10 Of The Best Massage Guns To Help Soothe Those Achy Muscles
Looking for a massage gun? I know it can be overwhelming, but take a deep breath — we’ve found some highly rated options to make your decision easier.
Whether you’re looking for end-of-day relaxation or some after-workout recovery, buying a massage gun has probably crossed your mind a time or two. Finding the perfect one can be overwhelming (no, seriously, there are SO MANY of them), so we went digging for the best options to help you narrow down your decision.
So what makes massage guns so popular? They work by using percussive (or vibration) therapy. In simple human terms, this means it provides rapid pressure to the muscle, increasing blood flow to the area to help relieve pain and tightness. Read more about what massage guns can (and can’t) do, plus how to use them, at Cleveland Clinic.
Regarding features, stroke depth and speed settings are the two that will most affect the intensity of the massage. According to Feel Recovery, a stroke depth between 8–12 mm can provide a soft tissue massage, 13–16 mm can provide a deep tissue massage, while 17–20 mm is typically reserved for industry professionals. We’ll note the stroke depth for each model featured and the range of speed settings.
Remember to speak with your doctor before using a massage gun. And go slow! Try it for a couple of seconds to ensure your muscles and skin tolerate it well, then gradually work your way up to your comfort level.
1. Therabody’s Theragun Relief is a perfect entry point into what is probably the most popular brand of massage guns — it has everything you need without the extra bells and whistles. You’ll get a mild 10 mm stroke length and three speed settings to choose from, and it’s all controlled with a simple one-button design.
If you’re looking for a stronger deep-tissue massage with top-of-the-line features (like LED light therapy and a 16 mm stroke length), the Theragun Pro Plus will be more up your alley.
Speed Settings: Three
Stroke length: 10mm
Promising review: “The Theragun provides a very satisfying and robust massage. I used it on a strained and painful muscle that connects my glute to my hip. The massage went deep and provided the same relief as the much larger device used by my physical therapist. So far, no problems with the battery. Charges quickly and last longer than I expected. I am very satisfied with the device. It is a little heavy, but the extra weight is needed to get a deep massage. I am happy to recommend.” —Edward J. Keith
Get it from Amazon for $159.99 (available in three colors).
2. And if you’re looking for a super lightweight and compact option, the Theragun Mini has a sleek handheld design that’s especially perfect for traveling or throwing in your gym bag. It’s also Bluetooth enabled, so it can connect to the Therabody smartphone app to provide guidance based on your daily activity.
Speed settings: Three
Stroke length: 10mm
Promising review: “If you have shoulder or neck pain — this thing has been a game changer for me. I am able to reach some trigger points in my shoulder blades and rotators on my own now that I could only achieve with a massage or someone else with the big Theragun. I am buying one for my brother’s birthday after I finish this.” —Jeffrey S.
Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in four colors).
3. The Olsky massage gun is currently Amazon’s No. 1 bestseller, and it manages to pack in some impressive features for its lower price point. It’s perfect for true massage gun newbies since it has a whopping 30 speed settings, meaning you can pinpoint exactly how much pressure you can handle before moving up a few notches.
Speed settings: 30
Stroke length: 12mm
Promising review: “I’m really impressed with this massage gun! It’s powerful and effective, especially for relieving sore muscles and back pain. I love how easy it is to use — the instructions are clear, and it works great on targeted areas like my legs and lower back. For the price, it’s an excellent value — much cheaper than a single professional massage session. The variety of attachments is a nice bonus, and I appreciate the fast charging feature. While some users mention the battery life and attachment fit could be better, I’ve found it well-made and reliable for my needs. Overall, this massage gun delivers great results and convenience at a fraction of the cost of regular massages. Highly recommended!” —E O
Get it from Amazon for $21.55 (available in two colors).
4. And Aerlang’s massage gun — another highly rated, budget-friendly option that literally 🔥 heats 🔥 things up. This model features a heated massage head attachment that can further increase blood flow and help loosen muscle knots.
Read more about how heat may help with muscle knots, muscle relaxation, and improved range of motion at Cleveland Clinic.
Speed settings: 20
Stroke length: 12mm
Promising review: “We absolutely love this little massage gun! I chose this one specifically because it had the heated head and I am soooooo glad I did! The gun charges quickly and stays charged for a long time while still having good power. I like that when you apply more pressure with the gun, it automatically kicks itself up a gear, so to speak, to deliver more power through the pressure against it. We have only used the foam ball attachment and the heated attachment and have been very happy with them. The carrying case is great, small and sturdy, and holds all the goodies in one place. I also really like that the attachments screw into the end of the gun, keeping them snuggly secure while we use it.” —Maria S.
Get it from Amazon for $26.99.
5. Or!!! A Renpho model with both heat and cool settings so you can give your fresh muscle pains a dose of cold therapy. The special attachment can heat up to 113 degrees F and get as cold as 47 degrees F in mere seconds, and reviewers say it’s lightweight and comfortable to hold.
Read more about how heat and ice may help with muscle knots, muscle relaxation, and improved range of motion at Cleveland Clinic.
Speed settings: Five
Stroke length: 10mm
Promising review: “Powerful and made very sturdy. The effectiveness on my neck and shoulders is incredible… The vibration is the perfect level to get into the deep tissue. The handle makes it easy to hold. It’s a little noisy, but not intolerable. The heating and cooling head was sent from heaven!!” —Allison G.
Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in two colors; also available in an 8mm style and a deluxe version with a charging stand).
6. A unique FVS Massage Hammer featuring an extended handle, making it perfect for relieving tension in your back without having to contort your arms into uncomfortable positions. This one is a huge hit with those who don’t always have someone around to target the areas they can’t easily reach.
Speed settings: Five
Stroke length: 10mm
Promising review: “This massage gun is absolutely life-changing, primarily because of the extension handle! Finally, I can effectively target my own upper and middle back, shoulders, and even my glutes without contorting myself or needing help. The 10mm amplitude provides serious deep tissue relief that gets into those stubborn knots after workouts or long days. It’s powerful yet surprisingly comfortable on the higher speeds (five levels give perfect control)… The battery life is solid, and it’s quieter than I expected… If you’ve struggled to reach your back with other massage guns, this upgraded handle solves the problem. It feels well-built, relieves pain effectively, and the portability is a bonus. Worth every cent compared to high-end competitors without the handle feature. Highly recommend!” —Kolor Rhythems
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in two colors).
7. For a more intense massage, Bob and Brad’s D6 Pro Massage Gun has a 16mm stroke length, which is about as high as it goes before moving into pro-level territory. If you want a true deep-tissue massage experience at home, this lightweight option packs a punch — and even has an adjustable arm so you can get relief in hard-to-reach areas.
Speed settings: Six
Stroke length: 16mm
Promising review: “This massage gun feels like it came straight out of a professional clinic. It’s honestly more powerful than I’ll ever need, but that’s a huge plus, since it can handle absolutely anything. I usually stick to the lowest setting with the softest attachment, and even then, the results are incredible. It’s excellent for easing cramps, loosening tight muscles, and relieving pain during recovery.
The battery life is phenomenal as it seems to last forever, easily running all day without a recharge. Built tough and solid, it feels like something you’d find in a physical therapy office and has the strength to tackle even the largest muscle groups. It’s not the lightest device, so I wouldn’t recommend it for someone very frail, but for anyone who needs serious relief, it’s perfect.” —Ryan T.
Get it from Amazon for $194.99+ (also available in a pro model with heat options).
8. The Ekrin Athletics B37v2 is your best bet if impressive battery life is one of your top priorities. A single charge of this sleek model can last for up to eight hours (!!!) but that doesn’t mean it skimps on the power. However, it does skimp on the unnecessary loud noise — the sound insulation around the motor makes it as quiet as rainfall.
Speed settings: Five
Stroke length: 12mm
Promising review: “We have gone through so many massage guns and finally decided to get the Ekrin after much research. We now own three. One for our D1 athletic children and two for us to share… The battery life is the best of any massage guns we have owned, and the massage is very strong and effective even at the lowest speed. The different bits are high quality, like the gun. The warranty is another factor that helped in our decision. Nothing but positive experience so far, and we use it daily.” —Lydic
Get it from Amazon for $199.99.
9. The Mebak 3 massage gun has racked up more than 14,000 rave ratings from Amazon customers, with several saying it’s surprisingly quiet considering its powerful motor. It comes with several attachments and five speed settings, so this is a perfect mid-range device if you want a more customized experience.
Speed settings: Five
Stroke length: 12mm
Promising review: “Like most other folks that think they’re too young and spry, I don’t stretch as much as I nearly should. Ever since I got this massage gun, it has made a world of a difference in how I feel after I go to the gym (especially after leg day). I’ve gotten to a point where it doesn’t feel like it’s massaging anymore, but I’ve come to realize that as I use it more, it is typically an indication that previous rounds have worked out the sore muscles, and my muscles are relaxed… I cannot overstate how much I would recommend this to somebody who needs to work out tight muscles, but doesn’t have the time or patience to stretch every day. This particular massage gun is able to provide enough deep tissue massage to quickly mitigate tight muscles and offer relief.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in two colors).
10. Hyperice’s Hypervolt Go 2 features ~QuietGlide~ technology for a powerful yet muted massage that won’t overpower the music in your AirPods. Reviewers also rave about the handle, saying it doesn’t vibrate as much as cheaper models, making it much more comfortable to hold for minutes at a time.
Speed settings: Three
Stroke length: 10mm
Promising review: “I ordered the Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 to help relieve my muscle tension and pain after workouts. This compact massage gun does the trick very nicely. The gun is smaller than others I’ve tried, which makes it easy to handle and easy to travel with, but it has a substantial feel/weight that makes it easy to get the pulsations deep into the sore muscles. There are two interchangeable heads that came with it. The broad, flat head is my go-to as it’s easy to slide up and down the length of tight muscles easily. I haven’t really tested the battery life since I only use it for 15 minutes or so at a time, and I recharge it every couple of uses.” —JC
Get it from Amazon for $139 (available in two colors).
