If you suffer from muscle aches or stiffness it can be difficult, not to mention expensive, to schedule a professional massage every time you experience some discomfort.
A muscle massage gun offers a convenient, portable and cost-effective way to alleviate aches and pains from the comfort of your home.
You might also see a muscle massager referred to as a percussion massager or a deep tissue massage gun, as these devices offer what is known as percussive or vibration massage.
They direct rapid bursts of pressure into the muscle tissue, increasing blood flow to that area helping to reduce inflammation and tension.
If you think you would benefit from a power massager to soothe post-workout aches or ongoing muscle pain, read on for our reviews of the best massage guns, more information about how they work, and the options available.
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Best For Higher Budgets
2HOPOSO Deep Tissue Muscle Massager
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Best For Low Budgets
4WenTop Deep Tissue Muscle Massager
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| 5
Best Overall
5WELTEAYO 2nd Gen Muscle Massage Gun
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| 6 |
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1. ALDOM Deep Tissue Massage Gun
- Amplitude of 16mm massages deep into tissues
- 30 speeds
- Six replaceable massage heads for different areas of the body
- Brushless quiet motor
This is a really powerful massage gun which offers 30 speeds to cater for anyone from a gym-goer who wants to relax muscles after a workout to a professional athlete.
Even at the lower speeds we noticed clear benefits and the variety of replaceable heads allow you to select the right one to suit your needs with each use.
The lower speeds help to relax muscles whilst higher speeds break down lactic acid build-up and provide a deep massage.
An LCD touch display at the back of the gun makes it easy to check and adjust the settings and a ring of light around the base acts as a battery charge indicator.
The battery lasts an impressive 8 hours and the charge time is around 3 hours.
We found the gun simple to hold and use in one hand, if a little heavy, and the quiet operation is a definite plus.
Specifications
Pros
- 8 hours operation time on one battery charge
- LCD touch display
- Quiet operation
- Comes with a case for easy storage of the gun and replacement heads
Cons
- Instructions could be clearer
- Product data doesn’t state the weight but we found it relatively heavy
2. HOPOSO Deep Tissue Muscle Massager
- 30 speeds from relaxing muscles to deep massage
- Quiet operation
- Six replaceable heads for different areas of the body
- Silicone cover provides a sturdy grip
The HOPOSO handheld massager is a great all-rounder at a really competitive price.
The motor is high-powered but very quiet and vents help to dissipate any heat created helping to prolong the life of the product.
This gun comes with six replaceable heads to best suit different needs and areas of the body, such as a U shaped head for the neck and spine and a thumb head to massage soft tissue.
The 30 speed settings build from a gentle and relaxing massage up to a level which is suitable for professional use. Selecting your preferred setting is easy, with an LCD touch display control panel.
The handle has a silicone cover to give you a sturdy grip and at 2.2lbs we found the weight to be comfortable.
There’s little we could find fault with in this massage gun, especially considering the price point, so it gets our firm recommendation!
Specifications
Pros
- Long battery life (up to 8 hours)
- Vents dissipate heat to prolong the product life
- Carry case to conveniently store the gun and accessories
- Easy to use LCD display control panel
Cons
- Doesn’t have the adjustable angles of some massage guns
3. OPOVE Percussion Massage Gun
- Three speed settings
- Supplied with six replaceable heads for varying needs
- Tough shell can withstand dropping
- Up to 3-5 hours usage per charge
This compact massage gun has a range of replaceable heads to tackle different areas of the body, all stored along with the gun in a neat carry case.
The shell of this gun is tough, made in Nylon 66 and fibreglass to withstand dropping.
There are three speed settings, from a gentle massage through to a more intense deep tissue option.
This is significantly less than some models which can offer up to 30 speeds, but we found the choice of three to be sufficient for our needs. It also has an automatic shut-off after 10 minutes of use to prevent injury.
The battery charges quickly (in around 3 hours) and lasts for 3-5 hours of usage, depending on the setting you use.
A battery indicator light at the base of the handle will tell you when the gun needs to be charged.
Specifications
Pros
- Turns off automatically after 10 minutes to avoid injury
- Quiet operation
- Supplied with a case to hold the gun and heads
- Battery indicator light on the handle
Cons
- Fewer speed options than other models
4. WenTop Deep Tissue Muscle Massager
- 20 speed settings
- Five interchangeable massage heads
- Easy to use LCD touch display
- 6-8 hours of use per battery charge (charge time of 4 hours)
The price of this massage gun makes it an attractive entry level option if you want to test the benefits of a massage gun.
It has the typical design with an ergonomic, anti-slip handle. Inside the body is a powerful and yet quiet brushless motor and vents help dissipate heat to keep the gun running efficiently and prolong the product life.
There are 20 speed settings depending whether you need to relax muscles or penetrate deeper into the tissues.
You can select between the settings on the easy to operate LCD touch display screen. Five replaceable heads help to target different areas of the body effectively.
It takes around 4 hours to fully charge the battery and you’ll get 6-8 hours usage from a single charge, depending on the setting.
The simple battery indicator light at the bottom of the handle tells you when a fresh charge is needed.
A carry case stores the gun and heads when not in use.
Specifications
Pros
- High power but quiet motor
- Supplied with carry case to store the gun and massage heads
- Anti-slip handle
- Battery indicator light on the handle
Cons
- Would be useful if instructions were simpler
5. WELTEAYO 2nd Gen Muscle Massage Gun
- 20 speed modes
- LCD touch screen control panel
- Battery lasts up to 6 hours and charges in just 2 hours
- Supplied with six replaceable heads to target different areas
Although this gun has a powerful motor, the operating volume is very quiet thanks to the brushless motor.
Ventilation slots at the top of the body also allow heat to dissipate to prevent the motor from overheating, which aids performance and extends the life of the product.
There are 20 speed modes to suit your needs and the intensity of the massage you need, from a low relaxing setting to a stronger deep tissue massage that will address lactic acid build-up.
You can easily scroll through the settings by touching the + and – signs on the clear LCD display.
Six replaceable heads can tackle different areas of the body, from a cone head for pain point massage to a round ball for large muscle groups.
The battery charges within 2 hours and one charge will give you up to 6 hours usage.
The battery does detach if you need a massage gun which you can take on a flight.
The first time you remove it this can be a little tricky and it can be best to have one person hold the gun whilst the other removes the battery.
Specifications
Pros
- Powerful but quiet brushless motor
- Auto shut-off after 10 minutes to prevent injury
- Ventilation slots prevent overheating
- Detachable battery makes it possible to take the gun on a flight
Cons
- Some users report issues with charging the battery
- Battery does detach, but it can be tricky to do this
6. addsfit Muscle Percussion Massager
- Choice of 9 speeds
- Easy to use controls – move up and down through the speeds easily
- Five silicone head attachments
- Up to six hours of use per charge
Nine speed settings and a choice of five silicone head attachments allow you to customise your ideal massage.
The silicone attachments are skin-friendly and range from a triggered flat head for flat and large muscle groups to a dampener for tender areas or near bones.
The gun will shut down after 30 minutes to prevent overuse, which gives you longer than many other models which shut off after 10 minutes.
The gun is straightforward to use; simply fit your preferred head attachment, turn on the switch at the bottom and then use the controls on the touch panel to select your desired speed setting.
The battery will give you up to six hours of use per single charge so you could easily go a week or more between recharges.
An indicator light at the bottom of the handle will tell you when a top-up charge is needed.
The battery can also be removed if you want to fly with the gun.
Specifications
Pros
- Quiet operation at low speeds
- Automatically shuts down after 30 minutes to avoid overuse
- Travel case to store gun and attachments
- Battery is detachable for flying
Cons
- We did find it a little noisy at high settings
- Battery can be tricky to detach
Massage Gun Buying Guide
Technology
A massage gun can look like a power tool more suited to DIY, but it’s a device which can relieve and soothe muscle aches and pains, as does a massage chair pad.Â
It works by using percussive or vibration therapy, which delivers rapid bursts of pressure into the muscle tissue.Â
This increases blood flow to the area, alleviating any inflammation and helping to disperse the waste products of exercise which may have pooled in the muscles.Â
The body of a massage gun contains a motor which drives the vibration, with most models having a range of settings to control the speed and strength of the oscillation.Â
Massage heads which attach to the gun transfer this vibration to the skin where it travels into the tissue.Â
Motor Power
As we explained above, the motor drives the vibration that makes a massage gun work.Â
The more powerful the motor, the more powerful a massage it can provide.Â
Massage guns tend to use brushless motors.Â
Although these are initially more expensive than a brushed motor, they offer a number of benefits.Â
They’re more precise, and therefore more efficient, and importantly, they create less noise.Â
They’re also easier to cool down and you’ll notice that many massage guns have vents to allow the motor to cool so it can keep running effectively.Â
Speed Settings
The speed settings on a massage gun determine how powerful the massage will be.Â
Lower speeds will deliver a gentle massage that is ideal for relaxing muscles and can also be used to warm muscles prior to a workout.Â
Higher speeds deliver a more powerful massage into the deep tissues and these can be useful for easing aches or areas of tension.Â
When you first start to use a massage gun, it would be advisable to begin on lower settings and work upwards to assess your tolerance.Â
The highest speeds can be best suited to professional athletes.
The number of speed settings to choose from varies from model to model. Some may just have three or five, others can offer up to 30.Â
Head Attachments
Head attachments are fixed to the body of a massage gun to deliver a massage directly to the skin, or they can be used over clothing.
Because muscles vary in size and shape around the body, different head attachments help to customise the massage to your needs.Â
Most massage gun models include a large round ball attachment which is ideally suited to use on large flat areas of muscle.Â
Small cone-shaped attachments can focus in on a smaller area to alleviate specific pain.Â
Another common type of attachment is a U shaped head which can be used on the neck or along the spine.Â
You can experiment with the best combinations of speed setting and head attachment which work for you in different situations.Â
Battery Life
Massage guns are cordless to make them portable and easy to use all over the body, so they are battery powered, usually by a rechargeable lithium battery.Â
If you want to avoid needing to charge the battery after every single use then the amount of use from one charge and the amount of time it takes to recharge the battery will be important to you.
The battery life will depend on the setting you use, as higher speeds will use more energy than lower speeds.Â
There are many models which offer a battery life between 5 and 8 hours which can allow you to use the gun for around a week between recharges.
Look out for options which have a battery indicator light that will give warning when the charge is running low.Â
Pricing Range
Like many gadgets, the price of massage guns depends on a range of factors including the design, build quality and the number of features offered.
Entry level models can be priced at around US$80 or potentially less, with costs going up to several hundred dollars for more sophisticated options.Â
There are plenty of mid-range options which are affordable yet offer a good range of features.Â
Our Verdict
The design of the massage guns we reviewed was very similar, so our evaluation was mainly focused on the features and factors such as the battery life.
Our Best Entry Level choice is the WenTop Deep Tissue Muscle Massager. It’s a good way to test the benefits of a massage gun for yourself at a reasonable price.
It offers 20 speed settings and an impressive 6-8 hours of use with each battery charge. It’s very simple to use with an LCD touch display and ergonomic handle.
If you have more to spend, we recommend our Best Top of the Range choice, the HOPOSO Deep Tissue Muscle Massager.
With 30 speed settings and a range of six replaceable heads, there are many ways to customise your ideal massage.
Finally, for impressive features at an attractive price, our Best Value choice is the WELTEAYO 2nd Gen Muscle Massage Gun.
As well as the 20 speed settings and six replaceable heads, we were impressed with the battery life of up to six hours and a rapid 2 hour recharge time.
