Best Percussion Massage Guns for Deep Tissue Massages
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There aren’t many things that can bring you down as much as aching, tired, or sore muscles. Whether this is from a sports injury or a pre-existing condition, the discomfort can leave you feeling drained. But there may be a viable solution to this problem in the form of a percussion massage gun.
Massage Guns Comparison Chart
Theragun Elite | RENPHO R4 Pro Massage Gun | Flyby F1Pro Massage Gun | Hyperice Hypervolt Bluetooth Massage Gun | Theragun Mini | |
  |   |   |   |   | |
Speed Settings | 5 speeds | 4 speeds | 3 speeds | 3 speeds | 3 speeds |
Amplitude | 16 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | 13 mm | 12 mm |
Attachments | 5 attachments (dampener, standard ball, wedge, cone, thumb) | 6 attachments (bullet head, air-cushion head, M ball head, flat head, fork head, L ball head) | 6 attachments (standard ball, large ball, spinal, flat hammer, wedge, bullet) | 5 attachments (bullet, fork, round, flat, cushion) | 1 attachment (standard ball) |
Dimensions | 9.5" x 6.7" x 2.8" | 10.47" x 10.63" x 3.80" | 7" x 7" x 2" | 10" x 5.23" x 3.25" | 5.4" x 4.3" x 1.6" |
Connectivity | Bluetooth | N/A | N/A | Bluetooth | N/A |
Weight | 2.2 lbs | 2.2 lbs | 1.8 lbs | 3 lbs | 1.4 lbs |
Battery Life | Up to 120 mins | 240 – 360 mins | 240 mins | Up to 180 mins | Up to 150 mins |
Price |
What is a Massage Gun?
A massage gun is an electric device that uses a thumping motion to massage sore, knotty, aching muscles. For people who do not have the time or the budget to attend regular sports therapist massage appointments, a massage gun is a great way to get similar benefits from the comfort of your own home.
This is a handheld device that features a comfortable grip and a tip that is used to stimulate the muscles. Some of the most powerful massage guns can pound away up to 2500 per minute so it isn’t difficult to see why they are considered to be so effective.
You may sometimes hear this type of treatment being called percussive therapy or percussive massage, but these are all based on the use of the same device. You will likely be asking what makes a massage gun different from any other type of massage tool? In short, a massage gun uses a much lower frequency and can penetrate the muscles much more deeply.
Unlike other types of at-home massage therapy, the massage gun is able to provide an experience similar to a deep-tissue massage that you would get from a therapist. The tips on the massage gun have a finger-like motion and apply a very firm pressure. Furthermore, when compared to higher-frequency treatments, the body will not become ‘used to’ the sensation and therefore, the pain relief is longer-lasting.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Massage Gun?
The idea of a deep tissue massage is to remove a build-up of fluid from the muscles such as lactic acid and blood, therefore reducing inflammation and soothing aches and pains. Using the gun will help to relieve tension and stiffness within the muscles leaving them feeling less tight. Not only this but blood circulation is vastly improved and this is known to improve pain.
But the benefits certainly don’t end here. For those who are recovering from muscle injuries or swelling, deep tissue massage like that which is delivered by a massage gun can be highly effective. Furthermore, those suffering with fibromyalgia have been noted to have seen short-term pain relief when using this type of massage therapy.
If you have scar tissue on the muscles, this can translate into stiffness and the inability to move freely. This is because the muscles become less elastic the more scarring they incur. However, the massage gun is able to break up this scar tissue and help users regain some of the lost movement.
But along with the notable health benefits, using a massage gun has some practical advantages that cannot be ignored. If you are unable to attend regular deep tissue therapy sessions, then a massage gun is a great alternative. With modern products that have the ability to almost perfectly replicate their human counterparts, you can receive the benefits of such a massage without having to leave your home.
Finally, with a significant reduction in pain, there is a good chance that your mood will be improved and your quality of life brought back to what it once was.
Are Massage Guns Safe?
One important thing to consider is that while there are many benefits linked with this type of at-home therapy, a massage gun can never replace the advice and expertise of a human therapist.
For this reason, we would always urge you to err on the side of caution when using these products and ensure that it is done safely. While a massage gun may cause a level of ‘nice pain’, it should never hurt; if it does, this may be a sign that the treatment is not right for you.
It is important to only use the massage gun on muscles and never for bone, nerve, or skin damage. Furthermore, for patients who suffer with a loss of sensation, a massage gun may not be suitable.
Deep Tissue Massage Gun Buyer’s Guide
When it comes to choosing a massage gun, you need to make certain that the product you are selecting will meet your needs. While there are many excellent massage guns out there, there may also be those that aren’t quite up to standard.
Looking at the following features will help you to discover a massage gun that will deliver impeccable results.
Adjustable Speeds
Depending on which part of the body you will be massaging, various speeds may be needed. For example, larger muscle groups may require something quicker and more intense so it is important to look for a massage gun that has a variety of speed settings.
The speed of your massage gun will be given in RPM, but it is important to keep in mind that just because the speed is higher, that doesn’t mean that the massage will penetrate any deeper. This is down to amplitude.
Frequencies & Amplitudes
As well as an adjustable speed, it is important to look at the frequency and amplitude. Where speed is given in RPM, amplitude is given in PPM (percussions per minute) and the higher this number, the more deeply the massage therapy will penetrate the muscle.
Amplitude is often considered to be more important than speed, because even if you set the massage gun to the lowest speed and the highest amplitude, you will get much more intense results than if you were to set them in the opposite manner.
Portability
A massage gun is often used on the go so it needs to be easily portable. The size and weight of the massage gun should mean that it is easy to pop into your bag or can be carried separately without getting in the way.
However, you should also think about the size and weight when you are using the massage gun. Even if you won’t be taking it out the home, it is important that you are able to comfortably hold it for the duration of the therapy session. This is particularly important if you are trying to access hard to reach areas. In this instance, it is worth considering whether you would need an assistant.
Battery Life
If you require slightly longer therapy sessions, it is likely that you will need a massage gun with a slightly longer battery life. This is also convenient for people who are traveling or on the go. Many users will use their massage guns after working out at the gym and being able to store it in your gym bag without needing to charge it after every use is convenient.
Some massage guns have a very low battery life of as little as 40 minutes and while this isn’t good for many people, if you are often at home and able to charge the battery frequently, this won’t be such an issue. However, at the other end of the scale, there are massage guns that last a few hours.
Attachments
Every part of the body is different and will require different types of massage therapy. If you were to see a physical therapist, the way that they worked on your legs would be different to the way they worked on your neck and so on. For this reason, it is important that you look for a massage gun that comes with a selection of interchangeable heads.
However, this does depend on where on the body you need to treat. If you only have one area that causes you pain then this may not be such an important consideration. On the hand, for those who regularly have pain in different locations, the option to change the head to target different parts of the body is vital.
You may also wish to think about how easy the attachments are to fit. Users will require convenient and quick changes so that they can get on with treating their pain.
Noise Level
When you are using your massage gun, the last thing you want is a noisy experience. This type of therapy should be a relaxing experience and many people combine it with watching a movie or listening to some music. A noisy massage gun will take away from this enjoyment.
Furthermore, if you wish to use the massage gun in a public place, you will want to be respectful of those around you. It is true that there will always be a degree of noise from these devices since the motor needs to function but there are some that are quieter than others.
Best Percussion Massage Guns
The number of choices when it comes to massage guns is astonishing. One thing that users ought to be aware of is that there are some massage guns that are cheaply made and considered to be ‘knock offs’ of the better brands. It is important to stick with established brands since you can feel confident that the product will be effective and more importantly, safe to use.
1. Theragun Elite
Best Premium Massage Gun – Theragun Elite
The Theragun Elite is one of the most renowned massage guns around and it is little wonder when you consider the many benefits of its features. This is an incredibly easy to use product that boasts an OLED screen which is clear and easy to understand. Furthermore, the massage gun comes with a compatible smartphone app that allows you to alter the speed.
The amplitude ranges between 1750ppm and 2400ppm so this is a nicely versatile device that can be used for different types of pain. What’s more, the more often you use the massager with the app, the more personalized sessions it will generate for you.
The Theragun Elite is superbly comfortable to use since it features an ergonomically designed handle with superior grip. This design allows users to grasp the device in a way that feels comfortable to them and won’t put strain on the wrists or hands. It is lightweight and ideal for longer therapy sessions thanks to the 120 minute battery life. Furthermore, with added sound insulation, this is a massage gun that won’t create high noise levels.
Key Specs:
- Speed settings: 5 speeds
- Amplitude: 16 mm
- Attachments: 5 attachments
- Dimensions: 9.5″ x 6.7″ x 2.8″
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Battery life: Up to 120 mins
Pros
Cons
2. RENPHO R4 Pro Massage Gun
Best for Hard to Reach Areas – RENPHO R4 Pro Massage Gun
Not all muscle pain is in a spot that the user can reach. Short of having another person on hand to help you, this can be a tricky situation. However, the Renpho R4 pro massage gun features an adjustable arm which makes getting to those hard to reach areas a lot more simple.
The massage gun comes with a generous range of attachments including a fork for the neck, a bullet for deep tension, and a large foam ball for bigger muscle groups, among others. The arm adjusts to five angles and users have a choice of four massage speeds. For people who have various muscle problems, this is a great option thanks to its versatility.
This massage gun is extremely lightweight at just 2.2lbs, so even if you have strength problems, that won’t be an issue. What’s more, the battery life is very generous meaning that this is an excellent choice for people who need a massage gun for travel or working out at the gym.
Key Specs:
- Speed settings: 4 speeds
- Amplitude: 10 mm
- Attachments: 6 attachments
- Dimensions: 10.47″ x 10.63″ x 3.80″
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
- Battery life: 240 – 360 mins
Pros
Cons
3. Flyby F1Pro Massage Gun
Best Budget Massage Gun – Flyby F1Pro Massage Gun
While we would always urge you to be mindful when buying budget-friendly massage guns, there are indeed those that are extremely effective, and the Flyby F1Pro is one of them. This massage gun gives you 3-speed settings and six massage heads, allowing you to target various areas of the body.
This massage gun is fitted with a brushless motor which gives it the advantage of brilliantly quiet operation. The user experience is further enhanced thanks to its lightweight nature (1.8 lbs) and comfortable grip.
The Flyby F1Pro massage gun has speed settings between 1800 rpm and 3200 rpm allowing you to tackle different muscle needs.
One of the most favorable things about this massage gun, considering its price, is how long it runs. With a battery life of 4 hours, users will be able to target pain continuously without the need to keep recharging.
Key Specs:
- Speed settings: 3 speeds
- Amplitude: 10 mm
- Attachments: 6 attachments
- Dimensions: 7″ x 7″ x 2″
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Battery life: 240 mins
Pros
Cons
4. Hyperice Hypervolt Bluetooth Massage Gun
Best Massage Gun with Bluetooth Connectivity – Hyperice Hypervolt Bluetooth Massage Gun
In modern times, there is nothing more important to consumers than being able to link various devices to one another quickly and easily. Thanks to the BlueTooth connectivity on this massage gun, you can easily link it to your smartphone app for much easier control. The app allows you to alter the settings or choose from a range of preset therapy sessions to suit your needs.
No matter where or when you use the gun, the quiet operation will not disturb the peace. Furthermore, with a beautiful soft grip handle, the Hypervolt is a delight to use.
The Hypervolt massage gun comes with a choice of five, easy to switch attachments allowing you to target various muscles. It also comes with additional plug adaptors which is handy when it comes to charging. The device uses a powerful lithium-ion battery which delivers up to three hours of continuous use.
Key Specs:
- Speed settings: 3 speeds
- Amplitude: 13 mm
- Attachments: 5 attachments
- Dimensions: 10″ x 5.23″ x 3.25″
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Battery life: Up to 180 mins
Pros
Cons
5. Theragun Mini
Best Portable Massage Gun – Theragun Mini
If you are on the go then your massage gun needs to be lightweight and easy to carry. With all the power of the larger Theragun products, the Mini is a great choice for going to the gym or for traveling.
It features a 35-watt brushless motor that is quiet and smooth. If you’re out in public, this is great for a discreet yet effective massage. Furthermore, the massage gun comes with a handy travel case making carrying it around even easier. You could be forgiven for thinking that such a compact massage gun wouldn’t have the run time that larger products offer but with a battery life of up to 150 minutes, you certainly won’t be pushed for time.
The massage gun is easy to hold and has a soft, ergonomically designed grip for an enjoyable user experience. No matter what muscles you need to target, the three speed settings will help you alleviate pain and tightness. These speeds are easy to adjust and a simple light system gives you information on which setting is currently in use.
Key Specs:
- Speed settings: 3 speeds
- Amplitude: 12 mm
- Attachments: 1 attachment
- Dimensions: 5.4″ x 4.3″ x 1.6″
- Weight: 1.4 lbs
- Battery life: Up to 150 mins
