Whether you train commonly and are searching for methods to assist along with your post-workout restoration, or have again ache attributable to a less-than-ideal desk setup, it is likely to be time to put money into a focused deep-tissue massager, in any other case often called a therapeutic massage gun.
“What the therapeutic massage gun does is mix impression and motion, often called vibration remedy, to assist loosen up tight and sore muscle tissues, just like that of a therapeutic massage, in addition to stimulate blood circulate to assist improve restoration,” says bodily therapist John Gallucci Jr., CEO of JAG Physical Therapy.
To assist you to select the appropriate therapeutic massage gun on your wants, I spoke to specialists about what to think about when purchasing for one and picked up a few of their favourite massagers available on the market, together with ones we’ve examined.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best massage guns | Best massage guns in 2025 | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best massage guns
According to specialists, there are some notable options you need to take into account when purchasing for a therapeutic massage gun. Here’s what they recommend listening to:
- Strength: Some therapeutic massage weapons supply totally different pace ranges measured in percussions per minute, or PPM. ”Higher speeds or velocity will yield a extra superficial numbing impact, and better energy fashions will attain deeper into the muscle fibers,” says Bianca Beldini, an acupuncturist, bodily therapist and licensed triathlon coach. Choosing a tool that has adjustable PPMs will make it extra versatile.
- Weight: A therapeutic massage gun is supposed for use with one hand, which makes the burden extraordinarily vital. “If the gun is simply too heavy, your hand or arm could grow to be fatigued earlier than you might be completed along with your therapeutic massage session,” Gallucci says.
- Portability: Along with weight, you need to take measurement into consideration if you wish to preserve your therapeutic massage gun in a fitness center bag or take it with you whenever you journey.
- Head attachments: Buying a therapeutic massage gun with a spread of head attachments provides you with the flexibleness to work on totally different areas of your physique. According to specialists, an enormous spherical head can be utilized on bigger muscle teams like your quads, whereas a flat head can be utilized on small, dense muscle teams just like the shoulder blades.
Want extra from NBC Select? Sign up for our publication, The Selection, and store smarter.
The best massage guns in 2025
Below, I highlighted skilled suggestions for the most effective therapeutic massage weapons, together with just a few NBC Select employees picks which might be examined and permitted. All of the choices under have a number of speeds and attachments.
Therabody Theragun Sense
This therapeutic massage gun gained an NBC Select Wellness Award after 5 weeks of vigorous testing. Our editorial director, Lauren Swanson, examined therapeutic massage weapons whereas marathon coaching and this one got here out on prime for her. The heads and speeds have been light on her tender muscle tissues after lengthy runs, and she or he additionally credit the breathwork function with serving to her to prioritize that underrated a part of coaching. NBC Select editor Jordan Bowman additionally examined this therapeutic massage gun and preferred how he may choose totally different exercise varieties for stress reduction, decrease again ache and sleep.
Hypervolt 2
Beldini personally makes use of the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 model and says it gives an excellent all-around worth. It has three speeds as much as 3,200 percussions per minute (PPM), 5 head attachments and a chargeable lithium-ion battery that holds as much as three hours of juice, in line with the model. “It is simple to deal with, and it’s comparatively quiet,” she says.
Hypervolt Go 2
What we like
- Quick charging battery
- Lightweight
Hypervolt therapeutic massage weapons are recognized for his or her quick-charging batteries, minimal noise ranges, energy and ease of use, says Gallucci. “Weighing in at 1.5 kilos, this product packs quite a lot of energy right into a travel-friendly choice,” he says, noting that it’s “almost as highly effective as many full-size weapons.” In addition to being light-weight, it has three totally different speeds and three hours of battery life, in line with the model.
Theragun Pro
What we like
- Six speeds
- Five hour battery-life
- Multiple attachments
This therapeutic massage gun stands in a category of its personal attributable to its ergonomic grip and adjustable arm, says Gallucci. You can angle the arm for a custom-made therapeutic massage for any physique half. “Just a few different particular options embrace the six speeds, seven attachments, two batteries lasting 5 hours complete and Bluetooth capabilities. This therapeutic massage gun is an funding, however health fanatics and athletes really feel it’s nicely definitely worth the splurge,” he says The Pro mannequin can be over 50% quieter than earlier Theragun fashions, making it unobtrusive to make use of in public, says Allen Conrad, a licensed power and conditioning specialist and proprietor of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center.
Theragun Mini
What we like
- Lightweight
- Travel pleasant
- Three speeds
The Theragun Mini, one other NBC Select Wellness Award winner, is the smallest, most transportable therapeutic massage gun from the model. It has three massaging speeds and comes with three head attachments, a delicate case and a charging cable. “Its small type means I can deliver it all over the place, which I really like,” says commerce management coordinator Alexa Arent, who used it to focus on very particular physique aches, utilizing totally different attachments relying on which muscle was concerned. “I largely used it on my legs and shoulders — the rounded-top attachment was my go-to.”
Wahl Deep Tissue Therapeutic Massager
What we like
- Affordable
- Multiple attachments
Something to notice
- Only two speeds
- Not that highly effective
Conrad recommends this feature for inexperienced persons searching for a budget-friendly choice earlier than making a extra sizable funding. It comes with 4 attachment heads, and though it isn’t battery-operated, it has a 9-foot-long energy cable so you may transfer comparatively freely. It additionally has two speeds and two vibration settings with as much as 3,350 PPM, in line with the model. One factor to notice: This choice is probably not highly effective sufficient for bigger areas, just like the hamstrings, however may be helpful for smaller areas, just like the calves and forearms, says Conrad.
Theragun Prime
What we like
- Quiet
- Five pace settings
- Wellness routines
This choice is quiet, has an ergonomic deal with and packs loads of energy, in line with Conrad. Gallucci agrees: “Theragun is the pioneer on this market, and this fourth-generation [massage gun] lives as much as the top-quality merchandise that Theragun is understood for.” The Theragun Prime is 70% quieter than earlier fashions and has 5 built-in pace settings, two hours of battery life and 4 attachments, in line with the model. Users can even obtain the Therabody app, which integrates with Apple Health and Google Fit and recommends guided wellness routines primarily based in your behaviors. With the app, you can even choose any pace between 1,750 and a pair of,400 PPM.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with specialists who’ve specialised information and authority primarily based on related coaching and/or expertise. We additionally take steps to make sure all skilled recommendation and suggestions are made independently and with out undisclosed monetary conflicts of curiosity.
- John Gallucci Jr. is the CEO of JAG Physical Therapy
- Bianca Beldini is an acupuncturist, bodily therapist and licensed triathlon coach
- Allen Conrad is a licensed power and conditioning specialist and proprietor of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center
- Dr. Rahul Shah is an orthopedic backbone and neck surgeon
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a contributor who has lined sleep, wellness, residence and extra. I’ve over 15 years of expertise in journalism and reporting. My work has been printed on The Knot, PopSugar, CafeMom, Mom.com, Bridal Guide and Care.com.
Our crew has spent a number of years testing and making an attempt therapeutic massage weapons. We work with docs and bodily therapists to assist with our reporting. We even have marathon runners and cyclists on our crew to adequately check every therapeutic massage gun and its skill to help with restoration and efficiency.
Catch up on Select’s in-depth protection of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and extra, and comply with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to remain updated.
