We’re not sure about you, but when someone mentions massage, our minds instantly dream up the ultimate stress-wrangling scene: think essential oils, lavender-infused candles, tall glass of problem-solving wine, soul-calming music, you get the picture.
And while percussive massage guns are lauded for pummeling tight muscles and untying stubborn knots, most of us (soft life-subscribing baby girls) won’t want our delicate bones jangled in the name of recovery.
Thankfully, a few select options offer a lighter touch and soothe those pesky cramps without stymieing your self-care vibes. Also, since the economy is looking iffy, a massage gun that caters to your pockets and still offers you good value for money would be a perfect fit.
So, if you can’t afford your regular spa treatments anymore and need a machine that can pummel away the stress and anxiety, here are six of our favorite massage gun options. Trust us – they’re like your beloved masseuse without the hefty price tag.
How To Use A Massage Gun
It’s simple.
Point the percussive massager at your throbbing and cramping muscles – about an inch away from your skin – and hit the trigger for some soul-soothing relief. Move slowly up and down the length of your muscles for about 30 seconds – hitting all the deep tissues and sore spots.
Start on low settings and then build up once you get the hang of it. And please don’t overdo it, babe. Thirty minutes a time is enough, or your tired muscles might end up sorer.
What To Look For In A Massage Gun
When browsing the best muscle massage guns, your purchasing priorities should focus on battery life, speed settings, and quality. Typically, a higher price tag indicates reliability and premium-quality service, but you can easily get the exact service value and battery runtime with a cheaper option.
The Best At-Home Relief Massage Guns
Ready to pummel away the pain? Here are six ECT-approved percussive massagers:
Wahl Deep Tissue Percussion Massager, $100
If your arms, hamstrings, legs, and shoulders have been screaming at you, this live-in masseuse tool is your best bet. Its long handle makes reaching those maddening tight spots on your back and neck easy, while the massage head does wonders for your cramping needs.
The lithium-ion tech gives you 200 minutes of run time, so you can enjoy a relaxing massage without the fuss of a cord getting in your way.
Key Specs
- Color: Blue
- Weight: 1.5 lbs.
- Speed Settings: adjustable speed (up to 3350 RPM)
- Battery Life: 200 Minutes
- Attachments: four interchangeable
- Warranty: Two-Year
Theragun Wave Series Duo, $99
Yeah, it looks like something out of an alien spaceship, but this Theragun massage gun is no joke. Designed to contour the back, neck, and spine, this lightweight roller pounds out tight muscles and knots, leaving you feeling like a noodle (in the most flattering way). Adds to cart ASAP!
Key Specs
- Color: Black
- Weight: 2.0 lbs.
- Speed Settings: five vibrational intensity settings (adjustable through the Therabody app)
- Battery Life: 200 Minutes
- Attachments: none (comes with a hypo-allergenic EVA high-density foam for advanced sound insulation)
- Warranty: One Year-Limited
RENPHO Muscle Massage Gun, $70
The RENPHO massage gun is reputable among athletes, acupuncturists, physical therapists, and trainers worldwide. A smooth operator, this nifty tool will leave your muscles and back feeling fresh and ready for a So You Think You Can Dance level of dance workout.
Its handle has been reported to vibrate a lot, at full power, but with five swappable massage heads, you can quickly rid your body of all manner of aches.
Key Specs
- Color: Black
- Weight: 1.5 lbs.
- Speed Settings: five speeds (up to 3200 RPM)
- Battery Life: 120 Minutes
- Attachments: five massage heads
- Warranty: 12 Months
Snailax Massage Gun, $40
What’s so cool about this featherweight percussive massage gun is that it has a powerful motor that barely makes a sound, so you can have a relaxing muscle therapy sesh. It also has four massage heads and five percussion speeds that melt away stress, improve body circulation, and boost muscle recovery.
So long, stubborn sore spots, you’ll not be missed!
Key Specs
- Color: Black
- Weight: 1.7 lbs.
- Speed Settings: five adjustable speeds
- Battery Life: 100 Minutes
- Attachments: four massage heads
- Warranty: One Year (regular consumers), Three Years (those with an extended warranty)
Dartwood Deep Tissue Massage Gun, $45
You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck with this option from Dartwood. With 30-speed settings, the massage gun is bound to judder your muscles back to their Wonder Woman-like strength. It also comes with six specialty massage heads that effectively target soreness and strain from your shoulders, quads, and back.
Yes, it’s a bit bulky, but with 150 minutes of runtime, you’re sure to get rid of those post-HIIT workout jelly legs in time for your pole-dancing sessions.
Key Specs
- Color: Black
- Weight: 2.5 lbs.
- Speed Settings: 30 adjustable speeds (3200 RPM and more)
- Battery Life: 150 Minutes
- Attachments: Six specialty massage heads
- Warranty: 12 Months
Flexier Muscle Massager, $100
If you’re looking to re-find your Zen, grab this percussion therapy massager. Flexier comes with three custom performance-boosting vibrational speeds and is designed to offer stress-zapping, therapeutic relief after a long day on your feet.
Oh, and did we mention it’s one of the best massage gun options for travel-obsessed Queens? Yup. Flexier weighs less than a pound and runs 180 minutes, making it perfect for on-the-go use.
Key Specs
- Color: Black
- Speed Settings: Three (1750, 2400, 3200 RPM)
- Battery Life: 180 Minutes
- Attachments: Three Standard Attachments
- Warranty: 12 Months
