Best massage gun 2024: therapy tools for percussive muscle relief

If workouts leave your body stiffer than a barbell, it might be time to add one of the best massage guns to your kit bag. By hammering your muscles with thousands of vibrations per minute, these therapeutic utensils stimulate blood flow, enhance recovery and generally beat you into better shape.

Like gym members, massage guns come in a range of shapes and sizes. From portable pistols for relief on the road, to pro-grade guns that serve up the punchiest of percussive treatments, we’ve picked out our favourite tools for DIY physio in the list below.

Lingo got you tied up in knots? We’ve also deciphered the key specs to keep in mind when shopping for a top massage gun. Whether for before, during or after exercise – or to ease the aches of a sedentary desk day – the right model should leave your muscles feeling more limber and less like timber.

What’s the best massage gun?

We think the best massage gun is the 5th Generation Theragun Pro (buy now). The latest massager from Theragun has five-speed settings, comes with five interchangeable heads and an adjustable arm with three positions, plus a carry case.

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Other massage gun recommendations

1. Theragun Pro (5th gen)

Theragun Pro (5th gen) specs
Battery life	90 minutes
Bluetooth	No
Speed modes	Five (1000 to 3000 PPM)
Charging connection	AC/DC

You’d get several therapy sessions for the price of Theragun’s range-topper. But thanks to its integrated display, you shouldn’t need professional help: besides showing a real-time force readout, the OLED panel visually guides you through targeted routines. Select from four preset programmes, or go full physio and create your own in the app. It also runs quieter, lasts longer and hits deeper than previous editions.

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2. Therabody Theragun Mini (2nd gen)

Therabody Theragun Mini (2nd gen) specs
Battery life	120 minutes
Bluetooth	Yes
Speed modes	Three (1750, 2100, 2400 PPM)
Charging connection	USB-C

Use a Toblerone as a roller and you’ll be all out of shape. Use this rounded triangle for treatment and your tension should melt faster than a chocolate dumbbell. Shrunk for its second generation, Therabody’s portable power-up is light enough to live in your gym bag, yet still delivers three speeds and an amplitude of 12mm. Syncing it by Bluetooth unlocks recipes for sweet relaxation.

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3. Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2

Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 specs
Battery life	180 minutes
Bluetooth	No
Speed modes	Three (2200, 2750, 3200 PPM)
Charging connection	USB-C

After a hard day pursuing rebel scum, even Stormtroopers deserve some R&R. This minimalist gun features a soft-touch arctic finish which perfectly complements the Empire’s standard-issue armour. Equipped with a grip more ergonomic than any blaster, its one-button interface can’t be set to stun – but it can cycle through three speeds of therapy, with two attachments to help you direct its delivery of the Force.

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4. Compex Fixx 2.0

Compex Fixx 2.0 specs
Battery life	90 minutes
Bluetooth	No
Speed modes	Five (1000 to 3000 PPM)
Charging connection	AC/DC

Straining to hit tricky bits could leave you needing further therapy. This adaptable apparatus makes it easier to reach knotted nooks during your DIY treatments, and has a stall force of 40 lbs (18 kg). Disguised as a cordless drill, its battering arm can rotate to suit the job at hand, while the slanted handles let you grip two ways. Simply slot in the battery cartridge and turn the dial to amp up the PPM.

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5. HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun

HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun specs
Battery life	210 minutes
Bluetooth	No
Speed modes	Three (2100, 2400, 3000 PPM)
Charging connection	AC/DC

Repeatedly pummelling your muscles is one route to recovery. Toasting them is another. This vibrating aid does both: as well as pulsing at up to 3000rpm, it ships with a tip that reaches 47⁰C in less than two minutes, for heated relief that boosts your blood flow. Keen to cool off? Freeze the separate gel head for a chilled dose of post-gym jiggling.

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6. Hydragun Atom Mini

Hydragun Atom Mini specs
Battery life	300 minutes
Bluetooth	No
Speed modes	Three (1800, 2400, 3200 PPM)
Charging connection	USB-C

It’s not microscopic, but this miniature machine is as compact as they come. True to its atomic moniker, the 550g cylinder sports an aluminium shell that’s the envy of the periodic table. And despite its compact proportions, it still packs the power to wobble your molecules: boosted by USB-C, the palm-sized pounder pumps out more than 50 beats per second at a force of 15.4lbs.

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7. Pulsio Elite

Pulsio Elite specs
Battery life	480 minutes
Bluetooth	No
Speed modes	Five (up to 6500 PPM)
Charging connection	AC/DC

It takes more than brute force to repair an aching body, but you still need some thump to properly hit the spot. While this instrument won’t make you a master masseur, it will produce a massive 89lbs of stall force. It’ll also hammer the source of your stiffness with up to 6500 percussions per minute, while its dampened motor is masked by your grateful groans.

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8. MuscleGun Carbon

MuscleGun Carbon specs
Battery life	300 minutes
Bluetooth	No
Speed modes	Five (1400 to 3200 PPM)
Charging connection	AC/DC[

Goldilocks didn’t mention dreams of becoming a sports therapist. If the porridge robber did rehabilitate by gaining an NVQ, this would be her weapon of choice: it’s built to be just right. At 980g, the angled handle is solid in the paw yet easy to wield. And with a 12mm amplitude, 44lbs of stall force and five speed settings, it can aid recovery after woodland workouts – without being too powerful for Papa Bear’s bad back.

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9. Recovapro MAX

Recovapro MAX specs
Battery life	300+ minutes
Bluetooth	Yes
Speed modes	Five (1400 to 3200 PPM)
Charging connection	AC/DC charge dock

Whacking with a mallet might mitigate muscular discomfort, but this beefy bludgeon will nail your aches better than any analogue gavel. Styled like something from Thor’s arsenal, its 90W motor runs for more than 300 minutes per charge. Percussion speeds can be tweaked via the app, while a 16mm amplitude promises to beat deep into your tissue. Seven attachments add versatility to your toolbox, too.

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How to choose the best massage gun

Want to buy the best massage gun but don’t know where to start? Budget will play a key part here, of course, but so too will your prior experience will massage guns. Are you looking to upgrade from one you already own, or are you buying your first? If the latter then we highly recommend trying before you buy – after all, you wouldn’t want to splash out on the most expensive model to find it’s too heavy to use comfortably, or is simply too powerful for the sort of massage you want.

Key features and specifications to look out for include the massage gun’s speed options, which are usually measured in percussions per minute (PPM) and tend to range from around 1000 to over 3000 for the most powerful models. Also look closely at the stall force, which is measured in kg or lbs and can vary from under 20 kg to over 30 kg. This is how much pressure you can apply to the massage gun before its motor stops, so a higher stall force means the ability to give yourself a firmer, deeper massage. Again, make sure you’re familiar with what you like from a percussive massage and buy the gun that’s best for you.

How much a gun’s head moves can affect the pummel factor. Amplitude ranges from 8mm to a hefty 16mm. Vibration speeds also vary by model, although even on entry-level guns the fastest setting will still be intense.

Lastly, extra features to look out for include Bluetooth connectivity (used to communicate with a smartphone app), an adjustable arm for massaging in different positions, and interchangeable heads. Some massage guns even come with heads that are heated or which can be cooled in the freezer to aid muscle recovery.

If you’re looking for something to track your workouts, then check out Stuff’s guide to the best GPS sports watch.