If you don’t have a massage gun yet, do you even work out? All jokes aside, massage guns have become so ubiquitous in the fitness industry, serving as some of the best muscle recovery tools. Literally, there are hundreds upon hundreds to choose from online.
But what sets the best massage guns apart? Things like stall force, amplitude, and percussions per minute, to name a few. I know that’s a lot of jargon-y terminology, but we’ll explain those terms and more in this guide, so you can choose the best massage gun for you.
GGR Gold Pick – Best Massage Gun
The Theragun Prime is our pick for the best overall massage gun, thanks to its ideal blend of power, amplitude, battery life, and attachments at a fair price. It scored highly in every testing category and we think it’s the best value of all of the massage guns we’ve tested, awarding it an overall score of 4.2 out of 5.
Best Massage Guns
- Best Massage Gun Overall – Theragun Prime
- Best Massage Gun for Travel – Hypervolt Go 2
- Best Theragun Alternative – Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun
- Quietest Massage Gun – Ekrin Athletics B37 Massage Gun
- Best Deep-Tissue Massage Gun – Theragun Pro
- Best Budget Massage Gun – Ekrin Athletics BANTAM
- Best Massage Gun on Amazon – Bob and Brad Q2 Mini Massage Gun
Current Top Deals
- Hypervolt Go 2 – Free shipping on orders over $49
- Ekrin Athletics B37 Massage Gun – Fall Kickoff Sale – Up to 30% off
- Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun – 24% off
This refers to how much force it takes to stall out the device’s motor. For full-sized massage guns, we require a stall force of 30 to 50 pounds for our benchmark 3-point score. A massage gun can earn 5 points if its stall force measures 60 pounds or more.

Amplitude is a measure of depth, a.k.a. how deeply the massage gun can reach into muscle tissue with the movement range of its massage head. An amplitude of 10 to 15 millimeters earns a 3-point score here, while 16 millimeters or more earns 5 points.

At least three included massage heads are required to meet our benchmark for a 3-point rating. The more available attachments, the better our scoring. We also look for specialty attachments, like heated or cooling options.

Our examinations are guided by our fitness equipment testing methodology, and we’ve helped more than 650,000 people learn about recovery tools and their benefits (massage guns, included). When we test massage guns, we analyze nearly a dozen criteria to get a full picture of performance and value. We also spoke with Dr. Chris Mohr, PhD, RD, an expert in exercise physiology and performance, to discuss the benefits of massage guns and how to use them.

Our team at Garage Gym Reviews also consists of certified trainers, coaches, and athletes who have spent a lot of time with top recovery tools, including the best home saunas, massage chairs, acupressure mats, and cold plunges. In short, we know a thing or two about top gear for bouncing back from rigorous training.

Latest Updates
In September 2026, we reviewed our list of the best massage guns and made a few changes based on our latest testing. The Theragun Prime still earns our top recommendation, and we added new details about our scoring process, plus additional tester insights to bring you more information about our personal experience with these massage guns.
Best Massage Gun Overall: Therabody Theragun Prime
We recommend the Theragun Prime as the best overall massage gun for people who want powerful percussion without an exorbitant price tag.
What our tester says:
“The triangular multi-grip handle makes it easy to massage hard-to-reach places compared to the standard single handle on other massage guns.”
Best Massage Gun for Travel: Hypervolt Go 2
For athletes wanting a simple, ergonomic mini massage gun to fill out their gym bag, the Hypervolt Go 2 can deliver. While it lacks a carrying case for organization, the light weight of 1.5 pounds and two available attachments are easy to store in a small pocket, and the stall force is just enough for on-the-go relief.
What our tester says:
The listed battery life is three hours, which is underwhelming even when compared to other mini massage guns. That said, the charging time is quick and efficient, which I attribute to the newer USB-C charging port. Past iterations just had a standard DC charger that took longer to reach full capacities.
Best Theragun Alternative: Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun
The Bob and Brad D6 Pro delivers a lot of power in a massage gun. It could produce up to 85 pounds of stall force and an amplitude of 16 millimeters. With that sort of amplitude, it can get deep into soft tissue and muscles to help alleviate muscle soreness and jumpstart recovery. It also comes with seven attachments and a 3-hour battery life.
What our tester says:
“This thing is the most powerful massage gun I’ve used by far, and I own several at this point.”
Quietest Massage Gun: Ekrin Athletics B37 Massage Gun
The Ekrin Athletics B37 is one of the quietest massage guns available, along with having an angled handle to allow for better reach. The 8-hour battery life is also impressive.
What our tester says:
“Despite the lower amplitude, I’ve never put away the B37 feeling dissatisfied with the quality of treatment. I think the higher speeds available can negate the need for a greater amplitude.”
Best Deep-Tissue Massage Gun: Theragun Pro
If you want the most powerful percussive massage gun, you can’t go wrong with the Theragun Pro.
What our tester says:
“I’ll use it before my workout to help loosen up tight muscles, and after as well. It can get deep into my muscle tissue, which not too many massage guns are able to do.”
Best Budget Massage Gun – Ekrin Athletics BANTAM
If you are looking for a massage gun that is both powerful and portable, you cannot go wrong with the Ekrin BANTAM Mini Massage Gun. While it may be a bit pricier than its competitors, it offers what most can not. It offers the best of both worlds—the power of a regularly sized massage gun in a super compact and lightweight package.
What our tester says:
What’s interesting about this massage gun is that it has progressive stall force, meaning the stall force increases with speed. The BANTAM has 28 lb stall force at the lowest speed, 32 lb at the middle speed, and 35 lb at the highest speed. This is unusual, but the 28 lb stall force is still higher than any mini massage gun I’ve tried.
Best Massage Gun on Amazon – Bob and Brad Q2 Mini Massage Gun
The Bob and Brad Q2 Mini is a compact massage gun that is easy to travel with. Only about the size of a water bottle, this massage gun operates quietly, although it may not be the strongest massage gun we’ve tested.
What our tester says:
The standout is the hot/cold attachment, which is actually like its own unit—you have to power it on separately and it has to be charged. I had a hard time feeling the temp difference when wearing jeans, but in leggings or on bare skin they do feel hot and cold. I especially like the hot one—it gives a nice added touch when massaging a sore area!
Our Testers
Other Massage Guns We Tested and Researched
As a team of certified personal trainers, coaches, and competitive athletes, we’ve used and tested our fair share of massage guns (over two dozen and counting). Lots are great and have neat features, but not all of them can make our list. Here are some honorable mentions:
- Theragun Mini: Several of our team members use and love the Theragun Mini, but we find it a bit pricey for the average person. If you’re a serious athlete who needs deep-tissue treatment, it can be worthwhile, though.
- Theragun Pro Plus: The specs are impressive, but at nearly $700, this may be overkill for most people.
- Hyperice Hypervolt 2: We’re fans of this massage gun, but Hyperice’s more portable version, the Hypervolt Go 2, is more than sufficient at a lower price.
- Bob and Brad M7 Plus: A great Amazon pick, the M7 Plus wowed our tester with its heat therapy tip. However, the Q2 Mini also has an available Hot/Cold massage head, and it’s a bit cheaper.
GGR Massage Gun Testing Results
This final list of the best massage guns is a culmination of years of researching and testing massage guns. All of our top picks have actually been in our hands for extended periods of time, allowing us to learn the ins and outs of each product and determine who they’re best for. Here are some of the criteria we look at as part of our evaluation process:
Benefits of Massage Guns
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Massage Guns
Before you bite the bullet on a handheld massager, make sure to take these buying factors into consideration:
Motion: Percussion vs. Vibration
Percussive therapy and vibration therapy are not one and the same. They’re used for a lot of the same reasons, but the mechanical actions differ. While there’s no universal standard definition for percussive therapy, the two are generally differentiated by the mechanism of action. It is generally accepted that percussive therapy reaches deeper into muscle tissue (16 millimeters) at slower speeds, while vibration massage delivers more superficial treatment, often at higher speeds.
Very few massage guns achieve that level of treatment—most blur the line between vibration and percussion, reaching depths of 12 to 15 millimeters. This isn’t to say a massage gun is bad if it doesn’t reach that 16-millimeter mark. In fact, many people find the “punching” mechanism of true percussive therapy too intense. (For reference, all of the Theragun models reach 16 millimeters.) It’s just something to be aware of.
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Speed and Power
I recommend buying a massage gun that has at least three speed and power settings. Your soreness and sensitivity levels will fluctuate, after all, and you can get really frustrated if your massage gun only has one setting and it’s too strong on a particularly sore day. When you have more options, you’ll be able to use your massage gun more often.
To dig a little deeper, look for a product that lists the actual percussions per minute (PPM), as well as amplitude and stall force. PPM refers to how many times the device “punches” per minute; amplitude refers to how deep into the muscle tissue the massage reaches; and stall force refers to the amount of force the motor can handle before it stalls (the higher the stall force, the more aggressively you can press the massage head into your muscles).
Speed and stall force both come down to preference, but I do think it’s worth analyzing the amplitude on any of your massage gun choices. Amplitude is important because it defines how deep of a massage you can achieve with the device. As mentioned above, a massage gun is only truly a percussion massage gun if the amplitude is at least 16 millimeters. Anything below that is technically vibration, but amplitudes of 12 to 15 millimeters can be sufficient for most people’s needs.
Noise Level
These days, most massage guns are relatively quiet. Once upon a time, though, they all sounded like jackhammers and chainsaws. Make sure to read customer reviews and look out for warnings about the noise level. I personally would be most inclined to purchase a massage gun from a brand that clearly states the decibel level of their products online.

For reference, a normal conversation between two people hovers around 60 decibels1. Household appliances like washing machines and dishwashers make sounds at about 70 decibels. Finally, the sound of city traffic from inside your car is about 80 decibels. You probably don’t want to buy a massage gun much louder than that.
Portability
The best portable massage guns are smaller in nature, making them easy to pack in a suitcase or gym bag. On top of size, consider the quality of the carrying case (if applicable), the number of attachments and accessories (too many might be annoying), and the battery life and type of charging cable (to make sure it doesn’t die and can’t be readily charged).
Attachments and Accessories
It’s pretty standard for massage guns to come with multiple head attachments these days. Common attachments include the Round, Bullet, Fork, Cone, and Flat heads. All of these are most often made from some sort of dense foam or silicone, but some massage guns come with certain attachments in both materials.
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Charging and Battery Life
For the most part, you probably won’t use your massage gun for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore battery life and charging specs. The best rechargeable massage guns have a battery life of at least two hours, and you can likely get a full week of use out of your device before needing to charge it. A shorter battery life might suffice for people who don’t use the massage gun every day.

As for charging, look for perks like removable batteries, quick-charging USB-C ports, and dedicated charging stations for multiple packs. Most massage guns don’t have such luxuries, which means if the battery in the device goes kaput, you have to buy a whole new massage gun instead of just a new battery. Generally, only the more expensive models have removable batteries, like the Theragun Pro.
Quality and Price
The best products are always the ones that offer a good value proposition. In other words, they provide the best features for the best price. That’s why our top pick is the Theragun Prime. I believe this massage gun offers the best suite of features for most people at a reasonable price.
In general, you can expect that the pricier a massage gun is, the more (and better) features it’ll come with. However, that’s not always the case—some products are simply overpriced. If a massage gun costs more than $300, I recommend looking really closely at the specs to ensure the amplitude, speed range, and noise level are adequate. Also, double-check the attachments and accessories.
Do Massage Guns Really Work?
How to Use a Massage Gun
FAQs About the Best Massage Guns
Is Theragun worth it?
Based on our experience using several Theragun products, the brand’s massage guns are worth it if you want a strong percussive massage, multiple attachments, excellent build quality, and smart app integration. However, you can find more budget-friendly options that also provide muscle tension relief without the high price tag.
Is cold therapy better than a massage gun?
Not definitively. Cold therapy (e.g., cold-water immersion, ice baths) and percussion/massage gun therapy can both aid recovery protocols, but they work differently, and the evidence doesn’t clearly show one is always “better” than the other.
Some research suggests, though, that percussive therapy may have a slight edge. A 2024 randomized controlled study11 compared cold-water immersion versus percussive massage versus passive rest after eccentric exercise. Neither therapy produced significantly better performance recovery over 72 hours than passive rest, but percussive massage did reduce subjective stiffness acutely.
Is a foam roller better than a massage gun?
Again, neither is universally better. Foam rollers and massage guns have overlapping benefits (mobility, soreness relief, self-myofascial release) but feature different strengths and practical trade-offs. Depending on your goal, either may be more appropriate. Our guide to foam rollers versus massage guns has the full scoop.
What massage gun is the best value?
Our testers agree that the Theragun Prime has the best value. Its price point of $320 is not cheap yet still within reach for many individuals. Most importantly, its performance validates its cost. It is truly the best percussive therapy device you can get for under $350.
What’s better than a massage gun for recovery?
Common recovery practices that may provide more relief than a massage gun include cupping, compression therapy, mobility work, and muscle scraping—also known as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IAST). While massage guns work well at relieving tension in the short term, these other methods may promote long-term mobility, circulation, and fascia release when used correctly.
References
- Purdue University. Noise Sources and Their Effects.
- Needs, D., Blotter, J., Cowan, M., Fellingham, G., Johnson, A. W., & Feland, J. B. (2023). Effect of Localized Vibration Massage on Popliteal Blood Flow. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(5), 2047. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12052047
- Kim, J. Y., Kang, D. H., Lee, J. H., O, S. M., & Jeon, J. K. (2017). The effects of pre-exercise vibration stimulation on the exercise-induced muscle damage. Journal of physical therapy science, 29(1), 119–122. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.119
- Otadi, K., Ghasemi, M., Jalaie, S., Bagheri, H., Azizian, M., Emamdoost, S., Sarafraz, H., & Sepahvand, M. (2019). A prophylactic effect of local vibration on quadriceps muscle fatigue in non-athletic males: a randomized controlled trial study. Journal of physical therapy science, 31(3), 223–226. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.31.223
- Welis, Wilda & Darni, Darni & Mario, Deby. (2023). Sports Massage: How does it Affect Reducing Lactic Acid Levels in Athletes? International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences. 11. 20-26. 10.13189/saj.2023.110103.
- Konrad, A., Glashüttner, C., Reiner, M. M., Bernsteiner, D., & Tilp, M. (2020). The Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment with a Hypervolt Device on Plantar Flexor Muscles’ Range of Motion and Performance. Journal of sports science & medicine, 19(4), 690–694.
- Imtiyaz, S., Veqar, Z., & Shareef, M. Y. (2014). To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR, 8(1), 133–136. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2014/7294.3971
- Romero-Moraleda, B., González-García, J., Cuéllar-Rayo, Á., Balsalobre-Fernández, C., Muñoz-García, D., & Morencos, E. (2019). Effects of Vibration and Non-Vibration Foam Rolling on Recovery after Exercise with Induced Muscle Damage. Journal of sports science & medicine, 18(1), 172–180.
- Lu, X., Wang, Y., Lu, J., You, Y., Zhang, L., Zhu, D., & Yao, F. (2019). Does vibration benefit delayed-onset muscle soreness?: a meta-analysis and systematic review. The Journal of international medical research, 47(1), 3–18.
- Ferreira RM, Silva R, Vigário P, et al. The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2023;8(3):138. Published 2023 Sep 18.
- Heinke L, Javanmardi S, Rappelt L, et al. Comparison of the effects of cold water immersion and percussive massage on the recovery after exhausting eccentric exercise: A three-armed randomized controlled trial. Front Physiol. 2024;15:1432009. Published 2024 Sep 23.



























































