Best Foam Roller 2023

Adding the best foam roller to your fitness arsenal is a great way to enhance your workout recuperation, allowing you to reduce muscle tightness, inflammation, and soreness without leaving the house.

However, a simple search of the term 'foam roller' will bring up a ton of different sized and shaped options available to buy from a plethora of different manufacturers.

Fortunately, we've put together a list of the best foam rollers based on their price, reviews, and any standout features that take these gym accessories above and beyond their competition to help you improve your recovery beyond supplements like some of the best BCAA, EAAs, and multivitamins around.

So, whether you're looking for a smart bit of kit, like this Hyperice Vyper 2.0, or something a little cheaper, like this Gaiam Restore Roller, we've got you covered.

We've also answered a few of the most commonly asked questions surrounding foam rollers to help you decide which bit of kit is right for you. So, without further delay, here's our list of the best foam rollers available now.

Best foam roller

1. TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
2. Acumobility Back Roller
3. Hyperice Vyper 2.0
4. Gaiam Restore Compact Roller
5. Rolling With It EVA Foam Roller

Credit: TriggerPoint

1. TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller

Best all-round foam roller

The TriggerPoint GRID foam roller takes a conventional approach in its design, incorporating three surface patterns that imitate the sensation of a genuine massage.

Crafted from EVA foam, TriggerPoint proudly claims that it maintains its integrity and shape even with frequent use, making it perfect for those who engage in daily workouts.

With a length of 13cm, the roller provides sufficient coverage for larger body areas such as the back or thighs as well - great for a post-squat session or killer back workout.

So, if you seek a classic foam roller to enhance your recovery, we believe this option from TriggerPoint is an excellent choice to consider.

Read More: Best massage guns

Credit: Acumobility

2. Acumobility Back Roller

Best foam roller for your back

The Acumobility Back Roller is expertly designed to address even the most persistent back aches and pains, targeting muscle tension with its four rows of large bumps. Also, crafted from durable EVA molded foam, Acumobility claims that it can withstand an impressive 1000lbs without any risk of breaking.

Notably, this roller strikes a perfect balance of firmness, effectively relieving soreness while ensuring a comfortable experience by incorporating a slight yielding quality.

All in all, the Acumobility Back Roller comes highly recommended for those seeking an effective solution to combat stubborn muscle aches.

Read More: Best massage guns under 100

Credit: Hyperice

3. Hyperice Vyper 2.0

Best smart foam roller

The Hyperice Vyper 2.0 takes the traditional foam roller to the next level with its innovative features focused on enhancing warmup and recovery. For instance, it offers three vibration settings that contribute to an improved experience and recovery session.

Its compact size allows for easy portability, fitting conveniently into your gym bag, and the cordless design enables you to use it anytime, anywhere.

Construction-wise, it's made from durable EPP foam and features a dual-zone exterior, blending smooth and grooved surfaces to deliver an effective recovery massage.

So, if you're looking for a more advanced and versatile tool and don't mind investing a bit extra, the Vyper 2.0 might be the perfect fit for your needs.

Read More: Best smart scales

Credit: Gaiam

4. Gaiam Restore Compact Roller

Best budget foam roller

Whether you're seeking a premium foam roller or a more inexpensive alternative, the Gaiam Restore Compact Roller is a compelling choice for your recovery needs. It strikes an excellent balance between quality and affordability with its high-end foam construction available at a budget-friendly price.

The roller boasts a soft texture on its exterior, which not only enhances blood circulation but also delivers a comforting massage experience without putting undue stress on your body. Its compact size adds to its appeal, as it's perfectly suited for on-the-go use – a convenient companion for your travels or gym visits.

In essence, the Gaiam Restore Compact Roller emerges as a dependable and economical solution to bolster your workout routine and facilitate post-exercise recuperation.

Read More: Best plyo boxes

Credit: Rolling With It

5. Rolling With It EVA Foam Roller

Best high-density foam roller

The Rolling With It Foam Roller is the perfect tool for relieving muscle tension and promoting overall body wellness. With its high-density foam design, this roller provides firm support that can alleviate stress and soreness from head to toe.

This roller is crafted from recycled EVA, a material that is both eco-friendly and durable. You can use it repeatedly without worrying about it losing its shape or effectiveness.

Measuring just under 18" long, the Rolling With It Foam Roller is perfectly sized to target all areas of your body, including the back, legs, and hips. It is an essential addition to any fitness routine or recovery regimen.

For anyone in search of a high-quality and effective foam roller, the Rolling With It Foam Roller is an excellent choice. It delivers the perfect blend of firmness and comfort, making it an ideal tool for achieving total body relaxation and relief.

Read More: Best fitness trackers and watches

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

People tend to have loads of questions about foam rollers, especially as there are so many different variations, but we're here to clear up a few common queries to help you make your purchase.

How do you use a foam roller?

The key to using a foam roller is to make sure you're applying pressure on your muscles and not the joints and bones in your hips for example.

Once you've mastered that, then you can use one to massage most of the muscles in your body.

For example, to target your calves, simply sit on the floor with your legs extended, with one leg resting on the roller. Use your hands to press off the floor, then roll from your ankle to below your knee to massage your calf muscle.

What type of foam roller is best for you?

The key differences between foam rollers relate to their size, firmness, and surface pattern.

Firstly, you can get long rollers which are good for working on large muscles and your back, and smaller or handheld rollers to target smaller muscles.

In terms of firmness, it may be worth checking the colour as white typically indicates a softer roller, black suggests the firmest, and red or pink rollers tend to fall somewhere in between.

The surface pattern can also vary to mimic different parts of a real-life masseuse's hands. Large bumps on the surface aim to replicate fingertips, while tubular sections mimic the fingers, and flat parts emulate palms.

How much should you spend on a foam roller?

This will ultimately come down to you and your budget.

If you work out regularly and need a highly durable bit of kit to relieve muscle tension most days, then it may be worth investing slightly more to pick up a premium bit of kit.

If you'll end up using a foam roller less frequently, then it will probably be better to consider slightly cheaper options.

Ultimately though, a foam roller is an effective way to save money on massages by offering an at-home alternative that can be used every day.

Can you use a foam roller every day?

Not only is a foam roller acceptable to use every day, but we'd go as far as to say it's encouraged.

Getting into a good foam rolling routine should not only help alleviate any immediate tension and soreness, but might even improve your mobility, flexibility, and overall fitness gains long-term according to David J. Berkoff, MD of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.

You should start to notice improvements in these areas from just five minutes of foam rolling a day, although you can of course do more than this if you desire.

These potential benefits are supported by a 2014 study by Corey et al. that found adding a foam roller to a dynamic warm-up improved power, agility, strength, and speed better compared to just a dynamic warm-up alone.

Therefore, we'd highly recommend incorporating some form of foam roller use into your daily routine.

Where should you not use a foam roller?

The main areas where you shouldn't use a foam roller are over bony prominences and joints as this may cause inflammation and hyperextension and, in turn, increase your risk of serious injury.

You should also be cautious of rolling across your lower back to, again, avoid hyperextending your lumbar spine.

Try not to press on and foam roll over areas that are still sore from previous foam rolling sessions as you'll want to allow your muscles enough time to recover to perform to the best of your ability.