While training for marathons, working out and managing everyday aches, we tested 17 of the best massage guns over the course of a year to find models that alleviate soreness, stiffness and pain. Among the many models we tried, the Therabody Theragun Prime Plus delivered the best overall massage experience, with the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro coming in a close second. We also identified four other standout massage guns based on their overall value, speed settings, ergonomic design and battery life.
Realistically, not everyone needs or wants a massage gun, but for athletes or those recovering from an injury, it can be a helpful piece of equipment. The following is a list of all the winners from our testing process. For more recommendations on recovery devices, check out our guides to the best neck massagers and massage guns on Amazon.
When we published this guide for the first time in 2024, the Theragun Elite won us over with its ergonomic design, powerful massage and slew of extra features, like five attachment heads and a carrying case. Therabody discontinued the Elite earlier this year, which took us by surprise given the massagerâs popularity (though you can still find it online while supplies last), but it was soon replaced by the Theragun Prime Plusâa model thatâs eerily similar yet slightly more expensive. And yet, in spite of the price hike, itâs still the best massage gun for most people, which is why it earns a spot atop our list.
The Prime Plus has five speeds and a 16-millimeter amplitudeâthe distance traveled by the massage gun head as it moves back and forth; and it has the highest amplitude among the models we tested. When the time comes to work through bigger, thicker muscle groups on your legs, that amplitude is a welcome feature. The small light-up dials make it fairly easy to understand speed and heat settings, though the retired Theragun Elite featured a small screen, which was much more intuitive. With that said, our tester could easily cycle through the five speeds and three heat cycles by repeatedly pressing a button located conveniently on the handle, so you donât have to reposition your hand or body to manage modes.
Therabody pairs the Prime Plus with four attachmentsâa dampener, standard ball, wedge and heated percussiveâthat are made from forgiving materials. The heated head features three temperature settings, and while our tester was initially skeptical of its abilities, they found it to be surprisingly impactful if youâre looking to prime muscles for activation. You can also purchase cold and vibration attachments separately to round out your assortment of versatile heads.
With that said, the Prime Plus is now $30 more expensive than the outgoing Elite despite the fact it lacks a screen and an additional attachment. Based on our findings, itâs more expensive due to the heat attachment and better battery life. If that price is simply too high, opt for the Theragun Prime at $309âjust keep in mind youâll lose access to the temperature and vibration attachments.
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Hyperice and Therabody are the top names in this space, which might explain why the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro looks a lot like the Theragun Prime Plusâ little sibling, at least on paper. To be sure, Hypericeâs top-of-the-line massage gun is powerful, and it delivers a satisfying, consistent massage every time, with features that match the Prime Plus, like five speed settings and five attachment heads. But it doesnât quite beat the Theragun Prime Plus to the finish lineâit weighs over half a pound more and doesnât come with a carrying case. Hyperice also doesnât list the Hypervolt 2âs amplitude, so I couldnât compare amplitude on this massager to others I tested.
The Hypervolt 2 Pro looks like a traditional massage gun and offers a predictable, solid experience across the board. The gun is ergonomic, although itâs definitely a bit heavier in-hand, and the build quality is superb. Power comes courtesy of a battery pack in the handle; to recharge it, you press a small button to eject the battery like a gun magazine. You could theoretically pick up a second battery to keep the percussive relief going for hours. âThe Hyperice is a really nice [massage gun], in that itâs definitely good quality, but I donât feel like itâs ridiculous to suggest that someone buys it,â notes Dr. Chloe Costigan. âI feel really good about people actually spending money on it, too.â
The one disappointment I canât overlook is the lack of a carrying case. This happens to be Hypericeâs top-of-the-line massage gun, yet they couldnât even ship it with a case? Itâs a bit frustrating, as is the fact that you canât easily turn the speed dial on the back of the massager with one hand. Ultimately, the Hypervolt 2 Pro isnât quite as capable as the Prime Plus, but itâs still a solid investment. And at $329, itâs cheaper than the Prime Plus if youâre looking to save.
I wasnât familiar with Ekrin Athletics when we began testing massage guns, but I walked away singing the Ekrin Athletics B37âs praises as a practical, full-size massage gun that does everything well and costs only $200.
With five speed settings and four attachment heads, the B37 tips the scales at 2.2 pounds, but its angled handle balances that weight well to eliminate arm and wrist fatigue. While the gunâs 12 millimeters of amplitude is pretty standard for a massage gun of this size, the speed settings range from 1,400 to 3,200 percussions per minute. That low-end figure is the lowest speed we encountered in our testing, which offers a wider range for massaging sore muscles. Whatâs more, the B37 maxes out at 55 decibels at its highest speed, or about as loud as a quiet conversation. It was noticeably quieter than some other massagers I testedâI didnât need to raise my voice or turn up the volume on the TV when using the massager.
I mentioned that the B37 features 12 millimeters of amplitudeâa figure thatâs expected from a massage gun of this sizeâbut Ekrin Athletics pairs that with an impressive stall force of 56 pounds, so itâs easy to push the massager firmly against your body without causing the motor to stall. For context, the Theragun Prime Plus, at the top of this list, only has a stall force of 40 pounds. As I increased my training mileage leading up to a marathon during testing, the B37 provided a deep, to-the-bone massage that left my legs feeling like jello (in a good way). With up to eight hours of battery life on a single charge, I could hypothetically use this massager for an entire day, or pass it around at a race or athletic event where others might need it, too.
If I had to knock this massage gun, Iâd call out the handle and the power button. The former is rather large in diameter and not ideal for small hands, while the latter is positioned on top of the massage gun in such a way that I couldnât easily press it to change speed with the hand I was using to maneuver it.
Released in late 2023, the Theragun Pro Plus represents Therabodyâs top-of-the-line massage gun with a sticker price of $650. That makes it the most expensive model on this list, but thereâs more to it than that. For starters, Therabody includes five standard attachment headsâdampener, standard ball, thumb, micro-point and wedgeâas you might expect, but I was surprised to find a heat therapy attachment in the carrying case as well. With three temperature levels, it produces a notable warmth that doesnât necessarily soothe any sore muscles, but it certainly feels relaxing. I imagine the cold attachment head is more effective, but Therabody sells this separately for $100, and my review unit didnât include one.
Beyond attachments, the Pro Plus also features infrared LED light therapy (RLT) that, according to the Cleveland Clinic, can improve the skinâs appearance, treating wrinkles, redness, scars, acne and so on. Therabody, on the other hand, claims red light therapy can stimulate circulation and boost healing. Most evidence suggests RLT should be combined with other therapies, so I wouldnât pick up the Pro Plus for this reason alone. Itâs more of an added benefit if youâd like to combine percussive therapy with other forms of treatment. A built-in biometric sensor provides on-device heart rate readings if youâd like to keep an eye on your vitals as well.
Beyond technology, the Pro Plusâ build quality is top notch. Sporting an LCD display to toggle through menus and manage the massagerâs speed and force, itâs obvious Therabody put a lot of thought into the design. With that said, the Pro Plus is heavy at 3.64 pounds, which is significantly heavier than any other massage gun in this guide. The ergonomic, triangular handle helps manage some of the weight, but thereâs really no escaping that heft if youâre using the massage gun for more than 10 minutes at a time. Sooner or later, my arm gets a bit tired.
Given its sticker price, the Pro Plus isnât a massage gun for most people, but if you regularly train hard or want a massage gun complete with every last feature, itâs the best choice on the market right now.
The third-generation Theragun Mini is a polarizing massage gun. Some reviewers love its stout size and triangular shape, while others prefer a more conventional L-shape design. As for our tester, they liked its small form factor and didnât mind the shape. It was the gunâs power, however, that really blew them away and helped minimize the size and shape debate.
With three speeds and three attachments, the Mini is billed as a go-anywhere, do-anything massage gun, and at less than one pound, it certainly makes a case for its portability. But where other miniature massage guns lack much-needed oomph, Therabody built the Mini with a powerful motor and 12 millimeters of amplitude, which means you can really feel the percussive head hitting muscle. (For comparison, the Ekrin Athletics B37 features the same amplitude but weighs twice as much.) Of the three miniature guns we tested, this one delivered the best massaging experience, hands down.
So whatâs not to like? Well, at $220, the latest Mini is expensive, as you might expect (this is a Theragun, after all), which is as much as a handful of full-size massage guns on this list. Itâs also tough to pack the Mini into its zippered, soft-shell carrying case because the case doesnât easily fit the massager and its three attachment headsâthe zipper looks like itâs ready to split when the case is loaded. But if you can look past the sticker price and the finicky storage, the Mini proves that bigger isnât always better. If you simply need a massage gun thatâs effective, reliable and doesnât take up space, this is the one.
The Ekrin Athletics Bantam, at 1.1 pounds, is the smallest massage gun in the companyâs lineup. Technically speaking, itâs a bit pounds heavier than the Theragun Mini, but I really preferred the Bantam as a go-to travel massager for two reasons: battery life and its warranty.
First, the Bantamâs battery didnât die after hours of testing, which really surprised me given the massagerâs slim, compact size. This makes it a great option if you donât have access to a reliable power source, as is often the case while traveling. And Ekrin Athletics hooks up the Bantam with a lifetime warranty, which makes Therabodyâs one-year limited warranty look pretty weak.
Those advantages aside, the Bantam is an easy massage gun to love. Its 10 millimeters of amplitude far surpasses the Bob & Brad C2 Miniâs paltry 7 millimeters, and the Bantam ships with four attachment heads. Frankly, it doesnât offer quite as powerful a massage as the Theragun Mini, but itâs still effective. And perhaps best of all, you get all this in a package that costs only $130 (or less, if you can find it discounted on Amazon, as it usually is).
Other Massage Guns We Tested
Most of the massage guns in this roundup did an admirable job, which made narrowing down the winners for this list quite challenging. We tested 17 massage guns in all, but 10 didnât make the final cut. Even so, there may be something here that really speaks to you. Hereâs a rundown of the ones that didnât qualify for an award:
Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2: Hypericeâs Hypervolt Go 2 reminds me of a crossover SUV. Itâs trying to be a small, nimble massage gun and a strong, powerful one at the same time, so it ends up doing neither of those things well. It was the largest âminiâ massage gun I tested at 1.5 pounds, and like the Hypervolt 2 Pro, it doesnât come with a carrying case even though Hyperice markets it as portable.
Opove M3 Pro: The original Opove M3 Pro was one of my favorite massage guns for battery life; it earned the title âbest massage gun for battery lifeâ in this very guide. Months after writing my review, I handed off the M3 Pro to a friend in a local running club, and it didnât take long for the batteryâs health to suddenly decline. Soon enough, it couldnât hold a charge, and because of that experience, I removed the M3 Pro from this list of recommendations.
Bob And Brad C2: The Bob & Brad C2 massage gun is fairly light at 1.5 pounds, itâs quiet for its size, and for around $100, you get five speed settings and five attachment heads with a carrying case. But because this full-size massage gun offers only 8 millimeters of amplitude, I canât really recommend it unless youâre looking for a very light, gentle massage.
Bob And Brad Q2 Mini: Like the aforementioned C2, the Bob & Brad Q2 Mini has a few redeeming qualities: it comes with five attachment heads and weighs less than a pound. But these specs are completely overshadowed by the gunâs low amplitude of 7 millimeters. For context, the other mini massage guns on this list, the Ekrin Athletics Bantam and Theragun Mini, offer 10 and 12 millimeters of amplitude, respectively.
TriggerPoint Impact: This $234 model looks capable enough on paper, but its shortcomings are hard to ignore the moment you start to use it. Itâs an undeniably heavy 2.4 pounds, and TriggerPoint didnât balance that weight at all, so itâs top-heavy and hard to maneuver. Whatâs more, it only ships with one attachment head, it doesnât have a carrying case, and the motor squeals when the gun isnât in an upright position.
Bob And Brad D6: This massage gun from Bob and Brad features 16 millimeters of amplitude, over 85 pounds of stall force, six speed settings and seven different attachment heads. Although this looks like a great massage gun on paper, itâs a bit heavy at 2.8 pounds and while the design is supposed to be ergonomic, I didnât find it to be nearly as comfortable as the triangular Theraguns.
Toloco Massage Gun: The Toloco Massage Gun is an incredibly popular model on Amazon with nearly 60,000 reviews, 75% of which are five stars or higher. While our tester appreciated the deviceâs maneuverability, LED touchscreen and 10 attachment heads, it didnât ship with a carrying case for said attachments. Whatâs more, a massage gun this cheap ($60 when it isnât on sale) raises reliability concerns, which is why we recommend purchasing from a well-known brand, even if doing so costs a bit more.
Mebak 3: Much like the Toloco, the Mebak 3 is a popular Amazon model praised for its assortment of attachments, built-in pressure sensor and decent power. Itâs fairly priced at $100, it didnât offer an experience deserving enough to dethrone one of our top picks. Consider this massage gun if youâre shopping on a budget and need a device that can handle basic everyday use.
Bob And Brad A2: The Bob And Brad A2 looks compelling on paper, with five attachment heads, five speed settings and the ability to deliver hot and cold therapy, all for less than $200. Our tester appreciated the cold attachment, but the heating head felt weak, and the device was disruptively loud when talking or watching TV. At this price, you might as well pick up a smaller, quieter model like the Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini that features the same amplitude and only one less attachment.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Weâve published an extensive library of gear content, including a wide variety of guides focused on training and recovery.
- To evaluate massage guns, we focused on hands-on testing and what the testing process reveals about each product. We sent top-rated models to editors with different needs, fitness regimens and schedules, which helped us get a clear sense of how each device performs.
- Author of this story and Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta has over six years of experience reviewing products ranging from the best protein powders to walking shoes for men.
- Forbes Vetted senior strategy editor Katie Simpson oversees this guide and its updates. Simpson is a certified person trainer (CPT) who has tested and reviewed dozens of health and wellness tools and devices, including the best fitness trackers.
- Our team sought advice from two experts who use massage guns regularly: Dr. Chloe Costigan, a doctor of physical therapy for Mobility Doc in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and Stephanie Thomas, an ACE-certified personal trainer and health coach who specializes in designing training programs for brides. Our conversations with Costigan and Thomas provided additional insight to the biomechanics and physiological impacts of massage guns.
- We routinely revisit this guide to make sure our recommendations are up to date. It was last updated in June 2025.
How We Tested The Best Massage Guns
When selecting the best massage guns to test, I spoke to several experts and pored over online research and interview before narrowing down the list.
I wanted to test the massage guns bought and recommended by most consumers, so I looked for the most popular and talked-about devices from well-known brands. Over time, our team has collectively tested 17 massage guns in total based on the following criteria:
Performance
Personal preferences, body types and sensitivities shape our perception of comfort and effectiveness, and this is what makes using a massage gun such a subjective experience.
We considered the metrics that any massage gun should have. Amplitude, for example, indicates the depth of the massage head's movement, which directly impacts muscle penetration. Percussions per minute (PPM) measure the rapidity of the device's pulsations, which influence the intensity of muscle manipulation. Stall force gauges the device's ability to maintain pressure against the body without stalling. And battery life determines the convenience and longevity of use.
Attachments And Features
When evaluating these massage guns, we focused on their versatility and features that extended their functionality. A diverse selection of head attachments allows for targeted relief across various muscle groups, and we looked for massagers that came with multiple options.
We also considered the importance of extra features, like carrying cases for portability and protection and Bluetooth connectivity and app integration. And we looked for the presence of automatic shut-off timers and programmable percussive settings that tailor massages to specific preferences and needs.
Ease Of Use
We considered ergonomic design and how that influenced comfort and usability. The weight of a device and how that weight is distributed, for example, affects how long you can use it before you get fatigued. The dimensions determine whether you can easily maneuver a massager across your body. And the design influences how effectively one can target different areas of the body, such as the back, neck and shoulders.
Noise
We considered how much noise each massage gun made and its effect on my environment by using each one while watching TV and engaging in conversations. Our goal was to assess whether the noise interfered with the ability to hear the TV or chat comfortably with others.
How To Pick A Massage Gun
Massage guns look incredibly similar from one model to the next, but small differences can greatly affect your experience. To help you choose the right massage gun, I spoke with ACE-certified personal trainer and health coach Stephanie Thomas, as well as doctor of physical therapy for Mobility Doc in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Chloe Costigan, to gain useful insights. Here are some of the most important factors you should consider.
Power And Speed
âThe first feature I look for is adjustable intensity levels, so you can adjust the intensity based on specific needs and/or tolerance,â says Thomas. By adjusting the intensity, you can target different muscle groups or home in on specific injuries. Larger muscle groups of the legs, for example, might require more intensity, and a strained back might require less. While most massage guns offer the same maximal amount of power (3,200 PPM), some offer a greater range of speeds than others, which determines how much stimulation a muscle receives. Some people might also prefer lower speeds for gentler massage. The Theragun Mini, for example, features three speed settings, while the Bob & Brad Q2 Mini has five.
Attachment Heads
Different attachment heads serve two primary purposes: They target different muscles and provide a softer or deeper massage. According to Thomas, âhaving different attachments is super important since they allow us to target various muscle groups precisely.â Common attachments include ball, flat, bullet and fork heads, and having a variety can enhance a massage gunâs versatility.
Battery Life
Consider the battery life of the massage gun and weigh that against how long it takes to recharge the battery once itâs dead. Longer battery life is particularly useful if you plan to use the massage gun for extended sessions or multiple sessions between charges, like if youâre taking the device along for a running race. Some massagers, like the Bob & Brad C2 and Q2 Mini, feature fast-charging capabilities to reduce the time it takes to recharge.
Ergonomics
Any massage gun should be comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver. Look for a design that allows you to reach various parts of your body without straining, and be sure to consider the size and weight, as these affect its ergonomics. While most massagers have a similar L-shape, some models, like the Theragun Elite and Mini, use a triangular design in an attempt to improve ergonomics.
Noise
A quieter massage gun makes for a more pleasant experience, especially if you plan to use it in shared spaces or quiet environments. âI always aim for a quieter model for a more comfortable experience for both myself and my clients,â notes Thomas. Most of the massagers I tested emit up to 70 decibels of noise, which isnât all that loud, but you should still look for models that advertise reduced noise levels.
Portability
If you intend to bring your massage gun to the gym or studio, consider its size and weight. Some models are more compact and travel-friendly than others, and some come with carrying cases. Generally speaking, I found that miniature massage guns weighed anywhere from 1 to 1.5 pounds, while full-size massage guns weighed 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.
Smart Features
Some massage guns come with smart features, like Bluetooth connectivity or companion apps, that offer guided massage routines, tracking and customization options. I wouldnât consider these features to be requirements, but they could prove useful if youâre new to massage guns or want a little guided help.
Warranty
Itâs always a good idea to check the manufacturerâs warranty. During testing, I made note of the brands that offer strong warranties (Ekrin Athletics offers a lifetime warranty) and the ones that didnât (Bob & Brad offers a 30-day warranty). Most massage guns fell in the middle of the two, offering a one year limited warranty.
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