We Tested Over a Dozen Acupressure Mats — These Are Our Favorites

Swanson, who tested the mat, found immense relief when using it. “It isn’t just for recovery days,” she explained, suggesting those who aren’t athletes may also benefit from using the mat. “You can use it for any type of soreness on your back, buttocks, legs, feet, and hips,” she continued. She even said that it is perfect for those uncomfortable mornings after sleeping in a bad position. Although she notes a carrying case and pillow would be convenient, she says the impressive results of this product outweigh these minor drawbacks.

If your current mat isn’t delivering the intensity you crave, the ProsourceFit Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set is a great next step. Its longer spikes create a more intense sensation than other mats on our list. I am a novice when it comes to acupressure mats, and this was one of the first ones I’d ever tried. Admittedly, I found the sensation to be shockingly intense. The strong sensation is by design and is aptly described as a “bed of needles.” However, I did experience a release of muscle tension after about five minutes. Following the muscle release was a deep relaxation and a touch of sleepiness. Despite the initial discomfort, the relief I experienced was substantial and well worth the early intensity. 

At just over two feet long, it’s not ideal for taller individuals seeking full-body coverage, though it could be perfect for shorter users. With its accessible price point and intense sensation, this mat and pillow set offers great value, making it particularly appealing to acupressure enthusiasts already accustomed to heightened sensations. Expect immense relief from this product.

Finding an acupressure mat that’s made entirely of eco-friendly materials may prove challenging due to the plastic spikes. While it isn’t hard to find mat material made of natural fibers like linen and cotton, it’s rarer to find plastic spikes that are responsibly made. Luckily, there’s the Bon ECO acupressure mat set. Each plastic spike is made from 100-percent nontoxic, recyclable plastic, easing any concerns you may have about sustainability.

This set comes with a mat, neck pillow, and handy linen tote bag. We appreciate that it’s aesthetically pleasing and easy to travel with. Beyond that, over 10,000 nails are spread across the mat. An acupressure-mat nail is one of the tiny spikes on the larger plastic rounds. Having so many nails helps distribute pressure more evenly across your body. That should make lying on it far more comfortable than other mats.

We do wish this mat were a tad longer, so taller folks could use it on their upper and lower back at the same time. And at almost $200, it’s definitely a splurge, too. But if you want a 100-percent sustainably made mat, this is the one. 

Ready to put your health savings account (HSA) funds to good use? Look no further than this Kanjo acupressure mat and pillow set. It's an HSA-eligible option designed for an elevated experience.

The mat features a memory foam filling that molds to your body for ultimate comfort. Its spikes are made from BPA-free plastic, ensuring no bisphenol A chemicals touch your skin. Plus, it's crafted from a cotton and linen blend. Although editor Ashley Ziegler, who tested this mat, noted that the fabric isn't particularly soft, she added that the unique memory foam core provides extra comfort.

This mat does come with a higher price point than some others on our list, though being able to use HSA funds should help offset this a bit. “I like that the mat includes a pillow to target your neck,” noted Ziegler. She also highlighted an especially neat detail with the carrying bag. “The mat rolls up around the pillow for easy storage and transport,” she said.

Ashley Ziegler, an editor who tested out this mat, was taken aback by the intensity of the sensation. “I could not last very long at all. I wore socks to make it a little easier on me, but couldn’t stand barefoot on it for longer than one to two minutes,” she explained. However, using this while seated can help turn down the intensity. She recommends this product to those who work on their feet or experience soreness throughout the day.

If you are looking to try acupressure to help with sleep quality, this acupressure mat and pillow set from Gaiam could be ideal. It delivered excellent results when Swanson, our Everyday Health writer and tester, tried it. “Since using this product, I’ve never slept better,” she raved. After using it for 20 minutes at night she felt knots in her lower back loosen and enjoyed falling into deep sleep.

Swanson praised the detailed instruction manual, finding it “very enlightening” regarding product use. However, she wished for a carrying case instead of just a hanging hook for storage convenience. Its shorter length might not suit taller individuals seeking full-body stimulation. Despite these minor points, Swanson’s enthusiastic declaration of never sleeping better and her commitment to continued use beyond testing speak volumes. This is the best mat for a great night’s sleep.

Whether you’re new to acupressure or just looking for an affordable option, this Sivan mat is an excellent choice. This mat and pillow set is specifically designed to help alleviate sciatic pain and serves as a great introduction to acupressure’s benefits. “Acupressure mats are also a great option for general wellness support on a budget,” explains Derr. Designed to treat sciatic pain, this mat and pillow set is an excellent budget option.

“It rolls up easily, and the pillow, which is not attached, does not slide around,” said editor Katie Tuttle. She also pointed out that the fabric was rather thin. But, ultimately, she recommends it as an excellent option for familiarizing yourself with using acupressure mats.

For anyone over 5-foot-8, finding an acupressure mat that provides full-body relief can be a challenge. Standard mats often only target the neck and shoulders, leaving your lower back and hips still aching. Fortunately, the CXCTCT acupressure mat set is designed with taller individuals in mind. At 47 inches long with a separate neck pillow, it ensures comprehensive coverage for your neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips.

As with most acupressure mats, there will be some pain, tenderness, or tingling in the beginning. “Once you are on the mat past the pain period, which is about five minutes, your body starts to go warm,” explains our tester Raki Swanson, a writer who tested the mat for Everyday Health. Once that warmth passed over her, Swanson noted that the “pain and soreness went away.” This mat is ideal for people over 5 feet 8 inches seeking full-body coverage, but Swanson, who is shorter, adds that its extended length allowed her to extend her legs fully, helping her to get a good stretch in as she lay on the mat. Swanson also noticed that there’s no grip on the bottom, so it may slide on hardwood floors and certain types of carpet. However, because you’ll be lying on the mat without much movement, this shouldn’t cause a major inconvenience.

This set from Balance Mate is perfect for those on the go. It includes a pillow, body mat, a smaller additional mat for tall people, and a cotton cloth to adjust the sensation of the spikes. All of the pieces pack up in the travel bag, though it is a tight squeeze. While plenty of options in this roundup include carrying bags, there were a few details that stood out with this set that make it great for travel. First, you can opt for only the pieces that best fit your needs. You might want the small mat to slip on top of a chair backrest, or you may want just the pillow for decompressing in your hotel room. All of these pieces fit in the handy travel bag, which is stylish and easy to carry.

On to the feel: When I lay down, I found the spikes quite sharp at first; I was even worried about snagging a light T-shirt. However, putting the cotton cloth over the mat made it significantly more comfortable.

As we’ve covered, acupressure mats are designed for pain relief. The majority of them offer some level of support for neck and back pain, since they’re designed for you to lie on. But some have better neck support than others. This one from UNMERA is an affordable option that offers significant relief.

“I suffer from frequent headaches that radiate from my upper back and neck,” shared Tuttle. After lying on this mat for 15 minutes, Tuttle noticed that her upper back and neck pain had been eased, reducing the intensity of her headache.

Tuttle appreciated how thick the mat is. She also liked that the pillow is shaped like an actual pillow, as opposed to the other options that are shaped like cylindrical headrests. Plus, she enjoyed how the mat’s spikes look like rosettes, a simple yet nice detail.

That said, this mat is only available in light grey, which easily shows dirt. Since it’s made from linen, it isn’t super-easy to clean off, either. But it’s our ideal choice for neck support. 

Sometimes you just need something to go to work on your sore muscles. While plenty of acupressure mats are designed to do this, we like the DoSense Pro mat set’s firm filling and sharp spikes for intense pain relief. It’s also long enough to cover both your upper and lower back areas, and can even be used to relieve sore feet.

“I used the mat for my aching feet due to pain from wearing sneakers with worn-out insoles,” said Eve Lederman, one of our testers. After standing and taking some steps on the mat for just a few minutes, she felt the soreness in her feet alleviated. She also noticed a sensation of increased blood flow in her feet for about an hour after.

While she had great results, Lederman did say that the super-sharp spikes may prove troublesome for newcomers. “Perhaps adding an optional light, cotton layer to put over it would help beginners ease into using it,” she said.  

When a headache strikes and medication fails, the ShaktiMat acupressure headband offers a unique possible solution. Its design wraps around your head, with its lightest spikes targeting acupressure points on your forehead and temples.

Lederman tried out this product while she was in the throes of a bad headache. “I used the headband while suffering from a headache that persisted for eight hours after ibuprofen didn’t help,” she explained. After just eight minutes of wearing it during a minor flare-up, she said her headache diminished significantly and then disappeared completely. Although she wished the adjustable fastener offered more precise pressure on the temples and would’ve liked additional  intensity options, the results were undeniable.

Beyond pain relief, “even more profound was the deep sense of calm the headband induced when wearing it while lying down,” Lederman said. You may also be able to use this product to help reduce tension in your jaw if you grind your teeth; wrap it vertically around your head, with the spikes targeting the sides of your jaw.