Whether you’re an athlete striving for peak performance or a regular gym-goer exercising to get fitter and stronger, it’s no secret that recovery should be part of the work. Sleep and fuel are your most important performance enhancers, but at-home recovery tools like massage guns can give tired muscles an extra edge too.

Eclipsing foam rollers with their superior power and versatility, the best massage guns harness percussive therapy – a science-backed recovery method proven increases blood flow and loosens up tight spots – delivering mechanical pummelling that simulates a traditional massage. They’re great for combatting exercise-induced niggles – like delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), muscle tension, inflammation and pain – but also for alleviating the general aches and pains that come with our increasingly sedentary day-to-day lives.

Best Massage Guns
Best Massage Gun: Therabody Theragun PRO Plus
Best Value Massage Gun: Hyperice Hypervolt 3
Best Massage Gun for Travel: Therabody Theragun Mini (3rd Gen)
Best for Hot and Cold Therapy: HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun
Best Budget Massage Gun: Bob and Brad Mini Q2 Massage Gun

Massage guns ‘provide targeted deep tissue massage through rapid and repetitive pulsating movements’, says Carlos Cobiella, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at The Shoulder Practice. ‘These movements penetrate deep into the muscles to aid and accelerate muscle recovery by reducing muscle soreness and stiffness.’

But the benefits go far beyond just recovery. Massage guns are credited with improving range of motion and mobility. ‘They can break down adhesions and scar tissue, promoting tissue flexibility and preventing long-term stiffness,’ says Cobiella. ‘Interestingly, massage guns also indirectly contribute to improved joint flexibility, helping them to move through their full range of motion.’

Regularly using a massage gun can also help you to tune in to the sensations of your body, which can promote relaxation and provide stress relief. ‘Don’t think you need to be in pain to buy a percussive therapy device,’ says Nikos Skevis, Master Trainer and Educational Consultant for Hyperice. ‘Setting aside some time each day to care for your muscle tissue has a positive effect on your health and wellbeing and will help to safeguard your muscles from future issues, such as tension-related pain, as well as protect their overall longevity.’

What to Consider

When browsing the best massage guns, your considerations should centre on factors like power, noise control, battery life and overall quality.

Power

To pinpoint the power of your massage gun, check the amplitude and, if listed, the stall force. These two specs together indicate the depth of the massage your device can offer.

Amplitude: Amplitude in a massage gun refers to how deep it can reach into your muscles. It’s measured in millimetres, and generally, the higher the measurement, the deeper the massage. Top quality massage guns typically boast 12-16mm of amplitude, while more budget options will most likely hover in the 8-10mm range.

Stall Force: Stall force is essentially how much pressure you can apply to a massage gun during use on your muscles before the motor stalls. Sometimes also known as torque, stall force is usually measured in pounds, and ranges tend to fall around the 20-30lbs mark for cheaper options, and 40-50lbs for standard massage guns. Anything higher and you’re dealing with a premium product. The higher the stall force, the more pressure you can apply. Opt for a higher stall force if you prefer a deep-tissue massage.

Battery

A decent massage gun should also last for a few days to a week, based on around 15 minutes’ use per day. Also consider if any attachments need to be charged, like hot and cold therapy heads, which often operate independently from the main massage gun battery.

Size & Portability

Before buying a massage gun, consider where you plan on using it and storing it. Our top pick, the Theragun PRO Plus, for example, is a comprehensive option that comes with ample power and all the attachments you’d need for getting an intense and varied massage – but with all that it does lack portability. If you travel a lot, or want a massage gun you can stash in your gym bag, you might be better off choosing a mini massage gun, like the Theragun Mini. You naturally give up some amplitude and stall force with these smaller models, but they’re easier to pack in your luggage and carry on-the-go.

Price

Generally, a higher price will indicate a more reliable product. The more expensive the massage gun, generally speaking the higher the power and stall force will be. You’ll likely also benefit from a wider range of attachments, a longer battery live, and extras like travel cases. But that’s not to say that a lower price indicates a shoddy one, either. Models like the HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun represent excellent value, delivering much of the above without demanding too much from your wallet.

Still on the fence? Read our explainers on how to use a massage gun and why massage guns work.

How We Tested

Our team of health and fitness editors tested the mettle of the best massage guns on the market. Each massage gun was trialled for at least a three-week period, used to prime and relieve our experts’ muscles around their fitness-filled schedule of weightlifting, HIIT, running, yoga and more.

Each massage gun was judged on how easy they were to control, the impact they had on sore muscles, their ability to move across skin and muscle smoothly, and the effectiveness of any interchangeable massage heads included. The design (how ergonomic the handle was), portability and any other innovative features were also taken into consideration when deciding the final hierarchy.