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Best massage guns 2026: tried and tested for aches and pains
We've tested the best massage guns from Homedics, Bob and Brad, Pulsio, Renpho, Theragun and more to find the best for soothing sore muscles and post-run recovery
Joel has spent six years testing pizza ovens, camping gear, binoculars and more. He’s cooked a criminal amount of pizza, and swallowed the evidence.
The best massage guns are a handy tool for a self-applied deep-tissue massage.
But are massage guns good for you? While the jury's still out on some of the longer-term benefits, we do know that they provide instant relief to sore muscles and aids in reduced delayed onset muscle soreness.
This makes them a brilliant piece of equipment to use for active people, especially before or after workouts to help avoid and stave off stiff and achy muscles.
We've tested popular massage guns to find the most comfortable and convenient to use. Our results show that your personal needs for power, battery life and adjustability will somewhat dictate which is the best massage gun for you – but there were still clear favourites among our testers.
How our tests find you the best
We've tested 26 massage guns
Each member of our mixed-sex testing panel rate and comment on their experiences with every massage gun we test.
Effectiveness
Our panellists ignore all the marketing jargon about fast RPM and high amplitude and pick out the guns they feel are most effective on their muscles.
Battery life
There's nothing worse than a massage gun that gives up on you after a short session. We record how long each lasts on its highest power.
We also test...
How easy they are to handle, their range of speed settings and attachments, and how noisy they are.
The massage guns we tested
The biggest brands and 11 of the most popular massage guns are listed below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the massage guns test results.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
| Massage gun | Price | Score | Effectiveness | Ease of use | Battery life* | Adjustability** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableGet Digital access £8.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? | 88% | |||||
| 86% | ||||||
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| 76% | ||||||
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Date tested: November 2025, April 2024, February 2023. Page last checked: February 2026. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available. We've tested 26 massage guns in total, but the table shows our top picks only.
*We tested battery life for each massage gun with no load (ie during battery testing, the massage guns weren't massaging anyone). The more pressure you apply with the massage gun, the more likely you'll experience a shorter battery life than we recorded.
**This is our combined assessment of the variety of speed settings and attachments that can be used with each massage gun.
A selection of the massage guns we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best massage guns from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
Aerlang EM8
Most recently tested November 2025
Stated speed range and amplitude 1,200-3,200ppm; 12mm
Measured no-load battery life ( highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, arc-shaped head, U-shaped head, shovel-shaped head, flat head, bullet head, ball head
Need to know 23 x 6.5 x 17cm (HxWxD), 820g, stated charging time 3 hours, one-year warranty
Bob and Brad Q2 Pro Massage Gun
Most recently tested November 2025
Stated speed range and amplitude 1,800-3,000ppm; 7mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, ball head, air cushion head, bullet head, U-shaped head, heat and cold head (heat setting can be set to either 40°C or 45°C, cold setting can be set to either 10°C or 15°C), 3 x spare rubber sleeves for heads
Need to know 14.6 x 4.8 x 8.4cm (HxWxD), 439g, stated charging time 3 hours 30 mins, two-year warranty
Boots Deep Tissue Percussive Massage Gun
Most recently tested February 2023
Stated speed range and amplitude 1,600-2,400ppm; 6mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, bullet head, flat head, ball head, fork head
Need to know 14.6 x 4.5 x 11cm (HxWxD), 367g, stated charging time 3 hours, one-year warranty
Homedics Pro Physio Heat Massage Gun
Most recently tested February 2023
Stated speed range and amplitude 2,100-3,000ppm; 10mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, ball head, barrel head, cool head, arrow head, heated head, cellulite head
Need to know 22.4 x 6.4 x 20cm (H x W x D), 1kg, stated charging time 2.5 hours, three-year warranty
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Hyperice Hypervolt 2
Most recently tested April 2024
Stated speed range and amplitude 2,000-2,700ppm; 12mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, fork head, bullet head, flat head, cushion head, round head
Need to know 24.1 x 6.4 x 19.1cm (HxWxD), 820g, stated charging time 4 hours, one-year warranty, Bluetooth-enabled – connects to Hyperice smartphone app for guided routines
Lola Massage Gun
Most recently tested April 2024
Stated speed range and amplitude 1,400-3,000ppm; 6mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry bag, ball head, cone head, flat head, U-shaped head, USB charging cable
Need to know 9 x 16 x 4.8cm (HxWxD), 765g, stated charging time 7 hours, two-year warranty
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Physion Pro
Available from Physion (£69.95)
Most recently tested February 2023
Stated speed range and amplitude Minimum range not stated, maximum speed 5,000ppm; amplitude not stated
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, ball head, thumb head, spade-shaped head, U-shaped head, bullet head, flat head
Need to know 24.3 x 6.8 x 17.2cm (HxWxD), 1.23kg, stated charging time 6 hours, warranty length not stated
Pulsio Air
Available from Pulsio (£69.99), Decathlon (£99.99)
Most recently tested November 2025
Stated speed range and amplitude 1,200-4,500ppm; 12mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, round ball head, fork head, bullet head, flat head
Need to know 20 x 8 x 17cm (HxWxD); 450g; charging time not stated; one-year warranty; available in black, indigo, red, silver, violet, white and green
Renpho Active Thermacool Massage Gun R-C003H-N1
Most recently tested November 2025
Stated speed range and amplitude 1,800-3,200ppm; 10mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, ball head, flat head, bullet head, fork head, hot and cold head (heat setting can be set to either 38°C or 47°C, cold setting can be set to either 8°C or 14°C), 2 x spare rubber sleeves for heads
Need to know 18.6 x 6 x 14.7cm (HxWxD); 641g; stated charging time 2 hours 30 mins; one-year warranty
Tamda MS-07 Massage Gun
Most recently tested November 2025
Stated speed range and amplitude 800-3600ppm; 9mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Ball head, arc-shaped head, mushroom head, D-shape head, fork head, wedge head, bullet head, flat head, curved head, bump head, drawstring bag for attachments
Need to know 24 x 6 x 21cm (HxWxD); 833g; stated charging time 4 hours; 90-day warranty
Theragun Mini 3.0 Massage Gun
Most recently tested November 2025
Stated speed range and amplitude 1,750-2,400ppm; 10mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, ball head, dampener head, thumb head
Need to know 11.6 x 9.6 x 13.5cm (HxWxD); 400g; stated charging time 1 hour 20 mins; one-year warranty; available in black or desert rose, cards inside with a few suggested routines eg 'Refresh your legs' (7 mins), 'Travel' (for calves, quads, glutes and lower back, 4 mins); has a lock function for travelling (three quick presses); Therabody app has more guided routines. but you'll need to connect your gun to your phone via Bluetooth
Wahl Mini Massage Gun
Most recently tested April 2024
Stated speed range and amplitude 1,600-2,800ppm; 6mm
Measured no-load battery life (highest setting) Log in now or join Which? to instantly reveal
Accessories included Carry case, round head, bullet head, flat head, spinal head (U-shaped)
Need to know 15.3 x 4.2 x 9.5cm (HxWxD), 392g, stated charging time 3 hours 20 minutes, two-year warranty
More massage guns from our tests
Here's the rest of the massage guns from our tests, listed in alphabetical order.
| Massage gun | Price | Score | Effectiveness | Ease of use | Battery life* | Adjustability** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodi-Tek Deep Tissue Sports Cordless Massage Gun | SQUIRREL_TEXT_12879792 | |||||
| Decathlon Mini Massage Gun 8647293 | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50023296 | |||||
| Homedics Novo Mini Massage Gun | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50014038 | |||||
| Hydragun Massage Gun | Hydragun(£269) | |||||
| Mebak 3 | SQUIRREL_TEXT_12879795 | |||||
| Menkind Mini Massage Gun | Argos(£28) | |||||
| Pulsio Elite | Pulsio(£99.99) | |||||
| Renpho RP-GM171 | SQUIRREL_TEXT_12879802 | |||||
| Salter Premium Massage Gun | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50023377 | |||||
| Theragun Mini (Second Generation) | SQUIRREL_TEXT_12879927 | |||||
| Theragun Prime | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50014050 | |||||
| Theragun Pro | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50017092 | |||||
| Theragun Relief | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50023378 | |||||
| Theragun Sense (First Generation) | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50023380 |
Date tested: November 2025, April 2024, February 2023. Page last checked: February 2026. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available. We've tested 26 massage guns in total, but the table shows our top picks only.
*We tested battery life for each massage gun with no load (ie during battery testing, the massage guns weren't massaging anyone). The more pressure you apply with the massage gun, the more likely you'll experience a shorter battery life than we recorded.
**This is our combined assessment of the variety of speed settings and attachments that can be used with each massage gun.
How we test massage guns
For our tough massage gun tests we enlist panels of testers of different ages and genders to try out and rate each gun after sessions of vigorous exercise over several weeks.
We regularly revisit the massage guns on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them we do.
Ease of use and adjustability
- While using each model, testers rate them for how comfortable they are to handle, how easily they cycle through the speed settings and how well they can massage tricky-to-reach spots.
- The best massage guns make it easy to reach tricky areas such as your lower back and shoulders; others are more difficult to handle. It can be difficult to cycle through the speed settings on some of the worst ones.
- Each massage gun is separately rated for its range of speed settings and attachments.
Comfort and power
- Testers try out the various settings on each massage gun and rate them for how comfortable and effective they feel to use, and if they provide the desired level of power.
- Everyone has different preferences and thresholds, but the best massage guns have a setting for everyone. The worst we test are so lacking that our testers feel they lack effectiveness, even on the highest settings.
Battery life and noise
- We run each massage gun on its highest setting and record how long each one lasts before running out. We do this without applying pressure to the gun to keep the testing fair and consistent. Different people apply variable levels of pressure when using their massage guns, and the firmer you press, the quicker the battery will drain.
- We also use a decibel meter to record how noisy each massage gun is on its highest setting.
- The best massage guns last over seven hours, while the worst we test give up after about an hour.
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Do massage guns work?
If you're pausing before buying a massage gun because you're wondering if they're good for you, we wouldn't be surprised. They're relatively new products and their health benefits are advertised pretty heavily.
Massage gun brands state that their products provide a wide range of benefits, from promoting blood flow and accelerating muscle recovery to improving flexibility and encouraging lymphatic drainage.
There is inconclusive research about some of the longer-term scientific benefits of using massage guns, as this is still being investigated and debated.
What we do know is that the percussive therapy massage guns provide helps with instant relief from muscle soreness and reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by encouraging blood flow to affected areas. Percussive therapy is a fancy name for a massage that's rapid and repetitive and uses vibrations.
For example, a 2014 study from the National Library of Medicine in the USA confirmed that percussive therapy 'significantly' reduces DOMS at 24, 48 and 72 hours after exercise.
If your aim is to get some satisfying relief from post-workout muscle strain and to help reduce soreness in your muscles in the days after a workout, the best massage guns are likely to work well for you and are worth buying.
Will a massage gun break up cellulite?
In short, no. Massage guns may make it briefly look as though they have broken up cellulite, as they increase the flow of blood to the area you're massaging, and this can make the skin look firmer and smoother temporarily. But this is a fleeting effect.
For massage guns to break up cellulite successfully, they would need to break down the fat that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite, and they don't do that.
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Can you use a massage gun while pregnant?
There is mixed online advice from various sources on this, with some more cautious than others. The NHS does not specifically comment on it.
If you're pregnant, we would recommend speaking to your doctor before using a massage gun to get expert advice that suits your personal and medical circumstances.
They may advise against it entirely, or that you limit use of the massage gun to your limbs rather than anywhere on or around your torso.
Read our expert advice on pregnancy and birth
How to use a massage gun
Massage guns are suitable for use both before and after your workout to loosen up your muscles and relieve tension. Below, we've listed some key tips for using your massage gun properly and effectively:
- Be mindful of the amplitude when shopping; this is a measurement of how far the massage head moves back and forth when the gun is switched on. The higher the amplitude, the deeper into your muscles the gun will get. Some are gentler, at around 6mm, but we've tested deep-tissue massage guns with amplitudes as high as 16mm.
- The other key stat to look out for is RPM (revolutions per minute). A higher RPM means faster vibrations and a more intense-feeling massage, but if the massage gun doesn't get properly into your muscles, it can sometimes feel like it's just slapping you rather than massaging you. That's why the right combination of RPM and amplitude is what leads to a satisfying massage.
- Attach your desired massage gun attachment – see our advice below on massage gun extras if you're unsure which to use – and make sure it's firmly locked in place before switching it on.
- Only apply the massage gun to your body once you've turned it on; don't press it into your body first.
- Always start your massage gun from the gentlest speed setting and gradually work your way up to a level that feels both comfortable and effective. Speed is measured in ppm (percussions per minute) the massage gun drums into your body.
- Check your massage gun's instructions for advice on how long to use it for on each muscle group. Generally speaking, two to three minutes should be sufficient.
- Focus on muscle groups, such as your quads, thighs or biceps. Avoid bony areas, as massage guns aren't designed for use on bone and it's likely to be painful.
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Massage gun extras – do you need them?
Massage guns tend to come with a variety of massage heads of all shapes and sizes. Each feels different and is intended for use on different muscle groups.
These are the intended areas of application for each massage gun head we came across (under various names) in our tests:
- Ball/round for large muscle groups such as quads and glutes.
- Barrel for forearms and calves.
- Bullet/arrow/thumb/cone for deep tissue, joints, trigger points, lower back, meridians, the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet.
- Cellulite for legs, glutes and arms. Despite the name, they don't actually break up cellulite. It's just recommended for use on areas where cellulite develops.
- Flat/bump/dampener for all-round general use.
- Cushion/soft for sensitive or sore muscles and areas near bones or joints.
- Arc-shaped/curved for your biceps and shoulders.
- Fork/U-shaped for around the neck, shoulders, spine, calves and Achilles tendon.
- Shovel/spade/flushing/wedge for your neck, shoulders and lower back.
Whether or not you really need these attachments is a matter of opinion. During testing, we tended to default to the all-rounder attachments such as flat, bump or dampener heads, as it saved us the effort of having to swap them around.
It's all about preference, though. Read the intended use of each attachment, give each a go and follow what feels right for you.
If you want to focus on your feet, see our round-up of the best foot massagers