After reviewing all the best massage balls on the market we chose the lacrosse balls by Kieba as our top pick. Their smooth surface and durability along with easy portability make them a great choice. Continue reading to find out why we love this massage ball and learn more about our other top picks.
Best Choice: Massage Lacrosse Balls by Kieba
Kieba’s massage lacrosse balls offer a smooth surface in a 100% rubber massage ball. The package comes with a set of two and in multiple colors.
Buy on AmazonAching muscles or a sore back are no match the therapeutic massage of a massage ball. With varying levels of firmness, sizes, and textures you’ll be able to find one that can safely and easily work out knots or ease tired muscles. Keep reading to learn about the best massage balls and how they can work for you.
Our Top Picks
Best Choice
Kieba
Massage Lacrosse Balls
Top Performance
Trigger Point Performance
Foam Massage Ball
Can’t Count Out
Vive
Massage Ball Set
The 10 Best Massage Balls
| Product | Brand | Surface | Multiple Sizes | Men or Women | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Lacrosse Balls | Kieba | Smooth | No | Men and Women |  |
| Foam Massage Ball | Trigger Point Performance | Smooth | Yes | Men and Women | |
| Massage Ball Set | Vive | Smooth and Spiky | Yes | Men and Women | |
| Massage Roller Ball | Vive | Smooth | No | Men and Women | |
| Massage Ball | Master of Muscle | Spiky | No | Men and Women | |
| Massage Ball Set | WOD Nation | Smooth and Spiky | Yes | Men and Women | |
| Massage Balls | Physix Gear | Smooth and Spiky | Yes | Men and Women | |
| Peanut Massage Ball | 5Billion Fitness | Smooth | No | Men and Women | |
| Manual Massage Ball | Zongs | Smooth | No | Men and Women | |
| Mini Mobility Massage Balls | Pro-Tech Athletics | Smooth and Spiky | Yes | Men and Women | |
Best Choice: Massage Lacrosse Balls by Kieba
Buy on AmazonThese lacrosse balls come with two in a set and in multiple color options. The massage balls are firm, allowing you to perform myofascial release and focus on trigger points. Just lay or put pressure on the lacrosse ball, massage, and use your own body weight to roll out knots or sore muscles.
Main Features
- Multiple colors
- Small, portable
- 100% rubber
- Sturdy
Pros:
- Smooth surface
- Eliminates muscle knots and tension
- Includes two balls
Cons:
- No knobs for trigger point massage
- No instruction manual
Top Performance: Foam Massage Ball by Trigger Point Performance
Here is a massage ball that is made from durable foam and won’t lose shape over time. We love that they are also washable, so you don’t have to worry about using them when you’re sweaty after a long workout.
They come in two sizes, 2.5” diameter and 5” diameter. The smaller size offers two levels of firmness. If you’re looking to cover a large area of your body, go for the 5” ball. Or if you wanted to dig deep into your muscles we recommend buying the 2.5”.
Main Features
- Two different sizes
- Water resistant
- Two levels of firmness
- Slip resistant material
Pros:
- Lightweight, portable
- Layered foam channels
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- High price tag
Can’t Count Out: Massage Ball Set by Vive
Vive’s massage ball set includes just about every type of massage ball you could want. There is a foot massage ball roller, two studded massage balls, and one lacrosse massage ball.
These massage balls can be put into the freezer or into a bowl of hot water to use them for hot/cold massage therapy. You won’t have to choose among trigger point, myofascial release, or deep tissue massage with Vive’s all-encompassing massage ball set.
Main Features
- Carrying bag
- Hot/cold therapy compatible
- Lightweight
- Durable material
Pros:
- Includes four pieces
- Suitable for all massage types
- Instruction manual included
Cons:
- Doesn’t include large ball
- Spiky balls are difficult to clean
The Massage Balls We Reviewed
Massage Roller Ball by Vive
Vive’s massage roller ball offers small, portable pressure point massage at a great price. The rollerball is non-friction, moving along your skin without any added oils.
But the rollerball is designed to take your preferred essential oils for additional stress relief. It’s hard to find any drawback to this product, but if we had to choose one it would be the smaller size of this rollerball.
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Massage Ball by Master of Muscle
Here is a foot massage ball with spikes to alleviate pain associated with plantar fasciitis. The spikes are made with firm, solid rubber and won’t bend over time. This spiky massage ball can be used on more than your feet.
Use it on your back, legs, or wherever you need tension relief before or after a workout. However, if you need a massage ball without trigger point knobs, this isn’t the product for you.
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Massage Ball Set by WOD Nation
This set includes a trigger point massage ball and two lacrosse massage balls. The spiky massage ball is flexible to allow for more pressure, letting you get deeper into your tissues without causing pain.
The lacrosse massage balls are firm for muscle pain recovery. WOD Nation’s massage ball set covers almost every need. The only thing missing is a big massage ball to cover large muscles.
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Massage Balls by Physix Gear
If aesthetics is one of your concerns when choosing the best massage ball then we’ve found the product for you. Physix Gear has multiple colors and types of massage balls to choose from.
Their massage balls are made with shock-resistant rubber and have no chemical odor to deal with. The largest drawback with this company is that you need to purchase the spiky and lacrosse massage balls separately.
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Peanut Massage Ball by 5Billion Fitness
Here is a peanut massage ball, which is two connected lacrosse massage balls. Place one ball on either side of the spine to massage your back. This avoids putting pressure on the spine and massaging those hard to reach muscles.
You’ll receive an instruction booklet and carrying case to keep everything together. If you wanted a massage ball that worked on your trigger points you’ll need to find another product.
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Manual Massage Ball by Zongs
Here is a back massage ball that can also be used for your neck and back. The ball moves in 360 degrees, smoothly over your skin, improving circulation and easing sore muscles.
Essential oils can be added to the rollerball. Zong offers this product in multiple colors and at a nice price. Our only concern is that the handle piece seems a little flimsy.
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Mini Mobility Massage Balls by Pro-Tech Athletics
Pro-Tech Athletics has a deep tissue massage ball that encourages a multidirectional roll to achieve the best results. The ball comes in three different sizes, 5”, 4.5”, and 3” diameter.
You’ll be able to perform myofascial release with the larger two balls and a deep tissue massage with the smallest one. Yet, these great features come with a higher price tag.
Buy on AmazonHow Do I Choose the Right Massage Ball?
The right massage ball should feel natural in your hands. It shouldn’t slip or be difficult to hold. You’ll need to have the right size and shape for the muscles you’re targeting. We’ll talk about each feature of a massage ball so you can find the right one for your muscles.
Size and Weight
The size you need will depend on the muscle you are massaging. For the hands, arms, and feet you’ll want a small massage ball, like a lacrosse ball. Medium sized areas, like the legs, lower back, or neck, will benefit from a baseball or tennis ball massage. The large areas of the body, shoulders and upper back, will need the largest sized massage therapy balls.
Shape
You’ll find that massage balls come in all shapes. A smooth massage ball will be easy to control and will provide trigger point release and soothing massage. The knobby or spiky massage balls are perfect for deep tissue massage and myofascial release.
Firmness
The firmness or hardness of your massage ball will vary with your injuries or sore muscles. A newly sore muscle will need a softer massage ball initially. As your muscle heals a firmer ball will be more effective. Play around with different firmness levels to determine which one is right for you.
How Do You Roll a Muscle With a Massage Ball?
When you are ready to work out a sore muscle or knot you’ll get better results if you roll the massage ball on a solid surface like the floor or wall. Let’s pretend that you want to roll out your hamstring. Lay on the ground and put the massage ball at the top of the muscle. Slowly move your leg up and down applying your own body weight as pressure.
Using your own body weight and moving slowly over the massage ball will relax the muscles and improve circulation. You’ll find over time that you’ll have less pain and looser muscles.
Weighing All the Factors
After reviewing all the massage balls, it’s the size, shape, and firmness that helped us determine that the massage lacrosse balls by Kieba were the best. Our other top two contenders by Trigger Point Performance and Vive also have great features like spiky surfaces and slip resistant material. Take a look for yourself to see which one is the right choice for you.
Best Choice: Massage Lacrosse Balls by Kieba
Kieba’s massage lacrosse balls offer a smooth surface in a 100% rubber massage ball. The package comes with a set of two and in multiple colors.
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