This Amazon Find Makes Every Day Feel Like a Spa Day

For me, massages are the ultimate indulgence and are definitely my preferred form of pampering. Manicures and pedicures are great, sure, but I’ll often forgo them to tend to my constantly aching shoulders and neck instead.

Given how much time I spend sitting at my office desk or lugging my work bag around the city, I definitely experience muscle soreness more often that I’d like. And I know I’m not alone—my company even offers 15-minute seated massages for employees each month, but let me tell you, those coveted slots fill up faster than a department store on Black Friday. When it comes to the salons in my neighborhood, quality massages don’t come cheap, even with the occasional online deal or discount package.

So, you can imagine I was thrilled when a couple of years ago, I spotted what’s now my favorite Amazon buy of all time—the $50 massager that I’ve since recommended to as many of my friends who will listen.

When I first came across this massager online, I was skeptical. How well could a product that costs less than an actual massage actually work? But I figured that for the price (and the 90-day money back guarantee period), it would at least be worth a try.

Let me just say that this product works (and over 6,000 other people seem to think so, too!). Most of my pain is in my shoulders and neck, and when I place the pillow-shaped massager behind me while, say, watching TV in my bed, it actually kind of feels like real hands are kneading me (in a good way, not a creepy way, promise!). You can use the massager on a heated or normal setting, and the nodes move in different directions to switch things up minute after minute. The only downfall—and this is only a negative if you’re someone who prefers a more relaxing type of massage—is that the pressure is pretty intense. Compare the experience to a deep tissue massage rather than a Swedish one!

This past Christmas, I gifted one of these guys to my mom, who suffers from lower back pain. One of my friends also purchased one for her mother but ended up ordering her own a few weeks later. So far, I’ve heard rave reviews all around.

While I still treat myself to the occasional salon massage every now and then, I’ve definitely gotten my money’s worth out of this at-home option. I love how easy it is to walk in the door, plug the machine in, and experience immediate muscle relief—no appointment required!