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Best massage guns for soothing annoying aches - including Black Friday deals
Ease away your aches and pains with our tried and tested picks.
To misquote Monty Python: 'What has technology ever done for us?'. There are many ways of answering that question – so the fact that handheld tech (in the form of the best massage guns) can now help us recover from post-workout aches and pains is hardly surprising.
These handy bits of kit use Percussive Therapy to repeatedly strike your muscles, promoting blood flow to the targeted area and speeding recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (commonly known as DOMS, the dull ache you get after putting your limbs to task in a workout).
They're not reserved exclusively for exercise-related pains either. If you've got knots in your back after an awkward night's sleep, or a long-suffering spine after days sitting (or standing) at a desk, they may work wonders, too.
So, we've tested the best massage guns on the market to see which ones are a light touch, and which ones truly pack a recovery-promoting punch. And, you'll be pleased to know, some of our picks are on sale just in time for Black Friday.
What is the best massage gun to buy?
We asked our resident health and fitness specialist to take some of the best massage guns for a spin, trialling each one for three weeks around their (frankly, exhausting-sounding) schedule of weightlifting, running, yoga and more.
These were their top picks:
- Best massage gun: HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun
- Runner-up massage gun: MuscleGun Carbon
- Most bang for your buck: RENPHO Massage Gun
- Best massage gun for athletes: Theragun PRO Massage Gun
- Best compact massage gun: Theragun Mini Massage Gun
- Best massage gun for ease of use: HoMedics Deep Tissue Percussion Massager
- Best budget massage gun: Snailax Massage Gun
- Best massage gun for aching backs: Pulseroll Pro Massage Gun
- Best massage gun for gentle recovery sessions: Wahl Deep Tissue Massager
How to use a massage gun
Using a massage gun couldn't be simpler, just point and shoot (so to speak). All you need to do is switch it on and move it slowly over your sore muscles.
Some premium massage guns from the likes of Therabody and Hyperice even come with apps they can connect to via Bluetooth. These will provide guided massage programmes and advise how much pressure you should be applying. Some will even control the speed settings automatically, taking any guesswork out of your recovery routine.
What should I look for in a massage gun?
There are several things you should look out for when deciding which is the best massage gun for you:
Amplitude: This is the depth the massage gun will press into the muscle, with higher amplitudes able to target deeper aches and pains. Therabody's Theragun PRO has the highest on test, with 16mm.
Price: You can pay upwards of £500 for a top massage gun (looking at you again, Theragun PRO). For that extra investment, you'll get fancy features including unrivalled amplitude, a movable massage arm and access to a helpful app. However, the likes of the RENPHO Massage Gun and Snailax Massage Gun showed it is possible to pick up a quality product for less than £100. They might not be quite so flush with mod cons, but they can still get the job done.
Massage heads: Most machines we tried came with a selection of massage heads, varying in shape and texture to target different muscles and aches. While some only offered two, others offer as many as six different options.
Portability: Our list contains a mix of full-size and compact massage guns. The larger models tend to be more powerful, better for bigger jobs and deeper muscle soreness. However, the mini models are perfect if you want a massage gun you can take with you on the go, and they still offer enough oomph to remedy most muscle pains.
How we test
Our fitness expert used each massage gun to prime their muscles for a wide variety of different activities over the course of three weeks, also tasking each one with supporting the recovery of their aching muscles after exercise.
Each massage gun was judged on how easy it was to manoeuvre, the impact it had on the muscles, the effectiveness of the various interchangeable attachments and how smoothly it could glide across skin, as well as the overall design and ease of use.
HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun
If it's innovation you're after, this HoMedics massage gun has it by the bucketload. It can heat to 47C in under two minutes for a pre-workout muscle prime, or you can switch in the cold massage head which (after a few hours in the freezer) provides the perfect post-workout cool-down massage.
It impressed straight out of the box, arriving in a neatly-presented carry case. Unlike many massage guns, it was surprisingly quiet, even at full speed, and was able to glide smoothly over skin without snagging or causing discomfort. It was lightweight too, making it easy to manoeuvre, and came with handy diagrams to help us get the most out of it.
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 1
Weight: 914g
Amplitude: 10mm
Speed settings: 3
Battery life: 1.5 hours
Warranty: Returns of merchandise purchased from the website may be made within 30 days of receipt for a full refund of cost of the merchandise.
Included accessories: six interchangeable heads (barrel head, cold head, ball head, arrow head, heat head and smoothing head) and storage case
Looking like something out of 007's box of tricks, this sleek massager from MuscleGun is brilliantly powerful – ideal for stubborn aches you just can't seem to shake. But, despite this, it was still smooth in use and really relaxing to use.
The long, curved handle meant we could even target pangs on hard-to-reach spots of our back, and it comes with a healthy range of four interchangeable massage heads. It's a bit bulky for longer recovery sessions and the handle vibrates a fair bit at high speeds, but those were our only qualms.
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 1
Weight: Not given
Amplitude: 10mm
Speed settings: 5
Battery life: Up to 5 hours
Warranty: 2 years
Included accessories: 4 massage heads, charger, recovery massage oil, carry case
When it comes to getting bang for your buck, this massage gun sits at the top of the pile. For under £100, you pick up a powerful and effective massage gun with a choice of five interchangeable heads.
Now, naturally, it can’t quite match the brawn or amplitude of pricier products, and the handle did vibrate a lot when we switched it on. But it will still glide over skin without causing any discomfort, leaving your muscles feeling refreshed.
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 2
Weight: 0.68kg
Amplitude: 9mm
Speed settings: 5, from 1800 to 3200ppm
Battery life: Up to 6 hours
Warranty: None
Included accessories: 5 massage heads, USB charging cable, carry case
Theragun PRO 4th Generation Percussive Therapy Massager
If your trainers are collecting dust in the cupboard, this isn't the massage gun for you. Designed for elite athletes (brand ambassadors include Liverpool's Premier League star Trent-Alexander Arnold, athletics icon Sir Mo Farah and the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team), the Theragun PRO is intended to help the fitness-obsessed fight post-workout soreness.
It has a clever, hollow triangular handle and moveable massage arm, making it easy to reach any awkwardly placed aches without sacrificing grip. The 16mm amplitude, Therabody claims, is also able to reach 60% deeper into tired muscles than most massage guns. It's heavier than most and quite noisy, but these are both side effects of the impressive power this gun offers.
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 2
Weight: 1.3kg
Amplitude: 16mm
Speed settings: 5, from 1750 to 2400ppm, plus app-controlled customisable speed range
Battery life: Up to 5 hours (split between two batteries)Warranty: 2 years
Included accessories: 6 massage heads, charger, carry case
Theragun Mini
If you'd rather not wield a weighty piece of kit, but still want all the recovery benefits of a massage gun at your fingertips, the Theragun Mini could be the perfect alternative. The clean, robust design will fit easily into most gym bags, and our tester stressed that this pocket-rocket was deceptively strong.
The solid, triangular handle, rather than the traditional pistol shape, could be a bit hard to grip at times, but it scored top marks for both relaxation and relieving soreness – this one stayed in our expert's backpack long after testing finished.
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 3
Weight: 0.65g
Amplitude: 12mm
Speed settings: 3, from 1750 to 2400rpm
Battery life: Up to 2.5 hours
Warranty: 1 year
Included accessories: Charger, carry case
HoMedics Deep Tissue Percussion Massager
As a brand, HoMedics has proved its massaging mettle by claiming the top spot. However, not everyone has a spare £250-£300 to splash. That's where this more economical model comes in. It's lightweight, and refreshingly simple to use.
Our expert found the round massage head (one of three) dragged a little when moved over their skin, and said the gun lacked the power for a true deep tissue massage. However, if you're just looking to ease some minor aches and fancy a more gentle recovery session, it's more than up to the task.
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 1
Weight: Not given
Amplitude: Not given
Speed settings: Variable, up to 3300ppm
Battery life: Up to 3hrs 20mins
Warranty: 2 years
Included accessories: 5 massage heads, charger
Finding a massage gun for around £50 is a big ask. Tracking down a quality piece of kit for this price is nigh-on impossible – yet our expert has come up trumps. It might not have the sleek aesthetic or premium finish of its counterparts, but if you're looking for your first massage gun, you can't go far wrong with this Snailax model.
It comes with four different massage heads and impressed our expert with its effectiveness at relieving soreness. They said the handle felt slightly off-balance and unwieldy, but the Snailax still provided a soothing massage without kicking up too much of a fuss (something many massage guns struggled to achieve).
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 1
Weight: 0.77kg
Amplitude: Unavailable
Speed settings: 5, range unavailable
Battery life: Up to 1hr 40mins
Warranty: 2 years
Included accessories: 4 massage heads, charger, carry case
Pulseroll Pro Massage Gun
This Pulseroll massage gun certainly isn't petite, and that plays to its advantage. The long handle means you can reach uncomfortable knots in your back easily, and the choice of six massage heads make this a versatile tool for combating all manner of muscular discomfort.Our tester said the bulky design could sometimes feel a bit cumbersome, but this was outweighed by its benefits. The gun was a cinch to use and brilliantly powerful too, with a great range of speed settings.
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 2 (black/grey or black/red)
Weight: 1.1kg
Amplitude: 12mm
Speed settings: 4, from 1200 to 3100rpm
Battery life: Up to 5 hours
Warranty: 1 year
Included accessories: 4 massage heads, charger, carry case
Wahl Deep Tissue Massager
Bucking the prevailing massage guns trend of weapon-like designs, Wahl instead opted to give its tool a long handle. We liked how easy this made it to reach all aches, and the inclusion of a variable speed dial for adjusting the massage's intensity mid-session was appreciated too.
It comes with a good selection of massage heads, including one designed to feel like four fingers that worked surprisingly well. And, while it may not have the strength sought by avid exercisers, we think it's a winner for a casual recovery massage in front of the TV.
Key specifications
Sizes: 1
Colours: 1
Weight: Not given
Amplitude: Not given
Speed settings: Variable, up to 3300ppm
Battery life: Up to 3hrs 20mins
Warranty: 2 years
Included accessories: 5 massage heads, charger
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