Friday, January 31

7 best massage guns for muscle relief, according to experts

It might be time to buy a targeted deep-tissue massager, also called a massage gun, if you frequently work out and are searching for approaches to aid in your recovery afterward or if your workplace arrangement isn’t ideal and you’re experiencing back strain.

According to physical therapist John Gallucci Jr., CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, the massage gun uses vibration therapy, which combines movement and impact, to assist release tense and tired muscles in a manner similar to a massage and to promote blood flow, which speeds up healing.

I gathered some of the top massagers on the market, including ones we’ve tested, and talked to experts on what to look for when choosing one to help you pick the best one for your requirements.

GO Ahead and SkipWhy should I trust NBC Select? How did I choose the top massagers? 2025’s top massagers?

Selected.

  • Editors’ pick

    Therabody Theragun Sense

    $199.00
    $299.00

    Amazon

    Learn more

  • Best overall

    Hypervolt 2

    $174.00
    $199.00

    Hyperice

    Learn more

  • Best for travel

    Theragun Mini

    $149.00
    $199.00

    Amazon

    Learn more

How I picked the best massage guns

Experts advise that when looking for a massager, you should take into account a few noteworthy aspects. They advise focusing on the following:


  • Strength

    : Some massage guns offer different speed levels measured in percussions per minute, or PPM. Higher speeds or velocity will yield a more superficial numbing effect, and higher power models will reach deeper into the muscle fibers, says

    Bianca Beldini

    , an acupuncturist, physical therapist and certified triathlon coach. Choosing a device that has adjustable PPMs will make it more versatile.


  • Weight

    : A massage gun is meant to be used with one hand, which makes the weight extremely important. If the gun is too heavy, your hand or arm may become fatigued before you are finished with your massage session, Gallucci says.

  • Portability

    : Along with weight, you want to take size into consideration if you want to keep your massage gun in a gym bag or take it with you when you travel.

  • Head attachments

    : Buying a massage gun with a range of head attachments will give you the flexibility to work on different areas of your body. According to experts, a big round head can be used on larger muscle groups like your quads, while a flat head can be used on small, dense muscle groups like the shoulder blades.

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The best massage guns in 2025

I’ve included some tested and authorized NBC Select staff picks for the top massagers below, along with expert suggestions. Every option listed below has a variety of attachments and speeds.

Therabody Theragun Sense

Therabody Theragun Sense

After five weeks of rigorous testing, this massager was awarded an NBC Select Wellness Award. During marathon training, Lauren Swanson, our editorial director, tested massage guns and found that this one was the best. She also attributes the breathwork component to helping her prioritize that underappreciated aspect of training, and the heads and speeds were easy on her sensitive muscles after lengthy runs. Jordan Bowman, editor of NBC Select, tested this massager as well and enjoyed the ability to choose from a variety of workouts for sleep, lower back discomfort, and stress alleviation.

Hypervolt 2

Hypervolt 2

According to Beldini, who uses the Hypervolt 2 model himself, it offers excellent value overall. According to the brand, it features five head attachments, three speeds up to 3,200 percussions per minute (PPM), and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can run for up to three hours. She claims that it is manageable and reasonably quiet.

Hypervolt Go 2

Hypervolt Go 2

  • Quick charging battery
  • Lightweight
  • Battery-life

According to Gallucci, hypervolt massagers are renowned for their power, low noise levels, quick-charging batteries, and user-friendliness. He claims that this device, which weighs only 1.5 pounds, is almost as powerful as many full-size guns and offers a lot of power in a portable package. The brand claims that it is lightweight, has three distinct speeds, and has a three-hour battery life.

Theragun Pro

Theragun PRO

  • Six speeds
  • Five hour battery-life
  • Multiple attachments
  • Expensive

According to Gallucci, this massager’s ergonomic grip and adjustable arm make it stand out from the competition. You can angle the arm for a customized massage for any body part. A few other special features include the six speeds, seven attachments, two batteries lasting five hours total and Bluetooth capabilities. This massage gun is an investment, but fitness enthusiasts and athletes feel it is well worth the splurge, he says The Pro model is also over 50% quieter than previous Theragun models, making it unobtrusive to use in public, says Allen Conrad, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and owner ofMontgomery County Chiropractic Center.

Theragun Mini

Theragun Mini

  • Lightweight
  • Travel friendly
  • Three speeds
  • Battery life

The Theragun Mini, anotherNBC Select Wellness Awardwinner, is the smallest, most portable massage gun from the brand. It has three massaging speeds and comes with three head attachments, a soft case and a charging cable. Its small style means I can bring it everywhere, which I love, says commerce leadership coordinator Alexa Arent, who used it to target very specific body aches, using different attachments depending on which muscle was involved. I mostly used it on my legs and shoulders the rounded-top attachment was my go-to.

Wahl Deep Tissue Therapeutic Massager

Wahl Deep Tissue Therapeutic Massager

  • Affordable
  • Multiple attachments
  • Only two speeds
  • Not that powerful

Conrad recommends this option for beginners looking for a budget-friendly option before making a more sizable investment. It comes with four attachment heads, and although it isn t battery-operated, it has a 9-foot-long power cable so you can move relatively freely. It also has two speeds and two vibration settings with up to 3,350 PPM, according to the brand. One thing to note: This option may not be powerful enough for larger areas, like the hamstrings, but can be useful for smaller regions, like the calves and forearms, says Conrad.

Theragun Prime

Theragun Prime

  • Quiet
  • Five speed settings
  • Wellness routines
  • Battery life

This option is quiet, has an ergonomic handle and packs plenty of power, according to Conrad. Gallucci agrees: Theragun is the pioneer in this market, and this fourth-generation [massage gun] lives up to the top-quality products that Theragun is known for. The Theragun Prime is 70% quieter than previous models and has five built-in speed settings, two hours of battery life and four attachments, according to the brand. Users can also download the Therabody app, which integrates with Apple Health and Google Fit and recommends guided wellness routines based on your behaviors. With the app, you can also select any speed between 1,750 and 2,400 PPM.


Frequently asked questions

A massage gun technically called a percussion massager is a handheld tool that limbers muscles by providing rapid mini bursts of pressure in concentrated pulses, Gallucci says. This tool is often referred to as a mini jackhammer for your muscles, and it s meant to be used when you feel sore or tight. The percussion therapy provided by the massage gun will help to loosen up or relax tight muscles or trigger points hyper-irritable spots located in a tight band of muscle and will also increase blood flow to the affected area, says Gallucci.

Other names for this type of therapy include a deep tissue massage or a self-massage, and it can be done on areas of the body with significant muscle mass such as the neck, back, shoulders and legs to help alleviate or prevent muscle soreness. A massage gun can encourage local stimulation to drive the cascade of blood flow and associated nutrients to those areas, explainsDr. Rahul Shah, an orthopedic spine and neck surgeon. These are also the areas where muscles are likely to build lactic acid [which causes a burning sensation] and other byproducts of increasing muscle fatigue. By stimulating blood flow to these areas, these toxins can be effectively neutralized.

It s important to know that massage guns are not recommended for everyone. Anyone who suffers from hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures, swelling, varicose veins or any autoimmune or muscular disorder should consult with their doctor before using a massage gun, says Conrad.

There are pros and cons to take into consideration when it comes to using a massage gun. By understanding them, you can better make an assessment if a massage gun is right for you, says Gallucci.

Pros:

After a tough workout or even some strenuous house or yard work, Gallucci says that it s common to experience sore muscles. Using a massage gun not only alleviates pain but also speeds up your recovery time by aiding in the removal of waste product from damaged tissue and breaking up scar tissue, he says.

Massage guns also offer enough pressure to actually make a difference, unlike other massage tools like foam rollers, according to Gallucci. Some people cannot physically push hard enough, while others are afraid of the pain they may feel in the affected area, he says. Massage guns are battery-powered and mechanical, so they do not hold back and always provide the same level of intensity and ensure pressure.

Cons:

Massage guns need to be used properly. Those who are inexperienced or have not done enough research on how to properly handle the massage gun can end up injuring themselves. You may end up massaging an area that is experiencing referred pain and not actually targeting the area that needs help with recovery, doing more harm than good, Gallucci says.

Massage guns used on injuries such as strains, sprains, broken bones or even extreme swelling can also potentially make your injury worse. They can further damage the injured tissue or even increase swelling rate. You should check with your doctor if you have a chronic condition before using a massage gun to see if it is right for you, says Gallucci.

Overusing a massage gun can have adverse effects, Beldini says. Leaving a massage gun in one area for too long could ultimately cause some soft-tissue trauma, leaving some internal bruising, she says. To avoid this, Beldini suggests moving the gun from area to area in short durations like 10-20 seconds in each location. This will ensure that you are not overdoing it on one tissue segment, she says.

When using a massage gun, Gallucci recommends keeping these tips in mind:


  • Try to relax your body before using the massage gun

    . There is a reason that when you go get a massage by a masseuse, they do so in a relaxing setting, says Galluci. Your body will see better results from massage when the muscle is relaxed.

  • Use a slow and steady tempo

    . Especially when you are first using the device, it will treat the targeted muscle more effectively without over massaging them.

  • Don t just target the painful area

    . Also work on the muscles surrounding this area. The body compensates by asking the surrounding muscles to act when another muscle is under stress. Treating the entire affected area can enhance the healing process, Gallucci says.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

  • John Gallucci Jr. is the CEO of

    JAG Physical Therapy


  • Bianca Beldini

    is an acupuncturist, physical therapist and certified triathlon coach


  • Allen Conrad

    is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and owner of

    Montgomery County Chiropractic Center


  • Dr. Rahul Shah

    is an orthopedic spine and neck surgeon

Why trust NBC Select?

I am acontributorwho has covered sleep, wellness, home and more. I have over 15 years of experience in journalism and reporting. My work has been published on The Knot, PopSugar, CafeMom, Mom.com, Bridal Guide and Care.com.

Our team has spent several years testing and trying massage guns. We work with doctors and physical therapists to help with our reporting. We also have marathon runners and cyclists on our team to adequately test each massage gun and its ability to assist with recovery and performance.

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Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!

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