While they may look the same, massage guns vary significantly in quality. Check out this ultimate guide of the best massage guns 2024.
Finding the best massage gun in 2024 can be a daunting task, given the vast array of options available. These devices have become crucial for quick muscle recovery, easing pain post-exercise or after a long workday. Our guide simplifies the process, focusing on the top contenders this year, helping you choose the perfect massage gun based on price, warranty, design, quality, amplitude, and attachments.
The market is flooded with massage guns, each varying in price, battery life, amplitude, design, warranty, attachments, and technology. The key is finding one that effectively speeds up muscle recovery and reduces pain, fitting into your lifestyle whether you’re an athlete, fitness enthusiast, military personnel, first responder, office worker, or a busy parent.
We’ve tested over 20 different models, narrowing them down to the best choices worthy of your investment. A massage gun is an indispensable tool for preparation and recovery, whether you’re dealing with persistent injuries or gearing up for intense physical challenges. Our selection caters to various budgets and needs, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for everyone. Stay tuned for our top picks and a deeper dive into how we selected the best massage guns of 2024 later in the article.
Best Massage Guns 2024
Best Overall: TheraGun Pro Massage Gun
The Theragun Pro stands out as a top-tier product in massage gun technology. It comes packed with essential features, along with optional luxurious extras like a streamlined wireless charging port.
Best Value: Ekrin 365 Massage Gun
The Ekrin 365 stands out as an excellent entry-level massage gun, particularly apt for travel and on-the-go muscle recovery, thanks to its convenient USB charger. We give the Ekrin 365 a 4.5/5 rating, commending its simplicity, lightweight design, affordability, and overall aesthetics.
Most Versatile: HYDRAGUN Massage Gun
The Hydragun stands out in the crowded massage gun market with its innovative features. Its non-grab attachments and stainless cap, ideal for gliding over clothing, are unique selling points. The quiet operation of the Hydragun is another advantage, especially compared to other louder, similarly priced models.
Best Battery: Ekrin B37 Massage Gun
This premium massage gun boasts an impressive 8-hour battery life, surpassing many of its competitors by a full 3 hours, setting it apart in terms of longevity. Additionally, its 15-degree angle handle design makes it one of the most ergonomic options available, enhancing user comfort during use.
Most Used by Pros – Hyperice HyperVolt 2 Pro
This massage gun is a favorite in gyms and wellness centers, thanks to its excellent blend of functionality, design, and reliability. It stands out as the most frequently used massage gun in these professional spaces.
Detailed Reviews
Best Massage Guns 2024: Best Overall: TheraGun Pro Massage Gun
The Theragun Pro is a leader in massage gun technology, known for its robust features and optional luxuries like a wireless charging port. Favored among a diverse range of fitness enthusiasts, including Crossfitters and professional athletes, it stands out for its power, battery life, and percussions. With a 5-hour continuous use battery life and enhanced vibrational technology, the Theragun Pro outperforms manual methods in muscle recovery. Its advanced 4th generation Lithium-Ion battery offers about a week of use on a single charge, based on typical 20-30 minute self-massage sessions.
Key to its effectiveness are the ‘percussions’, or the frequency of the head’s vibrations against the skin, which are crucial for depth, speed, and force during massage. The Theragun Pro excels with 40 percussions per second and can deliver up to 60 pounds of force without stalling, offering a uniquely intense massage experience. It comes with five attachments designed for specific muscle groups and needs, ranging from the Micro-Point for muscle stimulation to the Dampener for tender areas.
Moreover, the Theragun Pro’s standout feature is its app integration, beneficial for professional fitness environments. This smart device offers Bluetooth connectivity for remote adjustments and personalized recovery programs, enhancing its appeal. Recent studies affirming the efficacy of percussion therapy compared to deep muscle massage further highlight the Theragun Pro’s effectiveness in muscle recovery and therapy.
Read Full Review: TheraGun Pro Massage Gun Review – Unmatched Power
Best Massage Guns 2024: Best Value: Ekrin 365 Massage Gun
The Ekrin 365 massage gun is poised to make a significant mark in the market, focusing on streamlined design and essential features based on customer feedback. This results in a user-friendly, no-frills massager that’s both affordable and extremely lightweight, making it perfect for travel. Its lifetime warranty further enhances its value, positioning it as a reliable and cost-effective option. Retaining the signature 15-degree ergonomic handle of Ekrin Athletics, the Ekrin 365 is designed for comfort and ease of use. Its slimmer handle, compared to the Ekrin B37, contributes to its lighter weight but also impacts battery size and life. The massage gun’s interface features a touch-sensitive control panel with cool blue lighting, offering four power settings and a clear battery level indicator.
The Ekrin 365 comes with four versatile attachments – Ball, Cone, Fork, and Flat – catering to a variety of muscle groups and tightness levels. Each attachment, from the softer, air-filled rubber Ball Head ideal for light massages to the Cone Head perfect for trigger points, adds to its versatility. The Fork Head is great for spinal massages, while the Flat Head offers a gentler approach for sore muscles. Key performance indicators like stall force, amplitude, and percussions (rpm) demonstrate the Ekrin 365’s capability for deep tissue massages and intense therapy, with a stall force of 28-40lbs and an amplitude of 12mm. Its efficient battery life of over 5 hours and USB-C charging compatibility make it a practical choice, while the lifetime warranty underscores Ekrin Athletics’ commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Read Full Review: Ekrin 365 Massage Gun Review – How Does it Hold Up?
Best Massage Guns 2024: Most Versatile: HYDRAGUN Massage Gun
The Hydragun massage gun distinguishes itself as a high-quality, quiet option in the massage gun market, eschewing the high-tech features like app integration and Bluetooth found in premium models such as the Theragun. More budget-friendly and suited for home use, the Hydragun excels in providing solid amplitude, stall force, and an impressive 6-hour battery life, thanks to its 2,600mAh battery. It offers six speeds and six interchangeable heads, including unique steel attachments designed for use over clothing. This design aspect, along with its stylish and ergonomic build, makes it appealing to both athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Hydragun, a performance technology startup, aims to make recovery tools accessible to a wide audience, not limited to professional athletes. Endorsed by professional athletes, the brand has built a reputation for reliability and quality. In terms of design, the Hydragun is well-balanced and comfortable, featuring a user-friendly control panel and a ‘stall’ indicator for pressure application. Its extended 18-month warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee further underscore its commitment to customer satisfaction and product longevity. With its ultra-quiet operation, attributed to its brushless motor technology, the Hydragun stands out as one of the quietest options available, making it a top choice for users who value both efficiency and discretion in their recovery tools.
Read Full Review: HYDRAGUN Massage Gun Review – Is it any good?
Best Massage Guns 2024: Best Battery: Ekrin B37 Massage Gun
The Ekrin B37 massage gun stands as a modern solution for muscle recovery, offering the benefits of a personal massage therapist in a portable format. It emerges as a cost-effective alternative to regular massage sessions, blending convenience and effectiveness. In the realm of massage guns, the Ekrin B37 is notable for its quality and performance, making it a favored choice in both gyms and wellness centers. This model boasts an 8-hour battery life and an ergonomically designed 15-degree angle handle, operating at a quiet 35-55 decibels. Despite rivaling the performance of top-tier massage guns, it’s priced significantly lower and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Ekrin B37 includes several attachments – Ball, Cone, Fork, and Flat – each tailored for different massage needs, from light massages with the air-filled Ball Head to deep tissue work with the Cone and Fork Heads. In assessing its performance, key indicators like stall force, amplitude, and percussions (rpm) are considered. The Ekrin B37 offers substantial stall force for deep tissue massage, a significant amplitude for impactful percussions, and a high rpm range for intensive therapy. Its long battery life and comprehensive warranty further underline its value, making the Ekrin B37 a well-rounded and reliable choice in the massage gun market.
Read Full Review: Ekrin B37 Massage Gun Review – A Game Changer for Recovery
Best Massage Guns 2024: Most Used by Pros – Hyperice HyperVolt 2 Pro
The Hypervolt 2 Pro Massage Gun by Hyperice is a significant advancement in massage gun technology, merging sophisticated design with high-end performance. It elevates itself from the regular Hyperice Hypervolt 2, offering enhanced features and superior functionality. Its sleek, almost futuristic design is immediately noticeable, giving it a high-tech appearance. Despite its seemingly high price, the value becomes apparent upon use. Equipped with five specialized attachments and a quick-charging battery that lasts for 3 hours, it’s designed for efficiency and convenience.
The operation of the Hypervolt 2 Pro sets it apart. Its Brushless high-torque 90W motor ensures a powerful yet quiet massage experience, with five speed settings providing greater control. The standout feature is its smart pressure sensor technology, offering a digital display of the applied pressure, crucial for customizing massages to individual needs. Although its battery life isn’t the longest, its array of advanced features, including a comfortable pill-shaped grip, a smooth digital dial for speed adjustments, and a clear display for Bluetooth connectivity, make it a top contender. The accompanying Hyperice App further justifies its price, offering tailored massage routines and seamless integration with other health apps.
However, the Hypervolt 2 Pro could improve its warranty terms, especially considering its price. In terms of performance, it has a stall force of 35lbs and an amplitude of 14.5mm, offering moderate depth and intensity. Its rpm tops at 2700, aligning with mid-range models. While its battery life is shorter compared to some competitors, the overall quality and features of the Hypervolt 2 Pro make it a strong choice for those seeking a premium massage gun experience.
Read Full Review: Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro Massage Gun Review – Is it worth the money?
What Massage Guns Actually Do
Understanding the benefits of using a massage gun is crucial. Recent studies highlight the effectiveness of percussive therapy in muscle recovery, demonstrating its role in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), minimizing lactic acid buildup, and alleviating pain and soreness. The key is using the massage gun correctly to maximize its benefits. All the massage guns on our best list have the common advantage of aiding recovery and reducing fatigue. Here, we delve into how massage guns can optimize your recovery process.
Reducing DOMS: Studies indicate that massage guns are as effective as traditional massages in preventing DOMS, which can affect athletes after intense training. A meta-analysis involving 258 participants showed that vibrational therapy improved recovery at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise.
Pain Management: Massage guns also play a significant role in pain management. Incorporating them into your warm-up routine can lessen the perception of pain and muscular fatigue during workouts. Using a massage gun for 10-20 minutes both before and after exercise has been shown to significantly improve pain levels following training.
Enhancing Range of Motion: Range of motion is crucial for injury prevention and maintaining quality of life, whether you’re an athlete or leading a sedentary lifestyle. Massage guns have been proven to increase the range of motion, which is beneficial both before and after exercise. Improved range of motion provides greater control over performance exercises and everyday movements, underlining the massage gun’s versatility and importance in physical wellness routines.
How to Use a Massage Gun
Using a massage gun effectively involves following some basic steps to maximize its benefits and prevent injury, regardless of the model you’re using. Firstly, choose the appropriate attachment for the specific body area you’re focusing on; we’ll explore the best attachments for various body parts later in this article. Before applying it to your body, turn on the massage gun. This practice ensures better control, especially important for sensitive areas, and prevents the jarring sensation that can occur if the gun is turned on while in contact with the muscle.
Maintaining a slow, steady breathing pattern during use can aid in muscle relaxation and tension relief. Gradually apply pressure to the targeted area, adjusting the speed of the massage gun as needed. When using the massage gun, ensure it ‘floats’ over the muscle without pressing directly on bony regions.
If you encounter a muscle knot, allow the massage gun to rest on that spot, applying increased pressure for about 10-15 seconds. We suggest using the massage gun for 2-3 minutes on each specific area and aiming for a total session length of 10-15 minutes for a full-body release. Adjust the duration as necessary, but be cautious not to overwork sensitive areas to avoid exacerbating pain or inflammation.
FAQ – Best Massage Guns 2024
What Brand of Massage Gun is Best?
Determining the “best” brand of massage gun largely depends on individual needs and preferences. For those seeking top-of-the-line technology and advanced features, the Theragun Pro by Therabody stands out. Renowned for its smart technology, including Bluetooth connectivity and app integration, it offers customizable recovery sessions. The Theragun Pro is also praised for its powerful motor, range of attachments designed for specific muscle groups, and smart pressure sensor technology. It’s a favorite among professionals and fitness enthusiasts for its ability to deliver deep, intense massages and its user-friendly app that guides through various routines.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a high-quality, budget-friendly option without the high-tech frills, the Hydragun is an excellent choice. It’s celebrated for its ultra-quiet operation and ergonomic design, making it ideal for home use. While it lacks the app integration and advanced tech features of the Theragun Pro, the Hydragun offers solid performance with good amplitude, stall force, and battery life. It comes with a range of attachments, including innovative steel heads for use over clothing. Its sleek design, effective performance, and lower price point make it a great option for everyday users seeking effective muscle recovery.
What Massage Guns do Pro Athletes Use?
Pro athletes often opt for high-end, feature-rich massage guns that offer both deep tissue relief and advanced technological integration. The Theragun Pro is a popular choice among this group, thanks to its powerful performance, smart technology, and a range of specialized attachments. Its ability to deliver intense massages with up to 60 pounds of force without stalling makes it suitable for athletes dealing with rigorous training and muscle recovery needs. Additionally, the Theragun Pro’s app integration, which allows for tailored massage routines and real-time feedback, aligns well with the specific and often demanding recovery requirements of professional athletes.
Another brand favored by athletes is Hyperice, with their Hypervolt 2 Pro model being particularly popular. It stands out for its smooth operation and quietness, attributed to its brushless high-torque 90W motor. The Hypervolt 2 Pro also features smart pressure sensor technology, offering a digital display of the applied pressure, an essential feature for customized massage experiences. With multiple speed settings and a suite of top-notch attachments, it provides versatility and effectiveness needed by athletes. The accompanying Hyperice App, offering guided routines and seamless integration with other health apps, enhances the recovery process, making the Hypervolt 2 Pro a go-to choice for many in the professional sports arena.
Are High End Massage Guns Worth It?
High-end massage guns are often considered worth the investment, especially for those who require deep muscle recovery and value advanced features. Models like the Theragun Pro and Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro offer not just powerful percussive therapy but also technological advancements like app integration, multiple speed settings, and smart pressure sensors. These features enhance the user experience, allowing for personalized routines and real-time feedback, which are particularly beneficial for athletes or individuals with specific therapeutic needs. While the price point is higher, the combination of intense massage capabilities, durability, and smart technology justifies the cost for users who seek a comprehensive, professional-grade muscle recovery tool.
What is the best massage gun for hard to reach places?
For hard-to-reach places, the Ekrin B37 massage gun stands out due to its ergonomic design, notably its 15-degree angled handle that facilitates ease of self-massage, especially in areas like the back and neck. This feature, along with its array of attachments such as the Fork and Ball heads, allows for versatile application across different body parts. Its combination of ergonomic design, effective attachments, and substantial stall force makes it an excellent choice for effectively targeting those tricky spots while ensuring comfort and ease of use.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, the search for the best massage gun in 2024 brings a variety of options to the forefront, each catering to different needs and preferences. The Theragun Pro by Therabody and Hyperice’s Hypervolt 2 Pro emerge as top contenders for those seeking high-end, technologically advanced massage guns. They offer deep, intense massages suitable for rigorous athletic recovery, with features like smart technology, multiple attachments, and app integration enhancing their functionality. On the other hand, the Ekrin B37 and Hydragun provide excellent alternatives for those looking for quality and effectiveness without the high-tech frills. The Ekrin B37, with its ergonomic design and variety of attachments, is particularly notable for reaching hard-to-reach places, while the Hydragun stands out for its quiet operation and solid performance.
Ultimately, the best massage gun choice in 2024 depends on individual needs, whether it’s for professional athletic recovery or personal use. High-end models like the Theragun Pro and Hypervolt 2 Pro are worth the investment for those requiring advanced features and intense therapy. In contrast, the Ekrin B37 and Hydragun offer great value with their ergonomic designs and effective performance at a more accessible price point. Each of these massage guns brings unique qualities to the table, ensuring that there’s a suitable option for everyone looking to enhance their muscle recovery experience in 2024.
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