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Maybe you slept funny, maybe you’ve spent too much time hunched over your computer, or maybe you’re just getting kinda old (sorry, sorry), but whatever the reason — your neck hurts. In addition to a good pillow, you could probably use a neck massage, and you can actually purchase some pretty effective electronic neck massagers on the internet.
The best neck massagers simulate the rolling and kneading motion of a pair of hands, helping to relax sore muscles and joints. A good neck massager will add just enough pressure to ease knots in your neck and shoulders, without pressing too hard. We prefer a neck massager that leaves your hands more or less free, with adjustable settings that are gentle enough for daily use.
What Makes a Good Neck Massager?
There are a number of good neck massagers out there, but our favorite design is the massager you wear like a shawl, with slings to rest your wrists, keeping your hands (mostly) free. Here are some of our must-haves.
Heat: Heat naturally relaxes your muscles, making it easier to massage out the tension and knots. All of our picks have a heat setting, ideally one that allows you to adjust the temperature up or down according to your need.
Adjustments: Most massagers include at least three strength settings, although we never say no to more customizable options. You should also be able to change the direction of the kneading rollers.
Auto Shutoff:We prefer the auto shutoff to happen after around 20 minutes, and neck massagers commonly automatically turn off after a period of anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes. If you need a bit more time, you can, of course, always just turn the massager back on, but the automatic shutoff lets you forget about it for a little while and keeps you from overdoing it too much.
Portable:These massagers are designed to be worn wherever there’s an outlet, as most of them operate with a power cord. If you want to use it in the car, many also come with a car adapter included. Still others are entirely wireless and battery-operated. Another nice-to-have when it comes to mobility is an included carrying case or duffel bag.
