The best massage guns help with boosting circulation, loosening up muscles, and honestly, just plain feel good You don’t need to be an elite or a pro athlete to enjoy these benefits, either. There are a ton of different massaging gadgets (like our favorite foot massagers) but we’ll focus on handheld percussion massagers.
So, how are they helpful exactly? John Gallucci Jr., DPT and CEO of JAG Physical Therapy in New York City, says “using one to target sore muscles after a workout can help you recover more quickly and can also be used before exercise to help warm up and reduce tightness and soreness later.” But even if you’re not an athlete, and you’re just looking to relieve some tension after a long day, they can help with that too.
When looking for a massage gun it’s important to consider how frequently you’ll use it, Gallucci says. They come at a higher price point (from $100 to $600) than other tools like foam rollers and therapy balls, but if you’re looking to bring down the cost of regular deep tissue massages, it’ll pay for itself over time. “From there, consider noise level, amplitude or speed settings (40 to 60 Hz is ideal), the interchangeable attachments or massage heads (which typically include ball head, flat head, bullet head, fork head and an arc-shaped head), and ergonomics of the unit,” he says. For instance, it’s important to consider a gun that’s easy to use so you don’t have to contort your body to reach the areas you want to massage with vibration therapy, says Gallucci. With all of this in mind, we polled fitness experts and then tested some of the most popular ones to bring you this list.
The best massage guns, at a glance
- Best Overall: TheraGun Prime, $299
- Best Budget: VYBE Percussion Massage Gun, $86
- Best Quiet Option: Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2, $129
- Best for Travel: TheraGun Mini, $191
- Best for Full Body: Hyperice Hypervolt 2, $199
Best Overall: TheraGun Prime
Amazon Prime DealCourtesy of brand
TheraGun Prime
Amazon
Why we like it: There’s a reason why TheraGun is one of the most well-known massage guns. You may be familiar with previous versions including the TheraGun Elite and TheraGun PRO, but this version is our top pick because it offers simplified percussive massage therapy. Take it from, as I neared the end of my Chicago Marathon training cycle, I found it effectively provided a deep tissue massage-like experience and helped speed up my post-workout recovery.
It features four foam attachments to reach different trigger points, including the hands, feet, and lower back and has varying speeds and dense, cell-foam attachments. The five built-in speeds help treat sensitive areas (such as quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calf muscles, as well as your upper back) with varying degrees of power for pain relief.
What our reviewers say: Gallucci is a fan of this versatile massage gun, particularly for the Bluetooth capability that connects to the Therabody app for in-depth step-by-step guided routines, which can be personalized based on your activities, injuries or ailments. “The Theragun Prime is my favorite as it has an easy-to-use handle and four attachments in order to target different areas, creating a deep and powerful massage,” Gallucci says.
It’s a 2023 Glamour Wellness Award–winner, too. “It’s almost like I have an extra arm when I use this thing; I can really work my upper back without needing to twist and contort (or plead my boyfriend for help). I’m a runner, so the pounding also feels so good on my IT bands, which tend to get sore,” says Talia Abbas, Vogue’s commerce editor.
- Number of speeds: 5
- Number of attachments: 4
- Battery life: 2 hours
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year
- FSA/HSA eligible: Yes
Best Budget: VYBE Percussion Massage Gun
VYBE Percussion Massage Gun
Amazon
Why we like it: This massage gun offers the same high-quality percussive massage as high-end options like the TheraGun and Hyperice Hypervolt, but at a lower price point. It offers six speeds and three interchangeable massage tips to target different muscle groups.
What our reviewers say: Stephania Schirru, a former professional basketball player based in New York, loves this massage gun because it’s not only extremely versatile, it comes at an affordable price point and has proven to be durable, lasting her three years so far. “I love it because it really penetrates the tissue and loosens the muscles and has three different attachments and an adjustable arm,” she says. “When I had extreme tightness in my calves, I did long stretches and even went to a massage therapist, but only this gun could get rid of my soreness.”
- Number of speeds: 6
- Number of attachments: 3
- Battery life: 2 hours
- Weight: 3½ pounds
- Warranty: 90-day limited warranty
- FSA/HSA eligible: Not specified
Best Quiet Option: Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2
Amazon Prime DealCourtesy of brand
Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2
Amazon
Why we like it: This massage gun is compact, lightweight, and even TSA-approved to carry on to flights (a huge bonus for runners who pack light when they travel for race weekends, as I do). Offering three speeds and a three-hour battery life, it also features QuietGlide technology so you can use it discreetly if you’d rather not disturb others with a high noise level.
What our reviewers say: Casey Cohen, an NASM-certified personal trainer at Life Time in New York City, uses this massage gun to warm up her muscles before starting an activity or cooling down afterward. “Between teaching a combination of 20 high-performance cycling and high-intensity interval training classes a week, plus training on top of my classes, the Hypervolt Go 2 has become my go-to for improving muscle endurance, power and range of motion,” she says. “I always carry it in my gym bag—it’s super light and portable, and I can trust that it delivers a literal quick hit of relief to the regions of my body where I carry stress, like my neck, shoulders and lower back.”
- Number of speeds: 3
- Number of attachments: 2
- Battery life: 3 hours
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year warranty for any manufacturing defects
- FSA/HSA eligible: Yes
Best for Travel: TheraGun Mini
TheraGun Mini
Amazon
Why we like it: TheraGun devotees likely won’t be surprised that their beloved massager also comes in a highly compact and portable option, (20% smaller and 30% lighter), making it even easier for travel. And as someone who is on Team Carry-On, I especially appreciate its compact size and carrying case, as it doesn’t take up space in my luggage, which is often a large travel backpack. I’m use it for muscle soreness in my glutes or quads after a goal race like a half marathon. This mini massage gun version also provides an ergonomic grip, three built-in speeds, and three foam attachments to reach the same trigger points and muscle groups, all while providing quiet percussive therapy thanks to its advanced sound insulation.
What our reviewers say: New York City-based Rachel Katzman, co-founder of Pvolve, a workout program that pairs low-impact functional movement with resistance-based equipment, loves this portable massage gun that’s easy to take pretty much anywhere. “I love the Theragun mini because it’s perfect to travel with—not only can I massage out different body parts after a workout, or a night of dancing, but after sleeping on planes and hotels, my neck and back always get super tight,” she says. “It may look small, but it packs a punch.”
- Number of speeds: 3
- Number of attachments: 3
- Battery life: 2 hours
- Weight: 1 pound
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- FSA/HSA eligible: Yes
Best for Full Body: Hyperice Hypervolt 2
Hyperice Hypervolt 2
Amazon
Why we like it: The latest version of Hyperice’s original massage gun product is a popular option among athletes and sports health professionals. The original was the first massage gun I ever tested a few years ago, which I found to be very helpful in relieving muscle soreness after a speed workout or long run. I was eager to test this upgrade, which is lighter and offers an improved ergonomic design with three speeds of percussion and five head attachments, as well as its QuietGlide technology to keep the noise down. This massage gun also offers expert guidance through the Bluetooth-enabled Hyperice app, which offers warm-up and recovery plans for easier use.
What our reviewers say: Cynthia Ventura, an NASM-certified personal trainer at the Bay Club in San Francisco, California, is a fan of this massage gun specifically due to its ability to operate quietly so as not to disturb others. “As a trainer, I’ve found Hyperice to be the best massage gun on the market—the wide range of attachments allows for targeted muscle relief, with the flat attachment being my favorite,” she says. “This attachment provides a broad, firm pressure that’s ideal for larger muscle groups, helping to alleviate soreness and improve recovery times efficiently.”
- Number of speeds: 3
- Number of attachments: 5
- Battery life: 3 hours
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year for any manufacturing defects
- FSA/HSA eligible: Yes
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