Nothing is more relaxing than a professional massage. After spending an hour on the massage table, your muscles feel looser, and you can move more easily without those nagging aches and pains. The trouble with massage therapy is that it can be expensive and time consuming. We don’t all have the time or money to enjoy weekly professional massages! If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative that delivers similar results, you may want to consider a massage gun.
Massage guns are handheld devices that deliver percussive therapy. This type of therapy has been shown to reduce muscle pain, ease stiffness, and speed recovery. There are plenty of different massage guns on the market, but some are better than others. We’ve done the work to bring you a shortlist to help you make your choice. The best massage guns on Amazon are reviewed here.
What Is a Massage Gun?
A massage gun, also known as a percussive massager, is a handheld device that looks almost like a power drill. It consists of a large handle and a massage head that moves quickly in and out – this percussive motion is what separates massage guns from vibratory massage wands. Most massage guns have variable speed and power settings and they come with an assortment of attachments.
The 5 Best Massage Guns on Amazon
While most massage guns look pretty similar, there are significant differences in terms of power, intensity, battery life, and adjustability. We’ve reviewed all of the top massage guns on the market to bring you a shortlist of the best 5 options.
Here are our top picks for the best massage guns on Amazon:
Best Overall: Vybe Pro Percussion Massage Gun
When nothing but the best will do, we recommend the Vybe Pro Percussion Massage Gun. This model is designed by professionals for professionals, offering 9 variable speeds of intensity and generous 3-hour battery life. Despite being such a powerful massage gun, the Vybe Pro is surprisingly lightweight and it comes with a convenient carry case for the gun and its accessories.
The Vybe Pro massage gun is quiet but mighty. Its noise level is measured at just 60 decibels and it offers a percussive force up to 33 pounds + 12mm amplitude. The 3-hour rechargeable battery means you can work all the muscles you need to, customizing your therapy with the 8 interchangeable attachments. Choose from different attachments for large muscle groups, tension points, small muscles, and trigger points. When in doubt, the knot blaster flathead attachment is a great choice.
Despite its “pro” designation, this Vybe percussion massage gun is competitively priced, and you can’t beat all the accessories it comes with. Overall, it offers excellent value, which landed it as best overall on our best massage guns on Amazon list.
Premium Pick: Theragun Elite Massage Gun
If you’re going to invest in a massage gun, you might as well make your investment worth it. The Theragun Elite offers strong, reliable performance in combination with a variety of useful features. Though you’ll certainly pay more for it, the Theragun is one of the most powerful and versatile models we’ve reviewed and we heartily recommend it.
The Theragun Elite Massage Gun offers several design features that help ensure quiet performance. Integrated QuietForce Technology combined with advanced sound insulation means this device runs quieter than a standard electric toothbrush. Just because it’s quiet, however, doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful. This model delivers 60% deeper amplitude and speed with up to 40 pounds of force.
This massage gun is not just powerful but also incredibly easy to use. The OLED screen makes it easy to adjust the speed and force between 1,750 and 2,400 PPMs. All that power might seem difficult to handle, but the Theragun has an ergonomic multi-grip handle that gives you multiple ways to hold the device without putting any strain on your arms or hands. For these features and many more, we chose the Theragun as one of the best massage guns on Amazon.
It’s also worth mentioning that this is the only massage gun on the list that connects to a smart app. The Theragun connects to the app via Bluetooth, enabling you to run personalized wellness routines based on your preferences.
Most Powerful: Vybe V2 Percussion Massage Gun
When it comes to evaluating the power of a massage gun, you have to think about more than just the number of speed settings. The Vybe V2 only offers six speeds (in contrast with the Vybe Pro’s 9) but its percussive force is nearly twice as strong. While the Vybe Pro offers a percussive force up to 33 pounds, the Vybe V2 goes all the way up to 60 pounds.
If you struggle with stiff, tight muscles on a regular basis, you may need a slightly more powerful massage gun. Not only does the Vybe V2 offer plenty of percussive force and six variable speeds, but its unique design gives you a stronger, steadier grip so you can really dig deep into those sore muscles. This model is trigger-activated with an ergonomic handle and it is very lightweight at just 3.53 pounds.
While the Vybe V2 only comes with three attachments, this model is still incredibly versatile. The head offers a full 90 degrees of rotation and the three attachments work for large muscles, small muscles, and hard-to-reach trigger points. It all comes packed in a handy carry case for less than half the price of the Vybe Pro Percussion Massage Gun. For the power, convenience and so much more, we chose the Vybe as one of our best massage guns on Amazon.
New Kid on the Block: HYDRAGUN Massage Gun
The Hydragun markets itself as having the “quietest motor technology” currently in existence, and based on testing its performance and reading other reviews, this claim held up against the test. This is a highly sought-after feature for a massage gun to possess because it allows users to truly decompress and de-stress without having to worry about noise level. Users can easily watch TV, listen to music, or read without distraction.
Based on the fact that this is one of the quietest massage guns on the market, you might be surprised to know that this powerful motor does not weigh down the Hydragun. In fact, this tool is surprisingly lightweight due to its aerospace-grade aluminum body and non-slip silicone handle. The lightweight feel of this device is key to a pleasant massage experience, along with the fact that this massage gun comes with seven different attachment heads and six speed settings. If a personalized massage experience is important to you, this massage gun has all of the right features.
As impressive as the Hydragun performs, nothing in the world is perfect. This massage gun lacks an adjustable arm. The length and angle of the Hydragun is fixed in place at a 90-degree angle, giving it less flexibility than a few other premium massage guns in the market. That being said, it is a feature that may or may not affect the quality of use. It all depends on your needs and what area of the body you’re are targeting.
Budget Pick: Ekrin B37 Massage Gun
The Ekrin B37 is ranked as being one of the best massage guns for its perfect balance of power, design, and cost.
From the unboxing of the Ekrin B37, we knew it was special. The overall feel and design of the B37 is premium. From the soft touch polycarbonate body to the 15 degree angled handle, it feels wonderful to hold in the hand.
Powering it on, the thrill continues as the brushless 5-speed motor seamlessly and smoothly hums along at 1400-3200RPM. There are very few massage guns that deliver this amount of power.
We think the Ekrin is a great choice for not only the avid exerciser, but anyone that frequently complains of muscle soreness and muscle knots. The icing on the cake? The price. It costs about half that of the Theragun Elite.
Why Do I Need a Massage Gun?
If you’ve ever had a professional massage, you probably already know the answer to this question. Massage therapy can help loosen stiff joints and tight muscles, improving mobility and flexibility while reducing pain and soreness. It can also speed recovery and healing after an injury or intense workout. A massage gun delivers the same benefits, but you can operate it yourself – you don’t have to make the trip to the spa and pay for a professional massage.
Massage guns are particularly beneficial for athletes and bodybuilders, but anyone can benefit from percussive therapy. If you experience lingering pain, soreness, or stiffness from an old injury, a massage gun could help. Percussive therapy can also be beneficial for stress relief. When your muscles are relaxed, you’ll find it easier to sleep at night and there are plenty of benefits that come with good sleep.
FAQs for Massage Guns
What parts of the body can I use a massage gun on?
You can use a massage gun on just about any muscular part of the body, though you may want to avoid the face, throat, and neck. Avoid using the massage gun over open wounds, scabs, or bone injuries.
How do I decide which accessory to use?
The large round massage head attachment is best for large muscle groups like the hamstrings, quads, and glutes. The flat head attachment can be used on smaller surface areas like the length of the IT bands or between the shoulder blades – it is particularly good for dense muscles. The smaller attachments are ideal for targeting small areas of muscle soreness where concentrated attention is required.
Is it normal for my skin to turn red after using a massage gun?
Percussive therapy helps stimulate blood flow, so it is normal for the treatment area to turn pink or red after treatment due to dilation of the blood vessels. If the area turns red very quickly, you may want to move to another area to avoid a bruise.
