The 7 Best Massage Guns Of 2025, Tested and Approved

Whether you exercise regularly and are looking for ways to help with your post-workout recovery, or have back pain due to a less-than-ideal desk setup, it might be time to invest in a targeted deep-tissue massager, otherwise known as a massage gun.

“What the massage gun does is combine impact and movement, known as vibration therapy, to help loosen up tight and sore muscles, similar to that of a massage, as well as stimulate blood flow to help increase recovery,” says physical therapist John Gallucci Jr., CEO of JAG Physical Therapy.

To help you choose the right massage gun for your needs, I spoke to experts about what to consider when shopping for one and collected some of their favorite massagers on the market, including ones we have tested. 

SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best massage guns | Best massage guns in 2025 | Why trust NBC Select?

According to experts, there are some notable features you should consider when shopping for a massage gun. Here’s what they suggest paying attention to: 

• Strength: Some massage guns offer different speed levels measured in percussions per minute, or PPM. ”Higher speeds or velocity will yield a more superficial numbing effect, and higher power models will reach deeper into the muscle fibers,” says Bianca Beldini, an acupuncturist, physical therapist and certified triathlon coach. Choosing a device that has adjustable PPMs will make it more versatile.
• Weight: A massage gun is meant to be used with one hand, which makes the weight extremely important. “If the gun is too heavy, your hand or arm may become fatigued before you are finished with your massage session,” Gallucci says.
• Portability: Along with weight, you want to take size into consideration if you want to keep your massage gun in a gym bag or take it with you when you travel.
• Head attachments: Buying a massage gun with a range of head attachments will give you the flexibility to work on different areas of your body. According to experts, a big round head can be used on larger muscle groups like your quads, while a flat head can be used on small, dense muscle groups like the shoulder blades.

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Below, I highlighted expert recommendations for the best massage guns, along with a few NBC Select staff picks that are tested and approved. All of the options below have multiple speeds and attachments.

Therabody Theragun Sense

This massage gun won an NBC Select Wellness Award after five weeks of vigorous testing. Our editorial director, Lauren Swanson, tested massage guns while marathon training and this one came out on top for her. The heads and speeds were gentle on her tender muscles after long runs, and she also credits the breathwork feature with helping her to prioritize that underrated part of training. NBC Select editor Jordan Bowman also tested this massage gun and liked how he could select different workout types for stress relief, lower back pain and sleep.

Hypervolt 2

Beldini personally uses the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 model and says it provides a great all-around value. It has three speeds up to 3,200 percussions per minute (PPM), five head attachments and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that holds up to three hours of juice, according to the brand. “It is easy to handle, and it is relatively quiet,” she says.

Hypervolt Go 2

What we like

• Quick charging battery
• Lightweight

Hypervolt massage guns are known for their quick-charging batteries, minimal noise levels, power and ease of use, says Gallucci. “Weighing in at 1.5 pounds, this product packs a lot of power into a travel-friendly option,” he says, noting that it’s “nearly as powerful as many full-size guns.” In addition to being lightweight, it has three different speeds and three hours of battery life, according to the brand.

Theragun Pro

What we like

• Six speeds
• Five hour battery-life
• Multiple attachments

This massage gun stands in a class of its own due to its ergonomic grip and adjustable arm, says Gallucci. You can angle the arm for a customized massage for any body part. “A few other special features include the six speeds, seven attachments, two batteries lasting five hours total and Bluetooth capabilities. This massage gun is an investment, but fitness enthusiasts and athletes feel it is well worth the splurge,” he says The Pro model is also over 50% quieter than previous Theragun models, making it unobtrusive to use in public, says Allen Conrad, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and owner of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center.

Theragun Mini

What we like

• Lightweight
• Travel friendly
• Three speeds

The Theragun Mini, another NBC Select Wellness Award winner, is the smallest, most portable massage gun from the brand. It has three massaging speeds and comes with three head attachments, a soft case and a charging cable. “Its small style means I can bring it everywhere, which I love,” says commerce leadership coordinator Alexa Arent, who used it to target very specific body aches, using different attachments depending on which muscle was involved. “I mostly 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 note

• Only two speeds
• Not that powerful

Conrad recommends this option for beginners looking for a budget-friendly option before making a more sizable investment. It comes with four attachment heads, and although it isn’t battery-operated, it has a 9-foot-long power cable so you can move relatively freely. It also has two speeds and two vibration settings with up to 3,350 PPM, according to the brand. One thing to note: This option may not be powerful enough for larger areas, like the hamstrings, but can be useful for smaller regions, like the calves and forearms, says Conrad.

Theragun Prime

What we like

• Quiet
• Five speed settings
• Wellness routines

This option is quiet, has an ergonomic handle and packs plenty of power, according to Conrad. Gallucci agrees: “Theragun is the pioneer in this market, and this fourth-generation [massage gun] lives up to the top-quality products that Theragun is known for.” The Theragun Prime is 70% quieter than previous models and has five built-in speed settings, two hours of battery life and four attachments, according to the brand. Users can also download the Therabody app, which integrates with Apple Health and Google Fit and recommends guided wellness routines based on your behaviors. With the app, you can also select any speed between 1,750 and 2,400 PPM.

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• John Gallucci Jr. is the CEO of JAG Physical Therapy
• Bianca Beldini is an acupuncturist, physical therapist and certified triathlon coach
• Allen Conrad is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and owner of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center
• Dr. Rahul Shah is an orthopedic spine and neck surgeon

I am a contributor who has covered sleep, wellness, home and more. I have over 15 years of experience in journalism and reporting. My work has been published on The Knot, PopSugar, CafeMom, Mom.com, Bridal Guide and Care.com. 

Our team has spent several years testing and trying massage guns. We work with doctors and physical therapists to help with our reporting. We also have marathon runners and cyclists on our team to adequately test each massage gun and its ability to assist with recovery and performance.