The best massage guns for soothing aching muscles, tried and tested (original) (raw)

Our expert GHI tester trialled a range of massage guns over a three-week period, using them after a wide range of exercises, from weightlifting and running to HIIT and yoga.

They considered how easy each massage gun was to control, how smoothly it moved over the skin and whether the different massage head attachments were effective, as well as the practicality and intuitiveness of each massager's controls and overall design.

Here are the best massage guns on the market, primed and ready to soothe your aching muscles. Enjoy!

1

Best massage gun

HoMedics Pro Physio Massage Gun

Pros

• Provides heat and cold therapy
• Carry case included
• Lightweight for a large massage gun
• Helpful instructions
• Enjoyable massaging experience

Cons

• On the expensive side
• Large device

Score: 100/100

This massage gun wowed our tester; its final score speaks for itself. Packed with innovation, you can heat it up to 47C in under two minutes for a warm massage, or freeze the interchangeable cool gel head for four hours for the ultimate cool down. These contrasting temperatures will help prime muscles pre-exercise by promoting blood flow and providing a perfect post-workout cooldown respectively.

The HoMedics Pro comes with a carry case, but as it's on the larger side, it isn’t the best for on-the-go use. However, it was surprisingly light for its size, making it easy to manoeuvre at home.

No matter which head our tester used, it glided smoothly over skin with minimal noise. They also liked the handy diagrams that showed you how to get the most out of the product.

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2

Runner-up best massage gun

Bob and Brad Mini Q2 Massage Gun

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Powerful for a small device
• Carry case included
• Five speeds and attachments for targeting different areas
• Auto-off mode for safety

Cons

• Short handle makes it difficult to reach the lower back

Score: 98/100

Powerful, easy to use and affordable, our expert tester was blown away by this sleek little massager.

Unlike many of its pocket-friendly competitors, it has five speed settings and five attachments for targeting different areas, plus it comes with a sleek carry case that has plenty of room for all the accessories (handy for travel). In the box, you’ll also find an insightful user guide, packed with step-by-step routines showing you how to soothe all manner of aches and pains.

According to our tester, it’s a pleasure to use from the get-go thanks to its ergonomic design. It’s lightweight (no aching arms here) and the buttons are perfectly placed for easy access mid-pummel. Performance-wise, our massage experience was extremely smooth, with no painful jogging or juddering when it was moved over our joints.

If that wasn’t enough, the device automatically turns off after 10 minutes if it’s not in use to preserve battery, and it supports USB-C charging. For some, the petite handle may feel a bit short, but that was our one and only niggle.

3

Best massage gun for travel

Theragun Mini 2nd Gen

Pros

• Lightweight and travel-friendly
• Whisper-quiet device
• Guided routines for beginners
• Powerful despite small size

Cons

• Hard to reach awkward areas

Score: 95/100

Massage guns don’t come more compact than the Theragun Mini. Weighing just 450g, this palm-sized device is easily grabbable on the go – simply hook the stylish travel case onto your bag for sweet relief anytime, anywhere.

Our expert found it ultra quiet, so you can tend to sore muscles with minimal fuss, and its small stature doesn't make it any less powerful. It moved smoothly over skin, with no irritating dragging or pulling, and it was effortless to switch between settings mid-use. The Therabody app particularly pleased our tester; it’s packed with beginner-friendly follow-along routines for exercise recovery, sleep, work, travel and more.

Reaching trickier areas such as the lower back can feel a bit awkward, and you can only fit one head in the case, but these are minor flaws for an otherwise exceptional product.

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4

Best massage gun for athletes

Theragun PRO 5th Gen

Pros

• Easy to use
• Lots of great features including USB-C charging and high-res OLED screen with pre-set routines
• Intuitive controls
• Triangular shape makes it easy to grip

Score: 95/100

Dedicated athletes, look no further. Though a considerable investment, the new iteration of the Theragun PRO comes with a host of clever upgrades, including a brushless motor for reduced noise, two new attachments, USB-C charging and a high-resolution OLED screen for following pre-set routines – a feature that earned high praise from our tester. There are four routines to choose from on the device, but they recommend connecting to the user-friendly Therabody app for myriad personalised options that target specific aches and pains.

Despite all its techy features, this sleek massager is surprisingly simple to use thanks to a handy quick-start guide and video tutorials. Its intuitive controls meant no fumbling about changing the speed or turning it on and off, while the triangular shape affords excellent grip and the adjustable arm helps you tackle those harder-to-reach areas. Though bulky, the well-designed carry case means it’s also travel-friendly.

This hero model is hard to fault; it’s a little heavy and our arms started to ache after a while, but that’s a tiny quibble. If you're ready to ramp up your relaxation efforts, the PRO is a worthy choice.

5

Best massage gun for ease of use

MuscleGun Carbon

Pros

• Long handle for reaching the lower back and shoulders
• Smooth massaging experience
• Detailed instructions good for beginners
• Sturdy carry case included

Cons

• On the bulky side
• Accompanying app is basic

Score: 93/100

This well-designed massage gun earned an instant thumbs up for its long, curved handle that helped our testers reach all their aching muscles. It proved extremely powerful and effective, gliding across skin without pulling for a relaxing massaging experience.

It’s a little bulky and heavy, and the handle vibrates heavily at high speed, but it comes with a decent range of massage heads, a comprehensive user guide and a robust carry case. The accompanying app is basic, but it offered some helpful technique tips.

In short, it’s a solid all-round buy at a fair price.

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6

Best massage gun for runners

MuscleGun Carbon Go

Pros

• Travel-friendly size
• Quiet motor
• Very straight forward to use
• Comes with five attachments for targeting different areas

Score: 92/100

Coming in just behind its older brother, the MuscleGun Carbon, it was hard to find fault with this pocket-friendly massager. Not only does it pack a lot of power for such a small machine, but it’s also relatively quiet, comfortable to hold and is able to glide seamlessly over sore muscles without dragging. Weighing in at just over 500g, it’s also a good option for keeping in your gym bag or taking to the track.

Despite its compact size, it has everything its bulkier counterparts offer, including five different massage heads, with each one designed to target a different muscle group. It also scored top marks for ease of use – there’s just one button for speed control and a handy manual that explains what each head is for and how to use it.

The handle is a little short, making it difficult to soothe aching lower back muscles, but it's compact enough to massage your legs fully, making it a top pick for runners. Overall, it’s an excellent choice if you’re after a powerful mini massage gun.

7

Best massage gun for beginners

Turonic G5 Massage Gun

Pros

• Detailed instructions included
• Seven interchangeable heads
• Powerful
• Sturdy build

Score: 90/100

If you’re new to percussive therapy and not sure where to begin, the Turonic G5 is a great option. It comes with very detailed instructions, clearly demonstrating the various massages you can perform with the device.

Better still, there are five speed settings and seven interchangeable heads (which you can use with massage oil), allowing you to target different muscle groups and areas of the body. There’s even a head designed to combat and help reduce cellulite – a first in our round-up.

Our tester did experience some discomfort on the lower speed settings due to jolting, and while it does come with a carry case, it’s heavy, so we wouldn’t recommend it for on-the-go massaging. But when you consider the variety of massaging options it provides and how straightforward it is to use, these niggles don't feel like a dealbreaker.

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8

Best value massage gun

Renpho Massage Gun

Pros

• Smooth massaging experience
• Currently under £100
• Five massage heads included

Cons

• Intense vibrations at higher speeds
• Instructions could be more detailed

**Score: 89/100

This massage gun offers excellent value for money (it's currently under £100), given that it comes with five massaging heads. It moves rapidly over your muscles, massaging them to great effect without causing any discomfort. The handle vibrates a lot, especially at full power, but the speed can easily be lowered if your arm starts to ache.

It comes with useful instructions, but their translation from Chinese is patchy. A USB cable is included for recharging its sizeable battery on the go too, but there's no charging head.

9

Best temperature changing massage gun

Bob & Brad C2 Pro

Pros

• Seamless switch between cold and hot temperature therapy
• Clear digital display for power modes
• Lightweight and portable

Cons

• Unclear instruction manual
• Always double check heads are fastened properly

Score: 87/100

Physiotherapists Bob and Brad decided to revisit their classic C2 massage gun and give it an upgrade with this Pro version. So, what’s new? Firstly, the amplitude – the distance the massage gun travels back and forth as it pummels the skin – has gone from 8mm to 10mm, allowing deeper penetration to tackle sore muscles. The C2 Pro also has a digital screen to display the speed level, making it easier to control, and a pressure ring display, which lets you know how much force you’re applying to avoid injury or bruising.

But the most notable upgrade is the addition of heat and cold therapy. You can either warm the head up to 40-45°C or cool it down to 10-15°C. Heat therapy helps to boost blood flow to the muscles, which is great for warm-ups, while cold therapy works to reduce swelling and pain in muscles, which makes it the perfect post-workout option. Alongside the temperature-changing head are four other attachments that can be packed away into a lightweight case, making this a good portable option.

However, our tester did say it was hard to be sure if the heads were fully attached, so it’s worth giving them an extra push to check they’re in place.

Key specifications

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10

Best compact massage gun

Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2

Pros

• Attractive, lightweight design
• Extremely powerful for a small massage gun
• Easy to manoeuvre

Cons

• No carry case included

Score : 87/100

Some of the bulkier options on this list may be too cumbersome to take with you on the go, but there was no such problem with this pocket-sized model from Hyperice. The compact design means it effortlessly fits in most gym bags and it's easy to manoeuvre.

The absence of a carry case is disappointing but the Go2 makes up for that with power and ease of use. It packs a considerable punch given its modest dimensions and comes with useful instructions, with our tester praising its seamless movement over their muscles.

The Go2 also ticks the box in terms of aesthetics – its modern design has a decidedly premium feel and stands out from the crowd.

Note, this machine comes with just two massage heads, which is less than the others on this list, but it you’re after quick and easy muscle relief, it’s no problem.

11

Best massage gun under £50

Boots Deep Tissue Percussive Massage Gun

Pros

• Great value for money
• Comfortable massaging experience
• Quiet device

Cons

• Might be too gentle for some
• On the heavier side

Score: 87/100

If you’re after a small massage gun that still offers versatility, consider this fuss-friendly Boots offering. There are three speed settings and four interchangeable heads (a ball, fork, bullet and flat head) for alleviating aches and pains, whether you need some post-exercise relief or you’ve been hunched over your desk for too long.

It wasn’t the most powerful massager on test – the first speed in particular was extremely gentle – so it’s not one for serious gym-goers, but it’s still great for releasing tension. It moved seamlessly over the skin with no painful snagging, and it scored top marks for noise level, allowing you to treat sore muscles on the go without attracting attention.

We welcomed the compact carry case, which fits all the different attachments and charger neatly inside, and the device itself was easy to operate thanks to a conveniently placed control button and detailed instructions. It’s on the heavy side despite its small stature and the short handle made it trickier to reach sore spots on our backs, but it's a snip for under £50.

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12

Best mini massage gun with hot and cold therapy

Bob & Brad Q2 Pro

Pros

• Extremely lightweight and portable
• Five heads plus temperature control options
• Quiet motor

Cons

• Short handle
• Cooling and heated heads may be too gentle for some

Score: 87/100

An updated version of Bob & Brad’s top-rated Q2 device (the runner-up in this article) this comes with new features including a ‘heat and ice’ attachment to supercharge your recovery.

There are two cooling and heated settings to choose from; simply press the button on the attachment to switch between the temperatures. Our tester said they felt pleasant during their massage sessions, but thought they could have been a bit stronger. There are also four other attachments, including a fork, a foam ball and a steel flat head, to target all areas.

Like the original Q2, the pocket-sized device is ultra lightweight and comes with a neat carry case, which is ideal for travel. It also scored highly for noise control – it’s quiet enough to whip out on the train or at your desk without raising any eyebrows – and we found the battery life lived up to its claims.

It’s comfy to grip but the handle is on the short side so reaching those tricky areas may be a struggle. For under £100, though, it’s a top choice for those on a budget.

Key specifications

13

Best massage gun for stress relief

Therabody Theragun Sense

Pros

• Extremely quiet
• Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
• Guided on-screen massage routines great for beginners
• Breathwork sessions helped our tester de-stress and relax
• Built-in biometric sensor for heart rate reading

Score: 86/100

If you’re after a massager for its relaxing properties, the Theragun Sense offers an affordable alternative to a weekly session with a professional masseuse. Along with standard percussive therapy, it provides breathwork sessions to help you de-stress, unwind and even sleep better.

Simply place your finger on the biometric sensor tucked into the inner arm of the device and follow the guided routine via the LCD screen. Haptic vibrations act as breathing cues, letting you know when to inhale and exhale, and there’s soothing music to help you get in the mood. Afterwards, you can compare your pre- and post-session heart rate to see if your body really is more relaxed – our tester was a big fan of this feature.

Our expert also rated the range of guided massage routines – including Sleep, Back Pain and Tension Relief – available via the screen, with clear instructions on where to place the massage gun and how long to target each area for.

Key specifications

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14

Best massage gun for foam roller enthusiasts

Hyperice Vyper 3

Pros

• Great for runners
• Excellent for knots and trigger points
• Three speed settings

Cons

• Loud vibrations
• Bulky design

Score: 86/100

Not your typical massage gun, the Vyper 3 is more of a vibrating foam roller, designed to “accelerate your warm-up, speed recovery time and keep you moving better”.

Ideal for those who are after an intense foam rolling experience, it has a smooth shell and diamond-shaped ridges that allow you to get deep into your muscles and address any knots or trigger points.

What’s more, it offers three speed settings so you can vary the intensity, depending on how sore you’re feeling. As it is on the bigger side, we’d say it’s best suited to targeting large muscles.

Note, the Vyper 3 device is rather loud when placed on the floor due to the vibrations, so you’ll have to time your massaging sessions carefully to avoid disturbing others.

Pros

• Extremely powerful
• Provides an effective deep tissue massage
• Ergonomic handle for reaching all areas

Cons

• Expensive (although currently 50% off)
• Noisier than other devices tested

**Score: 84/100

If you’re willing to splash some cash on a massage gun that will deliver long-lasting results, consider this serious bit of kit. The third Therabody product on our list, the Theragun Elite claims to reach 60% deeper into the muscle than average massagers, thanks to a hardcore 16mm amplitude.

Our testers found it very powerful and effective, but noisy. They rated its triangular handle, which allowed them to massage a wide range of muscles, with good control. They also loved its app, which guides you through warm-up and post-workout massages and issues warnings if you apply too much pressure.

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16

Therabody Theragun PRO Plus

Pros

• Clear set-up instructions and easy to use
• 5 standard attachments for targeting all muscle groups
• Provides heat, cold, vibration and near infrared light therapy
• Breathwork feature to aid relaxation
• Carry case for travel

Cons

• Expensive
• On the heavier side
• Cooling attachment only available at an extra cost

Score: 83/100

Dedicated athletes, look no further. Though a considerable investment, this shiny new Theragun Pro Plus comes with a host of clever upgrades to take your recovery to the next level.

We’re talking near infrared LED light therapy to penetrate deep into the muscles and boost circulation, a heated head to loosen up stiff areas, and a biometric sensor for heart rate readings and breathwork sessions – ideal when you’re in need of some stress relief. There’s also a cold therapy attachment, but this must be bought separately.

Our tester heaped praise on the range of attachments for handling all types of aches and pains. They were particularly impressed with the heated head, which has three temperature settings ranging from 45C to 55C, and liked how powerful the device was, saying they felt “thoroughly massaged” after using it.

There’s an LCD screen for following pre-set routines, plus myriad personalised massages available on the Therabody app.

Key specifications

17

Wahl Deep Tissue Massager

Pros

• Gentle massaging experience
• Good for hard-to-reach areas and mobility issues
• Under £100

Cons

• Carry case not included
• Not for serious athletes

**Score: 80/100

Feeling intimidated by some of the heavy-duty massage guns on our roundup? Try this gentler model, which has a variable speed dial for adjusting the intensity of your massage. Its long handle makes it easy to massage all body parts, even if you have mobility issues.

Its laudable range of massage heads includes a four-finger attachment that mimics a human hand (it sounds creepy, but it’s effective!). For casual use, this tool is a winner, but committed sporty types may find it lacks oomph. Its length makes it a tad tricky to store, too, and it doesn’t come with a case.

Key specifications

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Pros

• Lightweight and portable
• Extremely user-friendly
• Quiet
• Travel pouch included

Score: 79/100

This aesthetically pleasing device from up-and-coming massage gun brand Lola is all over the internet right now and after testing it, we can see why. Not only does it look the part, but it also scored highly for design, ease of use and performance. Note, it also comes in baby pink, blue and pale mint shades.

It has four interchangeable heads for providing relief in different areas, including a flat head to target niggly spots such as the neck, ankles and calves, and a cone to get deep into your muscles and hit your pressure points. Our experts found it easy to operate and switch between the four speed settings thanks to the responsive, user-friendly buttons on the handle.

They also said it was sufficiently powerful, providing instant relief from soreness, even at lower speeds. There were no issues with jolting or juddering over their skin, making for an extremely smooth massage experience.

Even better, it’s the same size as an iPhone and comes with a sleek travel pouch, so it’s a great one to take on holiday or to the gym. The quiet motor means it won’t attract any unwanted attention, either. Lola offers a 30-day money back guarantee for peace of mind when investing.

Key specifications

19

Therabody Theragun Relief

Pros

• Great value for money
• Extremely lightweight and quiet
• Easy to reach the lower back and shoulders
• Premium build

Cons

• Lacks a storage bag
• Not for serious athletes
• Not compatible with Bluetooth

Score: 75/100

If you’ve been lusting after a Theragun but the price has put you off, you’ll be delighted to know the premium brand has launched its most affordable model yet. At £125, the Relief is cheaper than the Mini 2, yet still brimming with impressive features.

It scored top marks for its attractive, lightweight design – according to our tester, they were able to pummel their muscles for lengthy periods, without their arms aching. Thanks to the ergonomic triangular handle, it was also a cinch to reach tricky areas like the lower back and shoulders. There are three interchangeable heads (a standard ball, thumb and dampener) and three speed settings, which should be sufficient for most.

While the Pro Plus above packs an almighty punch, this petite device is ideal for those who prefer a gentler massaging experience. It’s also super quiet, so you can happily watch TV and massage at the same time. We’re sold.

Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.

She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.

Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.

Yanar has spent 15 years as a health and wellness editor and writer for national titles such as Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World. Yanar is a 580-hour yoga therapist, 200-hour yoga teacher and level 3 personal trainer at Yanar Mind & Movement. After years of running races and marathons, she discovered CrossFit and Olympic lifting in her mid-30s and fell in love with training and competing. She now advocates strength training for women to build a stronger body for life and the benefits of nervous system regulation for better physical and mental health. When not training, teaching or writing, she can be found experimenting in the kitchen.

Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.