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Nov 08, 2024

The 9 Best Massage Guns in 2024 | SELF

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. When you’re pushing yourself during workouts, trying out new exercises, or training

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When you’re pushing yourself during workouts, trying out new exercises, or training for a race, the next-day muscle soreness can be rough. That’s where tools like massage guns come in. They allow you to reap some benefits of massage without needing to book time with a masseuse. “Massage guns use percussion therapy to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, improve mobility, and reduce muscular tension to help boost post-workout recovery, reduce muscular spasms, and help prevent delayed onset of muscular soreness (DOMS) after activity,” Brandon Trachman, DPT, regional director at Physical Therapy Central, tells SELF. Translation: Using one of these can help shrink the number of days it hurts to, say, lift your groceries or bend over to put on your shoes.

Ready to add a massage gun to your routine? We’ve done the legwork to bring you the best options: After scouring the internet and talking with experts, we narrowed our list down to nine models that are actually worth your money.

In this article

Amazon

Our fave features: Despite the Pill by Revo’s miniature size, it packs a punch, according to Amazon reviewers: “The percussive strength is adequate and it doesn’t jam up even when I use a good amount of downward force,” one physical therapist wrote. The small but mighty massage gun has five speed settings and four interchangeable heads designed to target different parts of your body (according to Revo, the round attachment is meant for everyday use on larger muscle groups, while the cone is for working out knots), so its versatility rivals that of many larger models. It’s pretty quiet too. “At the highest setting, the massage is strong but still quiet enough to watch TV,” adds another happy reviewer, who also owns the larger Theragun.

Just so you know: While it’s easy to transport, this massage gun doesn’t come with a travel case. If you don’t have a spare pouch lying around, you may want to buy one so that you don’t lose track of the interchangeable heads and USB-C charging cable.

Other winning options: The Theragun Mini is another travel-friendly option, and it’s one that comes recommended by chiropractor Allen Conrad, BS, DC, CSCS, a practitioner at the Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in North Wales, Pennsylvania.

Product specs

Speeds: 5 | Weight: 1.5 lb. | Battery life: 3-5 hours | Amplitude: Not specified | Attachments: 4 interchangeable heads | Warranty: 2 years

Amazon

Why we chose it: Of the hundreds of massage guns listed on Amazon, the Turonic GM5 stands out, with reviewers singing its praises for its long battery life, versatility, and low noise levels. “I can use this while watching TV without adjusting the TV volume,” one customer wrote. This aligns with expert advice for choosing a percussive device: “The quieter the better,” says Sapna Sriram, DC, a chiropractor and injury expert at Integra Health Centre in Toronto. “That ensures you can use the device on areas like your neck and shoulders that can be quite loud for your ears.”

Our fave features: “Most massage guns should come with attachments that can target different parts of your body and multiple muscle groups with targeted pressure,” says Dr. Sriram. The Turonic GM5 comes with seven (!) interchangeable heads—including a flat, metallic one for oil massages; one shaped like a prong for the neck and shoulders; and an egg-shaped attachment for super-targeted vibrations—making it especially versatile. Reviewers also are impressed with the battery life: “I’ve had this massager for about three weeks,” said one happy customer. “I use it almost daily and have only charged it once.”

Who it’s for: The various attachments each have an intended use, making the GM5 helpful when warming up or recovering from a workout, you’re treating muscle pain, or are trying to gain more mobility. This massager’s customizability also comes in handy if you’re sharing it with someone who plans to use it differently than you do.

Product specs

Speeds: 5 | Weight: 1.68 lb. | Battery life: Up to 8 hours | Amplitude: 11 mm | Attachments: 7 interchangeable heads | Warranty: 1 year

Amazon

Why we picked it: An affordable, compact massage gun is a great option for newbies to the wellness tool who, first and foremost, want to make sure they like using one. We love the Sports Research Massage Gun as a starter device for those reasons and because it includes multiple attachments. One Amazon reviewer, who said they’ve used more expensive options like the Theragun, wrote that this product “is just as good.”

Who it’s for: Thanks to its four attachment heads, this massage gun works well for a variety of people. It comes with a flat head, that’s great for a whole-body massage; a bullet head that can hit joints, wrists, and feet; a round head to use on sensitive muscles; and a forkhead, which can target your spine, neck, shoulders, and calves.

Just so you know: The gun’s motor shouldn’t be louder than 65 decibels (the equivalent of a normal conversation), according to the manufacturer. But multiple reviewers on Amazon found it too noisy. “Unfortunately, the massage gun is too stinkin’ loud,” one reviewer shared. “Every time we were watching TV, we had to put the subtitles on.”

Product specs

Speeds: 4 | Weight: 5 lb. | Battery life: 4 hours | Amplitude: Not specified | Attachments: 4 interchangeable heads | Warranty: 1 year

Therabody

Why we picked it: Therabody’s Theragun line is popular among fitness pros and weekend warriors alike. Its fifth generation device, the Theragun Prime, has the brand’s signature triangle-shaped design, which one of our testers says allows for better reach than other devices. It’s a powerful tool: It has a 16 millimeter amplitude (which describes how deep it kneads into your skin) and 30 pounds of stall force (the pressure of weight it can withstand before the motor stops).

Our fave features: What sets this quality product apart from the rest (aside from the steep price tag)? The massage gun has Bluetooth compatibility with the Therabody app, which features guided instruction on how to safely use your device. The fitness app can also integrate with Apple Health or Google Fit to learn your preferences and personalize your routines. Our testers like that you can program specific massage settings in the app to then use on your device. (Cool!)

Other winning options: We’re also fans of the Theragun Elite, a higher-end model that costs $100 more than the Prime. This model is quieter than the Prime and includes five attachment heads along with a protective carrying case. (It can also charge wirelessly.)

Product specs

Speeds: 5 | Weight: 2.2 lb. | Battery life: 2 hours | Amplitude: 16 mm | Attachments: 4 interchangeable heads | Warranty: 1 year limited

Hyperice

Why we picked it: The Hypervolt 2 Pro is the brand’s self-designated most powerful massage gun, with a high-torque motor and five speed levels. Despite its intensity, our testers say the gun runs surprisingly quietly—no louder than the hum of a dishwasher.

Our fave features: “The Hypervolt line is powerful but light, quiet, and comes with a variety of attachments to address different areas of the body,” says Dr. Trachman, who chooses to use the powerful 2 Pro model daily in his clinic. “It has variable speed settings, which I find can be tolerated by a wide variety of patient needs,” he adds.

Other winning options: Looking for something a bit more affordable from the brand? Matthew Perry, PT, DPT, founder of Auto-Ness Physical Therapy in San Diego, California, is partial to the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 and the Hypervolt Go 2 (both of which cost less than $200). “These stand out due to their lightweight build, professional-grade motor, adjustable settings, and easy-to-swap attachments for targeting different muscle groups,” he says. “We’ve been using these in the clinic for the past few years, and they’re still going strong.”

Product specs

Speeds: 5 | Weight: 2.6 lb. | Battery life: 3 hours | Amplitude: Not specified | Attachments: 5 interchangeable heads. | Warranty: 1 year

KiCA

Why we picked it: The KiCA Evo Massage Gun was designed expressly for deep tissue massage; it has a 12 millimeter amplitude that helps you really get in there and knead out knots. This massage gun also has an extendable handle that’ll help you access hard-to-reach areas, like the middle of your back.

Our fave features: Unlike most other massage guns on this list, the KiCA Evo comes with a massage head that can heat up to 109 degrees Fahrenheit. Beyond feeling spa-like, heat application may help boost muscle recovery. According to a 2024 review published in the journal Muscles, heat can increase blood flow and encourage nutrients and oxygen to move toward tissues, facilitating pain relief and muscle healing.

Who it’s for: If you’ll be using the device frequently, you want to feel confident that the device’s battery won’t sputter to a halt mid-massage. “Some massage guns may last only an hour, while others last up to six hours,” Conrad says. The KiCA EVO can go for 12 hours on the lowest setting, so maintaining a charge shouldn’t be an issue.

Product specs

Speeds: Not listed | Weight: 1.52 lb. | Battery life: Up to 12 hours | Amplitude: 12 mm | Attachments: 6 interchangeable heads | Warranty: 1 year

Therabody

Why we picked it: The ultra portable Theragun Mini only weighs 1 pound and is just the right size for effective massages, even when you’re on the go. The brushless motor is quiet, and you can enjoy 120 minutes of massage time (at an impressive 12 millimeter amplitude to get deeper into your muscles) before the battery needs to be recharged.

Our fave features: The percussion massage gun model has three different speeds and includes three attachments and a soft case. It also comes in multiple colors you won’t find elsewhere, like alpine green and twilight pink. An attractive color probably shouldn’t be your main priority in choosing a fitness device—but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

Other winning options: The Theragun Prime has a heftier size (and price tag), but it’s the better option if you want to use it for more body parts and access high-tech add-ons. It includes four attachments and a carrying case, features five speeds, and it uses Bluetooth Smart app integration.

Product specs

Speeds: 3 | Weight: 1 lb. | Battery life: 2 hours | Amplitude: 12 mm | Attachments: 3 interchangeable heads | Warranty: 1 year limited

Amazon

Why we picked it: For a (comparatively) reasonable price, you can do a lot with the Bob and Brad A2 Pro Massage Gun. It has heat settings that reach 113 degrees Fahrenheit and can also cool things down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can treat your muscles to hot-cold therapy and massage at the same time. It also has five massage heads and five speeds, so you can further tailor your treatment based on the severity or location of your aches and pains. The highest setting delivers an impressive 45 pounds of stall force.

Our fave features: When you’re first starting out with a massage gun, you might have a tricky time gauging the right pressure to use. “Too much force will result in injury, and too little force will result in ineffectiveness,” says Rahul Shah, MD, a board-certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon. The Bob and Brad Pro Massage Gun has a handy LED light that lets you know how much pressure you’re using—it turns red when you’re using more than 24 pounds of force, yellow for 11 to 24 pounds of force, and is multicolored for less than 11 pounds of force.

Other winning options: The Bob and Brad A2 Pro Massage Gun isn’t bulky by any means, but if you want an even smaller option, the brand also makes a mini massage gun. It has just as many interchangeable heads and settings, but doesn’t have the A2 Pro’s pressure detection LED light.

Product specs

Speeds: 5 | Weight: 1.6 lb. | Battery life: Not specified | Amplitude: Not specified | Attachments: 5 interchangeable heads | Warranty: 1 year

Amazon

Our fave features: In a word, the Bondir R2 Pro+ is adjustable. It comes with six different interchangeable heads, including a flat head that you can use with a heated setting. You can also twerk the angle of the arm or click on the included, detachable 6-inch arm that can help you get hard-to-reach spots on your back.

Who it’s for: Anyone jonesing to own a massage gun without spending a lot of dough should consider the Bondir R2 Pro +. It’s $60, which is low for a device that’s highly customizable and can deliver 35 pounds of stall force.

Just so you know: While Amazon reviews of the device are largely positive, a few customers have reported issues with charging. One shared that their device “was broken and would not charge,” but that they got a “quick replacement that charged perfectly and works like a dream.”

Product specs

Speeds: 3 | Weight: 3.9 lb. | Battery life: 12 hours | Amplitude: Not specified | Attachments: 6 interchangeable heads | Warranty: Not listed

Using massage guns on areas of the body where there is significant muscle mass, such as the neck, legs, back and shoulders, can be beneficial, according to Dr. Shah. “Since these are the areas of the body with the most density of muscle, the massage gun can cause local stimulation to drive the cascade of blood flow and associated nutrients to those areas,” he explains. “These are also the areas where muscles are likely to build lactic acid and other byproducts of increasing muscle fatigue.”

And by massaging and stimulating blood flow to these areas, Dr. Shah says these compounds can be effectively neutralized. In layman’s terms? Quicker recovery and pain relief.

When narrowing down options, there are a few factors you can keep in mind to choose the massage gun that’s best for your needs. Here are four areas that are worth focusing on.

“Look for a massage gun with multiple speed settings,” Dr. Perry says. “The higher settings can offer deeper tissue penetration, which is important for muscle recovery, while lower settings are ideal for more sensitive areas.” Here are a few key definitions to help you pick the massage gun that packs the speed and power you need:

Size and weight are key factors, Dr. Perry says. For example, if you have limited storage space or plan to bring your massage gun to the gym, you might decide against a bulkier device. “A lightweight, compact model with a long battery life—of two to three hours—can offer both ease and functionality without compromising performance,” he says.

The ability to switch out your massage gun’s attachment heads is clutch. “Different attachments serve different purposes,” says Dr. Perry. “For example, a round head works well for larger muscle groups, while a bullet attachment is ideal for targeting deep tissue knots.” Here’s a quick guide to common attachments:

When deciding how much you’d like to spend on a massage gun, consider how often you plan to use the tool, says Dr. Perry. “Higher-end models generally offer better durability, quieter motors, and longer warranties, making them a long-lasting investment for regular use,” he says. “If you’re a weekend [workout] warrior or occasional gym-goer, I recommend a mid-range device. For athletes or competitors, a higher-end device might be the better choice.”

Even the best massage gun won’t be effective if you don't use it correctly. For example, you can’t use it just anywhere on your body. “Areas that do not have a lot of muscle, like the jawline or the shin area, should be avoided,” Dr. Shah warns. And while he recommends percussive massage guns for irritated or overworked muscles, he advises against using them under certain circumstances. “I would avoid usage of massage guns in the areas where there are torn muscles, skin tears, or other ulcerations which may predispose you for more significant damage.”

Dr. Shah also advises against using massage guns in areas that could trigger pain in other areas. “One such example of a time to avoid usage of a massage gun would be if you were to use the gun on the shoulder and then get pain or other symptoms that trickle into the fingers.”

Also when you’re first starting out, resist the urge to go full-throttle. Start on a low speed and work your way up, spending about one to two minutes per muscle group and 10 to 15 minutes total in a session, suggests Dr. Trachman. “Larger muscle groups tend to tolerate higher speeds and pressure better than smaller muscle groups,” he notes.

One final piece of advice: Confirm with your healthcare professional that it’s safe for you to use a massage gun before you buy one.

SELF takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating fitness equipment, and massage guns are no exception. These are a few of the aspects our team took into account when choosing the best massage guns for this list.

Durability

No one wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a massage gun, only for it to break down in a matter of months. We paid close attention to whether the massage guns were built to last (checking out factors like motor strength and battery life), and how long they held up, according to customer reviewers.

Features

Ideally, you can adjust your massage gun to fit how you’re using it. We favor models with a variety of speeds and interchangeable heads, looking out for bonus features like heating abilities or app connectivity.

Value

We aimed to include massage guns at a variety of price points. Rest assured that the pricier models have features that make them worth the extra $$$.

We’ve got answers to your lingering questions about the best massage guns.

“There are a couple of differences between massage guns, including the cost; device weight; durability; speed settings; battery life; portability; and different heads and attachments,” says Hallie Labrador, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at Endeavor Health. The “best” massage gun will depend on your individual preferences, she says.

That might depend on your goals. “There is some research into the benefit of massage guns; however, it is not the highest quality research,” says Dr. Labrador. Massage guns have documented benefits for improving muscle tightness and flexibility and decreasing post-workout soreness, but they don’t seem as useful for improving general strength, balance, agility, or explosiveness (a.k.a. the ability to suddenly ramp up your speed or power during a workout), she says.

Massage guns typically cost a few hundred dollars, but you can opt for a lower-cost option if you’re okay with making some concessions. “I’ve found most of the higher-priced models are much quieter while some more affordable options may be louder but can still provide substantial benefit to users,” Dr. Trachman says. For those who are on a budget, we love the Bondir R2 Pro +.

“There is very little risk for healthy people to use a massage gun daily,” says Dr. Labrador. That said, if you have a medical condition, it’s best to check with your healthcare provider before adding a massage gun to your routine, she says.

Short answer: Yes. “Muscle knots, or myofascial trigger points, are tight areas of muscle fibers that can cause pain or discomfort,” says Dr. Perry. “Massage guns can help relieve these knots by delivering deep tissue massage that increases blood flow, reduces muscle tension, stimulates mechanoreceptors (sensory receptors that respond to touch, pressure, or vibration) in the skin and muscles, and promotes relaxation.”

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