The Best Percussion Massagers of 2021
Ease sore muscles and enjoy a massage wherever you go. These are the best percussion massagers of 2023 for every use and budget.
While foam rollers are great, it’s hard to beat the healing power of a massage. Over the past 5 or so years, percussive therapy has changed how gym-goers and physical therapists treat soreness, chronic pain, and relieve the buildup of lactic acid.
Best of all, quality percussion massagers (aka massage guns) are a portable, powerful, one-time investment. Through hours of research and months of testing, we’ve narrowed down the best percussion massagers on the market. If you’ve yet to try one, this is a great place to start. Our buyer’s guide and FAQ section have everything you need to make an informed decision.
And if you need more help choosing, be sure to check out the comparison chart.
Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for:
The Best Percussion Massagers of 2023
Best Overall: Theragun G4 PRO
Most massage guns on the market look like a power drill and sound about the same. The Therabody team set out to develop a powerful yet quiet option, and they succeeded with the G4 Pro.
They’ve made great strides with the fourth-generation Theragun G4 PRO ($599). The QX150 brushless motor delivers high-quality power (it packs up to 60 pounds of force) and isn’t as loud as other massagers with comparable power. That said, it’s certainly not silent, especially when you’re working out the legs.
The PRO comes with a multitude of options to personalize percussive therapy. It boasts a rotating arm paired with an ergonomic multigrip as well as a customizable speed range between 1,750 and 2,400 ppm (percussions per minute).
In lay terms, this means you can confidently and easily massage any part of your own body with deep tissue force without the motor stalling out. We’ve been testing for 6 months, and this is by far the easiest massage gun to use on yourself. Gone are the days of convincing someone to rub out your shoulders.
Six different head attachments deliver complete customization. The G4 PRO also pairs with the Therabody app, which offers extra support, including a force meter and personalized wellness routines.
The whole package comes with seven head attachments, a carrying case, two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with charger, and the Theragun itself. While you’ll have to pay for the luxury the G4 Pro offers, it’s easily the best percussion massager on the market today.
Specs:
- Battery: 2 lithium-ion batteries, 2.5-hr. life each, 75-min. charge time
- Weight: 2.9 lbs.
Pros:
- Quiet motor
- Customization
- Solo supported
- Bluetooth pairing
- 2-year warranty
Cons:
- Price
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Runner-Up: Hyperice Hypervolt
Hyperice has been in the massage gun game from the beginning, and their designs have evolved to prove it. The Hypervolt ($199) comes with five different head attachments to target various muscle areas and penetrate deep into your soft tissue.
The three different speed and power settings put out up to 3,200 ppm, allowing most individuals to get the right recovery treatment for their ailments. While the motor doesn’t provide quite the same power capacity as our best overall, this massage gun is up to the task for feel-good massages and general recovery.
A percussion massager like the Hypervolt can also be a real boon to your relationship. As our reviewer noted, “My partner and I now swap back massages every night. Previously, we never did this because it was both time-consuming and taxing on our bodies. But with the Hypervolt, it takes all of 5-10 minutes and requires no effort for the giver. Not only is it good for our bodies, but it’s been good for our relationship. Total win.”
With versatile customization options and enough power for reasonably deep soft tissue massage, the price makes the Hypervolt a great buy. Simply put, Hyperice has developed one of the best percussion massagers available today.
Specs:
- Battery: 3-hr. lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Weight: 2.5 lbs.
Pros:
- Price
- Lightweight
- Quiet
Cons:
- Only three speed settings
- No included carrying case
Most Portable: Theragun Mini
This extremely compact and portable device is one of the smallest massage guns on the market, coming in at 6 x 5.3 inches and only 1.43 pounds. Regardless of its size, the Theragun Mini ($199) still packs quite the punch.
The Mini has three options for speed — 1,750, 2,100, or 2,400 ppm — placing it in the same power class as Therabody’s other fourth-generation products.
Where the Mini comes up short is its ability to put up only 20 pounds of no-stall force. For many uses, this is plenty of power. But if you want a deep-tissue massage, other options on this list will suit you better.
It comes with a protective carrying case, and the rechargeable battery lasts 2.5 hours. Additional head attachments can be purchased separately. Theragun provides the industry standard in percussion massagers, and the Mini is no exception.
Specs:
- Battery: 2.5-hr. lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1.43 lbs.
Pros:
- Compact size
- Ergonomic grip
- Speed range
- Price
- Quiet
Cons:
- No additional head attachments included
- Lower no-stall threshold
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Best for Travel: ROLL Recovery R1
Looking for a sleek, lightweight, packable recovery tool? New for 2022, ROLL Recovery’s R1 Percussion Massager fits the bill. A runner-up for our “most portable” pick, and by far our favorite for those who frequently travel, the R1 uses the force of percussive therapy to improve performance and accelerate recovery. But the R1 is tiny.
Nonetheless, the R1 comes with four different attachment heads, has four different speeds, and has up to 7 hours of battery life — all at an accessible price of $129.
Also one of the most competitive price points for percussion massagers on this list, the R1 is definitely worth looking into. Read our full review.
Specs:
- Battery: Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Weight: 1.2 lbs.
Pros:
- Compact
- Variety of settings and heads
- Powerful (up to 3,200 rpm)
Cons:
- Simple design may be too simple for some
Best Value: Turonic GM5 Massage Gun
This massage gun isn’t the absolute cheapest on the market, but we think it offers the best overall value. For less than half the price of many leading models, the Turonic GM5 ($160) offers excellent battery life, quiet-yet-powerful operation, and a high-quality set of seven interchangeable massage heads.
We’ve been using this massage gun daily for several weeks. It’s been a major asset in speeding up recovery after rock climbing and weight lifting sessions. Turonic claims that the GM5 can offer up to 8 hours of use on the lowest setting.
We tend to use it for about 15 minutes at a time in a mid-range setting, and it dies after about 3 total hours of use. The GM5’s battery is better than most massage guns on the market, which is impressive given its price tag.
With five power modes up to 3200 rpm, the GM5 offers decent intensity, though it is noticeably weaker than the Theragun. Still, the GM5 has plenty of power for most users and uses.
We appreciate that the GM5 comes with a high-quality carrying case plus seven varied massage heads. For the price, this is a highly effective option.
Specs:
- Battery: Lithium-ion battery
- Weight: 1.72 lbs.
Pros:
- Good value
- High-quality case and massage heads
- Long-lasting battery
- Quiet
Cons:
- Not the most powerful for deep tissue needs
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Best Bluetooth-Connected Massager: Addaday BioZoom Edge
Percussion massagers are generally pretty intuitive. That is, you know what muscles need attention and can feel about how much pressure is right for you.
But what if you could incorporate professional tips on sport-specific massage regimens and learn how to address more persistent aches and pains? That’s the idea behind Addaday’s line of Bluetooth-connected massagers. The brand’s popular BioZoom Edge ($90) is designed to work with Addaday’s proprietary app.
You input certain physiological and behavioral metrics — age, weight, preferred sports, etc. — and then select what hurts. The Addaday massager app provides guided video tutorials to treat your sport- and body-specific pain spots.
Plus, Addaday advertises that the app continually learns about your unique physiology and routines to better address your needs as you go. If you’re dedicated to continuous improvement and want to educate yourself as you go, the BioZoom Edge would be an excellent addition to your fitness routine.
Specs:
- Battery: 2-hr. runtime
- Weight: 2.36 lbs.
Pros:
- Attachments
- Battery life
- Connected app
Cons:
- Price/performance ratio
- More features to learn (if you want a simple massager)
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Best of the Rest
VYBE Pro Muscle Massage Gun
The VYBE Pro Muscle Massage Gun ($230) delivers impressive variety. It can reach up to 3,400 ppm with nine different speed options, meaning you can get really specific with the type of treatment/massage you’re looking for.
The Pro comes with eight different head attachments. Certain heads will give you 12 mm of amplitude and 30 pounds of resistance, while others will provide 10 mm and 20 pounds. This isn’t quite enough to blast your quads to work out knots, but it’s enough to maintain optimal performance with regular recovery use.
When looking for a multitude of options, this is the best percussion gun on the market for precisely that. However, it does weigh a whopping 4.5 pounds, which also makes it one of the heaviest out there.
Specs:
- Battery: 3-hr. runtime
- Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Pros:
- Price
- Variety
- High speed
Cons:
- Weight
- Not the highest amplitude available
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TimTam Power Massager
The TimTam Power Massager ($260) delivers simplicity in both its design and function. This massage gun runs on one setting, 2,500 ppm, with a one-touch trigger — making it easy to operate. The head angle is adjustable by 90 degrees, allowing for more comfortable massages at different angles.
This percussion massager does exactly what it was built to do. It wasn’t built for complexity, but durability and power. The drawbacks of this are a lack of customization to your body. The device is lightweight and ideal for travel, but the battery only lasts for around 40 minutes.
If you’re looking for simplicity and basic use, the TimTam has proven to be a highly durable option.
Specs:
- Battery: 40-min. runtime
- Weight: 2.2 lbs.
Pros:
- Simple
- One-touch trigger
- Adjustable head angle
Cons:
- No customization
- Short battery life
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TriggerPoint Performance Impact
TriggerPoint’s first attempt at a percussion massager is the Performance Impact ($200). This compact gun falls into the lower-to-mid price range, and we think it’s a fair price for what it offers.
This gun’s positives include its capability to hit 3,300 ppm, along with three other lower-speed options, giving you the opportunity to warm your muscles up to more vigorous, deep tissue massages.
Unlike other massage guns on the market, the TriggerPoint Impact comes with only one head attachment that is not interchangeable. If this is an essential area for you, it may be worth looking into different guns.
Note: The seams on the handle can cause mild irritation when working for long periods of time.
Specs:
- Battery: 2-hr. lithium-ion
- Weight: 2.4 lbs.
Pros:
- High ppm
- Quiet motor
- Price
Cons:
- Only one head attachment
- Irritating seam on the handle
- No carrying case
Legiral Le3 Silver
This powerful percussion massager from Legiral is among the most affordable options on our list. Many users find the Le3 ($85) to be just as effective as the Theragun G4 Pro — at a significantly lower price point. It may not offer the same long-term durability, but the comparison says a lot.
Adding to the value, a carrying case and six different attachments are included in the price. You can access 20 different speed strengths via a simple LCD touch screen, and the stroke depth of 16 mm allows the massager to reach deep underlying tissue.
Legiral outfits all of their massage guns with brushless motors, which are impressively quiet without sacrificing power. The high-quality motor is powered by a 2,500mAh rechargeable lithium battery, which provides over 6 hours of working time when fully charged.
Some users find the handle slightly uncomfortable to hold throughout long massage sessions. Still, the Le3 offers massaging performance and recovery-assisting utility on par with some of the best percussion guns on the market.
Specs:
- Battery: 6-hr. lithium-polymer battery
- Weight: 4.1 lbs.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Quiet
- Accesses deep tissue
Cons:
- Non-ergonomic handle
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Percussion Massager Comparison Chart
| Percussion Massager | Price | Battery | Weight |
| Theragun G4 PRO | $599 | 2 lithium-ion batteries, 2.5-hr. life each, 75-min. charge time | 2.9 lbs. |
| Hyperice Hypervolt | $199 | 3-hr. lithium-ion rechargeable battery | 2.5 lbs. |
| Theragun Mini | $199 | 2.5-hr. lithium-ion battery | 1.43 lbs. |
| Turonic GM5 Massage Gun | $160 | Lithium-ion battery | 1.72 lbs. |
| Addaday BioZoom Edge | $90 | 2-hr. runtime | 2.36 lbs. |
| VYBE Pro Muscle Massage Gun | $230 | 3-hr. runtime | 4.5 lbs. |
| TimTam Power Massager | $260 | 40-min. runtime | 2.2 lbs. |
| TriggerPoint Performance Impact | $200 | 2-hr. lithium-ion | 2.4 lbs. |
| Legiral Le3 Silver | $85 | 6-hr. lithium-polymer battery | 4.1 lbs. |
Why You Should Trust Us
The GearJunkie team is full of mountain bikers, climbers, trail runners, and recreators of all types. We live our best moments in the outdoors, but we aren’t as young and spry as we used to be.
For us, the value of recovery tools is increasing with each passing season. As massage gun technology has improved over recent years, they have become a staple of our active lives.
To identify the best percussion massagers on the market, we’ve tested dozens of models and carefully observed their long-term effectiveness. When testing, we pay careful attention to design, power, customizability, battery life, and more.
We realize that not all athletes are looking for the same features in massage guns. Our assessments are based on overall function and value. The products on this list are the best of the best.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Percussion Massager
The best percussion massager for you depends on a variety of factors. Most importantly, start by thinking about how you plan to use it.
Is it for daily sports recovery? Or do you just need a shoulder massage every now and then? Once you understand how you’ll use it, you can easily prioritize the considerations outlined below.
Speed and Power
A percussion massage gun’s speed is normally measured in percussions, or strokes, per minute (ppm). Typically, these will range anywhere from 1,200 to 3,400 ppm.
In general, the speed will increase the intensity of the massage. Having a wide range available can also be a great benefit for different aims.
When using a percussion massage gun, it seems obvious that the harder you press, the deeper the massage will get.
Some massage guns will give up to 60 pounds of pressure without stalling, while others can only handle up to 20 pounds. If you’re looking for a more surface-level massage, lower power can suffice.
If you apply too much pressure with a low-power massage gun, the percussion will stall, which can be harmful to the motor over time.
Attachments
Different head attachments are designed for different muscle groups. Each massaging head delivers specific outcomes with each unique shape.
These attachments are just another factor that allows for customization and, if used correctly, can provide more relief to sore muscles. There are five baseline head attachments to choose from — though some products come with more options.
Cushioned
A cushioned head is recommended for those just starting to get the feel for their percussion massager. It doesn’t allow for very deep penetration and utilizes a lot more vibration therapy tactics for more sensitive areas such as the neck. This is a great option to warm up muscles before starting to get into deep tissue.
Round
For bigger muscle groups, grab the round head attachment. It has more give than other attachments but can still provide deeper penetration. The glutes or hamstrings are ideal candidates for this attachment.
Fork
This head is specifically designed to reach into smaller muscle groups and provide some precision pressure. It has a two-prong shape that applies pressure to both sides of the spine, targeting the muscles that wrap around your spinal cord.
It’s also great to use on forearms around the bone for providing deep relief after an intense forearm workout (specifically, climbing).
Flat
A flathead attachment mainly focuses on the vibration therapy aspect of massage guns. The contact area of the flathead allows you to cover a higher surface area, making this another great attachment for large muscle groups.
It still has the capacity to reach deep into those muscle groups, providing the power needed for serious relief and an increase in range of motion.
Bullet
Compared to a flathead attachment, a bullet is on the opposite end of the head attachment spectrum. It brings all the percussion and vibration into one specific point. The ability to target with immense precision gives it the most intense power.
There are several additional head attachments that a lot of percussion massagers will offer, while others come with only one head and don’t even allow you to switch it up. On our list, the Hypervolt and the Theragun G4 PRO both bring all of the basics in head attachments with no fluff.
Portability
Your percussion massager should be able to join you in all your travel plans. Many of the percussion guns on our list come with a handy carrying case that can make them incredibly easy to travel with. Most of the options here come in under 3 pounds, which won’t add too much to the gym bag or carry-on.
For the best portability, the Theragun Mini delivers all of the power most of the other products have but at a fraction of the weight. It’s easy to pack and bring wherever you may go.
Battery Life
Long workouts often lead to long massage sessions, so make sure you have the battery to handle it. The Theragun G4 PRO undoubtedly has the best battery options, with each of the two included batteries lasting up to 2.5 hours. When one runs out, popping the second in will save your session from an abrupt end.
Price
A $600 price tag can turn anyone away quickly. It’s hard to spend that much money, especially if you’re just trying out a product. Fortunately, a lot of these percussion guns have the same high-quality performance for a fraction of the price.
Several of the best percussion massagers come at a reasonable price. The VYBE Percussion Massage Gun Pro has one of the lowest prices on this list but still has a huge array of options and quality performance.
FAQ
Which Percussion Massager Is Best for Me?
The best percussion massager for you depends on a lot of variables. If you regularly train hard or want a massager that can stand up to daily use, the Theragun G4 PRO is the best percussion massager on the market.
If you’re looking just to try it out, the VYBE Pro Percussion Massage Gun may be right up your alley.
When Should I Use a Percussion Massager?
A percussion massager is an incredibly versatile tool. Use it when you wake up with a sore neck because of a rough night’s sleep, after a big training session, or as a daily part of your self-care routine.
Which Massage Gun Attachment Should I Use?
When getting into percussive and vibration therapy, a cushioned head is often suggested as the first attachment to use. It offers a lot of forgiveness and doesn’t penetrate too deeply, too quickly.
From there, you can move on to a round head for a deeper massage, whereas more pointed attachments work well for targeting very specific knots.
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