The 9 Best Massage Guns For Relieving Stiff And Sore Muscles - Forbes

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Massage is a great way to release tight muscles, whether you’re an athlete or simply prone to a sore back. If you can’t get to an appointment — or you want to relieve your own tension at home — consider a massage gun. Massage guns, also called percussive guns, can help relieve soreness and tension through oscillating, rapid bursts of pressure on muscle tissue. Unlike other at-home options, like foam rollers, massage guns are helpful for targeting specific pain points. But with the abundance of options, it can be hard to determine the best massage guns for you.

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When you’re buying a massage gun, think about your primary use. Are you a serious athlete who will rely on a massage gun for recovery and performance? If so, a higher-end option might be better suited for you. On the other hand, if you want occasional relief from general soreness, a pricier model might not make sense. Instead, choose a versatile massage gun with multiple settings.

Interested in buying a massage gun, but unsure where to start? Here are the best massage guns for releasing tight muscles, according to glowing reviews.

Best Massage Gun Overall

Therabody Theragun Pro


The “Cadillac” of percussive guns (it has 80% five-star ratings on Amazon), the Theragun Pro is a professional-grade recovery tool ideal for people serious about powerfully targeting specific muscle groups. It’s now on its 13th iteration, delivering 60% deeper amplitude and speed than older models, with up to 60 pounds of force. While it’s more powerful than budget massage guns, it’s not any louder. Use the connected app and the device’s OLED screen to control the speed and force.

“I used to be a professional soccer player and I needed some therapy on a regular basis. Theragun was the best way to get therapy constantly without spending a ton of money,” writes a five-star Amazon reviewer. “I use it before and after my workouts and it works like magic!”

Best Massage Gun For Athletes

Legiral Massage Gun


If you’re an athlete who needs some serious strength in your massage gun, consider the Legiral Massage Gun. This massage gun has 20 speeds, including a high-intensity setting that you can use for deep tissue massage. It also has six interchangeable heads that you can use to target specific areas and get into muscle groups that other massage guns may miss.

“Having medical issues, I have never been satisfied with in-home massage tools...until now,” writes one five-star Amazon reviewer. “The ease of use, flexibility, and simplicity of changing intensity and descriptive massage heads makes this a 5-star product in every way.”

Best Massage Gun for Everyday Use

Lifepro Sonic LX Professional


One of the more versatile options in this roundup, the LifePro Sonic LX Professional Massage gun includes seven massage heads and offers nine settings so you can really choose your experience. When you want a deeper massage, you can adjust the intensity level from 1,800 strokes per minute to 3,400 strokes per minute, depending on how sore your muscles are.

“My legs are constantly tight and my IT bands are as well. Using the Sonic LX gun helps tremendously!! Everything I have been looking for in a massage gun and I cant believe I waited so long before ordering!” says one five-star Amazon reviewer.

Best Massage Gun on Amazon

Sportneer Deep Tissue Muscle Massager


At a fraction of the cost, the Sportneer Deep Tissue massager has high ratings and it comes with extra accessories for targeted massage. Reviewers love it because it’s powerful, lightweight, quiet, and easy to use on all kinds of muscle tension.

“What a difference it has made in my workouts! I recover quicker and I can tackle a workout the next day,” writes one happy reviewer. “If I feel sore, I engage in 10-15 minutes of using the massage gun and the soreness and tightness is gone. It comes with different attachments which is great for different muscle groups, and the battery lasts long!”

Best Massage Gun Under $100

Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Massager


The Wahl percussion massager is at the lowest end of the price spectrum, but it has an 4.3-star average rating from nearly 10,000 reviews. If you want to dip your toes in and give massage guns a try, it’s an excellent alternative to the $400-$600 models. Features include variable speeds and intensities along with assorted attachment heads.

Here’s proof from a five-star reviewer: “Although this unit is fairly heavy, I'm able to use it easily — it's a good design and well balanced. I have mostly used the rounder deep tissue head for my problem and it really works — great percussion. The flat head feels wonderful for areas of broader muscle pain. I would definitely buy this product again — I love it!”

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Best Massage Gun Under $150

Sonic Handheld Percussion Massager


Another top-rated massage gun on Amazon, the Sonic Handheld comes with five head attachments and five levels of intensity for customization. Customers rave about the Sonic for its consistent, powerful percussion, whisper-quiet motor, and its versatility.

“I suffer from chronic back pain and I have been searching for a massage gun that is strong enough to work my sore aching back muscles out. I think I have finally found just that,” writes a five-star Amazon reviewer. “This gun is awesome and is powerful when you choose it to be. It has different levels so that you can decide how much pressure you want it to put out.”

Best Massage Gun for Runners

Hyperice Hypervolt


The Hyperice Hypervolt is often a top pick because it’s smoother and quieter than other massage gun models. It includes five head attachments for added versatility, one of which (the ball attachment) is ideal for runner-prone pain points like tender glutes, hamstrings, and calf muscles. It also connects to Bluetooth if you want to create custom programs or take advantage of the pre-programmed settings.

“Best purchase I think we’ve made all year. Great for anyone who works out and needs faster relief from sore muscles,” raves a five-star reviewer on Amazon.

Best Massage Gun for Lower Back Pain

Medcursor Heated Massage Gun


With close to 80% five-star ratings on Amazon, the Medcursor has especially good reviews for low back pain. In addition to its 12 speed levels and six head attachments, it has a heat setting for soothing sore or stiff back muscles.

Here’s what one five-star reviewer has to say: “The motor is very strong and I have yet to experience any stall even when applying plenty of pressure. The heating head is great. You get so much more than the high end and very pricey competitors. It may not be as quiet as the premium guns but it’s not much louder and considering the added features, it's not even an issue.”

Best Massage Gun for Sore, Sensitive Muscles

ACHEDAWAY Massage Gun


The ACHEDAWAY massage gun, which has five different speed adjustments and five massage heads that are ideal for treating the most tender muscle areas, has 85% five-star Amazon ratings. It’s powerful, yet quiet, and comes equipped with an automatic shut-off feature that prevents overuse that can lead to muscle injury.

“I've been using it nearly non0stop since it got here and I've been very impressed with the battery life, and have not noticed any signs of overheating, even with prolonged use. I've also been impressed with the power, I typically use it on power level two or three out of five and I have a decently high pain tolerance,” says one five-star reviewer.