby electrical outlet.

The unit seemed to run for a good while on one charge and it didn’t take too long to get it fully charged. The RENPHO is a traditional wand-style massager that we were able be used on all areas of the body.

It had a powerful, intense massage action which was fabulous for working on particularly tense muscles, but the intensity could be changed to a lower setting if it’s too strong for you.

This hand-held came with 5 interchangeable massage heads which allowed for more versatility in massage sensations and is probably the best handheld massager, especially considering it’s less than $50!

These included: ball-shaped, three-pronged (a large and small), curved, and single-point heads.

The RENPHO Deep Tissue Massager had an auto-stop feature that kicked in after about 20 minutes of use.  Presumably is built-in to keep it from overheating.

#5 Hangsun Handheld Neck & Back Massager

The Hangsun Handheld Neck & Back Massager is a wand-style massager with a nice, curved shape which made it easily to access areas that are normally a challenge to reach, such as the upper back and shoulders.

It’s not limited to just those areas as we found it useable all over the body, especially using the three interchangeable sets of massage nodes.

With its bulky head, we expected this massager to be more unwieldy than the others, but it was quite manageable and was lighter weight than we expected. The extra-long power cord didn’t get in the way and allowed more freedom of movement.

The Hangsun Handheld Massager requires no downward force onto the targeted area. The machine does all the percussion work itself with a high RPM range. You can adjust this RPM with multiple settings to get just the right amount of massage.

It was very effective while not so strong that you feel as though you’re getting a beating. Being lightweight, it also made it easier to get through a longer massage without becoming tired, and your arms then needing a massage!

If you’re looking for the best portable massager, you would be hard-pressed to find a better one!

#6 Apollo Kinetics Pulse Massage Gun

The “massage gun” is a relatively new design when it comes to personal, handheld massagers. It looks quite different and the benefits for most users are different as well. Different how?

Apollo Kinetics has designed this pulse massage gun with a brushless motor which means the machine is lighter weight and quieter while packing an even bigger punch in RPMs.

A gun-designed massager is also more ergonomic than other handheld massagers so it can easily be used to target other areas of the body in addition to the most common problem areas.

Weighing just over 2 pounds, you may not think this little thing could do much, but you’d be surprised. After a quick charge, you’ll have hours of time available to sit back and relax.

Adjust the settings to varying speeds and even switch out the four interchangeable heads for the exact type and intensity of the massage you need in that specific area.

These heads range from being able to target dense muscles like the upper back or thighs to more bony areas like the arms or knees.

If want the best handheld massage tool, try the Apollo Kinetics handheld massage gun. Your body will thank you!

#7 Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager

Unlike the handhelds, the Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager took no effort to use.  We just placed it against a flat surface, laid back, and let the massager do all the work. 

This personal massager was well-suited for all areas of the back. It stayed in place when we propped it up on the couch and leaned against it. It also has a strap to attach it to headrests or other places.

While it’s not necessarily intended for use on the feet, we found it gave a great foot massage when placed on the floor. 

The Zyllion Massager basically works by providing alternating pressure that’s created by rolling balls beneath soft nylon webbing. It automatically switched direction so that the repetitive movement didn’t get annoying over time. This is a typical Shiatsu-style massage.

In addition to the massager’s motion, it also had a heating feature which felt really good on the middle and upper back. The heat function is optional so you can turn that off if it’s not needed at the time.

This device is definitely worthy of praise for the purpose of relaxation. Its strength seemed sufficient to work out muscle knots.

With the ability to carry it along in the car or to your workplace it’s one of the best portable massagers for those of us who sit in front of a computer all day!

Personal Massager Comparison Table

Handheld Massager		Power	Weight	Heat	Rating
TYMO Cordless Percussion Massager		Li-ion battery	2.5 lbs	Infrared Heat	4.6 / 5.0
MIGHTY BLISS Deep Tissue Back & Body Massager		Li-ion battery	3.4 lbs	No	4.8 / 5.0
Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow		110V / Car Adapter	3 lbs	Yes	4.6 / 5.0
RENPHO Hand Held Deep Tissue Massager		Li-ion battery	1.8 lbs	No	4.4 / 5.0
Hangsun Handheld Neck & Back Massager		110V	3.2 lbs	No	4.3 / 5.0
Apollo Kinetics Pulse Massage Gun		Rechargeable	2.35 lbs	No	5.0 / 5.0
Zyllion ZMA-13RB-BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager		Li-ion Polymer	4.2 lbs	Yes	4.4 / 5.0

How to Choose the Best Personal Handheld Massager

• Finding the Right Hand Held Massager for You
• Types of Personal Massagers
• Massage Motions
• FAQs For Personal Massagers
• Tips For Choosing a Massager

Finding the Right Hand Held Massager for You

Independent from feeling good, modern scientific research has established the benefits for mind and body. Just a few of the benefits include anxiety reduction, boosting cardiovascular health, and pain relief.

Nowadays with technology ever improving, we have all kinds of contraptions on the market to help us enjoy the benefits of regular massage.

These include foot massagers, hand held devices that can be used all over the body, and massage chairs to name a few.

Types of Personal Massagers

Wand-style

The wand-style massager is the standard, most common design.  It’s well-suited for reaching all parts of the body, from head to toe. Many of them come with interchangeable heads/attachments and offer variable intensity settings.

Some wand-style personal massagers offer variable motion options.  For example, in addition to intensity settings, some have alternating rhythm patterns.

Wand-style massagers are the best type to reach every part of the body.  The ones with a curved shape are better suited to reach places that might normally be awkward to get to.

Cordless  

Cordless personal massagers provide lots of versatility. They can be charged up and taken along just about everywhere; work, the car, and even on vacation.

If you’re someone who’s often on the go or travels a lot, the convenience of a cordless model would fit in well to your lifestyle.

The rechargeable hand-helds we reviewed were just as powerful as the corded models and didn’t poop out quickly, so you don’t have to sacrifice strength for portability.

Hands-free

If you tend to accumulate tension around the shoulders, neck, and upper back, the effortless hands-free style massager may be the choice for you. The beauty of this style of massager is that it does all the work and frees up your hands.

It’s the perfect design to use while working or doing other stationary activities. It’s also handy for people who may not have the arm strength to hold a massager in place, or someone who has limited mobility.

Neck Pillow Massagers

If you tend to accumulate tension around the shoulders, neck and upper back, the effortless neck pillow style may be the choice for you.  The beauty of the neck pillow is that it does all the work and frees up your hands.

It’s the perfect style to use while working or doing other activities.  It’s also handy for people who may not have the arm strength to hold a massager in place, or someone who has limited mobility.

The weight of the neck pillow style is sufficient pressure needed for an effective massage. There’s no reason for the user to place any extra pressure on it.

Massage Motions

Each personal massager has defined massaging motions, and some offer settings to switch up the motion based on your preference.

Here are some of the options available with the hand-held massagers on the market today.

Vibration

Massagers with a vibration setting create the sensation of a jostling or shaking of the muscles. The vibrating motion is good for stimulating blood circulation. It also helps to loosen ligaments.

Vibrating movements create a soothing and rejuvenating massage experience.  It should be used on healthy muscles and avoided on bony body parts.

Percussion

Percussion, technically called “tapotement”, feels like a very rapid tapping motion on the skin. Percussion is often used to loosen muscles before a workout; in particular, it’s popular with athletes.  It helps to stimulate blood circulation, and so promotes healing to sore areas.

Kneading

A kneading massage motion involves compression of soft tissue. It feels like a circular movement where the tissue is rolled and squeezed. It can decrease pain and improve movement. Kneading helps reduce tightness in the muscles.

Rolling

Some personal massagers incorporate a rolling motion.  A rolling motion can relax muscles, reducing tension. It can also help in alleviating pain, improving muscle flexibility and relieve muscle tightness.

FAQs For Handheld Massagers

Q: How does Massage work? 

A: Massage appears to work on multiple systems within our bodies. These include the central nervous, the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and lymphatic systems. We give more detail about the physical and psychological benefits of massage below.

Apart from licensed massage therapists, there are professionals who incorporate massage for healing people who suffer from pain and other physical ailments. Some of these include physical therapists, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, and sports physiologists.

Q: Do I need a heat function on my handheld massager?

A: It really depends on you and what type of results you are looking for in a massager. Heat has many benefits but it isn’t always necessary.

The percussion or vibration therapy of many handheld body massagers works very similarly to a deep tissue massage. The same type of massage you would get from a masseuse may not include heat as part of the process but they are still very effective.

If you are looking to a personal back massager to help with a specific condition, such as lower back pain or a sports injury, it would be best to ask your physician or physical therapist. They may recommend heat or tell you it isn’t necessary.

For stress relief, heat is a popular feature as it can be very relaxing.

Q: How often can I use a handheld back massager?

A: It’s usually recommended that you start out slow. Try using your new handheld massager just a few times a week and increase gradually. You can increase until you are using it daily or even several times a day, but you shouldn’t start out this frequently.

Your sessions should also be shorter to start than they would be if you’ve already been using a back massager for a while. Try massages of just 5 to 10 minutes in the beginning and gradually increase the length of time for each massage until they are at a length you feel it’s effective.

Every type of massage and different massager will have maximum recommended use times and durations so also refer to any guides that come with your new machine.

Q: What style of handheld back massager is the best?

A: This really depends on the type of massage you need or find most relaxing. If you’d like to lay back and relax, letting the massager do all the work, you may want a pillow style massager, like the Zillion option we reviewed above.

Other styles vary most by how they are held and how easily they reach certain areas. A curved wand, for example, can easily reach the middle of your back if you are reaching over your shoulder. A gun-style percussion massager like the Apollo Kinetics wouldn’t be able to do that very easily.

However, that gun-style massager is lightweight and small enough to make reaching for most areas of your arms and legs much easier than having a long-handled device.

The best way to find the right style for you is to first consider why you want massage at home and what areas you are most likely to treat.

Q: What are the Physical Benefits of Massage? 

A: Pain related to excessive muscle tension or sports injury responds well to massage. For one reason, massage helps the healing process. There are several theories as to why this might happen.

For one, massage promotes blood flow to the affected area. Good blood circulation is needed for healing cells to recover. The release of endorphins would account for the pain relief associated with massage. Endorphins are our bodies’ natural painkillers.

Scientists propose that massage is effectively stimulates the production of endorphins via the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for our bodies’ unconscious actions, such as digestion and salivation.

The action of massage on muscles has been shown to prevent or reduce the formation of scar tissue. In terms of cardiovascular benefits, massage lowers blood pressure and heart rate.

Direct stimulation of specific areas encourage the lymphatic system to improve waste removal and immune function. It also helps reduce swelling.

Q: What are the Psychological Benefits of Massage? 

A: Massage may stimulate the release of two kinds of neurotransmitters, endorphins, as noted above, and serotonin. Serotonin regulates mood. This is the reason massage is effective for treating mild depression.

Regular massage has been shown to assist with sleep difficulties, likely due to the effect on the parasympathetic nervous system. Regular massage has even been shown to help with weight loss!

Situation-specific anxiety, say related to a stressful family issue, can be mitigated with regular massage. This is likely due to the release of relaxation- inducing neurotransmitters, in addition to the direct manipulation of muscles, which reduced tension.

In conclusion, whether you simply like to pamper yourself or you need help for tired, sore muscles, a hand-held or personal massager is an investment worth considering. It’s a lot more economical than having an in-person massage, more convenient, and it’s ready at a moment’s notice.

If a personal massager is not something you would consider getting for yourself, you might consider it as a unique gift for that hard-to-shop-for person in your life that already has everything!

Tips for Choosing & Using Your Handheld Massager

There is so much more to reaping the benefits of a personal massager than just selecting and ordering it. First, you must be informed and select a model based on your personal needs. Next, you need to use it properly. Then, ensuring you can make use of it when and where you need to.

The following tips will help you choose the right handheld massager for your needs, and provide you with suggestions to make the most of it.

Tip #1: Consider Your Reason(s) for Use

While there are many tempting and appealing models of personal massagers available to you, be sure to consider what your goals of use are, prior to selecting a specific model.

Do you need massaging relief in just one specific area? Or would it be great to be able to use your massager on any area of your body? Would a heated massage unit be even more beneficial? What about the ability to take it with you anywhere you go? This will be some of the criteria you will use to ensure you select the perfect massager model.

If you need a variety of functions or the ability to use your massager for several different body areas, be sure to select a model that offers the versatility you require. Referring to our comparison chart can assist you in locating the versatility you need, fast.

Tip #2: Portability

The handheld massagers we have reviewed here are all fairly easy to take along with you wherever you may need it. However, some may offer more perks in this area, than others.

Cordless massagers offer the portability and flexibility of use that you need, if you are a person who is often on the go. These are battery operated and rechargeable. Just think how wonderful it would be to indulge in a hands-free massage, on your way to work! You may just find yourself looking forward to your morning commute, rather than dreading it.

Tip #3: User Arm/Hand Strength and Ability

If you happen to have weakness or pain to your hands, arms, or shoulders, you might want to consider selecting one that offers a hands-free experience.

While models such as the wand style handheld massage units’ offer the ability to reach and massage more areas of your body; if you have pain or weakness in your arms, hands or shoulders, they will be difficult and/or painful for you to use.

Tip #4: Versatility

Everyone has their own set of needs when it comes to massager. Some folks have very specific areas in which they need the massage therapy, while others may have several areas in need of soothing massage attention.

It is also true, that some of you may prefer the gentle vibrating massage, while others may need a firmer, deep tissue massage. Be sure to refer to our comparison chart and reviews to be sure you select a model that offers the mechanism of action that will be most beneficial to you.

Again, you know where your body most needs some therapeutic massage attention, be it in a localized area, or an all over massage. The massagers we have researched, tested and reviewed for you will provide you with the vital information you will need to select the proper massager for your needs.

Tip #5: Support, Assistance and More

Because we want to ensure that you identify a good handheld massager for your needs, we invite you to contact us with any question, concerns, or need for clarification you may have. We are more than happy to be of assistance to you.

We are also willing to assist you in locating a more suitable massager, should you feel none of the models reviewed here quite fit your needs. Feel free to contact us if there is any way we can be of assistance to you!

How We Researched

To come up with the top handheld and personal massagers, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Walmart, Target and Overstock.com along with our own personal experience.

The authors consulted sources such as online magazines for research and reviews unbiased information.

By using Fakespot.com we tried to eliminate fake reviews and use only genuine ones.

With so many options available, the authors narrowed down the selections by using products they felt were the best value for the money.

The staff authors have a wide and varied background as trainers, health coaches and fitness experts. The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

In order to narrow down the options, we used personal experiences plus recommendations from other trainers and instructors.

Sources

I hope this guide was helpful for finding the best handheld personal massager to fit your needs. If you want to comment or recommend a massager I didn’t include, please use my contact form to get in touch.