The 9 Best Massage Guns of 2025, Tested by Men's Health
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If you haven’t tried percussive therapy yet, where have you been? The best massage guns are all over Instagram – hit #recovery and you’ll find everyone from boxers to runners pummelling their muscles in the quest for peak performance.
Read our complete guide to recovery tools for bouncing back faster post-workout
They may look intense, but they're a really effective recovery tool for bringing tired muscles back to life. In the age of self-care, this science-backed method increases blood flow and loosens up tight spots – ideal for combatting DOMS and making your rest days work as hard as you do (it's only fair, right?).
The Men’s Health team put a range of top tools to the test to find the best massage guns on the market. Looking for something more compact? We've also tested the best mini massage guns.
Looking to kit out your gym? Read our tried and tested home gym equipment reviews, from Gymproluxe resistance bands to squat racks, adjustable dumbbells, pull-up bars and rowing machines.
How We Test Massage Guns
Our editors, along with a team of health and fitness experts, tested the mettle of the best massage guns on the market. And, as the list below shows, they were more than up to the challenge.
Each massage gun was trialled for at least a three-week period, used to prime and relieve our experts' muscles around their fitness-filled schedule of weightlifting, HIIT, running, yoga and more.
They were judged on how easy they were to control, the impact they had on sore muscles, their ability to move across skin and muscle smoothly, and the effectiveness of any interchangeable massage heads included. The design (how ergonomic the handle was), portability and any other innovative features were also taken into consideration when deciding the final hierarchy.
Many of the massage guns below are also owned, loved and frequently used by members of the MH team, so we can speak for their longevity as well as efficacy.
If you’re ready to banish your foam roller for good, read on for the 10 best massage guns money can buy. Allow us to drill into the details.
9 Best Massage Guns To Buy in 2025
Theragun PRO 5th Gen
The PRO is the Rolls Royce of the Theragun Range. This 5th gen model has really stepped things up a gear with the addition of an OLED screen, which shows four visually guided routines to really help you nail that ache. Its adjustable arm means you can use it all over your own back, but our testers noted you can’t see the screen if you’re doing that.
The PRO is also slightly lighter and 20% quieter than its predecessor, while still being much more powerful than its fellow Therabody guns. It comes with a range of six heads to soothe any aches and pains, but the battery life is just 2.5 hours, which is half that of the 4th gen model. Thankfully, it does have super-fast USB-C charging, so you won't be left short in your time of need.
While the plethora of features may seem like overkill for casual athletes, we think these premium touches make this an ideal recovery companion for the fitness faithful.
Read our full review of the Theragun Pro 5th Gen here.
D6 Pro Massage Gun
We challenge you to find a massage gun more powerful and kitted out than the D6 Pro from Bob and Brad — and it's a fair chunk cheaper than market competitors.
A MH editor favourite, this boasts incredible power, with 16mm amplitude backed up by 85lbs stall force to really get deep into muscle fibres. The D-shaped handle allows multiple grip points, which paired with the rotating arm (it can click into six different positions over 90 degrees) makes for a fully ergonomic experience, allowing you to treat hard-to-reach areas.
It's also impressively quiet (even at the top speed of 2500rpm), comes loaded with different treatment modes you can toggle on the OLED screen, and those seven massage heads mean no niggle goes un-pummelled.
Read our full review of the Bob and Brad D6 Pro here.
Massage Gun
There’s no hiding from the fact that most top massage guns will set you back a pretty penny, so we approached this more affordable RENPHO offering with a little scepticism. But, while it may not be much of a looker, it soon put our pessimism in its place.
It comes with a choice of five massage heads, has the longest battery life of the models we tested and moves fluidly over skin without dragging. 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.
Mini Q2 Massage Gun
The brainchild of renowned YouTube physical therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck, we had high expectations when the Q2 landed on our desks, and it didn’t disappoint.
It may be the size of a small water bottle, but it’s brimming with impressive features. You get five interchangeable heads (most mini massagers come with just one or two) and there are five speed settings to flit between, giving you a whopping 25 massage combos to try. If you need some guidance, there’s a handy user manual, which provides step-by-step routines for warm-up, mobility and recovery. According to our tester, these were genuinely useful.
The definition of a smooth operator, it glided over our muscles seamlessly, the speed button was well placed and easy to reach while in use, and the brushless motor proved pretty darn quiet. If on-the-go-massages are on the agenda, there's a slick, lightweight carry case that will fit neatly into your gym bag or suitcase.
We rated the 10-minute auto-off mode for conserving battery and liked that it charges with a USB-C cable and a regular phone adaptor, so you don’t have to carry around an extra plug. The handle was on the short side, making it a touch awkward for our tester with larger hands, but that wouldn’t put them off using it again. Plus, when you consider the relatively affordable price tag, it’s hard to complain.
Read our full review of the Bob and Brad C2 Mini here.
Hypervolt Go2
Twee fridge magnets across the UK will encourage you to enjoy the smaller things in life. Luckily, Hyperice makes this advice easy to follow with its latest compact massage gun.
Despite its size, the Hypervolt Go2 can still compete with the big boys, blowing our testers away with its strength. It’s also smooth to use and considerably cheaper than its bulkier brother, the Hypervolt Pro.
Its condensed design means it’s ideal for carrying around, although it did lose some points due to the absence of a carry case. Still, the Go2 makes up for that with its power and premium design. There are two massage heads and access to Hyperice’s comprehensive app comes as standard, too.
Theragun Mini 2nd Gen
This is Theragun’s second entry on our list, proving the brand really lives up to its hype. Although the USP here is its dinky size, that doesn't mean it isn't a powerhouse machine. It’s even smaller and lighter than the 1st gen model, so it’s super easy to slip into your gym bag for a quick post-session massage, or clip onto the outside of your bag thanks to its handy travel case.
The mini gadget scored an impressive 4/4 for noise control on the in-house decibel test, so you can use it anywhere without disturbing others. The panel said the attachments ‘glide really smoothly, without any bumping, shaking or jarring’, and thought the third setting provided strong power for such a small product.
It's also a great option for first-time massage gun users, not only because it’s a more affordable model, but the LED lights help show which setting you’re on and its simple-to-use Bluetooth app guides you through pain-relieving routines.
Theragun PRO Plus
We didn't think Therabody could improve on the 5th Gen Theragun Pro, but then along they came with this absolute machine of a massage gun: the PRO Plus.
As well as boasting an impressive five speeds (from 1750 – 2400rpm), 16mm amplitude (that's a lot, btw) and SEVEN massage heads, every little detail has been considered in the construction of this massage gun. Take, for instance, the intuitive five-button interface; consisting one large central button and four arrow controllers around the outside. You barely have to twitch your thumb to flick through any and all settings (there are a lot to play with) and thanks to the OLED screen, navigation is simple.
We were also impressed by the way the massage gun can tell which massage head has been attached, and will adjust your setting options accordingly — clever stuff. It's also easier to hold than the G5, with more weight given to certain parts of the handle for more balanced ergonomics. Plus the generous folks at Theragun have included near infrared LED light therapy to help aid muscle, joint and tissue function and repair.
Attachment-wise you're spoiled with the PRO Plus. As well as the brand's usual offering (standard ball, dampener, wedge, micro-point and thumb) you also get a vibration attachment — ideal for joints and sensitive spots — and a recovery-boosting heat massage head. Of the heated massage heads we've tried this is easily the best — it gets hot fast, is adjustable via the OLED screen and offers a soothing, deep massage while transferring the heat straight to your muscles.
The battery life not as long as some others, although that's fairly standard for this level of whack and you do not have to use it for long — it gets the job done fast and feels amazing. If you want cold therapy too, you'll have to fork out an extra £79 for the attachment.
Carbon
From the sleek black and grey colourway alone, you can tell this 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.
It’s a tad heavy and the grip vibrated quite a lot when we cranked the speed setting to its max. But the long, curved handle meant users could easily reach awkward knots on their back, and all four interchangeable heads were able to glide over the skin, making for a remarkably relaxing massage.
C2 Pro Massage Gun
This is a massage gun made for the Goldilocks-minded among us. One thermotherapy massage head offers four settings to play with — two hot, two cold — so you can tailor your recovery for exactly what you need on any given day.
Why is this a game-changer? Well, heat can reduce muscle soreness by promoting blood flow, while applying cold therapy can help relieve inflammation, which equals less pain. Win, win, win.
Aside from the hot/cold attachment there are four other massage heads, including a U-shaped number that cradles and soothes sore traps like nobody's business and a bullet option for trigger points.
Be warned that it's a little louder than its counterparts, particularly on the higher speeds, and when switched to cold therapy the attachment makes a quiet computer fan-esque noise. Being flat, the thermotherapy attachment isn't as versatile as a rounded head, and the single button interface, while easy to use, does mean you have to cycle through every setting rather than toggle back and forwards.
While there aren't any bells and whistles like extra treatment modes, for budget hot/cold therapy this is a no-brainer.
Why Should I Buy a Massage Gun?
Invest in a high-quality massage gun and you can use it before training to prime your muscles for a session, or post-workout to ward off any potential DOMS. It will help you recover faster, boost your circulation and lymphatic drainage, increase your flexibility and extend your range of motion – ultimately improving your performance across the board. Think of it as foam rolling turned up to eleven.
‘Percussive therapy has a variety of benefits, helping to prevent body aches and pains, greatly reducing muscle tension in seconds, boosting mobility and range of motion, and increasing blood flow to the area to reduce soreness, tightness and pain,’ explains Dr Jason Wersland, chiropractor and Therabody founder. ‘It can also assist with accelerating the repair and growth of tissues.’
How Do I Use a Massage Gun?
Using a massage gun is the definition of simple. Just point the gun at your fleshy target – around an inch away from your skin over whichever muscle you’re trying to loosen or warm up – and hit the trigger for instant relief. Move slowly up and down the length of the muscle for around 30 seconds – if you find a particularly sore spot (or ‘trigger point’), spend a little more time on it, but there's no need to apply more pressure. Try not to wince!
Keep your gun away from your neck (decapitation ain't the aim here, lads) and avoid bone and any sprains. Start on the lowest setting and build up once you get the hang of it. Don't overdo it – a few minutes at a time is plenty – or your muscles may end up sorer.
What Should I Look for in a Massage Gun?
When you're browsing the best massage guns, ideally your purchasing priorities should centre on noise control, battery life and quality. Generally, a higher price tag will indicate a more reliable product and, when fully charged, a decent massage gun should last for a few days to a week, based on around 15 minutes' use per day.
To suss out the power of your massage gun, check the amplitude and, if listed, the stall force. These two specs together indicate how deep a massage a device can offer.
What is Amplitude?
Amplitude in a massage gun refers to how deep it can reach into your muscles. It's measured in millimetres, and generally, the higher the measurement, the deeper the massage.
Top quality massage guns typically boast 12-16mm of amplitude, while more budget options will most likely hover in the 8-10mm range.
What is Stall Force?
Stall force is essentially how much pressure you can apply to a massage gun during use on your muscles before the motor stalls.
Sometimes also known as torque, stall force is usually measured in pounds, and ranges tend to fall around the 20-30lbs mark for cheaper options, and 40-50lbs for standard massage guns. Anything higher and you're dealing with a premium product.
The higher the stall force, the more pressure you can apply. Opt for a higher stall force if you prefer a deep-tissue massage.
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