Buying guide for best calf massagers
Whether you’re recovering from a workout or looking for a way to ease leg pain or tension, a calf massager is an easy at-home remedy.
Designed to massage muscle and deep tissue, calf massagers come in several forms. The most basic calf massagers are muscle rollers. These require no electricity and simply knead your muscles as you roll them over your legs. Handheld massagers can be used on many body parts, including your calves — the design may be less specialized, but it’s also more versatile. There are also wearable and step-in calf massagers that wrap around the calf or the calf and foot together. These devices apply pressure via pneumatics or mechanical parts, and many are adjustable to accommodate different body sizes.
If you’re an athlete looking for muscle pain relief, you might prefer a step-in or wearable calf massager. These devices cover a large area and tend to have features such as heat and programmable settings. Handheld and roller massagers are best suited for smaller areas of the body.
Which type of calf massager would be best for you? Our experts recommend that you consider your intended use and must-have features to find the best one your needs. We tested the TheraGun Elite and evaluated its adjustability, noise level and functionality. We found it to be a versatile massage gun for both everyday use and workout recovery.
The TheraGun Elite made our list of top picks alongside the Fit King Leg Air Massager, which aids circulation and massages the feet as well as the calves.
Best calf massagers
These high-quality wearable massagers fit a range of foot and calf sizes and promote circulation. They’re great for people who spend all day on their feet as well as those who sit at a desk all day. They can also help reduce post-workout soreness.
Both feet and calves are massaged at the same time, and the massaging action reaches as high as the knee. There are two massage modes and three intensity levels to choose from. The gentle and steady pressure promotes blood flow and reduces swelling through its kneading action.
We appreciate the fact that these fit a range of sizes and include extensions to accommodate larger calves. Some customers report using these massagers without issue for several years. A mesh bag is included for easy transport to the gym or on your bike ride or hike.
Made for smaller calves, these air compression cuffs are our favorite budget calf massager. Though they can’t cover your calves and feet at the same time (unless you massage only one leg), they work well for people who are recovering from surgery or simply want to increase their blood circulation.
The Velcro straps are easy to adjust according to the size of your calves or how snug you want the cuffs. And with two modes and three intensity levels, it’s easy to find the setting with the right amount of pressure.
We love the velvet lining inside these cuffs, which makes them comfortable against bare skin. As long as you have an outlet nearby, you can take them on the go in the included storage bag.
This two-in-one foot and calf massager offers five massage modes to work out knots, reduce swelling or simply provide a relaxing massage. The combination of air compression and rotating balls combine for a thorough massage.Thanks to the adjustable base, you can easily switch from massaging your feet to massaging your calves. The highest setting offers a particularly intense Shiatsu massage that leaves your muscles relaxed.
We like that these cuffs can be adjusted to a range of angles to accommodate your feet or calves for maximum comfort during your massage. The heat function only adds to the relaxing experience.
A durable design and great customer service from Cloud Massage make this a reliable purchase that should last for years of regular use.
Unlike similar foot-and-calf massagers, this massager works equally well on the feet and the calves. Whether you have calf, foot or ankle troubles, it relieves pain through a combination of kneading and air pressure, and the different modes offer enough variety for most people.
We like the removable and washable liners, which make cleaning straightforward. The adjustment bar rotates 360 degrees to help you find a comfortable angle, and the cuffs accommodate calves of up to 18 inches in diameter and feet of up to a men’s size 13.
Its heat mode is a standout feature, reaching up to 113 degrees. Its low cost compared to similar massagers makes it a good first calf massager if you need an all-rounder but are hesitant to splurge for a high-end model. It’s also relatively lightweight, making it easy to take out and stow.
After extensive calves-on testing, we found the TheraGun Elite to be well worth its price tag. We recommend it among the top calf massagers available. By nature of its handheld design, it can be used on any muscle group you can reach, and the five foam heads allow you to adjust the precision.
We liked the range offered by the five speed levels as well as the ability to increase or decrease the pressure based on how firmly you press it to your muscles. It works well to relieve tension and prevent soreness after a workout, but we also enjoyed using it to soothe everyday neck tension.
The wireless design is convenient, and the battery holds a charge long enough for several sessions. Like most TheraGun products, it is ergonomically designed and built with long-lasting materials.
If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills calf massager, this muscle roller offers a thorough massage with a durable beaded design. The ABS plastic nubs strike a good balance between intensity and comfort, and you can adjust the pressure and technique as you like.
With its slim design and manual operation, the Sportneer Muscle Roller is highly portable at 17.5 inches long; just slip it into your gym bag. While it targets the calves effectively, the width of the nine rollers allow you to focus on larger areas like your back or thighs as well. Because the rollers rotate independently, they don’t drag or pull as you move them over the contours of your muscles.
If relaxation is your main focus, this robust massager works your calves intensely and is popular among customers who have plantar fasciitis. While it can be used for the feet, customers find that they prefer focusing on their calves, combining figure-eight rolling motions with air compression to knead and relax muscles.
The smaller calf cuff means those with smaller legs get a high-pressure massage (which can be an issue with larger massagers). Not only does the Reflex5s feature more modes than the Reflex4, but it also uses half the energy. One mode alternates between massaging each calf rather than focusing on both at the same time, which gives you a bit of a break.
The unusual design of this manual massager clamps two rollers on either side of your leg so you can squeeze the handles to achieve your desired pressure. Many customers use this massager to relieve tennis elbow by relaxing their arm muscles and reducing inflammation. The inner joint can be adjusted, and if the outer handles are too wide for you to grip, you can use the included extension handle.
The yellow rollers strike a good balance between soft and firm, though Rolflex offers a package that includes four additional rollers with two different densities. At 16 inches long, it’s smaller than most foam rollers, and the lightweight plastic design is easy to stash in a backpack for those who go to the gym regularly.
While the Rolflex can be relaxing, you will get the most use out of it if you are an athlete looking for a post-workout recovery tool.
How we tested
We tried out the TheraGun Elite, using it right after a post-workout stretching routine to relieve tension and prevent soreness. We also used it to relieve everyday neck tension from working at a desk all day. Additionally, we tried all of its included attachments as well as the features of its app.
Ease of use
- Operation: We tested this massager not only on calves but also other parts of the body and found it versatile and straightforward to use.
- Efficiency: We explored how quickly it worked and whether it allowed you to get right back to working out the next day.
- Area targeting: The small heads allow you to pinpoint problem areas, and the handle design makes it easy to position at different angles and on different parts of the body.
- Cleaning: Since the foam heads are made of closed-cell foam (the non-porous variety), we simply wiped them down with a cloth and a bit of water.
Attachments and controls
- In-line controls: We tested whether the speed controls are simple and offer a good range.
- App controls: Unlike many app-linked products, we found the TheraGun Elite to make good use of its app through features like precise speed tuning, automatic speed adjustment and targeted recovery programs that tell you which areas to focus on.
- Attachments: The five included attachments allow you to massage with varying precision and pressure.
Comfort and noise level
- Ergonomic design: The triangular handle is comfortable to grip from different angles, giving you control as you work on hard-to-reach places.
- Noise: Despite TheraGun’s claims about quiet operation, this gadget is far from silent. It would easily annoy another person in the room if you’re in a quiet environment. But at the gym or outside, it wouldn’t be disruptive.
FAQ
Q. Do calf massages increase flexibility?
A. Unfortunately, they do not. A 2015 study concluded that there is no connection between calf massages and increased range of motion.
Q. Should I use a calf massager before or after my workout?
A. Both mechanical massagers and rollers are best for relieving tension and preventing soreness after a workout. It is possible for percussive massage guns to hinder exercise potential if used just before performance.
Q. What types of massage can calf massagers provide?
A. Handheld models usually offer percussive massage, rapidly kneading the targeted area. These require a bit of technique on your part, but they also let you decide how much pressure to apply and how long to focus on each area. Wearable and step-in massagers usually have several modes, with some step-in designs offering an experience akin to Shiatsu massage.
