Foolproof-Gift Alert: This Theragun Dupe Gives the Same Recovery and Relaxation Boost for Less Than Half the Price

The introverted homebody, the perpetually stressed friend, the fitness buff, the lives-for-a-spa-day sibling, the technophile, and the never-not-sore-somewhere grandparent in your life all have one thing in common (seriously, they do): They are the ideal gift recipients of a HoMedics Therapist massager.

Before you scoff at a one-size-fits-all holiday gift idea, hear me out: I invested in the cult-favorite Theragun a few years ago, and I quickly became the most popular person in my extended family and friend group. To this day, I pull it out of its drawstring bag and everyone from my 95-year-old grandfather to my husband’s teenage cousins flock to me for a turn (as does my one-year-old daughter, who’s absolutely fascinated by the vibration settings—but we aren’t introducing her to deep-tissue massages quite yet).

HoMedics Therapist Select Prime Percussion Massager — $59.00

Originally $70, on sale for $59

Pros:

• Portable and easy to use
• Super effective in relaxing muscles and easing tension
• Five intensity levels allow you to customize based on your needs
• Shape and size help you target hard-to-reach areas on your body for effective myofascial release

Cons:

• Must be charged after 2.5 hours of use
• Delivers a slightly less powerful massage than the Theragun (but still feels great)

As a Theragun loyalist, I must say that I was skeptical (but curious enough) when I stumbled upon the much-more-affordable HoMedics Therapist Select Prime Percussion Massager. Can a massage gun that’s this budget-friendly function just as well? Turns out, it can—so I’m buying it for everyone on my list this year. Check out my review of this high-quality Theragun dupe, and grab one or three for all your people while it’s 15 percent off.

My review of the HoMedics Therapist massager, the ultimate Theragun dupe

While there are a few subtle differences between the Theragun and the HoMedics Percussion Massager, these two products function almost identically. Just like the Theragun, the HoMedics device is portable (literally throw it in your tote) and rechargeable, easy to get the hang of, super effective in targeting discomfort anywhere, and customizable to your body’s needs. And like the Theragun, it uses a ball attachment to deliver high-intensity vibrations to your body’s deep tissue.

The result is a bit of myofascial release: easing soreness and tightness by loosening up your fascia, the fishing-net-like layer of connective tissue that supports all the muscles and organs in your body. For me, that release has been life-saving after a funky sleep, a tough workout, a work day spent hunched over my laptop, a long flight, and shoulder rides for my daughter (…and that’s just the start). And research backs up my personal testimony—studies show that myofascial release may help with chronic pain (like neck pain, which affects up to 50 percent of people at some point in their lifetime) and overall range of motion.

Generally speaking, massage therapy can offer benefits to literally everyone (sensing a trend here?). It helps increase skin temperature, which may improve circulation and decrease muscle fatigue. It may help reduce the negative effects of aging on your bones, muscles, and tendons. Just 10 minutes of massage can help decrease heart rate, oxygen levels, and salivary cortisol levels—all of which may help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and improve your quality of sleep. And aside from all those proven health perks? It feels amazing.

In years past, the only thing that held me back from gifting a self massager to my entire holiday shopping list was the cost. Now that I’ve found the HoMedics Therapist Select Prime Percussion Massager at a fraction of the price (and reviewed its functions and features to be sure it stands up to the big guys), I’m calling it the Theragun dupe of all dupes, and I’m ordering it for all the folks in my life who need a little extra recovery and relaxation—so, everyone—this season.