Best massage guns: tried and tested for aches and pains

The best massage guns are a handy tool for a self-applied deep-tissue massage.

But are massage guns good for you? While the jury's still out on some of the longer-term benefits, we do know that they provide instant relief to sore muscles and aids in reduced delayed onset muscle soreness.

This makes them a brilliant piece of equipment to use, especially before or after workouts to help with stiff and achy muscles.

We've tested popular massage guns to see which is the most comfortable and convenient to use. Our results have found that your personal needs for power, battery life and adjustability will somewhat dictate which is the best massage gun for you - but there were still clear favourites among our testers.

The best massage guns

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The massage guns we tested

All the massage guns we've tested are listed in alphabetical order below. 

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Aerlang EM8

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Most recently tested February 2023

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,200-3,200ppm; 12mm

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Accessories included Carry case, arc-shaped head, U-shaped head, shovel-shaped head, flat head, bullet head, ball head

Need to know 23 x 6.5 x 17cm (H x W x D), 0.82kg, stated charging time 3 hours, one-year warranty

Bodi-Tek Deep Tissue Sports Cordless Massage Gun

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 900-2,100ppm; 12mm

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Accessories included Carry case, round head, flushing head, flat head, curved head, finger-point head, fork head

Need to know 21.3 x 7 x 16cm (H x W x D), 0.75kg, stated charging time 3 hours, two-year warranty

Boots Deep Tissue Percussive Massage Gun

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Most recently tested February 2023

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,600-2,400ppm; 6mm

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Accessories included Carry case, bullet head, flat head, ball head, fork head

Need to know 14.6 x 4.5 x 11cm (H x W x D), 0.367kg, stated charging time 3 hours, one-year warranty

See our reviews of the best foot spas

Homedics Novo Mini Massage Gun

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 1400-2800ppm; 10mm

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Accessories included Carry case, round head, U-shaped head, bullet head, flat head

Need to know 14.8 x 5.2 x 14cm (H x W x D), 0.6kg, stated charging time 5 hours, three-year warranty

Homedics Pro Physio Heat Massage Gun

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Most recently tested February 2023

Stated speed range and amplitude 2,100-3,000ppm; 10mm

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Accessories included Carry case, ball head, barrel head, cool head, arrow head, heated head, cellulite head

Need to know 22.4 x 6.4 x 20cm (H x W x D), 1kg, stated charging time 2.5 hours, three-year warranty

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Hydragun Massage Gun

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Available from Hydragun (£269)

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 200-3,200ppm; 12mm

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Accessories included Storage bag, ball head, fork head, curved head, bullet head, 3x steel heads for harder massage (one flat head and two round heads of slightly different shapes)

Need to know 25 x 20 x 8cm (H x W x D), 1.04kg, stated charging time 3-5 hours, 1.5-year warranty

Hyperice Hypervolt 2

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 2,000-2,700ppm; 12mm

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Accessories included Carry case, fork head, bullet head, flat head, cushion head, round head

Need to know 24.1 x 6.4 x 19.1cm (H x W x D), 0.82kg, stated charging time 4 hours, one-year warranty, Bluetooth-enabled - connects to Hyperice smartphone app for guided routines

Lola Massage Gun

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,400-3,000ppm; 6mm

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Accessories included Carry bag, ball head, cone head, flat head, U-shaped head, USB charging cable

Need to know 9 x 16 x 4.8cm (H x W x D), 0.765kg, stated charging time 7 hours, two-year warranty

Mebak 3

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 640-3,200ppm; 12mm

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Accessories included Carry case, bullet head, flat head, shovel head, round head, fork head, cushion head, bump head, attachments case

Need to know 24.9 x 6.6 x 17.5cm (H x W x D), 0.89kg, stated charging time 3 hours, pressure-level indicator, one-year warranty

MuscleGun Carbon

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Most recently tested February 2023

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,400-3,200ppm; 10mm

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Accessories included Carry case, firm ball head, fork head, flat dampener head, bullet head

Need to know 24.2 x 6.2 x 18.8cm (H x W x D), 0.98kg, stated charging time 1 hour, two-year warranty

Physion Pro

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Available from Physion (£69.95)

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Most recently tested February 2023

Stated speed range and amplitude Minimum range not stated, maximum speed 5,000ppm; amplitude not stated

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Accessories included Carry case, ball head, thumb head, spade-shaped head, U-shaped head, bullet head, flat head

Need to know 24.3 x 6.8 x 17.2cm (H x W x D), 1.23kg, stated charging time 6 hours, warranty length not stated

Pulsio Air

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Available from Pulsio (£69.99)

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,200-4,500ppm; 12mm

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Accessories included Carry case, round ball head, fork head, bullet head, flat head

Need to know 20 x 8 x 17cm (H x W x D); 0.45kg; stated charging time 3-4 hours; one-year warranty; available in black, indigo, red, silver, violet, white and green

Renpho RP-GM171

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Most recently tested February 2023

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,800-3,200ppm; 10mm

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Accessories included Carry case, bullet head, flat head, air cushion head, ball head, fork head

Need to know 18.5 x 5.8 x 14.5cm (H x W x D), 0.68kg, stated charging time 3 hours, one-year warranty

Theragun Mini (2nd Generation)

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Most recently tested February 2023

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,750-2,400ppm; 12mm

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Accessories included Soft case, dampener head, standard ball head, thumb head, USB-A to USB-C charging cable

Need to know 14.1 x 1.93 x 4.92cm (H x W x D), 0.45kg, stated charging time 1 hour 20 minutes, two-year warranty

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Theragun Prime

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,750-2,400ppm; 16mm

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Accessories included Travel case, dampener head, micro-point head, ball head, thumb head

Need to know 22.3 x 7.3 x 21cm (H x W x D), 0.95kg, stated charging time 1 hour 20 minutes, two-year warranty, Bluetooth-enabled - connects to Therabody smartphone app for guided routines

Theragun Pro

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Most recently tested February 2023

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,750-2,400ppm; 16mm

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Accessories included Carry case, travel pouch, 2 x li-ion batteries, battery charging station, supersoft head, dampener head, standard ball head, thumb head, cone head, wedge head

Need to know 25.5 x 7.6 x 18cm (H x W x D), 1.3kg, stated charging time 1 hour 15 minutes, OLED screen, customisable speed range (app required), two-year warranty, Bluetooth-enabled - connects to Therabody smartphone app for guided routines

Wahl Mini Massage Gun

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Most recently tested April 2024

Stated speed range and amplitude 1,600-2,800ppm; 6mm

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Accessories included Carry case, round head, bullet head, flat head, spinal head (U-shaped)

Need to know 15.3 x 4.2 x 9.5cm (H x W x D), 0.392kg, stated charging time 3 hours 20 minutes, two-year warranty

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How we test massage guns

We carry out extensive market research to find the most popular massage guns to test. Brands can't buy their way onto our testing and we don't accept freebies from them.

We then enlist panels of testers of different ages and genders to try out each one after vigorous exercise and see which they prefer. Each tester tries all the models to find the best massage gun.

We regularly revisit the massage guns on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them we do so.

Ease of use and adjustability

• While using each models testers rate them for how comfortable they are to handle, how easily they cycle through the speed settings and how well they can massage tricky-to-reach spots.
• The best massage guns make it easy to reach tricky areas such as your lower back and shoulders, others are more difficult to handle. It can be difficult to cycle through the speed settings on some of the worst ones.
• Each massage gun is separately rated for its range of speed settings and attachments.

Comfort and power

• Testers try out the various settings on each massage gun and rate them for how comfortable and effective they feel to use, and if they provide the desired level of power.
• Everyone has different preferences and thresholds, but the best massage guns have a setting for everyone.
• The worst we test are so lacking that our testers feel they lack effectiveness, even on the highest settings.

Battery life and noise

• We run each massage gun on its highest setting and record how long each one lasts before running out.
• We also use a decibel meter to record how noisy each massage gun is on its highest setting.
• The best massage guns last over six hours, while the worst we test give up after about an hour.

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How much should you spend on a massage gun?

Massage guns vary dramatically in price, with models starting from around £50 and going all the way up to over £300.

But our tests found the best massage guns don't necessarily need to burn a big hole in your wallet. We found no significant correlation between price and how effective they are at soothing muscle pain.

If you want a gun with a large variety of massage heads, though, you're more likely to find these on pricier models.

Do massage guns work?

If you're pausing before buying a massage gun because you're wondering if they're good for you, we wouldn't be surprised. They're relatively new products and their health benefits are advertised pretty heavily.

Massage gun brands state that their products provide a wide range of benefits, from promoting blood flow and accelerating muscle recovery to improving flexibility and encouraging lymphatic drainage.

There is inconclusive research about some of the longer-term scientific benefits of using massage guns, as this is still being investigated and debated.

What we do know is that the percussive therapy massage guns provide helps with instant relief from muscle soreness and reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by encouraging blood flow to affected areas. Percussive therapy is a fancy name for a massage that's rapid and repetitive and uses vibrations. 

For example, a 2014 study from the National Library of Medicine in the USA confirmed that percussive therapy 'significantly' reduces DOMS at 24, 48 and 72 hours after exercise.

If your aim is to get some satisfying relief from post-workout muscle strain and to help reduce soreness in your muscles in the days after a workout, the best massage guns are likely to work well for you and are worth buying.

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How to use a massage gun

Massage guns are suitable for use both before and after your workout to loosen up your muscles and relieve tension. Below, we've listed some key tips for using your massage gun properly and effectively:

• Be mindful of the amplitude when shopping; this is a measurement of how far the massage head moves back and forth when the gun is switched on. The higher the amplitude, the deeper into your muscles the gun will get. Some are gentler, at around 6mm, but we've tested deep-tissue massage guns with amplitudes as high as 16mm.
• Attach your desired massage gun attachment - see our advice below on massage gun extras if you're unsure which to use - and make sure it's firmly locked in place before switching it on.
• Only apply the massage gun to your body once you've turned it on; don't press it into your body first.
• Always start your massage gun from the gentlest speed setting and gradually work your way up to a level that feels both comfortable and effective. Speed is measured in ppm (percussions per minute) the massage gun drums into your body.
• Check your massage gun's instructions for advice on how long to use it for on each muscle group, but generally speaking two to three minutes should be sufficient.
• Focus on muscle groups, such as your quads, thighs or biceps. Avoid bony areas, as massage guns aren't designed for use on bone and it's likely to be painful.

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Massage gun extras - do you need them?

Massage guns tend to come with a variety of massage heads of all shapes and sizes. Each feels different and is intended for use on different muscle groups.

These are the intended areas of application for each massage gun head we came across (under various names) in our tests:

• Ball/round - for large muscle groups such as quads and glutes
• Barrel - for forearms and calves
• Bullet/arrow/thumb/cone - for deep tissue, joints, trigger points, lower back, meridians, the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet
• Cellulite - for legs, glutes and arms
• Flat/bump/dampener - for all-round general use
• Cushion/soft - for sensitive or sore muscles and areas near bones or joints
• Arc-shaped/curved - for your biceps and shoulders
• Fork/U-shaped - for around the neck, shoulders, spine, calves and Achilles tendon
• Shovel/spade/flushing/wedge - for your neck, shoulders and lower back

Whether or not you really need these attachments is a matter of opinion. During testing, we tended to default to the all-rounder attachments such as flat, bump or dampener heads, as it saved us the effort of having to swap them around.

It's all about preference, though. Read the intended use of each attachment, give each a go and follow what feels right for you

If you want to focus on your feet, see our round-up of the best foot massagers.