Best massagers 2024: banish knots and soothe sore muscles

Find the best massagers to knead away aches and pains, boost your circulation and relax after a long day

A woman lying on a Beurer MG 280 yoga and stretch mat, using one of the best massagers
(Image credit: Beurer)

The best massagers offer an easy way to relax tense muscles, soothe aches and pains and improve circulation. Massagers are so much more than fancy treatments you get at a spa and they don't have to cost a fortune. If you deal with muscle pain or tightness, or you simply want tension relief after a long day, the best massagers do this for you and in the comfort of your own home... plus there's a huge variety of devices to choose from.

To soothe tightness or tension at home, the best massagers cover everything from massage mats and cushions to full massage chairs that knead away pain and discomfort. Or, if you need something more portable to take to the gym, smaller massagers range from handheld devices to balls and sticks.

Below, you'll find the best massager options available right now, from simple handheld devices through to mats and chairs and even high-end sports massagers, at a range of price points. All of them are great for soothing painful knots, boosting your circulation and relieving exercise-induced strains.

If you want something more specific, check out our guides to the best massage chairs, the best massage guns, the best foot massagers and the best foam rollers.

Best massagers ranking 2024

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 How to choose the best massager for you

This might sound reckless, but don’t pay too much attention to the price tag. Take roller sticks, for example: this type of massage tool often comes with the lowest price tag, but these lightweight plastic sticks are still incredibly effective when used correctly.

That said, there are certainly plenty of blow-the-budget options which still offer fantastic value for money. Percussive massagers that use infrared, heated or interchangeable heads are a little more pricey, but the upside is that this type of massager can be a godsend when it comes to soothing muscle pain, reducing post-exercise recovery time and minimising the risk of injury.

Tamara Hinson

Tamara Hinson is a freelance travel and tech writer who writes for a range of publications, including T3, Wanderlust, the Times, the Metro and the Independent. Favourite destinations include Peru, India, Zambia and anywhere in South East Asia, although as a former snowboard instructor she’s happiest in the mountains. Her favourite trips include a visit to North Korea and the time she joined a postman for his 250-mile mail run around the remote cattle ranches surrounding Coober Pedy, an Australian outback opal mining town where everyone lives underground.

With contributions from