Massage Gun Reviews
The Ultimate Massage Gun 2020 Showdown
Whether you’re an avid athlete or simply suffer with muscle aches and pains, you’ve likely thought about buying a percussion massage gun.
Research is continuing to evolve, but in some studies, massage or its derivative has shown to be extremely effective:
“The current evidence suggests that massage therapy after strenuous exercise could be effective for alleviating DOMS and improving muscle performance.” [1]
So if you’re going to incorporate a massage gun into your recovery routine, how do you choose which is best? In the last couple years, massage guns have flooded the market, making it increasingly more difficult to make that distinction .
To help you make a more informed decision, we took it upon ourselves to buy and test the most popular massage guns available.
What we looked for in a percussive massage gun:
Design and Ergonomics: If you’re going to invest a couple hundred dollars or more into a massage gun, we wanted to make sure it was made well and comfortable to use. We asked ourselves, “Is this something we could use without much fatigue?”.
Features: We looked at what came included in the box. We also looked at the devices themselves to determine what differentiated each model from the others. Ultimately, we simply tried to justify the price differences and which offered the most value.
Battery Life and Charging: If you are going to be using your massage gun with any amount of frequency, it’s important to know how long it’s going to last before
it cuts off. No one wants to be tied to a wall socket!
Noise: We ran the various scenarios of where you might use your massage gun. For us, the last thing we want is to draw attention to ourselves while trying to stretch out a tight hamstring.
We used and abused each of these devices to determine which is the best massage gun to buy in 2020. Per the usual, let’s start this Massage Gunfight showdown.
Best Overall Massage Gun: Lifepro Pulse FX
(Update: Buy the Pulse FX for $249.99, get a second one FREE! The best deal all year! Buy Now!)
The Pulse FX is easily one of our favorite massage guns for its superior power, second to none design, features, and standout warranty.
If you’re at all familiar with massage guns, you’ve probably heard of the Kraftgun. Well the Pulse FX, it’s the exact same and equally great! The Pulse FX massage gun provides a good balance of features and power.
The design and ergonomics on this model are exceptional. We felt like it was very easy to grip and with the adjustable massage head, we could enjoy multi-angled massages. It’s unique and we love the option.
Long-term durability of the hinge could be a concern if it wasn’t for their excellent lifetime warranty. Also of note, the design decision to place the on/off switch and speed adjustment button where the thumb rests on the handle was smart.
The Pulse FX massage gun provides plenty of thumping power given the massage head travel amplitude of 16mm. With 3 variable speeds, you can dial in the intensity as you see fit. At times, we found ourselves dialing back the speed because it was almost too much. That’s not a bad thing!
We found the battery life to be more than acceptable. The lithium ion battery seems to hold a long charge that we appreciate. Total charge time is rated at 2-3 hours.
What buyers say: “What I can tell you for sure is that it works great, it’s relatively quiet for how powerful it is and the fit and finish are top-notch.”
Close Second: Ekrin B37
Update #1: Ekrin just released an upgraded model called the B37S. Read our review and then order now to get 25% off! Use promo code “MGF25“
The Ekrin B37 is ranked as being one of the best massage guns for its perfect balance of power, design, and cost.
From the unboxing of the Ekrin B37, we knew it was special. The overall feel and design of the B37 is premium. From the soft touch polycarbonate body to the 15 degree angled handle, it feels wonderful to hold in the hand.
Powering it on, the thrill continues as the brushless 5-speed motor seamlessly and smoothly hums along at 1400-3200RPM. There are very few massage guns that deliver this amount of power.
We think the Ekrin is a great choice for not only the avid exerciser, but anyone that frequently complains of muscle soreness and muscle knots. The icing on the cake? The price. It costs about half that of the Theragun Elite. Read our full-review here.
A LIFETIME warranty and free shipping from a US based company is included. International shipping available!
What buyers say: “The Ekrin B37 massage gun has met all of my needs and exceeded all of these expectations.” one buyer wrote. “Absolutely love this. Now I am kicking myself for waiting so long. Wish there were more than 5 stars available to rate it.”
If there's anything better than the rush of endorphins post-workout, it's the feeling of someone sinking their fingers into your oh-so-sore muscles for a rewarding massage.
The trouble is, a massage comes with a seriously long list of prerequisites! Think about it: You need a boo/roommate/sibling who is ready, willing, and able to knead your achey limbs. Or, you need to be willing to drop some dough on a professional masseuse. (And welp, being in the middle of global pandemic—in which many spas are shut down—can make that pretty difficult.). Luckily, there's a high-tech alternative you can use at home (and all on your own) to get the job done: a massage gun. (Related: These Tech Products Can Help You Recover from Your Workout While You Sleep)
Also known as percussive guns, massage guns are a popular recovery tool designed to decrease muscle soreness and improve range of motion. How? Basically, they beat your muscles up over and over and over again. The mechanism—known as percussion massage therapy—is similar to that of manual therapy or foam rolling, explains physical therapist Grayson Wickham, D.P.T., C.S.C.S., founder of Movement Vault. The guns excel at increasing overall circulation, which means your muscles get more of the nutrient-rich blood they need to recover. "They also send inputs to your body and brain that helps your muscles lengthen (meaning, relax), which allows you to access an increased range of motion," adds Wickham.
Interested in trying out one of these buzzy tools? Ahead, a list of the top massage guns on the market based on price point, noise level, and range of intensity, according to trainers, coaches, and athletes. (Related: The Best Recovery Tools for When Your Muscles Are Sore AF)
Therabody Theragun Pro
Theragun (which recently rebranded as Therabody) is to percussion guns what Kleenex is to tissue. So if you've heard of percussion therapy, chances are, you've heard of this top-of-the-line bad boy. Priced at just under $600, the Theragun Pro doesn't come cheap. But if money ~ain't no thang~, you don't need to look further. With six attachments, an adjustable arm, a customizable speed range (read: it can deliver up to 2,400 beats per minute), this quiet yet powerful device helps to enhance muscle recovery, release stress and tension within the body, and soothes aches and pains. Plus, the brand claims it reaches 60 percent deeper into the muscles, in comparison to other massage guns.
Certified personal trainer with Fitter Living, Hannah Daugherty, NASM C.P.T., says it's her favorite massage gun brand because it's both powerful and customizable. "If you're tech-savvy, there's even a blue-tooth enabled app that can lead you through a full body massage routine, giving you a time countdown for each area," Daugherty says. "The app also remembers what intensity you like for each muscle, as well."
Buy It: Theragun Pro, $599, theragun.com
Hyperice Hypervolt Plus Percussion Massager
The Hypervolt Plus rivals the Thergun's stardom, and for good reason. It features five intensity settings, five different nozzle options, and it does the same quality work on your muscles (thanks to a high-torque motor, which delivers 30 percent more power than the brand's other models) without making much more than a peep. "So many of the massage guns on the market really bother my eardrums," says certified personal trainer Sergio Pedemonte, CEO of Your House Fitness. "The Hypervolt Plus doesn't emit that loud noise, but does help my muscles."
Master SoulCycle instructor and fitness expert Maddy Ciccone is also a fan. "As a full-time SoulCycle Instructor, doing HIIT classes for "fun" on the side, and also running, my piriformis, IT bands, and glutes benefit massively from this gun." (Related: Could Poroformis Syndrome Be The Cause Of Your Glute Pain?)
Buy It: Hyperice Hypervolt Plus Percussion Massager, $349, $449, dickssportinggoods.com
Vybe Premium Percussion Massage Gun
It's called the Vybe (pronounced "vibe"), but, rather than vibrating, it pulsates—pumping out up to 3200 percussions per minute. It also boasts four massage heads and five speeds to help target different muscle groups, including options for deep tissue. Amazon reviewers rave that it helps with everything from cramping and workout recovery to plantar fasciitis and chronic back pain.
According to Nick Rizzo, a competitive powerlifter and training director at RunRepeat.com, it's the best gun period. "I don't know how you can justify the price tag of the higher-end models when you have such a powerful and economical option from Vybe."
Buy It: Vybe Premium Percussion Massage Gun, $200, amazon.com
Whether you’re working out at home or the gym, the best massage guns, also called percussive massagers, have quickly become popular tools for improving your musculoskeletal health. Similar to foam rollers, these handheld massagers can help your body recover from a workout by releasing tight muscles and even breaking up scar tissue. They can also be used before you work out to prepare your body for the stress to come, experts say.
“As warm up, the massage can be used to promote blood flow and circulation to warm up the tissue and to simulate the nervous system, prepping your body for activity,” says physical therapist and Bespoke Treatments co-founder Dr. Dan Giordano. “I recommend flushing [floating the gun up and down the muscle] the muscle area for 15 seconds.”
Such a recommendation can come in handy. Too often, consumers buy a massage gun without clear insight into how they can be used to improve their health. “Many people have these massage guns but don't know how to use them properly to get the most benefit from the equipment,” says physical therapist Dr. Kellen Scantlebury.
Giordano agrees. He said massage gun users should be careful to not dig in, and be sure to float it on the muscle belly. “Too hard or too deep may cause bruising,” Giordano says. Still, both Giordano and Scantlebury say massage guns are worthwhile buys and recommend them to their patients.
If you’re in the market for a massage gun, see the list below for a survey of some of the best percussive massagers out there, picked out with a little bit of help from our experts. The following options all hit the right marks, with nice designs, solid battery life, and varying intensity levels that could help you reduce your risk of injury.
The Best Massage Guns for Effective & Powerful Deep Tissue Massage
Are you looking for a simple, easy-to-use self-massage tool that does the job on virtually any muscle in your body?
A percussion massage gun is all you need to soften stiff muscles.
I absolutely love these devices!
Using my own carefully chosen massage gun, I have relieved many sore spots that have existed deep in my muscles for years.
I have tried many massager tools in the past but through using massage guns I have seen the best results by far.
Overall, they have reduced my everyday body pains, helped increase my flexibility and mobility, and helped my muscles function more effectively.
You can also use these power massagers to relieve muscle aches, pain and soreness, speed up muscle recovery and reduce your risk for exercise injuries.
If you don’t know what massage guns are, they are simply a handheld device that sends pulses of pressure that penetrate deep into muscle tissue.
The result can be likened to a deep-tissue massage from a masseuse, and it’s ideal for workout recovery and to relieve pain caused by muscle tightness.
In this post, I’m going to take you through the best massage guns on the market and list their pros and cons, and the one that I finally settled on (although I do own quite a few) and use every day.
But before that it’s important to know a couple of things about massage guns before you make your final choice.
How to Identify a Quality Percussion Massage Gun
There are all kinds of options on the market, including low-quality massagers trying to copy the bigger name brands massage guns.
In this post, I’m going to take you through the best massage guns on the market and list their pros and cons, and the one that I finally settled on (although I do own quite a few) and use every day.
But before that it’s important to know a couple of things about massage guns before you make your final choice.
How to Identify a Quality Percussion Massage Gun
There are all kinds of options on the market, including low-quality massagers trying to copy the bigger name brands massage guns.
