Best Foam Rollers For Back Pain, Stretching, Massage, Muscle Soreness
This versatile exercise, rehabilitation, and stretching tool is a reasonably priced fitness accessory that should be a must-have for any at-home exercise equipment collection. Because of the many foam roller benefits that they provide, we can up with our list of the best foam rollers for back pain and every other major use.
Foam rollers can be seen in our best fitness accessories review as one of the most used and versatile objects at the gym. Some fitness experts say that we should use a fitness roller every day if possible.
This “best of” includes foam rollers for the most critical and popular. Besides these 10 key types of foam rollers, there are dozens of other shapes, sizes, and uses that are on the market.
Overview of the Best Foam Rollers for Back Pain and Everything Else
If you are in hurry, here are links to my favorite foldable workout benches. I go into more detail about why later in this article.
Image | Name | Price | Buy |
Rogue Fitness Foam Rollers | $ | CURRENT PRICE | |
Foam RumbleRollers | $$ | CURRENT PRICE | |
Gaiam Restore Self Guided Foam Roller | $ | CURRENT PRICE | |
Acumobility Ultimate Back Roller | $$ | CURRENT PRICE | |
The Orb Extreme | $ | CURRENT PRICE | |
Grid STK Foam Roller Massage Stick | $ | CURRENT PRICE | |
Mobility Gemini Foam Roller | $$ | CURRENT PRICE | |
TriggerPoint GRID VIBE PLUS | $$$ | CURRENT PRICE | |
TriggerPoint GRID 1.0 and 2.0 Foam Roller | $$ | CURRENT PRICE | |
Brazyn Morph Collapsible Foam Roller | $$ | CURRENT PRICE |
Reviews for the Best Foam Rollers for Every Use
Here are my reviews of the best foam rollers for back pain as well as other uses to help you choose the right one for your needs. I have drawn the line to under $50 (with the exception of the vibrating roller) as I think if you are spending more than that, it’s not really worth the extra cost.
#1. Best Smooth Foam Rollers
Rogue Fitness Foam Rollers
These can also be our pick for the cheapest foam rollers since they don’t come with any thrills. However, there are several different ones to choose from depending on your needs. There is either the standard high-density foam roller or the ultra firm high-density foam roller.
These smooth firm foam rollers are 6″ in diameter and come in both 18″ and 36″ lengths. Smooth is the best foam roller for beginners because of its even texture.
#2. Best Textured Foam Rollers
Foam RumbleRollers
Unlike smooth rollers, these textured rollers come with knobs and ridges on their surface. These work better to concentrate deeper into the muscles. The result is to smooth out knots and tense muscles quicker.
The bumps are firm yet flexible enough to mimic thumb pressure. Rumble rollers are one of the only foam rollers to come in three different lengths. Textured rollers can also be the best foam roller for weightlifters and the best roller myofascial massage. The longest foam roller is 31″ by 6″ diameter, followed by 22″ and 13″ lengths.
#3. Best Foam Roller For Beginners
Gaiam Restore Self Guided Foam Roller
This is a novel concept, another one that I wish I’d thought of. The Gaiam foam roller is comprised of a semi-firm density. It can be useful for both beginners and intermediate since not everyone can remember the common foam roller moves.
The nine different moves with clear instructions are listed to promote muscle relief, mobility, and stress relief. These easy-to-use visuals will help to make sure you are using the correct form on your fitness roller exercises. Their Gaiam yoga roller is 18″ long with a 6″ diameter.
#4. Best Foam Massage Wheel
Acumobility Ultimate Back Roller
This Acumobility foam back massage roller is excellent for working on your natural spine movement as well as flexibility, and mobility. It may be the best foam roller for the back, but it’s not just for that use It also functions for the neck, arms, glutes, lats, and, legs.
The firm staggered bump patter will help to stimulate muscles on both sides of the spine to release knots and hit trigger points. This back massage foam roller wheel is made of durable high-density foam and measures 11″ height by 7.5″ wide.
See our Acumobility Ultimate Back Roller review.
#5. Best Foam Massage Ball
The Orb Extreme
Nowadays there are tons of foam massage balls in the market in every shape size and color. The exterior ridges are prominent enough to concentrate on deep tissue massage. Orb’s round shape enables you to maneuver it easily across your target zones.
Foam massage balls will specifically target areas like shoulders, arms, and other body parts. This helps you best pinpoint the problem area or trigger point. The Orb high-density foam massage ball has a 4.5″ diameter. Also, check out The Orb Mini to hit even more specific points.
#6. Best Massage Stick for the Back
Grid STK Foam Roller Massage Stick
The Grid STK is a classic foam-covered massage stick and for a good price. This foam roller is handheld and can help you give consistent pressure with its 3-D design. It has easy-grip handles to help use the precise amount of pressure for relaxing sore muscles.
Massage stick rollers are a great tool for back massage but can are also used many times for leg, thigh, and calf massage. This simple design is actually one of the more versatile foam rollers. This is one of the best foam roller sticks and qualifies as a compact foam roller with a 21″ length and a 2.5″ diameter.
#7. Best Foam Roller for the Spine
Mobility Gemini Foam Roller
The Mobility foam roller is scientifically designed with the spine in mind. Its precision shape targets the T-spine, firm enough to do the job but made of flexible foam material. It can be used in conjunction with its stabilizing floor cradle. Some agree that this is the best foam roller for athletes.
This state of the art mobility roller can get into areas that other foam spine rollers cant’. Its made of tough thermoplastic elastomer and ABS thermoplastic resin to be impact resistant and retain its shape., creating an extremely tough, impact-resistant material. The easy to manage size is only 6.5″ long by 2.42″ wide.
#8. Best Vibrating Foam Roller
TriggerPoint GRID VIBE PLUS
The vibrating foam roller is truly and novel idea and TriggerPoint was one of the first of its kind. Between the GRID design and the vibration, you will get the best stretch as well and circulation more blood and oxygen through your muscles.
This one is for even deeper muscle stimulation and relaxation. The dimensions are 12″ long with a 3.5″ diameter and it’s also lightweight. Triggerpoint massage battery is long-lasting and the charger is included. Don’t forget the TriggerPoint one year warranty on this premium foam roller.
#9. Best Foam Rollers for Stretching
TriggerPoint GRID 1.0 Foam Roller and GRID 2.0 Foam Roller
The Trigger Point GRID is one of the most popular self massage tools for the home. Its deep and versatile grid design allows it to hit your muscles and trigger points in different ways and angles. Because of this simple design, this one is also the best foam roller for the IT band.
The GRID is made of a durable, dense foam that retains its shape over time and is made to be lightweight. This one comes in a variety of colors and in two sizes. The 1.0 roller is 13″ x 5″ and the 2.0 roller is 26″ by 5″ depending on the massage and stretching uses that you are aiming for.
#10. Best Compact Foam Roller
Brazyn Morph Collapsible Foam Roller
This is also the best foam roller for traveling and the best compact foam roller. This innovative design has a smooth yet slightly textured design. It’s as firm as a traditional foam roller using low-density foam.
This folding foam roller is 14.5″ long with a 5″ diameter and folds done to fit into the carry bag which is included. The folding system is simple, and it’s hard to believe that it comes with a 350lb weight capacity.
Choose between the Alpha and the Bravo designs in the link below.
Wrap Up – The Best Foam Roller for Back Pain and other Symptoms
We have tried to introduce the major types of foam rollers that most of us will use around the home gym or anywhere else. If you are fitness minded, we definitely recommend having at least one of these that best suits your fitness goals.
Using a foam roller doesn’t require you first having any pain or muscle knots since they can be used best for stretching exercises and warm-ups.
There are lot more types of foam rollers available that we were not able to include If you need to look further, you can find even more advanced foam rollers made for specific uses.
For more about foam roller benefits and uses, check out my research on, what is a foam roller for. If you have any questions or comment on the best foam rollers, please leave a message below.