The Best Neck and Shoulder Massager of 2023: Undo Those Muscle Knots
Stiff necks and tight shoulders are all too common these days due to the sheer number of people who sit at desks all day long. Tense neck and shoulder muscles don’t only cause discomfort in these regions but may manifest themselves as headaches too.
From all this, you can conclude that these issues should be resolved in one way or another, and I’ve got just a perfect product for the job.
Meet the neck and shoulder massager, a device that can be used in the comfort of one’s own home and with which total relaxation is only a push of a button away.
Since these products are becoming more and more popular, I’ve decided to put together a round-up of the leading brands on the market and ultimately pinpoint the best neck and shoulder massager that I found.
Sounds good? Read on!
See Also:
- Best Back Massager Reviews 2023: Ultimate Guides
- All You Need To Know About the TENS Unit Benefits
- Best Posture Correctors of 2023: Say Goodbye to Slouching
Contents
- The Best Neck and Shoulder Massagers Comparison Table: Top 5 Products
- What is a neck and shoulder massager?
- Why should you get a neck and shoulder massager?
- What to know before buying a neck and shoulder massager?
-
Top 5 Neck and Shoulder Massagers On The Market – Reviewed
- 1. Neckteck Neck and Shoulder Massager – The top-pick
- 2. Bruntmor Cordless Neck and Shoulder Massager – The best battery-powered massager
- 3. Five Star Neck and Shoulder Massager – The most affordable model
- 4. Belmint Neck and Shoulder Massager – The most ergonomic massager
- 5. Naipo Neck and Shoulder Massager – The most intense massager
- Best Neck and Shoulder Massager – Frequently Asked Questions
- Final words and verdict
The Best Neck and Shoulder Massagers Comparison Table: Top 5 Products
| Our Top Picks | ||
|---|---|---|
The top-pick
|
Neckteck
|
100%
Fantastic |
The best battery-powered massager
|
Bruntmor
|
95%
Fantastic |
The most affordable model
|
Five Star
|
90%
Great |
The most ergonomic massager
|
Belmint
|
90%
Great |
The most intense massager
|
Naipo
|
90%
Great |
What is a neck and shoulder massager?
To put it simply, a neck and shoulder massager is like a pillow which has built-in electronic rollers that massage your neck and shoulder area. Also, these products have handles which allow you to keep it in place or move it around if you like.
Why should you get a neck and shoulder massager?
Tension release in the upper back
As you know, the upper back usually carries a lot of tension, and this isn’t only the case with desk workers, but also with those who drive, exercise or do a lot of physical labor.
Bad posture is usually the culprit here, but once your neck and shoulders become stiff due to slouching, it becomes harder to keep the back upright and aligned, so it turns into an enchanted circle.
A massager can help you break this circle and finally feel some relief in the upper back area.
More shoulder mobility
Immobile shoulders are something that many individuals will face in their lifetimes. When you are unable to lift your fully extended arms up so that they are in line with the rest of your body, it means that you have a restricted range of motion.
Fixing this problem should be everyone’s concern, but it should be an absolute priority for people who do a lot of strength training and weight lifting.
A massager can help by loosening the muscles in your shoulder area, and when coupled with some proper stretching and mobility exercises, it will produce amazing results.
Sleep improvement
Stress can be one of the biggest hindrances to quality and rejuvenating sleep. People who worry a lot or get stressed out frequently tend to have sleeping problems, and a neck and shoulder massager can help by massaging them into relaxation.
This won’t just loosen the muscles, but will also help one feel more calm and joyful.
Improved blood circulation
Massage has the wonderful effect of increasing local blood circulation in the area that is treated. Improved blood flow means that there will be more oxygen and nutrients moving through the part of the body you are massaging (neck and shoulders, in this case).
This will ultimately help the once tense muscles, as well as joints, regenerate and you will feel a cessation of pain and better mobility.
What to know before buying a neck and shoulder massager?
Which massage techniques it has
As you’ve probably imagined, these devices can perform different kinds of massages by merely moving in different directions and applying varying degrees of pressure.
The three most common massage techniques are shiatsu, kneading, and vibration, so you ought to find a product that can do all of them, or at least two.
Vibration promotes relaxation and will give you an all around pleasant experience.
On the other hand, kneading and shiatsu massage is more focused on releasing tension from the muscles and breaking any knots that it might encounter, so it involves a bit more pressure than vibration
How is it powered?
Similar to most other electronic massagers, these products are powered by either a battery or through a power cord.
The battery-powered models contain rechargeable lithium batteries which can usually last up to two or three hours.
In most cases, you can use the massager even when the battery is empty as long as the charger is plugged into an outlet. These models give you more portability, but you’ll always have to think about battery life.
When looking into cord-powered models, make sure to consider the length of the cord as you wouldn’t want to have one that’s very short. Also, some of these products even have adapters which will let you plug them into your car’s cigarette lighter and use them there.
Heating feature
In case you didn’t know, heat and massage are best friends and can give you a lot of benefits when used together.
The heat warms up your muscles which loosens them up a bit and increases the blood flow. Massaging such tissues will be more effective as the nodes will be able to penetrate the muscles deeper and release the tension that might be built-up there.
Can you massage other parts of the body with it?
Although these devices are made for neck and shoulder massage, often, they are not limited to those areas. The best way to know this is to check what the manufacturer has to say.
The factors which usually determine whether a massager can be used on other parts of the body are its size, weight, and number of massage nodes.
Larger models will be more multi-functional as you’ll be able to apply them to bigger muscle groups.
Connected to the previous point, the more nodes a massager has the larger the surface that it will be able to cover.
Finally, heavier models will be harder to maneuver and move around which will decrease their overall versatility.
Top 5 Neck and Shoulder Massagers On The Market – Reviewed
1. Neckteck Neck and Shoulder Massager – The top-pick
(Via: amazon.com)
Those who are interested in only the best products in this category should take a look at Neckteck’s massager.
This is a shiatsu kneading massager which employs eight rollers. The node placement is designed in such a way that it follows the contour of the body and delivers the best possible results.
The massager is cord-powered, and it runs on AC electricity, so you’ll have to keep it plugged it whenever you want to use it. It’s perfect for home and office use, but you won’t be able to massage yourself outdoors.
Neckteck has heating, which can be turned on and off manually, and it’s going to help you get into a deep state of relaxation. The controls on the device are straightforward, and besides heating, you can set the speed and change the direction of the massage nodes.
This device has handles that make it easier to maneuver, and you’ll also be able to massage other body parts with it, such as your calves, lower back, and so on.
Things I Liked
- Long cord (6 feet)
- Very versatile
- Heating, speed, and direction of nodes are all adjustable
- Great price
Things I Didn’t Like
- It’s relatively bulky
2. Bruntmor Cordless Neck and Shoulder Massager – The best battery-powered massager
(Via: amazon.com)
You’ve seen an excellent corded model, and now it’s time for a cordless one. Meet the Bruntmore massager, and read on if you want to learn more about it.
Just like the previous model, Bruntmor’s device uses the shiatsu kneading technique, and it also has eight nodes which do a very thorough job of massaging your muscles. Also, the nodes can be set to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise.
As I’ve said, this is a cordless model, which means that it is battery-powered. The battery life is around 3 hours, and about 2 hours if you use the heating option. The overall charging time takes 2 hours.
In the section above I mentioned heating, and you should know that it is very moderate and feels extremely pleasant. Unlike Neckteck, Bruntmore’s massager doesn’t have adjustable speed settings, and this will be a downside for some people.
This massager isn’t reserved only for the neck and shoulders, but can also be used to massage anything from your feet, and calves to your back.
Things I Liked
- Versatile and portable
- Battery lasts for a long time
- Includes heating and rotation direction change for the nodes
Things I Didn’t Like
- Non-adjustable speed
- Its massage can be slightly rough for some
3. Five Star Neck and Shoulder Massager – The most affordable model
(Via: amazon.com)
A company that’s called Five Star surely sets one’s expectations high, doesn’t it? In this section, we’re taking a look at their massager.
Same as the previous two products, Five Star includes kneading and shiatsu techniques which are done by eight massage nodes. They will do an excellent job in breaking down knots formed in muscles throughout your body.
The Five Star massager is cord-powered, and it has to be plugged in if you want it to work. This, of course, means limited portability but the cord is quite long (10 feet), so you’ll be able to move it around quite a bit.
This product also includes heating, which is switched on by a push of a button. However, the heat is rather mild and won’t bring significant benefits to the massage, other than a nice warm feeling.
The speed and rotational direction of the nodes are adjustable, which is always a great thing.
This device is versatile, and you’ll be able to massage more than just your neck and shoulders, and it goes for a very good price.
Things I Liked
- Very long power cord (10 feet)
- Adjustable speed and rotational direction of nodes
- Includes heating
- Very affordable
Things I Didn’t Like
- The heat is rather mild
- The massage may be too rough for some
4. Belmint Neck and Shoulder Massager – The most ergonomic massager
(Via: amazon.com)
The Belmint massager is probably one of the most comfortable in today’s list. The ergonomics of this one are on point, and now I’m going to dissect it a bit more.
The device has eight massage nodes which perform kneading shiatsu techniques, and they are placed inside a wide pillow strap. The handles of the massager are also very wide and spacious, so you won’t feel discomfort even after using it for a while.
One of the best things about the fabrics used is that they are soft and breathable and they make the entire experience even more pleasant.
The massager is powered by a 6 feet cord, which is definitely not one of the longest, but still long enough to leave you with some room for movement. It also has a car charger so you’ll be able to use it there too.
A heating feature is included, and it works very well. Other options include adjustable rotational direction of the nodes, but unfortunately no speed settings.
The use of this massager is not limited to just the neck and shoulder areas, so you can feel free to treat your calves, things, and feet as well.
Things I Liked
- Made from soft and breathable fabric
- Long cord
- Includes heating
- Rotational direction of nodes can be changed
Things I Didn’t Like
- No speed adjustments
5. Naipo Neck and Shoulder Massager – The most intense massager
(Via: amazon.com)
Last but not least, here is a massager that’s made from the famous Naipo company, a giant in the massage electronics industry.
Naipo’s device has four small and four big massage nodes, so that’s eight nodes in total. It does kneading shiatsu massage just like all the other products on the list, and it does it very well.
This is a cord-powered model, and the cord’s length is an amazing 10 feet, which allows for a lot of movement freedom. The massager can also be used in your car – just plug it into the cigarette lighter charger, and you’ll be all set.
This massager includes all of the main features like heating, adjustable speed, and adjustable rotation. The handles are quite long and spacious, but the material that the entire product was made of is a bit rough, especially when pressed against bare skin.
Just like all the other massagers, I reviewed today, Naipo can be used to massage many different body parts.
Things I Liked
- It has a very long power cord
- Adjustable speed and rotational direction of nodes
- Versatile
- Includes heating
Things I Didn’t Like
- Heating is kind of mild
- The material feels rough on the skin
Best Neck and Shoulder Massager – Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my massage session be?
On average, the massage sessions should last anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes depending on the massager and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Certain models have an auto shut-off feature when the massage time has run out.
Can I use the massager while driving?
It is not recommended to use the neck and shoulder massager while driving as it can have a negative impact on your concentration. You can use the massager in your car though, but only when it is parked.
Can I use a neck and shoulder massager during pregnancy?
Generally speaking, massages which involve vibration, heat and deep tissue treatments, should be avoided during pregnancy, so a light massage might be OK. However, make sure to talk to a doctor before trying this out.
Can I get hurt while using a massager?
You cannot get seriously hurt, but if you use the massager incorrectly, it might cause you some problems. Never use it on body parts that it wasn’t made for.
Can I use the massager on bare skin?
Most neck and shoulder massagers are too intense to be used on bare skin, so this is not advisable.
Final words and verdict
A neck and shoulder massager is one of those products which doesn’t cost more than a dinner at an average restaurant, but the benefits that it can bring you are beyond measurement.
Investing in this device is something that anyone can, and, in my opinion, should do because there’s no downside that you could have from it.
Now, as all of these products are of comparable quality, I had to think long and hard before choosing only one as the winner.
After long consideration, I’ve picked Neckteck as the best shoulder and neck massager of 2023. This device has all that you could ever want in a massager, and all that at a low price.
If you’re looking for a cordless version of the above, take a look at Bruntmor. If Neckteck, for some reason, doesn’t suit you, feel free to try out Five Star, Belmint, or Naipo as they’re all top-notch products.
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