Best massage guns to loosen up with

It’s hard to beat Bob and Brad C2 Deep Tissue massage gun. Between the price, the specs, and the simple design, it is pretty clear that it offers almost as much as higher-priced competitors. Does it have a super ergonomic design? No. Does it have app connectivity? No. Does it really need that stuff? I’d argue, no.

This massage gun is “good enough” with a price that makes it the most sensible for the average person. Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck, the creators of the C2, have a combined 60-plus years of physical therapy experience. While that really does not mean much in the way of research and development, one would hope that they aren’t just slapping their name on any old product. Luckily, even if that was the case, you get a 30-day return window and 12 months of warranty to put your mind at ease.

For a fraction of the price of titans in the industry, with a comparable performance output, the C2 is a serious contender and my pick for overall best.

Coming in at literally a fraction (<1/3) of the cost of most of the other products on this list, the Taotronics massage gun is the pound-for-pound champ of affordable massage guns. It’s not the sleekest or most aesthetic choice, but its performance-to-price ratio is pretty impressive. With a 10-hour battery, you’d be hard-pressed to find any $40 massage guns that can do as much as the Taotronics Percussion Massager. It also has a screen that helps you adjust between the 20 (yes, 20) different speed settings. It’s hard to imagine how a massage gun that’s so good on paper could only run up a $40 bill. There has got to be a compromise somewhere, right? Let Taotronics’ 30-day return policy and 12-month warranty give you some peace of mind. Between the low price tag and decent customer support, the stakes are pretty low. Best case: You score a gem. Worst case: You send it back and get a new one.

The Recoverfun Mini massage gun is perfect for more casual massage gun users. It’s not as sporty or robust as others, however, it is very quiet and very affordable. If you’re looking for a more subtle offering that does not draw too many eyes, this is the one for you. It’s great for aches and pains and light to moderate use. However, if you’re looking for something to smoothen out any muscle knots or loosen you up, it might be best to look elsewhere.

The main appeal of this massage gun is that it’s very quiet. The 30-decibel rating is about the sound level of a whisper, so if for whatever reason you need or want a surreptitious massage gun, this is your best bet. Plus, it comes with four heads. For around $80, this is a fairly budget option (aka low stakes).

There’s no doubt about it, this is the pinnacle of massage gun achievement. The Theragun Pro is as good as it gets when it comes to what a percussion therapy instrument can do. Make no mistake, it doesn’t get any better than this.

It would behoove you to ensure that you absolutely NEED the features that come with this $600 package. It comes with smart app integration, virtually endless battery life with two constantly swappable lithium batteries, 60 percent deeper penetration, an LED screen, and a fully articulating arm. This ain’t your grandpa’s massage recliner. This is a designer piece of equipment designed for people who regularly push their bodies to the limit.

This massage gun is quieter than previous generations, but is still not exactly subtle. Don’t worry, though, because this is actually what you WANT. Everyone now knows you’re using the legendary Theragun PRO. After all, you are now a recovery royalty. Lording over all the plebes who put frugality over optimal muscle recovery. If $600 isn’t rich enough for your taste, you could always go ahead and purchase the 24K-plated Therabody PRO.

Ekrin’s Bantam is the clear cut winner of the mini massage gun contest. For the same price as other competitors that rhyme with “ice” and “gun,” it offers a lot more in the way of specifications and accouterments such as massage heads and a carrying case.

It’s clear Ekrin put a lot of thought into the particular usage of a mini massage gun and went above and beyond the competition. It is lighter, stronger, and about as compact as you can make a percussive massage gun.

The Bantam features a very high (for a mini massage gun) stall force of 35 pounds, beating the Theragun Mini by 15 pounds. This means you can apply 15 more pounds of force directly into sore muscles before stalling out the motor.

Ekrin’s Bantam does not have the best oscillating range (amplitude) at 10 millimeters. However, this is a small price to pay for probably the most capable mini massage gun on the market. It is clear why this sits in the number one slot on so many lists. It’s the gold standard of mini massage guns at no extra cost.

Aesthetics are all about preference. Some people love HyperIce over Therabody. I am by no means a Therabody fanboy. However, it is hard to argue that the triangle design is anything other than ingenious. It makes self-therapy easier than the hairdryer-style shape. Being able to grab the handle in a variety of different ways allows you to massage out your back among other hard-to-reach areas.

The Theragun Prime lacks features of higher trim levels, but all things considered, it checks off most boxes and is backed by a reputable company. Sure, you may be losing some wireless charging, LED screens, progressive frequency, and higher stall force, but for massage gun users that have a moderate budget and aren’t looking to splurge, this is a great, aesthetic, middle-of-the-road option.

Percussion massage guns are all the rage these days (as evidenced by the seemingly endless lists of products), but let’s not forget about the venerable foam roller. The foam roller is the king of recovery and warming up. I do it before my warm up sets and after my workout to prevent any delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) that I may have earned in the gym.

Therabody and a few other companies have given the king a Robocop makeover. It not only technologized a cylinder of foam, but it has also outfitted it to be “optimal.” Five intensity settings, smartphone connectivity, integrated wave design (although it could be more aggressive in my opinion) — the Therabody Wave brings two amazing things and creates a recovery tool that is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you want to target larger muscle groups and are familiar with foam rolling techniques, this is for you. The Therabody Wave Roller is the perfect addition to your recovery arsenal.