The Best Massage Guns, Because Percussive Massage Therapy Is the New Foam Rolling (2024)

Finding fault with this near-flawless massage gun was like hunting for a needle in a haystack, with our experts awarding it top scores for ease of use, design and performance. It moved smoothly over muscles, working quickly to dissipate aches without causing any additional discomfort — in short, less pain, more recovery gains. It earned a few bonus points for its instructions too, which contain handy diagrams to help you get the most out of your percussive pistol.

The case it comes in may be slightly too big to carry around comfortably, but the gun itself is lightweight and surprisingly quiet, considering its size. This makes it easy to wield, and a perfect partner for an evening recovery session in front of the telly. We also loved the option to crank up the heat or use the frozen massage head, providing hot and cold massages – ideal for a pre-workout muscle primer and thorough cool down, respectively.

We challenge you to find a massage gun more powerful and kitted out than the D6 Pro from Bob and Brad — and it's a fair chunk cheaper than market competitors.

A MH editor favourite, this boasts incredible power, with 16mm amplitude backed up by 85lbs stall force to really get deep into muscle fibres. The D-shaped handle allows multiple grip points, which paired with the rotating arm (it can click into six different positions over 90 degrees) makes for a fully ergonomic experience, allowing you to treat hard-to-reach areas.

It's also impressively quiet (even at the top speed of 2500rpm), comes loaded with different treatment modes you can toggle on the OLED screen, and those seven massage heads mean no niggle goes un-pummelled.

Read our full review of the Bob and Brad D6 Pro here.

From the sleek black and grey colourway alone, you can tell this massage gun means business. The massage arm packs one hell of a punch and proved effective at flushing testers' aching muscles with blood, helping them recover from high volume sessions.

It’s a tad heavy and the grip vibrated quite a lot when we cranked the speed setting to its max. But the long, curved handle meant users could easily reach awkward knots on their back, and all four interchangeable heads were able to glide over the skin, making for a remarkably relaxing massage.

The PRO is the Rolls-Royce of the Theragun Range. This 5th gen model has really stepped things up a gear with the addition of an OLED screen, which shows four visually guided routines to really help you nail that ache. Its adjustable arm means you can use it all over your own back, but our testers noted you can’t see the screen if you’re doing that.

The PRO is also slightly lighter and 20% quieter than its predecessor, while still being much more powerful than its fellow Therabody guns. It comes with a range of six heads to soothe any aches and pains, but the battery life is just 2.5 hours, which is half that of the 4th gen model. Thankfully, it does have super-fast USB-C charging, so you won't be left short in your time of need.

While the plethora of features may seem like overkill for casual athletes, we think these premium touches make this an ideal recovery companion for the fitness faithful.

There’s no hiding from the fact that most top massage guns will set you back a pretty penny, so we approached this more affordable RENPHO offering with a little scepticism. But, while it may not be much of a looker, it soon put our pessimism in its place.

It comes with a choice of five massage heads, has the longest battery life of the models we tested and moves fluidly over skin without dragging. The handle vibrated a lot on the highest speed setting, causing our arm to ache after a while, but this can easily be remedied by turning the power down for a more soothing percussive therapy session.

It may be a more wallet-friendly option, but this Cotsoco gun doesn't skimp on features. With eight massage heads, seven speed settings and a percussion of 3,200 beats per minute, this is your opportunity to nab a versatile gun for a fraction of the price.

The touch-sensitive LCD screen also means you can switch up the settings with ease.

The brainchild of renowned YouTube physical therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck, we had high expectations when the Q2 landed on our desks, and it didn’t disappoint.

It may be the size of a small water bottle, but it’s brimming with impressive features. You get five interchangeable heads (most mini massagers come with just one or two) and there are five speed settings to flit between, giving you a whopping 25 massage combos to try. If you need some guidance, there’s a handy user manual, which provides step-by-step routines for warm-up, mobility and recovery. According to our tester, these were genuinely useful.

The definition of a smooth operator, it glided over our muscles seamlessly, the speed button was well placed and easy to reach while in use, and the brushless motor proved pretty darn quiet. If on-the-go-massages are on the agenda, there's a slick, lightweight carry case that will fit neatly into your gym bag or suitcase.

We rated the 10-minute auto-off mode for conserving battery and liked that it charges with a USB-C cable and a regular phone adaptor, so you don’t have to carry around an extra plug. The handle was on the short side, making it a touch awkward for our tester with larger hands, but that wouldn’t put them off using it again. Plus, when you consider the relatively affordable price tag, it’s hard to complain.

Warming up to the idea of heat therapy? This snazzy new Pulseroll model should be on your radar. It features a heating head with two temperature settings – 45C and 55C – to turbocharge your recovery. It also boasts five other attachments including a ‘spinal’ head for larger muscles group and a soft ‘invor’ head for stimulating the nerves in your hands and feet.

For a mini massage gun that’s lightweight and compact enough to take anywhere, our tester thought it was surprisingly powerful. It has four speed settings for more tailored recovery and a handy LED touchscreen to switch between the speeds and keep track of battery level. Our expert was impressed with how quiet it was and appreciated the accompanying video guides, helping them get the most out of the device.

What's more, it offers convenient USB-C charging and comes with a smart carry case – ideal for post-flight massaging or taking to and from the gym. If you’d like to try before you buy, it also comes with a generous 90-day money-back guarantee.

Twee fridge magnets across the UK will encourage you to enjoy the smaller things in life. Luckily, Hyperice makes this advice easy to follow with its latest compact massage gun.

Despite its size, the Hypervolt Go2 can still compete with the big boys, blowing our testers away with its strength. It’s also smooth to use and considerably cheaper than its bulkier brother, the Hypervolt Plus.

Its condensed design means it’s ideal for carrying around, although it did lose some points due to the absence of a carry case. Still, the Go2 makes up for that with its power and premium design. There are two massage heads and access to Hyperice’s comprehensive app comes as standard, too.

Don’t fancy shelling out on a massager you know you’ll only whip out from time to time? For under £50, this could be the gun for you. It may be a wallet-friendly option, but it doesn’t skimp on features – you get four interchangeable tips (a classic ball, bullet, fork and flat head), three intensity modes and a compact travel case for sweet, sweet relief en route home from the gym.

Our tester said it was a cinch to use, with one responsive control button that was easy to reach mid-massage for cycling through the speeds. The lights help show which setting you’re on and will signal when it’s almost out of juice, ensuring you never have to skip a post-workout pummel.

This device offers a lighter touch, so it’s better suited to less intense recovery sessions or general R&R in front of the telly. On that note, it was one of the quietest models we tried, scoring almost full marks in our noise tests.

Testers' massaging experience was mainly smooth and comfy. There was a tiny bit of dragging against the skin when using the ball head and the short handle was slightly awkward for reaching the lower back, but that’s the case with most compact massage guns. Overall, it offers excellent value.

This is Theragun’s second entry on our list, proving the brand really lives up to its hype. Although the USP here is its dinky size, that doesn't mean it isn't a powerhouse machine. It’s even smaller and lighter than the 1st gen model, so it’s super easy to slip into your gym bag for a quick post-session massage, or clip onto the outside of your bag thanks to its handy travel case.

The mini gadget scored an impressive 4/4 for noise control on the in-house decibel test, so you can use it anywhere without disturbing others. The panel said the attachments ‘glide really smoothly, without any bumping, shaking or jarring’, and thought the third setting provided strong power for such a small product.

It's also a great option for first-time massage gun users, not only because it’s a more affordable model, but the LED lights help show which setting you’re on and its simple-to-use Bluetooth app guides you through pain-relieving routines.

Tempted by the Theragun Pro above but can't justify the spend? Coming in at under £250, the Achedaway Pro is a solid alternative.

The sleek, sturdy device has four interchangeable heads (a bullet, a fork, a flat head and a soft head) and five oomph-inducing speed settings for more targeted recovery. The brand boldly claims it reaches 60% deeper into muscles than standard massage guns to banish deep-set aches and pains. Sure enough, it worked wonders on our tester’s sore, knotted muscles. They even felt a difference after just one use.

Given its hefty size, it’s not one you can tuck into your pocket, but it does come with a very smart travel case (complete with compartments for the different attachments and rechargeable battery), if you fancy lugging it around with you. It’s also really easy to use, with one control button to turn it on and off and flit between the speed settings.

Though it wasn’t among the quietest designs on test, we’re willing to let this slide given its impressive list of features. For a supercharged experience without the £500+ price tag, we can’t recommend it enough.

Take your foam rolling routine up a notch with the Vyper 3, best described as a vibrating foam roller, which Hyperice claims will ‘accelerate your warm-up, speed recovery time and keep you moving better.’ Sounds great, but is it actually better than your standard roller?

Well, yes! The flexible foam cover and slanted ridge pattern mean you can really get stuck in to your muscles. Our tester said they felt ‘thoroughly massaged’ after using the device. They were also impressed with the design – it's lightweight, the controls couldn’t be simpler to use, and there's plenty of power (especially on the highest setting).

Our only gripe is the noise level, which is fairly loud when placed on the floor. Not necessarily a problem, but you may want to warn flatmates before you commence a foam rolling sesh.

This more economical HoMedics model has many of the benefits of the brand's high scoring massage gun – it’s lightweight, a doddle to use and hits the Goldilocks optimum when it comes to attachments (enough to cover all bases, but not so many that it feels gimmicky).

It doesn’t have the innovative heat features of the Pro Physio Massage Gun, and lacks the oomph of its competitors, but if you’re an everyday athlete who doesn't need anything super-intense – think casual use rather than a recovery aid for an intense HIIT session – then it’s more than up to the job.

The Myomaster is no one-tricky pony. It comes with eight head attachments – the highest number on our list – allowing you to target specific areas and fine tune your recovery. Our tester was a big fan of the more unusual ones, including the ‘thumb’, which mimics a human thumb to release tension, and the ‘damper’, which is ideal for gliding over joints. The instructions clearly explain what each attachment is best for and how to use it.

It is one of the heavier options here, but hey, you might appreciate the arm workout. And it comes with a handle on the carry case if you did want to use it in the gym. There’s a 60-day money back guarantee, too.

Why Should I Buy a Massage Gun?

Invest in a high-quality massage gun and you can use it before training to prime your muscles for a session, or post-workout to ward off any potential DOMS. It will help you recover faster, boost your circulation and lymphatic drainage, increase your flexibility and extend your range of motion – ultimately improving your performance across the board. Think of it as foam rolling turned up to eleven.

‘Percussive therapy has a variety of benefits, helping to prevent body aches and pains, greatly reducing muscle tension in seconds, boosting mobility and range of motion, and increasing blood flow to the area to reduce soreness, tightness and pain,’ explains Dr Jason Wersland, chiropractor and Therabody founder. ‘It can also assist with accelerating the repair and growth of tissues.’

How Do I Use a Massage Gun?

Using a massage gun is the definition of simple. Just point the gun at your fleshy target – around an inch away from your skin over whichever muscle you’re trying to loosen or warm up – and hit the trigger for instant relief. Move slowly up and down the length of the muscle for around 30 seconds – if you find a particularly sore spot (or ‘trigger point’), spend a little more time on it, but there's no need to apply more pressure. Try not to wince!

Keep your gun away from your neck (decapitation ain't the aim here, lads) and avoid bone and any sprains. Start on the lowest setting and build up once you get the hang of it. Don't overdo it – a few minutes at a time is plenty – or your muscles may end up sorer.

What Should I Look for in a Massage Gun?

When you're browsing the best massage guns, ideally your purchasing priorities should centre on noise control, battery life and quality. Generally, a higher price tag will indicate a more reliable product and, when fully charged, a decent massage gun should last for a few days to a week, based on around 15 minutes' use per day.

To suss out the power of your massage gun, check the amplitude and, if listed, the stall force. These two specs together indicate how deep a massage a device can offer.

What is amplitude?

Amplitude in a massage gun refers to how deep it can reach into your muscles. It's measured in millimetres, and generally, the higher the measurement, the deeper the massage.

Top quality massage guns typically boast 12-16mm of amplitude, while more budget options will most likely hover in the 8-10mm range.

What is stall force?

Stall force is essentially how much pressure you can apply to a massage gun during use on your muscles before the motor stalls.

Sometimes also known as torque, stall force is usually measured in pounds, and ranges tend to fall around the 20-30lbs mark for cheaper options, and 40-50lbs for standard massage guns. Anything higher and you're dealing with a premium product.

The higher the stall force, the more pressure you can apply. Opt for a higher stall force if you prefer a deep-tissue massage.