Our expert tester trialled a range of massage guns over a three-week period, using them after a wide range of exercises, from weightlifting and running to HIIT and yoga. They considered how easy each massage gun was to control, how smoothly it moved over the skin and whether the different massage head attachments were effective, as well as the practicality and intuitiveness of each massager's controls and overall design. Hydragun also advises always keeping the massage gun moving rather than leaving it in one place, and not using it in one area for longer than a couple of minutes to avoid bruising. With the combination of 150w of power and 35lbs of stall force, this mini massage gun is strong enough to provide most athletes with a deeper massage than many other options. Sportneer Mini 3 Massage Gun This device offers a lighter touch, so it’s better suited to less intense recovery sessions or general R&R in front of the telly. On that note, it was one of the quietest models we tried, scoring almost full marks in our noise tests. It's been 14 years since the Theragun was born, and the massage gun market has boomed; there are hundreds (maybe even thousands) of options available. Although this equipment is still predominately used by athletes, additional people around the world are using this tool to improve muscular pain when suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis, speed up rehabilitation and get a deep tissue massage.

The ergonomic silicone grips add a touch of comfort, and 35 pounds of stall force allow you to really drive deep into sore tissue. The battery lasts about four hours per charge, and at just 5.7 inches long, it’ll easily fit into a purse or overstuffed gym bag. Specs This gun’s five adjustable vibration modes and bone-shaking power should be able to loosen up the tightest athletes. Plus, a whopping six-hour battery life per charge means you’ll spend more time massaging and less time charging. Best Budget Mini Massage GunIf you’re after a small massage gun that still offers versatility, consider this fuss-friendly Boots offering. There are three speed settings and four interchangeable heads (a ball, fork, bullet and flat head) for alleviating aches and pains, whether you need some post-exercise relief or you’ve been hunched over your desk for too long. Julie Penfold has been a specialist health and wellbeing journalist for more than 15 years and has been a finalist in three prestigious health and medical journalism awards during that time. It's all about preference, though. Read the intended use of each attachment, give each a go, and follow what feels right for you. They also said it was sufficiently powerful, providing instant relief from soreness, even at lower speeds. There were no issues with jolting or juddering over their skin, making for an extremely smooth massage experience. While this mini massage gun’s design looks simple, it includes premium features that, surprisingly, exceed its minimalist appearance and compact design. Theragun Mini 2

We run each massage gun on its highest setting and record how long each one lasts before running out. Rehabilitation. This treatment can be recommended as part of rehabilitation in the postoperative period because it is able to enhance lymphatic and blood circulation, which hastens the healing time. Besides, percussion therapy is helpful for stiff joints and spasms of muscles, as it stretches out their fibers. All this is particularly beneficial for those who, for some reason, cannot attend a physical therapist or cannot do it regularly enough. Battery life is important because you don’t want your massage gun to die after one or two uses. While you might not use your massage gun for hours at a time, consider battery life and how long it takes to recharge the massage gun if you plan on using your massage gun on a regular basis. Garcia-Silero, M., Jurado-Castro, J. M., et al. (2021). Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment on Movement Velocity during Resistance Training. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18 (15):7726. They work as a percussion massager, using vibration through the massage gun to target a specific area where muscles may be impacted, which may help reduce sorenessand muscle tension. 1Massages provided by mini massage guns don’t just feel good at the moment. It may also help with recovery by reducing delayed onset muscle soreness. According to a 2014 study, using a massage gun post-workout may aid in recovery. ( 2) Researchers found that athletes who used vibration therapy experienced significantly less pain 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise compared to those who did not. How Much Do Mini Massage Guns Cost? This was definitely a game-changer for me and I really appreciated having the ability to follow a routine. From daily self-care routines to guides targeted at specific body parts as well as warm-up and cool-down sets, this app truly sets the Theragun apart. When using a massage gun after a workout, he recommends using it for 20 seconds per muscle group after activity and that it “will make a world of difference in your recovery”. ARE THERE ANY SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING A MASSAGE GUN?

People who prefer less pressure or who are just getting used to percussive treatment may also want an air cushion head or a soft orange head as they provide a more gentle massage. Battery Life A nice sleek design is the first thing that jumps out at you but is by no means the only benefit. This product is recommended by sports trainers and professional therapists, and there are reasons for that. It comes with two motors — one for percussion and the other for vibration. Vibration delivers a soothing massage while percussion gets deep into the muscle tissue. Make sure it offers the therapies you need including range of massage intensity, attachments, battery life, noise level, and ergonomics. A massage gun, muscle gun, massage muscle gun or any other name it may go by, is a small handheld device that has the look of a drill. It may be the size of a small water bottle, but it’s brimming with impressive features. You get five interchangeable heads (most mini massagers come with just one or two) and there are five speed settings to flit between, giving you a whopping 25 massage combos to try. If you need some guidance, there’s a handy user manual, which provides step-by-step routines for warm-up, mobility and recovery. According to our tester, these were genuinely useful.Want to buy the best massage gun but don’t know where to start? Budget will play a key part here, of course, but so too will your prior experience will massage guns. Are you looking to upgrade from one you already own, or are you buying your first? If the latter then we highly recommend trying before you buy – after all, you wouldn’t want to splash out on the most expensive model to find it’s too heavy to use comfortably, or is simply too powerful for the sort of massage you want. Its five power settings are simple to control, and range from a gentle massage to a vigorous pummelling that's suited to large, particularly tight muscles. It's seriously fast, delivering between 1,400 and 3,200 pulses per minute. Key features and specifications to look out for include the massage gun’s speed options, which are usually measured in percussions per minute (PPM) and tend to range from around 1000 to over 3000 for the most powerful models. Also look closely at the stall force, which is measured in kg or lbs and can vary from under 20 kg to over 30 kg. This is how much pressure you can apply to the massage gun before its motor stops, so a higher stall force means the ability to give yourself a firmer, deeper massage. Again, make sure you’re familiar with what you like from a percussive massage and buy the gun that’s best for you.