Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
The 7 Best Eye Massagers to Relieve Tension and Boost Relaxation
Soothe your mind and body with these expert-approved gadgets
With mounting stress and average screen time on the rise, it's no surprise that eye strain and headaches are, too. Thankfully, the best eye massagers can help relieve muscle tension, encourage better rest, and seamlessly de-puff tired eyes.
"When used correctly, an eye massager can be a valuable tool for eye health, beauty, and relaxation," optometrist and eye health expert Inna Lazar tells Bazaar. "Incorporating an eye massage device into your routine can reduce fatigue, promote relaxation, enhance skincare, and alleviate dry eye symptoms after a long day on the computer—a perfect self-care tool for better eye health and wellness."
Shop the Best Eye Massagers
From high-tech wearables from brands like Therabody and Renpho to manual face rollers and rechargeable handheld devices, we've narrowed down some of the best eye massagers worthy of your wind-down routine. Keep reading for soothing picks that the professionals and beauty shoppers swear by, along with expert tips on choosing the right eye massager for your needs.
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Foldable design is travel-friendly
Cons
- No cooling features
For both tension relief and overall relaxation, Therabody's SmartGoggles are a great pick. "The combination of gentle heat, vibration, and acupressure promotes better circulation, relaxes eye muscles, and alleviates fatigue from prolonged screen use," Lazar explains. Users can customize its settings or choose between three pre-set modes to target different issues. Perhaps the most unique feature is the biometric sensor, which measures your pulse and tailor vibrations to help lower your heart rate.
- Modes: SmartRelax, focus, sleep
- Temperature settings: Low, medium, high
- Battery life: 180 minutes
- Plays music?: Yes
- Connects with app?: Yes
Customer review: "After working on the computer all day, my eyes become extremely fatigued, but using this before bed makes a significant difference."—Ali
Pros
- Ideal for targeting puffiness and dark circles
- Improves skincare product absorption
Cons
- Not as effective for headache and migraine relief
Lazar counts this handheld eye massager as another of her favorite picks. "It features warming and cooling functions to temporarily reduce puffiness and dark circles while enhancing eye cream absorption with SmartSonic Pulsation Technology," the professional adds. "What makes it unique is its ergonomic shape, which feels incredibly comfortable, almost like solving a puzzle. A bonus is its built-in cooling option, which works wonders as an eyelid de-puffer in the mornings."
- Modes: Warming, cooling, SmartSonic pulsations (10 intensity levels)
- Temperature settings: Cool (66°F), warm (102°F)
- Battery life: No information provided
- Plays music?: No
- Connects to app?: Yes
Customer review: "I've struggled with bags under my eyes almost all my life, and this has helped tremendously. Also so easy to take on the go."—Lonny
Pros
- Blackout design blocks 100% of light
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Cooling mode requires ice pack insert
- Does not provide compression
If you're in search of an eye massager to help you drift off to sleep, look no further than this device from L&L Skin. Along with blocking out light, the streamlined mask features calming heat and vibration for serious relaxation. It also includes an ice pack to pop in the freezer and add to the inside of the mask for ultimate de-puffing benefits.
- Modes: Heating and vibration, heat only, cooling
- Temperature settings: Warm (113 to 122°F), cool
- Plays music?: No
- Connects to app?: No
Customer review: "The heat setting will put you to sleep quicker than you can imagine."
Pros
- Over 17,000 five-star reviews on Amazon
- Features a built-in bluetooth speaker
Cons
- Does not include a cool setting
For a more budget-friendly pick, Lazar recommends this top-reviewed eye mask on Amazon, which uses air pressure, vibration, and heat therapy to ease headaches and eye tension. Additionally, she notes that its design is lightweight and rechargeable, with a built-in music function for added relaxation benefits.
- Modes: Compression + heat, compression + heat + vibration, heat only, vibration only, compression only
- Temperature settings: Warm (104 to 113°F)
- Battery life: 90 to 240 minutes
- Plays music?: Yes
- Connects with app?: Yes
Customer review: "It works really great to massage my temples when I am having migraines. And it is so soothing that half the time, my spouse will fall asleep while wearing it."—Sabrina
Pros
- Comes with built-in sound options
- Can be connected to music apps like Spotify
Cons
- No cooling features
Here's a massager mask that makes it a breeze to treat yourself to a spa experience at home. It uses four settings, including compression massage, vibration, and heat, to quickly reduce eye tension and lingering headaches. And to help you further unwind, the device even has a built-in speaker and pre-set soundtrack and also connects to your phone.
- Modes: Four massage programs with optional heat
- Temperature settings: Warm (108°F)
- Plays music?: Yes
- Connects to app?: Yes
Customer review: "I get very bad migraines, and this is helping a lot. Every time I feel a small headache coming on, I put it on, and it goes away."—Zoe
Pros
- Uses adjustable dimensions for better fit
- Features a built-in Bluetooth speaker
Cons
- Not travel-friendly
Why stop at your eyes when you can massage your whole head? This massager's well-rounded design combines strategically placed silicone claws, kneading nodes, and air chambers for easy tension relief around your eyes, temples, scalp, and neck. After connecting your device to its accompanying app, you can customize the tool's heat levels, pressure, kneading patterns, and duration for the perfect self-care treatment.
- Modes: Ocular area massage, forehead massage, temple massage, scalp massage, lower head massage
- Temperature settings: Warm (104°F)
- Battery life: 90 minutes
- Plays music?: Yes
- Connects to app?: Yes
Customer review: "It almost feels like real hands squeezing my head—in a good way."
Future Youth Stainless Steel Face Roller
Pros
- Great for travel
- Can be used on entire face
Cons
- Best used with a serum
Not all of the best eye massagers need to feature endless customization options. This simple, stainless steel face roller option from Pacifica makes it a breeze to target key points of tension around the eyes with a set of zinc alloy rollers that work in tandem. Plus, you can also use the tool to seamlessly contour your cheekbones and jawline. And for more efficient sculpting effects, try storing it in the freezer or fridge a few hours before use.
Customer review: "The rollers are a good size and angle for fitting around the jawline and between the eyes at the brow. I was expecting a flimsier handle, but it's a good weight and solid feel while you hold it."—Kelly
Do eye massagers really work?
"Studies suggest that while heat and massage may offer temporary relief for dry eye disease, they are not as effective as targeted treatments like prescription therapies or in-office procedures," Lazar notes. "Those who spend long hours in front of screens can find relief from eye fatigue, while dry eye sufferers may benefit from heat therapy that helps improve tear quality. Eye massagers can also ease headaches and sinus congestion by promoting circulation and relaxation. In the beauty realm, they help temporarily reduce puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines by stimulating blood flow. Additionally, their calming effects can enhance sleep quality."
It's important to note that eye massagers are not recommended for individuals who have recently undergone eye surgery or suffer from certain eye conditions like glaucoma. For proper safety, the expert says it's always best to consult an eye doctor before using one of these devices.
How to choose an eye massager
Any style you choose should be lightweight and comfortable, with soft padding and an adjustable fit. When selecting the right eye massager for you, think about how you plan to use your device. While a whole-head massager may be great at fending off oncoming migraines at home, a travel-friendly eye mask will be far easier to use on the go.
When it comes to massage features, Lazar explains that "gentle air compression, vibration, or acupressure can reduce eye strain, puffiness, and that gritty, dry feeling." She advises looking for customizable intensity levels that allow an adjustment of settings to your preference.
She also recommends eye massagers with heat functions between 104 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit, noting that warmth "can help soothe eye dryness and irritation while improving circulation around the eyes." However, she notes that those with ocular rosacea should skip heated massagers altogether and prioritize options with cooling features to help calm skin flare-ups.
How should I use one of the best eye massagers?
"Incorporate the massager into your relaxation routine before bed or during screen breaks to reduce eye strain," Lazar suggests. "To maximize its benefits and prevent irritation, begin with clean skin. It’s also crucial to remove your contact lenses before using an eye massager to avoid irritation or corneal damage."
Make sure to start slowly and closely follow the directions for your specific device, she adds. "Adjust heat, vibration, and air pressure settings for comfort, beginning at a low intensity, and use for 10 to 15 minutes to relieve tension without overuse. Improper use, such as settings that are too intense or sessions that are too long, can cause discomfort or exacerbate symptoms."
Meet the experts
- Inna Lazar, O.D., is the founding optometrist of Greenwich Eye Care in Greenwich, Connecticut. She is particularly knowledgeable and passionate about the intersection between beauty products and eye health.
Looking for more Bazaar wellness favorites?
Why trust Harper’s Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
