Best Massage Balls 2022: 9 Massage Balls That Feel Great

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It's time to start rolling.

MASSAGE BALLS have come a long way in the recovery space. Yes, a good ol' fashioned lacrosse ball will help with what you're trying to accomplish, but these days there are so many new and innovative massages balls that appeal to all types of recovery needs.

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You might be asking, "What are we seeking to accomplish?" As the name suggests, massage balls can help loosen your muscles and create a relaxing feel. They can also help with recovery, thanks to a massage ball's ability to provide self-myofascial release (SMR)—a term that describes the application of pressure to a muscle in order to provoke muscle relaxation in the nervous system. After using a massage ball, it's possible you can feel reduced muscles soreness and tension immediately—but, if anything, you're bound to at least come away with a relaxed feeling in your muscles.

"Massage balls provide self massage and work as great SMR tool that can ultimately relieve tension, decrease pain, and improve blood circulation to the area through acupressure provided by the ball," says Dr. Dan Giordano, PT, DPT, CSCS of Bespoke Physical Therapy in NYC. "They can be used to target hard to reach areas, such as your plantar fascia. These days you're also seeing vibrating massage balls, which help decrease tension in the muscles through the pinpointed vibration."

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Whether it be a high-tech vibrating device or a basic rubber ball, we rounded up some of the best massage balls that may help deliver a smoother and more pleasant recovery. It's time to start rolling.

The Wave Solo is everything we could ask for in a massage ball. It's easy to travel with (TSA-friendly) and comes with three vibration settings that allow for a boost when rolling out your muscles. Other specs like a textured surface and muted sound technology allow for a more pleasant user experience, while a 120-minute battery life ensures you can whip out this bad boy multiple times over without hardly needing to charge.

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According to Giordano, "Different surfaces and sizes will feel different to each individual, so you'll develop preferences as to what type of massage ball feels the best on certain areas." This high-quality set from Lululemon will give you a number of options for recovery—all while adding a bit of style points in the mix.

A more intense massage ball to the portable size of the Wave Solo, the Hypersphere's larger size makes it easier to get to hard to reach areas, like your back. It comes with three vibration settings and a strong 30W motor.

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The unique design of the Wave Duo allows for a better curved positioning around your spine, neck, and calves. Couple that fact the device has five vibration settings and you've got a more customized method to go at areas you find get the most sore.

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The chances are you've used a lacrosse ball at one point in your life to roll your muscles out. If you're going to go the OG route, there's nothing more legit than a game-ready ball.

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Nike's Recovery Ball has a strong textured surface that grips into surfaces and into your muscles. This is a solid option for those who want a bit of an upgraded experience, but don't want to make the investment in a vibrating ball.

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This massage ball has a textured surface that helps relieve and work the muscles, as opposed to stabbing them. While it can be used all over the body, we found it to work exceptionally well on the shoulders thanks to it's size and tread.

This prickly fellow might cause you to shudder during use, but the after-effect is likely going to be worth it thanks to such a deep working of the muscles. The MobiPoint works especially well on sore feet.

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For a more cushioned feel, the Grid X is made of firm EVO foam that's not too intense. The grooves feel good on pretty much any muscle area you roll, but we especially like how they feel on the shoulders and back.

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Since a massage ball offers a way quick way to provide SMR it should be in every individual's recovery arsenal. They are a wallet-friendly way to potentially speed up your recovery by eliminating light-to-medium range soreness. It's also worth mentioning that according to National Academy of Sports Medicine, SMR has been shown to reduce muscle tightness and soreness, as well as way to increase your range of motion in areas you've worked.

For all these reasons, we certainly recommend a massage ball is worth the investment.

Spikey massage balls are not necessarily better than a smooth massage ball, but what you get is a deeper penetration of the muscle—which can potentially help relieve sore muscles better. For those who have used a spikey massage ball it's no secret they might cause a little pain during use, but if you've got a high level of soreness then a spikey ball may prove to be more effective at relief than a smooth massage ball.

This question comes down to your needs. A massage ball is easier to carry around and helps with moderate levels of soreness. But if you're looking for pinpointed relief on an area of your body that is especially sore, then a massage gun will be better to use than a massage ball.

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For the past 12 months, we consulted with Men's Health's Fitness editors and writers on the best massage balls for recovery. Experts including our fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. and fitness editor Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, put a number of massage balls to the test to evaluate their performance, design, price point, and ease of use.

John Thompson is the Gear and Commerce Editor at Men's Health, where he covers fashion, grooming, gear, and technology. He was previously the Style & Gear Editor at BroBible.com, and a commerce writer for TheManual.com. His interests include shopping for rare vintage clothes and following his favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals.

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