These Massage Guns Offer Up Oh, So Satisfying Pain Relief

Whether you’re brought here by sore traps after the gym or are in need of some pain relief from your less-than-ideal work-from-home setup, it’s no secret that massage guns, also known as percussion therapy devices, have quickly become the next big thing in DIY ache-and-pain recovery. Fitness influencers have been touting their effectiveness for years — and they've certainly changed how we get pain relief on the go and at home. Not to mention, they help us avoid potentially pricey doctor visits.

According to Dr. Richard T. Hui, an NYC-based doctor of chiropractic, “people who sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, or those who exercise or play sports” can benefit the most from massage guns. But how exactly do they work to relieve pain?

“Massage guns use percussion, which is a combination of depth, speed, and force along with different attachments to target specific muscle groups and joints,” says Anthony Lewis, personal trainer team leader at Crunch Fitness in New York City's Midtown East. He also notes that while he typically uses it on his clients during pre-workout, they're an effective tool during post-workout as well.

Is there a downside to this approach? Lewis doesn't seem to think so, assuring us that “there really isn’t a bad time to use them since most people can benefit from stress, strain, and tension relief.” But before you use a massage gun, he advises consulting a medical professional beforehand, as they can cause injury if used incorrectly.

The Best Massage Guns

What to Consider

Speeds

Safety and specs should be your top priorities when purchasing a percussive device. “When buying a massage gun, one should consider variable speeds, which provide more percussions per minute (PPM),” says Dr. Hui. Models with several speed options allow you to better customize your experience and adjust the gun as necessary to avoid discomfort or injury as you work into knots and sore muscles.

Accessories

Portability for ease of use should also be high on your list when selecting a massage gun, Dr. Hui points out, specifying, “Additional heads and attachments also give you more options to use on different muscle parts of the body.” For example, a more blunt ball-shaped head is good for larger muscle groups, such as in the legs and upper back. Pointier attachment heads allow you to work into deeper parts of the muscle as well as harder-to-reach areas, such as shoulders and lower legs.

Battery Life

A good massage gun should be able to work continuously for up to 20 minutes at a time. And for convenience, it’s best not to have to charge your device every day. That means the best massage guns are those of higher quality with longer battery life for continuous usage. And beware of bootleg versions of popular massage tools, which though available at a lower price point, may not offer the optimal hardware specs you need for safe and consistent relief.

Our guide to the best massage guns includes both iconic and recently released percussion therapy devices, spanning various budgets and intensity levels — all of which are guaranteed to give you stellar pain relief.