This massage gun had attachments that felt like cheap plastic, and it wasn’t as powerful as others on this list. It’s inexpensive, though, so it can be an alternative if you’re not looking to spend a lot. The downside to the newest Pro is that it’s still the most expensive massage gun on this list.
If you exercise regularly and find yourself nursing sore muscles post-workout, a massage gun is a handy way to self-massage tight or painful areas. Finally, be careful about using your massage gun on pulled or injured muscles, as it can make things worse. You should also avoid using a massage gun on sprains or inflammation injuries, such as tendinitis and fascitis and it goes without saying, never use a massage gun on broken bones. Massage guns are powerful tools, so if in doubt, check with an expert before using one if things don’t feel right.
People who want deeper, more aggressive percussive therapy typically need massage guns with higher stall force. The brushless motor is surprisingly quiet, and the battery lasts an impressive 5 hours on a single charge. The USB charging port design helps you keep it powered up while on the go as well. It only
weighs 1.1 pounds, and our tester found that the ergonomic design makes it both easy and comfortable to hold. In professional settings, massage guns can enhance what a massage therapist, physical therapist, or athletic trainer can offer—with less wear and tear on the practitioner’s hands, wrists, and elbows.
After testing 18 massage guns, the Achedaway Pro was an obvious choice for our best overall pick—it’s easy to use, highly portable, and extremely effective, our tester said. The device comes with four massage heads and five easily adjustable speed levels, making it great for all users. “I was impressed that the massage gun came with five pressure modes, which is suitable for people of all levels, from beginners to workout pros,” our tester said. Ekrin’s B37 Massage Gun features eight hours of battery life, five speed settings, and four head attachments, all in one compact and easy-to-use device.
Our expert loved the innovative features, especially the ability to heat up the massage head to 47C for a hot pre-workout primer that encourages blood flow to the muscles. Alternatively, you can also freeze another of the interchangeable massage heads (there are six to choose from) for a powerful post-run cool down. It was able to glide over their skin without snagging or causing any (additional) discomfort, and was surprisingly quiet in use — ideal for giving your muscles some much-needed TLC in front of the telly. The Fitindex Muscle Massage Gun comes in at £63.99 with six massage heads, a claimed battery life of six hours, and 20 speeds. However, being a full-size model, the quoted weight of 2.2lbs is a little heavier than the Renpho R3, which may be noticeable if you’re using it for longer periods.
In general, don’t force it, said Christopher Hicks, MD, sports medicine specialist at Northwestern Medicine. For example, if you want to ease shoulder tightness but have limited shoulder range of motion, contorting yourself for a massage gun might not be a good idea. The Theragun Prime promises two hours of battery life, and in our tests it went the distance. If you’d like to try a massage gun but are unsure if it’s a good option for you, talk to your doctor or a medical professional. This pocket-sized massage gun is an affordable option if you aren’t looking for a fancy design.
The Renpho Mini Massage Gun is perfect for on-the-go use because of its lightweight, compact nature and ergonomic carrying case. To find the best massage guns on the market, the Health team tested 18 devices from the comfort of their own homes. Massage guns can be a valuable tool in your overall health and fitness routine, so we asked our testers to incorporate these devices into their normal lives and provide real-world, honest insights.
Our tester found the opove Apex Massage Gun powerful enough to offer deep relief due to its impressive stall force and 14.5-millimeter stroke length. Rather than choose a singular best pick, we decided on five models that are likely to deliver a satisfying experience for people with different individual priorities. The design (how ergonomic the handle was), portability and any other innovative features were also taken into consideration when deciding the final hierarchy. You’ll find our winning massage guns have the Men’s Health Lab Approved logo below. The Legiral has 20 speeds and five interchangeable heads so you can target every inch of your body that ails you. The massage gun boasts a 16mm amplitude (the distance the shaft and attachment travel away from the gun and into your muscle), the same as you’d find on the much pricier Theragun Pro and Theragun Elite.
While this plethora of features may seem like overkill for casual athletes, we think these premium touches make the PRO a consummate recovery companion for the fitness faithful. Just point the gun at your fleshy target – around an inch away from your skin over whichever muscle you’re trying to loosen or warm up – and hit the trigger for instant relief. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love.