Percussion massage technology is now an essential and science-backed recovery tool for professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts and anyone with chronic aches and pains.
New devices are being used in treatments ranging from post-workout recovery to neuropathy and arthritis. But not all massage guns are created equal…
Our testing process is simple: We compare massage gun features, percussion strength, recovery efficacy, and overall value. Read on to find the best percussion massage guns for your money.
Ekko One: Editor’s pick for all around best massage gun – SALE: $109.99 at Mifo.us
Where to buy the Ekko One percussion massage gun
The best massage gun including post-workout, therapeutic massage, and all around recovery use comes from a brand relatively new to the US. But don’t let that scare you off, as the Ekko One massage gun is easily one of the best we have ever tested, and is currently on sale at Mifo.us.
BEST VALUE
OTHER OPTIONS
So what makes the Ekko One massage gun the best all around percussion therapy device?
- The best massage gun for daily use, period. The Ekko One ships with a bevy of features that improve recovery immensely, beginning with its easy to grip form factor. Incredibly sleek, the massage gun is simple to grip and has a large, intuitive display indicating speed and battery level. Tappable buttons speed up or slow down pulsing at 7 speed levels that max out at 3,700 RPM, more than enough power for even the toughest athlete.
- Absurd battery life with rapid charging. The Ekko One itself will run for nearly 6 hours, a feat we tested over several days. Not only that, but the included rapid charging cable can provide an hour of use with just 10 minutes of charge time. We were able to recharge the device fully in just under 30 minutes. That’s stunning, and makes us wonder why massage guns from more expensive brands have just a third of the battery life and take over 90 minutes to recharge.
- Whisper-quiet motor that won’t disturb others or interrupt relaxation. The Ekko One is the only massage gun we tested that will not disturb others around you with audible motor noise. This makes the Ekko One perfect for use at the gym or whilst a partner is sleeping.
- Robust accessory pack for a customized massage experience. The Ekko One includes 6 unique interchangeable massage heads designed for different types of therapeutic massage and recovery. Including these essential elements rather than selling them separately is a big win for Ekko customers. In addition, Ekko have included a carrying case and international adapters for storage or travel.
- US-based warehouse and customer support. We have been continuously disappointed with electronics brands in the past, even from tech giants like Therabody. Part of that disappointment comes with poor or absent customer service and shipping. We tested Ekko on several occasions with questions and every time received proper replies within an hour. That demonstrates commitment to the US market and contributes greatly to our award of Editor’s Pick.
Theragun Prime: Solid percussion massager with room for improvement – $299.00 at Amazon.com
Where to buy the Theragun Prime
If you aren’t price sensitive, Theragun may be the brand for you. This percussion massager ships with fewer features than the Ekko One, but features a unique grip design some may find more appealing.
BEST VALUE
Why Theragun makes the list of percussion massage gun winners
- Excellent marks for massage quality, with some drawbacks. The Theragun Prime offers a complete sports massage experience with a time tested product that simply works. And while Theragun was first on the scene with a truly professional-grade percussion therapy device, an aging feature set and a high price point cost them our top spot. For example, battery life is advertised at 2 hours, of which we were able to achieve no better than 108 minutes of total use.
- Connectivity options to a larger ecosystem. Theragun provides a smartphone app that allows connectivity and recovery massage journaling, features that may be of interest to professional athletes that keep strict control over routine. In practice, the app is useful at tracking specific activities, but we found it unnecessary and stopped using the app after just a few days.
- Quiet operation, but not truly silent. When the Theragun Prime was first released to market, the motor was one of the quietest available. Since that time new technology has led to quieter operation in newer competitor products. That said, the Theragun Prime delivers a mostly quiet experience that should not bother others around you. It may not be appropriate if you tend to use recovery devices when other are sleeping near by.
- A price many simply can’t pay. Theragun rarely offers sale pricing, and that hurts now more than ever. Yes, the product is supremely reliable and from a brand that was one of the first in the space. But with newer devices pushing the boundary of performance and features, we wish the Prime came at a more affordable level.
Hyperice Hypervolt 2: A massage gun with celebrity status you’ll pay for – $249.00 at Amazon.com
Where to buy the Hypervolt 2 massage gun
Hyperice has delved into the warmup and recovery percussion category by focusing on celebrity athletes. And while the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 is an excellent product, it suffers from a hamstrung motor, weighty heft, mediocre battery life, and an astronomical price point, costing Hyperice a higher position in our list.
BEST VALUE
Why Hyperice makes the list of top massage gun picks
- Great warmup or recovery experience that comes at a cost. While Hyperice have engineered a product that is indeed a worthy contender, it does come at a cost. Most of this can be attributed to celebrity-backed campaigns with the likes of Naomi Osaka. We appreciate the need for marketing, but the idea of paying such a high price is a bit much. That’s truly our top concern, as these days asking $349.00 for anything is particularly painful.
- Full-featured, but gets in the way of its own power. Of note are the options to connect with Bluetooth for activity tracking, and 5 interchangeable massage head attachments. And though a 3,200 RPM motor places the Hypervolt at the top of the pack for power, it is limited by only three speed settings and short battery life.
- Built for gym use, but may not work for you on the road. The Hypervolt is rated for airline-approved travel, but the product weight may make that idea less appealing. Coming in at nearly 3 pounds, the Hypervolt is a massage gun that carries real heft. We often found our arms getting tired after ten minutes of holding the Hypervolt during post workout recovery sessions.
Erkin B37: Basic massage gun that performs well, but is priced too high – $229.99 at Amazon.com
Where to buy the Erkin B37 massage gun
Erkin may not be a well known fitness brand, but their entry into the massage gun market has received a warm reception. The B37 is a contender, but is priced too high for what you get compared to other newer competitors. A lack of comparative power also holds back what could otherwise be a great product.
BEST VALUE
Why Erkin makes the list of top massage guns despite some drawbacks
- Well-designed product that stands out from the pack. The B37 allows you to select from five speeds, which helps quickly tune in the perfect amount of pressure based on your needs. That said, we pretty much always set the B37 to 4 or 5 due to a lack of percussion power (more on this later).
- Plenty of accessories included. Erkin includes a robust rigid shell carrying case and plenty of massage head attachments. That’s a welcome inclusion so taking the B37 on the road is worry free. The 4 interchangeable massage heads are well made and should stand the test of time.
- Lack of power and a high price might be deal killers. The B37 struggles to deliver a deep-penetrating percussive wave, which may be due to a lack of power and the overall design of the product. It takes significantly longer to relieve soreness post workout than other products higher on our list, and that may be no go for those with limited time in the day.
Opove Massage Gun: Powerful massager in a slightly awkward design – $169.99 at Amazon.com
Where to buy the Opove massage gun
Chinese brand Opove has made major headway into the US market by building a low cost, relatively high quality presence on Amazon. Their percussion massage gun follows the same model: Create a unique, interesting design and pack it full of features.
BEST VALUE
Opove puts forth a strong first effort in the massage gun category
- Well-designed product that stands out from the pack. The B37 allows you to select from five speeds, which helps quickly tune in the perfect amount of pressure based on your needs. That said, we pretty much always set the B37 to 4 or 5 due to a lack of percussion power (more on this later).
- Unique design is awkward to hold. Opove created a unique massage gun shape, adding curves and color. But the handle angle and weighting is awkward to hold, in particular when trying to reach the neck and back. Some areas of the body may be simply impossible to reach with the Opove.
- Battery life needs to be improved. Though Opove states their massage gun can be used continuously for nearly 4 hours, our test returned a mere 2 hour use time, or half the stated battery life.
- Percussion power is weaker than competitors. The Opove fails to deliver adequate power, and downright stopped working when used under pressure. This is typically the result of an underpowered motor, and should not happen at this price point.
Runners-up: Best Percussion Massage Gun
There are many, many massage guns in the market these days. And while we attempt to test as many as possible for our readers, some units simply don’t make the cut. Here’s a quick peek at percussion massagers that didn’t make the list.
VYBE – $99.99 at Amazon.com
VYBE is a fitness company known for decent quality and value, but the VYBE Pro is a halfhearted attempt that misses on many areas of functionality and a bland design aesthetic. VYBE could get there some day with future generations, and we will keep our eyes open, but the VYBE Pro massager just isn’t fit in its current form.
Theragun Elite – $399.99 at Amazon.com
Theragun did earn a spot in our top list with the Prime, and we were excited to learn the PRO – a higher cost option – would be coming to the US. Unfortunately the Elite is not worth the enormous cost, with unimpressive battery life and similar features to cheaper models from the same brand. We do fully endorse the idea of creating something for professional athletes, but not when the device itself brings little added value.
Bob and Brad Deep Tissue Percussion Massager Gun – $109.99 at Amazon.com
Bob and Brad have been developing recovery massage products for several years, and the second generation of percussion massage gun represents the flagship in their series. But a high price and relatively few unique features left us wanting more. Much more to be exact.
REATHLETE DEEP4s – $169.99 at Amazon.com
REATHLETE’ DEEP4s suffers from poor massaging power, battery life, and questionable construction. That said, the handle shape is comfortable to grip and a stand out in the category. Unfortunately, that benefit does not make up for the high price tag.