These Are the Best Massage Guns for Sore Muscles, According to Physical Therapists
There's a reason why you're seeing massage guns all over social media and beyond: They can be a really effective tool post-workout. Being sore after a workout is often inevitable, but if you have a good recovery routine (yes, a recovery routine is imperative) you can decrease your soreness, reduce your risk of injury, and improve your overall performance. Making sure that you're eating the right foods to fuel you and aid in recovery, stretching, and getting quality sleep are all great ways to improve your overall mood and make sure that you can perform all the workouts and training modalities your heart desires. And if you're feeling particularly sore and your foam roller just won't cut it, massage guns can help tremendously.
- David Jou, PT, DPT, co-founder of MOTIVNY
- Leada Malek, PT, DPT, CSCS, SCS, board-certified sports specialist and physical therapist based in San Francisco
Best massage guns at a glance
- Best overall: Theragun Elite, $399
- Best quiet: Hyperice Hypervolt, $199
- Best mini: Theragun Mini, $199
- Best travel-friendly: Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2, $129
- Best attachments: TOLOCO Massage Gun, $65
- Best deep tissue: Sportneer Massage Gun, $108
- Best splurge: Theragun Pro, $429
- Best speed levels: Kelices Deep Tissue Massage Gun, $30
- Best budget: Cryotex Massage Gun, $25
- Best quiet: Cholas Massage Gun, $32
- Best battery life: Ekrin Athletics Massage Gun, $230
- Best with heat: RENPHO Massage Gun with Heat, $80
What do massage guns do?
Massage guns may relieve tension and soreness by combining massage and vibration therapy—but there isn't a lot of research out there on massage guns and their efficacy. "While the scientific evidence is low and there are not many studies currently that examine the effectiveness of massage guns, the idea is that percussive massage treatment with the massage guns likely combines the elements of a conventional massage and vibration therapy," says Leada Malek, PT, a board-certified sports specialist in San Francisco.
Massages can reduce tension in your muscles, improve flexibility, and increase blood flow, which all help to reduce and eliminate muscle soreness, she adds.
Vibration therapy has been found to improve kinaesthetic awareness, Dr. Malek says, in addition to improving muscle performance and recovery which can help limit delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Massage guns can also help reduce lactic acid build-up which can also contribute to DOMS, says David Jou, PT, DPT, co-founder of Motivny in New York City. "So with the guns, the idea is that treating the muscle this way leads to faster recovery from injuries, workouts, and better overall performance," says Dr. Malek.
How to use a massage gun
There aren't official rules on how to use a massage gun (definitely take a look at the instruction manual!), but it may be most beneficial to use it right after exercising. "To decrease workout-related soreness, it's ideal to use the massage gun immediately post-workout to increase circulation that aids in flushing lactic acid and toxins from your muscles," says Dr. Jou.
In addition to using the massage gun immediately after training, Dr. Jou also recommends using it the following day to ensure your muscles stay loose and mobile.
As far as time is concerned, Dr. Malek says using the massage gun for 15 seconds to two minutes on various muscle groups tends to be effective. "You can sweep over the muscle lightly with the gun or add pressure," she says. Some massage guns even have monitors that connect to apps, informing you on how much pressure you're applying and how long you've been working on one area, which can be a helpful tool.
Regardless of how you decide to use your massage gun, Dr. Jou and Dr. Malek recommend staying on the muscle versus going over bone and attachment points, as this can cause discomfort.
One of the best things about massage guns is that you can use them practically all over your body where there's a decent amount of muscle mass. That means it can be used to alleviate neck pain, lower back pain, and sore muscles after running. Afterward, many feel like they just got a deep tissue massage.
Dr. Malek recommends finding an area that feels tight, focusing on the belly of the muscle (the middle), beginning to lightly sweep over the bulk of the muscle. You can stay there for a minimum of 15 seconds to two seconds, adding pressure if you can tolerate it, but it shouldn't be painful using a massage gun.
What to look for in a massage gun
Before investing in a massage gun, Dr. Malek says to think about your level of activity and what you'll be using the massage gun for. She also recommends purchasing a massage gun that has good reviews and is of quality—she says the higher frequency guns are sturdier—so that it doesn't break after a few uses.
Best massage guns
This is Dr. Malek’s favorite massage gun “because of its adjustable head and the multi-grip handle that you can use at different angles.” This massage gun is powerful, but ultra-quiet so you can use it while catching up on your favorite shows.
Battery life: 120 minutes
Speeds: 5, Customizable
Attachments: 5
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Pros:
- Ergonomic grip
- Customizable speed
- Multiple attachments
Cons:
- Expensive
Both Dr. Jou and Dr. Malek say this Hypervolt massage gun is one of their favorites. Dr. Jou likes it in particular because it’s easy to handle, offers customizable settings, and also quiet.
Battery life: 120 minutes
Speeds: 3
Attachments: 5
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Pros:
- Quiet
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Multiple attachments
Cons:
- Heavier
If you’re always on the go, you’ll want to check out the Theragun Mini as it can be thrown into nearly any bag without weighing you down, which is one reason Dr. Malek likes this handheld massager. “The Theragun Mini is an excellent option for travel and can fit in a backpack. It’s great if you plan on going hiking, camping, or off to a game and want to do a quick session while on the go,” she says.
Battery life: 120 minutes
Speeds: 3
Attachments: 3
Weight: 1 lb
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Ergonomic shape
Cons:
- Harder to reach certain areas of body
If you love the standard Hyperice Hypervolt, but want something small you can pack without taking up too much space, try the Hyperice Hypervolt Go. It features three different speeds and two head attachments.
Battery life: 180 minutes
Speeds: 3
Attachments: 2
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Pros:
- Lightweight
- TSA-approved carry-on
Cons:
- Fewer attachments
Best massage guns on Amazon
If you like options, the TOLOCO massage gun has them. It comes with 15 head attachments to target every muscle in your body from your neck to your feet, as well as a case for storage/to make traveling easier. This therapeutic massager also features seven different speed levels and a six hour battery life.
Battery life: 6 hours
Speeds: 7
Attachments: 15
Weight: 1.8 lbs
Promising review: “Just received this yesterday. Charged it and used it. It’s just amazing! It’s very quiet, it has various speed settings but even the 1st speed is quite powerful. It really does penetrate deep into sore muscles. After my first use I can say it felt solid, and well made. The various attachments are a plus. If you’re on the fence do yourself a favor and order this. Your sore muscles will thank you.” –Adrian M. Perez
With a seven-hour battery life, this massage gun will soothe your sore muscles for multiple recovery sessions. It has a powerful motor and 40 pounds of stall force for those who enjoy a deep tissue massage. It comes with six different attachments, including two metal heads that you can freeze or heat for cold or hot therapy.
Battery life: 7 hours
Speeds: 6
Attachments: 6
Weight: 2.3 lbs
Promising review: “I love the variety in the massage heads and how easy the massage gun is to use. The box it comes in keeps everything organized as well. As someone with chronic back, shoulder, and hip pain, this hits the spot hard. The lowest setting is just perfect and I’ve never had to use the max setting yet. That’s how strong this massage gun is.” –Lyka
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Multiple attachments + carrying case
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Heavier
If you’re serious about your recovery game and your muscles functioning optimally, the Theragun Pro is for you. This version of the Theragun provides professional-grade muscle treatment (if you can’t get in to see your favorite masseuse, you’re in luck!), and also features a customizable speed range, in addition to having an ergonomic grip. Plus, if you’re new to using massage guns, this one connects to the Therabody app which hosts multiple routines specific to body parts and activity, in addition to custom wellness routines. Not only can you use it for muscle recovery, but you can also use the Theragun for sleep.
Battery life: 300 minutes
Speeds: 5, Customizable
Attachments: 6
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Promising review: “I’ve been a fan of Theragun for a while. I’ve had the G3Pro since it came out and WOW was I impressed by this new one!! Super quiet with a really sleek screen. I’ve always been a fan of changing out the attachments, so nothing new there. I’d definitely recommend this PRO for anyone who regularly works out or is behind a computer all day!” –Sarah G
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle and rotating arm
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Preset routines built-in
Cons:
- Expensive
The Ekrin Athletics massage gun has an eight-hour battery life, so you can count on using your electric massager for multiple sessions on one charge. It has an angled, ergonomic handle to target those hard-to-reach muscles, and comes with five different attachments and a convenient carrying case.
Battery life: 8 hours
Speeds: 5
Attachments: 4
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Promising review: “Everything you may have read in massage gun reviews about the Ekrin B37 is true. Very strong build with high quality attachments. Wide range of percussion speeds with high stall speed with a medium amplitude gun. Very quiet during operation with an ergonomic design that is balanced and relatively light. Not to mention a lifetime warranty. Highly recommended” – F. Lepere
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Lifetime warranty
- Ergonomic handle
Cons:
- Expensive
Add a little heat to your massage with this RENPHO therapeutic massager.
Battery life: 2.5 hours
Speeds: 5
Attachments: 5
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Promising review: “I’ve been a fan of Theragun for a while. I’ve had the G3Pro since it came out and WOW was I impressed by this new one!! Super quiet with a really sleek screen. I’ve always been a fan of changing out the attachments, so nothing new there. I’d definitely recommend this PRO for anyone who regularly works out or is behind a computer all day!” –Sarah G
Pros:
- Auto heating feature and heating head attachment
- Includes carrying case
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Shorter battery life
Best massage guns under $100
Want to feel like you just got a massage from a pro whenever you need it? Try the Kelices Deep Tissue Massage Gun. It comes with 10 heads to target different muscle groups throughout your body, a carrying case, and has 30 different speed levels to suit your needs on all occasions.
Battery life: 7.5 minutes
Speeds: 30
Attachments: 8
Weight: 2 lbs
Pros:
- 30 speed levels
- Long battery life
- LCD touch screen
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it’s loud
If you’re after deep muscle relaxation, you can’t go wrong with this budget-friendly massage gun from Cryotex. It’s lightweight (two pounds to be exact), comes with six different massage heads, is quiet, and also comes with a carrying case.
Battery life: 6 hours
Speeds: 20
Attachments: 6
Weight: 2 lbs
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Includes carrying case
- LCD touch screen
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it’s loud
Get everything you want in a muscle massager for an affordable price with this offering from Cholas. It has 10 heads, is ultra-quiet, has 30 different speeds, and the battery life lasts for six hours before needing to be charged.
Battery life: 6 hours
Speeds: 30
Attachments: 6
Weight: 2.7 lbs
Pros:
- 30 speed settings
- LCD touch screen
Cons:
- Heavier
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