Do massage guns work? We put the 9 best to the test, plus consulted experts

You seem tense — can we help?

Chances are, if you clicked this article, you and your body could use some TLC by way of the best massage gun.

A massage gun is really exactly what it sounds like. The device pulses or vibrates (or both) at a high speed, and when applied to your skin, it works to relax the muscles underneath, similar to that of a typical spa massage.

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Massage gun benefits are many, but to differentiate from a spa treatment, the gadgets are smaller, easy to transport, can be used at home on yourself or a partner and can be far more affordable than going to a spa or even a chiropractor every time you need a rub down. After all, they make great luxury gifts for men and women.

Those with medical concerns or physical injuries are advised to seek guidance from a medical professional prior to incorporating any massage tools into their routine or before relying exclusively on such tools for relief.

Instead, think of massage guns as a great way for an athlete to massage overworked muscles, those that sit at a desk all day to work out knots in their shoulders or backs and for a full-body pick-me-up whenever you need, so long as you use the device correctly.

The New York Post reviewed some of the best massage guns from top-ranked brands. Learn what we love about these machines, what could use some improvement, and which one is right for you. Almost all of these guns are FSA eligible, so you can use pre-tax dollars from your health insurance provider to pick up one of these self-care tools.

We also consulted Camila Perez, a licensed massage therapist, esthetician, and certified manual lymphatic drainage therapist, to answer some frequently asked questions about massage guns. Read on for Perez’s expert advice after 20 years of working with the body, plus her top picks below our massage gun reviews.

Do massage guns work? 100%. As far as full-service massage guns go, this is one of — if not the — most comprehensive option available. Using the mini screen on the back of the device, you can follow different pre-programmed massage routines to target specific areas of your body, such as your neck or back. There are also massage routines to help you warm up before exercising and recover afterward, as well as guided breathing exercises to help you prepare for sleep or simply reduce stress. The breathing exercises work by holding the device sideways against your chest, then following the gentle vibrations with your breaths.

The Theragun PRO Plus also has an LED light on the front that you can toggle on and off to give yourself a little LED light treatment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, red LED light travels into your skin and is meant to treat conditions such as eczema, wrinkles and sun damage. It’s unclear how much your skin will benefit from the LED light on this massage gun, but if that’s a feature you’re looking for, this is one of the only options with it.

Speeds: N/A | Battery Life: N/A | Weight: 5.71 pounds | Accessories: LED light, includes six head attachments plus a heated attachment, padded case included, biometric sensor measures your heart rate

The Theragun Sense offers more than what you might expect from a massage gun. That’s largely thanks to the device’s intelligent programming, which guides you nearly step-by-step through different massage regimens for different areas of your body.

It works by showing you where to place the device on the back of the massager’s mini screen. Then, it massages that area for a set amount of time before showing the next area to move it to. If you want to target reducing tension specifically in your neck or lower back, this machine has you covered.

It also has an interesting guided breathing function that requires you to hold the device sideways against your chest. It then softly vibrates at different frequencies that you follow by breathing in and out accordingly. A nice stress-reduction option that makes this massage gun impressively holistic.

Speeds: 5 built-in muscle massager speeds | Battery Life: N/A | Weight: 3.4 pounds | Accessories: Biometric sensor measures your heart rate, box includes four attachment heads, padded case included

Massage guns can easily cost upwards of $100, $200, and even $300 dollars, so having affordable options such as the Sonic from LifePro is great. Most consumers probably can’t tell the difference between the massaging power of an under-$100 massage gun and one of the luxury models — after all, they’re designed to perform the same basic function. That means you can benefit plenty from the Sonic without worrying that you’re missing out too much.

This model has a power switch on the back and a button that’s easy to reach while holding the handle, so you can operate it with one hand. It also has one of the lowest vibration options of all the handheld massage guns we tested, which is great if you want a light massage.

Speeds: 5 intensity levels | Battery Life: 6 hours | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Accessories: Includes eight head attachments, charges via a proprietary power adapter, has a removable battery

This straightforward massage gun from Hyperice does exactly what you think a massage gun should do, plus it gives you the option to add some extra functionality. Its design is a bit top-heavy, but the lighter handle is nice in that it reduces the overall weight of the device. It operates with one button to power it on and press again to cycle through the three speed settings. If you’ve never used a massage gun before and aren’t sure about how to operate one, the Hypervolt 2 is totally intuitive.

You can get the additional heated head attachment if you want to try some warm massaging. The attachment charges separately from the massage gun and has its own button for powering on and switching between three heat levels.

However, because this attachment has a hard plastic exterior, it can be uncomfortable to use. It also can fall out if you use the gun at odd angles, so be careful only to use it directly perpendicular to your body.

Speeds: 3 Speeds | Battery Life: Up to 3 hours | Weight: 3.52 pounds | Accessories: Includes five head attachments with tiny zippered carrying case, pairs via Bluetooth to Hyperice app

Many massage gun brands offer miniature options, and the Atom from HYDRAGUN is a fantastic choice if you don’t want a larger model. The best thing about a smaller massage gun is how easily you can move it around yourself without bumping the handle into anything.

The fact that the zippered case has room for the massage gun, its head attachments and the charging adapter is another big plus. This device uses a single button to power on and cycle through speed settings, making it easy to figure out for anyone new to the world of massage guns.

Speeds: 3 speeds | Battery Life: 5 hours | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Accessories: Includes three head attachments, semi-hardshell carrying case, and charges via USB-C

For a mini massage that also packs a punch, we love the Theragun Mini. We actually reviewed this one ourselves, falling in love with how portable the device itself was, but also how the attachments and power were on par with the larger versions.

New York Post Review: “The Theragun Mini is ultra-powerful yet portable, giving you no excuse not to take it with you to warm-up or cool down your sore muscles, whether you opt for a pilates class, ski day, HIIT workout, or anything in between. It has three different power settings to offer you as much or as little percussion as you prefer when targeting more sensitive muscle groups. I love that it has a long battery life, lightweight design, and convenient case to take it on the go.

It’s super user-friendly, with a comfortable grip and simple controls. Another thing to note is that while the Theragun isn’t silent, it’s a relatively quiet model. I’ve had my device for nearly four years, and the relief it provides is priceless — and quick.

However, I would also add that its pre-workout usage is incredibly underrated, allowing your muscles to stretch and warm up as it improves tightness and pain points before you even hit the gym, giving you more stamina to get the most out of your workout. The Theragun Mini never fails to leave my muscles feeling soothed; it’s genuinely impressive with every use. While my experience with larger and more sophisticated massage guns is limited, I believe this is an excellent value for the price and size, but more importantly, the compact size really encourages daily use so that I feel like I’m using the full benefits of the product.

Pro tip: give this your partner as a gift, and you can both reap the benefits.” – Meaghan Roche, senior commerce manager of SEO

Speeds: 3 built-in muscle massager speeds | Battery Life: 120-minute battery life | Weight:1.5 pounds | Accessories: 3 attachments

Our massage expert picked this massage gun, as well as rave reviews from customers. The price is steeper than some on this list, but is pretty comparable to the higher-end Therabody devices and comes with attachments and power to back it up.

Customer Review: “Still going strong after 3 years! I bought the original version back in 2020, and the thing is still going strong. I use it almost every day and have saved thousands of dollars by not having to pay for massages as frequently. The battery holds its charge and has not diminished since first purchase. The power is fantastic and it’s quite enough to use while watching TV. This thing is a go-to workout companion,” reads a review on the site. You can also find the massage gun on Amazon, where it has a 4.6-star rating and over 600 reviews.

Speeds: 5 speeds of percussion | Battery Life: Up to 3 hours with a detachable battery | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Accessories: N/A

The Multifunctional Massage Gun has 10 interchangeable massage heads, each targeting specific muscle groups. It helps circulate blood, reduces lactic acid buildup, and alleviates soreness after exercise. It’s basically a secret weapon to get on your feet and recover much quicker than without using one of these guns.

It has 20-speed levels, controlled with an LCD touch screen, allowing users to adjust the intensity to suit their needs, with the powerful motor delivering between 1,200 and 3,200 strikes per minute based on your needs.

Our favorite part about this massage gun is that it operates with ultra-quiet efficiency, generating noise levels of 50 decibels or less.

Customer Review: “I’ve been using the TOLOCO Massage Gun for a few weeks now, and I’m really impressed. The different attachments are perfect for targeting various muscle areas, and it’s powerful yet quiet. I love that the carry case makes it easy to take on the go, and the build feels solid and durable. Even at the lower settings, it provides a deep massage, which is great for sore muscles after a workout or just relieving everyday tension.”

Speeds: 7 speeds | Battery Life: N/A comes with a USB charger | Weight: 3 pounds | Accessories: 10 massage heads

Talk about an Amazon all-star. This massage gun was the first pick on the massage gun page of the site and for good reason. It now has more than 23,000+ reviews and an average 4.5-star rating, making it a customer favorite. We also love it for its many attachments and the price, which frequently goes on sale.

Customer Review: “It’s easy to assemble (changing out the various massager pieces, per targeted muscle), easy to use (just turn on at the bottom, and tap up or down for preferred speed), and great battery life! I really enjoy both KNOWING the battery life at all times, and simply TAPPING the up and down button for preferred massaging speed. The LED lighted numbers for speed and battery life are easily visible, and the overall massager is easy to hold while using.”

Speeds: 20 speeds | Battery Life: 2-hour battery life | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Accessories: Comes with 10 different massage heads and a sturdy carrying case

FAQ with expert Camila Perez:

Q: What do massage guns really do? A: “They use rapid and repetitive pressure to target specific areas of the body,” said Perez. “Overall, massage guns can be an effective tool for promoting muscle recovery, reducing pain, and improving mobility.” She then listed the five major things that happen in the body during a massage, listed below:

• 1. Increase blood flow: Massage guns can help increase blood flow to the targeted area, which can help deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and other tissues and remove waste products.
• 2. Reduce muscle tension: The rapid pressure of massage guns can help reduce muscle tension by promoting the release of trigger points and increasing blood flow to the affected area.
• 3. Decrease pain: Massage guns can help decrease pain by promoting the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers, and reducing inflammation in the muscles.
• 4. Break up scar tissue and adhesions: Massage guns can help break up scar tissue and adhesions by breaking down the collagen fibers that make them up.
• 5. Improve range of motion: Massage guns can help improve the range of motion by reducing muscle tension and promoting the release of adhesions and scar tissue.

Q: What areas of the body can I use a massage gun on? A: “Large muscle groups — massage guns can be used on large muscle groups, such as the quads, hamstrings, calves, and back, to help reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow,” said Perez. “Sore or tight spots — massage guns can be used to target specific areas that are sore or tight, such as trigger points or knots. [And] areas of tension — massage guns can be used to work out areas of tension, such as the neck, shoulders, and hips.”

Q: Where should I NOT use a massage gun? A: “Massage guns should not be used on bony areas, such as the spine, ribs, or joints, as they can cause discomfort or even injury,” said Perez. “Massage guns should also not be used directly on nerves or blood vessels, as they can cause damage or irritation. Massage guns should not be used on injured or inflamed areas, as they can aggravate the condition and delay healing.”

Q: What is the best way to begin to use a massage gun? A: “Turn the device on before you start, in the lower setting, and increase gradually,” explained Perez. “Hold the massager perpendicularly, and let the head graze the skin over the muscle. Resist the urge to push the massager into your muscle — the up and down motion of the gun will do the work for you. Just float the massage head on the skin, or over a thin layer of clothing. Some massage guns will stall if you apply too much pressure during your session to prevent injury or bruising.

Q: This hurts. Is that okay? A: “A little discomfort is okay, but stop the gun if you feel actual pain. If someone uses a massage gun on you, speak up if you feel pain,” warned Perez.

Other things to consider

How do I choose a massage gun? Consider factors like power, speed settings, amplitude (stroke length), noise level, battery life, and ergonomics.

What is the best brand of massage gun? It depends on what you’re looking for, but brands like Therabody (formerly known as TheraGun) and Hyperice are currently our two top picks.

Other quality brands to consider? Renpho, AERLANG, Fitrx (sold exclusively at Walmart) and OLsky.

Check out New York Post Shopping for more content.