We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Beauty Products Hair Products The 9 Best Scalp Massagers of 2024, Tested by Real People For cleaner hair, increased circulation, and a healthy scalp By Cai Cramer Cai Cramer Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 28, 2024 12:10PM EDT In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Add to Cart What to Know Behind the Scenes FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Victoria Phillips One of the best parts about a trip to the hair salon is the good old-fashioned scalp massage that often accompanies a hair wash in the salon sink. And we have good news: You can have a relaxing, stimulating massage at home with the help of a scalp massager. Beyond a relaxing head scratch, scalp massagers also help promote blood circulation and stimulate hair growth, NYC-based trichologist Shab Caspara tells PEOPLE. Experts Say Use a scalp massager to scrub the scalp directly after applying shampoo for “a deeper, more effective clean," trichologist Shab Caspara says. To find the best scalp massagers that relieve tension and help hair treatments penetrate the scalp, our PEOPLE Tested team tried 24 of the most popular scalp massaging tools on the market. We evaluated each product for comfort and feel, and assessed how good each one was at shampooing and massaging the scalp. Read on to discover the best scalp massagers PEOPLE Tested. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush at Amazon $28 Jump to Review Best Stimulating: Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Scalp Massager at Amazon $18 Jump to Review Best Multi-Use: Denman Palm Styler at Amazon $12 Jump to Review Best Budget: SALE Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager at Amazon $10 $7 Jump to Review Best Comb: SALE Mount Lai Jade Massaging Comb at Amazon $52 $37 Jump to Review Best Absorption: Jupiter Scalp Brush at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best for Thick Hair: Flathead Products Scalp Massager at Amazon $12 Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Briogeo Scalp Revival Therapy Massager at Amazon $18 Jump to Review Best Electric: Comfier Cordless Hair Scalp Massager at Amazon $40 Jump to Review Best Hair Growth Oil: Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Oil at Target $10 Jump to Review Best Overall Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush PHOTO: People / Allie Merriam $28 at Amazon View on Lovelyskin.com View on Leonorgreyl-usa.com Star Qualities Gentle yet effective silicone bristles Ergonomic handle made it easy to maneuver Conditioning treatment penetrated our hair better Red Flags We love everything about this scalp massager Looking for a realistic substitute for a day at the spa? The Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush made us feel like we were having a luxury treatment in our bathroom. Soft yet gentle bristles to stimulate hair follicles, a thoughtfully designed handle grip, and an adorable storage box set this massager apart from the rest. We were able to achieve a beautiful lather while applying shampoo with this brush, which left our scalp feeling cleaner compared to our usual application. This brush was also a game-changer when it came to massaging our conditioning treatment into our hair, and we noticed much more thorough absorption of product on the side of our scalp that we used the brush on. Plus, the brush didn’t tangle our hair at all. The entire experience of using the Leonor Greyl brush — from the pretty packaging to the relaxing massage to the swoon-worthy results — felt so luxurious that we were shocked to discover how affordable this scalp scrubber is. Materials: Silicone and plastic | Hair Types: All hair types Best Stimulating Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Scalp Massager PHOTO: People / Ashleigh Morley $18 at Amazon $18 at Sephora $18 at Vegamour.com Star Qualities Over-the-hand strap and finger ridges made it comfortable to hold Worked well on both dry and wet scalps Provided stimulating massage without tangling hair Red Flags One of the more expensive silicone options we tested This aesthetically pleasing little brush does more than just look pretty on your shower shelf — the Gro Revitalizing Scalp Massager provides a deep stimulation massage and has a particular talent for foaming up shampoo, even bar shampoo. We used this brush on both dry and wet hair, both of which felt relaxing and painless. Vegamour is a big name in hair regrowth, backed by an expert team of dermatologists and hair stylists, so we trust its recommendations for increasing scalp blood flow to achieve a healthier-looking scalp. The brush was easy to hold and control with an over-the-hand strap and gentle finger ridges. We really like the way the brush looks, and we don’t mind having it on display in our shower. While it was one of the more expensive silicone-bristle massagers we tested, we think the aesthetically pleasing design (and overall effectiveness) justifies the slightly higher cost. Materials: Silicone and plastic | Hair Types: All hair types Best Multi-Use Denman Palm Styler PHOTO: People / Darcy Lenz $12 at Amazon $12 at Ulta Star Qualities Provided a relaxing scalp massage along with a combing function Firm yet flexible bristles held up to regular use Bristles were easy to clean Red Flags Strap only fits three fingers comfortably If you've shopped for brushes for curly hair, then you're probably familiar with the Denman brand. The bristles on this scalp massager brush are firm yet flexible, with round ends to prevent scratching the scalp. The Denman's bristles are firmer than many of our other favorites, which makes it great for combing through the hair to detangle but can also create some snags at the root without enough combing. The massager is very lightweight, with a stiff plastic top handle that can fit three fingers comfortably. We wish that the handle was a bit larger so that we could fit more of our fingers under the strap for better control. The product absorption test is where the Denman really shone. After just one week of using the Denman to apply hair oil to one side of our scalp, we noticed a clear difference on the side that benefited from the Denman tool. Our hair felt more nourished and looked healthier in the area where we used the Denman massaging brush. Safe to say, we’ll continue to reach for this brush to apply hair growth oils and serums. Materials: Plastic | Hair Types: All hair types, especially thick hair Best Budget Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager PHOTO: People / Maria Rowella $10 $7 at Amazon Star Qualities Left our hair smoother and tangle-free Intuitive oblong shape Red Flags Might not be effective with thick or coarse hair The Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager feels much more luxurious than its price tag would suggest. The silicone bristles are evenly spaced and have a comfortable level of firmness to provide hair follicle stimulation without pain. We were pleasantly surprised that the slightly squishy silicone bristles didn’t snag or tangle our hair — it actually left our tresses feeling smoother and helped detangle the knots that already existed. The Maxsoft brush created a nice lather when used with shampoo, and we also found that it helped our leave-on hair mask absorb better compared to when we didn't use the brush. The brush is well-designed with an easy-to-grip handle and an intuitive, oblong shape with a thumb divot on the side that makes it easy to control. Our only gripe with this scalp massager is that the soft bristles might not penetrate very thick or coarse hair as easily as a brush with harder, longer bristles. Materials: Silicone and plastic | Hair Types: All hair types, especially fine to medium-thick hair People / Maria Rowella Best Comb Mount Lai Jade Massaging Comb PHOTO: People / Caitlyn Martyn $52 $37 at Amazon View on Mountlai.com $52 at Bloomingdales Star Qualities Intricate design looked beautiful sitting out on a vanity Glided easily through our hair without causing discomfort Helped oils absorb into our hair Left our scalps feeling clean Red Flags Pricey jade stone material You may have heard of gua sha — the traditional Chinese practice of gliding a piece of jade over the skin, which can provide benefits such as increased blood flow and reduced puffiness and promote the appearance of a chiseled face. But you may not know that gua shas can also promote scalp health. The Mount Lai Jade Massaging Comb is a hand-carved jade gua sha designed specifically to provide gentle scalp massage that can promote blood circulation and just generally make you feel so darn good. We worried that the firm stone bristles might be uncomfortable to drag across the scalp, but we couldn’t have been more wrong. The comb glided easily across the scalp without tugging at our strands and didn't ever cause us any discomfort, even on the bonier parts of the head. It's great to use with your favorite detangler. Oils sank into our hair quicker and more thoroughly, and the light exfoliation left our scalp feeling surprisingly clean. The weight of the hand-carved tool in the hand feels as luxurious as the results, so we would recommend this tool as a splurge or even as an elegant gift. Materials: Jade stone | Hair Types: All hair types Best Absorption Jupiter Scalp Brush PHOTO: People / Alessandra Amodio $20 $18 at Amazon View on Hellojupiter.com Star Qualities Long, thin bristles worked well for thick hair Includes extra chain loop to hang Provided a relaxing head-scratching sensation Red Flags May be too rough for sensitive scalps Made from a tight cluster of fine, yet firm bristles, the Jupiter Scalp Brush’s unique design differs from most of the others that we tried. The long, skinny bristles can effectively exfoliate and stimulate the scalp, and we didn’t feel any pain in the process. Even on thick hair, this brush was able to reach through to the scalp and provide a relaxing and stimulating massage. Where this brush really shined in our testing was in aiding the absorption of hair oil into our scalp. We thoroughly rubbed the treatment into one side of our hair with our fingers, but we found that the side that was applied with the Jupiter brush was noticeably better absorbed. The brush shape made it easy to maneuver around the head and we also love that it comes with an extra chain loop to hang the brush for storage. Because the bristles are slightly firmer and pointier than others that we tried, it might not feel comfortable on particularly sensitive scalps. However, the long and thin bristles would work well for those with thick hair. Materials: Plastic | Hair Types: All hair types, especially thick hair The 11 Best Dandruff Shampoos of 2024, Tested and Reviewed People / Alessandra Amodio Best for Thick Hair Flathead Products Scalp Massager PHOTO: People / Julia Warren $12 at Amazon $27 at Target Star Qualities Includes two heads, one with long bristles and one with short Gentle enough for sensitive scalps Red Flags Not everyone may want two brush heads Why settle for one scalp massaging head when you could have two? That’s the question that the Flathead Hair Scalp massager begs us to ask. The long, pointed bristle head is perfect for digging deep through thick hair to reach the scalp. Because the bristles are made from squishy silicone, the brush feels gentle enough for sensitive scalps. The massager helped us get a fluffy lather with our shampoo, even on thick hair that usually has trouble getting suds to develop. The shorter bristled brush is great for those with fine or thinning hair and provides an ultra-gentle and relaxing massage. Changing out the brush heads is simple: Just twist the head to remove it and twist the new one on. Those with thick hair might find that the short-bristled head isn’t able to reach the scalp, but the price of both heads together is so reasonable that we think it’s worth a purchase even just for the long-bristled head alone. Materials: Plastic, silicone | Hair Types: All hair types, especially thick hair The 14 Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair of 2024, Tested by Real People Best Lightweight Briogeo Scalp Revival Therapy Massager PHOTO: Amazon $18 at Amazon $18 at Nordstrom $18 at Sephora Star Qualities Bristles pop off for convenient cleaning Long bristles work well with thick hair Helped evenly distribute hair treatments, oils, and shampoo Red Flags We didn't notice improved hair oil absorption On wet hair or dry hair, the Briogeo Scalp Revival Therapy Massager impressed us. The long, thick bristles are neither too soft nor too hard and provide a relaxing and stimulating massage without tangling the hair. The handle is a comfortable size to grasp, and we found this scrubber to be exceptionally easy to maneuver because it’s very lightweight and didn’t tire out our arms in the scrubbing process. Because the silicone bristles are longer than many of the other massagers we tested, the Briogeo massager is especially well-suited for thick or coarse hair. In our tests, this brush helped us to effectively remove dry shampoo buildup from the scalp and create a beautiful soapy lather with shampoo. And, when you’re ready to clean the brush, the bristles pop off to make wiping down the brush and removing any buildup super easy. In terms of aesthetics, we do wish the brand offered more color options so we can match them to our bathroom decor. Materials: Plastic, silicone | Hair Types: All hair types, especially thick hair The 8 Best Shampoos for Hair Growth of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Electric Comfier Cordless Hair Scalp Massager PHOTO: Amazon $40 at Amazon $40 at Walmart View on Comfier.com Star Qualities Provided a relaxing massage with the press of a button Safe to use in the shower Didn’t pull at or tangle wet or dry hair Can also be used on other parts of the body Red Flags Needs to be recharged between uses Getting a relaxing scalp massage just got easier. The Comfier Cordless massager is a handheld electric scalp massager with four silicone-bristled massaging arms that rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise with the press of a button. The tips of the bristles felt soft against our scalp, but the weight of the device was sturdy enough to provide a relaxing massage without the need to press down hard. The Comfier massager is also waterproof, which means that you can safely use it on wet hair — which we did. The massager evenly applied oil to the scalp and helped to massage shampoo into the scalp without pulling or tangling our hair. While this is one of the most expensive scalp massagers we tested, the rechargeable, multi-setting device offers much more than a standard scalp massager. If you’re looking for a basic device, then any of our other top picks will do the job. But if you want a little extra relaxation without the extra work, then this electric massager is worth the cost. Materials: Plastic, silicone, rechargeable lithium-ion battery | Hair Types: All hair types Add to Cart While you're picking out your next scalp massager, consider these other PEOPLE-Tested hair care must-haves. Our team of editors and independent testers put each product to the test and selected only the best of the best to showcase. Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Oil $10 at Target $10 at Walmart $11 at Ulta Vegamour Gro Hair Serum $64 at Amazon $64 at Sephora $49 at Vegamour.com Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Replenishing Shampoo $47 at Vegamour.com Redken Extreme Length Conditioner $52 at Amazon $26 at Ulta $26 $24 at Jcpenney.com What to Know About Scalp Massagers Material Scalp massagers are not one-size-fits-all — they come in a variety of materials that work best for different scalp types and concerns. If you have a more sensitive scalp, then softer bristles made from silicone, like those used in the Leonor Greyl Massaging Scalp Brush, tend to be gentler and have less potential for irritation. If you’re looking for something that will provide a nice scratching sensation, then thin plastic bristles will give you more of what you’re looking for. Bristle Length Another important factor in choosing the right scalp brush for you is considering your hair density, which can determine how well a scalp massager makes contact with your hair. If you have thick, fine, dense, or coarse hair, then a brush with longer bristles is more likely to reach your scalp to provide adequate stimulation and exfoliation. If you have shorter or finer hair, then a brush with shorter bristles should get the job done. Price Scalp massagers are available across most price points, with the more expensive options costing around $50. The priciest option we tested, the Mount Lai Jade Massaging Gua Sha Comb, is made from real jade stone, which contributes to its higher cost. However, there are more budget-friendly options that still deliver great results, including the Maxsoft Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush that you can snag for just $10. Behind the Scenes To find the best scalp massagers, we tested 24 of the best-selling scalp massaging tools on the market — first in the PEOPLE Tested lab, and then at home so we could integrate them into our daily routines. We evaluated them for these qualities. Comfort and Feel: Before we used the brushes on our scalps, we first inspected the bristles and took note of their feel — whether they were hard or soft or if they bent or stayed straight with pressure. We noted how densely packed the bristles or teeth were and how comfortable the tool felt when pressed against the scalp.Shampooing: For the first test, we took each scalp massager into the shower and used it to scrub shampoo into the scalp with small, circular movements. We continued the massage while we rinsed out the product to ensure we were left with a completely clean scalp. Massaging: After washing our hair with the aid of the scalp massagers, we then used them to massage dry hair in small, circular motions. We then applied oils and conditioning treatments to the scalp using the scalp massager, and then we washed out the chosen treatment after a few minutes of massaging. We continued using each scalp massager at least twice a week for four weeks. At the end of our testing period, we rated each scalp massager on a scale of 1 to 5 for the feel of the bristles, ease of use, serum penetration, and effectiveness. We came away with nine of the best scalp massagers to provide a relaxing and invigorating massage. Frequently Asked Questions What does a scalp massager do? Scalp massagers can provide a number of benefits to your scalp health, which can correlate to hair health. According to NYC trichologist Shab Caspara, some of the benefits of regularly massaging the scalp include “relaxing and relieving tension in your head, promoting blood circulation and stimulating growth, breaking down scalp buildup, and aiding in applying any scalp topical by increasing product absorption.” They're perfect to use with, for example, a shampoo for oily hair, a shampoo for dry scalps, a shampoo for thinning hair, a hair loss treatment, or if you use your favorite hairspray frequently. Are there any risks to using a scalp massager? Scalp massagers are generally safe for home use; however, you can overuse them. “As with too much of anything, over-stimulating your scalp by either massaging too rigorously or applying too much pressure could cause irritation to the scalp and damage hair follicles in the long run," Caspara says. To avoid overdoing it, make sure to be gentle with your scalp, use light pressure, and stop if you ever feel pain. Why Trust PEOPLE? Cai Cramer is a commerce writer at PEOPLE, covering the best and buzziest products across the beauty, fashion, health, and lifestyle spaces. To inform this story, Cai used real-world insights from the PEOPLE Tested labs and spoke with Shab Caspara, NYC trichologist and founder of hair care platform Leona, who provided insight into the benefits of scalp massaging and how to most effectively use a scalp massager. Our Expert Panel Shab Caspara is a New York-based trichologist and founder of the hair care platform Leona, which matches users with custom hair care routines. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust - every day, every purchase. The 7 Best Texturizing Sprays of 2024, Tested by Real People