Like upgrading to an electric toothbrush or gas grill, foam rollers are simple, easy to use, and highly effective. And though rolling out can be less than enjoyable, we feel relief and greater mobility afterward.

The vibrating electric foam roller, on the other hand, can do all of this plus more as listed below:

Foam rollers vary greatly in size, firmness, texture, and shape. They’re made from materials such as polyethylene (PE), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), and Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) foam. Some of the selections on our list have reinforced plastic cores to ensure structural stability and durability. Recently, vibration has been added to the FR devices with the aim of increasing their benefits [ 8]. Specifically, this vibration was expected to produce an in-depth stimulation of the tissues rolled, especially the mechanoreceptors of the joints and blood vessels [ 9, 10]. Moreover, a greater contribution of the mechanoreceptors has been reported with vibration foam roller (VFR), suggesting that the vibration could influence deeper into the tissue through mechanisms of the neuromuscular system but also at a central level [ 8, 11, 12, 13]. In this regard, VFR appears to have higher benefits than FR in ROM [ 14, 15, 16, 17], performance [ 7, 18, 19] and recovery [ 9, 10, 20], but more evidence is needed to support these results since several studies also reported detrimental effects in jump and strength performance [ 15, 21]. FR and VFR are easy to use and their benefits could be achieved with short-time interventions [ 7, 21]. For these reasons, the use of these tools has been included in several sport practices, both in the warm-up and after exercise to cool down or decrease the effects of exercise-induced fatigue [ 9, 10, 11]. Nevertheless, VFR has been less studied, and it is considerably more expensive than FR, so its value is still unclear.

The most popular diameter seems to be around five inches. We would not recommend buying anything less for a general-use foam roller because it can be hard to press down on it. Typically foam rollers with smaller diameters are specially made for calves, soleus, or Achilles. To help us determine the best foam rollers, we tested the selections on our list in a few different ways. The main function of your traditional foam roller is to help athletes and sports enthusiasts work out muscle and joint aches and pain through self-myofascial release, but also prevent soreness and warm up muscles prior to exercising or sports events. To find the best vibrating foam rollers, we first spoke with experts—two physical therapists, an orthopedic surgeon, and a physical therapy assistant—on what key features to look for when shopping. Then, we researched dozens of top-selling products from trusted brands. We also tested five expert-approved vibrating rollers at home in our regular fitness routines. We completed classic foam rolling exercises, evaluating each roller for effectiveness, comfort, ease of use, and overall value. Vibrating foam rollers have an impressive resume when it comes to providing relief for virtually anyone with sore muscles.There’s a lot to consider when purchasing a vibrating foam roller, especially because there are so many options on the market.