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 alongside a great smartwatch or smart ring. 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.
Quick list: What’s the best massage gun?
The best massage guns you can buy today:
1. Theragun Prime (6th Gen)
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| Specifications | Theragun Prime (6th Gen) |
|---|---|
| Battery life | 2 hours |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Speed settings | 5 |
| Charging connection | USB-C charging cable |
The latest-gen Theragun Prime is geared towards high-performance athletes and professionals seeking relief from deep-tissue soreness and desk fatigue. It features a real-time pressure indicator, and its triangle handle helps you easily reach those awkward spots like the back, shoulders, calves and hamstrings. Plus, its rubberised, robust design can also withstand falls up to 10 feet, and while it’s pricey, it doesn’t skimp on quality.
Is it any good?
The Prime offers a premium sports massage, with its 16mm amplitude working through deep-rooted knots for a more intense and effective job, particularly in larger muscles like the glutes and quads. You also get access to Theragun Coach’s AI-based recovery plans, taking the guesswork out of your rehab. One tiny nitpick? The chunkier design means it isn’t as compact as others, but it’s reassuringly crafted.
2. Therabody Theragun Mini 3
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| Specifications | Therabody Theragun Mini 3 |
|---|---|
| Battery life | 180 minutes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Speed settings | 3 |
| 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. Now in its third generation, Therabody’s pocket-friendly percussive gun is the smallest and lightest Theragun ever made – light enough to live in your gym bag, yet still packing three speeds and a 12mm amplitude. A travel lock stops it firing accidentally on the move.
Is it any good?
Syncing via Bluetooth unlocks guided routines through the Therabody app, while the AI-powered Coach feature builds personalised recovery plans around your fitness goals and wearable data. Three attachments cover most bases. If you’re looking for a small, lightweight massage gun that still offers seriour performance – this deserves a place in your bag.
3. Pulsio Air Pro
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| Specifications | Pulsio Air Pro |
|---|---|
| Battery life | 12 hours |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Speed settings | 4 |
| Charging connection | USB-C |
The aerospace-grade aluminium Air Pro packs quite a punch – 88lb to be precise. There’s a handsome array of six attachments, including a fork, wedge and bullet, offering decent versatility, whether you need deep, focused relief or wider area massage. It’s also light and compact, with an impressive battery life of up to 6 hours – useful for slinging into a gym bag and leaving until needed.
Is it any good?
The Air Pro delivers plenty of wallop in its small frame, thanks to the highest stall force I’ve seen in a massage gun. With an amplitude of 14mm, a handful of premium models offer a deeper massage, but the focused attachments do help make up the difference. It gets a little noisy and unruly at its highest settings, but it’s an admirable effort from Pulsio.
4. Bob & Brad Q2 Ultra
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| Specifications | Bob & Brad Q2 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Battery life | 2 hours |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Speed settings | 5 |
| Charging connection | USB-C |
This five-speed Bob & Brad massager is petite enough to slip into a jacket pocket or small backpack. It packs five massage attachments within its softshell case, though its standout tool is easily its infrared heat accessory, which helps relax muscles and improve circulation. Plus, its 7mm amplitude is highly suited for general use, soreness and relaxation – particularly for those who find pro-level massagers too masochistic.
Is it any good?
The Q2 Ultra is powerful enough and can help address tension and soreness, though it won’t hit the spots that deeper percussive devices can. Still, I’m a big fan of the rubberised design, and with its brushless motor, it stays quietly composed, even at its highest setting. If you’re after a general massage gun that doesn’t rattle your bones, this one is a solid contender.
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.
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