The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (2024)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (1)

Want more tried and tested product recommendations from the editors of Men’s Health? Sign up to our new weekly shopping newsletter, The Edit. Click here to subscribe.

If you haven’t tried percussive therapy yet, where have you been? The best massage guns are all over Instagram – hit #recovery and you’ll find everyone from boxers to runners pummelling their muscles in the quest for peak performance.

Best Massage Guns

Read our complete guide to recovery tools for bouncing back faster post-workout

They may look intense, but they're a really effective recovery tool for bringing tired muscles back to life. In the age of self-care, this science-backed method increases blood flow and loosens up tight spots – ideal for combatting DOMS and making your rest days work as hard as you do (it's only fair, right?).

The Men’s Health team put a range of top tools to the test to find the best massage guns on the market. These are our top-rated gadgets at a glance, but read on for our detailed reviews.

Looking to kit out your gym? Read our tried and tested home gym equipment reviews, from Gymproluxe resistance bands to squat racks, adjustable dumbbells, pull-up bars and rowing machines.

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (14)

Our editors, along with a team of health and fitness experts, tested the mettle of the best massage guns on the market. And, as the list below shows, they were more than up to the challenge.

Each massage gun was trialled for at least a three-week period, used to prime and relieve our experts' muscles around their fitness-filled schedule of weightlifting, HIIT, running, yoga and more.

They were judged on how easy they were to control, the impact they had on sore muscles, their ability to move across skin and muscle smoothly, and the effectiveness of any interchangeable massage heads included. The design (how ergonomic the handle was), portability and any other innovative features were also taken into consideration when deciding the final hierarchy.

Many of the massage guns below are also owned, loved and frequently used by members of the MH team, so we can speak for their longevity as well as efficacy.

If you’re ready to banish your foam roller for good, read on for the 10 best massage guns money can buy. Allow us to drill into the details.

10 Best Massage Guns To Buy in 2024

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

1

Best Massage Gun

HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (15)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (16)

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (17)Thermotherapy options
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (18)Lightweight
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (19)Quiet
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (20)Carry case is on the larger side

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.

Weight914g
Amplitude10mm
Speed settings3
Battery life1.5 hours
Included accessories6 massage heads (barrel head, cold head, ball head, arrow head, heat head and smoothing head) and storage case

2

Best bang for your buck

Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (21)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (22)

Now 20% Off

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (23)Ergonomic multi-grip arm
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (24)Seven massage heads
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (25)Pre-loaded treatment modes
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (26)Changing the massage heads could be smoother

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.

Weight1.27kg
Amplitude16mm
Speed settings6
Battery life3 hours
Included accessories7 massage heads, USB-wall plug charging cable, carry case, massage guidance booklet

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3

Best for Serious Athletes

Therabody Theragun PRO 5th Gen

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (27)

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (28)Packs a real punch
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (29)Visual guides via the OLED screen
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (30)Super fast charging
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (31)Shorter battery life than some others

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.

Read our full review of the Theragun Pro 5th Gen here.

Weight1.25kg
Amplitude16mm
Speed settings 5
Battery life2.5 hours
Included accessories6 massage heads, charger, carry case

4

Best for Battery Life

RENPHO Massage Gun

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (32)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (33)

Now 17% Off

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (34)Excellent value
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (35)Long battery life
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (36)Convenient carry case
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (37)Higher speeds cause a lot of vibration in the handle

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.

Weight0.68kg
Amplitude9mm
Speed settings5
Battery life6 hours
Included accessories5 massage heads, USB charging cable, carry case

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5

Best Value for Money

Bob and Brad Mini Q2 Massage Gun

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (38)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (39)

Now 25% Off

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (40)Very quiet
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (41)Compact and portable —ideal for chucking in your gym bag
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (42)Five massage heads
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (43)Not as easy to reach all over (as with larger massage guns)

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.

Read our full review of the Bob and Brad C2 Mini here.

Weight430g
Amplitude7mm
Speed settings5
Battery life4 hours
Accessories included5 massage heads, travel case, charging cable, instructions booklet

6

Best All-Rounder

MuscleGun Carbon

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (44)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (45)

Now 29% Off

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (46)Long handle means easy access to difficult spots
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (47)Smooth performance
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (48)Wide range of speeds
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (49)On the heavier side

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.

Weight980g
Amplitude10mm
Speed settings5
Battery life5 hours
Included accessories 4 massage heads, charger, recovery massage oil, carry case

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Best Massage Gun for Travel

Therabody Theragun Mini 2nd Gen

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (50)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (51)

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (52)Comfortable grip
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (53)Three full-size massage heads
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (54)12mm amplitude — high for a mini model
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (55)Just a two-hour battery life

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.

Weight450g
Amplitude12mm
Speed settings3
Battery life2 hours
Included accessories3 attachments, charging cables, carry case

8

Best heated massage gun

Therabody Theragun PRO Plus

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (56)

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (57)Heat therapy attachment is the best we've tried —and adjustable
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (58)Multiple treatment settings
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (59)Vibration and percussive therapy options
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (60)Infrared LED light therapy
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (61)Cold attachment sold separately

We didn't think Therabody could improve on the 5th Gen Theragun Pro, but then along they came with this absolute machine of a massage gun: the PRO Plus.

As well as boasting an impressive five speeds (from 1750 – 2400rpm), 16mm amplitude (that's a lot, btw) and SEVEN massage heads, every little detail has been considered in the construction of this massage gun. Take, for instance, the intuitive five-button interface; consisting one large central button and four arrow controllers around the outside. You barely have to twitch your thumb to flick through any and all settings (there are a lot to play with) and thanks to the OLED screen, navigation is simple.

We were also impressed by the way the massage gun can tell which massage head has been attached, and will adjust your setting options accordingly — clever stuff. It's also easier to hold than the G5, with more weight given to certain parts of the handle for more balanced ergonomics. Plus the generous folks at Theragun have included near infrared LED light therapy to help aid muscle, joint and tissue function and repair.

Attachment-wise you're spoiled with the PRO Plus. As well as the brand's usual offering (standard ball, dampener, wedge, micro-point and thumb) you also get a vibration attachment — ideal for joints and sensitive spots — and a recovery-boosting heat massage head. Of the heated massage heads we've tried this is easily the best — it gets hot fast, is adjustable via the OLED screen and offers a soothing, deep massage while transferring the heat straight to your muscles.

The battery life not as long as some others, although that's fairly standard for this level of whack and you do not have to use it for long — it gets the job done fast and feels amazing. If you want cold therapy too, you'll have to fork out an extra £79 for the attachment.

Weight1.65kg
Amplitude16mm
Speed settings5
Battery life2.5 hours
Included accessories7 attachments, carry/storage case, charger, QuietForce Solution sample, targeted treatment guides

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9

Most Powerful Compact Massage Gun

Hyperice Hypervolt Go2

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (62)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (63)

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (64)Petite yet powerful
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (65)Smooth performance
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (66)Hyperice app access for guided routines and more
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (67)Just two massage heads

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.

Weight680g
Amplitude10mm
Speed settings3
Battery Life3 hours
Included accessories2 massage heads, power supply and adaptors

10

Best for budget thermotherapy

Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (68)

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (69)

Now 20% Off

Pros
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (70)Hot and cold therapy attachment
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (71)Lightweight and simple to use
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (72)Speed displayed via screen
Cons
  • The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (73)On the noisier side

This is a massage gun made for the Goldilocks-minded among us. One thermotherapy massage head offers four settings to play with — two hot, two cold — so you can tailor your recovery for exactly what you need on any given day.

Why is this a game-changer? Well, heat can reduce muscle soreness by promoting blood flow, while applying cold therapy can help relieve inflammation, which equals less pain. Win, win, win.

Aside from the hot/cold attachment there are four other massage heads, including a U-shaped number that cradles and soothes sore traps like nobody's business and a bullet option for trigger points.

Be warned that it's a little louder than its counterparts, particularly on the higher speeds, and when switched to cold therapy the attachment makes a quiet computer fan-esque noise. Being flat, the thermotherapy attachment isn't as versatile as a rounded head, and the single button interface, while easy to use, does mean you have to cycle through every setting rather than toggle back and forwards.

While there aren't any bells and whistles like extra treatment modes, for budget hot/cold therapy this is a no-brainer.

Weight0.68kg
Amplitude10mm
Speed settings5
Battery life3 hours
Included accessories5 massage heads, carry case, instruction manual with treatment guides, charger

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (74)

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.

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (75)

Priyankaa Joshi

Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.

She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.

Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (76)

Hattie Parish

Health and Fitness Ecommerce Editor

Hattie Parish is the Health and Fitness Ecommerce Editor for Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World, covering the best gym wear, latest fitness tech and wellness launches worth investing in, plus the best deals during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. As well as clocking up the miles in myriad running socks, pummelling her muscles with massage guns, testing out fitness mirrors and donning dry robes every other weekend, Hattie consults leading experts in the health and fitness industry to help readers make informed decisions when shopping online. Brought up by two medics, Hattie worked in health clinics before completing a BA in English at King’s College London. She qualified as a journalist in 2015 and has since written for titles such as Healthy magazine, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Red, as well as worked commercially with health and wellness clients such as Holland & Barrett, Lloyds Pharmacy and Superdrug. Hattie is passionate about arming readers with honest, unbiased product reviews and has a particular interest in the role of technology in our wellbeing, as well as gender-based inequalities in healthcare. When she’s not putting gym wear through its paces on the Pilates reformer or kitting out her home gym (garage) with the latest equipment, she’s attempting to make progress on her teetering pile of bedside books, cycling round South East London or sampling wellness retreats for the Women’s Health travel pages.

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (77)

Tested byYanar Alkayat

Former Fitness Group Testing Manager

Yanar has spent 15 years as a health and wellness editor and writer for national titles such as Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World. Yanar is a 580-hour yoga therapist, 200-hour yoga teacher and level 3 personal trainer at Yanar Mind & Movement. After years of running races and marathons, she discovered CrossFit and Olympic lifting in her mid-30s and fell in love with training and competing. She now advocates strength training for women to build a stronger body for life and the benefits of nervous system regulation for better physical and mental health. When not training, teaching or writing, she can be found experimenting in the kitchen.

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (78)

Tested byJodie Morrish

Health and Fitness Tester

Jodie is our Health and Fitness product tester. She runs tests on a wide variety of products, including gym leggings, walking boots, fitness trackers and more. Jodie has managed the testing for 577 products to date, including working with over 600 panellists.

The 10 Best Massage Guns of 2024, Tested by Men's Health (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6330

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.