The 9 Best Scalp Massagers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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For cleaner hair, increased circulation, and a healthy scalp

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.

In This Article

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.

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.

Gentle yet effective silicone bristles

Ergonomic handle made it easy to maneuver

Conditioning treatment penetrated our hair better

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

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

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

Provided a relaxing scalp massage along with a combing function

Firm yet flexible bristles held up to regular use

Bristles were easy to clean

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

Left our hair smoother and tangle-free

Intuitive oblong shape

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

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

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

Long, thin bristles worked well for thick hair

Includes extra chain loop to hang

Provided a relaxing head-scratching sensation

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

People / Alessandra Amodio

Includes two heads, one with long bristles and one with short

Gentle enough for sensitive scalps

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

Bristles pop off for convenient cleaning

Long bristles work well with thick hair

Helped evenly distribute hair treatments, oils, and shampoo

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 hair loss treatment, or if you use your favorite hairspray frequently.

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.

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.

Shab Caspara is a New York-based trichologist and founder of the hair care platform Leona, which matches users with custom hair care routines.

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