Though mostly small and lightweight, handheld infrared massagers are available in many types and sizes, and if you know how to choose one, it will quickly become one of your best therapeutic tools for muscle and joint pain, blood circulation prpoblems, and even cellulite reduction – anywhere in your body.
Why?
Because Infrared heat can double the pain-relieving and blood-circulation-boosting ability of any electric body massager.
Don’t settle on a regular massager when you can use the healing power of infrared heat to supercharge muscle pain relief, boost blood circulation, and even reduce cellulite.
👉 In a Hurry? see our top picks compared below:
This post may contain affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
Overview
Infrared Massager Benefits
Combining massage therapy with infrared therapy applied to an injured area in your body immediately increases blood flow and permeability (which leads to faster recovery).
It also penetrates deeper into the tissues, relaxes tight muscles, reduces stress, eliminates toxins, reduces cellulite (by destroying white fat cells), and speeds up healing.
Handheld infrared massagers are designed to be versatile and portable, making them convenient for use anytime, anywhere.
They usually come with different attachments or massage heads that can target specific areas of the body, such as the neck, shoulders, back, or legs.
This versatility allows you to customize your massage experience based on your individual needs.
(See a list of studies at the end of the post)
How to Choose an Infrared Massager
Here’s what I looked for when I researched the best infrared massager:
1. It is lightweight. If you plan to use it by yourself, you don’t want your massager to be too heavy to hold for more than a minute.
2. It is reliable and high quality, so it won’t break down after a few weeks.
3. It has a long electric cord. You don’t want your movement to be limited.
4. It has a relatively big handle so you can use it comfortably.
5. It has different intensity levels so you can find the best one for you
6. It has additional accessories, such as interchangeable heads or attachments, to target different areas of the body.
If you need an infrared foot massager – make sure to see our 2024 research results and the 7 BEST infrared foot massagers (with heat)- for heel pain, Neuropathy, diabetes, flat feet, varicose veins, and more!
Through my 10-hour research and trial, these are the 6 best infrared massagers – reviewed and compared:
The 5 Best Infrared Massagers for Muscle Pain & Cellulite
Here are my detailed infrared handheld massager reviews:
1. Snailax Infrared Massager – Best Budget
- Size: 15″ x 5.5 “x 4”
- Massage modes – 3
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
- Attachments – 4
✅ $40 with code THANKS2024 at Snailax
The Snailax infrared body massager is 100% portable (just recharge and take it anywhere with you), powerful enough even on a low setting, has variable speed settings, and 4 attachments.
One of them allows you to use deep massage acupressure points.
It has a powerful vibration motor that can produce a deep-tissue percussion massage for the neck, back, shoulders, legs, and feet, and
includes an infrared heat feature (that will go up to 130℉).
The Snailax infrared massager is highly versatile – it comes with 4 interchangeable massage heads, 3 automatic massage modes, and 3 adjustable speed settings.
We found it to be one of the best infrared body massagers for pain relief and cellulite reduction – because it’s powerful yet gentle enough to treat cellulite areas in your body.
Pros
- Can be used on the go – the battery can last for 80 minutes on a full charge!
- Sturdy, well-built
- Powerful – has enough pressure even on the low setting
- Comfortable grip
- Quiet – makes a low humming sound
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- The battery only lasts for 80 minutes on a full charge
✅ Available at Snailax ($40 with code THANKS2024), and on Amazon ($40)
2. Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage gun Best Overall
- With hot/cold therapy attachment!
- Attachments – 5
- Speed levels – 5
✅ $88 on Amazon
The BOB AND BRAD C2 Pro Massage Gun Massage Gun is a powerful percussion massager (above-average 12mm amplitude and a powerful stall force) – with a hot/cold therapy attachment to relieve chronic pain, quickly relieves DOMS, and enhances injury recovery.
This mini massage gun (lightweight and easy to use) has a great stall force for its size (44 lbs.), a whisper-quiet operation, and is affordable.
The intense heated percussion massage is delivered through a ceramic head that warms up to 104-113 degrees Fahrenheit and can be replaced with non-heated heads that come with it – if you wish.
The 6 interchangeable heads allow you to change the type of massage, and you further adjust with 2 temperature settings and 5 speed levels – always displayed for you on the LCD screen.
C2 Pro Massage Gun Pros
- Features a 10mm amplitude for deep muscle treatment
- Delivers over 44lbs of stall force, allowing for intense pressure
- LED display shows current speed and force meter
- Quiet operation
- Comes with a nice carrying case for storage and transport
Cons
- Limited Heat Function
- battery life may be shorter compared to some higher-end models
✅ Available on Amazon ($88)
3. Homedics Infrared Percussion Massager (with Heat)
- Size: 17″ x 6″ x 5.5″
- Weight: 2.48 pounds
- Attachments – 2
✅ $50 at Homedics
Lightweight and portable, this Homedics infrared heated percussion massager weighs about 2.4 lbs and comes with 2 sets of massage nodes and a control.
It has 4 speed settings and 2 sets of attachments. However, the heat feature works best without the massage nodes, when the red light is exposed.
It is one of the most popular infrared massagers on Amazon, the most lightweight one, and is reasonably priced.
✅ Available at Homedics ($50), and on Amazon ($50)
👉 We’ve recommended other Homedics infrared products on this blog, including the Homedics Infrared Foot Massager
4. Mo Cuishle Percussion Back Massager Best for Cellulite
- Size – 17″ x 5″ x 4.4″
- Weight: 2.4 pounds
- Attachments – 3
- Speed levels – 5
This handheld Infrared lightweight massager has a powerful motor (3900 times per minute) and a wide range of speed levels you can choose from.
It has a long, anti-slip handle that is comfortable to use when you glide it over your aching muscles or cellulite areas – without any massaging oils.
The massage heads are made of silicone and the shell is made of ABS, which is high quality and environmentally friendly.
The “body scraper” attachment is especially good for cellulite treatment, combined with heat.
You can use it with or without heat, but I recommend always using heat.
The Mo Cuishle is one of the best IR body massagers to improve blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and pain, and reduce cellulite.
Mo Cuishle Pros
- Includes infrared massage therapy
- Easy to use, massager slides on the skin without massage oils (but can be used with them – if they are not alcohol-based
- 3-year warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee!
- Can be used on any muscle in your body, and reaches everywhere
- Designed to slide along the back, avoiding the spine.
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Heart patients and pregnant women are advised to not use it
- Could be a little heavy for some people
- You can’t use the added attachments when you use the heat feature
✅ Available on Amazon
5. Snailax Foot Massager Best Infrared Foot Massager
The Snailax infrared foot massager is made for foot pain relief, achy feet, and total relaxation after a day’s work.
Heated Shiatsu or vibrating foot massagers can be the best natural solution for Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain), neuropathy, running recovery, flat feet, Varicose Veins, and more.
The Snailax infrared massager offers shiatsu massage and air compression with 3 massage modes and 3 pressure levels, so it’s fully adjustable for anyone up to US men size 12.
How to Use an Infrared Massager
To use an infrared massager for the best results, make sure that it is switched off when you plug it in.
Then choose your preferred treatment head. Switch the device on, set the desired massage speed, and whether you want the heat on or off.
Use both your hands to guide the massager to any area on your body (excluding your face and scalp).
You can stand, sit, lie down, or massage another person.
Massage intensity can be changed depending on how hard you press it against your skin. I recommend massaging each area for no more than 3-4 minutes.
Infrared Massager Side Effects
The most important warning regarding infrared heat massagers is for diabetics.
Diabetics cannot use these massagers because due to nerve damage, they cannot feel how hot the massager gets and can burn their skin unknowingly.
Otherwise, if you take a few minutes to figure out the right massage head and the right speed level, you’re not supposed to experience any side effects other than pain relief, muscle relief, and stress relief.
Can You Use a Heated Massager During Pregnancy?
You can not use an infrared massager on your back or stomach when you are pregnant, because the electric impulses can stimulate uterus contraction and can cause premature labor.
However, you can safely use it on your legs or arms – at a low speed and gently.
Can You Use an Infrared Massager for Fat Burning?
Near Infrared therapy (low-level laser), combined with vibration massage, is proven to result in a significant reduction of fat thickness and cellulite.
Most studies have shown visible results after 12 weeks of treatment. These results were not diminished even after the treatment was finished.
I hope this guide was helpful and saved you some time (and money).
If you have any questions please use the comment section, or message me on my Facebook Page – I answer everyone.
To your health and happiness,
Meital
P.S
Are you aware of the powerful massage & infrared heat combo for cellulite reduction?
Studies
Tsai SR, Hamblin MR. Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2017;170:197-207.
Romero C, Caballero N, Herrero M, Ruíz R, Sadick NS, Trelles MA. Effects of cellulite treatment with RF, IR light, mechanical massage and suction treating one buttock with the contralateral as a control. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2008 Dec;10(4):193-201.
Do-Won Kim, Dae Woon Lee, Joergen Schreiber, Chang-Hwan Im, Hansung Kim, “Integrative Evaluation of Automated Massage Combined with Thermotherapy: Physical, Physiological, and Psychological Viewpoints”, BioMed Research International, vol. 2016, Article ID 2826905, 8 pages, 2016.
Savoia A, Landi S, Vannini F, Baldi A. Low-level laser therapy and vibration therapy for the treatment of localized adiposity and fibrous cellulite. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2013 May 23;3(1):41-52.
I suffer from restless leg syndrome & degenerate back & neck disease, I am looking for a full massage mat that I can lay on in my bed with or without heat. What can you recommend? Do not want a hand held device.
Hi Sharon, that’s a good idea for you. Here’s a post with the best full body massage mats with heat (I would recommend one with heat).
Such an amazing post. Thanks a lot for another great information. This website has been my gateway to information :)
I notice that none of your information on infrared lamps, saunas or massagers refers to their relief for myofascial pain, trigger points, etc. When you refer to deep tissue, which is also an issue for me, it concerns me because deep tissue and myofascial are tremendously different types of pain. Just as a Registered Massage Therapist would do specific types of treatment, including Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, and Lymphatic Drainage…I am looking for a handheld device that would also treat all of the above. Please reply with your advice at your earliest convenience.
Jordan, IR therapy is proven to help with the myofascial syndrome, see this study.
I would recommend using this device on your trigger points. If the device is too expensive – check out this one – which is much less expensive. I hope this helps!
Hi
I have a trapped nerve in my neck. Will the machine help to untrap the nerve?
Barbara
Yes, through my experience, it’s highly likely that it will help.
could this be used on face instead of a mask?
Generally I would say yes, but I think that the massage would be way too hard on your face. It’s not a gentle massager, it’s meant for muscles like the back muscles. It would be painful to use on your face. There are smaller infrared massagers, designed to use on the facial skin.
Can I use this massager on my abdomen for cellulite removal? If so, how long should I do it for?
Yes you can, as long as you use it on a low setting, it’s a tender area…how long is up to you, see how you feel. There’s no over doing here – 15 minutes seems good. Also, see this post about cellulite to learn how to boost your treatment.
Can I use the massager on infra red to treat post herpetic neuralgia on my forehead?
Yes, you definitely can, and I think it will be helpful. However, listen to your body and see how this feels, and adjust accordingly (treatment time/distance etc). Rooting for ya:)