When a foam roller just won’t cut it, you need something a little more intense: a massage gun. You’ve probably heard people in the gym buzzing away as they work with one of these self-myofascial release tools to loosen up tight spots or work out knots; and you may be thinking it’s time you purchased your own. But which model is right for you? We wanted to find out, so we searched the web to find the best massage guns, according to experts, and we’ve listed them here for you.
Massage guns are perfect for those that are on the go and don’t have extra hours to hang out with massage therapists. And surprisingly, you don’t need a 60-minute session to reap the benefits: “Researchers from the University of Konstanz say a group of participants displayed notable improvements in both psychological and physiological relaxation after just a 10-minute massage.” And what if you didn’t need to leave the house for that massage? That’s right, with one of these handy little guns you can squeeze in some “you” time whenever you’d like.
Research shows that three-quarters of Americans believe self-care can relieve stress and will try nearly anything to achieve this goal. Respondents listed activities such as “at-home spa rituals” and “exercising outdoors,” but a good massage gun could also do the trick. From the CEO of the wellness software company that conducted the study: “Many people get so caught up in day-to-day responsibilities that they don’t prioritize time to take care of themselves, however, placing importance on activities that encourage relaxation can make you better equipped physically, mentally and emotionally to face life’s daily stressors.”
You’re convinced that you need to purchase one of these puppies, but which one? StudyFinds narrowed it down to this list of the top five best massage guns most recommended by experts so you can get to some self-care. Of course, we want to hear from you. Comment below to let us know which massage gun you prefer!
The List: Best Massage Guns, According to Experts
1. Therabody Theragun
Showing up on all websites we reviewed, Therabody’s line of massage guns come highly recommended by experts. Keep in mind that you will need to shell out some cash for this brand, with prices on their website ranging from about $200 to $600.
The New York Times writes that the Theragun Prime is perfect for “those willing to pay top dollar for a powerful, well-designed massage gun with an upscale feel. Anyone who appreciates some guidance should like it, too: The device is Bluetooth enabled, allowing you to pair it with your phone and follow guided programs via the companion app.” They share that it is “compact” and “has a triangular handle, allowing for multiple grip options meant to ease ergonomic strain.”
CNET likes the Theragun’s Elite model: “The Theragun Elite is a powerful, easy-to-use massage gun with a comfortable handle. It provides 40 pounds of pressure and has five built-in speeds, ranging from 1,750 to 2,400 percussions per minute. It also has an amplitude of 16 millimeters, which gets deeper into the muscles.” They also note that this model “has five attachments: a dampener, standard ball, wedge, thumb and cone.” This model also has a carrying case to store it when you’re not using it.
For runners, Health.com recommends the Therabody Theragun Mini Massager because “the device provided deep relief to our marathon-running tester.” They say that “the small but strong device was easy to use and provided almost too much intensity, according to our tester, who would have appreciated a lighter setting. ‘It was very easy to use, though the intensity took some getting used to,’ our tester said. ‘I preferred to use the gun on my thighs and hips, as the sensation on my back was too much.’”
2. Hyperice Hypervolt 2
Another highly recommended brand is Hyperice. There are different Hypervolt 2 models, each with varying attachments and functionality. Noted on their website is that all their models are TSA approved, so you won’t need to worry if you plan to pack your massage gun for your next trip.
Tom’s Guide writes that “The Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 is an affordable, lightweight massage gun that packs a powerful punch.” They go on to share that “it costs around the same as the Theragun Mini, but unlike the mini, it comes with two different attachments, has a 180-minute battery life (compared to the Mini’s 150-minutes), and has a top speed of 3,200 pulsations per minute (compared to the Mini’s 2,400). It’s also got a more traditional massage gun design, which allows you to hold it in different positions to really work into tired, sore muscles.”
“The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 is a solid choice for athletes who want to take their pre-routine warmups and recovery sessions as seriously as their workouts,” writes Sports Illustrated. They say that “this model is a step up from its predecessor, the original Hypervolt massage gun. The upgrade features increased speeds up to 2,700 RPM, along with a new rubber handle and a lighter body, for easy maneuvering, while the high amplitude allows athletes to reach deep tissue.” They also share: “Reviewers also raved about the noise level. This massage gun can be used courtside or at the gym without disrupting other athletes.”
Forbes writes that “The Hyperice Hypervolt is a top pick for runners because of its carefully crafted attachments that are designed to uniquely target the many muscles in your legs. These five massage heads include a ball attachment, which is ideal for runner-prone pain points in the hamstrings and glutes, a flat head for IT bands and a bullet shape for calf muscles. It also connects to Bluetooth if you want to create custom programs or take advantage of the pre-programmed settings.”
3. Renpho Massage Gun
With eleven models on their website, Renpho offers plenty of options. One of their models is even a thermal massage gun, radiating heat into the body as it massages.
CNET writes: “The Renpho R4 Pro Massage Gun doesn’t look as sophisticated as the other massage guns on this list, but it is still effective. It also has a quiet motor for a big massage gun.” They go on to note that “The R4 Pro has a rotating head that can be adjusted into five positions by pressing a large button on the side of the massage head. This feature reminded me of the Theragun Pro, which functions similarly. Being able to change the angling of the massage gun is key because you can target hard-to-reach areas.”
Choosing the Renpho Mini as the best choice for travel, Health.com writes “This mini but mighty massage gun is lightweight, quiet, and comes with a carrying case—it’s the perfect accompaniment for travel. Our tester liked that it felt safe, controlled, easy to use, and provided rapid relief: ‘I almost immediately felt muscle soreness relief and dissolution of tension when using this product.’” They also note that, conveniently, “The device includes a body map that demonstrates how to properly massage each muscle.”
“There’s no hiding from the fact that most top massage guns will set you back a pretty penny, so we approached this more affordable Renpho offering with a fair deal of scepticism. But, while it may not be much of a looker, it soon put our pessimism in its place,” writes Men’s Health. “It comes with a choice of five massage heads, has the highest battery life on test and moves fluently over skin without dragging. The handle vibrated a lot on the highest speed setting, causing our arm to ache after a while, but this can easily be remedied by turning the power down for a more soothing percussive therapy session.”
4. Homedics Massage Gun
Another massage gun line with many models to choose from, Homedics offers various size massage guns as well as ones that provide heat. There’s even an option that is both a hot and cold massager, giving you an experience similar contrast massage therapy.
Live Science writes that “The Homedics Pro Physio comes with no fewer than six head attachments, two of which use coolness and warmth to target specific aches and pains. It also comes with a well-designed carrycase, with molded cushioning to pack away the gun, and all the attachments, safely and securely.” They also noted that “This massage gun was the only one we tested that came with a heated attachment head, so it’s difficult to compare it to others. However, the head was quick to warm up and the extra warmth gave a professional massage experience.”
And from The New York Times: “Light and comfortable to hold, the Homedics Therapist Select Percussion Massager offers three speeds, the fewest of our picks, topping out at 3,000 ppm. Its 7 mm amplitude is the lowest of our picks, too. In our tests, its overall effect was slightly more vibratory in comparison with that of our other picks, and overall it delivered a less-powerful massage than other devices we tried. But the experience was pleasant, and this massage gun does the job for significantly less than the Theragun Prime.”
“Finding fault with this near-flawless massage gun was reminiscent of a hunt for a needle in a haystack, with our expert awarding it top scores for ease of use, design and performance,” writes Men’s Health. They note that “It moved smoothly over our muscles, working quickly to dissipate aches without causing any additional discomfort — in short, less pain, more recovery gains. It earned a few bonus points for its instructions too, which contain handy diagrams to help you get the most out of your percussive pistol.”
5. Opove Massage Gun
Opove has garnered great reviews from top magazines and news sites. If you’re looking for variety, though, you won’t find it here. Opove offers two models on their website, the Apex and M3 Pro. These are both standard size models, so if you’re looking for a smaller massage gun for travel, they currently do not offer one.
Verywell Fit gives this massage gun high ranks: “We gave this massage gun a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars for effectiveness, comfort, ease of use, and value, which is why it was an easy choice for our best overall spot. Our tester noted that this massage gun was very effective at reaching specific trigger points and particularly sore spots. A fan of deep tissue massage, our tester also loved that the device comes with multiple smaller attachments for more intense kneading.” They do note, though, that the “lowest setting may not be gentle enough for some.”
“The Opove massage gun is versatile for users of all levels, our tester said. ‘It had all the attachments that I needed for various body parts, and you can use it both on a low setting if you like a more gentle massage or on a higher setting, which is still strong enough for someone who likes deep tissue massage,’” writes Health.com. “The device is also easy to use, quiet, and (most importantly) effective. Our tester loved that the device was lightweight and compact but still delivered powerful percussive therapy that helped to relieve sore and tight muscles.”
The New York Times writes that “The Opove M3 Pro Max is bigger and bulkier than our other picks and gives off a radar-gun vibe. But if you want a strong massage and aren’t as concerned about design polish, it might fit the bill.” They also share that “The M3 Pro Max has four speeds ranging from 2,000 ppm to 3,300 ppm (the highest top speed of our picks). Its 15 mm amplitude is the second highest of our picks (and only one millimeter less than that of the Theragun Prime), and its 55-pound stall force was one of the highest among the models in our test pool. Overall, the no-nonsense M3 Pro Max felt powerful and gave us a deep, satisfying massage.”
You may also be interested in:
Sources:
- The New York Times
- CNET
- Health.com
- Verywell Fit
- Tom’s Guide
- Sports Illustrated
- Forbes
- Men’s Health
- Live Science
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links and is an updated version of an article first posted on November 1, 2022.
