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You might be used to suffering from sore legs after an intense workout or a long day at work, but why should you just grin and bear it when you can help relieve the pain with a leg massager?
Leg massagers come in a range of shapes and sizes and are designed to aid in muscle recovery and general pain relief, improve circulation, and reduce water retention that can be caused by various medical issues.
With such a variety of leg massagers available, it's no surprise if you're struggling to choose the right option for you. We’re here to help. Check out our favorite leg massagers at the top of the page or read on for our complete guide.
Our top choice is the RENPHO Leg Compression Massager, which features six modes and four massage intensity levels so you can customize your massage.
Editors’ Favorite
Power Source: Corded electric | Material: Polyester | Massage Modes: 2 | Intensity Modes: 4 | Heat Mode: No | Auto-Shutoff: After 20 min
If you’re dealing with tired, sore legs, the RENPHO Leg Compression Massager allows you to achieve relief from the comfort of your home. It uses compression with an air pump that inflates and deflates to mimic massage techniques ideal for pain relief and boosting circulation. It is an excellent option for both post-workout recovery and pain due to injury.
The massager offers two main modes. First, the “separate” mode lets you target specific areas, such as the feet, calves or thighs, while the “combine” mode offers a full-leg massage at once or in a cycle from the feet to the thighs. You can also choose from four different intensities to customize your massage so it best meets your needs.
The Renpho Leg Compression massager has a 20-minute timer that automatically turns it off at the end of the period. It prevents overheating and lets you use it in bed without worrying about falling asleep with the massager still on.
Great Value
Power Source: Corded electric | Material: Velvet | Massage Modes: 2 | Intensity Modes: 3 | Heat Mode: No | Auto-Shutoff: After 20 min
The CINCOM Leg Massager is a highly effective compression massager that can help with pain and discomfort associated with restless leg syndrome, lymphedema, injuries and post-workout recovery. It features four large airbags that simulate the kneading and stroking of muscles and tissues you’d receive in a professional massage. It isn’t just for your legs, either. It can also massage your feet and arms as needed.
You can fully customize your massage experience, too, because the massager offers two modes and three intensities. The modes allow you to choose between a mixed massage that treats the upper and lower calves simultaneously or a sequenced massage that alternates between them. The low-, mid-, and high-intensity options ensure you receive the right amount of pressure for your desired effect, and the user-friendly handheld control lets you easily adjust the settings as needed.
We also love how comfortable this massager is. The leg wraps feature an adjustable design with Velcro closures, allowing them to fit calves up to 21 inches in circumference. The material is breathable, too, and feels extremely soft against the skin.
Best for Heat & Intensity Settings
Power Source: Corded electric | Material: Polyester | Massage Modes: 3 | Intensity Modes: 3 | Heat Mode: Yes | Auto-Shutoff: After 20 min
The FIT KING Air Compression Leg & Foot Massager doesn’t just deliver a soothing massage for tired, sore legs — it also provides a heated setting that can ease discomfort from pain and swelling. You can choose from two heating levels that deliver heat from your feet to your thighs to further relax your muscles.
The massaging action comes from four airbags that deliver highly effective compression, helping release tension and improve circulation. The massager offers three massage modes, which include sequence, circulation and whole massage, as well as three intensities that make it ideal for everyday relaxing, soothing muscle stiffness and pain, and post-workout recovery.
This FIT KING leg and foot massager is also one of the easiest to maintain. It features a removable inner cloth cover that’s machine-washable for easy cleaning. The leg covers also come with size extenders that allow them to fit calves that measure up to 28.5 inches. The included storage bag makes traveling with the massager easier, too.
Best Recovery System for Athletes
Power Source: Corded electric | Material: Nylon | Massage Modes: 5 | Intensity Modes: 7 | Heat Mode: No | Auto-Shutoff: No
The Hyperice Normatec 3 is a unique leg massager because it’s designed for warming up before workouts and recovering after athletic training. It offers five massage modes and seven compression levels to help achieve the ideal massage experience for your needs. It’s powered by a unique dynamic air compression system designed to improve mobility and circulation.
This massager is also one of the most user-friendly models available, thanks to its lightweight, battery-operated design. Weighing just over 3 pounds, it’s easy to maneuver and put on, even when you’re feeling sore. The cordless operation means you don’t have to worry about using it next to an outlet, either. The battery lasts up to three hours on a single charge, too, so you have plenty for your massage.
The Hyperice Normatec 3 is also unique among most leg massagers in its Bluetooth connectivity. Through the Hyperice app, you can customize massage programs to a tee and even access upgraded features.
Best Calf Massager
Power Source: Battery powered | Material: Ripstop nylon | Massage Modes: 3 | Intensity Modes: 3 | Heat Mode: No | Auto-Shutoff: After 20 min
The FIT KING Cordless Calf Massager is a battery-powered model that lets you massage your legs wherever you are. It has a lightweight, cordless design without any external tubes or controllers to get in the way. The lack of cords also means that you can use each wrap separately based on your needs. It also features a 20-minute auto-off, which prevents you from over-massaging your legs or falling asleep with the unit still on.
It’s easy to customize your massage with this FIT KING cordless massager, too. It offers three massage modes: sequence, circulation and combination. You can also choose from three massage intensities to find the perfect pressure, whether you’re treating everyday aches and pain, restless leg syndrome, edema or another condition.
Thanks to the adjustable Velcro closures, you don’t have to worry about the leg wraps fitting, either. They can comfortably fit calves that measure between 15.5 and 24 inches. You can also purchase size extenders separately if you need extra room.
Choosing a leg massager can be difficult because there are so many features to consider. To identify the best models, we evaluated customer reviews across several online retailers to determine which massagers best met user expectations. In particular, we considered which models were easiest to operate and most comfortable to wear, offered the most massage modes and intensities and provided additional features for soothing tired, sore muscles. Ultimately, we evaluated over a dozen leg massagers and selected our top picks based on ease of use, comfort, convenience, customization options and portability.
The simplest type of leg massagers, these models are essentially textured sticks that you roll up and down your legs. While they're inexpensive and reasonably effective, they can't compete with other some varieties for pain relief or convenience.
Price: Manual leg massagers are the cheapest option, generally costing between $10 and $25.
Although these massagers aren't necessarily exclusively for legs, we've added electric handheld massagers to the list since you can use them to massage your legs. What's great about this type is that you can use it on both the calves and thighs and easily maneuver it to any problem areas to work its magic. Electric handheld massagers also tend to come with a range of different heads and several intensity settings, so you can select the option that fits your specific requirements each time. Of course, you still have to hold and move the massager yourself, so it's not as relaxing as using the type of massager that lets you simply sit back and enjoy the experience.
Price: Most electric handheld massagers cost between $30 and $60, but high-end models are closer to $100 to $250.
Compression leg massagers wrap around the legs and fill with air, pressing on the legs to massage them. These types of massagers are excellent for post-workout recovery, as well as for any health conditions that cause swelling, fluid retention, or poor circulation. The wraparound style means that they fit most legs, but high-end options can be extremely pricey.
Price: Basic compression massagers start at around $50 to $80 There are plenty of mid-range compression options in the $100 to $300 price range. High-end full-leg models can cost up to $1,000.
Shiatsu leg massagers contain various rolling, kneading, and other moving parts to give you a similar effect to shiatsu massage performed by a massage therapist. These tend to be large, solid plastic units with a space for each leg. All you have to do is select your preferred settings, switch it on, and away it goes, leaving your hands free to do other things. Because of the fixed size of the unit, not everyone can use it, which is a major drawback. Shiatsu massagers also take up a fair amount of room.
Price: Shiatsu leg massagers generally cost between $200 and $400.
Massage methods
Leg massagers use a range of methods to massage the legs, including moving rollers and kneaders, air compression, vibration, and heat. Some models only use a single method, but many use multiple methods for the most effective results. The massager you choose will depend on the method you prefer.
Controls
With the exception of manual leg massagers, all good-quality massagers should allow you to control various aspects of the massage experience. At a minimum, you want to be able to control the intensity because some people prefer less pressure and others prefer more. Depending on the methods offered, you might also be able to switch between a range of modes. For instance, you might select kneading, kneading and vibration, kneading and heat, or all three. Check the manual that comes with your leg massager to learn more about the various modes.
Size and weight
Some leg massagers, particularly shiatsu models, can be quite heavy and bulky. If you opt for a large massager, think about where you’ll store it when it isn’t in use. They work wonders on your legs, but they're not the most attractive products and may look unsightly sitting next to the coffee table. You can also find some very compact leg massagers. Wraparound massagers, for instance, easily fold up when not in use, so you can tuck one away in a drawer or cabinet.
Adjustability
Check whether the model you choose fits legs of different sizes. This is a concern if your build is smaller or larger than average. Shiatsu massagers are less able to accommodate legs of different shapes and sizes than wraparound massagers.
If none of the top picks in our product matrix take your fancy, don't worry! We considered a wide range of other products in our research and some of them very nearly made the cut. For instance, the Reluen Foot and Calf Massager is an excellent choice for compression massage, and it offers the added bonus of heat. While the Naipo Foot and Leg Massager focuses a little more on the feet, but it still provides some beneficial leg massage, and we love that it folds down for easy storage. Another compression massager comes in the form of the FIT KING Leg Air Massager for Feet and Calves. With two modes and three intensities, you can easily customize the massage to fit your needs.
Q. Is there a maximum recommended length of time for using a leg massager?
A. There's not a set maximum duration for leg massagers in general, but some manufacturers may suggest a maximum length for a session. Unless the manual says otherwise, we generally wouldn't recommend using a leg massager for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Q. Will a leg massager help my muscles recover from exercise more quickly?
A. Many athletes find that massage helps to ease sore muscles after exercise. Leg massagers ease inflammation and improve blood flow, which can help prevent muscle pain and aid in post-workout recovery.
Q. Can I buy a leg massager to massage my thighs?
A. Although most leg massagers focus on the calves, you can buy compression massagers and shiatsu massagers that work on the thighs and calves at once. However, they can be expensive. A more affordable alternative is to use a manual or electric handheld massager on your thighs.
