The Best Massage Guns

Buying Guide for Massage Guns

Why buy a massage gun?

Some doctors and physical therapists prescribe regular deep tissue massages as part of the recovery process from exercise or muscle injuries. However, a professional massage at a spa can be pricey or hard to fit into your busy schedule. That’s where home massagers can come in handy. Many come with their own convenient and portable traveling cases, too.

Massage guns (aka percussion massagers) are a specific type of massager that move back and forth to comfortably tap or hammer out your tense muscles. Simply turn the massager on, place it close to the affected area, and let it go to work. They can be used to target any part of the body that you need or want to massage instead of being specially geared for the feet, back, neck, etc.

What should you consider in a massage gun?

• Power and Speed: The speed and amplitude at which a massage head moves can vary considerably depending on the model and its settings. The further a massager head travels, the deeper a massage it offers. Most massagers are equipped with two to five different speeds and settings on average. Whether you prefer a soft and gentle massage, a deep tissue massage, or something in between, you should be able to find a massager that can be adjusted to your personal comfort levels.
• Heads: Nowadays, almost every percussion massager on the market comes with at least a few interchangeable heads. Different types of heads are optimally shaped to better target certain muscle groups or body parts. For example, a big round head is ideal for larger muscles like the quads and glutes, while a smaller, more pointed head is better for smaller body parts like the hands and feet. Some massagers will only have three or four extra heads, while others may have ten or more. If you want to specifically target and massage certain parts of your body, a model with more interchangeable heads may be the right choice for you.
• Battery Life: While there are still some plug-in corded options out there, most modern-day percussive massagers are cordless and run on batteries. This makes them more portable and conveniently doesn’t require an outlet to operate them. Some will be rechargeable, while others will require batteries to be replaced. Rechargeable batteries may also require a few hours to fully charge. And not all massagers are created equal when it comes to battery life. Some may offer a two- to three-hour battery life; others may offer as much as six hours. Keep in mind that higher speeds will drain batteries faster than lower speeds.

Where should you avoid using a massage gun?

While massage guns are designed to be versatile enough for full-body massages, there are spots on the body that shouldn’t be targeted by a massage gun. They’re meant to be used on muscles, so you should avoid nerves and bones. Also avoid the head, kidneys, any wounds or scabs, and other sensitive spots.

Our Picks for the Best Massage Guns

Pros: The Cholas Massage Gun is a professional-grade massage recovery tool. Feel better quickly with this device that rejuvenates your muscles. It comes with 10 different massage heads and runs at 30 different speeds. This massage gun will even last for six hours. There’s a noise-reducing feature to help you relax even better.

Cons: Some users wished this option was a bit more powerful.

Bottom Line: This massage gun has all sorts of settings and features to help you feel fresh and loose. It’s a great tool that will help you relieve stress and relax your muscles.

 

Pros: The Theragun Portable Muscle Treatment Massage Gun is a compact massage gun that keeps quiet while offering a relaxing massage. Take it wherever you need a little support and comfort. This is a super portable option that can give you a little stress relief wherever you are. The battery life is great: it lasts up to 150 minutes. Plus, the ergonomic group won’t make your hand tired.

Cons: While effective, this massage gun only has three speeds, which isn’t much compared to other models in this list that have 10.

Bottom Line: This quiet and compact massage gun is super convenient and effective. You can take it wherever you need it since it’ll easily slip into your purse, backpack, or gym bag.

 

Pros: Powerful motors tend to produce loud whirring, clicking, or other irritating noises as they run. The Mebak Massage Gun is designed to operate as quietly as possible without sacrificing speed or power. The five speed settings start at 640 and go up to 3,200 rpm for deep tissue massages, with a mere 35 to 50 decibels of sound. Each speed setting is ideal for a different body part or muscle group. It can also provide percussion massages to relieve muscle soreness or stiffness. The lithium battery can last for 2 to 3 hours at a time on a single charge, depending on the massage intensity.

Cons: This is a powerful massage gun that may take a little time to figure out how to use at first.

Bottom Line: This massager is an all-around great option. It weighs just over 2 pounds, so it won’t strain your wrists or hands during use. Besides the massager itself, you receive seven interchangeable heads, a charger adapter, a user manual, and a portable traveling case to take it on the go.

 

Pros: The Theragun PRO Deep Tissue Muscle Treatment Massage Gun is a premium option that delivers everything you want and more in a massage gun. It includes 300 minutes of battery use and two rechargeable batteries. You can customize the speed for the right setting for your ideal massage. Plus, there’s an ergonomic handle and rotating arm to help you deliver the best massage. As one more perk, you can even link this massage gun up to an app.

Cons: This massage gun can be a little loud. All that power and strength means that it might be a little loud whenever you use it.

Bottom Line: This premium massage gun delivers a powerful massage. Whether you need to recover after a workout or just want to relax, this is a great option.

 

Pros: This Youdgee massage gun is an affordable option with lots of value. It has 10 different heads and 20 different speeds, so you can find the perfect combination for you. This portable option also has a great battery life, so it will last for a while. As a bonus, this massage gun is pretty quiet.

Cons: This massage gun won’t last forever.

Bottom Line: There’s a lot to like about this massage gun. Ultimately, it’s a great bang for your buck and will be a great addition to your self-care routine.

Final Thoughts

Gently hammer the tension in your muscles away with the help of a high-quality massage gun. These options will serve you well, whether you need to target sore muscles, increase blood flow, or work a knot out of your neck.