For athletes looking to beat knots, boost muscle recovery and speed up workout recovery, massage guns are a great option. They’re battery-powered handheld percussion massagers that deliver deep and forceful hits to muscles, which helps identify trigger points, says fitness expert Dave Fredericson. “They can also help to break up adhesions and scar tissue, which can help with mobility,” he adds.
But if you’re new to this type of self-massage, it can be overwhelming to choose the best massage gun from the many available on the market. Our experts vetted the most popular models for durability, reliability and features to narrow down our picks below. They’ve been grouped by price, massage speeds, battery life, attachments and weight for easy comparison.
The Ekrin Athletic Bantam is one of the least-compromised compact massage guns on the market, offering a 10-millimeter stroke length and 35-pound stall force in a premium package that includes an angled handle and convenient USB-C charging. For those who want a similar experience in a smaller size, the Vybe Flex Percussion is less expensive but feels cheaper and doesn’t have as many available head attachments as the Ekrin.
The second generation of the Theragun Mini offers the same functionality as the original version, but it’s lighter and quieter with a longer battery life. It’s perfect for travel and has six head attachments including a fork, bullet, cushion, flat and air-cushioned. It’s compatible with the Theragun app for access to preset guided routines, which helps to save and track your progress over time. best massage gun