While foam rollers are great, it’s hard to beat the healing power of a massage. Over the past five or so years, percussive therapy has changed how gym-goers and physical therapists treat soreness and chronic pain and relieve the buildup of lactic acid. Best of all, quality percussion massagers (a.k.a. massage guns) are a portable, powerful, one-time investment.
Percussion massagers are a staple in the fitness world, designed to loosen up muscle knots, improve blood flow, help alleviate soreness and reduce inflammation. While scientific evidence of these claims is a mixed bag at best, the anecdotal evidence from athletes of all stripes (skiers, runners, hikers, etc.) makes a good percussion massager worth consideration.
Our testers include personal trainers, competitive athletes, and generally the kinds of folks whose activity levels result in being sore more often than not. 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.
Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on March 28, 2024 by adding the Chirp RPM Rolling Percussive Massager, which is unlike any other massager on this list, plus we noted the Hyperice Heated Head attachment. We also ensured our product list was up-to-date with current models and designs.
The Best Percussion Massagers of 2024
Best Overall Percussion Massager
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Battery
2 lithium-ion batteries -
Battery life
150 minutes -
Weight
2.9 lbs.
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Quiet motor -
Customization -
Solo supported -
Bluetooth pairing -
2-year warranty
Best Budget Percussion Massager
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Battery
Lithium-ion battery -
Weight
1.72 lbs.
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Good value -
High-quality case and massage heads -
Long-lasting battery -
Quiet
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Not the most powerful for deep tissue needs
Runner Up Best Percussion Massager
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Battery life
3 hrs., lithium-ion -
Weight
1.8 lbs.
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Sleek, stylish design -
Excellent price point -
5 different attachment photos -
Quiet operation -
Bluetooth connectivity
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Not as powerful as other options
Most Portable
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Battery
2.5-hr. lithium-ion battery -
Weight
1.43 lbs.
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Compact size -
Ergonomic grip -
Speed range -
Price -
Quiet
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No additional head attachments included -
Lower no-stall threshold
Best Percussion Massage Roller
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Battery life
4 hours -
Weight
3 lbs., 11 oz.
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Handheld and stationary use opens up massage possibilities -
5 different speeds to dial in force -
Extended battery life compared to many other massagers -
Simple on/off button use — just press and go
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Bit spendier than other percussive massagers -
Tough to really pinpoint areas
Best of the Rest
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Battery life
3 hrs. -
Weight
1.5 lbs.
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Sleek design -
Lightweight -
Highly portable -
TSA-approved
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Less powerful than other models -
No Bluetooth connectivity -
No carrying case
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Battery
Lithium-ion rechargeable battery -
Weight
1.2 lbs. -
Speeds
4 -
Heads
4 -
Power
40 W, 50 W maximum
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Quiet and effective at deep-tissue massage -
Compact -
Reliably long battery life -
Hefty, solid, ergonomic feel and refined aesthetic
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Minimal instructions -
A little heavy to bring to the crag
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Battery
3-hr. runtime -
Weight
4.5 lbs.
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Weight -
Not the highest amplitude available
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Battery
2-hr. lithium-ion -
Weight
2.4 lbs.
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High ppm -
Quiet motor -
Price
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Only one head attachment -
Irritating seam on the handle -
No carrying case
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Battery
6-hr. lithium-polymer battery -
Weight
4.1 lbs.
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Affordable -
Quiet -
Accesses deep tissue
Percussion Massage Gun Comparison Chart
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.
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.
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 Hyperice Hypervolt 2 and the Theragun G5 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 G5 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
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 G5 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.
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.
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.
