Best Calf Massager
[amazon table=”3859″]Today we’re counting down our top picks for best calf massager.
While it’s not always obvious, most of us suffer from extremely tight calves.
You only need to stand with your hands against the wall and one leg bent in front of the other to feel the intense burn in the calf of your rear leg to realize how tight it can get.
Even if you stretch regularly, it may not be enough to provide long-term relief from calf soreness.
Fortunately, there are devices that have been designed to provide deep calf massages and tackle the feet as well.
Here are our top picks…
👑 Our Pick for Best Calf Massager
[amazon box=”B074P2M8N8″ title=”Cloud Massage Shiatsu Machine” description=”The Cloud Massage Shiatsu Machine is more than just a calf massager, as it offers a variety of massage modes for the feet and ankles too. Whatever kind of lower leg muscle pain you’re experiencing, this machine can help.”]⭐ Our Other Top Picks for Calf Massager
- Best of the Best: Cloud Massage Shiatsu Machine
- Runner Up: Human Touch Reflex5s Foot and Calf Massager
- Most Versatile: RENPHO Leg Massager
Best Calf Massager Reviews
Cloud Massage Shiatsu Machine (👑 Best of the Best)
We believe that the best calf massager is the Cloud Massage Shiatsu Machine.
This curious-looking machine isn’t cheap, but what it does is well worth the investment. This is a foot massager machine that provides a deep-kneading Shiatsu massage technique to promote greater blood flow, boost muscle recovery, and give pain relief. While it’s primarily intended for the feet, this machine can also massage the calves and ankles due to its adjustable base. This means you can get complete lower leg pain relief and muscle recovery by using this one machine.
What’s great about this Shiatsu massager is that it gets to work on the lower leg muscles, and can do so with varying levels of intensity. Whether you want a gentle massage to soothe soreness in the calves or a strong one to melt away muscle pain, you have three different intensity levels to switch between. There are also five different modes with this machine, which each offer distinct health and muscle benefits.
Rolling massage provides a comfortable rotational pressure that can work into the tissue of the feet or calves and iron out any knots. Compression therapy feels like the muscles are being pressed together much they would be at a massage clinic as the masseuse digs into the tissue. Sway function with back and forth movement loosens the joints and facilitates better mobility. The heat function adds an element of comfort, which is perfect for relaxing the muscles and making them more pliable. Finally, the quiet mode is intended for a gentle soothing massage that will make you feel at ease wherever you feel the pain.
The design of this massage machine is one of its strongest points, as it has been built with convenience to the user in mind. There’s an adjustable bar to set the machine up in the perfect position, so whether you want to lie down with your calves in the sleeves or sit at your desk with your feet comfortably inside the machine, you can do so easily. It also makes the machine ideal for use while sitting or laying on the sofa, as you have various options for setting it up.
Features:
- 5 different massage modes
- 3 levels of intensity
- Programmed massages
- Suitable for feet, ankles, and calves
- Adjustable bar
Human Touch Reflex5s Foot and Calf Massager (🥈 Runner Up)
Our runner-up pick for the best calf massager is the Human Touch Reflex5s foot and calf massager.
This machine from Human Touch provides two comfortable sleeves to insert your feet and calves into, for a satisfying massage that tackles all the muscles in the lower leg. Unlike the Cloud Massage machine, this one is designed to provide a massage for all of the lower leg at the same time, so you can get pain relief from your feet, ankles, and calves in a single session. The Relfex5s is marketed as a reflexology massager, as it brings the healing power of reflexology massage into your hands (or feet in this case) and promotes natural healing by improving the circulation of blood through the legs.
But this machine doesn’t just rely on claims of natural healing, as it features patented technology that has been engineered with CirQlation figure-eight technology. This is what gives the machine the power to boost blood circulation in the feet, and allows for fresh nutrients to be carried to the calves and feet. Combine this with the adjustable intensity, which features two settings to choose from, and you have the perfect piece of equipment to provide a deep lower leg massage when you most need it. There are even under-foot massage rollers too, which will provide great relief if you’ve been on your feet all day or you suffer from plantar fasciitis.
What’s more, the machine has an adjustable tilt base, which makes it possible to choose from two different positions so you can find the perfect massage angle. Plus, the sleeves are easily removed, which makes for quick and easy cleaning so you don’t have to worry about putting your bare feet in the device. For travel, you can rely on the easy carry handles on either side to transport it should you wish to have it with you. The on-board console makes it easy to switch between the various settings that include auto massage programs, speeds, and massage motions.
Features:
- Patented Figure-Eight and CirQlation technology
- Under-foot massage rollers
- Adjustable tilt
- Removable and washable sleeves
- On-board console
- 2 auto massage programs, speeds, and massage motions.
- Suitable for the entire lower leg
RENPHO Leg Massager (⭐ Most Versatile)
The RENPHO leg massager is our pick for the most versatile calf massager, and despite looking like Robocop’s own legs, delivers a satisfyingly intense massage for the lower leg muscles.
This leg massager as you might have already guessed from the product photos is designed to work on the entire length of the leg, but primarily focusing on feet, calves, and thighs. There are velcro straps on each leg sleeve that will allow you to adjust it to fit any size leg, although the circumference of the calf wrap is 24.8 inches and for the thighs, it is 33.5 inches. It’s designed to help reduce tension, fatigue, and soreness, by delivering a massage from the feet up to the thighs. The type of massage the RENPHO leg massager delivers is a relaxing combination of kneading, pressing, and compression.
There are six different massage modes with this device and four massage intensity settings. Three of the modes are dedicated to massages combining parts of the leg, whether it’s the full leg, the feet and calves, or the feet, calves, and thigh. The other three modes refer to separate massage modes, whether you want to focus on the thighs, calves, or feet. You can switch between these modes and levels of intensity using the portable handheld controller, so you don’t need to bend down and put your back at risk to experiment with what feels good.
The build quality of the leg sleeves is of a high standard since the inner liner is made from soft and safe materials, and it’s all fastened together with high-quality velcro straps that should last approximately 10,000 uses. There’s also a 20-minute auto-off function, which will prevent the massaging device from overheating. This device is also portable, and can easily be packed away into a suitcase when broken down into its individual parts.
Features:
- Suitable for entire leg
- 6 modes
- 4 massage intensity settings
- Adjustable to any leg length
- Calf circumference of 24.8 inches and thigh circumference of 33.5 inches
- 20 minute auto-off
- Handheld controller
- Portable design
Ultimate Guide
Choosing the right calf massager can be challenging.
Seeing as there isn’t one specific type of massage or device that is best, you’re going to have to figure out which one will work best for your needs.
To determine which one that is, you’ll want to factor in everything from the type of massage device to the type of massage it delivers, as well as any extra features it has that can enhance the user experience.
Before that, though, we want to tackle the most pressing question with regards to these devices.
Is a Calf Massager Worth it?
Is a calf massager a worthwhile investment, or does it try to provide a solution to a problem that isn’t a big deal?
Well, we (along with many satisfied customers) adopt the stance that calf massagers can be a very useful piece of equipment to have at home.
Because the reality is, no matter how much stretching or exercising you do, you’ll likely always have some level of ache, pain, or soreness in your feet or calf muscles.
While doing things like yoga and deep stretching can help to alleviate calf soreness and tightness, there’s nothing quite like a deep massage to boost blood circulation in the muscles and aid the recovery process.
Whether we are standing all day and walking around, or simply sitting in a chair for most of the day, our calves and feet suffer.
That’s why it’s worth your time and money to consider making an investment in a calf massager device.
As well as boosting blood circulation in the lower half of the legs, calf massagers can also promote relaxation, better sleep, and general wellbeing.
After all, with all the stresses each and every one of us face day in and day out at work and in our personal lives, our bodies are begging for real relaxation the likes of which at times only massage can provide.
Type of Massager
The first main factor to consider in the decision-making process should be the type of massage device.
Calf massagers don’t just come in one design, in fact, you’ll find that there are a whole host of different models and device styles to choose from.
This is great, as it means you can find the perfect calf massaging device for your legs, but it also means it can be a headache to sift through them all to find the right one.
Fortunately, there is a simple way to tell them apart, and that’s by what part of the leg they target.
Different calf massagers will target different parts of the leg, and in some cases, like the RENPHO leg massager they will target the entire leg.
As a result, the best way to choose which device is best for you is to figure out which parts of the leg you want to focus on.
The other element involved in this decision will be the type of massage that the device delivers, which we’ll get into now.
Type of Massage
Once you’ve figured out how much of the leg you want the device to target, it’s time to assess the various types of massage on offer and which one will provide you with the most relief.
Compression
Compression massage does what you imagine it would: it applies pressure to the muscle, which can provide long-lasting pain relief.
The power of compression to relax and heal the muscles is hard to overstate, and it’s a simple yet highly effective method that promote relaxation.
Heat
The primary goal of heat therapy, when used in conjunction with massage, is to relieve pain.
It also helps to decrease the likelihood of muscle spasm, as well as reducing stiffness in the muscles.
Heat can help you ease into a massage, and enhance the overall benefits you receive from it.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu massage refers to the pressure which is typically applied by elbows, knees, and forearms in massage clinics.
In the case of massager device, this is left to nodes on the machine and this allows the device to work into knots and tension in the muscles providing great relief to the recipient of the massage.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a type of massage that you’ll find on several calf massagers, that is designed to provide relief to the feet.
Focusing on reflex points in the foot and applying pressure to them, reflexology can stimulate healing in various parts of the body according to the holistic form of therapy.
Features
Features can also be useful for finding the best calf massager for you, so here are some top ones to look out for.
Adjustability
Adjustability is huge, as it can impact how effective the massage is and how comfortable you’re able to be.
If the device can be tilted or adjusted for different positions, then you’ll be able to use it in more ways and get more out of it.
Modes
While all calf massagers will have different modes, not all of them are worth having.
Some of the best modes belong to the Cloud Massage device, which allows the user to switch between five different types of massage.
Intensity Levels
Whatever massage experience you’re looking for, the ability to change the intensity level will come in handy.
Some days you might just want a gentle massage, while others you’ll want something a little stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions About Calf Massagers
What is the best foot calf massager?
We believe the best foot and calf massager is the Cloud Massage Shiatsu Machine.
While this device is a little pricey, it offers up as many as five different modes of massage including heat therapy and can be used at different angles to facilitate your comfort.
This is a device you can have under the desk as you work for pain relief in the feet, or while laying on the sofa or in bed to combat tight calves.
Do calf massagers work?
Yes, massage is generally proven to be useful in boosting muscle recovery and reducing soreness, and the calf responds the same way as any other muscle group.
It can be especially effective if you have recently suffered from an injury in the lower half of your leg, as it can restore mobility and get you walking comfortably again.
A calf massager helps by boosting the circulation of blood around the muscles, and reducing the pain you feel in this area.
Are leg massagers good?
Yes, given the effectiveness of massage for accelerating muscle recovery and reducing soreness, leg massagers can be a great investment of your money.
While the massager might not make all of your leg problems go away, it can certainly help to promote blood circulation and relax the muscles.
The more relaxed the muscles in your leg are, the easier it will be for them to recover quickly.
A Final Word from Wellness Nova
If you notice that your calf muscles are exceptionally tight, or you have a lot of pain and soreness in your lower legs, then a calf massager might just be a sound investment.
Massage is a fantastic and relaxing way to promote greater blood circulation to the muscles and accelerate recovery while reducing soreness.
