10 Best Massage Guns for 2024, According to Pros

Massage therapy is a popular way to reduce muscle strain and pain.

That said, you don’t have to go to a professional to see results. Percussive massagers — also known as massage guns — provide short bursts of pressure into your muscle tissue.

As a result, they help reduce muscle soreness and improve joint and muscle mobility.

We’ve rounded up the best massage guns after talking with a variety of physical therapists and trainers about the ones they personally use and recommend.

When looking for the best massage guns, we considered the following criteria:

• Power: We looked for products with 2,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) or more.
• Special features: We considered massage guns with special features, such as attachable heads, carrying cases, lightweight designs, and multiple massage modes.
• Customer reviews: All products on this list have mostly positive customer reviews.
• Vetting: These massage guns have been vetted to ensure they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.

When shopping for the best massage gun, you’ll want to consider a variety of factors, including:

• Intensity: Do you want an intense deep tissue massage? Or do you need less intensity for more sensitive areas? Look for a massager that offers an optimal amount of power to fit your needs.
• Battery life: While most handheld massage guns are rechargeable, it’s nice to have one with a solid battery life, especially if you plan on using it on the go.
• Weight: If you plan on carrying it with you throughout the day, you’ll want to choose a massage gun that’s compact and lightweight.
• Usability: Some massage guns are easier and more comfortable to use than others. Look for percussive massagers that rotate or have functional grips and handles.
• Price: Percussive massagers can vary greatly in price. It’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend.

While using a massage gun is fairly straightforward, there are a few important things to know:

• Start by massaging the least sensitive areas of your body for short periods.
• Massage each area or muscle group for a maximum of 2 minutes.
• Avoid massaging major arteries, areas with severe pain, and bony areas—including your spine and joints.
• To prevent the massage gun from overheating, always follow the time limit set in place by the manufacturer.
• Check with a medical professional before trying a massage gun on the neck.

Kelsey Decker, NSCA-CPT, education coordinator at StretchLab, said that she suggests “starting on a lower level of intensity to make sure your body can handle the sensation. You can also increase the intensity by applying more pressure to the area of focus. Spend about 30 seconds to 2 minutes per muscle group area.”

According to Decker, you can use a massage gun before a workout to alleviate tightness and activate your muscles before heading into a dynamic warmup and then your workout. You can also use it for post-exercise recovery to help release tension.

That said, more research is needed to determine whether using a massage gun before or after workouts is more beneficial and which speeds and durations are most effective.

To ensure safety, Decker recommends focusing on muscle and fascia while avoiding bones, tendons, joints, and ligaments.

According to Decker, you’ll also want to avoid using a massage gun:

• on joint, disk, or bone injuries
• on metal screws, implants, or pins
• if you have excessive pain, inflammation, or an acute injury
• if you have a pacemaker
• if you have vertigo

Finally, talk with a healthcare professional before using a massage gun, especially if you have any medical conditions or take medications.

A professional can also advise you on the best practices if you’re healing from an injury or surgery.

Several alternatives to massage guns provide comparable benefits. You can use these methods individually, in combination, and with massage gun therapy.

Massage gun alternatives include:

• Professional massage: A massage from a licensed therapist is one of the best ways to relieve muscle tension. For affordable options, search for community clinics, massage schools, and businesses offering a sliding scale.
• Fascial counterstrain: This type of manual therapy involves manipulating tissues, muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and even organs to reduce pain.
• Self-massage: Use your fingers, knuckles, and palms to release tension using kneading and circular motions. You can also press directly on trigger points for a short time.
• Topical products: Use topical products, such as massage oil, CBD balm, and analgesic ointment, to reduce friction and make applying pressure easier during a self-massage.
• Gua sha: This traditional Chinese healing technique uses a tool to apply pressure to acupressure points and scrape your skin. Tools come in different shapes to target specific areas of the body. They’re small enough to toss in your bag to use on the go. Professional sessions are available, often from acupuncturists.
• Massage tools: Foam rollers, tennis balls, and massage balls can help release tension in specific areas.
• Stretches: A simple stretching routine is an effective way to alleviate tightness.
• Cold therapy: Use ice packs, cold compresses, or cold plunge to reduce inflammation, swelling, and tension.
• Heat therapy: Hot packs, heating pads, and hot baths can help relax muscles and relieve pain.
• Electrical stimulation: A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) device can stimulate muscles and promote relaxation.
• Acupressure mats: These mats have tiny spikes that apply acupressure to specific points on your body, enhancing relaxation and reducing muscle tension.

Massage guns offer a convenient way to help reduce muscle soreness at home or on the go.

As products vary in power, size, attachments, and price, it’s important to take your time shopping around.

By considering your needs and using our list, we’re confident you’ll find the massager that’s best for you.