How to Choose the Best Massage Gun

Massage guns can help alleviate muscle tension at home, but they can also be useful in conjunction with a physical therapist. “If you’re seeing a physical therapist for myofascial release therapy and deep tissue massage, a quality home massage gun can be a nice supplement,” says physical therapist Ashley Rozek. “But it’s important to remember that massage guns should only be used on muscles and not joints or bones.”

Most percussion massage guns are shaped like a power drill or have the triangular build made popular by Theragun, but there are more premium designs (such as the Ekrin Athletics Bantam). These devices tend to set the handle at an angle to take some pressure off the wrist. They’re also quieter, which is a plus for those who don’t want to disturb others with loud percussion noise.

Among the more premium choices, Therabody’s latest Pro is a top pick. It’s quieter than its predecessor and comes with five attachment heads that can target different muscle groups, as well as free access to the Therabody app. It’s pricier, but the ergonomic shape and Bluetooth app integration are worth it for many users.

For a more budget-friendly option, the Medcursor Precision is easy to operate and has a padded travel case included. Its brushless motor is one of the quietest we tested and has a low decibel rating, so it won’t draw much attention in shared spaces. It’s also more compact than most other options and has a long battery life, so you won’t have to recharge it often. best massage gun