Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Every Massage Tool You Need for the Entire Body

Image used with permission by copyright holder

No matter how you choose to exercise, recovery is always necessary. Whether you enjoy running outdoors or following a routine in the gym, your muscles are likely to be fatigued and sore after an effective workout. Soreness and tightness can even be accentuated when you sit at a desk all day and do not have a job that keeps you moving. We would all like to be able to book a weekly massage, but unfortunately, that is not realistic for most of us. Luckily, there is a range of self-massage tools that can serve as an affordable and effective alternative!

Using recovery tools like foam rollers, massage balls, Theraguns, and other great massage guns and massage sticks can help loosen tight muscles and stiff joints. Using the right massage tool helps increase range of motion and eases muscle soreness and pain after a workout. That said, it can be difficult to know which self-massage tool to use when and where on your body. To help you maximize workout recovery, loosen your muscles, and ease your aches and pains, we’ve shared our favorite massage tools and their best uses below.

Theragun PRO
Theragun PRO
Best Massage Tool Overall
Jump to details
Snailax Full Body Massage Chair Pad
Snailax Full Body Massage Chair Pad
Jump to details
Theragun Elite
Theragun Elite
Best Massage Tool for Any Part of Your Body
Jump to details
Theragun Mini
Theragun Mini
Best Massage Tool for Neck and Feet
Jump to details
Snailax Cordless Hand Massager Machine
Snailax Cordless Hand Massager Machine
Jump to details
TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller with Free Online Instructional Videos, Original (13-inch), Black
TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller
Best Massage Tool for Calves, Quads, Hamstrings, Back, and Shoulders
Jump to details
Body Back Buddy Elite – USA Made – Trigger Point Massage Tool, Neck and Back Massager Handheld, Manual Self Massager, Massage Cane, Muscle Knot Remover with Instructions, Upgraded 2021 Version (Blue)
Body Back Buddy Elite
Best Massage Tool for Back
Jump to details
Posture Magic Massage Ball Set
Posture Magic Massage Ball Set
Best Massage Tool for Trigger Points Anywhere in Body
Jump to details
Doeplex Muscle Massage Roller Stick
Doeplex Muscle Roller Massage Stick
Best Massage Tool for Quads, IT bands, Calves, and Shins
Jump to details
Theragun PRO massage gun over a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Theragun PRO

Best Massage Tool Overall

Though most self-massage tools pale in comparison to a professional massage, the aptly named Theragun PRO may be the sole exception. The Theragun PRO gives you the power, versatility, and precision of a trained masseuse with tireless hands. Compared to the Theragun Elite, the Theragun PRO is capable of producing 33% more torque, making it a great massage tool for those who like a strong massage. The shaft is also fully adjustable, so you can change the angle to precisely target every ache, whether it be in your feet, calves, quads, glutes, back, shoulders, or neck. With six attachment heads, including a super soft tip, the Theragun PRO is the uncontested winner in terms of versatility, performance, and effectiveness in the world of massage tools.

Theragun PRO
Theragun PRO
Best Massage Tool Overall
Snailax Full Body Massage Chair Pad.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Snailax Full Body Massage Chair Pad

The Snailax Massage Chai features eight flexible acupressure rollers that fit your back and body curves, providing a relaxing deep tissue massage. The infrared heat provides a gentle warmth to help you to relax more. The massager features four acupressure nodes to provide a deep massage on the neck and shoulders. There is a detachable tab that allows you to choose between a gentle neck and back acupressure massage or a stronger acupressure massage. You can target different areas due to the 3 massage zones.

Compression and vibration massagers offer 3 levels of massage pressure and 3 levels of vibration intensity. The massage seat cushion is portable, easy to use, and can be attached to office chairs, dining chairs, reclining chairs, sofas, and sofas.

Snailax Full Body Massage Chair Pad
Snailax Full Body Massage Chair Pad
Black Theragun Elite on a plain background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Theragun Elite

Best Massage Tool for Any Part of Your Body

The Theragun Elite is a powerful massage gun able to deliver very specific, professional-quality vibrating massage to encourage blood flow, aid tissue recovery, and ease pain. It has a proprietary, brushless QX65 motor designed to be extremely quiet yet powerful. There are five preset speed intensities, ranging from 1,750 to 2,400 PPM, with further customization in the free companion app. All of this allows you to create the exact massage experience you need! Additionally, there are five different foam attachment tips (standard ball, dampener, cone, wedge, and thumb), with each different tip designed to provide a unique massage experience.

The Theragun Elite can be used to massage any part of your body, including your back, neck, shoulders, legs, and feet. At just 2.2 pounds with a small, ergonomic design and compact travel case, the Theragun Elite is portable, sleek, and easy to travel with or store. It runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, capable of powering the device for a full 120 minutes on a single charge.

Theragun Elite
Theragun Elite
Best Massage Tool for Any Part of Your Body
Theragun Mini over a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Theragun Mini

Best Massage Tool for Neck and Feet

The Theragun Mini is a small but mighty massage gun. The standard ball attachment and easy maneuverability make it an especially ideal massage tool for the neck and feet — two often difficult areas to safely, easily, and effectively massage without the help of a professional masseuse or a bulky, expensive massage tool designed solely for the feet or solely for the neck. With three different speeds, 150 minutes of battery life per charge, and a whisper-quiet motor, the Theragun Mini is a high-performing, reliable, and versatile massage tool.

Theragun Mini
Theragun Mini
Best Massage Tool for Neck and Feet
Snailax Cordless Hand Massager Machine.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Snailax Cordless Hand Massager Machine

The hand massager uses pressure, vibration, and heat to massage all parts of the hand and helps to eliminate finger numbness, and joint pain, and relieve arthritis and carpal tunnel pain. This massager uses acupoint therapy to rhythmically push your hands from your wrists to your palms and fingers to stimulate your pressure points, thereby relieving pain and numbness in your hands. You can use a combination of six compression massage modes and six intensity levels for different pain levels. The handheld massager also provides soothing heat and a vibration massage.

The massager is even wireless and easy to use, with a built-in lithium-ion battery that can be charged via a provided USB cable. Extremely portable, you can enjoy a hand massage at home, at the office, or on the go.

Snailax Cordless Hand Massager Machine
Snailax Cordless Hand Massager Machine
TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller over a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller

Best Massage Tool for Calves, Quads, Hamstrings, Back, and Shoulders

Foam rollers can improve flexibility and mobility in a muscle, fascia, or joint by decreasing muscle tension or tone and by increasing blood flow in the treated area. The TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller is exceptionally well constructed, durable, and dense. It holds up to endless hours of myofascial release rolling, and the textured ribbing helps work through knots and adhesions in your tissue. It’s ideal for massaging your calves, quads, hamstrings, IT bands, back, and shoulders.

TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller with Free Online Instructional Videos, Original (13-inch), Black
TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller
Best Massage Tool for Calves, Quads, Hamstrings, Back, and Shoulders
Body Back Buddy Elite with manuals on a plain background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Body Back Buddy Elite

Best Massage Tool for Back

The Body Back Buddy Elite is a trigger point back massager with 11 numbered knobs deliberately located to address specific pain points noted in the included Trigger Point by Numbers user manual. Using the non-slip grip handles, you can press various knobs on the Body Back Buddy Elite into tight and tense back muscles, painful knots, and sore regions. The two hooks and design shape give you excellent leverage for massaging your back, and there are three different knob shapes: acorns for deep tissue work, round for gliding over larger muscles, and nubs for your lower back.

Body Back Buddy Elite – USA Made – Trigger Point Massage Tool, Neck and Back Massager Handheld, Manual Self Massager, Massage Cane, Muscle Knot Remover with Instructions, Upgraded 2021 Version (Blue)
Body Back Buddy Elite
Best Massage Tool for Back
Posture Magic Massage Ball Set on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Posture Magic Massage Ball Set

Best Massage Tool for Trigger Points Anywhere in Body

The Posture Magic Massage Ball Set for Myofascial Trigger Point Release contains six massage balls to work through stiffness, trigger points, and fascial adhesions anywhere in your body. The spiky ball is great for the feet, while the lacrosse ball works wonders on tight glutes. There’s a ball for every body part and a handy exercise booklet to help guide you through the process.

Posture Magic Massage Ball Set
Posture Magic Massage Ball Set
Best Massage Tool for Trigger Points Anywhere in Body
Doeplex Muscle Roller Massage Stick on a white background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Doeplex Muscle Roller Massage Stick

Best Massage Tool for Quads, IT bands, Calves, and Shins

You can use the Doeplex Muscle Roller Massage Stick to help work out knots and ease tension along your quads, IT bands, calves, and shins. The gear-shaped disks independently spin 360 degrees as you press on the handles and roll the massage stick up and down your tissue, providing a deep tissue massage and increasing blood flow.

Doeplex Muscle Massage Roller Stick
Doeplex Muscle Roller Massage Stick
Best Massage Tool for Quads, IT bands, Calves, and Shins
Amber Sayer
Former Digital Trends Contributor

Amber Sayer is a fitness, nutrition, and wellness writer and editor, and was previously a Fitness Editor at Byrdie. She contributes to Women's Running and freelances for various fitness blogs. As a certified personal trainer for 12 years, Amber enjoys staying active and helping others do so as well. In her free time, she likes running, cycling, cooking, and tackling any type of puzzle.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

Can rest-pause training fuel muscle growth? Here’s what the science shows
Arnold Schwarzenegger and other robust bodybuilders have used the rest-pause technique.
Muscular man bicep curling weight in one hand

When you’re staying dedicated and putting so much effort into your strength training, you want to reap the rewards of your hard work. Seeing results over time as your muscles swell encourages you to keep going and maximize your athletic potential. Lifters and fitness buffs are swearing by rest-pause training to accelerate muscle growth. It turns out rest-pause training has been around for a long time. Here are the many benefits and what the science shows.
What is rest-pause training?

Rest-pause training is a bodybuilding method or weight training technique where you alternate between mini sets and brief rest periods. People approach rest-pause training in slightly different ways. You could perform a set and stop one rep short of failure, rest for 20-40 seconds, and then power through more reps. The intensity remains high throughout your workout session because you’re only resting just enough to fuel you to perform more reps using the same weight. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other robust bodybuilders have reportedly used this technique.

Read more
Your guide to walking lunges: Technique, tips, and benefits
Improve your balance, power up your quads, and more with walking lunges
man and woman doing walking lunges outside

Walking lunges are a killer move to add to leg day. You’ll power up those quads and major leg muscles while also working on your balance as you ‘walk’ forward in the lunge position. The original lunge will always be among the elite exercises for legs and balance, but there are also several worthwhile variations to switch it up, including walking lunges. Read on for your complete guide to walking lunges. 
What are walking lunges?

Walking lunges are a variation of the original lunge where you ‘walk’ forward by lunging with the other leg instead of just standing up straight again. The lunge is a static effective bodyweight exercise, whereas the walking lunge gets you moving and really helps you perfect your lunge technique. 
Why are walking lunges more challenging?

Read more
Are carrots keto? Nutrition facts, benefits, and more
Discover whether carrots are a keto-friendly snack
Carrots with their tops

Now that you're interested in starting a ketogenic diet, you probably have a lot of questions about what foods to include in your diet and what foods you should avoid eating. Naturally, your focus is on consuming nutrient-rich foods, so it seems you can't go wrong with fresh fruits and vegetables, right?

However, we want to take a closer look at different vegetables and fruits to understand how they fit into the ketogenic diet. Each food has unique characteristics that can determine whether they pass the test. So, if you enjoy eating carrots and you're wondering, "Are carrots keto?" -- you can get your answer by taking a deep dive into carrot nutrition facts and understanding how they impact your diet and health.
What is the ketogenic diet?

Read more