The Best Vibrating Foam Rollers for Myofascial Release

The benefits of foam rolling for self-myofascial release has been well documented in scientific studies.

Vibration has also been studied as a massage therapy type for exercise recovery, and the research shows it reduces muscle stiffness and delayed muscle soreness (DOMS) [1].

A vibrating foam roller gives you the benefits of both foam rolling and vibration in the same action and with the same tool.

In this post, we’ll break down the features of different vibrating foam rollers and compare the 10 best vibrating foam rollers on the market.

Vibrating Foam Roller Basics

A vibrating foam roller has vibration technology built into it.

This allows you to experience a vibration massage while you compress and roll your muscles to release trigger points in the muscle and fascia.

Like regular foam rollers, vibrating foam rollers come in a variety of sizes and textures.

Plus they have different tech specs, such as vibration speeds.

You don’t get much benefit from a regular foam roller without rolling on it, but you can lay your neck, back, hamstring or calf muscle on a vibrating foam roller and get a deep tissue massage.

What makes a vibrating foam roller more effective than a regular foam roller is that the vibration helps release lubricating fluid in the fascia [2].

Foam rolling already provides you with the benefits of self-myofascial release, which helps release this fluid, too.

Through the dual action of these two therapies, you get greater results, faster.

Vibrating Foam Roller Buying Guide: Features to Look For

How do you know you’re buying a quality foam roller?

Better yet, considering all the different types of vibrating foam rollers, how do you know which best suits you?

Let’s look at the features you’ll find on the best vibrating foam rollers and what factors go into a good purchase.

Surface Texture Design

The surface texture of the vibrating foam roller is one of the factors that determines how intense the massage is.

With ridges and bumps at various depths and in different locations, different foam rollers create different feelings and therefore vary in their deep tissue massage.

Obviously, spikier, bumpier and more ridgy surfaces are going to hurt more but also dig deeper into muscle tissue and better release “hidden” trigger points deeper inside.

Material Density

The density of the foam is what determines how hard it compresses against your muscles and fascia.

Some are made softer, which is more suitable for beginners.

Others have a higher density, which beginners usually say feels like “rocks.”

The higher the density you choose, the harder of a compression you get with less effort on your part.

To lower the intensity, you can let up some of your body weight on the foam roller instead of opting for a softer foam roller.

For this reason, buying a high-density foam roller is more desirable, especially because you become less sensitive to the pain with regular foam rolling over time.

Vibrating vs. Non-Vibrating

If you’re brand new to self-myofascial release tools, you should start with a regular non-vibrating foam roller.

This way, you can develop a sense for what releasing your muscles with foam rolling feels like and start reducing your sensitivity to the pain.

Vibrating foam rollers are more expensive because they feature built-in technology.

If you want to get the most out of foam rolling for muscle repair, a vibrating foam roller is the way to go because it provides a more intense deep tissue massage.

Vibration Settings

A faster vibration will deliver more intensity.

The faster your muscle tissue is shaken up, the more heat and blood flow is generated within it.

A slower vibration will be a little less intense, and it’s nice to have more options.

Vibrating foam rollers with more vibration settings are more versatile, with greater adjustability.

Top 10 Best Vibrating Foam Rollers in 2023

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of 10 of the best vibrating foam rollers on the market that have unique vibration settings and intensities.

The LifePro has 4 vibration settings and 4 hours of battery life.

It has different textures at different parts of the roller so you can experience different feelings and intensities depending on where you make contact with it.

Unfortunately, the vibration even at its highest vibration may not be intense enough for some users. However, most still report great relief using it.

Another problem some found with this model was that the vibration weakens over time even though the battery is rechargeable.

Less than a foot long and just 5.5 inches in diameter, this foam roller is somewhat compact.

That’s ideal if you want to travel with it, but it limits what you can do with the tool.

Priced under $100, the LifePro 4-speed vibrating foam roller is great for people new to them who don’t require a great deal of intensity.

It has the added benefit of coming with a lifetime no questions asked warranty so if you don’t like it for any reason you can return it.

At the same price point as the LifePro, the VIBE PLUS from TriggerPoint is even smaller and has half the battery life.

If you’re petite, it could be your all-in-one foam roller, but not if you’re larger. 

On the other hand, it’s a great option for travel because it’s light also.

If you are familiar with the regular TriggerPoint GRID foam roller (that doesn’t vibrate) this vibration version feels the same in texture and density.

There’s EVA foam around the harder plastic core which I personally find gives it a very padded feel to it compared to other foam rollers.

With this in mind, this model is one of the better vibrating foam rollers that is suitable for beginners.

It’s also simple to use and comes at an affordable price.

The NextRoller 3-Speed vibrating foam roller features different surface types all on one roller, including deep ridges with firm nodes that protrude deep into sore muscles.

This makes it more versatile since you can customize the feeling on your muscles based on the surface area you choose and the vibration you set.

It comes with an excellent 1-year warranty, enabling you to have a broken unit replaced in case of any accident or malfunction.

It’s 13 inches long and 6 inches in diameter, making it a medium-size foam roller.

It gives you 2 hours of battery life after charging and comes with a removable handle you can use to easily carry it.

What some users dislike about the NextRoller is that it’s loud when it vibrates but doesn’t vibrate quite hard enough.

Then again, vibration can only do so much and people with larger or tighter muscles may need a massage gun for effective relief.

If you’re experienced with doing myofascial release before and post-workout, you may have noticed you sometimes need more firmness and pressure to achieve the same feel.

The CubeFit Pulse, with its firmness and spaced out nodules, delivers a high intensity with or without vibration.

If it’s too intense at first, you can put down a folded towel over it for cushioning.

It has the same bumpy texture throughout the surface, so you can’t exactly roll out your muscles on a flat surface with this foam roller.

However, the nodes get deep into muscle tissue and users report getting effective relief from pain.

This vibrating foam roller is a little less expensive than most of its competitors, so with its 8-speed options and high intensity, it packs a lot of value for its price.

Plus, there’s a 1-year money-back guarantee and 1-year warranty included with a CubeFit foam roller.

Amazingly, the unit charges quick and lasts as long as 10 hours before it needs charging.

If you want a foam roller that provides a smooth, flat surface, the Hyperice Vyper 3.0 is a good model for you.

It has 3-speed settings and gives you at least 2 hours of use before it needs charging.

The 12-inch Hyperice is effective because its vibration is so powerful in amplitude.

In fact, the company claims it makes the most powerful vibrating foam roller.

Unfortunately, this makes the device noisy.

Hyperice recommends using it on a mat with plenty of cushion rather than on a hard floor, to reduce the sound it makes against the ground.

You may find it’s worth the noise because of the relief it’s able to provide, but if you live in an apartment with people below you this could become an issue.

The Hyperice Vyper 3.0 is twice the cost of most vibrating foam rollers.

However, if you don’t mind the noise and you need a smooth-surface foam roller with extra strong vibration, this is a great model for you.

The VF2 vibrating foam roller from KINGFIT can deliver intense percussion at up to 4,000 percussions per minute making this a foam roller that’s perfect for advanced users.

You can adjust the intensity to 5 different speed levels if you find the highest level too high.

Due to its power, however, it is a rather noisy foam roller.

Without putting pressure on this foam roller when the vibration feature is turned on, it will jump around as if it has a life of its own. As soon as you put your weight onto the foam roller you compress it down and that’s when it becomes very loud.

With this foam roller, you’ll definitely feel the ground vibrate which could be an issue if you live in an apartment and have neighbors below.

On the plus side, this foam roller comes with a remote control.

This is a big advantage over other remote-less foam rollers because it removes that annoyance of having to reach for the controls to tweak the power when you’re on your foam roller.

The remote control is very basic, but it does the job.

Overall, this foam roller presents a great ton of value for a decent price.

You’d think that the remote feature would boost the price but in fact, it costs around the same as foam rollers without a remote.

Not to mention this foam roller also comes with a carry case and a 6-month guarantee.

Since the Vulken 4 vibrating foam roller is 17 inches long, it’s a lot easier than other vibrating foam rollers to use on your back and shoulders.

It provides a vibration at 4-speed settings, but the vibration is less intense than the Hyperice and VIBRA models.

Many users find the vibration can’t provide the intensity they want, but say the ridged texture and high density makes it as effective as a regular foam roller.

The most common complaint is the noise the device makes.

Some users feel it rattles their house more than it pulsates their muscles, but in a gym setting or with a cushioned mat, you can get by.

Despite the noise it makes, the Vulken 4 is quality-made and few customers have had problems with it.

You get 2 hours of battery life with a full charge, and the device comes with a 1-year warranty.

If the noise isn’t a problem and you prefer a longer foam roller, the Vulken 4 is a good fit.

Like the Hyperice Vyper, the Therabody Wave Roller is 12 inches long, which makes it much more portable than the longer models.

It offers 5 vibration speeds, and users say there’s a vast range between the lowest and highest speeds.

If customizing the intensity is important to you, you might consider this model.

The Wave Roller has a 3-hour battery life and is even capable of being charged wirelessly (wireless charger sold separately).

To keep the vibration noise down this roller is constructed with high-density foam to improve sound insulation.

If you’re worried about your foam roller being too noisy this is a great feature.

The major problem with this model, however, is that it may be a bit too short in length for people who aren’t planning to travel with it.

It’s far easier and more comfortable to foam roll on a longer device.

That being said, the Wave Roller is a well-made and durable foam roller from a well-known brand.

If you tend to feel that foam rollers don’t dig deeply enough into your back or into your hardest-to-reach trigger point, the FITINDEX Vibrating Foam Roller might work for you.

This vibrating foam roller is one of the lesser padded foam rollers, so it does feel a lot firmer against your body – unlike something like the Trigger Point Therapy vibrating foam roller.

Regarding the patterns on the foam roller, it has its own unique wave pattern which has 3 further variations according to their width.

The waves feel pretty good against your quads and it’s a nice change from the straight-lined pattern on nearly all foam rollers.

The highest power of the vibration is strong – If you turn it on to the highest setting and don’t put any weight on it it’ll start spinning and moving across the floor on its own.

You can further tweak the power of this vibration as there are 5 different levels ranging from 1500RPM to 3200RPM.

Overall, this foam roller is on the intense side and perfect for individuals looking for something more advanced.

The harder surface material of the foam roller is the main reason for this.

Also, something else worth pointing out is that it is slightly smaller than the standard foam roller. Most are around 12″ however, this one is around 11″.

While this makes the foam roller compact and good for travelling, I find smaller foam rollers harder to stay on and more cumbersome to use.

The Premvida vibrating foam roller has a unique surface designed for versatility, so you get the benefit of a smooth, flat surface as well as bumps and ridges.

It vibrates at 3 different speeds and users report it delivering both the high intensity they needed and a low-intensity option that is plenty slower.

It’s only 13 inches long, so if you have broad shoulders and want to use this on your back, it may be too short.

It also lacks any sort of groove in the centre to protect the spine, suggesting it probably works best on legs, arms, feet and other parts besides the back.

It’s small enough to bring to the gym or a sports event and has a handle at one end that twists and turns out.

The Premvida comes with a 1-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee.

The Best Vibrating Foam Roller: Recommendations

The Lifepro Surger is a vibrating foam roller that offers a lot of value for a reasonably low price, and the intensity is highly customizable.

With or without the vibration feature, you can get a firm massage and effective myofascial release.

It has a pulse setting for slower percussion, and its highest vibration speed delivers an intensity experienced foam rollers can benefit from.

If you want don’t mind paying more and want a premium quality foam roller, then the Therabody Waveroller is a good choice.

Most vibrating foam rollers are on the shorter side (being around 12 inches) which can feel simply too small for some users as it can be harder to stay on the foam roller. The Vullken 4 is a good pick for someone who prefers a longer foam roller.

Alternative Tools for Myofascial Release

A vibrating foam roller may not be the right tool for you.

There are similar devices, both electric and manual, that can achieve similar results.

Some tools are better at targeting certain muscle groups than others, so the best tool for you may depend on your biggest problem area.

Massage Balls

Whereas foam rollers can’t release smaller trigger points in areas like your neck or in shoulders and other joints, you can use a massage ball to pinpoint these with compression.

A massage ball rolls just like a foam roller, but its small size and spherical shape let you focus on details.

Related: The Best Massage Balls

Muscle Stick Rollers

If you need a massage tool to use on your legs before and post-workout, a muscle stick roller is a more affordable option, and it’s also easier to travel with.

Instead of rolling on the tool, you hold it in your hands to compress and roll your muscles.

It’s easy and effective to use on leg muscles such as calves and quads.

Related: The Best Muscle Stick Rollers

Massage Guns

Percussion massagers are electric devices delivering strong pulses with a massage head.

If you want to target smaller muscle knots or a deep trigger point, this device may work better than a vibrating foam roller.

Related: The Best Massage Guns

Trigger Point Massage Sticks

Massage sticks or canes are like muscle stick rollers, but they have nodes at the end you can use to massage small trigger points.

They are particularly useful if you have a troublesome trigger point located on your back.

They’re another option that’s more affordable compared to percussion massagers and vibrating foam rollers, and they’re easy to use on muscles throughout your body.

Related: The Best Back Massage Sticks

Choosing the best vibrating foam roller depends on the intensity and size you need, as well as its quality.

Vibrating foam rollers are not geared toward beginners, but if you have experience with foam rolling and vibration massagers, you can definitely appreciate what they do.

FAQs

This section covers frequently asked questions regarding foam rolling