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My favorite feature of massage guns is how intuitive they are. You probably don’t need to read an instruction manual to understand how to use one: You turn it on and blast a tight shoulder, calf, or other sore muscle, much like you’d knead yourself with a foam roller or a back massager, and afterwards, those areas will hopefully feel looser or more relaxed.
But you might be curious about how these devices work and what they’re actually doing to your body besides making you feel good. A massage gun delivers a percussive massage: Its motorized head pulses back and forth as it drums into you, causing your blood vessels to dilate. “All of these tools — such as foam rollers and massage guns — are all trying to do some version of the same thing, which is to amplify what the body already does well, and so they’re trying to increase blood flow to the area that is sore,” says Ben Rosario, executive director of Hoka Northern Arizona Elite, the brand’s professional running team.
The best-known massage guns are made by Therabody and Hyperice, but there are plenty of competitors in the space now at a wide range of price points and with different features, some of which may work better for you depending on what you’re looking for. Over the past six years, I’ve tested close to a dozen different massage guns, using them to help with post-workout soreness and general recovery from the running, climbing, and weight training I do. Plus, I talked to athletes, coaches, and other Strategist staffers about their favorite devices to compile this list.
Update on December 2, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Speeds
A massage gun will likely have a series of different speeds, each of which has a different rate of percussions per minute (PPM), or the amount of times the massage gun head moves back and forth in a minute. These settings vary from model to model, but lower speeds will likely feel less intense than higher ones.
Grip
We might refer to these devices as massage guns because a majority of them look like the blasters you’d see in Star Wars. While most of them have a grip that fits in your palm, others have multiple handles that allow you to point the head at different angles.
Battery Life
How long a massage gun lasts on a full charge can determine how long or frequently you use it for a session. I’ve noted each device’s listed battery life — and this will fluctuate depending on which speed setting you’re using.
Noise
The motors on these devices can get quite loud, and that might affect how you watch a TV show or use it around another person in a quiet area. I’ve noted how quiet each device is on three levels, based on sound-pressure levels I measured with a sound-meter app, recording each massage gun’s range from its lowest to highest speed settings. Fifty to 60 decibels, around the noise level of an electric toothbrush, is quiet; 60 to 70 dB, which you might associate with the noise of a dishwasher, is noisy; and 70 dB and up, which is the level of a vacuum cleaner, is loud.
Accessories
Some devices will be compatible with interchangeable head attachments, which can create a different sensation by using different-shaped pressure points or make it easier to pinpoint a particular spot that needs working on. I’ve noted how many attachments come with each device (although some interchangeable heads will be compatible with devices from the same brand, like the Hypervolt and Theragun lines).
Weight
How heavy a massage gun is can determine how easy it is to hold and use during a session. Heavier models might feel unwieldy to some, while lighter ones will be generally easier to carry. I’ve listed each device’s weight.
Best massage gun overall
Speeds: 5 | Grip: Pill-shaped | Battery life: 3 hours | Noise: Quiet | Accessories: 5 interchangeable heads | Weight: 2.6 lbs.
The Theragun is the massage gun that most people know, but the Hypervolt 2 Pro is my top pick because it feels just as powerful, but is so much quieter. It’s my most-used massage gun and my top recommendation for someone who is looking to invest in a device they’ll use frequently.
I’ve been testing the Hypervolt 2 Pro for the past six months, using it four to five times a week on all of my muscle groups, mostly after workouts or when I’m resting. The handle has a soft, rubbery grip that’s easy to hold, and you can switch between different speeds via a big dial on top of the gun.
Using a noisier device, like the Theragun Elite (below), can often sound like I’m attacking my muscles with a power tool, but the Hypervolt Pro 2’s motor creates a smooth hum as it operates, especially on its lowest setting, which I think is already quite powerful (I often don’t go above the second or third speed). Compared to the Theragun, the power of the Hypervolt’s motor feels more concentrated into the massage head, and I don’t have to stabilize the device with my grip, so using it feels effortless. The Theragun, on the other hand, especially at higher speed settings, can feel unstable and shaky in my hand, and requires a little more effort to guide it. I like how I can use the Hypervolt while I’m watching TV and not have to strain to hear dialogue. To be clear, you can still tell that it’s on (I probably wouldn’t want to use it in an open-floor office setting), but it’s still quiet enough to use without drawing attention from those around you. Plus, it gets the stamp of approval from professional surfer Kelly Slater and drag queen Katya Zamolodchikova.
Best (less expensive) overall massage gun
Speeds: 5 | Grip: Round | Battery life: 8 hours | Noise: Quiet | Accessories: 7 interchangeable heads | Weight: 1.7 lbs.
For a more affordable massage gun, consider the Turonic GM5, which has all of the features of the Hypervolt Pro 2 but at a more affordable price.
If you’re comparing the GM5 to a model like the Hypervolt or a Theragun, you might consider durability as a trade-off. The GM5’s body is plastic and its handle doesn’t have a rubber/grippy coating on top of it, unlike the other devices in this list. But if you won’t be using a massage gun every day (and you’re generally not too rough with your gear), then the GM5 is a great choice. Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo says the GM5’s battery lasts such a long time that she hardly has to charge it. When it comes to noise, she describes it as having a “low vibration sound” that’s not loud enough to be remarkable. But Corsillo says the best part about the GM5 is that it lets her and her husband give each other massages that are “actually effective, without getting bored or wearing out our hands,” she writes.
Most versatile massage gun
Speeds: 5 | Grip: Three-handle triangle grip | Battery life: 2 hours | Noise: Loud | Accessories: 5 interchangeable heads | Weight: 2.2 lbs.
If you’ve researched massage guns online or know people who have one, you’ve likely seen or heard that Therabody’s products are frequently top-recommended. What makes the brand’s Theragun line distinct is its triangle-shaped grip, which allows you to point the head at different angles, rather than being limited by a single handle like a typical massage gun.
I’ve been testing the Theragun Elite for the past two years, using it similarly to how I’ve used the Hypervolt 2 Pro: by hitting my leg muscles after runs and workouts that leave me extra sore. Its triangle handle lets me grip the device close to its head, so I can reach behind me and massage my back, which is hard to do with the shape of a regular massage gun. For that reason, I’ve found the Theragun Elite to be super versatile, and if you’re looking specifically for a massage gun that you can use on your back (without the help of another person), I’d recommend this one, or the Theragun Mini (below).
The Elite’s biggest drawback is how noisy it is. It makes a loud, high-pitched whir and rattles on higher-speed settings, which makes it hard to watch shows or movies or hold conversations. But it’s still a powerful tool that gets rid of my tightest knots, and if noise won’t matter that much to you, then the Theragun Elite’s versatility will be worth the investment.
Best massage gun for targeted massage
Speeds: 4 | Grip: Angled | Battery life: 2 hours | Noise: Noisy | Accessories: None | Weight: 2.4 lbs.
You might know Trigger Point from its other recovery-product offerings (the brand makes our best overall foam-roller pick), and this simple massage gun has a smaller, rounded head (compared to the others I’ve tested) that I like using for targeting particularly tight areas with precision. Other devices on this list have interchangeable heads with pointed tips, but I haven’t found them as effective at precise targeting compared to the Trigger Point. I reach for this gun when I have a particularly tight area that needs a laser-focused drill. It has a handle that’s slightly angled forward, which makes it a bit easier to push into my legs or my arms.
The most obvious drawback is that the Impact only has that one massage head, so if you’re looking for multiple sensations, you should consider a device with interchangeable attachments. It makes a slightly rattly sound when it’s on — similar to the Theragun Elite — but it’s not too disruptive. Also, this device is frequently on sale, so this might be a budget-friendly pick, depending on how much you snag it for.
Best portable massage gun
Speeds: 3 | Grip: Triangle (hand-held) | Battery life: 2 hours | Noise: Noisy | Accessories: 3 Interchangeable heads | Weight: 1 lb.
The Theragun Mini is a product I always recommend because it delivers an effective massage for its small, packable size (about five by five by two inches), although newer models are even smaller than the one I own — about 20 percent smaller, according to the brand. I’ve been testing the Mini for the past two years, and I like it for traveling or using at my desk when I’m working from home. Its handle recalls the heft of a DSLR camera: It’s chunky, but ergonomic, so my fingers can wrap around it. The surface has a soft, slightly rubbery coating. Because the grip is close to the head, I can get closer to the muscle and apply more pressure to my body, and in this way it gives me more control than other massage devices with gun-style handles. When it comes to noise, the Mini makes a subtle, pulsing sound (around 61 decibels) on its lowest setting, but the two higher speeds are much louder, between 70 and 73 decibels. It comes in a stretchy, soft zip-up case that stows super easily in my carry-on luggage.
Best (less expensive) portable massage gun
Speeds: 3 | Grip: Angled | Battery life: 3 hours | Noise: Quiet | Accessories: 2 | Weight: 1.5 lbs.
When people ask me what portable massage gun gets my top pick, I’m often torn between recommending the Theragun Mini or the Hypervolt Go 2. Both are equally effective at relieving tightness, but a few features might make the Go 2 a better pick for you (besides its lower price). I’ve been testing the Go 2 for the past six months, and I like using it on my forearms and my neck and shoulders. Its motor is whisper-quiet, and it’s just as packable as the Mini, but I’ve found its battery lasts just a little longer than the Mini’s. The biggest difference is the grip. The Go 2 has an angled, gun-style grip, like the Trigger Point Impact, which makes it effective for pushing in and applying more pressure to your muscles and tight spots. The Go 2 is also $60 cheaper (as of this writing) compared to the Mini, and the least expensive option on this list. Ultimately, if you like the feeling of holding a traditional massage gun, but want a smaller, more packable version (that has a less powerful motor), then the Go 2 is your best bet.
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