The best massage guns for muscle recovery, budget to premium

The Ekrin Athletics B37v2 is the best massage gun for most people. MassageGunAdvice measured the B37 holding its stroke up to 56 lb of pressure, more than the force rating on every Theragun except the PRO line, and Ekrin backs it with a lifetime warranty. Garage Gym Reviews scores it 4.4 out of 5, tied for its highest massage-gun score. If you want the deepest stroke and the most power for heavy lifting, the Bob and Brad D6 Pro is rated for a 16 mm stroke and 85 lb of stall force. The other six picks cover a specific job: the Theragun grip, a premium all-in-one, a strong mini, hot and cold therapy, the smallest gun, and the cheapest one worth buying.

Our quick picks

Best Value

Ekrin Athletics B37v2 Massage Gun

Kit Score 8.2/10 · $224.99 Price checked Oct 25, 3:41 PM CDT

56 lbs stall force reliably holds speed when pressing into dense muscle groups

Best for: Athletes and regular gym-goers who want a powerful, ergonomic gun with serious stall force and won't miss app-connected features.

Why we picked it ↓

Buy on Amazon →

Editor's Choice

Bob and Brad D6 Pro Massage Gun

Kit Score 8.5/10 · $199.98 Price checked Oct 25, 3:41 PM CDT

A rated 16 mm amplitude and 85 lbs of stall force are the deepest specs in this price range

Best for: Strength athletes and physical therapy users who prioritize maximum percussion depth and stall resistance over light weight.

Why we picked it ↓

Buy on Amazon →

Best Theragun

Theragun Prime (6th Gen)

Kit Score 7.9/10 · $329.99 Price checked Oct 25, 3:41 PM CDT

Triangle grip with a wider opening makes solo work on the back and shoulders easier

Best for: Buyers who want the Theragun grip, app routines, and brand support at the lowest price in the full-size Theragun line.

Why we picked it ↓

Buy on Amazon →

Best Premium

Theragun PRO Plus

Kit Score 8.0/10 · $649.99 Price checked Oct 25, 3:41 PM CDT

16 mm stroke measured by an independent reviewer, with a 60 lb force rating for real pressure

Best for: Athletes and gift buyers who want the most capable, quietest Theragun with heat built in and do not mind paying for it.

Why we picked it ↓

Buy on Amazon →

Best Mini

Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini Massage Gun

Kit Score 7.9/10 · $129.99 Price checked Oct 25, 3:41 PM CDT

35 lb measured stall force is unusually strong for a mini gun

Best for: Travelers, runners, and hikers who want a gym-bag gun that still holds up under firm pressure.

Why we picked it ↓

Buy on Amazon →

Best Hot and Cold

Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Mini Massage Gun with Heat and Cold

Kit Score 6.9/10 · $74.99 Price checked Oct 25, 3:41 PM CDT

Heat and cold presets in one head for warm-ups and post-workout cool-downs

Best for: Gift buyers and travelers who want heat and cold in a small gun at a low price.

Why we picked it ↓

Buy on Amazon →

Smallest

Theragun Mini (3rd Gen)

Kit Score 7.0/10 · $219.99 Price checked Oct 25, 3:41 PM CDT

The most compact gun here, with a travel lock and pouch

Best for: People who want the smallest possible gun for travel or a desk drawer, or a Theragun as a gift.

Why we picked it ↓

Buy on Amazon →

Best Budget

TOLOCO EM26 Percussion Massage Gun

Kit Score 6.6/10 · $39.99 Price checked Oct 25, 3:41 PM CDT

Ten attachment heads give more coverage options than guns costing twice as much

Best for: Casual users and first-time buyers who want a full-featured gun for general soreness relief without a premium price.

Why we picked it ↓

Buy on Amazon →

Best overall: Ekrin Athletics B37v2

The B37v2 wins on the number that decides whether a gun keeps working when you lean into a tight hamstring: stall force. MassageGunAdvice measured the B37 holding speed up to 56 lb at its top setting, with a 12 mm stroke and 48.8 to 60.9 dB of noise across its range. Ekrin rates the B37v2 at up to 8 hours per charge over USB-C, which means charging it about once a week rather than every few sessions. The 15 degree angled handle reaches the lower back and hamstrings without a second person.

What it gives up: there is no app, no screen, and the 12 mm stroke is shorter than the 16 mm on the D6 Pro and the Theragun Prime. What it adds is the warranty. Ekrin covers the device for life (the battery for two years), and Garage Gym Reviews names it the quietest gun in its roundup. Register within 30 days if you buy it outside Ekrin's own store. Read the full Ekrin B37v2 review.

Amplitude tells you how deep the head travels; stall force tells you whether it stays there under real muscle pressure. Both numbers matter, and marketing copy almost always leads with only one.

Best for deep tissue: Bob and Brad D6 Pro

Bob and Brad built their following on physical therapy videos, and the D6 Pro is built for the person who presses hard. Bob and Brad rate it at a 16 mm stroke and 85 lb of stall force, and BarBend calls it the highest stall force in its roundup. That combination is what you want on heavy leg days, dense glutes, and the thoracic back after long desk hours. Seven attachments ship in the box, including an air-cushion head for sensitive areas.

The trade-off is weight. At about 2.8 lb it is one of the heaviest guns here, and you will feel it on a long upper-back session. Garage Gym Reviews lists about 180 minutes per charge, and it charges by USB-C. For anyone who prioritizes depth over a light carry, it is the strongest gun on this list.

Best Theragun: Theragun Prime (6th Gen)

If you want a Theragun, the Prime is the one that makes sense. Garage Gym Reviews and BarBend both name the Prime their best overall massage gun, mostly for the patented triangle grip, which lets you hold the gun three ways and reach your own mid-back. The 6th Gen widens that grip opening, adds an LED pressure readout, and wraps the body in rubber that Therabody rates for drops up to 10 feet. It charges by USB-C and pairs with the Therabody app for guided routines.

MedGrade lists a 16 mm stroke and a 30 lb force rating. That rating is the catch: the Ekrin B37 held its stroke under nearly twice that load in MassageGunAdvice's measurement, and the B37v2 costs less with a far longer warranty. You also get only two attachments and up to 120 minutes of battery. Buy the Prime for the grip and the app; buy the Ekrin for the motor. Our Theragun vs Ekrin comparison covers that choice in detail.

Best premium: Theragun PRO Plus

The PRO Plus is the gun to buy if money is not the deciding factor, or the one to gift to a serious athlete. MassageGunAdvice measured a true 16 mm stroke and only 42 to 53 dB of noise, notably quieter than the 66 to 71 dB it measured on the previous-generation PRO. It is also the most complete tool here: a rotating arm for your own back, a heated attachment with three temperatures (113°F, 122°F, and 131°F per MassageGunAdvice), a vibration attachment, near-infrared LED light, an on-device heart-rate sensor, and routines shown right on the screen. MassageGunAdvice cites a 60 lb force rating.

The case against it is simple: it costs several times what the B37v2 does, and Therabody's warranty is one year. If you mostly want sore legs to feel better after a run, the extra features will sit unused.

Best mini: Ekrin Bantam

Most mini guns stall the moment you press. The Bantam is the exception. MassageGunAdvice measured 35 lb of stall force at its top speed, compared with 10 to 15 lb for the Hypervolt Go 2 and about 20 lb for the previous-generation Theragun Mini in the same reviewer's tests. It weighs 1.1 lb, Ekrin rates the battery at up to 6 hours, and it carries the same lifetime warranty as the B37v2. BarBend names it its best budget gun.

The limit is stroke depth: MassageGunAdvice measured 7.84 mm, so the Bantam suits calves, forearms, feet, and shoulders better than big quads and glutes. For a gym bag, a race-day bag, or a hiking trip, it is the mini to buy.

Best hot and cold: Bob and Brad Q2 Pro

The Q2 Pro puts a rechargeable temperature head on Bob and Brad's pocket gun. Heat runs at 104°F or 113°F and cold at 50°F or 59°F, according to The Gadgeteer's review, which also clocked the gun at up to four hours between charges. Warmth helps a stiff muscle loosen before a session, and a cool head feels good on a tender calf afterward. It weighs 0.95 lb and charges by USB-C.

Bob and Brad list a 7 mm stroke, which is shallow. Treat the Q2 Pro as a warm-up, cool-down, and travel tool, and pair it with a full-size gun if you need deep work. It is also one of the easier gifts on this list: small, inexpensive, and from a brand many people already know from YouTube.

Smallest: Theragun Mini (3rd Gen)

Therabody lists the Mini at 0.40 kg, about the size of a palm, with a travel lock, three speeds, USB-C, and app routines. MedGrade lists a 12 mm stroke, deep for a mini, but a 20 lb force rating, so it slows under firm pressure. It is the right pick if size is the whole point, such as a desk drawer, a jacket pocket, or a carry-on, or if the person you are buying for wants the Theragun name. For more power in a small gun, the Bantam is stronger and costs less.

Best budget: TOLOCO EM26

The EM26 is the cheapest gun here that is still worth buying. TOLOCO lists 10 heads, 7 speeds up to 3,200 RPM, a 12 mm stroke, and 40 to 50 dB of noise. It feels more like vibration than deep percussion under hard pressure, so it will not dig into a knotted IT band. For general soreness after a workout, or to find out whether you like percussion massage before spending more, it does the job. Read the full TOLOCO EM26 review.

How they compare

"Measured" means MassageGunAdvice's own measurement. "Maker" means the brand's published figure. Battery figures are maker claims except where a source says otherwise.

How to choose a massage gun

Six numbers do most of the work. Marketing pages tend to lead with speed and attachment count, which matter least.

How to use one safely

The research on percussion guns is encouraging but modest. In a small 2020 study in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, five minutes of percussion on the calves increased ankle range of motion by 5.4 degrees in 16 recreational athletes, with no loss of strength. That makes a gun a reasonable warm-up and recovery tool, not a treatment.

University of Utah Health physical therapist Josh Fuhriman recommends two to three minutes per muscle group, starting at a slow, light setting and adding intensity gradually, and keeping the gun off bony areas, the front of the neck, the groin, and broken or bruised skin. A Prisma Health physical therapist adds that you should skip it over fractures, surgical hardware, or a suspected blood clot, and check with a doctor first if you take blood thinners, have a clotting disorder or peripheral neuropathy, or have cancer in the area.

For a full routine by body part, see how to use a massage gun.

How we picked

Every pick is scored on the Kit Score: fit for purpose, owner sentiment, build quality, and value. We combined maker specifications, independent measurements from MassageGunAdvice, the published roundups at Garage Gym Reviews and BarBend, and current Amazon listings checked for stock and an official brand seller. We have not used these guns ourselves; every figure on this page is a maker spec or a named reviewer's measurement.

FAQ

What is the best massage gun for most people?

The Ekrin Athletics B37v2. MassageGunAdvice measured 56 lb of stall force on the B37, Ekrin rates the B37v2 at up to 8 hours of battery, and it carries a lifetime warranty on the device. If you want the most depth for heavy training, the Bob and Brad D6 Pro is rated for a 16 mm stroke and 85 lb of stall force.

Is a Theragun worth it?

For the grip and the app, yes. The Theragun Prime's triangle handle makes solo back work easier, and its app routines help beginners. On motor strength per dollar, no: the Prime's 30 lb force rating trails the Ekrin B37v2's measured 56 lb, and Therabody's warranty is one year against Ekrin's lifetime coverage. The Theragun PRO Plus is the exception if you want heat, LED, and the quietest motor here.

What amplitude and stall force should I look for?

For general recovery, about 12 mm of amplitude and 30 lb or more of stall force is a workable floor. If you lift heavy or press hard, look for 14 to 16 mm and 50 lb or more so the gun does not stall on dense muscle.

Are mini massage guns any good?

For calves, forearms, feet, neck, and travel, yes. Most minis stall easily, though. The Ekrin Bantam measured 35 lb of stall force, well above the 10 to 20 lb MassageGunAdvice measured on the Hypervolt Go 2 and the previous-generation Theragun Mini. Minis have shorter strokes, so they are weaker on big quads and glutes.

Do heated massage guns work better?

Heat is a comfort and warm-up feature rather than a different kind of massage. Therabody says its heated attachment preps muscles faster than percussion alone; that is the maker's claim. If you like heat on a stiff back before a session, the PRO Plus has it built in, and the Bob and Brad Q2 Pro adds both heat and cold for much less.

How loud is a massage gun?

Among these picks, MassageGunAdvice measured the Theragun PRO Plus at 42 to 53 dB, the Ekrin Bantam at 50 to 58 dB, and the Ekrin B37 at 48.8 to 60.9 dB. Anything under about 55 dB is easy to use while someone else watches TV; at top speed most guns are audible through a bedroom wall.

Who should not use a massage gun?

Physical therapists at Prisma Health advise checking with a doctor first if you take blood thinners, have a clotting disorder, peripheral neuropathy, or cancer in the area, and never using one over a suspected blood clot, a fracture, or broken skin. This page is general information, not medical advice.

Where these numbers come from

For more recovery gear, browse fitness or read how we research and rate.