Its appearance is relatively recent, but it is already well known within the world of sports. The guns massage has become afundamental tool for recovery and muscle stimulation.
These devices use the so-called percussion therapy, consisting of a continuous beating of the most painful muscles through rapid shots. This process causes a neuromuscular response that helps relax the affected area and stimulates its recovery.
Currently, this device is widely used in the world of fitness and by physiotherapists to treat their patients with excellent results. The massage gun is ideal because you can use it from home without going to any specialist.
Our pick for the best massage guns
In this article, we will learn about this unknown tool. We will see how to differentiate one good model from another and discuss some of the best massage guns that you can find right now on the market.
1. Theragun G3PRO
Percussion therapy is not a new invention, but the use of massage guns for this activity was revitalized by Theragun, the definitive and leading brand in the area. The Theragun G3 Pro is used by the most renowned athletes for its quality. And the secret of Theragun massage guns is proprietary professional manufacturing.
Design
It has a very peculiar handle: a kind of triangle. It may seem a bit cumbersome, but it’s a smart move as each angle allows you to grasp and reach various parts of the body with the gun head.
It has various heads to target different muscle groups. In general, they each have the same “depth” capacity, but the way they distribute and focus power can make the difference between massaging the affected muscle or not.
Functionality
The engine under the hood is of Japanese manufacture, designed to send vibrations of 16 millimeters of amplitude at a frequency of 40 percussions per second.
On the other hand, this engine is loud. Yes, compared to previous releases, this one makes less noise, but we do not recommend using the Theragun G3 if there are people sleeping nearby.
It has two powers, or rather frequency speeds. The standard is 40 percussions per second, but the low is 29, which allows you to work more delicately on parts affected by fatigue or injuries.
Apart from the innovative handle, the system allows the direction of the head to be adjusted in 4 different positions.
Cost
Naturally, a device with so much proprietary technology and quality materials couldn’t come cheap. It seems to us that it is a considerable investment, although if you are one of those who spend a lot on the physio, you may end up paying off the bills with one of these. For more casual users or with lesser needs, another option on the list may be indicated.
2. LOVEFU Personal Percussion Massage Gun
With a more “modernized” design and more up-to-date performance, iAGFTS presents us with an impressive massage gun. It is a little more expensive than the previous one from Phoenix, but not by much and with better features. We find it excellent for everyday low-intensity use.
Design
It has the usual T-shaped grip, with its downsides like shorter reach and so on. However, the material feels much better to the touch, which is excellent when using the unit, as the vibrations are evenly distributed.
It has an LED screen on the back that indicates the status of the device. It includes four very well raised heads. We particularly like the one shaped like a “fork” to relieve tension, apart from a compact case where everything fits.
Functionality
The brushless motor is relatively robust, although not one of the largest. The good news is that it makes very little noise and has good durability.
The battery is another story, 2,600mAh. It ensures around 3 hours of life, or what is the same between 20 and 30 minutes of daily use per week with a single charge.
It is configured to cycle 10 minutes, the recommended time per massage session. After a time it turns off automatically with a warning.
Cost
As we already said, it is available at a little more on the cheaper models. However, it offers slightly higher performance and still at an affordable price. We recommend it for those willing to invest a little more for quality, although there are models or cheaper or better performance.
3. Muscle Massage Gun Wattne
Wattne brings us a modern massage gun with an updated design and good performance. It is a success on Amazon for its fantastic value, and for a slight increase in price, you get a unit that does everything.
Design
Its grip is T-shaped and carries its downside. Now, it seems to us that it has a good grip. It is non-slip and ergonomic. Besides, it weighs about a kilogram and a half, so it is easy to load.
The LED screen on the back allows to change the device’s configuration and have the status. Displays the speed and battery alongside the settings.
It brings four massage heads and a compact case for everything.
Functionality
The brushless motor is relatively quiet and with good power. It has 20 adjustable speed settings up to a maximum of 3,300 RPM.
The battery is 2600mAh, which gives up to a maximum 8 hours of work, but it must be on much lower frequencies.
An interesting detail of this massage gun is that it dissipates heat very well thanks to its grilles, and it is usually a detail ignored in these devices.
Cost
It is cheap, just a few pounds more on economic models, but with much more value. Who do we recommend it to? Who wants the best quality for this price point. There are more sophisticated options, but they fall into the field of hundreds of pounds.
4. Massage Gun RENPHO
RENPHO is becoming another representative brand of massage guns. The model we are reviewing offers luxurious features like ergonomic grip, long battery life, and relatively quiet operation. The detail is that it is a bit cumbersome to load.
Design
It has a grip similar to that of the Theragun, although not as good. It consists of a parallel grip with another closer to the head to massage your back. Besides, you can change the position of the head with 90 degrees angle.
It includes 6 different massage heads, and the truth is that we liked them more than the ones that Theragun itself brings.
The charging case is compact but with enough capacity for the entire kit.
Functionality
The battery lasts around 5 hours of use, although, in the end, it depends on the rate of use. However, it is possibly the longest-lasting battery on the market for these massagers. It has a coloured indicator to check the remaining charge: full, medium and low.
It has 4 adjustable speeds to adjust the percussion frequency.
The motor keeps the gun body relatively cool and makes little noise, all without detracting from the unit’s power.
Cost
As we are already talking about a higher performance device, we have changed the price category. Is this gun worth it? In our opinion, yes. It is more like an “entry model” to the high end of this world. If you want something like the Theragun but don’t want to pay a fortune, you might like the RENPHO.
5. Mebak Massage Gun, Muscle Massager
Mebak brings us one of the well-priced massage guns on the market and the truth is that it is not bad at all. At the level of performance, it may not shine as much as other models, but you cannot demand too much for the price.
Design
It has the usual T-shaped handle, with its reach disadvantages. On the back, an LCD screen gives the status of the device and allows the user to change the settings.
There are 7 massage heads in the package along with a carrying case.
Functionality
It has 5 adjustable speeds. The motor is moderately powerful and designed with noise reduction in mind. It has several ventilation slots to prevent overheating and dissipate heat.
The lithium battery is 2600mAh, which gives you a good 3 hours with everything at minimum use.
Cost
For this cost, you can hardly demand too much of it. That said, it seems to us that it offers much more than we expected. We recommend it for those on a tight budget and want an accessory to deal with fatigue or muscle injuries from home. For more “in-depth” results, it will be better to look elsewhere.
6. Wirhaut Newest Muscle Massage Gun
Wirhaut brings an impressive massage gun with a perfect set of other heads. Although fundamentally the one we have seen in various models, its design is refreshing and uses non-toxic materials in its construction.
Design
Well, as we said, it has the usual T-grip style, but the paint finish, the branding and overall feel are some of the best we’ve seen.
Apart from these aesthetic details, we have six massage heads in the package. They seem well thought out to us since it brings one for all kinds of situations.
It brings a very resistant mesh case with the capacity to carry additional objects.
The back has an LED screen indicating the status of the battery and the selected speed.
Functionality
It has 20 configurable speeds divided into five groups: 1-4 for gentle massage, 5-8 for a professional massage, 9-12 muscle relaxant, 13-16 lactic acid stimulant and 17-20 “professional mode”.
The rechargeable battery lasts up to 4 hours per charge, although it depends on the intensity of use. Similarly, the usage time per session should not exceed 10 minutes.
Cost
It comes at a very affordable price, and the truth is that its features do not make us wish for other things. The only thing we don’t like is its size, as it can be a bit cumbersome to handle. However, it is an excellent option in this price category.
7. Hyperice Hypervolt Plus
Hyperice offers areally effective massage gun for muscle recovery, although we must note that it does not come cheap. It has a great finish and excellent vibration distribution.
Design
It is one of the most minimalist massage guns we’ve seen. Both based on its design and its appearance. The handle is ergonomic and feels good to the touch
It has several grooves and grilles to dissipate the heat from the motor with ease, but what we like the most is that its weight is really light, around 1 kilogram.
It brings 5 heads and the truth is that it has one of the best to treat large muscles such as arms and thighs.
Functionality
3 adjustable speeds where the maximum is 3200 RPM. It is worth mentioning that it is super quiet and stays cool.
The battery lasts about 3 hours per charge and recharges at a good speed.
For muscle relaxation we think it’s fine, but thanks to its weight and general portability we think it’s an excellent training partner. Either for post-exercise recovery or to warm up.
Cost
Again we talk about a more expensive model. Not at the level of the Theragun but more expensive. However, the truth is that it is an excellent tool for athletes, and it is to them that we recommend this massage gun. It is designed to alleviate injuries and to speed up warm-up and recovery after exercising.
8. TDORA Muscle Massager gun
TDORA brings us an affordable massage gun, although it certainly doesn’t appear to be one. Under the hood, there is a super silent motor and a very efficient heat dissipation system. Also, its battery is excellent.
Design
Beyond the typical problems for its T-shaped grip, we are talking about a lightweight and easy-to-handle massage gun. The handle is ergonomic and with excellent touch, and the LCD screen gives an exact status with tactile buttons.
It brings 4 massage heads and a compact carrying case to carry everything. These heads are very generic, but hey, they do the job.
Functionality
It uses a very quiet brushless monitor, although it is not the most powerful either. The 20 adjustable settings seem redundant to us but offer more control. The maximum frequency is 3,200 RPM.
The battery is 2400mAh, which gives up to a maximum of 3 hours. The truth is that it is not very powerful, but it charges fast.
It seems more suitable for body relaxation, although it will also relieve inflammation and accelerate recovery from injuries.
Cost
With everything and everything, we are talking about a super-economical model. We’ve already looked at three options in this category, and this one seems to us the best for relaxing after a day of physical stress. There are better options for recovery and warm-up.
9. Opove M3 Pro Massage Gun Muscle Massager
OPOVE`s massage gun seems to us one of the best for muscle recovery and therapy. Offers superior power like mid and high range guns and has oversized heads for the best vibrations.
Design
It has a T-shaped handle, but it doesn’t look too bad to us. Why? Because it seems to us that it is an excellent option for professional use, that is, to massage others. When using one, it could present a problem.
It has an LCD screen, but we don’t like it very much. Similarly, it gives the necessary details and allows you to control everything by touch.
It includes the classic heads, but the ball head, in particular, seems very good for its size.
Functionality
Its engine reaches up to 3200 RPM. Even higher than the Theragun! All with a quiet, cool engine.
Its battery lasts around 3 hours, although the page claims 6 hours. This is of course only possible at low speed. By the way, it has 3 speeds.
Cost
This gun is in a difficult position. Why? Excellent frequency but low wave amplitude. So who do we recommend it to? To those who are professionals in the field of therapy. Also, for those who want to do therapy themself. The effect of several low-power waves can be a balm for some conditions.
10. RENPHO with 20 Adjustable Power Levels and 6 Massage Heads
The RENPHO massage gun has an excellent sales record thanks to its performance. We particularly liked its heads and battery life, and the motor is powerful. Considering its price, we think it is a massage gun with excellent value.
Design
It weighs around 1 kilogram and has a stiff vertical grip. It has the conventional T shape but with a smoother finish and rectangular angles.
At the rear are two LED lights that indicate operating status, one light for each speed. It isn’t easy to read the first time but is intuitive once it is used.
The package includes 6 massage heads to target different muscle groups. We find them of good quality, and the top has a texture that helps stimulate the muscle.
Functionality
Its 2,500mAh battery is the best, lasting up to 8 hours with automatic shutdown and fast charging. It has 20 adjustable speed levels with the highest of 3200 RPM.
The gun motor is brushless and stays at the right temperature.
Cost
It comes at an affordable price and has adequate features for most users. Worth it? We think so. For users experiencing pain from their work or physical performance, this device could be a positive investment, and with more care, it could help recover from injuries.
Buying Guide
Speed and heads
We often refer to pressure and the number of strokes and thrusts applied by the massage gun per minute.
If you want therapy with effective, deep and robust results, you must choose a device that has a minimum of 3 adjustable speeds and a minimum frequency of 1200 RPM. Less than that is not considered anything useful.
Sure, there are more professional models that include up to 30 adjustable speeds. That is why it is essential to know what use you will give your gun, do you want it for personal use, or plan to use it in a team of athletes?
The depth with which the gun penetrates the muscles is also significant, opt for models that allow between 10mm and 15mm.
Another thing to keep in mind is the number of heads that each gun includes. It is recommended that you choose between 4 and 8 heads that can be easily interchanged and good quality since it is the part of the gun that has direct contact with the body and is responsible for applying all the force.
Each of them fulfils a specific function in different areas of the body, depending on its severity. The most common and necessary are head with two heads, soft and pointed.
Quality and Materials
Good quality of the manufacturing materials will give you durability up to more than five years. Opt preferably for those made of stainless steel or synthetic materials with good finishes.
Don’t forget about the quality of the heads. As they are continually exchanging one for another, it is essential that they withstand handling and also contact with the skin. Therefore, it is recommended that they be made of resistant silicone or rubber and suitable for sweat.
Battery life
To enjoy a better experience in your massage therapies at home, you must take into account the time of use of these devices.
The acceptable minimum that we recommend you opt for is 3 hours. Although preferably try to choose a device that lasts 8 hours. Not only will they give you longer sessions, but you will also avoid having to charge it at all times. It can last full sessions for days without charging.
Noise
This point is as crucial as the previous one. We know that a massage gun’s electric motor produces a lot of noise when it is operating, something that can be unpleasant if you want a relaxing massage or annoying for other people if you are in the gym.
A gun that produces 55-60dB noise is considered noisy for any environment. That is why the new models have put a lot of effort into solving this problem. Whenever you are going to decide, be sure to read this section, a gun with an anti-noise system of less than 50 dB is ideal.
Weight
If you want to transport your massager from one place to another, be it travelling, to the gym or the training ground, you will need it to be as light and comfortable as possible.
Also consider that it is a device that requires your participation, that is, you will have to apply it yourself, and if it is cumbersome, it can be complicated. With a recommended weight of less than 1kg, you will be able to hold the gun in your hand without slipping and massage over the muscles even at maximum speed.
Price
How reliable a massage gun is and how much it is worth investing is crucial when buying these devices. Ensure you are considering a brand with a track record and excellent quality and efficiency, rather than an imitation.
Some models range from £50 to £500 depending on their benefits and how professional or domestic they are. If you want just a relaxing massage at home to relieve muscle tension, a range of £100 to £200 works well. If you are a professional athlete and want to increase your sports performance, you will need a model of more than £200.
