7 Best Massage Guns for Muscle Recovery, Tested by Fitness Editors

What to Consider

To learn more about what to look for in a massage gun, we spoke with Vinh Pham, PT, a physical therapist and the founder of Myodetox, a manual therapy and movement clinic with locations in Canada and the U.S. According to Pham, the three most important things are reliability, noise, and battery life. "I need something that I know is well-made and won’t malfunction during operation, especially because I’m using it on injured athletes. Noise is the next most important factor. I need to be able to talk to my athletes over the noise of the gun without yelling at them."

Noise

Keeping treatment quiet is a major priority. "Personally, noise to me is number one," says Pham. "I want to be able to use the massage guns in public, and having it sound like a power tool would make it unusable." This is a feeling that I also agree with; especially when treating yourself around other people, you can feel self-conscious.

Battery Life

Next up is battery life, as PTs and athletes can’t have guns dying in the middle of treatment. Pham says that he expects a massage gun to last several full days without requiring a charge. "You’ll also want to be able to throw the gun in your bag or take it on a weekend trip without worrying about finding an outlet," Pham says.

Reliability

Given the fact that massage guns are required to vibrate intensely in order to get the job done, it's not the kind of product you want to be sent with loose screws. Given how much the market has grown in recent years, there have been a lot of knock-off brands releasing sub-par models that won't go the distance. Hands-on experience, like our team at Men's Health focuses on, is important in the research process. All of our picks have been vetted for durability, but it comes as no surprise that if you want the best and a brand name you can trust, you should expect to spend a little more.

Speed and Power

Sufficient speed, or percussions per minute (PPM), plays a role in how the gun promotes blood flow. The higher the percussive rate, the more it can stimulate circulation. Look for a massage gun with a high percussive force and adjustable speed settings so you can deliver adequate force to different muscles. Another factor to consider is amplitude, which describes the amount of distance the massage head travels back and forth. This controls how effectively you can target certain muscle groups and how deeply the massager can get into the muscle tissue.

Just as important as amplitude is the gun's stall force, or the amount of pressure that the motor can apply to the muscle before it stops working. The higher the stall force, the more powerful a massage the gun can put out. Remember, though, that a massage gun shouldn't necessarily attack your muscles. In fact, for most people, less force is more. So don't get overly caught up in having the most "powerful" gun on the market; you likely won't need it to gain recovery benefits.

Attachments

Different attachments can provide different massage techniques and sensations that may be suitable for different muscles. Many massage guns tout a host of attachments, but realize this: You'll likely just use a handful of these (or sometimes, your favorite one). So don't get deluded into purchasing because of multiple attachments. Once you've purchased your massage gun, be sure to properly research what attachments are effective for what muscles. Using the wrong attachment can dramatically alter the effectiveness of the massage gun.

Size and Weight

A portable and lightweight massage gun is ideal, especially if you plan to use it on the go or travel with it. Consider the weight, size, and the case included.

Additional Accessories

Of course, even the best guns leave room for improvement. Some options come with convenient travel cases and charging stands—something Pham would like to see more products offer. He also mentions that dishwasher-safe attachment heads would make for easier cleaning. And, as the market continues to progress, he hopes for smaller (yet still powerful) designs and Bluetooth app integration.

Meet the Experts

• Renato Sanchez, PT, DPT, C.S.C.S., is a doctor of physical therapy working for MLS soccer club Real Salt Lake.
• Vinh Pham, PT, a physical therapist and the founder of Myodetox.

FAQs

Why Use a Percussion Massage Gun?

Sanchez recommends first asking yourself why you’re considering a massage gun. "What are you looking to get out of one? Is it for recovery, pain relief, or helping you reach your fitness goals? If you answered yes to any of those, then you might be a good candidate to add one to your shopping cart," he explains.

"Massage guns can be used as an alternative to the foam roller as a self-myofascial release tool," adds Pham. He notes that benefits include everything from decreased stress, pain, and tissue tension to enhanced recovery, blood circulation, and range of motion.

"You can use it pre-workout to warm up the muscles and post-workout to decrease tightness and soreness," says Pham.

How to Use a Percussion Massage Gun

You don’t want to spend hours upon hours using your massage gun. Instead, you’ll want to spend 90 to 120 seconds on any given muscle group, floating the gun across that area, according to Samuel. "Aim to follow the direction of the muscle fibers. That means running your gun across your chest, from the center toward your shoulder, instead of running it up and down your chest."

But be mindful to not run your massage gun across joints; you want to keep it focused on the soft tissue only. "And don’t try to aggressively drive the gun deep into the muscle, expecting more 'relief.' Using a massage gun shouldn’t hurt," explains Samuel.

Want to learn more on how you should be using one of these buzzy tools? Check out our how-to-use massage guns guide for instructions for best practices before, during, and after workouts.

Can a Massage Gun Really Aid Muscle Recovery?

Massage guns have gained a lot of popularity in recent years as a tool for muscle recovery—but do they really work? The blunt answer is they can. But it all depends on how, when, and where you use them.

These massagers offer rapid, percussive strokes designed to penetrate the muscle tissue, stimulate blood flow, and help break up adhesions. The research on the effectiveness of massage guns for muscle recovery is promising, but still limited.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that using a massage gun on the quadriceps muscles after exercise resulted in a significant reduction in muscle soreness and an increase in muscle flexibility compared to a control group. Another study found that using a massage gun after exercise improved blood flow to the muscles and reduced muscle fatigue.

So, they can help with muscle soreness with correct use, but shouldn't be used as a replacement for other recovery methods such as rest, proper nutrition, active stretching, and dynamic mobility work.

How to Target Hard-to-Reach Areas With a Percussion Massage Gun

We asked Sanchez how folks can get to those hard-to-reach areas with their massage guns. Here's his take: "Massage guns mainly target superficial muscles making it hard to isolate deeper musculature. Therefore, yes, the location of muscles can impact the effectiveness of this modality.

I think it’s safe to say the majority of people can reach the front side of their bodies using a massage gun, but you’ll need decent shoulder mobility if you’re looking to target the mid and low back. That’s when you’d want to get a massage gun that is more ergonomic or can be adjusted.

If mobility is a limiting factor, you may consider trading the massage gun for a lacrosse ball for pinpoint contact. Sometimes you might just be better off asking a friend, what’s the saying … I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine?"