Best Electric Handheld Massager For Your Back [August 2022]

This guide has everything you need to know about handheld massagers, including the best handheld massager models but...

Tell me if this is you.

You have a problem or pain that is bothering you and someone recommends you a product that is promised to solve all of your pains.

At this very moment, you are excited and can't wait to get your hands on it, only to be greatly disappointed later.

Sounds familiar?

I definitely can relate to that, because once I bought this highly rated but terrible product here and I thought that it will solve my sciatica and back pain issue.

In fact, my problem got even worth (the product was not able to deliver promised result - the handle needed to be longer, the button was located in the wrong place, settings, etc.).

That is why it is so important to get a good handheld massager and that is why I am here to help.

So, read this guide if you want to avoid unnecessary frustration and buying products that many people recommend online. In fact, many online reviews are a joke and probably can make your issue even worth it.

>>And If you do not have time to read the whole guide, you can skip to check my product of choice table right below<<

There's no good reason to spend another day in pain.

Wouldn't it be great if you can say goodbye to muscle, tendon, and joint pain (well, I can't promise you that but I can try)

Whether you are an athlete, spend a lot of time on your feet, suffer from headaches or body pain, or just want to relax and rejuvenate more often, massage is a key component to better health and well-being. That's a given.

My Product Choice

They've done studies that show massage helps patients heal more quickly and stay emotionally healthier and more positive after most procedures.

But you don't have to see a doctor or physical therapist get the benefits of massage. A back handheld massager is one of the best and most accessible ways for pain relief, tension, and muscle knots quickly and effectively, wherever and whenever you need it.

If you ever thought the only massager for knots was the one at the sports medicine clinic, or the only thing standing between you and the best handheld massager was a couple of hundred dollars and a trip to your favorite day spa, you will be pleasantly surprised to find out neither of these is true.

All you need is a portable massager.

There are a lot of choices out there, and I know no one has the time to scour that last year's issues of Consumer Reports. So, I've done the research for you and rounded up the pros and cons of each. One of the best models available, and our pick for the number one slot is the Pure Wave CM7 by Pado.

But there are several others that are worth considering.

The Best Handheld Massager Reviews (2021 List)

#1 Pado PureWave CM7 Handheld Massager

There's no point in us burying the lead. There's a lot to love about the CM7. This lightweight workhorse is our top pick for the best all-around, and, the best deep tissue massager machine you can buy.

Research has shown the benefits of vibration massage therapy, and for serious microvibration horsepower, you can't beat the PureWave CM7.

It delivers 3,700 RPMs. And if you don't want to take our word for it, check out this review by physical therapists Brad Heinech and Bob Schrupp. They agree.

PROS & CONS

The CM7 delivers both vibration and percussion massage therapy. It's cordless, lightweight, and compact. It weighs a mere pound and three-quarters, and it's only sixteen and a half inches long.

I love how easy it is to throw into your gym bag, leave in an office drawer, or fit right into your carry-on. The best thing about this model, though? It's actually two in one. It's a full handheld deep tissue percussion massager that comes with 6 stick attachments for your body, and it's also a vibration head and face device.

The face and scalp sticks enable you to deeply massage your temples, scalp, face, and jaw. A professional head massage relieves headaches, neck pain, and the discomfort and extreme pain that can be associated with jaw conditions, such as TMJ.

Click to find out what customers are saying...

And you get all of that from it that can also work out the knots in your back, shoulders, neck, arms, and legs with the intensity level you select. The CM7 is also our choice for the best massager for athletes, as you can't find a better massage for deep tissue massage. It is also great as a massager for hands.

It also comes with a body massage oil stick, enabling you to incorporate therapeutic oils into your massage.

The point, air-cushion, and six-head sticks round out the perfect set of attachments to not only hit any area that needs it—whether muscle, joint or tendon—but to also apply exactly the type of pressure and depth required for relief.

Coming in at just under 125 dollars, I was hard-pressed to find a con for this all-around winner. If you want to dig deep, you could say you would prefer a longer time between charges, but it's a hard argument to make.

The battery is fully charged in an hour, and you get about three hours per charge, or roughly a week if you use it between 20 and 30 minutes a day. Not too shabby in our opinion.

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#2 Homedics HHP-350 Percussion Massager

If don't need or want everything the CM7 delivers, or you just prefer choices, you cannot go wrong with the Percussion Pro Handheld Massager with Heat by Homedics.

This percussion action massager with Heat is one of the best handheld massagers and about medium-high on the scale of intensity, so it kind of hits the sweet spot when it comes to home massagers. Its well-designed ergonomic handle makes it extremely easy to hold and use.

The massage is delivered via two pivoting heads, and there are two additional customized sets included, so you can choose from a heated, gentle, or firm massage.

PROS & CONS

I like the heat option in this model. Many studies have shown that incorporating heat into massage is beneficial for relieving muscle and many other types of pain.

I also found it a plus that you can customize the type of massage you want.

However, it's less than ideal that you must physically swap out the massage heads to move between the modalities.

There is a variable speed controller (adjustable speed settings), so the ability to choose how fast or slow you want the massage heads to pivot goes into the "pro" column. In general, this is a good entry-level or basic handheld massager for home use.

It's not rich with features, but what it does—providing three solid types of percussion massage—it does very well.

It's two-and-a-half pounds, so it's a bit heavier than the PureWave CM7, but the price point might be the only plus you need: you can pick one up on Amazon for just under 35 dollars.

You would be hard-pressed to find a comparable model that is this reliable and well-made.

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#3 Thumper E501 Sport Percussion Massager Hand Held (Great for Knots)

Like the Homedics HHP-350 in appearance and functionality, the Thumper E501 handheld massager delivers percussion massage by way of two rotating, interchangeable heads.

This dual head massager is designed to penetrate muscles deeply, so it's advised that rather than moving it around or sliding it across large muscles on your body, you hold it in place for about 20 or 30 seconds per spot.

This is quite effective on large muscle groups, especially for those who are very athletic, and it greatly improves circulation. You can control the speed of the massage, from 20 to 40 pulses delivered per second and not pulses per minute.

PROS & CONS

The Thumper E501 is one of the heavier home models out there (it weighs 3 pounds), so it's not quite as versatile as some of the others I like a little more.

The quality of massage and ability to soothe muscles and work out the severest of knots is excellent, however. This model is highly recommended for athletes, as it delivers a very deep massage.

The handle is long, so it's easy to reach all the spots on your back, shoulders, and legs. And if you find yourself with a leg cramp in the middle of the night, this is the one you want. It breaks up knots quickly and instantly soothes the muscles around the area and releases associated tension.

You'll spend a bit more on the Thumper than you would on the Homedics Handheld Massager it runs a little over 150 dollars—but it's still a very cost-effective option for the features, quality of massage, and solid craftsmanship.

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#4 Zyllion Handheld Massager - Best Therapeutic Percussion With Heat

The Zyllion ZMA-16 is a nice midpoint between the Homedics HHP-350 and the Thumper E501. The price point is squarely between the two, costing 70 dollars. Like the HHP-350, you get the heat option, which is a major advantage to a handheld.

It's also a percussion model, but it utilizes a single head as opposed to dual rotating heads (dual head or double head) like the Homedics and Thumper. The intensity level of this handheld personal massager is set via a dial, so you can control how vigorous or minimal you want or need the massage to be.

PROS & CONS

The price is squarely in the pro column, and I also like that this electric massager comes with three interchangeable heads, designed to target different spots and depths. This is effective for targeting surface areas versus deep tissue and larger muscle groups.

The heat is excellent for relaxation and circulation, and the ergonomic and modern styling is a plus if you're after a device that is more streamlined.

Like the Thumper handheld electric massager, it's a bit heavier than some of its competitors, so I put the three pounds in the con column. All told, I like the price, look, and heat delivered by the ZMA-16, but it falls a bit short on features and portability.

Many home users prefer a personal massager with two heads to one for a percussion massage in order to hit larger areas in a shorter amount of time.

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#5 Naipo Handheld Massager With Heating Option

Like the Zyllion, the Naipo handheld percussion massager with heat has a single rather than set of two rotating heads.

It offers deep penetrating percussion massage, however, and comes with three different attachment heads. You can target various sets of muscles, tendons, and joints easily, and choose between levels of intensity and depth. Naipo heating is excellent for improving circulation.

PROS & CONS

A definite pro of the Naipo is its sleek modern design. If looks matter, and you don't want one that tends towards the bulky, you'll like the Naipo. And if the price is important, you can stop reading now.

You purchase one on Amazon. It doesn't pack the features that the other contenders do, however. And the handle, while looking good, is not as ergonomically effective. This is a well-priced, good-looking, average massager that few would be sorry to own.

You can relieve muscle knots, aches, pains, sore muscles and recover from exercise quickly with this massager, and it will provide tension relief and relaxation very well.

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Some models that we decide not to include for a multitude of reasons: VIKTOR JURGEN Handheld Back Massagera, Homedics PM-50 Hand Held Mini Massager with Hand Grip, Gideon handheld vibrating percussion massager, ENOWPO Handheld Back therapeutic massager percussion, Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Therapeutic Handheld Electric Massager for Muscles, Emerson Waterproof Cordless Deep Tissue Therapeutic Sports Massager, Oster Professional 103 Stimulax Massager, Shiatsu Pillow Massagers, Purewave cm5

RENPHO Handheld Massager

RENPHO Rechargeable is a Japanese brand that has created a range of massage products including traditional hand massagers, foot massagers, and self-massage. You can get the Portable Hand Massager. The RENPHO Handheld Massager will not take too much space in your bag. We have previously mentioned the benefits of this product to our readers, and we believe you must read about it again to see that it works!

There's a new generation of vacuum-powered massagers and yes, they're a bit fuzzy. While many are aimed at offering therapeutic massage, other claims include helping people with certain conditions in which hand-held massage therapy could be beneficial. One example is people with Parkinson's disease, which can have a number of physical side effects. In another example, the electromagnetic massager is reportedly great for cancer patients because it's believed to stimulate the "mind-body connection.

Final Thoughts on This Handheld Massager Review

An upside to wanting professional grade massage at home is that there are so many excellent handheld models. And while the PureWave CM7 is our top pick for the best handheld massager, there are many excellent choices out there that will serve you well for years to come.

Other brands you may consider, but I think less superior are: Oster, Brookstone Active Sport.

The physical and psychological benefits of massage are well documented, so the best thing you can do for yourself is to pick the one that's right for you and get to relieving that tension and increasing relaxation as soon as possible.

If you've done enough of reading the best handheld massagers buying guide and you're just searching for where to buy the CM7 model then click below to check the price.

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