Best Massage Guns
Whether it’s prenatal pain, an intense workout at the gym, or bending over to lift the kiddos one too many times, there’s nothing worse than waking up the next day and not being able to walk down the stairs properly. You can ice and heat muscles all you want, but those knots and pains don’t just disappear. There are prenatal massage tips that might help you relieve some discomfort if you’re pregnant, but your best bet is investing in a massage gun to get the near-heaven experience you’re probably craving.
Massage guns can oftentimes be more powerful than manual massages, as they can dig deeper into the muscle, promote blood circulation, and shorten the healing time between workouts.
To get the most out of a massage gun, it’s crucial to choose one that targets your specific aches and pains. Looking at factors such as speed (percussions per minute, or PPM, or revolutions per minute, or RPM), massage head attachments, amplitude, and even battery life will help you decipher between the various options that exist. Luckily, we found the best massage guns for each category based on those factors to help you get started.
Safety Note
Massages have been deemed safe for pregnant people unless a preexisting condition is present. No studies, however, have been conducted to determine if massage guns are safe to use on pregnant people. Before using a massage gun while pregnant, speak with your doctor about any risks and best practices.
Keep in mind that you should not receive massages of any kind — including from massage guns — if you have any of the following conditions:
- High-risk pregnancy
- Preeclampsia
- Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT
- Placenta previa, accrete, or abruption
- Gestational diabetes
Top 10 Massage Guns
- Best Overall: Therabody Theragun Pro
- Best Value: Therabody Theragun Prime
- Best for Athletes: Lifepro Sonic Plus Percussion
- Best Portable: Therabody Theragun Mini
- Best for Quiet Use: Flyby F1Pro Deep Tissue
- Best for Runners: Therabody Theragun Elite
- Best Heated: Urikar Pro 2 Heated Deep Tissue
- Best Budget: Umay Deep Tissue
- Best Technology: Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro
- Best Attachment Selection: Vybe Pro Percussion
Pros
- Two rechargeable batteries for prolonged use
- Six massage head attachments (including a supersoft attachment for sore or sensitive spots)
- OLED screen with force meter
- QuietForce Technology
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavier than other massage guns
- Some reviewers said it’s loud
Therabody’s Theragun Pro is an all-in-one massager, perfect for relieving pain and recovering from intense workouts. Like Theragun Prime, the Pro model enhances muscle recovery by providing a deep muscle treatment for difficult-to-reach areas of the body.
Theragun Pro is equipped with QuietForce Technology, a motor designed by the brand itself specifically for its guns. This technology allows the Pro to operate almost silently without sacrificing the high-quality speed and power (up to 60 pounds of force without stalling). While using the massage gun, the OLED screen on the device displays how much power you’re applying and the speed at which you’re using it. From there, you can control the gun using any of the five speeds offered or preset routines that come with it.
This massage gun also comes with six attachments of various impact levels, ranging from the supersoft attachment with 1/10 impact for highly sensitive areas to the cone attachment with 10/10 impact ultra deepness. Theragun Pro comes with two rechargeable batteries, and the best part is that you only need one battery to use the gun. So as long as one is always charging, you can run the massage gun all day long without interruptions (besides the minute it takes to switch out the battery, of course).
If you do decide to get the Theragun Pro (or any Theragun product), download the Therabody app. The app is extremely helpful in your recovery, as it learns from your activities and behaviors in real-time to recommend the best wellness routines for you.
Battery life: 5 hours (2.5 per battery)
Speed range: 1,750 to 2,400 PPM
Head attachments: 6
Pros
- Great price for what you get
- Goes deeper into muscles than other competitors
- Connects to Therabody app through Bluetooth
Cons
- No wireless charging
- May be too powerful for some
Theragun Prime is one of Therabody’s most affordable fourth-generation massage guns. It’s an easy-to-operate choice that provides up to 30 pounds of no-stall force for those looking to relieve discomfort from muscle pain. This massage gun also comes with four attachments (dampener, standard ball, thumb, and cone), and compared to the average competitor, it penetrates 60% deeper. Now that’s what we call top-notch treatment.
Another factor that makes the Prime stand out is its ergonomic handle design, which makes it incredibly easy to hold in different positions for hard-to-reach areas. When operating the gun, the OLED screen determines your speed and monitors the amount of pressure you’re applying to the area. You can also customize your speed range through the Therabody app and use preset routines to switch up recovery sessions and potentially heal more quickly.
Although this gun doesn’t have wireless charging capabilities and may be too intense for some, the battery fully charges within 80 minutes, and overall, it provides a ton of bang for your buck.
Battery life: 2 hours
Speed range: 1,750 to 2,400 PPM
Head attachments: 4
Pros
- Offers percussive vibrations
- Several different intensity levels and preset modes for all needs
- Long battery life
Cons
- Amplitude not as strong as some other competitors
- No customizable features
LifePro’s Sonic Plus Percussion massager is perfect for helping athletes perform their best. It provides 50 pounds of stall force with 10 massage attachments, five vibration levels, and three preprogrammed smart modes. These features can provide pain relief, deep tissue massaging, and support during warm-ups and cooldowns.
Applying the percussive vibrations from the gun penetrates deep into the muscle and triggers myofascial release for athletes to boost recovery, mobility, and flexibility after a tough workout. Massage guns naturally enhance the body’s ability to repair itself, so using one can help you bounce back to practice more easily the next day.
This gun is very lightweight at just 1.5 pounds and can be easily carried in its customized travel case — ideal for taking it to the gym or on the road. The Sonic Plus Percussion also has a battery life of three to seven hours depending on the speed. You can count on this massage gun to hold up (without needing a charge) from the warm-up at the beginning of your workout to the cooldown at the end. Well, much longer than that actually … unless your workouts are seven hours long!
Battery life: 3 to 7 hours, depending on speed
Speed range: 1,300 to 3,300 RPM
Head attachments: Up to 10
Pros
- Compact size
- Lightweight
- 150-minute run time
- QuietForce Technology
Cons
- Only one head attachment included
- Pricey for its size
- No app connectivity
Don’t let the Theragun Mini’s small size fool you. This massager is the perfect combination of portability and power, weighing just 1.43 pounds with a 12 mm amplitude. And even with its mini size, it still has QuietForce Technology for discreteness and packs the same speed range of 1,750 to 2,400 PPM as the Theragun Pro, Elite, and Prime.
The Mini is the ultimate travel massage gun for its compactness and 150-minute runtime. Thanks to the soft carry case that’s included with your purchase, you can take it with you wherever you go — or even just throw it in your pocket.
A couple of downsides you might want to keep in mind are that this massage gun doesn’t have any smart features and only comes with one head attachment. You can always buy more attachments separately, though.
Battery life: 2.5 hours
Speed range: 1,750 to 2,400 PPM
Head attachments: 1
Pros
- Quieter than many competitors
- Good battery life
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only three levels of speed
- Complaints with difficulty turning on and off
- No case included
Flyby F1Pro is a great solution for anyone looking to buy a massage gun that’s truly as quiet as the brand claims it to be. Although competitors are typically around the 60- to 70-decibel mark for volume, the F1Pro sits at just 40 decibels — equivalent to the noise level of an electric toothbrush.
And despite the low volume, it doesn’t lack power. Not only do the three speeds hold 1,800 to 3,200 RPM, but the F1Pro also beats many competitors with a whopping 50 pounds of pressure during use. (For comparison, many competitors emit around 20 to 30 pounds of pressure).
You can count on Flyby’s unique massage heads for increased mobility and soreness relief of even the tightest knots — all while remaining quiet and discreet.
Battery life: 4+ hours
Speed range: 1,800 to 3,200 RPM
Head attachments: 6
Pros
- Five attachment heads with various levels of intensity
- Bluetooth and app connectivity
- OLED screen with force meter
- QuietForce Technology
Cons
- Expensive
- Short battery life compared to others
- Complaints of being louder than expected
The Therabody Theragun Elite percussion massager provides five benefits with its massager, helping with recovery, performance, mobility, sleep, and stress. A step up from the Prime, the Elite brings distinct features to its newer version.
Previous Theraguns had an OLED screen with bars showing the speed levels while operating, but the Elite has a built-in force meter, showing how much pressure is being applied through the gun. The other new feature lets you customize and save up to three routines with different speeds, lengths of time, and amounts of pressure applied.
With its ability to connect to the Therabody app through Bluetooth, this gun is filled with smart features, and by getting to know you and your body better, the app can recommend the best recovery programs. Reviewers particularly found the app’s routine for runners helpful for post-run recovery. The Elite comes with five attachments, including the dampener, standard ball, thumb, cone, and wedge, so there’s always a perfect head to get all the right spots.
Even though the Elite doesn’t provide an option for a replaceable battery, it does offer wireless charging (for an extra $79), and with a single charge, the gun can deliver up to two hours of nonstop relief.
Battery life: 2 hours
Speed range: 1,750 to 2,400 PPM
Head Attachments: 5
Pros
- Offers heat along with massage settings
- Longest battery life on this list
- Various power adapters for different countries
- Rotating handle
Cons
- No OLED screen
- Bulkier than competitors
Anyone looking for a heat and massage therapy combo will feel like a new person after using Urikar’s Pro 2 Heated massage gun. Along with its remarkable 600-minute battery life, this gun offers three massage modes (plus one heating mode), six speed levels, and eight massage head attachments.
The massage modes include constant speed, intermittent mode, and ladder mode, running from a low- to high-frequency vibration mode. While using any of these preprogrammed settings, you can turn on the additional heating mode for added benefits. Unlike other brands, Urikar offers a 180-degree rotating handle, which increases flexibility by 30% to get to hard-to-reach areas.
Even though it has LED lights around the dial for speed and other programs, however, there’s no screen to see speed or other customizations. The other drawback is the pre-warming period for the heat setting. Most people can turn it on, leave it to preheat for a few minutes, and come back to it, but if you want to use the gun immediately, waiting for it to heat up might feel like forever.
Battery life: $65.99
Speed range: 10 hours
Head attachments: 8
Pros
- Long battery life
- Offers quick pause setting
- Comes with customized bag
Cons
- No customizable or preprogrammed settings
- Some settings are noisy
- Complaints of stopping suddenly
It’s no surprise that massage guns are pricey. Luckily, Umay’s massage gun is both budget-friendly and filled with fantastic features. It has multiple adjustable speed settings and holds a power of up to 3,900 RPM. It also has an impressive battery life of up to six hours, offering several good sessions of use before needing to be charged.
Along with a luxury design comes comfort with the nonslip silicone handle. Once you’re done with the gun, it can be safely tucked away in its customized bag with plenty of room for its accessories to take on the go when needed.
Umay works well for typical high-pain regions, such as the calves and neck, as well as hard-to-reach areas like the shoulder blades, where more pressure is needed.
Battery life: 6 hours
Speed range: 1,800 to 3,900 RPM
Head Attachments: 6
Pros
- Connects to app via Bluetooth and can be controlled by your phone
- TSA-approved for carry-ons when flying
- Quiet
Cons
- No carrying case for gun
- Expensive
- Complaints regarding battery life
Hyperice’s Hypervolt 2 Pro massage gun offers five variable speeds with the turn of a dial as well as guided routines from athletes with the app (including automated speed control). Both the speed and amount of pressure can be seen during use with the LED light band and the help of the patented Pressure Sensor Technology.
You can also connect the gun to the Hyperice app through Bluetooth by flipping a switch at the bottom of the handle. The app features recommended routines, guided warm-ups, and maintenance and recovery routines. You can also connect to health-tracking apps or control the operation of the gun with your phone.
Another perk of the Hypervolt 2 Pro is that it’s TSA-approved for carry-ons, helping those who travel find some relief after sitting in a cramped seat for hours. The downside to traveling with this massager, though, is that it doesn’t come with a carrying case. You would think a brand that advertises TSA carry-on-friendly would offer a case (or at least the option to purchase one), but we have to pick and choose our battles.
Battery life: 3 hours
Speed range: 1,700 to 2,700 PPM
Head attachments: 5
Pros
- Unique massage heads
- Carrying case included
- High pressure
Cons
- Expensive
- Might be too powerful for some
The Vybe Pro offers a vast number of speed levels and a wide variety of head attachments for any pain, knot, or tension you wish to target. The gun also emits high force and up to 3,400 RPM for a powerful deep tissue massage.
Vybe’s massage heads are something unique in comparison to other competitors because it offers multiple unique and interchangeable heads: some plastic and some metal (for those stubborn spots that just won’t let up). The metal massage heads include the muscle knob, trigger cone, and knot blaster and work well for recovery after an intense workout.
With all of the head attachments, you need somewhere to put them, and luckily, the Vybe Pro comes with a sturdy molded traveling case to take with you on the go or to store away when not in use. As perfect as this massage gun may sound — between the strong features of speed, power, and a high RPM — it can be a bit too powerful for some.
Battery life: 3 hours
Speed range: 1,800 to 3,400 RPM
Head attachments: 8
Wrap-Up
Although massage guns are certainly an investment to consider, they’re worth every penny to alleviate muscle soreness and to provide pain relief. Tools such as foam rollers and massage balls are only so helpful, because they’re limited to certain body parts. With the advanced innovation of massage guns, you’ll get a more versatile recovery in less time.
Each of these massage guns also offers a variety of pressures and speeds to reduce inflammation, ensuring you maximize pain recovery without overdoing it. Whether you went a little too hard at the gym or gave your kid a piggyback ride one too many times, massage guns have the solution to all of your aches and pains.
FAQs
What’s the best massage gun to buy?
When buying a massage gun, there’s no right or wrong way to do it — it all depends on what you plan to use it for and the features you need. We chose the Theragun Pro as our pick for the best massage gun overall because it’s powerful and reaches areas of the body you can’t get to yourself. If you need something more gentle, the Pro has a supersoft attachment for highly sensitive and sore spots.
If you’re always traveling or on the go, you might find it beneficial to invest in a small massage gun like the Theragun Mini so you can just throw it in your bag. If you enjoy relaxing with a heating pad at the end of the day, you’ll probably prefer the Urikar Pro 2 for its heat-massage combo. The options are endless!
Are massage guns worth it?
Massage guns are worth every penny if you have a reason to use them. If you’re a parent who’s constantly picking up your toddler or you’re someone who sits at a desk all day, massage guns can release tension and break up stubborn knots. If you’re an athlete or regularly physically active, massage guns are almost vital to recovery. For example, if you’ve experienced a rough leg day at the gym or an intense sports practice, you probably know how painful it can be to simply walk the next day, and a massage gun could help put you back on your feet.
What massage guns do chiropractors use?
Two popular brands that chiropractors use for patients are Theragun and Hypervolt. Both are high-end brands that get the job done efficiently. The founder of Theragun is a chiropractor who sought pain relief after a motorcycle accident, whereas Hypervolt was designed with athletes and sports recovery in mind. Although similar in their ability to assist chiropractors in relieving patients’ pain, Theragun uses a percussion approach and Hypervolt relies on vibrations.