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Lots of people block out a day in their week to head down to their favourite spa or massage parlour for a nice relaxing rubdown. But with the pandemic running rampant for the past few years now, close-quarter activities such as these are very ill-advised. So what’s the next best thing? Why, a quality shoulder and neck massager, of course.
As its name suggests, shoulder and neck massagers are devices that are used to soothe pain and relax muscles in the neck and shoulder area and everywhere in between. They come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and styles, and they include various different features from one model to the next. There’s always a more innovative design around the corner and it’s more than likely that there’s a perfect massager out there for you.
Problem is, there are just so many out there, many of which claim to be this revolutionary product that will massage you into a state of euphoria. To help you weed out the mediocre products in the market, we’ve put together a list of the very best shoulder and neck massagers that can be bought by residents of Australia.
The Best Neck and Shoulder Massagers Compared
The Best Neck and Shoulder Massagers Available to Buy Today in Australia
1. Renpho Electric Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Heat
Why we like it:
- Heating function
- Waterproof material
- Multiple kneading modes
What customers say:
“I love this product! There are 3 settings of speed, and option of heat or not of heat. It is so easy to use. From receiving the box we had it up and running less than 1 minute later. Instant satisfaction 😍😍 I’ve had pain in my back that only expensive massage therapists have been able to sort out (spending $50 a time????) and now this has completely changed how I feel and how I exercise.” – Francesca A.
The Renpho Electric Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Heat offers a catchy design, as the product drapes over your neck and back and down your shoulders towards your forearms. It looks kind of like a sweater dangling over your shoulders. Its appendages are looped towards the end, allowing you to rest your bent arms in them, while the resulting weight keeps the device tight on your back and neck.
And offbeat style, sure, but it’s certainly intuitive and works really well. It comes with a heating feature for a more soothing and effective massage and you get eight different kneading modes to choose from depending on the type of massage you’re looking for. It isn’t limited to just the upper body either, as you can use it on your legs, thighs, and feet as well.
The massager is made out of a comfy leatherette mesh that’s easy to clean and breathes wonderfully, so you don’t end up all sweaty during your sessions. It has a couple of caveats, like the fact that it needs to be plugged in at all times and it’s a bit too bulky to carry around on trips, but that doesn’t stop the Renpho Electric Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Heat from being a fantastic and forward-thinking choice.
2. Breo iNeck2 Shiatsu Neck Massager
Why we like it:
- Effectively replicates human fingers
- Adjustable arch width
- Wireless design
What customers say:
“After a long day of computer work, it just serves me in heaven! The massaging heads roll and knead just like human hands do. They work accurately and deeply where I feel the most tension. With the help of the handles, I can easily maneuver it to the places where I need it the most. It is much smaller than other neck massagers in the market, so I can carry it in my backpack and use it during my breaks at work. ” – Chris Cheung
Our next entry is more specialized than the previous ones so far. The Breo iNeck2 Shiatsu Neck Massager is a model that particularly targets the neck, as it’s designed to be situated right at the nape and has two dangling straps that you pull on for varying degrees of massage depth.
The arch itself can be adjusted to fit your neck width comfortably and handles can easily be used to move around the device to hit the spots you want to hit with your massage. And unlike the list entries so far, this model includes a built-in rechargeable battery and it’s compact, meaning you can easily take it with you on trips and use it in all kinds of places.
Its main issues are the fact that it only has one speed and lacks the good range of settings that other models provide, and it features a pretty annoying soundtrack that is limited to one particular setting. If you can forgive these minor grievances, the Breo iNeck2 Shiatsu Neck Massager is easily one of the best neck-specific massagers money can buy.
3. FIVE S FS8801 Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Shiatsu Neck Massager
Why we like it:
- Stylish carrying bag
- Car adapter included
- Auto-shutdown feature
What customers say:
“It is absolutely amazing. It rubbed out a few knots in my back and then I layed it down on my bed and it rubbed my legs and it just about put me to sleep. My boyfriend came in and he stole it from me, so now I’m thinking I will buy another one so we can both have one because I really don’t like sharing this thing.” – MB
The FIVE S FS8801 Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Shiatsu Neck Massager looks quite a bit like the first entry on our list, featuring a similar style and functionality but in a classier light-beige colourway. You get three speeds to play with and 2 directions to choose from, as well as a heating function for a more thorough rubdown and an auto-shutdown mechanism that stops the machine from being on for too long.
What we especially loved about this product is the preppy travel bag that comes with it which is sadly missing from the Renpho model. It may not be portable size-wise, but stuff it in that bag and you can take it anywhere without too much trouble. They also threw in a car adapter, in case you’d like a relaxing massage while you’re on the road.
Unfortunately, the straps can’t be adjusted so the appendage length might feel awkward for some people and the fabric is prone to damage if not well-taken care of. Missteps aside, the FIVE S FS8801 Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Shiatsu Neck Massager is a gorgeous product that’s perfectly suited for someone who loves a classy design and top-notch performance.
4. Shiatsu Back shoulder & Neck Massager With Heat
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For the fourth spot, we’re heading back to the kind that drapes over your neck, back, and shoulders. The features a beautiful teal and black design that’s both cool and sporty. It includes a handy travel bag that you can stuff it into and you get a car charging, making the massager a good fit for travelling despite its large nature.
It has eight roller balls – four small and four large, allowing you to achieve a satisfying deep tissue massage on pretty much any part of your body. It’s also bi-directional and includes a heat function for added effectiveness and relaxation.
It suffers from the same flaw as the FIVE S FS8801 in the sense that the materials are prone to tearing, and you won’t be able to use the heating and massaging function simultaneously. Fairly notable downsides, sure, but the remains a magnificent all-body massager option nonetheless.
5. RENPHO Neck Back Massager with Heat
Why we like it:
- Comfortable material that’s easy to clean
- Works in a good variety of body parts
- Several speed options
What customers say:
“I have been using my new RENPHO massager for two weeks and I love it! I work out 3 to 4 times a week at the gym and get quite tight muscles that need more than a stretch but not an expensive one hour massage. This unit allows me to strap it to a chair while I watch tv and place it at the particular point in my back or neck that needs attention.” – Simon R
For our next entry we’re revisiting the Renpho brand, though this time we’re going with something a little compact. The RENPHO Neck Back Massager with Heat is aimed primarily towards your neck and upper/lower back, but it also works for your abs, feet, legs, thighs, and more.
Just like the other RENPHO product on this list, this one is made out of breathable mesh material for added comfort and cleaning ease, and it’s designed with a strap to make fitting the device effortless. You get three different speeds that you can adjust at will and there’s a heating option in case you want to relax those muscles even further.
With a design like this, you’d expect the RENPHO Neck Back Massager with Heat to be battery-powered and rechargeable. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. This massager needs to be plugged into an outlet, which is quite the letdown, and it’s hard to use it to hit certain body parts, like the shoulders, since there’s nothing to hold it in place. But despite these issues, this little guy is still one of the best massagers around.
6. Snailax Shiatsu Neck Back Massager – Kneading Massage Pillow With Heat
Why we like it:
- Top-notch build quality
- Infrared heating
- Works on various body parts
What customers say:
“I liked my neck massager so much that I decided I needed the massage pillow too! It really comes in handy when my back is bothering me (due to an injury sustained in a car accident several years ago). The heat option takes a little bit to kick in, but when it does, it really does help. The little flap that lets you adjust just how “rough” the kneading action is useful if you’re sensitive to the action.” – Charmedonetoo
We’re finishing off our list with the Snailax Shiatsu Neck Back Massager - Kneading Massage Pillow With Heat – a neck and back massager that can also be used on other areas, like your legs and thighs. It works through two pairs of rotating nodes, the intensity of which can be mitigated through the use of a detachable flap.
It’s small enough to be carried around on trips or to the office and it’s made out of a premium blend of PU leather and soft polyester for a comfortable and durable design that’s easy on the eyes and will last for a long time. It comes with an infrared heat feature for a more satisfying massage and better effectiveness.
It needs to be plugged in for it to work, which is a bit of a disappointment, and the massages may be a little too intense for some, but the Snailax Shiatsu Neck Back Massager - Kneading Massage Pillow With Heat is still an excellent pick up for people looking for a model that’s on the portable side.
How We Researched The Shoulder and Neck Massagers
We kicked off our list by visiting various e-commerce giants like Amazon and eBay in search of the top-selling and most well-loved shoulder and neck massagers in the market. Of course, we made sure to go local as well and check Aussie websites for their popular massaging products.
Professional reviews and critic blogs also played a part in our decision, as we checked out which models made a lot of waves on the internet. We ended up with a pretty overwhelming initial list, so we talked it over and kept trimming the fat until we agreed on the top six.
These guys are as good as shoulder and neck massagers come and you can purchase any of the entries on this list knowing full well that you’re investing in a quality product. But before you go making any hasty decisions, here are the absolute greatest shoulder and neck massagers available in Australia.
Shoulder and Neck Massager: Buying Guide
There are quite a few things to consider when shopping for shoulder and neck massagers. Do you need something portable? What muscles do you plan on targeting? Is the material long-lasting? Are you looking for something you can use in the car? With all the models in the market, finding a quality one that actually makes it good on its promise of a soothing massage can be pretty tough.
Before you invest in a device, we recommend that you do your homework regarding what makes a massager great and whether or not that model has the features that you are looking for. To help you in that aspect, we put together a quick buying guide for shoulder and neck massagers.
Portability
For a lot of people, portability is a key aspect when it comes to massagers. They’d like to be able to use it while they’re at work, at home, or when out of town on vacation or on a business trip. That being said, you should figure out if the model you’re eyeing can feasibly be carried around with minimal hassle.
Power Orientation
Most neck and shoulder massagers need to be plugged into an outlet to work. Even the portable ones, which is a bummer. Luckily, some of them come with a car adapter so you can use it while you’re on the road and a rare few are battery-powered and can be charged up.
Style
Neck and shoulder massages come in various shapes and forms, and it’s important you figure out which one is right for you. You might be more comfortable with the pillow type models that you can just push up against your back or neck while you’re sitting in your favourite chair. Or you might be better off with the type that drapes over your shoulders and neck since it gives you a bit more freedom when it comes to deciding the massage intensity.
Travel Bag
Some massagers can be pretty bulky, which is a problem in case you plan on bringing it around when you leave down or head to work. It’s worth checking out if those models at least offer a travel bag that you can stuff it into, allowing you to bring it along with a lot less hassle.
Heating
Massages are a lot more effective if your muscles are warmed up a bit before the kneading starts. A lot of massager models come with infrared heating that you can switch on or off whenever you want, leading to a deeper massage and a more relaxing result.
Material
Massagers can be pretty intense, so it’s important that you buy one that’s built using sturdy materials. That way it can last for years down the line, even with regular use. The heated kinds also cause you to sweat often, so you might want to consider variants that are easy to clean as well.
You may also be interested in:
- The Best Hand Massagers For Happier Hands
- The Best Massage Chairs For Full-Body Relaxation & Recovery
- The Best Head and Scalp Massagers For Healthier Heads
- The Best Foot Massagers For Relaxation & Recovery
- The Best Eye Massagers to Rejuvenate Your Eyes
- The Best Hand Held Massage Guns for Targeted Recovery
- The Best Heating Pads for Managing Aches, Pains & Stiffness
Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
