Massage guns can be a valuable tool in your recovery and training routine.
The right one can amplify your recovery, mitigate muscle soreness, and increase comfort during and after weightlifting workouts, cardio sessions, or even a tiring workday.
However, before investing in a “percussive massage tool,” finding a model that aligns with your specific needs and goals is vital.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best massage guns for beginners, on-the-go use, and more.
(Affiliate Disclosure: All products we review reflect the research and opinion of our editors. We sometimes receive the products we review for free, and when you make a purchase using the links in this article, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.)
The Best Massage Guns
- Best Overall: Bob and Brad D6 Pro
- Best Mini Massage Gun: RENPHO R3
- Best Lightweight Massage Gun: Hyperice Hypervolt 2
- Best Massage Gun for Beginners: Sharper Image PowerBoost
What Is a Massage Gun?
A massage gun is a handheld device that provides percussive therapy, a form of massage that rapidly and repeatedly applies pressure to specific areas of your body.
Why Should I Use a Massage Gun?
The aim of using a percussion massage gun is to ease muscle fatigue and pain, promote blood circulation, and relieve lactic acid build-up.
In other words, percussion massage guns replicate what a physical therapist does. The difference is that you can use a massage gun to massage yourself whenever you want without paying by the hour.
What Should I Look For in a Massage Gun?
When selecting a massage gun, consider the following:
Noise: Quieter devices provide a more relaxing massage and won’t disrupt those around you. A brushless motor often results in less noise.
Amplitude: The depth of the strokes matters. A higher amplitude offers a more profound deep tissue massager experience.
Stall Force: This is the amount of pressure the device can handle before stopping. A higher stall force is ideal for denser muscle groups.
Weight: Lighter devices are more portable and easier to handle.
Speed Settings: More speed settings mean you can customize the massage to your needs.
Massage Heads: Multiple massage heads allow for varied forms of relief from muscle soreness.
Battery Life: A longer battery life is beneficial, especially for those who travel or use the device frequently.
Carry Case: A carry case is perfect for safe transportation and storage.
Best Overall: Bob and Brad D6 Pro ($250)
Effectiveness: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Ease of Use: 4/5
Stall Force: 5/5
Portability: 3.5/5
Pros:
- Unbeatable power
- Fast charging
- Ergonomic
Cons
Bob and Brad massage guns are the brainchild of Bob Schrupp and Brad Heinick, the “internet’s most famous physical therapists.”
While the brand isn’t as famous as the likes of Theragun and Hyperice, the D6 Pro is our top pick because it couples unrivaled power with brilliant design.
With an unmatched stall force, it lets you dig deep into your muscle tissue and effectively relieve muscle fatigue. It’s also ergonomically designed (resembling the well-regarded Theragun Prime), which makes it easier to access hard-to-reach muscle groups.
Moreover, the D6 Pro is built from high-quality materials that feel sturdy and durable, and it includes 7 different massage heads that allow you to tailor your percussive therapy sessions to your needs.
There are, however, a couple of drawbacks. The Bob and Brad massage gun is reasonably heavy, which might affect ease of use during longer sessions and makes it more difficult to travel with. Furthermore, its battery life isn’t the best. But these are trade-offs for the sheer power this gun offers.
Product Details
- Noise: Unspecified
- Amplitude: 16 mm
- Stall Force: 85 lb
- Weight: 2.8 lb
- Speed Settings: 6
- Massage Heads: 7
- Battery Life: 3 hours
- Carry Case: Yes
Best Budget: TOLOCO EM26 ($90)
Effectiveness: 4/5
Comfort: 3.5/5
Ease of Use: 4/5
Stall Force: 4/5
Portability: 4/5
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Good amplitude
- Lots of massage heads
- Long battery life
Cons
- Temperamental touch controls
- Basic design
- Mediocre build quality
If you’re looking for a punchy massage gun on Amazon that won’t break the bank, this TOLOCO massage gun is worth considering.
The EM26 has a 12-mm amplitude and a surprisingly powerful motor, making it an effective tool for deep tissue massage. It also includes a collection of handy head attachments to target different muscle groups easily.
The EM26 has an impressive battery life, too. However, real-world usage, especially at high settings with deep pressure, might reduce it below the advertised six hours.
On the other hand, the EM26’s design is basic. It feels a tad cheap, and the touch controls can be a little temperamental and slow to respond, which can make switching speeds irritating.
Overall, the TOLOCO EM26 isn’t perfect, but it offers good power and functionality for a budget-friendly massage gun.
Product Details
- Noise: 40-to-50 dB
- Amplitude: 12 mm
- Stall Force: 35 lb
- Weight: 1.8 lb
- Speed Settings: 7
- Massage Heads: 10
- Battery Life: 6 hours
- Carry Case: Yes
Best Mini Massage Gun: RENPHO R3 Active ($90)
Effectiveness: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Ease of Use: 4/5
Stall Force: 4/5
Portability: 5/5
Pros:
- Quiet
- Lightweight
- Compact design
Cons
- Stall force is probably lower than advertised
- Amplitude is a little short for deep massage
This RENPHO massage gun is a standout choice among compact percussion massage guns.
Its neat design ensures easy handling and portability, and it weighs just 1.5 lb, which is only slightly heavier than the biggest name in this category, the Theragun Mini (though the Theragun Mini is twice the price).
It also produces no more than 45 dB of noise, allowing for a whisper-quiet massage experience that won’t disrupt those around you.
There are a couple of areas that R3 Active could improve.
While the advertised stall force is 50 lb, you may find it lower in practice. Additionally, the amplitude is a little short at 10 mm, limiting its ability to deliver a deep tissue massage.
Nonetheless, the R3 Active compensates with several positives, including five speed settings and 5 massage heads. Its battery life is also decent, providing up to 2.5 hours of use on a single charge.
Product Details
- Noise: <45 dB
- Amplitude: 10 mm
- Stall Force: 50 lb
- Weight: 1.5 lb
- Speed Settings: 5
- Massage Heads: 5
- Battery Life: 2.5 hours
- Carry Case: Yes
Best Lightweight Massage Gun: Hyperice Hypervolt 2
Effectiveness: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Ease of Use: 4/5
Stall Force: 3/5
Portability: 3/5
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Solid build quality
- Quiet
- Lightweight
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- No carry case
- Expensive
- Incomplete specs from Hyperice
With its sleek design and lightweight feel, the Hyperice Hypervolt massage gun blends elegance and convenience.
Its ergonomic handle makes it suitable for long massage sessions, and its innovative pressure sensor shows you how hard you’re pressing, so you can maintain consistent pressure across all your muscles.
It also feels like a premium product, which gives you the sense it’ll last a long time.
There are a couple of drawbacks to consider.
The Hyperice massage gun doesn’t come with a carry case, which makes transporting it less convenient. Hyperice also don’t give much technical information about their devices, which is frustrating when you’re trying to make an informed decision about the best massage gun for you.
Although it seems to have a decent amplitude, its underpowered motor and low stall force limits its suitability for deep-tissue massage. The upside is that this is a quiet gun you can comfortably use while watching TV or chatting.
Product Details
- Noise: Not specified
- Amplitude: Not specified
- Stall Force: Not specified
- Weight: 1.8 lb
- Speed Settings: 3
- Massage Heads: 5
- Battery Life: 3 hours
- Carry Case: No
Best Massage Gun for Beginners: Sharper Image Powerboost
Effectiveness: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Ease of Use: 4/5
Stall Force: 3.5/5
Portability: 3/5
Pros:
- Ergonomic
- User-friendly
- Affordable
- Long battery life
Cons
- Basic design
- Heavy for its size and functionality
- Incomplete specs from Sharper Image
This Sharper Image massage gun covers the basics well without an intimidating price tag, making it ideal for those new to percussion therapy.
It has an easy-to-hold ergonomic handle, which is lengthy enough to reach tricky spots, and it’s simple to operate since you can do everything with a single button. It also has an impressive battery life, provided you only use it on a low setting and don’t use too much pressure.
For a massage gun, it’s not overly heavy. However, it might feel a tad heftier compared to other models offering similar functionality. Moreover, the design lacks the finesse of more premium brands, but it’s sturdy nonetheless.
One notable drawback is the lack of full specifications from Sharper Image, making a direct comparison with other massage guns challenging. An educated guess would place the stall force around 25 pounds, with an amplitude of approximately 9-to-10 mm.
The Sharper Image massage gun is ideal for beginners due to its simplicity, affordability, and commendable battery life. For seasoned users seeking deep tissue massage, it might be worth exploring more powerful options, such as the Bob and Brad D6 Pro or TOLOCO EM26.
Product Details
- Noise: Not specified
- Amplitude: Not specified
- Stall Force: Not specified
- Weight: 2 lb
- Speed Settings: 6
- Massage Heads: 5
- Battery Life: 4.5 hours
- Carry Case: Yes
