As a personal trainer, I often get asked about the best massage guns and whether they're worth the money. While my job doesn't qualify me to use them with clients or advise on your recovery routine, I can say there are other recovery tools I'd reach for first, which I've also included as massage gun alternatives in this guide.
With that said, I've chosen my favorite three massage guns that I'd actually buy, and I believe are the best massage guns based on our testing. The most important factors to consider are price, power and value for money if you do decide to purchase, so try not to get caught up in all the fluff. At the end of the day, you want to feel less sore and more relaxed; you don't need it to buy you dinner.
I've included an affordable option, something more premium and one that I personally would choose for overall value, bridging the gap between premium and affordability. For example, my top pick is also the most affordable: The Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini massage gun with its heated head attachment and versatility without breaking the bank.
Remember, though, a massage gun is unlikely to supercharge recovery alone, and you'll need to consider a more well-rounded approach for best results, which I cover more on below.
My favorite massage guns
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The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro performs like a high-end massage gun, and it retails like one, too, making it our premium pick for athletes, sportspeople and weightlifters.
The Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini massage gun made this list for its affordable price and powerful delivery. You won't compromise on quality, and we love the 5 head attachments, including the standout heat head.
The Theragun Elite is a Porsche among massage guns. It bridges the gap between affordability and serious value for money, offering Bluetooth-enabled therapy, an app and a powerful massage.
Do massage guns really work?
The best massage guns are designed to aid recovery, soothe muscle soreness and relieve tension, just like a massage would. While they get hyped up by the big brands and in the media, the effectiveness of massage guns as a recovery percussion tool is still up for debate, concerning the science.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology found that massage guns could improve short-term recovery-related outcomes like range of motion and flexibility.
However, the same study recommended avoiding them for use in strength, balance, acceleration, agility, or explosive activities, as this could decrease performance.
The jury is out, and there's no clear-cut answer that the fitness industry or the scientific evidence can give. If you enjoy using them and you know how to use them safely, there should be no harm in adding massage guns to your recovery routine. Do I think there are better options? Yes, and I provide more on that later.
What to look for in a massage gun
When choosing the best massage gun for you, I personally know how easy it is to get caught up and distracted by features. With this guide, hopefully I can strip this all back for you and tell you what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for a massage gun, plus whether or not a model is worth the money.
Price
Before you do anything, decide on a budget. There's no point breaking the bank for a massage gun that doesn't live up to your expectations. The Bob and Brad M7 is affordable without compromising on quality, but to work out if you're sacrificing on quality or not, look at the other factors below.
Speed and amplitude
Speed will be listed as PPM (Percussions Per Minute) and will tell you how fast the head moves and the intensity of percussion. I wouldn't go below 1,400 PPM unless you enjoy a whisper of a massage.
Amplitude refers to the depth that the massage gun can penetrate or the stroke length of the gun. A higher amplitude can feel more intense even at a lower speed. If you know you enjoy a deep tissue or sports massage, I would consider a higher amplitude ranging from 14 to 16mm.
Combined, speed and amplitude deliver depth and intensity, so don't compromise on this just to save money. This is when a midrange model like the Theragun Elite might be worth considering.
Weight
The lighter the gun, the easier it is to use. Our Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro pick is the heaviest of the bunch, so consider this when deciding if you'll be using it for long periods or on yourself or someone else. Chances are, you're going to be reaching into some difficult areas, so you want your massage gun to feel lightweight in one hand.
Battery life
The best massage guns should have a battery life of at least 60 minutes. Some models charge faster than others, so it's worth checking this beforehand if you're planning to use your massage gun often. Our picks range from 60 to 180 minutes.
Attachments
Finally, check if your device comes with attachment heads. These will target different muscle groups and promote various relaxation benefits, so at least three is ideal. All three of our picks come with five heads, so you're in safe hands.
What to ignore when buying a massage gun
Try not to get sucked into fancy apps, carry cases, or connectivity. While these are great extras, the above factors are the most important, especially if you're buying a massage gun for the first time.
Stick firm on your budget and just make sure it's going to be varied and powerful enough for you to use. If a massage gun company goes heavy on the additional features and doesn't deliver the solid basics, you might find they're pushing features to hide a lack of quality in other, more important, places.
That doesn't mean the odd fancy feature here or there is "bad," but you could save money by avoiding stuff you don't actually need.
Best premium massage gun
The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro is a premium product with a price tag to match, which means athletes and those who are seriously into their exercise and sports will enjoy this premium massage gun.
I was unprepared for how expensive this massage gun would be, but it packs a lot in, like Bluetooth connectivity, an easy-to-use and extensive app and an adjustable PPM of 1,700 to 2,700 (I love this, as it's a fairly intense massage).
I know that I said apps and connectivity should be the least of your worries, but for a premium pick, I would expect these features as standard. That said, my favorite feature is the battery life, which lasts up to 180 minutes and is the type of standard I would expect to see on a model that costs this much.
My colleague Erin, who tested this model, found it easier to use on someone else rather than herself because it's quite heavy. If you're fine with that, then expect a deep amplitude, which makes for an equally deep and effective massage, and with unparalleled power. The long handle might be annoying if you've got small hands like mine, but it actually allows you to reach more areas of your body if you can use it.
There are five head attachments, including flat, fork, bullet, cushion and ball, all for different areas of the body. If you're not feeling too inspired, the app has routines for you to follow.
The only reason this gun got scored down a little was because it was expensive and a little punchy, but if your muscles (and bank account) can take it, Erin and I love the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro.
Read our Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro review.
Best affordable massage gun
Sometimes, you get what you pay for. I'm happy to say you can save money and still benefit from a fantastic massage gun if you choose the Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini.
The brand has taken off in the massage gun world, and Bob and Brad's USP is that they designed the gun as physical therapists, so they know exactly what makes for a quality massage gun design.
The M7 is really lightweight, which tester Erin tells me is easier to hold than the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro when using it on yourself. It's also super affordable and often on sale, so you don't have to break the bank to fix your muscles.
Erin rated it as the best starter massage gun, but anyone and everyone can benefit from this model, which is why I rate it so highly. It has a max speed of 3,000 PPM (wow, punchy) but less amplitude (9mm) than our premium pick, but still enough to provide intensity, trust me. The lowest setting is 2,000, which is still pretty powerful, so the speed range could be better for those who prefer more of a tap.
That said, this gun delivers a powerful massage, which is great for areas like your quads or back, and for those who prefer sports massages or deep tissue when they visit their therapist.
Let's talk about the standout feature: the heat head. What a feature. Heat therapy is thought to reduce soreness and aid relaxation, and some studies show that heat is even more effective than ice. Erin found it very soothing, and I love heat features on massage guns and recovery tools in general. There are other heads like cushion, ball, bullet and the U-shape, so you have plenty of options to play with.
During testing, the gun was most comfortable when it was running out of battery, which is ironic, and Erin explained to me that she liked to use the heat head as a warm-up, switching heads for the actual massage, which is a great idea and I highly recommend using this approach.
Read our Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini review
Best value massage gun
We've gone premium and affordable, so now let's look at value for money.
The Theragun Elite is a Porsche among massage guns with its "felt not heard" philosophy. It's not cheap cheap, but it is topped by the Theragun Pro, so we rate this as a better value option, and many people will still find this affordable for what it offers.
One thing we loved about the Elite is that it can be held in various ways, allowing users to apply pressure more efficiently and comfortably. It's especially helpful when targeting hard-to-reach spots, like the lower back and hamstrings.
The Elite comes with five attachments, a power adapter and a hard shell carrying case with various storage compartments. It’s bulky but sturdy, and a nice touch for the price tag.
I give this model a big tick for battery life; one full charge of the battery can get you up to two hours of operation. The Elite also doesn't take long to fully charge, making it a handy option for anyone using their massage gun regularly or taking it out on a trip.
The Therabody App provides step-by-step guidance and personalized programming, and also features an applied force meter, which tells you how much pressure to apply to muscles.
This isn't a must-have and is more of a fancy feature, but I love it. You'll love it too if you're new to using massage guns and don't know how to get started. You can also fine-tune your Elite to a more specific PPM using the Therabody App.
Another tick for value is the 16mm amplitude, which penetrates muscle tissue deeply, alongside five attachments, including a dampener for tender spots, a ball, a wedge (great for stimulating blood flow), a thumb for trigger points and a cone for "pinpoint" muscle treatment.
If you're wondering whether the Pro is more your style, read our Theragun Elite and the Theragun Pro face-off.
Read our full Theragun Elite review
Features compared
The Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini provides the most power but least amplitude and battery life, whereas the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro comes in second place for PPM and tops the board for battery life. The Theragun Elite offers middle-ground battery life and power.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Bob and Brad M7 Plus Mini | Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro | Theragun Elite |
|---|---|---|---|
Percussions per minute | 2,000-3,000 ppm | 1,700-2,700 ppm | 1,750-2,400 ppm |
Weight | 14 ounces / 0.8 pounds | 2.6 pounds | 2.2 pounds |
Battery life | 60 minutes | 180 minutes | 120 minutes |
Attachments | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Amplitude | 9mm | 14mm | 16mm |
Massage gun alternatives
Massage guns aren't the only recovery tools on the market; I've seen a meteoric rise in recovery tools like contrast therapy, mattress covers, compression massagers, ice baths and more.
I prefer the alternatives below to massage guns, so if you think a massage gun might not be for you, check out these recovery alternatives I swear by.
How we test the best massage guns
We have a team dedicated to testing and reviewing our products at Tom's Guide, which means we have multiple people experiencing the products for months and years, all firsthand.
Our tester, Erin, tested brands such as Hyperice, Bob and Brad, Theragun, and more on herself and others. I've also been in the fitness industry for years and have been able to test products throughout my time as a trainer, including some of the best massage guns in the Hyperice and Theragun range.
Massage guns and recovery tools aside, I enjoy CrossFit and weightlifting, and I teach weight training as well, so I know how important it is to look after your muscles and joints and support your recovery routine.
I don't like faff, fluff, or false claims, so I am quick to point out anything that doesn't ring true or could be seen as a marketing gimmick.
I've been far more hands-on with the other recovery tools in this guide, which helps me compare massage guns with other products out there. I sleep on an Eight Sleep Pod mattress cover (it's my favorite ever sleep product) and use the Lumi Ice Bath whenever I visit my parents. Ice baths are revitalizing and help me practice breathwork after a heavy workout, and my mattress pod can be heated or cooled depending on the weather to help optimize sleep.
The Hyperice Premier are being used by athletes to fuel recovery, and my step mom has been testing them for the last few months. She has a knee injury, and said she sees a noticeable improvement using the boots post-workout, reporting reduced swelling, inflammation and pain.
Our team tests massage guns at home on themselves and on others, where possible, for multiple sessions and several months per model. During this time, all testers assess factors like price and value for money, plus likes and dislikes and any features or apps.
I personally look at power and amplitude as priorities, as both of these combined will tell you how much pressure a massage gun can deliver. For that reason, the three top picks all provide enough of both. And from testing the other recovery tools out for months (and years), they're the ones I would invest my own money in if I were steering away from massage guns.
I don't like faff, fluff, or false claims.
I also look for multiple heads that can tailor your massage to multiple muscle groups and areas of your body. Weight is worth considering, too, as you'll be spending time holding your massage gun, so it shouldn't hurt your wrists. If a massage gun feels heavy within 20 seconds of holding it, don't buy it.
Erin Bashford is a reviews writer at Tom’s Guide. She has a Master’s in Broadcast and Digital Journalism and seven years of experience reviewing music and events for various publications.
In her spare time, you can find her reading, practising yoga, hiking, writing fantasy fiction, or stressing over todays’ NYT Games.
More recently, Erin has taken an active role in reviewing fitness gear and tech, including massage guns and hiking boots.
Sam is a part-time trainer in the fitness industry, teaching bodyweight HIIT classes, mobility and weightlifting, with a particular focus on kettlebells. She is an editor at TG, writing about all things workouts, fitness tech and mindfulness. Sam tests fitness gear everyday, aiming to educate readers in what's worth your investment in the current financial climate.
