Best Massage Guns for 2023
We've tested a variety of massage guns so you can have plenty of options to soothe sore muscles. Our roundup comprises of the top massage guns you'll find on the market.
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Your body needs plenty of rest to heal and to build the muscle you've earned from your workouts. Effective ways to recover include eating well, resting and getting plenty of sleep. You can also use a massage gun to relieve sore muscles or prep them before a workout. Massage guns are known for their percussive therapy, a form of soft tissue massage that uses vibrations to relieve muscle tension. Percussive therapy can relieve aches, sore muscles, knots, tension and other pains.
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I enjoy using a massage gun for maintenance in between my workouts or when I wake up with sore muscles. Since there are so many massage guns on the market, we took it upon ourselves to test various brands over a span of a month. During testing, we looked at the quality of the massage gun, the amplitude, noise levels, variability of settings, its other features and more. Use this guide to help you find the best massage gun to fit your lifestyle, budget and needs.
Which is the best overall massage gun?
Having tested over 17 of the top-rated massage guns, I found the Theragun Elite to be the best. It's easy enough to use for beginners and experienced fitness enthusiasts. The screen on the handle is easy to follow, so you know what speed your massage gun is set to and how much battery life is left. For another, the amplitude -- the ability to get deep into your muscles -- is on the higher side for a massage gun. And Therabody is a well-respected brand that has a wide range of recovery products, so you know you're getting a top-notch massage gun.
If you're not a fan of the loud percussion noise that's normally associated with massage guns, you may prefer one of the quieter options on this list, such as the Lifepro Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun or Ekrin Athletics Bantam.
Best massage guns of 2023
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.
The Elite has five attachments: a dampener, standard ball, wedge, thumb and a cone. The Elite lets you access preset guided routines from the Therabody app (available for iPhone and Android) in case you need help getting started with your massage gun.
This massage gun has a 120-minute battery life. Once turned on, the Elite has a screen that indicates its current speed setting and remaining battery. It's a powerful massager, falling between the Theragun Pro Gen 5 and the Theragun Prime. However, the Elite is more user friendly, thanks to the simplicity of its features, while having more power than the Prime. Both beginners and well-established athletes will get good use from the Elite to break down knots and eliminate sore muscles.
My one gripe with the Elite is that it's supposed to be one of Theragun's quieter massage gun models, but I still thought it was on the louder side, especially as you amp up the power. It also has a shorter battery life than the other guns on this list. If you're content with keeping the massage gun at home and breaking it out when needed, the Theragun Elite is a solid pick.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- It has carrying case for safe storage
- OLED screen makes it easy to read settings
- Can be controlled through Therabody app
Cons:
- Expensive
- Wireless charging stand is extra
- Battery life could be longer
- Loud
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Amplitude: 16 mm
Speed settings: 5 built-in speeds
Battery life: 120 minutes
Noise: ~65-68 decibels
Customization: Yes, via Therabody app
Best massage gun for beginners
Lifepro Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun
Lifepro's Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun is less intimidating than other heavy-duty massage guns. It's also on the quieter side. The battery lasts three to six hours and consists of five speeds ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 revolutions per minute. The LED panel on the Sonic has all the speeds and battery life listed in one place, so it's easy to read.
The Sonic has the most massage head attachments of all the massage guns on this list. However, it's on the bigger side so it's not suitable for traveling. An issue I had with the Sonic is that I had to set it at the highest setting to feel the power of the massage gun. This is less common with heavy-duty massage guns, like the Theragun, because you can feel the intensity at the lowest setting. Another aspect that could be improved is the design on the body of the gun. It's made up of plastic, which makes it appear less durable.
Otherwise, if you're new to percussive therapy this is a good option that gives you the full experience without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Quiet motor
- LED display makes it easy to read settings
- Plenty of massage head options
- Inexpensive
- Has a carrying case
Cons:
- It has to be set at the last two settings to really feel power
- Plastic design makes it appear less durable
Weight: 3.9 pounds
Amplitude: 12mm
Speed settings: 5 speeds
Battery life: 3-6 hours
Noise: Not listed
Customization: No
Best lightweight massage gun
Hyperice Hypervolt 2
The Hypervolt 2 is the lightest massage gun on the list (excluding the minis), weighing 1.8 pounds. It's the second edition of the popular Hypervolt massage gun and has three speeds. With its QuietGlide Technology, it's quieter than some of its competition.
The Hypervolt has five head attachments: a fork, ball, cushion, flat and bullet head. It also has a three-hour battery life and is TSA-friendly, so you can take it with you while traveling. The Hypervolt 2 has Bluetooth capability and connects to the Hyperice app, which is available for iPhones and Androids.
The app has built-in massage routines that focus on specific body parts or to help you get to sleep. You can also design a massage routine based on muscle groups. This takes the guesswork out of how to use the massage gun, what attachments to use and for how long.
The Hypervolt handle could be improved by being designed to access hard-to-reach areas, like the back. I would've also liked more speed options, which the Hypervolt 2 Pro has.
If you want a massage gun that isn't too complicated to use, is lightweight and makes less noise, you'll like the Hypervolt 2.
Pros:
- Quiet
- Lightweight
- Good for travel
- Built-in massage routines through app
Cons:
- No travel case
- Only has three speeds
- Can be hard to massage hard to reach areas
Weight: 1.8 pounds
Amplitude: 12 mm
Speed settings: 3 speeds
Battery life: 3 hours
Noise: Not listed
Customization: Yes, via Hyperice app
Massage gun best for every budget (Update: Currently Unavailable)
Renpho R4 Pro Massage Gun
The Renpho R4 Pro Massage Gun doesn't look as sophisticated as the other massage guns on this list, but it is still effective. 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. The R4 Pro also comes with six attachments: L ball head, M ball head, fork, bullet, flat and air-cushioned head.
The power button has a panel that reads the four speeds (ranging from 1,200 to 3,200 percussions per minute) and the battery level. This battery lasts up to two hours, which is similar to the Theragun Pro's two and a half hour battery life. It has 10 mm of amplitude so it doesn't penetrate as deep as the Theragun Pro. If you want a massage gun that isn't expensive but has the features of a high-end one (minus the app function), the Renpho R4 Pro Massage Gun is a solid pick. After all, $60 is reasonable compared to spending hundreds of dollars on a massage gun with similar features.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Quiet for a big massage gun
- Good alternative to Theragun Pro 5th gen
- You can change the massage head angle to hit hard-to-reach areas
- Easy to use and follow
Cons:
- Not as stylish as the high-end massage guns
- Could use longer battery life
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Amplitude: 10 mm
Speed settings: 4 speeds
Battery life: 2 hours
Noise: 45 decibels
Customization: No
Massage gun with best battery life
Ekrin Athletics B37S
The Ekrin Athletics B37S Percussion Massager has an eight-hour battery life, the longest out of all the massage guns on this list. The B37S has five adjustable speeds ranging from 1,400 to 3,200 percussions per minute. This includes up to 56 pounds of deep percussive force which gets into those hard-to-reach knots. It also has six head attachments, so you have many options to choose from.
This massage gun is sturdy and less bulky than other massage guns with various features. The power button, found at the top of the handle, controls the speed and is easy to maneuver. Even at the lowest speed setting, the B37S felt powerful.
The B37S is on par with elite massage guns like Theragun and Hypervolt. It's just as expensive (at over $300), but it has both brands beat on battery life. This is important if you're not looking to constantly charge your massage gun. So if battery life is important to you, you'll be satisfied with the Ekrin Athletics B37S.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Quieter than most massage guns
- The handle is angled for extra comfort
Cons:
- Expensive
- May be a bit big for travel
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Amplitude: 12mm
Speed settings: 5 speeds
Battery life: 8 hours
Noise: 35-55 decibels
Customization: No
Best mini massage gun for travel
Ekrin Athletics Bantam
Mini massage guns have gained popularity because they're compact. The Ekrin Athletics Bantam is the best option for traveling. It's sleek, slim, lightweight, compact (the size of an iPhone) and comfortable to hold. It also has a six-hour battery life, which is long for most massage guns, let alone a mini.
The Bantam comes with a travel case and four head attachments. You have more options than its competitor the Theragun Mini second generation, which only has three. The Bantam has three speeds ranging from 2,000 to 3,200 percussions per minute and provides 10 mm of amplitude and up to 35 pounds of pressure.
It's quiet yet powerful even at the lowest settings. My only problem with this massage gun is that the design was simpler than I would've liked. The power button, which is on the bottom of the handle, controls the speed as well. Unfortunately, there's no way to see what speed level the massage gun is on unless you click through each one. If you want a reliable massage gun to take to the gym or while traveling, look no further than the Bantam.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Has travel case
- Powerful
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Power and speed are controlled by the same button
Weight: 1.1 pounds
Amplitude: 10 mm
Speed settings: 3 speeds
Battery life: 6 hours
Noise: Not listed
Customization: No
Most powerful mini massage gun
Theragun Mini (2nd gen)
Similar to its siblings, the second-gen Theragun Mini packs a powerful punch. It's the improved Mini in the Theragun collection and it's a solid upgrade from the original. The second-gen Theragun Mini is quieter than the original Mini, 20% smaller and 30% lighter. This time around you get three attachments with your Mini instead of just the one that the original had.
This massage gun has three speeds ranging from 1,750 to 2,400 percussions per minute. It has 12 mm of amplitude, which is deep for a mini massage gun. By comparison, the Bantam massage gun only has 10 mm of amplitude.
The Theragun Mini second generation maintains the same solid ergonomic handle that the original Mini has to make up its compact shape. The Mini's power button also controls the speed and uses lights to indicate the speed level. Another plus is that it's Bluetooth enabled, so you can connect it to the Therabody app.
The problem with this design is that there's no way of knowing when it's time to recharge the massage gun. If you're looking for a small yet powerful massage gun that's portable, the Theragun Mini is a good choice.
Pros:
- Smaller and lighter
- Powerful
- Can be used for travel or on the go
Cons:
- Battery life is still hard to determine
- Could use a better travel case
Weight: 1 pound
Amplitude: 12 mm
Speed settings: 3 speeds
Battery life: 120 mins
Noise: Not listed
Customization: Yes, via the Therabody app
Best massage gun for serious athletes
Theragun Pro (5th gen)
The fifth generation of the Theragun Pro has an upgraded design compared to the previous model. It's 20% quieter, smaller and slightly lighter than the original (2.76 pounds vs. 2.91 pounds). Therabody kept the important features of its predecessor: an adjustable head angle, five speeds, a 150-minute battery life, 16 mm of amplitude and 60 pounds of pressure.
New upgrades include customizable speed ranges and visually guided built-in routines through the OLED screen: Sleep, Warm Up, Recovery and Theragun Break. Other additions include a new attachment, the Micropoint, intended to increase stimulation. It also has Bluetooth connection, so it's easy to manage from the Therabody app.
Once turned on, it's noticeable that it's significantly quieter than the previous version. However, it's still powerful even at the lowest speed. Therabody kept the rotating arm, which makes it easy to target hard-to-reach areas.
The downside to the newest Pro is that it's still the most expensive massage gun on this list. This may not be the best option for everyone since you can get a similar experience with a less expensive device. However, athletes and others who are physically active all day would benefit the most from this full-featured massage gun.
Pros:
- Most powerful massage gun on list
- 20% quieter than previous model
- Lighter than older version
- Has customizable and preset programs
Cons:
- Expensive
- May be intimidating for average person
- Upgrades are not drastic compared to last version
Weight: 2.76 pounds
Amplitude: 16 mm
Speed settings: 5 speeds
Battery life: 150 minutes
Noise: 20% quieter; uses QuietForce Technology
Customization: Yes, via Therabody app
Other massage guns we tested
- Hypervolt 2 Pro: The Hypervolt 2's successor was louder and heavier than I would've liked, but it has five speeds and is a good option if you find the speeds on the Hypervolt 2 aren't enough.
- Hypervolt Go 2: Hypervolt's travel-size massage gun fell short when it came to power. It also didn't come with a travel case. It's a good option if you prefer something quieter than the Theragun Mini.
- Theragun Prime: This Theragun version seems too expensive for its simplicity. However, if you're loyal to Theragun and prefer a simple massage gun, the Prime is your best bet.
- Theragun Pro (4th gen): This version didn't make the list because the fifth generation stepped things up a notch, and it's quieter. If you don't care for the new updates, you can get the fourth generation for $100 cheaper right now.
- Theragun Mini (1st gen): Compared to the new Theragun Mini, the original is heavier, bigger and louder. But it is still a good option if you're looking for a small massage gun you can use on the go. It's also $20 cheaper than the new version.
- Vybe Flex Percussion: This massage gun had attachments that felt like cheap plastic, and it wasn't as powerful as others on this list. It's inexpensive, though, so it can be an alternative if you're not looking to spend a lot.
- Vybe Pro Percussion: Compared to the other massage guns on this list, the design for the Vybe Pro looks less sophisticated and the buttons feel easy to break. I also found the arm too long, which adds to the weight of the massage gun.
- Lifepro DynaMini: This mini lacked power unless you cranked it up to the last two settings. It would have also benefited from a non-slip rubber coating on the handle because the whole massage gun is made up of a heavy metal.
- Renpho Mini: This pocket-sized massage gun is an affordable option if you aren't looking for a fancy design. But it's made up of all plastic and makes me question its durability if it were to fall.
How we test massage guns
Design: Although massage guns have a standard shape, we looked at the designs and materials that make up each massage gun. Even if they look similarly, the knobs, buttons and screens can vary per product.
Amplitude: The amplitude or the depth of the massage is the key to owning a solid massage gun. The higher the amplitude, the deeper the massage gun can target your muscles. We looked at the amplitude and observed how the massage gun felt in use.
Noise: Massage guns are known for their loud vibrations, therefore we observed the level of noise generated by each massage gun. Although you can't entirely eliminate the noise created by the massage gun, we took into account the size and decibels.
Features: We looked at any unique features the massage guns offered such as apps, screen display, attachments available, carrying cases and more.
Factors to consider when buying a massage gun
- Think about how much you're willing to invest in a massage gun because a good one can cost anywhere from $100 to $600.
- Determine if you're looking for a heavy-duty version or if you'd be happy with a less intense massage gun.
- Some massage guns offer either vibration or percussion therapy. Put simply: Vibration therapy sends vibrations and constantly touches the surface of the skin, whereas percussive therapy uses pressure to get deeper into the muscle and glides on and off of the skin. The latter tends to be the preferred option of many.
- Ask yourself how often you'll be using the massage gun. If it's frequently, then you'll want to consider a massage gun with a decent battery life.
- Determine if you're planning on taking it while traveling or on the go. There are smaller massage guns on the market that are suitable for these purposes.