OutdoorGearLab

If you want the top-of-the-line muscle roller stick, look no further than the original — The Stick. It comes in many different lengths, and we tested the most portable option: the Travel Stick. It includes eight smooth white plastic beads loosely surrounding a semi-rigid plastic spindle. We found this design simple and smooth to use, mostly because the loose design allows for less natural friction. With The Stick, you will have your muscles warmed up for a workout in no time, and the small beads can focus on any specific areas that may need more attention than others. 
The Stick has a unique semi-flexible spindle design that helps it contour around muscles for better coverage, unlike any other we tested. This design, however, means that when you really want to bear down on a persistent knot, it can be hard to achieve the same force that can come easily with some other models. We found this to be an issue when we used The Stick for body parts where we had less leverage, like the neck or back. On top of that, it is more expensive, but we feel that the performance meets the price tag, and it lives up to its reputation. The Stick is a great choice for any runner or athlete looking for a self-massage tool, especially one that caters to the legs. 

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Best Muscle Rollers of 2022

Among massage rollers with beads, the Kamileo Muscle Roller stands out for its particularly rigid structure. This roller is the stiffest we tested, with ten cog-shaped plastic beads resting on a stainless steel axle. The beads roll smoothly without any pinching or snagging, and the knobs are great for quickly warming up large muscle groups. It's also quite affordable, and it comes with a handy instruction pamphlet of exercises. 
The large, textured beads and metal axle make it difficult to target specific areas, though. The ease with which the beads roll over the axle means they slip and slide while you're trying to bear down on a knot, especially compared to models that feature a single moving cylinder. The Kamileo is also somewhat painful to use for sustained sessions. We recommend a barrier of clothing while using this roller since we found it abrasive on bare skin. 

Muscle Roller Comparison