Using a massage gun is a great way to release tight muscles whether you’re a hardcore athlete, you work out at home or you’re simply prone to back pain. While nothing beats the magic of an actual massage therapist, if you can’t get to an appointment—or you want to knead out knots anytime, anywhere—consider investing in a massage gun. Also called percussive guns or percussion massagers, these gadgets help relieve soreness and tension through oscillating, rapid bursts of pressure on muscle tissue. Unlike other at-home recovery products like foam rollers, massage guns are helpful for targeting specific pain points. But with the abundance of options, plus buzzy names like Theragun and Hypervolt, it can be hard to determine the best massage gun (and brand) for you.
First, when you’re buying a percussion massager, think about your primary use. Are you a serious athlete who will rely on a massage gun for recovery and performance? If so, a higher-end option might be better suited for you. On the other hand, if you simply want occasional relief from general soreness, a versatile middle-grade model makes the most sense. Another factor to consider is noise level, as some massage guns are designed to be especially quiet. And you may want to consider one that’s travel-friendly if you’d like the option of taking it on the go.
Interested in buying one, but unsure where to start? Here are the best massage guns for releasing tight muscles, according to glowing reviews.
- Best Massage Gun Overall: Therabody Theragun Elite
- Best Massage Gun For Athletes: Therabody Theragun Pro
- Quietest Massage Gun: Hydragun
- Best Value Massage Gun: Sonic Handheld Percussion Massager
- Best Massage Gun for Everyday Use: Lifepro Sonic LX Professional
- Best Massage Gun On Amazon: Sportneer Deep Tissue Muscle Massager
- Best Massage Gun Under $50: Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Massager
- Best Massage Gun For Runners: Hyperice Hypervolt
- Best Massage Gun For Lower Back Pain: Medcursor Heated Massage Gun
- Best Portable Massage Gun: Therabody Theragun Mini
Best Massage Gun Overall
An App-Integrated Percussion Massager For Guided Recovery
The Theragun Elite offers a customizable experience with a quiet motor plus all the essential extras (and then some). This high-tech percussion massager integrates with the Therabody app, giving users personalized guidance and controls for more targeted recovery. It also has an OLED screen, Bluetooth and three built-in presets. The Elite comes with five attachments and exerts 40 pounds of max force for effective relief right where you need it.
What the Reviews Say: “I've struggled with tension in my back and neck for years,” explains one self-proclaimed pilates and yoga trainee. “After a few uses of the Theragun Elite I am blown away. The device is not only SO QUIET but it was able to really release the tension in my neck that has built up from staring at a computer screen all day.” Adds another, “Before COVID forced us to stay at home, I used to get regular massages to keep my body in check. The Theragun is the perfect alternative and pays for itself in just a few sessions.”
Best Massage Gun For Athletes
A Professional-Grade Option For Serious Athletes
The “Cadillac” of percussive guns (it has 85% five-star ratings on Amazon), the Theragun Pro is a professional-grade recovery tool ideal for people serious about powerfully targeting specific muscle groups. Compared to the Elite, it comes with six attachments instead of five and offers 60 pounds of max force versus 40. It’s now on its 13th iteration, delivering 60% deeper amplitude and speed than older models, with up to 60 pounds of force. While it’s more powerful than budget massage guns, it’s not any louder. Use the connected app and the device’s OLED screen to control the speed and force.
What the Reviews Say: “I used to be a professional soccer player and I needed some therapy on a regular basis. Theragun was the best way to get therapy constantly without spending a ton of money,” writes a five-star Amazon reviewer. “I use it before and after my workouts and it works like magic!”
Quietest Massage Gun
A Percussion Massager That’s Quiet Enough To Use While Watching TV
With a decibel rating of 30 to 50 (which is somewhere between a whisper and a normal conversation), the Hydragun is one of the quietest massage guns on the market. It’s powered by SmoothDrive Technology, a quiet motor that still beats at 3,200 pulses per minute. And it comes with six swappable attachment heads, each designed to provide relief in different areas. Plus, it has a six-hour battery life, an ergonomic silicone-wrapped handle and a convenient single-button operation, so you don’t have to fumble around trying to figure out which buttons do what.
What the Reviews Say: With 97% five-star reviews, most Hydragun users are wildly impressed with the performance and lack of noise. “Very impressed. Love using it and love how quiet it is. Great for after training soreness [and] recovery. Would (& have) recommend to anyone.”
Best Value Massage Gun
A Percussion Massager That Offers Function And Affordability
Another top-rated massage gun on Amazon, the Sonic Handheld give you the most bang for your buck. It has a powerful motor that delivers deep penetration for tired, sore muscles. There are five different levels of intensity and eight swappable head attachments so you can customize it depending on which area of your body needs some extra TLC.
What the Reviews Say: Customers rave about the Sonic for its consistent, powerful percussion, whisper-quiet motor and its versatility. “I suffer from chronic back pain and I have been searching for a massage gun that is strong enough to work my sore aching back muscles out. I think I have finally found just that,” writes a five-star Amazon reviewer.
Best Massage Gun For Everyday Use
An Affordable Percussive Gun With All The Features You Need
One of the more versatile options in this roundup, the LifePro Sonic LX Professional Massage gun includes seven massage heads and offers nine settings so you can really choose your experience. When you want a deeper massage, you can adjust the intensity level from 1,800 strokes per minute to 3,400 strokes per minute, depending on how sore your muscles are.
What the Reviews Say: “My legs are constantly tight and my IT bands are as well. Using the Sonic LX gun helps tremendously! Everything I have been looking for in a massage gun and I cant believe I waited so long before ordering!” says one five-star Amazon reviewer.
Best Massage Gun On Amazon
A User-Friendly Pick That Feels High-End
The Sportneer Deep Tissue massager may be a fraction of the cost of other massage guns, but the high ratings prove you don’t have to spend lots of money to get a quality percussion massager. It boasts five speeds, ranging from 1,200 to 3,200 pulses per minute, and it comes with six attachments for targeted massage where you need it most. Because it weighs less than two pounds, it’s easy to hold or take with you on the go.
What the Reviews Say: Reviewers love it because it’s powerful, lightweight, quiet and easy to use on all kinds of muscle tension. “What a difference it has made in my workouts! I recover quicker and I can tackle a workout the next day,” writes one happy reviewer. “If I feel sore, I engage in 10 to 15 minutes of using the massage gun and the soreness and tightness is gone. It comes with different attachments which is great for different muscle groups, and the battery lasts long!”
Best Massage Gun Under $50
A Percussion Gun That Does The Job On A Budget
The Wahl percussion massager is at the lowest end of the price spectrum, but it has a 4.5-star average rating. If you want to dip your toes in and give massage guns a try, it’s an excellent alternative to the $400 to $600 models. Features include variable speeds and intensities along with assorted attachment heads.
What the Reviews Say: Here’s proof from a five-star reviewer: “Although this unit is fairly heavy, I'm able to use it easily—it's a good design and well balanced. I have mostly used the rounder deep tissue head for my problem and it really works—great percussion. The flat head feels wonderful for areas of broader muscle pain. I would definitely buy this product again—I love it!”
Best Massage Gun For Runners
An Option With Attachments That Do Wonders For Runners’ Muscles
The Hyperice Hypervolt is often a top pick because it’s smoother and quieter than other massage gun models. It includes five head attachments for added versatility, one of which (the ball attachment) is ideal for runner-prone pain points like tender glutes, hamstrings and calf muscles. It also connects to Bluetooth if you want to create custom programs or take advantage of the pre-programmed settings.
What the Reviews Say: Reviewers rave about the Hypervolt. “Best purchase I think we’ve made all year. Great for anyone who works out and needs faster relief from sore muscles,” writes a five-star reviewer on Amazon.
Best Massage Gun For Lower Back Pain
A Heated Massage Gun That Soothes Away Soreness
With close to 80% five-star ratings on Amazon, the Medcursor has especially good reviews for low back pain. In addition to its 12 speed levels and six head attachments, it has a heat setting and three massage modes for soothing sore or stiff back muscles. And it has a long-lasting battery that runs for up to 12 hours.
What the Reviews Say: Here’s what one five-star reviewer has to say: “The motor is very strong and I have yet to experience any stall even when applying plenty of pressure. The heating head is great. You get so much more than the high-end and very pricey competitors. It may not be as quiet as the premium guns but it’s not much louder and considering the added features, it's not even an issue.”
Best Massage Portable Massage Gun
A Small But Mighty Percussion Massager That Fits Right In Your Purse
Sometimes sore muscles happen on the road, and for that, there’s the Theragun Mini. This petite percussion massager was built for portability; weighing just 1.4 pounds and measuring 5 inches across, it can easily be stashed in a purse or gym bag. But despite its size, the Mini is mighty: It offers 20 pounds of max force and a 150-minute battery life. While it only comes with one main ball attachment, it has three different speed settings for just enough customization. It’s also quiet enough to use almost anywhere.
What the Reviews Say: “One hundred percent worth the investment,” says one 5-star reviewer. “I actually have had all three versions of the Theragun at some point and this one is probably the best. The small size makes it so easy to use and hit hard spots. It is very powerful for how small it is.” Raves another, “It's so quiet and soothing; great help for people who have labor intensive work! The arches on my feet never felt more relaxed after 8 hours of being on my feet.”
Are Massage Guns Worth It?
“Massage guns are great tools to aid in the recovery process after exercising,” says Cathy Spencer-Browning, vice president of programming and training at MOSSA, a group fitness provider. “We call these recovery processes work-ins. Work-ins are just as important as the exercise, as they help the body regulate the autonomic nervous system and drive the internal recovery needed so you feel and perform better in your body.”
While massage guns don’t completely eliminate muscle soreness, they can make a drastic difference in pain levels, tension and inflammation when used regularly. They may not completely take the place of other options, like sports massages, foam rolling and stretching, but they’re a worthwhile addition to your recovery program.
How Often Should You Use A Massage Gun?
You can use a massage gun daily, but be careful not to overdo it. You should limit use to two minutes per muscle group. If you experience pain or tenderness, stop using the massage gun.
“You can use percussion therapy pre- and post-workout, as well as to target any onset muscle soreness,” adds Spencer-Browning. “Pre-workout use primes the muscles for training, and using post-workout eases any tension or tightness. You also can use it for any onset muscle soreness you may experience in the days after your workout.”
She shares a final tip: “Many people, especially first time users, may have questions about the speed of their percussion tool. Based on the science behind these tools, lower speeds are better for pre-workout sessions, while faster speeds are better suited for post-workout recovery.”
Where Should You Not Use A Massage Gun?
You should never use a massage gun on your neck. Doing so can increase the risk of developing a carotid dissection—a tear in your carotid artery that can interfere with blood flow to your brain. You should also avoid using a massage gun on:
- Muscle sprains or strains
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Fasciitis
- Broken bones
If you have chronic conditions, like high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, osteoporosis, muscle dystrophy and/or severe varicose veins, you should talk to your doctor before using a massage gun.
