6 Best Massage Guns for Muscle Recovery, Tested by Fitness Editors

This is the massage gun that I keep at my desk both at home and at the office. That’s because it offers noiseless performance and doesn’t take up much space at all. The cost is less than most of its rivals in the space, and it packs as much of a punch as the full-sized models of both top brands.

This lightweight device weighs only 1.5 pounds, so it won’t sit like a rock in your gym bag (or make your arms quake post-upper body lift). This also means you can easily grip and move it around your body without tiring out your arms. Hyperice markets this as a travel device, which it can be, but when it comes to taking up less room in your carry-on bag, the Theragun Mini (below) can’t be beat.

The Hypervolt Go 2 is fully charged when you take it out of the box, so all you need to do is hold down the power button to get rolling. It has three different percussion speeds and two different head attachments to vary your experience, so it’s nearly as customizable as more premium models (you get two more percussion speed settings with the Hypervolt 2 Pro). Best of all, the motor on this machine is extremely quiet, which allows me to use it in scenarios where sound could be an issue.

Read More: Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 Review

As someone who leads a busy, on-the-go lifestyle and travels a lot, I’ve never utilized a massage gun as much as this compact one. Its scaled-down size and lightweight design make it practical to chuck in my carry-on, backpack, or gym/work bag, so I bring it out of the house with me nearly every day.

Despite its smaller stature, this massage gun’s performance stands out, delivering a powerful massage experience that’s comparable to its larger counterparts. It weighs less than 1.5 pounds, has 150 minutes of battery life, three different speed settings, and three attachment heads, so you’re not missing out on much that bigger models may offer. I will say, however, it does deliver a slightly more surface level massage than the Theragun PRO (which I used before acquiring the Mini). That being said, the power and depth offered by the Mini is plenty for most people to reap the benefits of percussion therapy.

“This is hands-down my favorite massage gun. It’s small enough that I can travel with it anywhere, and despite its odd shape, I find it easy to hold and use,” says Samuel. “It’s my go-to for loosening chest and IT bands.”

My only qualm with this thing is that it’s noise level is a limited factor in terms of where I actually use it. It’s compact and lightweight enough to bring on-the-go, but it’s definitely not quiet enough to use in a subdued office setting, for example. It’s quieter than larger models, but not as damped as you’d think for one so small.

Read more: Theragun Mini Review

For anyone looking for a suitably powerful and quiet full-sized model, this is the way to go. Sure, there is the standard Hypervolt 2, but for a little more money, you can get two additional power settings, which means more options when it comes to your treatment. And if you want something that packs slightly less of a punch and is more mobile, the Hypervolt 2 Go is a much better pick.

The max power level on this gun is less than others on the list, but I don’t count that as a negative. Instead, the additional power settings allow you to access lower levels than other devices. which will be welcomed by many users like me.

For the variability and the performance that this massage gun delivers the weight is very reasonable. The handle is easy to grip and gives you good stability when you want to dig into the muscles a little deeper.

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The Theragun Prime Plus includes a 120-minute battery life, heated attachment, and a multi-grip handle that makes hard-to-reach areas more accessible for me. There are quite a few Theraguns on the market right now, and I’ve tested them all. Choosing between the many full-sized options can be difficult, but in my opinion, this is the standout amongst the crowd.

For the percussive force it distributes, the weight is surprisingly light. The unique design that allows me to change up my grip however I wish. And unlike other premium options, it’s light enough for you actually to handle it with each grip. The heated attachment provides comfort during your treatment, and while its warmth may not actually be scientifically proven to be effective in this application, it is pleasant during use.

Like the other higher-end Theragun models, the Prime Plus also has ‘smart’ capabilities with the Therabody app, which allows users to track progress and data with Bluetooth connectivity. With four attachments, plus five different percussion settings with up to 60 pounds of force, this massager leaves nothing to be desired.

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Ekrin has entered the world of massage gun devices and quickly made a name for itself. This powerful massager has a sleekly designed handle that looks basic but more than gets the job done. It’s easy to use, and comes with six different massage heads to target muscle groups in different ways.

Men’s Health health director Marty Munson finds the ergonomic design impressive. “I have joint issues in my hands, but this grip is really comfortable,” says Munson. “I’ve used many of the mainstay models out there, but I’m impressed with how good this one is.”

The device also six different speed settings and a rechargeable battery, which provides up to 8 hours of use on a single charge. It also delivers up to 3,500 percussions per minute, meaning it’s a good option if power is towards the top of your massage gun ‘must haves’ list.

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This massage gun from Toloco is one of the most popular purchases on Amazon and we can see why. With four interchangeable massage heads and five speed settings, this sub-$60 device competes with the likes of Hyperice and Therabody for pennies on the dollar.

Featuring a minimalist, ergonomic design, this massage gun feels comfortable and manageable in my hand targeting everything from my traps to calves. The motor is powerful, delivering a massage that falls somewhere between the Hypervolt 2 and the Theragun PRO in terms of intensity.

Its battery life also impressed me, but the charging itself took a little bit longer than other models on the market. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level massage gun to test the waters or want to purchase a spare to leave at the office, this one is a no brainer in terms of overall value.

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Why Use a Percussion Massage Gun?

Sanchez recommends first asking yourself why you’re considering a massage gun.”What are you looking to get out of one? Is it for recovery, pain relief, or helping you reach your fitness goals? If you answered yes to any of those, then you might be a good candidate to add one to your shopping cart,” he explains.

“Massage guns can be used as an alternative to the foam roller as a self-myofascial release tool,” adds Pham. He notes that benefits include everything from decreased stress, pain and tissue tension to enhanced recovery, blood circulation, and range of motion.

“You can use it pre-workout to warm up the muscles and post-workout to decrease tightness and soreness,” says Pham.

How to Use a Percussion Massage Gun

Want to learn more on how you should be using one of these buzzy tools? Check out our how-to-use massage guns guide for instructions for best practices before, during, and after workouts.

Can a Massage Gun Really Aid Muscle Recovery?

Massage guns have gained a lot of popularity in recent years as a tool for muscle recovery, but do they really work? The blunt answer is they can. But it all depends on how, when, and where you use them.

These massagers offer rapid, percussive strokes designed to penetrate into the muscle tissue, stimulate blood flow, and help to break up adhesions. The research on the effectiveness of massage guns for muscle recovery is promising, but still limited.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that using a massage gun on the quadriceps muscles after exercise resulted in a significant reduction in muscle soreness and an increase in muscle flexibility compared to a control group. Another study found that using a massage gun after exercise improved blood flow to the muscles and reduced muscle fatigue.

So, they can help with muscle soreness with correct use, but shouldn’t be used as a replacement for other recovery methods such as rest, proper nutrition, active stretching, and dynamic mobility work.

How to Target Hard-to-Reach Areas with a Percussion Massage Gun