Best Handheld Massager Reviews (Guide 2018)

Muscle pains, stiffness, and fatigue can be felt throughout the body at any time. Whether you practice a sport, spend a lot of time in front of the computer or have a condition that causes muscle problems, a handheld massager can be a great purchase to help deal with those muscle problems.

Handheld massagers are available in a variety of types and sizes. They tend to be small and lightweight and for many, they are a great alternative to paying for professional massages or trying expensive treatments that may not work.

If you’re searching for the best handheld massager for your requirements, then read on. These top 6 handheld massager reviews will provide an interesting insight into just some of the massagers that you can choose from. You are bound to find something here to suit your needs and your budget. There is also a helpful guide that explains just what features to look for.

best handheld massager
  • HoMedics HHP-350
  • Target area: entire body
  • Type: dual heads
  • Variable speeds: yes
  • Heat: yes
  • Attachements: 2 (gentle and firm massage)
Thumper Sport E501NA
  • Thumper E501 NA Sport
  • Target area: entire body
  • Type: dual heads
  • Variable speeds: yes (5)
  • Heat: no
  • Attachements: 2 (for different levels of intensity)
Zyllion ZMA-16
  • Zyllion ZMA-16
  • Target area: entire body
  • Type: single head
  • Variable speeds: yes
  • Heat: yes
  • Attachements: 3 (to target different areas and treat different symptoms)
Panasonic EV2510K
  • Panasonic EV2510K Easy Reach
  • Target area: entire body
  • Type: 3 vibration massager
  • Variable speeds: yes (2)
  • Heat: no
  • Attachements: –
Oster Professional 103
  • Oster Professional 103 Stim-U-Lax
  • Target area: entire body
  • Type: ball bearing construction
  • Variable speeds: yes
  • Heat: no
  • Attachements: –
Brookstone 672469 Sport
  • Brookstone 672469 Sport
  • Target area: entire body
  • Type: 4 nodes
  • Variable speeds: yes
  • Heat: no
  • Attachements: 3 interchangeable nodes, travel bag

Top 6 Handheld Massagers

HoMedics HHP-350 Percussion Action Massager

best handheld massagerThis useful handheld massager is lightweight. It features two pivoting heads to effectively deliver a firm and relaxing massage. The handle is easy to grip and the design allows you reach even those difficult areas.

There are three separate massage heads for you to choose from. These heads allow you to choose from a firm massage, a gentle relaxing massage or a soothing heat massage. There is also a variable speed control with this massage, allowing you to completely customize your massage routine.

This is possibly the best handheld massager on the market as it can give you a professional feel massage from the comfort of your own home. It can help to loosen even tight knots in tired muscles.

This is a corded massager so that does make it a little less portable than other massagers on the market, but you can be sure that you’ll get consistent power throughout the massage.

A 2-year limited manufacturer warranty comes with this massager to give you complete peace of mind.

button-blue

Thumper E501 NA Sport Percussive Massager

Thumper Sport E501NAThis best percussion massager from Thumper is sure to give you a deep penetrating massage as it uses Thumper’s patented massage technology. Interchangeable massage heads allow you to completely customize your massage. You can also choose the frequency of the percussive massage from 20 to 40 Hz.

This massager isn’t very portable as it relies on a heavy-duty DC motor, but the cord means that you can enjoy a strong and powerful massage consistently.

To allow you to make the most out of this handheld massager, it comes with a 2-year warranty to protect it against manufacturer defects. You also get a free DVD that gives you hints and tips to ensure that you can get the most effective massage from this device.

This massager is designed to be comfortably handheld and has an ergonomic handle, making it perfect for home use. At 3.5 pounds, it is also lightweight enough to comfortably hold whilst you use it to massage your muscles. It can actively improve the blood circulation and relax and soothe tired muscles.

button-blue

Zyllion ZMA-16 Handheld Therapeutic Percussion Massager with Heat

Zyllion ZMA-16Whether you play a lot of sports, sit by a computer all day or spend your time at home looking after the kids, the Zyllion ZMA-16 Handheld Massager is a great way to relieve stress, tired and sore muscles. The effective percussive massage gently relaxes the muscles and provides deep pain relief for sore muscles.

A dial is used to control the intensity of the massage. You can fully customize your massage to be as soothing or as powerful as you require. You can target different muscles and different symptoms with the use of the three interchangeable heads that come with this massager.

This percussion massager also features an infrared heating mechanism that reaches a maximum of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This feature really relaxes and soothes your muscles and is great for tender and sore muscles.

This easy to use massager is convenient and safe enough to use from the comfort of your own home.

button-blue

Panasonic EV2510K Easy Reach Rolling Massager

Panasonic EV2510KThe Panasonic EV2510K is a great handheld massager that can easily provide you with a soothing and relaxing massage. It’s small and lightweight which makes it perfect for storage and you could even take it traveling with you if you wish. There are three systems of vibration and rollers, which offer you a soothing and relaxing all over body massage. It has a long handle, making it easier to reach those difficult muscles.

This massager is great at directing the vibrations onto the muscle that you’re aiming for. This provides a thoroughly deep and relaxing massage that can be felt throughout your muscles.

Unlike many other handheld massagers, this massager has functions both on the front and back of the handle. Instead of having to try to change heads or worry about losing attachments, one side of the massager features a roller whilst the other has a vibrating pad. To use one or the other, simply twist the massager head around.

button-blue

Oster Professional 103 Stim-U-Lax Massager

Oster Professional 103This is the massager that has been used by barbers and in hair salons for decades. It is held on the hand with the use of a strap and should be applied directly to the skin to give a deep and satisfying scalp massage. The Oster Professional 103 Stim-U-Lax Massager is the only model left in production from this manufacturer and it still delivers the best possible performance.

A sliding motor provides the vibrations for this massager and high quality ball bearings ensure that this is a hardwearing device.

This is a single speed massager so you won’t be able to alter the intensity of the massage, but as this massager is intended to be used only on the scalp, different intensities are not usually required.

The rubber grip hand pad prevents the massager from slipping off the hand during use and the frame itself is specially contoured to fit comfortably in the hand.

button-blue

Brookstone 672469 Sport Handheld Massager

Brookstone 672469 SportFor a great handheld massager that provides you with great portability, choose the Brookstone 672469 Sport Handheld Massager. It comes with a bag with a zipper so that you can easily transport it. You could use it straight after a session at the gym, on holiday or in the office.

Its durable design ensures that it will be suitable for years of use. 3 interchangeable heads and variable speed control settings allow you to customize your massage program to suit your requirements.

The accuracy of using this handheld massager means that you can target specific areas of your body and certain muscle groups. A pinpoint node attachment even ensures that you can have even greater precision for a truly intense massage of a problem area. The ball node gives a more general massage, whilst a wide coverage attachment can target the larger muscles. This is a great massager that is sure to impress with its many features!

button-blue

Best Handheld Massagers Comparison Chart

How to Choose the Best Handheld Massager

  • Versatility

    Handheld massagers are useful because they are easy to store and are lightweight. They are also highly versatile.

    Some massagers are designed to be portable. They are light to carry and have a small profile. Some of them even come with travel bags that can be zipped up so that you can take your handheld massager with you to the gym or the office.

    Interchangeable heads and variable speeds allow you to customize your massage. A customized massage also means that you can easily alter the massage program to suit the requirements of other muscles in your body. You could enjoy a pinpoint intense massage for the shoulders, with a relaxing wide area vibration massage with heat for the lower back.

  • Focus area

    Whilst some of the more basic handheld massagers only target one specific muscle area such as the scalp, most of them feature additional attachments and features for versatility. If you are only interested in targeting a specific muscle or group of muscles, then purchasing a handheld massager that is built for the purpose can be a good idea.

    The interchangeable heads that come with handheld massagers usually offer three different massage types. Pinpoint heads target specific areas for an intense and targeted massage, roller balls give a more general massage and the larger area massage attachment is intended to focus on larger muscles and groups.

  • Power source options

    Most handheld massagers feature a fixed or molded DC power cord. Whilst this is not particularly portable, it does ensure that you can enjoy a constant power from your handheld massager.

    For in-car use, you should look out for the handheld massagers that feature an in-car adapter. These can be easily plugged into your car’s cigarette/charging port so that you can use the handheld massager in the car.

    Finally, some handheld massagers are battery powered. These are much more portable than the corded options but the batteries often don’t last very long and you don’t experience a consistent power from the massage.

  • Heating option

    There are many handheld massagers that come with a luxury heating function. Infrared heating options are popular because of the benefits that heat can provide when applied during massage. Infrared heat penetrates the muscles well to give a relaxing and soothing effect. The massagers that offer this feature usually have a thermostatic sensor in so that they won’t overheat and reach temperatures of up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

    People who play sports prefer massages that feature heat. Heat can provide effective pain relief for muscles and helps the massage stimulate the entire muscle.

    If you decide not to use the heat function, this can quite easily be switched off with the use of a button or by changing programs.

Conclusion

Handheld massagers are versatile devices and can suit all budgets. Whilst some massagers are intended to massage just one specific area of the body, most handheld massagers can target muscles throughout the body. They do this by offering interchangeable heads and variable speeds of massage.

These handheld massager reviews give some great examples of some of the best massagers available on the market. Our useful guide also helps you to learn what you should look out for when choosing your massager.

Rather than choosing a massage chair, paying a professional or relying on medication that often provides little pain relief, a handheld massager can be a far cheaper and more effective alternative.

Choose a massager from a brand that you trust so that you know you’ll be betting great quality and durability and for added peace of mind, you should look out for handheld massagers that offer an extended manufacturer’s warranty.