It didn’t perform as well as other options on our list, but we think it’s still a good investment if you’re seeking a truly deep-tissue massage. With a stall force of 60 pounds, six head attachments, and a rotating arm, the Theragun Pro offers maximum intensity and versatility for treating sore muscles—earning a perfect score for effectiveness. After testing the Renpho R4 Pro Massage Gun, we found it to be truly the most versatile massage gun we’ve tried. With six different attachments and four speeds for each one, we were able to use this gun in multiple ways.
Lifepro’s Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun is less intimidating than other heavy-duty massage guns. The battery lasts three to six hours, depending on which speed you use, and consists of five speeds ranging from 1,200 to 2,800 revolutions per minute. The LED panel on the Sonic has all the speeds and battery life listed in one place. This design makes it easier to read the speed it’s set on and if it needs to be charged.
“A normal massage gun runs at about 20 to 30 pounds with eight to 10 millimeters of movement or amplitude. While there are few downsides to this much-beloved massage gun, it’s worth noting that its shape and lack of a carrying renpho foot massager case make it hard to take on the go. With eight different heads and five different speeds, the MyoPro is the perfect device for those wanting strong percussion therapy, and one of the most versatile devices we’ve tested.
It can massage quickly and pretty fiercely, but our tester’s experience was pain-free. Its manual is helpful, and it comes with a USB charging cable for on-the-go refuelling. The chunky handle shakes heavily at full power, but that was our tester’s only niggle, and lowering the speed is a doddle should your arm start to ache.
The handle vibrated a lot on the highest speed setting, causing our arm to ache after a while, but this can easily be remedied by turning the power down for a more soothing percussive therapy session. Then, we took the massage guns home for four weeks, where we worked them into our R&R routine with hours of massages. We switched out the attachments, tried the different intensities, and evaluated the battery life.
It was one of the quietest gadgets on test, so you can use it in the changing room without disturbing others. It feels a little cheap, but it does its job well at a great price. 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”.
It’s hard to contest the credentials of a sports brand that boasts Cristiano Ronaldo among its clientele — the 38-year-old swears by Therabody sessions to recover from tough matches and training sessions. So, as you might expect, the Theragun Elite exudes quality from handle to renpho massage massage head. From the sleek black and grey colourway alone, you can tell our champion massage gun means business. The massage arm packs one hell of a punch and proved effective at flushing testers’ aching muscles with blood, helping them recover from high volume sessions.
Usually, I answer this question with “it depends,” as whether or not a product is worth the price does depend on many factors, largely personal budget. The Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 is our travel pick because it is lightweight and portable. It weighs less than 2 pounds, comes with three plug adapters for international outlets, and is TSA-compliant for carry-on. Isabella Broggini is a health writer and editor, NASM-certified personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist. Alena Hall is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. While the plethora of features may seem like overkill for casual athletes, we think these premium touches make the PRO a consummate recovery companion for the fitness faithful.
The composite body is very nicely executed, and the titanium swirl effect looks very classy. Finally, we have the air cushion head, which is for sensitive areas and bony parts. Note that the instructions warn you not to include your head or genitals in that list, though, since it can lead to serious injuries… The ‘bullet’ is for precision work – joints, palms, soles of the feet and so on – while the hard composite ‘fork’ head avoids direct contact with the spine when you want to do your neck. The grip features a silicone wrap, so no need to worry about sweaty, slippery hands after a workout.
Massage guns use percussive therapy, a form of soft tissue massage that relies on vibrations to relieve muscle tension. Percussive therapy relieves aches, sore muscles, knots, tension and other pains. People with labor-intensive jobs and those who work on their feet all day or spend many hours at a desk job can benefit from percussive therapy and massage guns, too. Begin by choosing an attachment that will complement the muscle group you’re treating.