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12 Soothing Neck Massagers – Get Rid Of Neck Pain In 2024

Actually in October 2024
25 Products Tested
3200 Reviews Scanned
Research for You
LAST UPDATE April 1, 2020
READING TIME loader Minutes
Health
12 Soothing Neck Massagers – Get Rid Of Neck Pain In 2024

Neck pains can ruin your day. Not everybody has time for a massage. With this selection of the best neck massagers that problem is easier than ever to fix.

Best of the best Gideon™ Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow Gideon™ Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow
5/5
Show Me
PROS Reacts to your comfort with smart technology. Ease of use. Clear and Accessible Controls
CONS Design is bulky and not spread out
Most Buying Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager
4.5/5
Show Me
PROS Advanced Heating Function
CONS Lack of intensity and speed control
Best for the money Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow
4/5
Show Me
PROS Adaptability to massage needs
CONS Difference between a cumbersome size and how light it is.
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About

Writer Stephen Spielberg
How we decided
  • 42Products
    Tested
  • 35Hours
    Spent
  • 03Experts
    Interviewed
  • 26Consumers
    Consulted
RUNNERS UP Also good products

Gideon Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow

4/5

Easy to understand & use controls.

pros
  • Easy to understand and use controls
cons
  • Pretty large build, weighing in at 4 pounds but providing no handles.

Naipo Shiatsu Pillow Massager Neck Back Massage with Heat, Deep Kneading

3.5/5

pros
  • Intelligent functions of auto - shut off and changing directions
cons
  • Knobs are a bit too big and flat for back use

Naipo Neck Massager Adjustable Intensity Shiatsu Back Shoulder Massager with Heat and Deep Tissue Kneading

3.5/5

Durability and a Balanced Build

pros
  • Flexibility of use
cons
  • Roughness, even in the lower intensity setting.

VIKTOR JURGEN Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager with Deep Tissue Kneading Massage and Heat

3/5

Complex yet easy to use control panel

pros
  • Versatility, being useful for a lot of body parts.
cons
  • Bulky size and weight (4.1 pounds)

NURSAL Shiatsu Neck Pillow Massager, 3D Deep Kneading Massage Pillow with Heat Spa Therapy and Warm Hand Bag

3/5

Versatility, being useful for a variety of body parts

pros
  • Powerful, but compact as well, weighing in at 3.2 pounds.
cons
  • Adapter is only 110 V

NURSAL 3D Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager with Heat, Hand Vibration Therapy, Adjustable Intensity, and Deep-Kneading

3/5

Portable build, strong kneading balls, and the powerful heat therapy

pros
  • Hand vibration option
cons
  • Slightly confusing button layout

Naturalico Shiatsu Massager

3/5

Lacking in the versatility department.

pros
  • Appealing Design
cons
  • Good synergy between strong motions and heat therapy
Diane W. Christenson
EXPERT CONSULTANT

Therapist with experience of more than 25 years. She has written over 15 scientific papers. She works as a family doctor.

Diane W. Christenson

best neck massagers

Ever wake up with a cruel neck pain? Just got home from work and you feel like your entire back will be crumbled by the jolting pain at the top of your spine? We think a neck massager will help. But not just any neck massager. To truly conquer your neck pain once and for all, you’re going to need the best neck massager.

Now, if you’ve never experienced the relief of one of these handy gadgets, a neck massager is a device that’s usually placed right between the back of your head and your shoulders. Once activated, the machine will either vibrate, heat up, or undergo massage motions, such as the ones you can see in this video.

The main benefit of this technology is that it quickly relieves tension and pain in the massaged area.

But it gets even better

Besides being an awesome way to relax and relieve neck and/or back pain, these electronics have been linked by researchers to improved heart rate, lower stress level, and a stronger immune health.

This sounds pretty good to me, and if you feel the same, we’ve prepared a complete guide to choose the best neck massager for you.

12 Soothing Neck Massagers

Percussion
Many cheaper options feature two bulbs and a vibration option, but this is not enough for a qualitative massage. You should always look for percussion in these products, as machines that have small hammers made for this type of motion ensure a strong and effective massage.
Punch
Seeing as most modern muscular issues are deeply ingrained, most products should carry quite a bit of punch. If you want something powerful, look for something that packs more than 20 watts, without counting the infrared power.
Balance
Massagers should be bulky enough to be durable (and usually to respect standard electrical compliance regulations), but if the thing gets too heavy, you won’t be able to use it with ease. The people we’ve interviewed suggest the 3.0 - 4.5 pounds range to be the Goldilocks of neck massager weight.

Best of the best

Gideon™ Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow

5/5

While you may see this gem as a decorative pillow, the true power and finesse it combines is truly surprising. The Gideon Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow is wonderful for those seeking an authentic massage therapy experience. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

While the product is quite powerful, it also features mild & gentle treatment options, with 4 rotating nods and a heating option available. Besides this, the controls are located on the cord, making it easier to press the buttons you want to reach. Once pressed, the commands dictate whether the balls should move clockwise or counterclockwise, ensuring a complete massage experience.

One clear benefit of this massager is the way it reacts to your comfort. If you’re tense and press against it, it will decrease the intensity of the massage, but if you’re relaxed, it will increase the power, reaching deep inside muscle tissue and getting you rid of aches. Other benefits include the ease of use, with clear and accessible controls, as well as versatility.

The downside that comes to mind is the fact that the design is a bit bulky, and not spread out, but you can get all the benefits of neck massage nonetheless.

Our focus group had a few people that also complained about the bulky design, but largely (which means over 95%) said they would recommend it to a friend and the reviews we had were all positive. Our test indicates that (besides being very relaxing) all the features work as advertised. We got surprised by the bulky design too, that’s why we called it the “sofa massager” (you can’t blame us, it really looks like a sofa pillow), but this feature is definitely not deal-breaking and we loved using it.

Features

  • 8 Massage balls.
  • Awesome Smart technology.
  • Heat Therapy.
  • (Sofa) Pillow Design.
pros
    Reacts to your comfort with smart technology. Ease of use. Clear and Accessible Controls
cons
    Design is bulky and not spread out

Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager

4.5/5

If you were to turn a drone into a neck massager, we believe the Zyllion ZMA12BK Pillow Massager would be the result. But besides the (almost) aerodynamic design, this machine can take pride in a lot of features, and we’re going to explore them right now.

Let’s get the basics out of the way. The Zyllion Massager features 3 powerful 3D nods which automatically shift direction every 1 minute and basic adapters.

Where this product really shines, however, is the advanced heating function which ensures a good soreness relief.

As such, the main plus is the heating function, but we should also mention how compact (only weighs 3.5 pounds) this massager is. The only downside we can think about is the lack of intensity and speed control, but you can use it happily on the factory settings.

Our experts guarantee for the features of this machine, but what we see important to mention is this: Upon a first hands-on, both us and the people we’ve interviewed mentioned an ergonomic and breathable material, which adds to the comfort.

The focus group that took a look at this machine was over 90% in agreement that they would recommend it to a friend, and we have to agree.

Features

  • 4 Massage balls.
  • Advanced Heating Option
  • 3 Dimensional movements
  • Pillow Design

pros
    Advanced Heating Function
cons
    Lack of intensity and speed control
Best for the money

Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow

4/5

If you look for a customizable experience, look no further than the Nekteck Shiatsu Massager. With all the options, stylish design and a powerful motor, this machine is perfect for a massage nerd.

The Nekteck Massager exceeds our expectations in terms of what it offers: 8 deep-kneading heads, a heating option, modifiable speed and direction controls, and all the cords, adapters and straps you may need.

The biggest advantage of this massager is the adaptability to the desired massage experience, the powerful engine and how little it weighs (only 3 pounds!).

So where does it fall short?

You may find the biggest disadvantage to be the disparity between a cumbersome size and how light the product is.

Our team was really satisfied with the product! Regular tests, such as durability and basic features went as planned, but even more so, we were all pleasantly surprised by the chic and modern design this massager features.

As satisfied as this massager is aesthetically, the main feature (adaptability) is really the big plus, and we loved tinkering with each feature in part.

The people we’ve talked to about the product were satisfied as well, with 95% of them saying they would recommend it to a friend.

Features

  • 8 Massage balls
  • Heating option
  • Speed Controls
  • Direction Controls
  • Versatile Design

 

pros
    Adaptability to massage needs
cons
    Difference between a cumbersome size and how light it is.

FIVE S Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Heat

4.5/5

In a world of black & grey massagers, this beige relief was surely something to look for, with a leisure design and a stand-out color. Just make sure you don’t get stains on it, as we had a busy day trying to clean one of these up.

The main, obvious feature is the striking color of beige. But don’t think the designers of this massager stopped at an attractive aesthetic, this machine is powerful, with 8 kneading rollers, 2 massage directions, a heating option and an auto-shutoff feature.

The FIVE S surely wins the color race when it comes to neck massagers, but advantages include simple controls and a compact design.

On the downside, there’s quite a lack of customizability, but you can get a qualitative massage nonetheless.

Down in the lab, both our experts and our focus group loved the Beige twist, but beyond that, we found that this machine is not as durable as it’s counterparts.
By durable, we mean withstanding impact, because we broke a FIVE S with our rough tests. However, if you’re cautious you should have no problem.

95% of the people we interviewed said they would recommend this machine to a friend, and 100% expressed love to the cool aesthetic.

Features

  • 8 Massage nodes
  • 2 Massage modes
  • Heat function
  • Special beige design.

pros
    Compact design
cons
    Lack of customization

Etekcity Shiatsu Back Neck Massager, Massage Pillow with Heat and 8 Rollers

4/5

While the Eteckcity Shiatsu Neck Massager may look like a minimalist game controller, don’t be tricked by its simple design!

With a powerful motor, simple build and small frame, this machine is a good choice for anyone browsing for a massage pillow, and below you’ll see why.

This product certainly goes further than the market standard, featuring the regular 8 3D powerful nods, straps and adapters, but also an advanced heat therapy mode and a very compact frame. If neck massagers had a “to-go” option, this product would definitely be it, because it's very convenient to carry around, only weighing 3.8 pounds.

The main plus of the Eteckcity is the complex heat therapy, helping with soreness, as well as the aforementioned compact build.

The first downside that comes to mind is the lack of variety of massage modes since you can’t change the speed or direction of the nods, but it’s definitely not a deal-breaker.

All is fine and dandy, but what do our tests conclude?

First of all, we can guarantee that the heat therapy works well; we have a colleague that used to wake up sore on the shoulder, and only extended exposure to a heat source would help.

He got his hands on the Eteckcity device and while it didn’t work miracles, it definitely helped more than walking around the office with a blanket on his back.

Besides his experience, our focus group was pleased with the product, and over 95% of them say they would recommend it to a friend. Interestingly, over 35% of them insisted to state that it would help the elderly, so we decided to include that here.

Features

  • 8 Massage balls
  • Advanced Heat therapy.
  • Bi-directional Rotation.
  • Modifiable speed.
  • Pillow Design

 

pros
    Compact build.
cons
    Not a huge variety of massage modes.

Gideon Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow

4/5

The best word to describe this massager is “round shapes”. From the balls, the motions, and even overall design, the Gideon Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massager has a round aesthetic. Regardless of build, let’s  see how this machine fares against our tests, and let’s delve a bit deeper into its features.

This Gideon Massager, with 8 3D rotating balls, a heating function, easy to use controls, and a compact build makes sure that relieving neck pain is a comfortable and relaxing activity. Going further than the market norm, this product features an entire heat therapy programme, being generally constructed to emulate the real massage experience, and we believe it does that pretty well.

The main plus of this device is the heat therapy function, but if we talk about benefits we can also mention the compact design and easy to understand and use controls. The downsides include a pretty large build, weighing in at 4 pounds, but providing no handles.

But that’s not enough to determine if it’s a good buy or not, so let’s check the results from our testing.

Our first impression when we received the product was that it was much larger than expected, but this is not a bad thing since it packs a big punch and ensures deep tissue penetration.

The focus group we interviewed was satisfied with the product, with over 90% of them saying they would recommend it to a friend.

The only thing some people complained about was the power. Some found it a bit too strong for them. In turn, we recommend this neck massager to people that have prior experience with massage and understand the process.

Features

  • 8 Massage balls
  • Heat Therapy
  • 3D Massage.
  • Pillow Design

pros
    Easy to understand and use controls
cons
    Pretty large build, weighing in at 4 pounds but providing no handles.

Naipo Shiatsu Pillow Massager Neck Back Massage with Heat, Deep Kneading

3.5/5

With a futuristic design, the Naipo Pillow Massager is sure to make you feel modern when you use it. While, yes, it does have an appealing design, the attractive glow of the balls is far from it’s only benefit.

Being programmed with a 20-minute auto shut off function, as well as automatically changing kneading direction after a minute allows you to call this a truly intelligent neck massager. Besides, this product features 4 massaging modes, as well as a heating function of up to 112 F and straps and adapters for AC or car.

The best features of this Pillow Massager include it’s versatility, allowing you to use it in bed or on your way to work and for a lot of body parts. Moreover, a big plus is the intelligent functions of auto - shut off and changing directions as well as the big punch it packs in a relatively small frame of only 3.8 pounds.

The worst features include the knobs being a bit too big and flat for back use, but in general, that’s it.

So once we explored the basics of this product, we sent it down to our lab. Our experts can guarantee that every little function advertised works perfectly. Moreover, the product can withstand shock, and once we’ve unscrewed the device and looked at the circuits and mechanical layout, we concluded that this is truly a well-made machine.
But don’t just take it from us, we’ve also talked to people about the Naipo Neck Massager, and we can say it boasts good reviews. In fact, 95 % of our focus-group would recommend it to a friend, and over half of them report improved physical state.

If you ask us, we’d say this product is capable of providing a close to real massage experience, and our favorite part is the smart functions it features.

Features

  • 4 Massage balls
  • Heating option
  • Ergonomic Design
  • Pillow Design

pros
    Intelligent functions of auto - shut off and changing directions
cons
    Knobs are a bit too big and flat for back use

Naipo Neck Massager Adjustable Intensity Shiatsu Back Shoulder Massager with Heat and Deep Tissue Kneading

3.5/5

Ever wondered what an alien robot would look like if it was a neck massager? We didn’t, before checking this product out, but after testing the Naipo Neck Massager we would definitely award the title of Alien Robot Massager to it.

While the machine meets industry standard, with adjustable intensity, heat function, auto-shut off features and 8 trusty massage nods, this one truly exceeds in the flexibility area.

Why may you ask yourselves?

First of all, the cord is 9 feet long, ensuring mobility during use. Second of all, the perfect combination of size, packaging, and weight (only 3.5 pounds) lets you take your Naipo Neck Massager anywhere with ease.

As such, the biggest benefit is the flexibility of use, but we also have to praise this massagers’ durability and balanced build.As a downside, we have to mention this product’s roughness, even in the lower intensity setting, but that’s just perfect for many people.

We smashed this massager a bit in our lab but found that it can take a beating. After taking the machine apart, we also noticed that the circuits are arranged in simple, efficient and durable fashion, so we have to give it a thumbs-up in that area.

The people we asked to test this product out were also happy, 90% of which said they would recommend it to a friend, but some complaining about the aforementioned roughness.

Features

  • 8 Massage balls
  • 3 intensity settings
  • Heat function
  • Bi-directional movements

pros
    Flexibility of use
cons
    Roughness, even in the lower intensity setting.

VIKTOR JURGEN Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager with Deep Tissue Kneading Massage and Heat

3/5

With a flappy design, the VIKTOR JURGEN Shiatsu Neck & Shoulder Massager (wow, that sounds Russian) comes with a lot of features and takes pride in a fast relief of fatigue. We can’t conclude that from the Amazon product page, so we decided to put this American invention to the test.

While featuring some unique functions, let’s get the market-standard bulk out of the way: The massager comes equipped with a heating function, car and AC adapter, as well as 8 different massage modes and helpful hand straps.

Besides the basics, the neck massager is ergonomically built, turns off automatically after 15 minutes, and has a low voltage but powerful motor (12 V), ensuring a safe and power-saving use.

The benefits of this product are vast, but the first that comes to mind is the adaptability. It can be used on a lot of body parts, including the neck, shoulder, lower & upper back. But more than that, a big plus is the complex yet easy to use control panel, featuring a power button, heat button, strength, and automatic functions.

The downsides of the VIKTOR JURGEN are hard to come by, yet we have to mention the bulky size and weight ( 4.1 pounds).

It all sounds good, but let’s see how it fares hands-on.

While some people we’ve interviewed complained about the bulkiness of this neck massager, our focus group was generally happy about with it. Over 90 % of them stated they’d recommend it to a friend.

Moreover, people were surprised by some features and mentioned they liked the breathable material this machine was built out off.

In our testing, we appreciated the immediate nervous stimulation this massager provides. It really gives a sudden relief of stress once you place the thing on your back.

Features

  • 8 Massage balls
  • 2 Direction Controls
  • Heating option
  • 3D Massage.
pros
    Versatility, being useful for a lot of body parts.
cons
    Bulky size and weight (4.1 pounds)

NURSAL Shiatsu Neck Pillow Massager, 3D Deep Kneading Massage Pillow with Heat Spa Therapy and Warm Hand Bag

3/5

For the sleepyheads out there, this is truly a good choice. The Neck Pillow Massager by NURSAL comes in a comfortable shape, and you can easily use it while laying down.

This product features 4 massaging modes (such as clockwise or counterclockwise), comes equipped with a heating function, as well as 3D rotating balls, and auto-shut off or overheating protection.

The NURSAL massager can also be strapped to your car seat or armchair and comes with a bag and adapters.

The benefits of this product are that it’s pretty powerful, but compact as well, weighing in at 3.2 pounds. Secondly, the product is versatile, being useful for a variety of body parts.

The downside may be that the adapter is only 110 V. Also the fact you can’t just place the massager on your back and do house chores since it has no body-strapping device. However, we feel those things can be easily overlooked given the quality of the NURSAL.

We conducted some tests, and in our lab we found the massager is also durable, withstanding continuous activity for an extended period of time, as well as taking two or three falls. Moreover, all the features advertised are functional and, oh so comfortable.

Over 90% of the people we interviewed would recommend it to a friend. The only complaints we’ve had is that it can get rough and ache sometimes, but you can chalk that up to misuse or the three-four seconds it takes to get used to it.

Some users also report technical problems, such as zippers breaking or the entire thing refusing to start. While these cases are extremely rare, those who’ve had to contact NURSAL customer care say the experience was excellent.

Features

  • 8 Massage balls
  • 4 Massage modes
  • Heating option
  • 3D Function
  • Pillow Design

pros
    Powerful, but compact as well, weighing in at 3.2 pounds.
cons
    Adapter is only 110 V

NURSAL 3D Shiatsu Neck and Shoulder Massager with Heat, Hand Vibration Therapy, Adjustable Intensity, and Deep-Kneading

3/5

The NURSAL 3D Shiatsu Neck Massager is truly comprehensive. The product boasts a vast and complex pallet of possible uses, and “complexity” is the word we can describe it with.

The main features of this massager are 4 strong nods, adjustable intensity, a sore-killer heat option and the regular gimmicks. Most innovative and attractive, however, is the hand vibration option: at the touch of the button, the massage therapy extends to the tip of your fingers. Oh, and it shuts down automatically after 15 minutes.

The biggest benefit of this product is the hand vibration option, but advantages include a portable build, strong kneading balls, and the powerful heat therapy.
One place this massager falls short, however, is the lack of speed-control and the slightly confusing button layout, but one will get the hang of it after the initial use.

At the beginning of our testing, we got curious about the hand vibration option, so we took this massager apart and checked the circuits.
We can’t say it’s the best build out there, but it definitely does its job and we can promise durability.

Our focus - group seems to agree since over 95 % of them would recommend the NURSAL 3D Neck Massager to a friend.

Most notably, however, the people we interviewed seemed surprised by how comfortable the material of this machine was since you can be tricked by the product pictures to believe it is quite rough.

Features

  • 4 Massage balls
  • Heating option
  • Adjustable Intensity
  • Hand Vibration Option.
  • Modern Design

pros
    Hand vibration option
cons
    Slightly confusing button layout

Buyer's Guide

General Criteria for picking your Neck Massager

The wide web is full of different variations of this device, and after a while on Amazon, the search surely becomes a struggle.

With that in mind, we have formulated a few criteria for you to take into account when browsing for a massager of this type:

THE WINNERS

Skip The Spa, Get A Neck Massage In Your Living Room

Since researching the best neck massagers is a pain in the neck itself…

We wanted to keep things as simple as possible for you.

If you’re in the market for a neck massager, always remember to look for Percussion, Power, and Weight.

But if you’re can’t be bothered to browse for one, take our advice: buy the Gideon!

Gideon™ Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow
Best of the best

Gideon™ Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow

Neck pains can ruin your day. Not everybody has time for a massage. With this selection of the best neck massagers that problem is easier than ever to fix.

Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager
Most Buying

Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager

Neck pains can ruin your day. Not everybody has time for a massage. With this selection of the best neck massagers that problem is easier than ever to fix.

Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow
Best for the money

Nekteck Shiatsu Deep Kneading Massage Pillow

Neck pains can ruin your day. Not everybody has time for a massage. With this selection of the best neck massagers that problem is easier than ever to fix.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

I want to target specific parts of my neck. Can I do that with these neck massagers?

Most of the neck massagers allow for easy placement in different areas, however, some are easier than others.

Can I use my neck massager on my back or legs?

In some cases, yes! Many of the best neck massagers are pretty versatile, meaning you can apply them to various body parts. Just be sure to read the owners manual for any warnings that may be specific to the neck massager you bought.

Can I use my neck massager over my clothes?

Of course! But if you have long hair, you might want to pull it up while getting a massage to avoid tangles.

THE TEAM

We made this review
Diane W. Christenson

Therapist with experience of more than 25 years. She has written over 15 scientific papers. She works as a family doctor.

Doctor Diane W. Christenson
Porutiu Theodor Writer Porutiu Theodor
Tiffany Mueller Editorial Director Tiffany Mueller
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