With so many massage guns on the market, it can be difficult to work out which is the best for you. We definitely found that to be the case ourselves!
Luckily, we’ve gone and done most of the hard work for you.
In this article, you’ll find some of our best massage gun picks, as well as how we chose them, and some tips on what you should look for if you’re thinking about a model we haven’t covered.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get into it!
What Is a Massage Gun?
Before we get into the best massage guns you can buy, it may be helpful to learn exactly what a massage gun is.
Massage guns are portable devices that use vibrations to palpate the deep tissue of your body.
They’re not actual guns, thankfully, although they do resemble a kind of drill. They’re t-shaped, with a massaging ball on one end attached by a small pipe. This allows for ease of use.
Massage guns are handheld, but some can be quite heavy. As such, you may need to use two hands to apply the kind of pressure you’re looking for.
Most massage guns typically also include a battery and an ergonomic handle.
How Do Massage Guns Work?
Massage guns deliver percussive massage. The massage gun’s internal motor drives the ball and pipe in and out, giving rapid punches to the area you apply the gun to.
The massage gun operates rapidly; typically much faster than you would be able to massage percussively by hand! The massage applied by a gun is modeled on the massage technique of “tapotement”.
Many massage guns do tend to be quite loud, as they work by driving a motor at a very high speed. They can also cause pain if used improperly.
Who Should Use a Massage Gun
Just about anybody can use a massage gun, as long as they are confident and comfortable with the process. However, it works for some situations better than others.
If you simply don’t have the time or money to visit a human massage therapist regularly, a massage gun could be a good deal for you.
Rather than going to a masseuse, spending over an hour there (including wait time and treatment) and paying a fee for a single massage, you can make a one-time purchase and perform similar treatment at home.
This works particularly well if you would only have sought percussive therapy treatment like tapotement from a professional masseuse in the first place.
Now, we arrive at the real factor that will make or break your experience with a massage gun: Whether or not tapotement is the right technique to treat your specific problem.
Tapotement is a great technique to improve circulation to an area, at least over the short term. It’s used for this express purpose for athletes before they engage in exercise. It can also help to soothe tired or strained muscles.
This is especially true in the case of pains and strains after vigorous exercise. It’s also effective for pain developed by occupying the same position for a long period of time (such as working at a computer or using a smartphone).
However, if you have problems that are likely to be better served by other forms of massage (trigger point massage, deep tissue, sports massage, and more), a massage gun may not be the best choice for you.
If used correctly, it’s unlikely you’ll cause any further damage by using a massage gun. However, it just may not help your particular problem!
Here Are the Best Massage Guns of 2023
There are a ton of massage guns on the market these days and it’s super tricky to differentiate the good ones from the bad ones, especially if this is your first time.
Take a thorough look at the list below before you buy a new massage gun, there may be more things to consider than you think, most importantly the price.
You don’t want to pay for expensive features you don’t need or pay too little and miss out on what you really need.
Best Overall Massage Gun
Opove’s M3 Pro 2 Massage Gun tops our list as the best overall massage gun for 2023 and is by far the most professional we have seen so far.
It’s also loved by its users and currently has 85% five-star reviews out of over 13,000 reviews, which is pretty impressive.
The M3 Pro 2 Massage Gun comes with a case, can last between 4 to 8 hours, has 5 speed levels, six massage heads, and weighs no more than 2.2 pounds.
Perhaps the only downside is that it has a noise level of around 55dB. While this isn’t massively loud, there are quieter massage guns around.
What’s also quite appealing about this massage gun is that the manufacturers took on user feedback from their previous model to reinvent their vents.
These new vents allow heat to leave the device better and increase its durability and durability. So, you know this massage gun is built with the user in mind.
Best Budget Massage Gun
If you’re looking not to spend an arm and a leg on a massage gun, Vitalmeter’s 8000 Massage Gun is a real bargain.
It comes with a variety of attachments, features five speed levels, and operates at a quiet 35dB. However, some have complained about battery issues.
There are some cheaper massage guns available, but they are not particularly well-reviewed, so it might be wiser to spend a bit more for something that will not disappoint.
- Pushy’s Mini Massage Gun.
- Jipaziy’s Mini Silicone Massager.
Best Quiet Massage Gun
The quietest massage gun we have come across is HeaDot’s Massage Gun Deep Tissue which when in use is as quiet as 25db, considerably quieter than most massage guns.
It also comes with a whopping 10 massage heads and 30 speed levels (each recommended for different physical activities) and is reasonably priced.
Best Massage Gun for the Face
TheraGun’s TheraFace PRO is the best massage gun for the face with several unique attachments for facial massages.
Most notably, it does look a little different than most massage guns, and while you could use this massage gun for other parts of your body, it will likely be less effective.
TheraGun is also a well-known brand for massage guns (this is not their only massage gun in this list). But be warned! This massage gun is certainly not cheap!
Best Massage Gun for Beginners
If you’re looking to buy your first massage gun, it shouldn’t be too pricey or too cheap, too big or too small, and offer a decent number of attachments.
Gladiour’s Massage Gun ticks most of those boxes offering 10 massage heads and 6-hour battery life. It also has over 7,000 ratings on Amazon with roughly 80% being five stars.
Best Massage Gun for Athletes
Our top massage gun for athletes is the 4th generation TheraGun Pro. An ‘athlete approved’ massage gun, it’s also the most expensive on this list.
Two interesting features of this massage gun are the ergonomic handle, which makes it look quite different from most massage guns, and its rotating arm.
The rotating arm in particular is quite useful as it will allow you to get to those hard-to-reach areas with ease.
TheraGun also claims this massage gun can penetrate 60% deeper than an average massage gun.
With this price tag, you should probably only consider such a massage gun if you’re a professional athlete and will use it regularly.
Best Battery Lifetime Massage Gun
Battery life can be a pain point for many massage gun users. No one wants to charge a massage gun for hours for it to only work for five minutes.
Ideally, you want to spend the least amount of time charging and have the device up and running for as long as possible.
Here’s where the MFU’s M3 Massage Gun comes in. It has an enormous battery life of 8 to 10 hours when fully charged, the longest battery life we have seen for a massage gun.
What’s also quite nice about this massage gun, particularly if you’re interested in battery life, is that it displays the battery volume at the bottom, so you always know how much is left.
Best Value
You can still get a handful of useful features without spending too much money on a massage gun, so don’t necessarily buy the first one you lay eyes on!
Cotsoco’s Massage Gun is a great example of this. With 4 massage heads, 4 hours of battery life, and 6 speed levels, it can satisfy most of your needs.
Another massage gun worth looking at is the Rilextec Cordless Back Massager. It also includes 4 massage heads but is slightly cheaper and comes with a bag.
Best Travel Massage Gun
When traveling, mini-sized massage guns are often the most practical as they take up less luggage space and weigh less.
The top reviewed mini massage gun is BOB AND BRAD’s Q2 Mini Massage Gun. BOB AND BRAD are a highly popular brand and the massage gun is only 5.7 inches long.
You can also consider OMK’s Mini Massage Gun. It’s roughly the same size, and offers many of the same features and attachments.
Other Massage Guns Tested
Recoverfun’s Mini Massage Gun is another pocket-sized massage gun to check out. It also has a rather sleek design.
If you’re on a tight budget, HeaDot’s Deep Tissue Muscle Therapy Gun is also a great option. It includes 10 massage heads and 30 speed settings.
You may also want to check out PEADEA’s Foldable Massage Gun which can rotate 90°. Though, at the time of writing, there are not too many reviews.
Methodology - How We Ranked the Best Massage Guns of 2023
We primarily ranked the best massage guns based on needs and how well the features of each massage gun fulfilled them.
Price is also a major factor. It’s a big market with some enormous price differences.
Next up, we thoroughly check customer reviews. Not just how high they are but the quantity of them.
A massage gun with thousands of five-star reviews has more credibility than a massage gun with several five-star reviews, for example.
Furthermore, it was vital to look out for common faults in products- again, you can find such information by checking reviews.
That said, you can’t trust all negative reviews. Some customers may have very uncommon issues or issues not related to the product itself. (They might not have understood the product.)
Instead, when checking negative reviews, you must look for people repeatedly mentioning the same problem. Most importantly, if it’s detrimental to the massage gun working properly.
And lastly, expensive high-end massage guns do not always offer the best quality and don’t always fit everyone’s needs.
While some expensive brands may have very appealing massage guns, it’s important to ask yourself if it’s wise to spend so much money on a massage gun you might not use frequently.
What to Look for When Buying a Massage Gun
We can break down what to look for in a massage gun into four general categories:
Battery Life
This is possibly the most important qualifier on which massage gun will be best for you.
If you don’t have the chance to recharge your gun particularly often, you’ll want to make sure you get one with a reasonably long battery life.
On top of that, you’ll want a gun with longer battery life if you tend to do longer stretches of massage at once, as otherwise you’ll be rudely interrupted halfway through a session.
Variety
If you’re not sure yet what exactly you’re looking for, getting a massage gun with a variety of different speeds, pummel depths, and/or attachments might be a good idea.
This means you’ll be able to try out lots of different tapotement applications without having to go and look for another massage gun.
Variety in attachments is particularly useful, as it means you are able to access multiple areas of muscle structure. This will increase the benefit you receive from the massage gun.
Reviews
Always look at what previous customers have said about a particular product, as well as any reviews or tips on websites (such as ours!).
These are normally your best bet when trying to work out which massage gun is right for you if you can’t actually try out the tool yourself.
Your Experiences
If you’ve used a massage gun before and liked it, chances are you’ll want to get either the same model or something very similar.
This also extends to your experiences with tapotement massage. If you found that it was only effective when it was quite hard and fast, you’ll want to look for a massage gun capable of replicating that.
If you found that you preferred gentle tapotement, you might be able to get a cheaper massage gun that still fulfills your needs.
Massage Gun FAQs
What Are the Benefits of Using a Massage Gun?
Massage guns can alleviate muscle pain from a variety of sources, including bad posture, intense exercise, and more.
You can use them by yourself at any time (as long as they’re charged up or plugged in). This means that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of booking an appointment with a masseuse.
Additionally, they’re a one-time investment rather than a recurring cost like regular massages.
How Do You Use a Massage Gun?
Exact instructions for massage gun use vary based on the model and manufacturer, and you should always check your instruction manual!
However, generally speaking, you apply the massage gun to the sore muscle area. You may want to apply a varying amount of pressure depending on how sore the muscle is.
Simply move the massage gun over the affected area to ensure that you’re not pummeling any single spot too much.
How Often Should You Use a Massage Gun?
2-3 sessions of a couple of minutes duration on any individual muscle group is about as often as you should use a massage gun daily. There are powerful massage guns that can cause injury.
Can a Massage Gun Hurt You?
A massage gun can definitely be harmful if it is used improperly. Massage guns should never be used on bone or the abdomen, as both of these places are very likely to cause damage.
You also shouldn’t use a massage gun if you have certain underlying medical or health conditions.
Conditions such as bleeding or nerve disorders, being pregnant, or having had a recent operation are all factors that likely mean you’ll need to consult a medical professional before using a massage gun.
Which Massage Gun Head Should I Use?
Your massage gun likely comes with some guidance on which of the interchangeable head attachments provided with it are good for certain things.
However, in general, anything with a bit of a point on it is good for larger muscles and deep tissue work. This includes things such as a fork or bullet head.
Round and ball attachments are normally better for more tender spots or lighter massage.
You’ll also likely be able to see visually which of the massage heads will work best if you are trying to work on a specific part of your muscle.
The more targeted the head is, the more specificity you’ll have when using the massage gun.
When Should a Massage Gun be Avoided?
Massage guns can cause damage when applied to areas close to bone, as they operate by repeated impact. This is more likely to cause lasting issues if applied to bony areas.
They are also a bad choice for the abdomen, especially above the kidneys and stomach. This is because these areas don’t have much padding between the internal organs and skin surface.
Additionally, you should make sure not to use a massage gun if you have any kind of disorder involving bleeding, nerves, or skin, as this can cause a significant adverse reaction.
On top of this, you’ll want to be very careful about using a massage gun if you’re recovering from surgery or pregnant.
As always, you should consult your doctor if you’re unsure!
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapotement
- http://www.amtamassage.org/
- https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/massage-doesnt-just-make-muscles-feel-better-it-makes-them-heal-faster-and-stronger/