In this day and age, it seems like our necks hurt now, more than ever, this is largely due to technology.

We sit at our desks all day, with most likely less-than-ideal posture, we crane our heads over our smartphones, and so on.

Sure, you could go get a massage from a professional, but that costs time and money. Or, you could invest in one of the best neck massagers, and get that relief whenever you please.

Let’s not waste any time here, though. Without further ado, we bring you our favorite neck & shoulder massagers.

Best Neck & Shoulder Massagers

	Zyllion Shiatsu Neck Massager	LuxFit Self Muscle Massager	SereneLife Electric Neck Massager
Power:	110V, Car Adapter	None	Rechargeable Battery
Heat:	Yes	No	Yes
Full Body:	Yes	No	No
Shiatsu Massage:	Yes	No	No

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Neck Massagers For 2023

1. Zyllion Shiatsu Neck Massager Pillow
2. LuxFit Neck and Shoulder Self Muscle Massager
3. SereneLife Deep Kneading Electric Neck Massager
4. RENPHO Rechargeable Handheld Deep Tissue Massager
5. Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow
6. Resteck Massager for Neck and Back with Heat
7. InvoSpa Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager

We’ve reviewed the top rated neck massagers, followed by a comparison table and buying guide to help you decide on massager that will work best for you.

Neck Massager Reviews

#1 Zyllion Shiatsu Neck Massager Pillow

If the Resteck wasn’t enough Shiatsu for you, then check out the ZMA-13 Shiatsu Pillow Neck Massager with Heat.

It features 4 deep-kneading rotating nodes that work wonderfully to relieve any aches and muscle tension you may have.

While the neck massage pillow doesn’t have various modes you can select from (i.e. not customizable), it is simple and convenient. All you have to do is press the “On” button, and let your tension dissolve.

The FDA-approved device has an extra heating function to improve muscle-relaxing intensity while boosting blood circulation. With that, you may just find yourself lulling off to sleep.

Not to worry, though; it comes with an overheat protection device as well as a 20-minute auto shut-off feature. With the adjustable straps, you can keep it locked onto your chair, sofa, or even a car or airplane seat so you’re not limited in your relief.

The slim, compact design is easy to take with you wherever you go, and as it comes with a DC car cigarette lighter adapter and UL-approved power adapter, it’s truly great for travelers.

To finish it off, it’s covered with a high-quality, textured leatherette material that feels luxurious and soft against the skin, while also being easy to clean.

#2 LuxFit Neck and Shoulder Self Muscle Massager

Perhaps all you’re looking for is something more simple, or maybe you’re on a budget. Whatever the reason is, the LuxFit Neck Massager can help you out.

This portable neck massager provides targeted pain relief by applying direct pressure and massaging out your trigger points.

The description does say you can use it on the shoulders and legs, as well, but for us, it was more complicated than relieving. We say stick to the neck with this one.

As it’s so portable and lightweight, you can easily take it with you to the office, or pack it in your carry-on for a neck and shoulder massage on the go!

The germanium knobs were specially-designed to mimic hands, and deeply penetrate the muscle for instant loosening of knots and tightness.

The ergonomic handles provide you with a surprising amount of control, as you alter the pace, direction, and intensity.

#3 SereneLife Electric Neck Massager Adjustable Heat

If you’re serious about relieving those sore neck muscles, then you won’t want to miss the SereneLife Deep Kneading Electric Neck Massager.

It provides a soothing acupuncture-type pressure massage therapy to not only get rid of tension, but also improve blood circulation, further assisting with recovery.

The adjustable intensity of this device is not only limited to impulses, but also vibration and heat, so you get a truly customized experience that works best for you and your body.

It also comes with 6 pre-set massage modes with timer settings, if you just want to put it on and go. The flexible neck collar wraps around completely, and as it is a universal size, works for those of all ages. The portable design of this electric neck massager is easy to use at work, in the car, at home, or on vacation.

As it features a built-in, rechargeable battery, you never have to worry about finding a place to buy more batteries.

A remote control is also included, so you can change up the modes with ease. However, it also features a user-friendly LCD digital display for your convenience.

#4 RENPHO Rechargeable Handheld Deep Tissue Massager

Perhaps you don’t feel you need the added heat of the other devices, and are looking for something more straightforward.

If that’s the case, then don’t skip over the RENPHO Rechargeable Deep Tissue Massager. The cordless device has a powerful motor capable of up to 3600 pulses/minute.

Not only will it get deep into your muscles to loosen them up and provide relief, it increases blood circulation and joint flexibility.

The device is also quite easy to use, featuring just four buttons: On/Off, “Mode”, and the plus/minus buttons to change the intensity of the massage power.

The ergonomic handle also makes it more comfortable to use – even on your back. As the battery lasts up to 140 minutes (fully-charged), you can easily use it on a trip, or at the office, too. If that weren’t enough, you’ll also receive four different massage heads:

Round and One Point, a curved head, 3-point head, and 3-intensive head. Each works in different ways, with different feelings on the muscles and skin.

The great thing about this massager, is you can use it anywhere on your body that you need relief – even on the bottoms of your feet!

#5 Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow

If all you want to do is relax and melt the stress in your body away in the comfort of your own home, we can’t recommend the Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow enough.

As it’s not cordless, this really can only be used in your home, or somewhere where you’re going to have access to a constant connection (such as in the car with the car adapter).

The massage pillow is designed to target tense areas in your neck, back, and shoulders, with 8 deep-kneading massage heads.

You can use it either with or without heat, and as it’s made with an overheating prevention mechanism, you don’t even have to worry about falling asleep and waking up rejuvenated.

In addition, it gives you three different speed modes, so you can choose the intensity. Keep in mind that as this is a deep tissue massager, it is going to be a bit intense.

If you’re not used to this, you may want to place a towel in-between you and the massager. If you’re looking for the best neck and shoulder massager, look no further!

#6 Resteck Massager for Neck and Shoulders with Heat

The Resteck Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Pillow is our Editor’s Choice for best neck massager and with so many to choose from, that’s really saying something.

If you’re looking to alleviate acute pain and/or muscle soreness, then check out this Shiatsu massager kit, which helps ease neck stiffness, eliminate fatigue, and enhance blood circulation, which also helps with restoring the body more quickly.

If you lead an active lifestyle and are having trouble figuring out when you can just relax at home with this massager, worry not! One of the best things about it is how portable it is.

Just imagine taking this on a road trip or on the plane with you! It even comes in a gorgeous leather pouch. While the hand-mimicking massaging nodes are undoubtedly amazing, the heat and vibration features take it to another level.

You can choose among various heat and vibration modes, depending on your needs, while the bidirectional nodes ease any knots you may have. What if your neck feels just fine but your legs are sore from traveling or working out?

No worries; use it on any part of your body! Glutes, calves, back, legs, and feet – it works everywhere! If that weren’t enough, they also generously offer a lifetime guarantee, if anything happens to your massager.

#7 InvoSpa Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager

With 8 kneading nodes and 3 different speed settings, you’re going to feel like you have your own personal massage therapist following you around all day.

The 3D, bi-directional kneading massage roller balls in this Shiatsu product works well not only on the neck, but with the shoulders, back, waist, legs, feet, and even arms.

The gorgeous blue-and-grey design is also quite fashionable, and fun to use.

It unfortunately isn’t cordless, but it does come with an AC adapter, as well as a car adapter perfect for taking on road trips, or just using before or after work.

Thanks to the handy carrying case, you can take it anywhere with you, easily. The massager can be used either with or without the heating function, although the heat does really boost the intensity up and provide even quicker, more effective relief.

If you’re ready for shoulder relief in the comfort of your own home, the Invospa is the best shoulder massager we can recommend without hesitation!

Neck Massager Comparison Table

Neck & Shoulder Massager		Power	Heat	Full Body	Rating
Resteck Deep Tissue Massager		110V, Car Adapter	Yes	Yes	4.8 / 5.0
Zyllion Shiatsu Massager Pillow		110V & Car Adapter	Yes	Yes	4.4 / 5.0
SereneLife Deep Kneading Massager		Rechargeable Battery	Yes	No	4.2 / 5.0
RENPHO Deep Tissue Massager		Rechargeable Battery	No	Yes	4.3 / 5.0
Nekteck Shiatsu Massage Pillow		110V & Car Adapter	Yes	Yes	4.4 / 5.0
LuxFit Self Muscle Massager		None	No	No	4.1 / 5.0
InvoSpa Shiatsu Massager		110V & Car Adapter	Yes	Yes	4.1 / 5.0

How to Choose the Best Neck & Shoulder Massager – Buying Guide

Before we let you out on your own, we thought we’d ensure you’ve picked the best neck massager for you, by creating a user-friendly buying guide to go through each aspect of the selection process.

Massaging Techniques

As you’ve probably already noticed, not every massager works the same way. Each one has a unique massage technique. So, which is the one for you? Keep reading to find out.

Shiatsu

This is the most common technique in the products on our list. This technique is applied by rolling the palms, fingers, and thumbs over particular pressure points to provide muscle relief and relaxation. The massagers in our guide mimic this with the nodes rotating on an axis.

Kneading

Another one of the most popular techniques with commercial massagers, is deep tissue kneading. It’s applied by pressing on soft tissues against the hardness of our bones. That sounds a bit intense, and it is, but it’s not for no good reason.

This technique is wonderful at treating tense muscles, and also increases blood circulation which is essential for a healthy body. It can also help improve flexibility, which is great for athletes, those who are active, and anyone who is looking to improve their physical fitness.

Vibration

Not all of the massagers on our list have vibration included, but it can definitely help. You’ll more often see this technique in those large massage chair pads or massage chairs, however, it is included in some neck massagers. Vibration works mostly to relax your muscles, and stimulating blood flow.

Heat Therapy

This isn’t so much a “massage” technique, as it is just a general relaxation and wellness technique. Heat works to warm up your muscles, which kind of mimic the effect of stretching. As you can probably guess, this helps to improve your flexibility, as well as rid your body of tight knots in your muscles.

In addition, it improves blood circulation, which, as we just mentioned, is essential for a healthy body. This is due to the blood transporting oxygen to your muscles at a higher rate, which also means it will get rid of more lactic acid in your muscles, relieving them of soreness and tightness. Third, heat can help reduce inflammation and increase your immunity.

Power Source

As you can see, not every neck & shoulder massager uses the same power source.There are a variety of methods:

• 110V from a standard outlet
• 12V car adapters
• Rechargeable Li-Ion batteries
• No power – manual massager

Battery-Operated

These utilize a battery for their power. This makes the massager much more portable and versatile. Typically, you’ll see these types used with lithium batteries, which typically provide around 2 hours of use.

If you use more features, you’ll see this amount of time decrease, with heat therapy dwindling down battery life the quickest. Some will use rechargeable batteries, and some won’t. They both have their benefits and downfalls.

The upside to rechargeable batteries, is that you don’t have to go out and buy new batteries each time they run out of charge. However, once that rechargeable battery is done, if you’re not covered under warranty, you’ll have to buy a new unit.

Electricity-Powered

These don’t feature a battery, so you’ll have to plug them in each time you want to use it, which can be a bit inconvenient for some. If the unit has a longer power cord, or has a car adapter with it, this will of course, broaden your horizons.

Full-Body Use

Sure, we realize that we’re covering neck massagers here, but even if it’s just your neck you’re primarily looking for, that doesn’t mean you’ll never want relief in other parts of your body. It’s always nice to have a massager that can do your full body and can treat it all.

However, you will usually end up paying for that convenience, so think about how much you’re willing to spend on your device.

Budget

This brings us to our next point, which is the budget you have. How much are you willing to spend on your new neck massager? While we will say the most expensive massager isn’t necessarily the best out there, you will see a notable boost in benefits if you’re willing to spend a bit more.

With a boost in price, you’ll typically see more massage modes, benefits such as heat or vibration, improved portability, ease of use, LCD screens, and much more.

FAQs For Neck Massagers

Q: What are the benefits of having a neck / shoulder massager?

Primarily, you’ll receive neck, shoulder, and upper back relief. This is, of course, if your neck massager is just to be used on these areas. If you have one that can be used all over the body, you now have a full-body massager that can provide you relief wherever you need it, even your feet!

You’ll also experience better, deeper sleep. These massagers are not only good for muscles, but for the brain as well. They keep your muscles more relaxed and feeling good, so the stress levels in your body lower. Due to these lowered levels, you’ll be able to sleep better and feel more at ease, which provides countless benefits.

Increased blood circulation is a benefit we touched on a few times in this article. When your muscles are stimulated, your local blood circulation is increased. Our blood works to transport things like oxygen, nutrients, and white blood cells to muscles and joints.

A boost in oxygen supply helps restore your muscles, as do nutrients. White blood cells help reduce inflammation, fight infection, and much more, which is key to a healthy body.

You’ll also find that if you experience headaches, you’ll now have less of them, thanks to the muscle contractions in your head and neck lowering and relaxing. Of course, one can just take a pain reliever and be done with it, but wouldn’t you rather give your liver a break and live without the pain?

Q: Can I use a neck massager while pregnant?

It’s always best to check with your doctor before using one, as you may here different answers. However, most recommend avoiding vibration, deep tissue massage and heat treatment if you are pregnant. We also recommend always reading the instructions before using a neck massager.

Q: Can I drive while using my neck & shoulder massager?

We’d highly advise against it. While you can use it in the car, you shouldn’t use it if you’re operating a motor vehicle.

Q: How often can I use my massager?

This is going to vary a bit, depending on the model you choose, and what you’re looking to get from your massager. However, it’s always a good idea to read the instructions that come with the device.

Q: Are vibrating massagers good for you?

A: There is evidence that vibration massage therapy can have health benefits that include increases of bone density and even increases muscle mass. Massage thereapy also has many mental health benefits such as decreased stress levels and better sleep.

Tips For Using a Neck Massager

Tip #1: If you do use heat, it should always be at a low level and used in moderation

Heat therapy is not designed to burn you, and if it does, you should return it or at least never use it again, as it is defective. In addition, only use this type of massage sparingly, as If you do it too much, it can actually harm your muscles rather than making them better.

Tip #2: If the intensity is too much for you, either lower it (if you can), or place a towel in-between you and the nodes

Deep tissue massages may be too intense for some to use on bare skin, or with just thin clothing in-between. You may find that your happy place is with a towel added in.

Tip #3: Never use it while operating a motor vehicle

It kind of goes without saying but using anything that could distract you from paying full attention to the road is a bad idea. If you need a massage in your car, go with a massage chair that fits against the seat.

Final Thoughts

We bet by now that you’re ready to put your neck or shoulder massager on and get some relief. We won’t keep you any longer, but we hope that we’ve helped you in your search for muscle relief. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you again, soon!

How We Researched

To come up with the top neck and shoulder 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