The 11 Best Massage Guns of 2022

A quick look at the best massage guns

• Most quiet massage gun:Theragun Elite
• Best battery life:Achedaway Pro Percussion and Vibration Massager
• Most versatile massage gun:Vybe PRO Handheld Deep Muscle Massager
• Best value massage gun:Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun
• Best high-end massage gun:Theragun PRO
• Best massage gun for athletes:Legiral Le3 Massage Gun
• Best lightweight massage gun:TimTam Power Massager
• Best massage gun for deep tissue:VYBE V2 Percussion Massager
• Best massage gun for travel:Renpho Mini Pocket Massage Gun
• Best massage gun for muscle knots:Renpho R3 Massage Gun
• Best massage gun for workout recovery:Hyperice Hypervolt

Massage therapy is a popular way to reduce muscle strain and pain.

That said, you don’t have to go to a professional to see results. Percussive massagers — also known as massage guns — provide short bursts of pressure into your muscle tissue.

As a result, they help reduce muscle soreness by increasing blood flow to the targeted area ( 1 , 2 ).

But with so many of these massagers on the market, how do you find the right product for you?

Here are the 11 best massage guns of 2022.

How to choose the best massage gun

When shopping for a massager, you’ll want to consider a variety of factors, including:

• Intensity.Do you want an intense deep tissue massage? Or do you need less intensity for more sensitive areas? Look for a massager that offers an optimal amount of power to fit your needs.
• Battery life.While most handheld massagers are rechargeable, it’s nice to have one with a solid battery life, especially if you plan on using it on the go.
• Weight.If you plan on carrying it with you throughout the day, you’ll want to choose a massage gun that’s compact and lightweight.
• Usability.Some devices are easier and more comfortable to use than others. Look for percussive massagers that rotate or have functional grips and handles.
• Cost.As percussive massagers can vary greatly in price, it’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend.

How we chose these massage guns

When looking for the best massage guns, we also considered the following criteria:

• Power.We looked for products with 2,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) or more.
• Special features.We considered massage guns with special features, such as attachable heads, carrying cases, lightweight design, and multiple massage modes.
• Customer reviews.All of the products on this list have mostly positive customer reviews.

Healthline’s picks of the best massage guns

Most quiet massage gun

Theragun Elite

Price:$$$

TheTheragun Eliteis a favorite among chiropractors, athletes, and casual exercisers, as it features a powerful motor and 5 attachable heads for targetedmuscle relief.

The device offers five speed options, allowing you to dig deep or go lighter on more sensitive areas.

It’s also quieter than many other massage guns and weighs just 2.2 pounds (1 kg), making it easy to pack in your gym bag.

Best battery life

Achedaway Pro Percussion and Vibration Massager›

Price:$$$

With up to 5 hours of battery life, this massager from Achedaway is ideal for those withchronic muscle painwho don’t want to worry about charging their device between sessions.

It also features five speeds and four attachable heads to fit all your post-workout massage needs.

Additionally, the Achedaway Pro Percussion and Vibration Massager is lightweight and gets high customer ratings for its powerful motor.

Most versatile

Vybe PRO Handheld Deep Muscle Massager

Price: $$

With nine intensity levels and eight attachments, including options fordeep tissue massage, the Vybe PRO is one of the most versatile options on the market.

It also features a long battery life, quiet motor, and convenient traveling case.

However, some customers note that the quality of the attachable heads could be better, which may not be a deal breaker, given its affordable price.

Best value

Lifepro Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun

Price: $$

The Sonic handheld massager offers an affordable yet high powered option for easing sore and aching muscles.

It also features 5 levels of intensity, 8 massage heads, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with up to 3 hours of battery life.

Reviewers note that it’s easy to switch speeds and comfortable to hold for extended periods of time.

While it comes with a lifetime warranty, some customers have reported difficulties with receiving their refund or replacement parts.

Best splurge

Theragun PRO

Price: $$$

The Theragun PRO is ideal for serious athletes, as it offers several speeds and attachments for a deep andpowerful massage.

The PRO stands out from others on the market, due to its ergonomic grip and adjustable head, which allows you to apply the massager at different angles without tiring out your hand.

Using Bluetooth capabilities, you can also connect your Theragun PRO to the Therabody app for personalized wellness routines.

Additionally, it comes with two rechargeable batteries, so you can charge one while the other is in use.

However, at $599, the Theragun PRO is one of the most expensive massage guns on the market.

Best for athletes

Legiral Le3 Massage Gun

Price:$$

The Legiral Le3 Massage Gun is a good option for athletes who want the power of the Theragun PRO at a lower cost.

This massage gun has over 24,000 mostly positive reviews online and comes with a whopping 20 speed settings, 6 head attachments, and a 6-hour battery life.

However, as some customers found the massager to be too intense, the Legiral Le3 is not ideal for those looking for a gentler massage. It’s also one of the heaviest options on this list.

Best lightweight

TimTam Power Massager

Price:$$

Created by professional athletes, the TimTam Power Massager is designed to provide a powerful percussion massage for athletes on the go.

The massage gun is lightweight, easy to use, and features an industrial-grade motor that delivers 2,500 strokes per minute.

While the TimTam Power Massager is a good option for quick muscle relief, it’s important to note that the device comes with just one massage head and has a relatively short battery life.

Best massage gun for deep tissue

VYBE V2 Percussion Massager

Price:$

The VYBE V2 Percussion Massager uses strong pressure to provide a deep, powerful massage.

With three attachment heads designed to provide deep tissue relief, the cordless device may help to loosen up muscle knots, alleviate tension, and improve mobility.

It also offers six intensity levels and a rotating arm, so you can reach most areas of your body.

Just keep in mind that the VYBE V2’s motor is quite noisy.

Best massage gun for traveling

Renpho Mini Pocket Massage Gun

Price:$

The Renpho Mini Pocket Massage Gun is a compact, portable device that’s still powerful enough to pack a punch.

It features five intensities geared toward warmup, fascia relief, lactic acid breakdown, deep tissue, and professional impact.

轻按摩器运行安静,有四个attachable heads, which focus on everyday use, the spinal region, muscle knots, and bony areas.

Plus, thanks to its convenient travel case and lightweight design, it can be easily stowed away in a backpack, purse, or carry-on.

Best massage gun for muscle knots

Renpho R3 Massage Gun

Price:$

The Renpho R3 Massage Gun delivers a deep, powerful massage that’s ideal for working out deep muscle knots and alleviating pain.

The lightweight device is easy to transport and charges using a USB-C cable, which many people find convenient.

The five attachable heads make it easy to target knots in various areas of your body, such as your neck, shoulder blades, orglutes.

Best massage gun for workout recovery

Hyperice Hypervolt

Price:$$

TheHyperice Hypervoltoffers speeds of up to 3,200 percussions per minute and 3 levels of pressure to help alleviate post-workout aches, soreness, and stiffness.

It’s also Bluetooth-enabled, so you can save your preferred settings using the Hyperice app.

While it can also be used to warm up your muscles pre-workout, many reviewers mention that it’s been very helpful for soothing sore muscles after intense workouts.

还有一个额外的好处,Hypervolt运输Security Administration (TSA)-approved and includes three plug adapters, though the carrying case is sold separately.

Massage gun comparison

Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:

How to use a massage gun

While using a massage gun is fairly straightforward, there are a few important things to know:

• Avoid massaging any areas with severe pain, especially if your pain worsens over time.
• Start by massaging the least sensitive areas of your body for short periods of time.
• To prevent the massager from overheating, always follow the time limit set in place by the manufacturer.

How and when should you use a massage gun?

Kelsey Decker, NSCA-CPT and education coordinator atStretchLab, told Healthline, “I suggest starting on a lower level of intensity to make sure your body can handle the sensation. You can also increase the intensity by applying more pressure to the area of focus. Spend about 30 seconds to 2 minutes per muscle group area.”

According to Decker, “You can use a massage gun prior to a workout to alleviate tightness and activate your muscles before heading into a dynamic warmup and then your workout. You can also use it for post-exercise recovery to help release tension.”

Should you still stretch if you use a massage gun?

Decker pointed out that massage guns are not a substitute for stretching but says you can use the tool in conjunction with stretching to ease muscle tension in tight spots or areas of concern.

She explained, “[A] massage gun can help the group of muscles relax before transitioning into a stretch for the same muscle groups. For example, if you havetight hipsand it’s difficult to get them to loosen up while stretching, use the massage gun device for 30 seconds to 1 minute and then go back to stretching your hips.”

When to avoid using a massage gun

To ensure safety, Decker recommends focusing on muscle and fascia, while avoiding bones, tendons, joints, andligaments.

According to Decker, you’ll also want to avoid using a massage gun:

• on joint, disc, or bone injuries
• on metal screws, implants, or pins
• if you have excessive pain, inflammation, or an acute injury
• if you have a pacemaker
• if you have vertigo

Finally, Healthline recommends talking with a healthcare professional before using a massage gun, especially if you have any medical conditions or take medications.

A professional can also advise you on the best practices if you’re healing from an injury or surgery.

Frequently asked questions

Do doctors recommend massage guns?

Many doctors recommend massage guns to help:

• reduce stress
• alleviate muscle soreness
• improve workout recovery

They may advise you on the best techniques and suggest a specific massage gun type or model.

You should talk with your doctor before using a massage gun if you:

• take medications
• have a medical condition
• are recovering from an injury

They can determine whether the devices are safe and appropriate for your needs.

按摩枪支帮助关节炎吗?

Massage guns may help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, including pain and stiffness. Though research supporting the effectiveness of massage guns for arthritis is lacking,massageis a safe and effective treatment for people witharthritis.

According to a 2022 study , Swedish massage significantly reduced pain and pain medication use in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Use gentle to moderate pressure and avoid massaging directly on your bones, joints, and tendons. Instead, focus on loosening the surrounding muscles, which may help reduce joint stress and improve mobility.

Can you use a massage gun while pregnant?

Using a massage gun during pregnancy may provide similar benefits to prenatal massage.Research from 2021suggests that relaxing massage during pregnancy may help to alleviate pain, boost mood, and improve sleep.

During your first trimester, it’s best to avoid using a massage gun or having any type of massage since this may increase your risk of miscarriage.

Once you enter the second trimester, it’s likely safe to use a massage gun as long as you talk with your healthcare professional beforehand. While using a massage gun, you can sit or lie on your left side. Do not lie on your stomach and avoid lying on your back for any length of time.

Avoid massaging your abdominal area and pressure points. Do not use strong pressure, especially on your legs.

Massageduring pregnancy may not be suitable for people with:

• preeclampsia
• high blood pressure
• blood clots or a clotting condition
• gestational diabetes
• placenta concerns, including placenta previa
• deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

The bottom line

Massage guns offer a convenient way to helpreduce muscle soreness at homeor on the go.

As products vary in power, size, attachments, and price, it’s important to take your time shopping around.

By considering your needs and using our list, we’re confident that you’ll find the massager that’s best for you.