According to Statistics Canada, back pain is one of the most common chronic conditions in Canada. It’s no surprise, since we regularly find ourselves working seated at desks, doing yard work, lounging on the couch, or using our mobile devices in awkward positions. If you’re reading this article, you might already be amongst the four out of five Canadian adults that will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime.
Electric back massager are an excellent way to provide relief, without having to invest in a professional massage. However, when it comes to choosing the right back massager for your particular needs, the decision can be overwhelming. Keep reading to learn more about electric back massagers, and how to pick the right model for your needs.
What is an Electric Back Massager?
A back massager is an electric device that simulates a real-life back massage. They come in many shapes and sizes and offer a range of features. In terms of design, one of the most common and effective types of back massagers will resemble a car seat. The more basic and affordable electric back massagers will simply rest on the shoulders. The most intense, effective and expensive at-home back massager is a massage chair.
In terms of features, almost all back massagers will allow you to control the intensity or style of the massage. Some back massagers will come with a remote control or app that allows you to control these options. More expensive back massagers will even come with a heat feature. While heat is not integral to a good massage, it makes the massage more deeply penetrating and soothing.
The 5 Best Electric Back Massagers in Canada in 2025
From back chair massagers to portable back massagers, below are the 5 best back massagers you can find in Canada this year.
Snailax Neck & Back Massage Seat
The Snailax Back Massage Seat is perfect for deeply massaging both your neck and back. It offers a combination of deep kneading and shiatsu massage techniques. It also has a soothing heat feature for those cold winter months. The chair has 4 different neck massage settings to choose from, in addition to 4 adjustable shiatsu massage nodes. Its seat has 2 vibration nodes that soothe the thighs.
Similar to Comfier’s massage chair, the Snailax has a SPOT function that lets you target a specific area of your body. Since its nodes can also be adjusted to account for different heights, the Snailax is a great massage chair for the entire family.
Comfier Shiatsu Back Massage Chair with Heat
The Comfier Shiatsu Neck and Back Massage Chair Pad is powerful and offers realistic hand pressure and kneading. It incorporates a combination of inwards and outwards motions that work together to deliver multi-dimensional pressure on your muscles. This technology really simulates the sensation of a real massage.
The Comfier Massage Pad lets you conveniently choose the zone of your massage. You can choose between upper back, lower back, or your entire back. Although it’s not extremely precise, it gets the job done quite well.
Overall, the Comfier Shiatsu massager pretty much delivers the same level of relief as a complete massage chair, but at a fraction of the price.
RENPHO Back Massage Seat Cushion
The RENPHO Massage Cushion is ergonomic, breathable, and provides great massages to 3 zones of your back. It lets you target your whole back, upper back, or lower back. No matter which region of the back you’re targeting, the massager pad has 8 deep kneading massage nodes that work simulatenously in a circular position. These nodes ensure that the area is thoroughly kneaded.
The RENPHO offers a heated massage if needed, as well as a flexible massage pillow for extra comfort. Its seat also vibrates more intensely than the other massage chairs on this list and has three levels to choose from.
Overall, the RENPHO is an excellent choice for thoroughly massaging precise regions of the back.
Snailax Shiatsu Back Massage Seat
This Snailax Massage Seat is perfect if you only want to massage the back. It has 4 deep kneading nodes that travel up and down the back, making it easy to adjust. It also lets you focus on 3 different areas of the back. Similar to the Snailax Neck & Back Massager above, the chair has a vibrating seat that gently massages the hips and thighs.
The seat massager has 2 levels of intensity to choose from. The chair’s settings can easily be adjusted using a remote control.
In terms of safety, the massager has a built-in thermostat to prevent the massager from overheating. This is a great massage chair for back massages.
truMedic MagicHands Neck, Back & Shoulder Massager
Magic Hands by truMedic is a simple yet highly effective neck and back massager. Unlike many electric massagers, its features are limited to massage node reversal control and heat control. While it’s inherently simple, the quality of the shiatsu massage it provides is excellent. That’s largely because its 3D nodes are designed to simulate the feeling of human hands.
Unlike massage chair pads, you will have to physically control the location of the massage nodes. For that reason, relief is almost guaranteed. The Magic Hands also offers a soothing heat feature. The Magic Hands massager is fully portable and comes with an A/C adapter for recharging.
How Do Electric Back Massagers Work?
Similar to a human-delivered massage, electric back massagers work to decrease back discomfort by relaxing muscular tissue. They can also help relieve nerve pressure. Since your muscles contract regularly, they can end up squeezing the nerves that surround them. When your muscles are in a relaxed state, these nerves unsqueeze, thereby relieving pressure and discomfort. Your muscles will also be able to better absorb appropriate nutrition and work more effectively.
What Are The Benefits of Electric Back Massagers?
There is nothing better than being able to reap the benefits of a massage from the comfort of your home. They’re also a convenient and affordable way to receive a quality massage on a daily basis. Here are the main benefits of owning a back massager:
Manage back pain from home
The most obvious reason to own an electrical back massager is to manage your back pain from home. Back discomfort is undeniably frustrating and using a back massager regularly can help relieve this pain. In addition to relieving back pain, an electric massager can also help relieve headaches.
Improve your sleep quality
Back massages increase the body’s production of serotonin which is needed for the production of melatonin 3. Melatonin is basically our body’s sleep hormone. For that reason, a back massage is an excellent way to get a boost in melatonin before bedtime and improve your sleep.
Save money on professional massages
Owning a back massager is unquestionably more cost-effective than frequent visits to a professional masseuse. In fact, a single visit to a massage therapist can cost more than an electric back massager. For that reason, an electric back massager can offer great value for your money.
How to Choose The Best Back Massager?
Massage Style / Kneading Feature
The main feature you should look for in a back massager is kneading. Kneading uses outer motions to massage your from the core of your back. The sensation is similar to two hands massaging your spine. Kneading is a simple and quick fix for a sore back.
Rolling Feature
Rolling is another popular feature seen in high-end shiatsu massagers. The roller performs horizontal, vertical, or sideways rolling motions across the back. As a result, your muscles relax and stretch, and your spine is softly soothed. Rolling is known to provide a sensation of extreme relaxation.
Vibration Feature
Next in line is vibrations. Depending on the power of the massager, a vibrational massage can have a variety of benefits on the nervous system. Quick and forceful movements can boost the immune system, while softer and slower movements can relax the body. A vibration massage can stimulate the release of endorphins, a hormone that can relieve pain throughout the entire body.
Number of nodes
The massager should also have as many spinning nodes as possible. A massager with fewer than four nodes should be ignored. More nodes indicate that the massager is penetrating deeper into the skin, which increases its overall effectiveness. It’s also important to know how many nodes can be working at the same time.
Portability & Ease of Transport
Another factor to consider is portability and weight. If you travel frequently or have an outside desk job, a portable and lightweight back massager is ideal. Some back massagers are heavy and must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Others are more lightweight, rechargeable or even battery operated.
Different Types of Electric Massagers
Massage Cushions & Seats
Portable massage seat cushions are great as they’re effortless to use once set up. They’re also flexible as they can be placed on any chair in your house or office. Some will even come with an adapter for your car. The benefit is that you can simply sit back, press a button, and enjoy a soothing massage. Most massage chair cushions will have a heat feature that is extra soothing. While most are designed for shiatsu back massages, some models include a neck massage feature.
Handheld Back Massagers
Handheld back massagers, sometimes referred to as massage guns, are most often portable and much less expensive than the chair massagers mentioned above. They’re also much more flexible since you are physically controlling the massagers location. This manual labor can be a downside for some people as it can take away from the relaxation element.
Waist Belt Massagers
Waist or back belt massagers are worn around the waist and ar excellent for massaging the lower back region. For that reason, they’re ideal if you suffer from lower back pain as opposed to generalized back pain. These types of massagers are often heated which is a huge bonus.
What Are The Benefits of Back Massages?
Back massages are an excellent way to loosen up your muscles and relax. When executed correctly, they’re known to relieve tension in the back, improve circulation, and increase your overall relaxation. Below are the main advantages of back massages:
- Increase muscle relaxation
- Improve blood circulation
- Relieve back pain or discomfort
- Lower heart rate and blood pressure
- Help relieve headaches
- Help relieve anxiety and depression
With the combination of these benefits, receiving a massage regularly is a great way to improve your sleep quality and general quality of life.
