The 15 Best Massage Guns, Expert-Tested

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Massage guns can help relieve tension, tightness, and soreness when used before and after workouts. They target your muscles using rapid-fire pulses to provide the benefits of massage therapy from the comfort of your home. To find the best massage guns on the market, we consulted experts (including a registered nurse, a board-certified physical therapist, and more) to learn which key features are most important. Then, we tested 41 massage guns in the Verywell Testing Lab under the supervision of physical therapist Monica Saliu, PT, DPT. We also tested them at home for more than 1,066 total hours of testing.

Our Favorite Massage Guns, at a Glance

Credit: Amazon

Key Specs

Noise: 45–55 decibels | Stall Force: 50 pounds | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Customizability: 6 head attachments, 3 speeds | Battery Life: 3.5 hours | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for athletes and casual exercisers who like deep tissue massage to relieve soreness from high-intensity workouts.

Why We Love It

Opove’s Apex Massage Gun is our top overall pick because we were impressed by how effectively it reaches trigger points and sore spots. Previously, the brand’s M3 Pro massage gun was our favorite—but we love that this new model is quieter, more compact, and easier to maneuver. We also like that the Apex comes with a convenient carrying case, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing any of its six unique head attachments.

For fans of deep tissue massage, this device comes with multiple smaller attachments for more intense kneading around smaller muscles and tendons. While it has a hefty stall force of 50 pounds, it’s still lightweight, weighing just 2.3 pounds. Its battery life is also competitive, lasting three to four hours on one full charge. Ideal for beginners and serious athletes alike, it’s powerful enough to offer deep relief.

Potential Flaws

  • The lowest settings on this massage gun might still feel too intense for those looking for a more gentle massage.

Most Valuable Insight

“I really like that this massage gun offers such powerful percussive therapy but is a lot lighter, smaller, and cheaper than other options that offer roughly the same deep tissue relief.” —Isabella B., NASM-CPT, Verywell Fit product tester

ekrin-athletics-b37-massage-gun

Credit: Amazon
Pros

  • Easy to hold and use

  • Customizable speed range

  • Long battery life

Key Specs

Noise: 35–55 decibels | Stall Force: Not listed | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Customizability: 4 head attachments, 5 speeds | Battery Life: 8 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who It’s For

Best for those with chronic tension or tightness who need a massage gun for daily use.

Why We Love It

Ekrin Athletic’s B37 Percussion Massager is a compact, easy-to-use device, with an eight-hour battery life, five speed settings, and four head attachments. It’s also ultra-quiet, lightweight, and comes with a convenient carrying case for portability.

This massage gun effectively relieved muscle tension in our super-sore shoulders, glutes, and legs. Plus, the ergonomic, 15-degree angled handle provides a more comfortable reach. We also like that the device is quieter and has a longer battery life than many other massage guns on our list. It’s perfect for everyday use—comfortable to hold, completely customizable, and reliably durable.

Potential Flaws

  • The lowest setting still feels fairly intense and may be too strong for some.

Amazon RENPHO Power Massage Gun

Credit: Amazon
Pros

  • LED touch display

  • Auto-off timer

  • Six massage heads 

Key Specs

Noise: 45 decibels | Stall Force: 30 pounds | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Customizability: 6 head attachments, 6 speeds | Battery Life: 3 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who It’s For

Athletes on a budget looking for more intense massage gun therapy and people who want and can tolerate deep tissue massage.

Why We Love It

For our best budget pick, we found that RENPHO’s Power Massage Gun is the most effective massage gun without a hefty price tag. Known for its high-tech bathroom scales and foot massagers, RENPHO is no stranger to wellness products. With six percussion speeds and six attachment heads, this massage gun lets you easily find a speed and head shape that works to relieve your muscle tension. And while even the low speeds are quite intense, the longer we use it, the more comfortable we get cranking it up, especially on larger muscle groups like hamstrings.

This L-shaped gun is heavier, but we still found it easy to hold. We also like that it comes with a convenient carrying bag, although we think the device’s weight makes it a less appealing choice for traveling. The stall force is fairly powerful and doesn’t turn off with more pressure—it stayed consistently strong throughout our testing period. Overall, we think its strength, effectiveness, and wide variety of attachments make this massage gun a steal for the price.

Potential Flaws

  • We noticed the power button (the same button that adjusts the speed) is very close to where your thumb goes, and it can be quite easy to click it accidentally.
  • The lowest speed setting may still be too powerful for beginners and new users.

Most Valuable Insight

“I consistently used it on my hamstrings, quads, and glutes before my weekly spin class, and noticed that I felt like I could push for higher resistance with less struggle. I’ve also used it to relieve my general upper-body and back soreness and feel like it has alleviated that pain.” —Kimberly S., Verywell Fit product tester

Therabody Theragun Prime Massage Gun

Credit: Amazon

Key Specs

Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: 30 pounds | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Customizability: 4 head attachments, 5 speeds | Battery Life: 2 hours | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for athletes and exercisers who need a quiet gun with customizable speed for their massage treatments.

Why We Love It

Theragun is a powerhouse in the massage gun market. After testing the brand’s most popular models, we chose Therabody’s Theragun Prime as our favorite. In fact, it earned an overall higher rating than the more expensive Theraguns we tested. We found it quiet, easy to hold, and very effective at relieving sore muscles after a workout.

It comes with four head attachments, plus a smart app with how-to video guides that help with the initial set-up process. We love that the brushless motor features the company’s QuietForce technology that keeps the device quiet while in use, without losing power. The Prime has five built-in speeds, but you can select between 1,750 and 2,400 percussions per minute to customize your treatment in manual mode.

Potential Flaws

  • The handle on this massage gun is ergonomic but may be too short for hard-to-reach areas.
  • The battery life is only two hours, which is shorter than many other massage guns on our list.

Most Valuable Insight

“This was feeling like a ‘nice-to-have’ gadget until the morning I woke up with a tension headache. I used the Theragun on my back and shoulder and felt great for the rest of the day.” —Sabrina W., Verywell Fit product tester

Therabody Theragun Relief

Credit: Target
Pros

  • Lightweight

  • Easy one-button control

  • Gentle massaging relief

Key Specs

Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: Not listed | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Customizability: 3 head attachments, 3 speeds | Battery Life: 2 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Who It’s For

Best for new massage gun users who want light relief at a budget-friendly price.

Why We Love It

Therabody’s Theragun Relief is our top pick for a more budget-friendly Theragun. We love its lightweight design and easy, one-button control. The button allows you to toggle through the three speeds quickly, and a light indicator lets you see what setting you’re on. Due to its shorter stroke distance of 10 millimeters (most other Theragun models are 16 millimeters), this massage gun is perfect for gentle, soothing relief of everyday aches and pains.

During testing, we noted the Relief is durable, solidly built, and easy to hold. It comes with three head attachments and printed cards that visually walk you through routines. You can also use the Therabody app on your phone to follow along with guided routines for more targeted relief.

Potential Flaws

  • This massage gun may not be strong enough for more experienced users or someone needing a stronger massage.
  • The Relief doesn’t come with a carrying case, but we love the light sand color that keeps it looking nice even when it’s sitting out.

Most Valuable Insight

“Overall, my muscles felt more relaxed after using the Theragun Relief. It was the right fit for my everyday aches and pains.” —Phoebe S., Verywell Fit product tester

opove M3 Pro Massage Gun

Credit: Amazon

Key Specs

Noise: 35-55 decibels | Stall Force: 70 pounds | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Customizability: 6 head attachments, 5 speeds | Battery Life: 4 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for anyone from casual gym-goers to athletes needing a versatile, powerful massage gun at a reasonable price.

Why We Love It

With a wide range of speed settings and attachments, OPOVE’s M3 Pro Massage Gun is a great option for beginners who want to ease into using a massage gun. During testing, we found it perfect for warming up muscles before a workout and helping to relieve post-workout soreness and tightness. The simple, one-button control allowed us to easily cycle through five different speeds to find the perfect setting.

We like that the M3 Pro comes with six attachments and a guide with detailed instructions on which attachments to use for different areas. It is very quiet, and the grip feels very comfortable. The soft, rubbery material helps reduce vibrations. Plus, the long handle makes it easy to target hard-to-reach areas.

Potential Flaws

  • During testing, we noticed that the bag holding the attachments is just barely big enough to fit all the attachments. We wish it were a little bigger so we didn’t have to fiddle with it to get the zipper to close.

Most Valuable Insight

“The massage gun works great. I used it to prevent soreness and found that I was less sore than I would’ve been if I hadn’t used the gun. When I used it for warmups, I was quicker to loosen up while playing sports and exercising. It also helps break up tight muscles once I am sore.” —Smith C., Verywell Fit product tester

Amazon Theragun Prime Plus Massage Gun

Credit: Amazon
Pros

  • Ergonomic handle

  • Very durable

  • Intuitive controls

Key Specs

Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: Not listed | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Customizability: 4 head attachments, 5 speeds, 3 heat settings | Battery Life: 2.5 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for frequent exercisers or fitness enthusiasts seeking a powerful and durable massage gun.

Why We Love It

Theragun’s Prime Plus is a high-tech, high-quality option that’s versatile for treating mild to deep muscle aches. During testing, we were able to easily adjust the speed using the simple, intuitive controls. We also found that the four attachments effectively treated both large and small knots in our back.

With an ergonomic, triangular handle design, this Theragun is easy to hold and reaches all areas of the body (even the backside). We also appreciate the convenient carrying case with slots for all attachments. This device is extremely durable and a great investment for those who work out frequently and are prone to extra-tight or sore muscles.

Potential Flaws

  • During testing, we found the device a bit heavy to hold with one hand, making it slightly challenging to target hard-to-reach areas like the arms and upper back. However, its weight might not be an issue for stronger people.
  • The device’s intense percussion may be too powerful for beginners and new users.

Most Valuable Insight

“I would likely purchase this massage gun because I work out very often and found it effective. It’s also super high-quality, and I know it will last for years. The range of settings and attachments made it easy and effective to hit every part of my body.” —Michelle P., CYT, Verywell Fit product tester

Theragun Mini 2.0

Credit: Amazon

Key Specs

Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: 20 pounds | Weight: 1 pounds | Customizability: 3 head attachments, 3 speeds | Battery Life: 2.5 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for those looking for a compact massage gun that’s easier to hold—and more budget-friendly—than larger devices.

Why We Love It

For another budget-friendly option that’s also easily portable, we recommend Theragun’s Mini Massage Gun. It’s perfect for working out knots and tight spots while on the go because of its lightweight, compact design, which can be easily stashed in your gym bag. With a 20-pound stall force and only three speed settings, this massager isn’t as strong as others, but we think that makes it ideal for beginners. We still noticed a difference in our sore, tight muscles after treatments. 

Mini massage guns are especially useful for people with weaker hands or chronic arthritis pain who can’t comfortably hold heavier devices for an extended period. We like that the Theragun Mini has a sleek, ergonomic grip that helps reduce hand strain. Therabody claims this second-generation Mini is 20% smaller and 30% lighter than its predecessor, making it perfect for travel.

Potential Flaws

  • The Mini only comes with three head attachments, but it’s compatible with other Theragun attachments, which can be purchased separately.
  • The stall force is pretty low compared to full-sized devices, but we still found solid relief.

Most Valuable Insight

“As a certified yoga teacher, I’m always on the go—whether I’m leading heated sculpt classes, working with private clients, or lifting weights in my personal fitness routine. Given my active lifestyle, recovery is an essential part of my weekly routine. I use Therabody’s Theragun Mini at least twice a week; it effectively melts away tension and soothes sore muscles. I appreciate the adjustable intensity levels, allowing me to go slow when I’m particularly sore or ramp it up when I need a bit more relief.” —Michelle P., CYT, Verywell Fit product tester

Walmart Ekrin Athletics Bantam Percussion Massager

Credit: Walmart
Pros

  • Compact size

  • Lightweight design

  • Quiet operation

Key Specs

Noise: 50–58 decibels | Stall Force: 35 pounds | Weight: 1.1 pounds | Customizability: 4 head attachments, 3 speeds | Battery Life: 6 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who It’s For               

Best for travelers or light exercisers who need a portable and quiet massager. 

Why We Love It

Ekrin’s Bantam Massage Gun is lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it ideal for kneading around smaller areas that are tight or sore. During testing, we found it to be especially effective for targeting our calves and our upper back, which was sore from sitting at a desk all day. It was also super quiet, allowing us to watch television at a normal volume without any disturbance.

We like that the Bantam comes with multiple small attachments that make it easy to target smaller muscles. They were also very easy to swap in and out. Plus, everything packs up nicely in a square carrying case, which we found to be very lightweight and compact for travel.

Potential Flaws

  • Although we were pleased with the massage gun’s overall performance, we wish it had a couple more intensity settings.

Most Valuable Insight

“This little travel-sized machine packs a punch. It’s great at helping get rid of knots, which I get a lot of in my shoulders and neck, and seems to be able to help them relax.” —Kelly B., Verywell Fit product tester

Amazon Ekrin Kestrel Massage Gun

Credit: Amazon

Key Specs

Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: Not listed | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Customizability: 6 head attachments, 6 speeds | Battery Life: 8 hours | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for active individuals and athletes who value versatility and effectiveness in targeting specific muscle groups.

Why We Love It

Ekrin’s Kestrel Percussion Massager features an ergonomic design that makes it versatile and comfortable to use. During testing, we found that the soft, textured grip was easy to hold, and we didn’t notice any hand fatigue or discomfort, even during longer massage sessions. We also liked that we could hold it with one hand to target hard-to-reach areas and use it with two hands when we needed to apply additional pressure for a deeper massage.

We appreciate the massage gun’s range of intensity levels, which is wide enough to cover tender muscles and deep knots. Additionally, the variety of attachments efficiently targets different muscle groups and we found it particularly effective for use on our backs, necks, and shoulders. With a simple, sleek design, the Kestrel is very portable and also features an outstanding battery life of up to eight hours.

Potential Flaws

  • Although we were impressed with the massage gun’s battery life, we did notice a slight weakening of stall force when the battery is low.

Most Valuable Insight

“The Ekrin Kestrel has been effective in alleviating some stress-related physical tensions. It has been noticeable along my spine and on my neck and shoulders. It has left me feeling really relaxed and much less sore compared to how I felt before I fired the gun up and went to work.” —Grant G., Verywell Fit product tester

Renpho Power Thermacool Gun

Credit: Renpho

Key Specs

Noise: 40-50 decibels | Stall Force: 45 pounds | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Customizability: 5 head attachments, 5 speeds | Battery Life: 3 hours | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for casual exercisers and those seeking a versatile massager with heating and cooling options. 

Why We Love It

One of the most versatile massage guns we tested, Renpho’s Power Thermacool Massage Gun features a heating and cooling massage head therapy attachment. Hot therapy is ideal for warming up muscles and accelerating soreness relief, while cold therapy can help reduce swelling post-workout. During testing, we used the massage gun to alleviate tension in our shoulders and release tight calf muscles.

We love that it features five speeds and five attachments, including a foam one that’s very effective for gentle massage. Plus, it’s lightweight and very portable, thanks to the handy carrying case included. The Power Thermacool is also budget-friendly, especially compared to other massage guns that feature hot and cold therapy, making it a great value for the money.

Potential Flaws

  • We noticed during testing that the higher speeds may feel too intense for some.

Most Valuable Insight

“The massage gun definitely helped to relieve soreness after a particularly strenuous boxing session, and does a good job for my shoulders. It has a heating and cooling attachment, which makes it good for both a casual exerciser and someone who is a bit more serious.” —Maryia B., Verywell Fit product tester

TOLOCO EM26 Massage Gun

Credit: Amazon
Pros

  • Budget-friendly

  • 10 head attachments

  • 7 speeds

Key Specs

Noise: 40 decibels | Stall Force: Not listed | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Customizability: 10 head attachments, 7 speeds | Battery Life: 4 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Who It’s For

Best for those in small spaces who often need to use a massage gun around roommates or partners.

Why We Love It

Toloco’s EM26 Massage Gun has a brushless motor with noise-reduction technology that keeps it at 40 decibels, making it the quietest on our list. We also found that it’s easy to use, lightweight, and portable. We had no trouble applying a lot of pressure while using the EM26 and felt that the higher settings were appropriately intense without causing the gun to vibrate too much.

It’s versatile, too—we like that it has 10 head attachments and seven speed levels, making it easy to customize for the recovery and relaxation you need. Even with all those options, it’s budget-friendly, so it’s a nice choice for beginners.

Potential Flaws

  • The EM26’s amplitude is shorter than other options on our list, meaning it may not provide as deep of a massage.
Toloco’s EM26 Massage Gun is the quietest on our list at just 40 decibels.

Verywell Fit


Amazon Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2

Credit: Amazon

Key Specs

Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: Not listed | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Customizability: 2 head attachments, 3 speeds | Battery Life: 3 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Who It’s For

Best for anyone who needs quick recovery sessions on the go.

Why We Love It

Hyperice’s Hypervolt Go 2 is our favorite massage gun to take on a trip because it’s lightweight and portable. It weighs less than 2 pounds, comes with three plug adapters for international outlets, and is TSA-compliant for carry-on.

In testing, the device was relatively quiet and easy to use. We could control everything with just one button. It also effectively relieved muscle tightness and soreness between workouts. Its handle is easy to hold and maneuver for reaching spots like your lower back and feet. The battery life is also surprisingly good—we only needed to charge it twice over a month of regular use.

Potential Flaws

  • We wish this massage gun came with a carrying case, like some of our other top picks do.

Most Valuable Insight

“This machine is effective at relieving tight and sore muscles. I keep it on my gym bag since it’s very portable and use it a lot on my chest, hamstrings, and quads and I feel a huge difference when using it because my range of motion increases.” —Mike N., Verywell Fit product tester

Hyperice’s Hypervolt Go 2 has a handle that’s easy to hold and maneuver for hard-to-reach spots.

Verywell Fit


Therabody Theragun Sense

Credit: Target

Key Specs

Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: 40 pounds | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Customizability: 4 head attachments, 5 speeds | Battery Life: 2 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who It’s For

Best for casual exercisers who are looking for relaxation rather than deep tissue relief.

Why We Love It

If relaxation is your goal and following a guided program sounds appealing, we recommend the Theragun Sense. It has pre-programmed settings to target different areas, like your back and lower body. During testing, our favorite option was the bedtime program because it’s only six minutes long. After a busy day, the routine helped bring us back to a relaxed and rested state for a good night’s sleep. We also love the built-in heart rate sensor and mindfulness setting for biofeedback and breathwork.

The LED screen is easy to read and the programs are visually guided. There are only a few buttons, so it’s easy to toggle between programs—making finding what you need a snap. We found the ergonomic triangle design was helpful in targeting hard-to-reach spots, like our mid-back, and the massager’s power was gentle (but still effective). We also appreciate that it comes with a carrying case for bringing the massager and its four head attachments wherever we go.

Potential Flaws

  • The process for changing out the attachment heads is not intuitive and takes some practice.

Most Valuable Insight

“I love this massage gun and I love the meditation setting. It’s a great tool to add to your nighttime routine. I love being relaxed and if you do too, I recommend this massage gun!” —Krisha J., Verywell Fit product tester

Theragun PRO Plus

Credit: Amazon
Pros

  • Heat, vibration, and infrared light options

  • Easy and intuitive to use

  • Cold therapy attachment available separately

Key Specs

Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: 60 pounds | Weight: 2.45 pounds | Customizability: 5 head attachments, 5 speeds | Battery Life: 2.5 hours depending on attachment | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who It’s For

Best for athletes or intense exercisers who need deep tissue relief and want a variety of settings.

Why We Love It

If you’re looking for a hefty device with heated attachments for serious relief, Theragun’s PRO Plus is our top choice. This gun includes a heat therapy attachment with three settings, a vibration therapy option with three speeds, and an infrared light therapy option. There’s even a cold therapy attachment available as a separate purchase—making the PRO Plus perfect for all your recovery needs.

In testing, we found that the lowest setting is still quite strong, providing plenty of deep tissue relief after tough workouts. The LED screen is easy to read and we felt it was intuitive to navigate among the programs and settings. The ergonomic triangle shape helped us get a good grip on the Theragun PRO Plus, and we also appreciated that the included carrying case fits all the attachments inside.

Potential Flaws

  • This massage gun is pretty heavy, so it can be difficult to hold for a long time.
  • The higher speeds may be too intense for some.

Most Valuable Insight

“If you’re a lifter or a runner, and you’re dedicated and you give your muscles a workout, this is great. It checks ALL the boxes, and then some.” —Donna F., Verywell Fit product tester

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