The 5 Best Handheld Massagers for Knots – [2020 Reviews]

Giving your body some extra care and attention is a great way of relaxing, besides prioritizing your well-being. A good massage helps to relieve tension and aches as well as improves blood circulation.

While giving yourself some massage, you may want to take advantage of handheld massager for knots. These intriguing products reach the out-of-reach spots in the body.

Besides, such devices provide pain-reducing benefits, such as massage with heat (to relieve muscle knots) and the deep tissue massage that eliminates body pain.

It provides professional massage experience right at home, without spending a fortune on professional massage services.

Handheld massagers are very effective at treating muscle pain and muscle knots. If you are particularly looking for something that will help you to relieve swelling and pain in your entire body, consider buying an ice therapy machine.

With plenty of handheld massagers on the market, and after looking at several models, our handheld massager for knots review should help you decide on your next purchase.

What Is The Best Handheld Massager For Knots? 

Knots tend to act as trigger points in the muscle fibers, which can be stimulated to relieve body aches. With a handheld massager for knots, pain in the body reduces. To help ease the pain, the best handheld massaging tool for knots is the HoMedics HHP-350.

With a percussion capacity of 3100 beats every minute, you can expect a soothing sensation in the muscle fibers for relieving stiffness, tension, and pain in the muscles. The HHP-350 is a state-of-the-art percussion massager with an ergonomic construction.

With a corded body, it ensures that you get uninterrupted reclining therapy for your comfort. The long handle connected to the main body is conveniently sculpted for letting you reach everywhere around your back.

Additionally, it has been priced at an affordable rate to let you enjoy its many benefits.

Comparing The Best Handheld Massagers For Knots

Product Name	Speed	Heat	Cordless	Price
HoMedics HHP-350 Percussion Action Massager	Variable	Yes	No	Check Price
Brookstone Max 2 Cordless Percussion Massager	Variable (1750 – 2550 RPM)	No	Yes	Check Price
Thumper Mini Pro 2 Massager	Variable (1200 – 2400 RPM)	No	No	Check Price
Pure-Wave CM7 Extreme Power Massager	Variable (1500 – 3700 RPM)	No	Yes	Check Price
Body Back Buddy Self Massage Tool	N/A	No	Yes	Check Price

1. HoMedics HHP-350 Percussion Action Massager – Best Electrical Massager

The HoMedics HHP-350 Percussion Action Massager is a professional electric massager that offers a personalized experience. The heat produced during the process – which can be turned on and off at will, even during a massage session – works relatively well in relieving deep tissue tension as it relaxes knotted muscles.

Notably, it features dual heads that can be altered and high and low-pressure settings that pound on the skin surface as well. Likewise, its hard head attachment gets deep to sore muscles and provides relieving therapy for sore muscles in the body.

It has a speed of 3,100 beats per minute which can be tweaked when in use according to your preferences. Additionally, it boasts an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to control without sacrificing speed or massage quality.

However, this deep muscle massage tool uses a cord for power which may limit its convenience and placement. On the other hand, it is due to this that it can run for long periods with more intensity.

Hence, overall, the HoMedics HHP-350 massager power rivals the hands of professional massagers. Its heat, alongside its adjustable features, crown it as the best electric massager on this list. 

2. Brookstone Max 2 Cordless Percussion Massager – Best Cordless Percussion Massager 

The Brookstone Max 2 Cordless Percussion Massager provides complete freedom of movement as you enjoy percussion massage. It is used with a battery or when connected to a power source.

Its built-in lithium-ion battery has a high capacity for a long massaging time. Likewise, the fast charger included in the package also allows for an immense cordless use time.

The aluminum body build that is not only indestructible but also lightweight ascertains its sturdy and lasting companion. Consequently, this professional percussion massager promises not to strain your arm when using it for long periods as well.

Moreover, its dual ergonomic handles make it easy to glide the massager over the body as you control the pressure applied to tight body muscles.

More on why we like this massager

Alongside that, this massager’s distant massaging notes travel up and down, too – something only this massager offers and others mostly don’t. Users won’t have to push as they move with the vibrating motion, providing a more profound and complete massage with little effort.

Furthermore, it boasts three deep tissue-massaging programs, namely: energizing, soothing and pulsing. Soothing provides relaxation as nodes move smoothly over the body.

Meanwhile, energizing triggers the machine to work in small waves that enhance blood circulation and rejuvenate to the muscles. Lastly, pulsing gives short percussive taps helpful to the muscles.

Thus, with five available speeds starting at 1750 RMS and ending at 2550 RMS, this product is the best professional percussion massager.

3. Thumper Sport Percussive Massager – Best Massager for Deep Muscles

The Thumper Mini Pro 2 Massager’s speed settings make it a perfect choice for treatment of deep muscles.

Notably, despite the various attachments, it is lightweight and weighs only three pounds. Its head has two spheres that pulse at various speeds and can massage deep into a quarter of an inch which is perhaps deep enough for long-lasting muscle relaxation.

Additionally, it works expertly on dry skin and light clothing. Its 3-speed setting makes it perfect for use in different body parts. Similarly, the power choice you use often depends on the intensity of massage you feel comfortable into getting for deep muscle treatment.

Why this works:

Slow settings are perfect for back massages at approximately 1,200 pulses per minute. Meanwhile, light pressures are ideal for sliding through the body, back of the calves and the arms. On the other hand, consider high-speed settings of about 2400 pulses per minute if you need some extensive work on your big muscles.

This product’s thick, ergonomic, and comfortable handle provides maximum reach for a thorough back massage. With 13 inches of reach and lightweight nature, one-handed use won’t be a strain.

Therefore, overall, this is the best deep tissue massager machine on our list.

4. Pure-Wave CM7 Extreme Power Massager – Best Dual Motor Massager

The Pure-Wave CM7 Extreme Power Massager is a powerful hand-held massager that works out knots and stiff areas expertly. The two operational modes and two motors do more than just vibrating.

For exceptional percussion ability, the 7.2V DC 3700 RPM motor is a good choice. Similarly, the second motor, located on the handle is 7.2V DC with 11000 RPM, provides great facial vibration.

Likewise, this massager works primarily for percussion. Intensity levels can be adjusted to suit personal needs. Different heads have specific purposes for different applications as well. For instance, air cushion stick provides massage to sensitive joints such as wrist and ankles.

Meanwhile, point stick head is good for firm acupressure massage. On the other hand, the 6-head stick does deep tissue as well as sports massage better. Lastly, the other three massage heads provide additional applications including massage oil stick, facial massage stick, and scalp massage stick.

Additional great features:

Besides that, this unit can be changed from its primary percussion to vibration. Its three speeds provide immense relief, especially when matched with well-siting heads. Soft, medium and firm speeds trigger point therapy and other styles of massages such as shiatsu, sports, and Swedish.

This is a cordless massager with an in-built lithium ion battery that lasts for as long as approximately 500 charges for enhanced convenience. This makes it easy to reach various hard-to-reach areas within the body.

Thus, this product is the best hand massager machine on our list, as well as the best handheld massager for athlethes needing a portable and quick fix.

5. Body Back Buddy Self Massage Tool – Best Simple to Use Massager

The Body Back Buddy Self Massage Tool is a perfect massager choice for those looking for the best back handheld massager without a motor. The unique S-shaped nature with 11 strategically placed trigger therapy knobs provides great point massage.

The device’s hooks are reinforced with an I-beam, making the massager 3x more durable besides being easy to hold compared to other trigger point massagers. Its lightweight nature makes it easy to place on the body as well.

Meanwhile, its natural design also enables it to massage any part of the body: be it the arms, buttocks, neck, chest, hips, or legs. All parts of the body will be within reach.

This handheld massager has different knobs for specific purposes, too. For instance, those at the tips are one-rounded to mimic the actions of a professional therapist’s thumb, while one is one-pointed to mimic the therapist’s elbows.

However, using this massager requires some basic knowledge. For instance, the large top curve works best on the back. The three smooth spheres are good for massaging trigger points.

Additionally, easy control and maneuver during the process are enabled by the two fixed handles on the main beam. This machine is also sturdy and durable thanks to the high impact glass-filled nylon.

Lastly, the material is hypoallergenic and free from harmful chemicals and PDA.

How Does A Handheld Percussion Massager Work?

Percussion therapy involves a jolting operation over various parts of the body by applying subtle pressure. This operation helps to loosen up the stiff muscles, thus relieving one from aches.

Rapid yet gentle shocks on the muscle fibers help alleviate them. Furthermore, this action also increases blood flow. Unlike traditional massage therapies, percussion massagers tend to act quickly over the affected area.

With each pulsating effect, the machine tends to penetrate the targeted area, eventually relieving the soreness present there. Such massagers go beyond the limit of human hands to massage the various parts of the body and loosen them.

The percussion mechanism is so rapid that it vibrates the muscles and help them alleviate the stiffness. Additionally, the percussion therapy digs deep within the tissues to soothe them from the pain.

A motor connects to percussion discs, which vibrate at a fast pace. These vibrating discs alleviate the pain in the muscles when in contact with the skin.

What to Consider Before Buying Handheld Massagers

Handheld massagers provide similar massaging experience to that of professionals. However, these devices allow you to direct the right pressure to the muscles.

Unlike handheld massager for knots, if you are looking for a device that will help to get relieved from circulation problems such as edema, conditions like lymphedema or feel sore in your legs, buying the air compression leg massager is the right fit.

That said, what is it that makes a great massager? Outlined below are some of the features you should look into before settling for one.

Handheld Massager Type

Handheld massagers could be electric, infrared or manual.

Manual handheld massagers – as the name suggests, they don’t require power to operate. Hand motions operate them. They are ideal for treatment of knots at the back as well as neck pain.

Electric massagers – they are lightweight and powered deep tissue massagers that use dual rotating percussion heads to relieve tense, knotted, and tired muscles. A cord and lithium batteries power them. Unlike manual massagers, they feature several speed settings with varied intensities.

Infrared massagers – these devices use infrared light therapy for deep muscle massage. Penetration by the infrared light relaxes the muscles. Hence, they are ideal for stimulating tissue repair, eliminating harmful toxins in the body, and enhancing blood circulation.

Portability

Portability is the second crucial factor that should determine if the handheld massager is worth your money. Handheld massagers shouldn’t be heavy or take much space. A good device should be easy to store and lightweight to reduce strain on your hand when in use.

Versatility

Neck and shoulders require a light touch. Big muscles of the thigh need some deep tissue massage. Therefore, ensure that the massager can operate in both light speed as well as high speed. Others have interchangeable heads where users can customize their massage experience.

Heat Settings

Muscle pain and stress often result in knotted muscles. Heat penetrates the knots and loosens them. Heat is best used for the back, shoulders, and the neck. That said, handheld devices with various heat settings provide a better chance of relieving pain and relaxing the muscles.

Massaging Technology

Handheld massagers work in two technologies. Percussion is most common with various devices. It is effective as it uses soft knobs and ball-like spheres that penetrate the deep muscles. Additionally, they penetrate muscles without any bruises.

The second technology, vibration massage, vibrates as it kneads across the skin surface. However, it might not penetrate to the deep muscles and be less effective for eliminating pain.

Bundled Accessories

The amount of accessories that accompany the massager hugely depends on the brand. Whereas some brands offer several accessories focusing on quality massage, other brands offer few accessories. However, this doesn’t guarantee the quality of the handheld massager.

Price

The cost of a handheld massager doesn’t necessarily determine its effectiveness. The price of these devices varies with the device’s build, brand, and specific features. Price shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Always prioritize the features of the device before checking the cost.

Ready To Buy The Best Handheld Massager For Knots?

Handheld massagers provide great relaxation, better sleep, great convenience, and pain relief. If you are using a handheld massager for knots, buying a good leg massager for circulation is a smart investment.

It will also help to prevent ankle injuries, reduce anxiety, and lower your blood pressure. The best handheld massager for knots ought to have specific features such as power, versatility, power source, massaging technology, and many other features that enhance its effectiveness and suit your needs.

Also, we found that getting a hot stone massage can help with some of the pain caused by knots. Consider buying a quality hot stone massage kit that can assist with some of those knots.

What’s your favorite massager for knots? Share with us below!