7 Best Massage Balls For Myofascial Release – 2024 Buying Guide
They are small enough to melt away tension in the feet, and can even help ease the pain from plantar fasciitis. Runners love them because they work wonders on tight hips and hamstrings. They also help to increase flexibility over time, which can actually help you take a few seconds off of your PR!
In this guide, we have gathered some of our favorite brands of massage balls to help melt away stress at the end of a long day.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Use
When it comes to the features these massage balls have, quality is more important than quantity.
Proper massage gets into the deep tissue and helps to relieve pockets of lactic acid. This can reduce soreness, increase mobility, and help you to get back on your feet faster.
Tight muscles have a lot less give, and this can lead to serious injury when not treated right. You can also lose mobility by not stretching and massaging your muscles properly.
Features
A massage ball uses consistent pressure and the rolling motion to gently work the kinks out of your muscles.
It can be used anywhere from your lower back to the treatment of myofascial pain. This is pain that is generated by TMJ or from other issues that can lead to neck, jaw, and pain in different areas of your head. All of these can be exacerbated by the high impact repetitive motions that happen when you run.
Believe it or not, not all massage balls are the same. Different ones have slightly different features that can make using them more comfortable.
Durability
There is little point in spending money on something if it is not going to last and serve you well, so durability is something you must consider carefully.
When we looked at all of the different products out there, we took toxicity and any risk that they may pose to your family or pets into consideration. For the most part, massage balls are extremely safe. We also look at the impact that it can have on your body when you use it.
With proper use, the majority of massage balls can have a beneficial impact on your body. Many of these products are made from extremely durable materials. This means that they’ll withstand the test of time, and continue to help you feel better longer.
Ease of Use
The most important thing for any massage ball is that it actually does what it’s supposed to do and that it is easy to use and operate.
A product can’t be effective if it’s not made correctly and capable of doing its job. It needs to alleviate muscle pain, loosen things up, and improve your recovery time. That’s kind of a tall order for any product, but an effective massage ball can do all of it and more.
We also looked at products that traveled well, and that would be usable on the go. This adds to the effectiveness and creates a better massage ball.
Top 7 Massage Ball Rollers
1. Pro-Tec Athletics The Orb
The best rated on Amazon
This product is one of the more aggressive massage balls on the market. The deep tissue impact can help to release pockets of lactic acid and to improve your health and recovery times. Multi-directional roll provides a targeted massage to any muscles group. It’s a great tool if you travel a lot as it stows easy. Another nice benefit of The Orb is its helpful user manual. If you’re new to self-massage products this can help point you in the right direction.
Read moreFeatures
This ball can achieve deep penetrating tissue massage which will help reduce muscle tightness, enhancing and enabling flexibility which will, in turn, promote muscle performance. You can use your body weight against a wall to roll the ball in any direction where your muscles need massaging, although because of the intense nature of the deep penetration it's not recommended to lay on the Orb.
Durability
Covered in rounded bumps on the ball surface the ball is constructed from good quality dense EVA-Polyolefin-Foam-Rubber and it is exceptionally durable. The ball is latex free and has non-toxic qualities.
Price
The myofascial release ball reflects a good health investment for buyers and sits in a comfortable price range.
2. SKLZ
Best value
Soft yet dense, the SKLZ Accupoint Massager excels at relieving back pain and easing tight muscles. Made in the style of “two tennis balls in a sock,” the smooth surface of this device easily glides across your body. Thus preventing the possibility of friction or irritation. Designed by a professional sports trainer, it’s hard to go wrong here.
Read moreFeatures
A great therapeutic dual-ball tool with ergonomic construction features, it works not only as a tissue massage but also can accurately cradle and work on the supportive muscles on each side of the spine. Very effective for triggering stress relief for muscles throughout the body. Its acupoint qualities promote blood flow circulation which of course results in regenerative outcomes for body muscles.
Great for those that suffer from nagging ongoing back pains, with regular use the SKLZ will give you the level of relief that you want.
Durability
A soft durable base rubber ball with yielding qualities that allow it to sense and mold to body contours. It holds up well to wear and tear and will serve you well for a long time to come.
Price
The cost is a little higher than similar products but is still fairly affordable and the quality and effectiveness do speak volumes. It's a good investment for anyone who wants to add another layer to their workout routine.
3. Posture Magic
The most versatile option
What we love most about this option from Posture Magic is that it comes in a set of different sizes and shapes to trigger various muscle groups. This set allows runners to deliver deep tissue massages to all of those small muscle groups in your feet, to larger groups in your back and hamstrings as well. Plus, it comes in at an affordable price point that won’t break the bank.
Read moreFeatures
This set comes equipped with six different balls of various sizes that include a basic hall shape, as well as knotted and spikey designs to really dig into smaller muscle groups. The smaller spikey ball is a great option to use on tired feet, and it also a great option to help soothe plantar fasciitis.
Durability
We also love that this design is composed of high-quality and durable materials that can really take a beating. Some of the balls are composed of hard high-density rubber, and others provide a softer massage by utilizing quality EVA foam. All of the balls in this set are also latex-free.
Price
If you are in the market for a set that is able to trigger all muscle groups effectively, this design from Posture Magic is a great choice. It is composed of high-quality materials that can really dig into tired muscles to help promote blood flow and comes in at a price point that won’t break the bank.
4. Hyperice Hypersphere
If you are willing to pay extra for something that is truly unique, this vibrating ball is a great choice. It is able to be recharged via a USB charger that is included with purchase and gently vibrates as it massages to melt away stress and promote blood flow to affected muscle groups.
Read moreFeatures
What makes this option unique is its vibrating feature. Simply charge it up via a USB charging station. It has three settings to low, medium, or high vibration. Plus, it still offers excellent massages to large or small muscle groups even if you forgot to charge it!
Durability
Users love that this design is composed of a strong and sturdy plastic material that makes it ideal for tight muscles in your hips, hamstring, and back, but also in your feet as well. It is offered in a small and larger design (at a higher price point) to suit your massaging needs.
Price
This design is a great choice for users that want to loosen up tight muscles, as well as massage away tension and increase blood flow with this vibrating design. It charges up quickly and is able to operate for over 2 hours on a single charge. It costs a little bit more than some of the budget-friendly options out there, but we feel that it is well worth the added cost.
5. sFera Deep Tissue
Made with sustainable materials that won’t irritate the skin, sFera Deep Tissue myofascial release balls are a premium addition to any home gym recovery regimen. They work together with the muscles and body weight to get you relaxed and ready for more. And to make sure you are getting the most out of their massage balls, sFera offers a manual and video archives to help.
Read moreFeatures
sFera made their deep tissue balls with eco-friendly material that doesn't slip on even the sweatiest skin. Each ball also offers different levels of massage pressure for a more real-life person feel. Rolling around on these is designed to work together to truly get the deep muscle massage they say they offer.
The larger ball is more of a foam roller design for larger muscle groups and the smaller s[ierk balls are where the deeper tissue massage comes in. Whichever you decide to use, you’ll feel the difference. Furthermore, with the different set options, they offer you in the manual, you can set yourself up for a full body massage anytime.
Durability
Made with an eco-friendly EVA foam material, the sFera massage balls are made to feel soft like the palm of a hand. IT is also made to be non-slip, so you won't find yourself rolling off while in mid-massage. The balls are heavy duty and made with a softer outer and harder inner. This allows for a more solid massaging motion and doesn't stress the ball or your back. It also aids in durability.
Price
For the sFera massage balls, their value for what you get pushed them high on the best massage balls for relaxation lineup. We love a good deal, especially when it ranks high with consumers and athletes. What they offer for such a great price makes them one of the better values on the 10 best massage balls for relaxation list.
6. Kieba
These Kieba massage balls are extremely basics, but who says getting back to the basics is a bad thing? A great way to eliminate knots and tightness, spending a little bit of time rolling around on these balls is well worth the time. Just position the desired body part on the ball and let gravity take over.
Read moreFeatures
Great for taking out pain caused by tight muscle knots or toning up muscles, you can move your body with your weight on the Kieba massage ball. There is no limitation when using these bringers of positive therapeutic effect, legs, arms, feet, back, neck, wherever you feel you have tight muscles or painful knots.
They're small enough for easy transport and easy to use. If your aim is to simply tone up your body muscles this can be very effectively achieved through carrying out a routine of exercises using these balls.
Durability
These massage balls are made from smooth yet sturdy rubber and will easily hold up against long-term use. Comfort and support are also important factors that were considered during the design and manufacturing of this massage ball.
Price
No problems with regards to the price; in comparison to what you get in return, these balls are affordable if you can snag them at their discount point.
7. Defining Strength
This set from Defining Strength is small, compact, and effective. It offers various styles and sizes of balls that work to soothe various muscle groups in your body, and it is incredibly easy to use. They are made from durable materials that hold up well over the years, and even come with their own carrying case!
Read moreFeatures
We love that this set comes with a drawstring carrying case so that you can take a massage with you wherever you go. Defining Strength also provides users with a detailed instruction manual and use instruction to make sure that you get the most out of your massage time!
Durability
There are four different balls included with this set. A dual ball set is perfect to release tension in your lower back, and a spikey ball is a great option for all of those little muscles and tendons in your feet. It also comes with a basic ball that is ideal for hips, hamstrings, calves, arms, and feet as well. All 4 balls are made from super strong and durable materials.
Price
If you are in the market for something that is small and compact and easy to take with you on the go, this is a great choice. We love that it includes special designs made for very specific muscle groups and includes a detailed chart on how to use these balls. Plus, it comes in at a price point that won’t break the bank.
