Comfort: While using the massage guns, we note how comfortable and ergonomic the device is to hold and how heavy it is. We evaluate the percussive force and whether it feels comfortable on our muscles. We also note whether the handle design or any settings of the device make it more customizable for a more comfortable user experience. It comes with four head attachments—as well as a smart app that is very helpful with initial setup, and even provides how-to video guides. We love that the brushless motor features the company's QuietForce technology that keeps the device quiet while in use, without losing power. The Prime has five built-in speeds, but you can also select any speed between 1,750–2,400 percussions per minute to customize your treatment in manual mode. Noise: 45-55 dB | Stall Force: 50 lbs | Weight: 2.3 lbs | Customizability: 6 head attachments, 3 speeds | Battery Life: 3.5 hours | Our Overall Rating: 5/5 Athletes on a budget looking for more intense massage gun therapy and people who want and can tolerate deep tissue massage. What's more, the device comes with cleansing, microcurrent, and LED light therapy rings to help users work toward various skincare goals. It's an eight-in-one device with eight functionalities—a microcurrent ring to "firm and tighten," an LED red light setting to help "reduce crow's feet," an LED blue light setting to help "reduce mild to moderate acne," an LED red + infrared light setting to help "reduce crow's feet" and also "temporarily reduce pain," a percussive flat head attachment to reduce general tension, a percussive micropoint head attachment that may "help maximize circulation," a percussive cone head attachment to help target pressure points, and a cleansing ring to help remove dirt, oil, and debris and "cleanse more effectively."

The Renpho R3 is the other massage gun we’ve reviewed in-depth. It can’t equal the Theragun Elite for brute power (hence its four-star score), but as the second-cheapest massage gun on our list it offers amazing value for money. Best for those looking for a compact massage gun that's easier to hold and carry—and more budget-friendly—than larger devices. Mini massage guns are especially useful for people who have weaker hands, or who have chronic arthritis pain, and can't hold heavier devices comfortably for an extended period. We like that the Theragun Mini has a sleek, ergonomic grip that helps reduce the strain on your hands. Therabody claims that this second-generation Mini is 20% smaller and 30% lighter than its predecessor, making it even more portable and perfect for travel. Each massage gun was judged on overall effectiveness, as well as how well they could glide over muscles, how easy they were to control, the practicality of their design, and their strength. Bonus points were also on offer for any innovative features or smart additions like carry cases.I utilised all four heads, but worked mostly with the bullet. After some pre-season training and a gentle cool down, I used the bullet to release tension in tight regions – namely, the hamstrings. I started with the flat head on its maximum setting, focusing on tender areas to bring a layer of warmth to the tissue. I then identified areas for localised treatment and put the bullet to work, pushing deep to work away any nasty knots. Following 10-15 minutes of identifying, warming and treating the tissue, I rounded off with some static and dynamic stretches, allowing the muscle to contract and release through a range of natural movements. As for cheaper massage guns, these tend to have harder attachment heads (which make for a slightly less comfortable experience), a shorter battery life, or are less durable. If there's a choice between a cheap muscle gun and a more expensive massage gun that's on sale, we'd always suggest going with the one that looks like it will last the longest and is the most specced out. If it comes with a warranty, even better. Do massage guns work? Theragun is a powerhouse in the massage gun market, and after testing the brand's most popular massage gun models, the Theragun Prime (4th Generation) was our favorite. In fact, it earned an overall higher rating than the more expensive Theraguns we tested. We felt it was very effective at relieving sore muscles after a workout and was easy to hold and quiet. It's a budget-friendly massage gun option from the brand that still provides all the features you need for sore muscle relief. It’s also important to use it correctly. A lot of people will whizz a massage gun over their body and wonder why they’re not feeling any benefits from it. Move the massage gun slowly along your muscles and take your time spending around one to two minutes on a particular muscle. If you come across an area that feels uncomfortable, then spend a little more time there. But, don’t push down with the massage gun.

This L-shaped gun is heavier, but we found it easy to hold. The carrying bag is convenient, but we think the gun's weight makes it a less appealing choice for traveling. The stall force is fairly powerful and doesn't turn off with more pressure. It stayed consistently strong throughout our multi-week testing period. Overall, we think its strength and effectiveness, the wide variety of attachments, and its ultra-quiet noise level (below 45 decibels) make this gun a steal for its price. Make sure to avoid running the machine over bones and joints, and if it hurts decrease the pressure. He recommends moving slowly across the muscle, around 1-2 inches per second. How We Test Massage Guns Best for experienced massage gun users who are used to deep percussive therapy and are looking to invest in a truly versatile device. SPY Senior E-Commerce Editor Taylor Galla testing the Theragun Mini in her home gym. Taylor Galla | SPY What Is a Mini Massage Gun? They may often look like power tools, but the benefits of massage guns include decreased muscle tension, relaxed muscles, and promoted blood flow,” says Dr Daniel Giordano, CMO of Bespoke Treatments. “We use one on a daily basis, and it can be used before, during or after a workout.” How to Use a Massage Gun for Best ResultsEffectiveness: Massage guns that score well for effectiveness help improve our exercise performance and/or relieve muscle soreness in some capacity. We use each massage gun before and after upper-body and lower-body workouts at least once a week for three to five minutes. We then note whether the massage guns help warm up our muscles before a workout and if we notice this warmup helps increase our range of motion during exercise. When using massage guns after a workout, we note whether they help prevent or alleviate muscle fatigue. Features We Love: Bluetooth-enabled syncing with Therabody app, three included massage gun heads, smaller and lighter size Mini massage guns aren’t the most powerful options on the market, but they definitely get the job done if you're looking for basic relief. This gun is both affordable and effective, generating up to 3,200 percussions per minute across four different speed settings to provide significant therapeutic relief. It only weighs 1.1 pounds, and we found that the ergonomic design makes it both easy and comfortable to hold.