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Best Overall Neck Massager
InvoSpa Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Soothing Heat
Best Overall Neck Massager
InvoSpa Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Soothing Heat
Now 60% Off
Pros
Hands-free design
3 speed settings
Can be used at home or in the car
Cons
On the bulky side
InvoSpa uses infrared to increase blood flow to your stiff neck muscles in addition to vibrating. And the handle design ensures you’re not putting too much pressure on your neck.
While using the product, InvoSpa says to place a cloth or fabric between your skin and the product.
Best Massage Gun
Therabody Theragun Prime
Best Massage Gun
Therabody Theragun Prime
Now 50% Off
Pros
Comes with 4 attachment heads
Customizable speed range
Smart app integration available
Cons
On the bigger side
Men’s Health advisor Daniel Giordano recommends a Theragun because of its signature handle, which makes it easier to direct the device toward the pain. Plus, the quality material used for the product is top-notch. Giordano says it’s better than massagers that come with plastic heads. “It’s a polyurethane foam, which is an anti-microbial foam that has a softer head,” he says.
The company advises users to keep the massager away from water and use it only as instructed. If the device malfunctions, don’t try to fix it yourself.
Best Neck Massager for Travel
Breo Neck3 Pro Electric Neck Massager
Best Neck Massager for Travel
Breo Neck3 Pro Electric Neck Massager
Now 25% Off
Credit: Breo; Amazon
Pros
Hands-free design
Customizable settings via smartphone app
Heated setting available
Cons
Not the most versatile
Shiatsu massage pillows can bring relief to the back of your neck without any need to manually direct the massager. The balls inside do all the work. Use the pillows only as intended—don’t try to use them on the front of your neck.
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Best Portable Neck Massager
Therabody Theragun Mini
Best Portable Neck Massager
Therabody Theragun Mini
Now 10% Off
Pros
Fits into nearly every bag and even large jacket pockets
Easy to hold and simple to use
Cons
Not as strong of a massage as other options
Therabody’s super portable, mini massager is perfect for those who need a little pain relief on the go, whether it’s at the gym or while they’re traveling. This thing is smaller than you’d guess, comes with its own carrying case, and three settings to choose from. Plus, it’s quiet, so you won’t have to worry about disrupting your day with the vibrating noises as you use it against your neck.
Best Lightweight Neck Massager
Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2
Best Lightweight Neck Massager
Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2
Pros
Lightweight
2 head attachments included
Battery lasts three hours
Hyperice’s small handheld therapy gun is quiet and lightweight at 1.5 pounds. The gun comes in three settings and will last up to three hours on one charge. We’re also fans of the ergonomic design, which will help those who aren’t as flexible to reach the targeted areas on their neck even more easily.
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How to Use a Neck Massager
To avoid injury while using a massager, Giordano says to stick to the muscles in the back of your neck (especially avoid massaging right on the jugular vein on the side of the neck). And avoid massaging directly over bones, especially your vertebrae. Massaging the area around the vertebrae is fine, but stay away from anything that’s not muscle.
Immediately stop using a neck massager if you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Also, seek out a medical professional if the neck pain you have isn’t dissipating. If you have shooting pains, numbness or pain that moves around the body (for instance, if it moves to the hands and arms), you should not use a neck massager. Massagers are only for temporary relief, and shouldn’t increase your discomfort in any way or substitute for a doctor’s visit.
Milan Polk is an Editorial Assistant for Men’s Health who specializes in entertainment and lifestyle reporting, and has worked for New York Magazine’s Vulture and Chicago Tribune.
Dale Arden Chong is the Senior Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Previously, she was an editor at MensHealth.com and has written for Who What Wear, GLAMOUR, The Coveteur, and more. She loves fashion, food, and art, among other things—but her greatest love is K-pop idol V of BTS.