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The best massage guns on the market aren't just a gym bag gimmick. Studies show that massage guns can improve range of motion, flexibility, and recovery, and they've also been linked to "an acute increase in muscle strength, explosive muscle strength, and flexibility."
But the world of massage guns is an intimidating place, there are so many models and options to choose from, a bristling array of attachments, and of course a wealth of cheap knockoff crap.
To that end, we've tried and tested models from every reputable massage gun manufacturer to bring you our recommendations. The best massage guns in our guide cover a lot more ground than you might expect. From Theragun and Hydragun to Bob and Brad, we’ve picked out options for serious recovery, travel, heat therapy, and tighter budgets.
The best massage guns to buy in 2025
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The best massage gun overall
With an unbelievable feature set that won't cost you the price of Theragun's premium Pro model, the Theragun Sense is our top massage gun pick for most people. It's got a lovely ergonomic design and sits right in the mid-range of the weight category at just over 700 grams.
It's not the smallest gun on the market, but could be used for travel at a push. Its two-hour battery life isn't knock-out, and it isn't the most powerful option out there, but it comes with five intensity settings, and supporting features such as massage routines, heart rate readings, and even breathing exercises.
In the box, you'll find four different attachments and a nifty carry case to keep everything together. The Sense is competitively priced at $299.99/£275/AU$449 and offers a dazzling array of features for its price and size.
As noted, this is the best all-rounder out there for most people. However, if you want a cheaper option or a more powerful punch, there are alternatives out there.
Read our full Theragun Sense review
The best cheap massage gun
In our Bob and Brad Massage Gun Q2 Mini review, we awarded the massage gun a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, which we don't do often. That's because this massage gun is incredibly powerful and effective, delivering an experience that should satisfy almost everyone – although we would recommend a higher-end device for seriously high-performing amateur athletes.
Although the Bob and Brad Massage Gun Q2 Mini isn't the most powerful massage gun you can buy, its power output relative to its small size is impressive. You can put up to 32lbs of force onto a very small point, allowing you to target specific muscular knots in addition to larger areas.
There are five settings to choose from, and up to five heads in varying degrees of width, which means you have 25 different combinations available. The battery lasts about 4 hours and, handily, it comes with a convenient carrying case.
It's certainly the best massage gun we've reviewed and a fantastic option for everyday gym-goers and runners looking for a small, cost-effective massage gun.
Read our full Bob and Brad Massage Gun Q2 Mini review
The best massage gun for travel
The Power Plate Mini+ ranks highly in our best massage gun list thanks to its sheer convenience. It's one of the smallest guns we've tested, but its highest power settings still deliver a powerful massage that'll really help loosen tense muscles.
Its small size is a real advantage; unlike some guns we've tested, the Power Plate Mini+ is small enough to keep in your desk drawer and use whenever you start to feel your shoulders stiffening at work. It's quiet too, so you won't disturb colleagues in the office or your family at home. It's easy to toss into your gym bag as well, so you don't have to wait until you're back home for a good massage that will help start post-workout recovery. The simple travel pouch will help keep it clean and dry en route, and with a runtime of up to five hours between charges, you can go weeks between charges.
Although it's not supplied with a huge range of attachments, there are large and small heads that work well for targeting different muscle groups, and Power Plate's smartphone app provides guidance so you don't have to flick through a paper manual or hunt for instructions online.
At $179.99 / £179.95 (about AU$250), it's also one of the most affordable massage guns we've tested, and although that's not pocket change, we feel it's a good investment for something so versatile.
Read our full Power Plate Mini+ review
The best premium massage gun
With an unbelievable feature set that won't cost you the price of Theragun's premium Pro model, the Theragun Sense is our top massage gun pick for most people. It's got a lovely ergonomic design and sits right in the mid-range of the weight category at just over 700 grams.
It's not the smallest gun on the market, but could be used for travel at a push. Its two-hour battery life isn't knock-out, and it isn't the most powerful option out there, but it comes with five intensity settings, and supporting features such as massage routines, heart rate readings, and even breathing exercises.
In the box, you'll find four different attachments and a nifty carry case to keep everything together. The Sense is competitively priced at $299.99/£275/AU$449 and offers a dazzling array of features for its price and size.
As noted, this is the best all-rounder out there for most people. However, if you want a cheaper option or a more powerful punch, there are alternatives out there.
Read our full Theragun Pro review
The best for quiet operation
The Hydragun is a great all-round massage gun if you want something that feels premium without being overengineered or overcomplicated. It’s powerful enough to work through tight, post-workout muscles and everyday stiffness, but it’s more about controlled, comfortable relief than aggressive deep-tissue pounding.
One of its biggest strengths is how easy it is to live with. It feels comfortable and easy to manage in the hand, it doesn’t vibrate harshly, and is simple to use without needing to think too much about settings or modes. It just gets on with the job of easing soreness after exercise or a long day at your desk.
Our tester Sharmishta was impressed with the Hydragun's noise level. You can use it in a shared space or while watching TV without it feeling intrusive, which makes it a lot more practical for daily use than louder, more intense devices.
That said, it does come with a fairly premium price tag, so it’s not the cheapest option out there. You’re paying for the build quality and the refined feel rather than flashy extras. There’s no app control or smart features like you’ll find on some Theragun models, just a straightforward device that focuses on recovery and muscle relief.
Read our full Hydragun review
The best heated massage gun
As its name implies, this massage gun from HoMedics wouldn't be out of place in the hands of a physiotherapist. Of all the machines we've tested (including those that didn't make this roundup), it's the one that delivered the strongest, most assertive massage – and when you really need it, the optional heated attachment is bliss, aiding in helping tough muscles relax.
All of that comes at a price, and this is also the most expensive massage gun here at £299.99 (about $410 / AU$550) – though it's sometimes available at a slight discount when bought direct from HoMedics. At the time of writing this particular model is only sold in the UK, but the Therapist Select Hot & Cold Percussion Massager available in the US is similar.
You get an excellent choice of attachments (there are six to choose from), and each one fits in easily with a pushing/twisting action. They stay firmly in place, even on higher power settings, but are easily removed when you're done. The HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun has a runtime of around five hours, or three and a half if you're using the heated function.
It's definitely an investment, but if you really want to treat yourself, or have a partner who'll be using it as well, you may be able to justify spending the extra cash.
Read our full HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun review
How to choose the best massage gun for you
The best massage gun for your particular needs will depend on a few different factors. First and foremost, you need to look at your budget. If things are tight, opt for a smaller percussive massage device like the Renpho above, which is also small enough to stuff in a gym bag.
If you have more cash to spend, or want to keep it for home or office use, you could instead opt for one of the larger, more powerful models such as the Hydragun. Power will also be a consideration: if you do a great deal of exercise, especially endurance or muscle-building work, you might require a powerful percussive massager to really iron out those difficult knots. If you’re more used to light exercise and a bit of a sore neck due to too much time at your desk, one of the less powerful models will likely do the trick.
Finally, take a look at the available accessories such as the different collection of heads. If you’re looking to hit your chest and back after big lifting sessions, you might want a larger, wider head, while narrower heads can really undo knots in more specific areas, digging underneath the muscles in your calves, for example. If your massage gun of choice doesn’t have many attachments, consider your training habits and what you want out of a percussive massager.
How we test massage guns
We examine and rate each of the massage guns for price, availability, design, features and battery life. We go hands-on on each percussive device by trying out the different heads across their specified uses, as well as any additional features such as heated or cooling functions. At the end of each review, we’ll tell you what kind of use, and individual, each gun is best suited for as well as a list of any weak points we found.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use a massage gun the right way?
All of the guns we've recommended here come with guides to help you. Our top-rated massage gun, the PowerPlate Mini+, also has a smartphone app with video tutorials.
However, there’s a few extra things to remember when using a massage gun for the first time. Most importantly, to avoid injury, don't use a massage gun on a bony area or a joint, or on an injury like a sprain or broken skin.
Hydragun also advises always keeping the massage gun moving rather than leaving it in one place, and not using it in one area for longer than a couple of minutes to avoid bruising.
Finally, listen to your body – if the massage is painful, stop.
Are massage guns worth it?
If you make a habit of getting regular massages to relax your muscles and improve your range of motion, research suggests percussive massage is just as effective. A one-time purchase could save you cash on regular massages, just without the incense and the dark room.
If you've never had a massage and struggle with the idea, a percussive massage device, even a cheap one, could be a good place to start improving your range of motion. By using the gun on tight or sore muscles, you can start to increase your flexibility, alongside a regular stretching routine.
