Best Massage Chairs for Neck and Shoulders
Do your neck and shoulders hurt? Sitting at an office desk all day, texting or scrolling through social media and even sitting on the couch can cause neck and shoulder pain.
We’re going to help you find the perfect chair for shoulder pain – and neck pain.
But first, it’s essential to learn about:
- The benefits of massage
- How neck and shoulder massage chairs work
- Features to look for in your chair
The best shiatsu back, neck and shoulder massager with heat has a lot of great benefits. Let's see what they are.
The Benefits of a Neck & Shoulder Massage
There are many benefits to neck and shoulder massages, including:
Help with Tension and Pain
Many people carry tension in their neck, which can lead to pain and even reduced range of motion. Of course, it doesn’t help that most of us spend several hours a day staring at screens or looking down at our phones.
Tilting your head forward just 30 degrees puts 40 pounds of force on your neck. The more you tilt forward, the more pressure you put on your neck and shoulders.
A neck and shoulder massage can help alleviate tension and pain in these two key areas.
Improve Muscle Soreness
Massage can help improve blood flow and oxygen to painful areas, reducing discomfort and inflammation. It also helps release endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers.
And when your massage is complete, you may even notice an improved range of motion. Why? Because massage helps remove lactic acid build-up that can cause muscle stiffness.
Help with Headaches, Migraines and Eye Strain
Tension and stiffness in the neck and shoulders can lead to headaches, migraines and even eye strain.
Massaging tight and stiff muscles in the neck and shoulders can bring some relief. And those endorphins we talked about earlier can also help reduce pain.
Boost Your Mood
It’s no secret that a massage makes you feel good. When your body is relaxed, your mood naturally improves. If you experience any pain relief, you’re sure to feel even better.
When you need a natural pick-me-up, a neck and shoulder massage is a great solution.
How Do Neck & Shoulder Massage Chairs Work
A massage chair with neck massage functions works with rollers in the neck portion of the chair that will work their way up your neck to alleviate tension, stress and kinks in your neck. However, some chairs do use airbags for the lower portion of the neck and the shoulders.
If you have a heated chair, the neck and shoulder chair massage will work to alleviate muscle tension and tightness.
Features to Look for in A Neck & Shoulder Massage Chair
How do you know what’s the best massage chair for neck and shoulders? Review the chair’s features.
- Scanning: The most advanced chairs have scanning technology that scans your body to map out pressure points. While most massage chairs will provide a great neck and shoulder massage, body scanning will provide a truly customized massage.
- Neck/shoulder massager: A neck massage chair will have a headrest that allows you to melt into the chair and enjoy a great massage session. Since all chairs have headrests, you’ll want to look for models with rollers that extend to the neck or shoulders. If rollers aren’t present, see if there are airbags.
- Heat therapy: Sore and tight necks and shoulders are the bane of people worldwide. Everyone is looking up at a monitor during the day and down at a screen at night. Tight, sore necks and shoulders respond very well to heater chairs because heat will loosen up the tightness in these regions.
While it would be nice to have a neck and shoulder massage chair with all of these features, budget will play a significant role in your ability to purchase a chair.
If money is not a concern, you’ll find spectacular options in our catalog that will fit your needs.
However, we’ve done our best to list and review five of the best massage chairs for shoulders and necks below to fit any budget.
5 Best Massage Chairs for Neck and Shoulders
1. Super Novo
Super Novo is one of our premiere chairs, and it’s designed to be one of the world’s most advanced massage chairs. We even offer a White Glove delivery upgrade.
Features
- 3D and 4D massage programs
- 38 auto-wellness programs
- Dual lumbar heat
- Alexa-enabled virtual therapist
- Acupressure options
- Full-body stretch
- S- and L-track massage
- Feet, knee and leg massage
- Premium sound system
- Magnetic dock and holder
- Zero gravity seating
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 38 programs that perform 3D and 4D massage
- Dual lumbar heat to melt away stress
- Extended massage, thanks to the multi-dimensional massage technology
Cons
- Pricey
Price
$9,999
Color Options
- Saddle
- Gray
- Cream
- Espresso
- Black
Warranty
Super Novo comes with a standard 5-year limited warranty with extended options available.
2. Certus
Certus is one of our top-selling chairs, and it’s designed to fit into tight spaces, thanks to the zero clearance design. If you need an advanced neck and shoulder massage, Certus is one of the best massage chairs in the world.
Features
- 11 wellness programs
- 3D massage technology
- AcuPoint body scanning
- Zero gravity seating
- Cloud Touch acupressure
- Dual-lumbar and calf heat
- No clearance design
- Premium sound system
- Foot and calf massage
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Wellness programs for stretching, recovery and full-body wellness
- AcuPoint detection maps the shoulders and neck for accurate massage
- 3D massage envelopes the entire body
Cons
- Lacks 4D massage technology
Price
$7,999
Color Options
- Earth
- Sun
- Sky
- Moon
- Slate
Warranty
Standard limited 5-year warranty with an extended warranty option available.
3. Quies
Quies helps melt away tension in the neck and shoulders thanks to its S- and L-tracks. Lumbar heating and zero gravity immerse you in a state of complete relaxation. Just kick back, relax and enjoy a fully-body massage right from the comfort of home.
Features
- S- and L-track massage
- 9 built-in massage programs
- Foot and calf massager
- Zero gravity position
- Dual lumbar heat
- Built-in Bluetooth speakers
Pros & Cons
Pros
- S- and L-track massage offers more massage coverage
- Built-in programs make it easy to enjoy your massage
- Zero gravity position takes pressure off the spine
Cons
- Doesn’t offer vigorous or intense massages
Price
$4,999
Color Options
- Cream
- Gray
Warranty
5-year limited
4. iJOY Total Massage
The iJoy Total Massage chair delivers a full-body massage and offers adjustable features to customize your experience. For example, adjust the width of the rollers with the touch of a button to target tension in the neck and shoulders. Plus, the S-track design follows the natural curve of your spine for a more thorough massage.
Features
- S-track massage
- Built-in foot and calf massager
- FlexGlide technology
- 3 auto programs and 4 massage techniques
Pros & Cons
Pros
- S-track follows the curve of your spine to target tension with precision
- Adjustable roller width helps you target and massage key areas of the neck and shoulders
- Leg and calf massager create a full-body massage experience
Cons
- No L-Track
Price
$999
Color Options
- Black
- Espresso
- Bone
Warranty
2-year limited
5. WholeBody 5.1
The WholeBody 5.1 is an affordable massage chair that offers the comfort level and features you’d find on higher-end massage chairs. FlexGlide technology mimics the movements of a professional massage therapist to target tension in the neck and shoulders.
Features
- FlexGlide massage technology
- Motorized back and leg rest
- 3 massage programs
- Foot and calf massager
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Seamless glide massage for truly relaxing massage
- Built-in programs take the guesswork out of your massage
- Moderate intensity to help blast away tension in the neck and shoulders
Cons
- No heated lumbar option
Price
$1,199
Color Options
- Bone
- Black
Warranty
3-year limited
Final Thoughts
Your neck and shoulders are where most people hold all of their stress and tension. If you have headaches, your neck or shoulders hurt or you just want to spoil yourself, the best massage chair for neck and shoulders can help.
Plus, you can enjoy a massage in the comfort of your own home any time you want.