The Best Massage Guns to Hack Your Recovery
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In case you’re wondering, Mark Wahlberg’s favorite massage gun is the Power Plate Pulse ($299). I haven’t tested that one (yet), but if you ask me, the best massage guns are the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 ($199) and the Therabody Theragun Pro Plus ($599).
Massage guns relieve muscle tension and increase blood flow for faster recovery. Jacklyn Plonski, an outpatient orthopedic and pediatric physical therapist, likens percussive therapy devices to using a foam roller or getting a professional physical therapy treatment. In her words, “As we exercise, we cause breakdown within the muscle fibers, which in turn stimulates muscle growth and regrowth, hypertrophy, and strength.”
After consulting the experts and testing them on myself pre- and post-workout, I’ve rounded up a lineup of the best massage guns. Plonksi notes there are no known risks for healthy users, but as always, check with your physician before adding massage devices to your routine. And if you’re deep into your wellness journey, be sure to read our guides to the Best Therabody Tools and Best Massagers.
| Next Up |
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| I'll be testing Bob and Brad Q2 Mini Massage Gun for $90, Ekrin Athletics Kestrel Massage Gun for $330, Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro for $329, and Power Plate Pulse for $299. I'm also retesting Sharper Image Powerboost Pro+ for $150. |
Updated May 2025: I've overhauled the guide with new picks.
Features to Look For
Grip and ergonomics: The best massage guns are designed to be wielded one-handed without wrist strain. Some models—like the Theragun Pro Plus—go beyond the standard pistol grip, featuring multi-grip designs to reach trickier spots.
Weight: Lighter massage guns are easier to hold, aim, and travel with. Heavier models are generally more powerful but can get exhausting, especially during longer sessions.
Speed settings: Most massage guns have multiple speed levels, measured in percussions per minute (PPM). You don’t need a huge variety; what matters is the range: a low setting (~1,800 PPM) for warm-up, a medium (~2,400) for general use, and a high (~3,200) for deep tissue.
Noise level: Under 60 decibels is ideal if you’re worried about noise.
Battery life: Look for models that provide at least 60 minutes of continuous use. While more is nice, it is not necessary. However, higher settings and certain attachments will drain the battery faster.
Attachments: Many muscle massage guns now come with a variety of interchangeable heads for a customizable experience. While more isn’t always better, it’s nice to have options. Round head attachments are typically used for general recovery; bullet heads target knots, and forked attachments can cradle tendons or glide along your spine. Some brands even offer attachments for heated and cold therapies.
App integration: There are massage guns that sync with apps. These apps can guide you through personalized recovery routines, track usage, or sync with Apple Health. While not essential, they offer a nice perk.
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Best Overall
The Hypervolt 2 is the best value massage gun on this list. It’s usually under $200 and lighter than most Theraguns, but it doesn’t skimp on power with its brushless 60W motor. You get five attachments out of the box, along with an impressive three-hour battery life. It syncs with the Hyperice app via Bluetooth, which isn’t required but nice if you want to capitalize on the guided routines. It’s not quite as extra or customizable as the Theragun Pro Plus, but for most people, it’s more than enough.
Specs Weight 1.8 pounds Power and Speed 3 speeds of percussion Battery Life ~3 hours Attachments 5 (fork, ball, cushion, flat, bullet) Best for Athletes
The Theragun Pro Plus (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the priciest model in the lineup, and it shows. It’s Therabody’s most feature-packed, pro-grade model—favored by athletic trainers and college sports programs. Some of its selling points include built-in heat therapy, a vibration head for sensitive areas and near-infrared LED therapy to aid with blood circulation. There’s also a breathwork mode that syncs with the integrated heart rate sensor (also found on the $299 Theragun Sense), which is helpful for winding down.
Cons: It’s heavy and expensive. If you want cold therapy too, that’ll cost you an extra $89 for a separate attachment.
Specs Weight 3.64 pounds Speed Settings 5 Battery Life ~150 minutes Attachments 5 (Standard Ball, Dampener, Thumb, Wedge, Micro-point)
Best Portable
This is the stripped-down Theragun. The Mini 2 is 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than the original, making it the most compact for travel bags, gym lockers, or anyone who wants recovery on the go. The triangular design makes it easy to dig into calves and quads with precision, though it’s less graceful for hitting the lower back. It comes in a soft carrying case and is rechargeable via USB-C. If you’re not hung up on portability, though, the Theragun Relief ($149) is the same price and is better for at-home recovery. Therabody also recently released the Mini 3, which I’m currently testing and will report back.
Specs Weight 1 pound Speed Settings 3 Battery Life ~120 minutes Attachments 3 (standard Ball, dampener, thumb) Best Battery
The Turonic GM5 is powered by a 160-watt brushless motor with 20 intensity modes, ranging from 1100 to 3200 PPM. It comes with seven massage heads and boasts up to eight hours of battery life. It’s the quietest I’ve tested, registering at about 40 decibels. A couple of Amazon reviewers have noted issues with its durability, reporting that it broke after a few sessions. I have only been testing it for two weeks so far, so I can’t comment on its longevity. The GM5 also powers on at max speed by default, which can be jarring at first.
Specs Weight 1.63 pounds Speed Settings 20 Battery Life ~8 hours Attachments 7 (ball, stainless steel head, stainless steel cylinder head, flat head, cone head, fork head, head with bumps)
Most Attachments
The LifePro Sonic has eight attachments, which makes it the most versatile percussion massage gun we've tried: round for sore muscles, shovel for back pain, flat for a deep tissue massage experience, air for sensitive spots, wishbone for joints and hard-to-reach muscle groups, bullet for trigger points, spinal to loosen up the lower back, and a textured tip for muscle pain relief. It’s one of the heavier ones I’ve tested, about 2.5 pounds, and it doesn’t have the LCD screen like the Pro Plus. But you do get five speeds and a battery indicator. It’s less polished than Therabody or Hyperice, but practical and decent for the price.
Specs Weight 2.2 pounds Speed Settings 5 Battery Life ~6 hours Attachments 8 (round, shovel, wishbone, flat, air, bullet, spinal, textured) Hot and Cold Therapy
Sharper Image Powerboost Pro+ is former reviewer Medea Giordano's go-to deep tissue massage gun. It comes with six silicone heads and a dual-temperature attachment that offers cold and heat therapy, ranging from 38 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use the temp settings on their own or combine them with one of six massage speeds. According to Medea, it’s impressively quiet, even when cranked up, which makes it ideal for shared spaces or nighttime use.
Specs Weight 3 pounds Speed Settings 6 Battery Life ~5 hours Attachments 6 (bar, cone, dual, hot+cold, percussion, round)
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